Decided on my winter car...
 

I am going to get a Subaru Outback Sport wagon. I can't justify the extra cost of ownership for the WRX. How many miles are the Scooby engines good for? I am finding some very good prices on mid to late 90's cars, but the miles are up there...

Anyone?

high 100k's are not uncommon.

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=73556

we have a 2002 LL bean. got a screaming deal on it with an extended warranty from a private party. i would have preferred a 4 cyl. FWIW i think that when they get smart and stick the diesel in one they will have a real winner.

My Pcar is my winter car. I live in Southern California.. ;D

My mom had a legacy...put 150K on the engine before the tranny went...she did not treat cars well either. Also, we had a '99 Forester before the minivan....sold it with 60K miles....and absolutey amazing car.

I think I'm gonna follow you and grab a legacy for my winter ride. Super reliable and can really go in the snow.

Good luck,
J

Before you buy, check out this web site.

used cars

I almost bid on a 90s Outback in the last minutes on Ebay. My wife recommended I check out Subys before actually buying one. I told her they were known for being indestructible, but knowing the consequences of screwing up after being warned, I checked. Boy-am I glad I did!

Fwiw-my sister had a 90s Legacy sedan which proved very costly and unreliable.

Buy a Honda.

Subarus are traditionally near-indestructable, I've had 2 myself, family has owned 6 so far... that said, my brothers '99 Legacy motor was notorious for head gasket problems and his finally went.

Do some research.

The Outback Sport is based on the Impreza not the Legacy. I have read the 2.5 engines in the Legacy have a head gasket issue. The 2.2 Impreza engines are more reliable according to my research.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1182943020.jpg

Shawn, you really need a 964 (C4) with a second set of wheels with winter tires. You know I'm right. :D

Jim, I have a budget of less than $4K. Let me know when you find a C4 within my budget. And please don't find it at wrecked exotics.com ;)

Picky picky picky. :p

Hey if you can find one in my budget I would even drive a Purple one!

Purple would definately bust your budget. :p

I had a 1995 Legacy sedan with the 2.2 liter motor -- it is true -- these cars are virtually indestructable.

I sold it at 193,000 miles -- needed something bigger since I got into trailering.

NEVER had a major component fail on the car. Granted, at 193,000 miles, it needed a head gasket and the tranny was slipping a little, but the car owed me nothing.

I highly recommend the Subaru brand.

-Z-man.

Can you say tow vehicle. :)

I am hoping it can at least flat tow a 1961 Baja Bug... ;)

Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy some JC Whitney heat exchangers for the bug for winter? ;) :D

I’ve been in a Beetle in the dead of winter with “working” heat. ;)