New (to me) 97 Legacy in AK (soon MT)

[tjdzor]

Well, this is my first Subaru, pretty happy about it. Came up to Juneau AK for the summer so ended up picking up a cheap car for transportation and like it enough to drive it back down to Montana in a few weeks. Its a 1997 Subaru Legacy L with a 2.2 and auto (unfortunately). Runs like a champ, 65k on it, PO says the engine wasn't the orig and had been replaced by the owner prior, so not sure on the actual motor mileage but other than an oil leak it seems solid. Picked it up for $1000 cash. Loving it thus far, this is funnily enough the newest and fanciest vehicle i've ever owned haha!

Just have pics from when i bought it but will take some new ones soon if it isn't raining!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/DSCF1584JPG-1.jpg

Has some dings in the front bumper and passenger side was backed into by the PO's wife, but mechanically is solid hah.

Thus far i've done a bit of work, adjusted headlights/replaced some burned out bulbs like a taillight and HVAC bulbs and cruise control button, typical routine maint like air filter, oil changes, belt, etc. Picked up a keyfob and got the keyless entry working. Cleaned the door lock switch so the doors would unlock more reliably (without pressing the button 5 times). Put new tires on it and bled the brakes as well.

I've put about 2k on it and will be putting another 2500+ on it in the next month so i just hope its up to the task!

[Reason]

It's my car! Lol once upon a time... wow 65k and I don't see any rust, That's a good find. Welcome to SLi!

[tjdzor]

There is a bit but not bad at all. Moving to a dryer climate should help slow it haha.

The front bumper and pass side fender and doors could use being replaced, but I'm trying to keep this cheap and reliable so I'll ignore looks for a while.

[1839cc]

Low miles are low. Looks like an incredible deal. No pics of the right side?

[tjdzor]

Still crap pics, busy busy, but heres some more.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/iPod2520233-2.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/iPod2520235-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/iPod2520236-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/iPod2520237-2.jpg

And HVAC/Cruise Control button lights after replacing burned out bulbs with Radioshack ones :)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/iPod2520231-2.jpg

[tjdzor]

And well its late, heres a few more random pics off my iPod...

One of the first fuel ups... Ouch, $4.65/gal (down to $4.25 now...)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/iPod2520073-2.jpg

Replacing a very cross threaded lug stud

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/iPod2520205-1.jpg

New tires! But so not performancy....sad. But still, should be good all year round, good for travelling, and are rated for 80k (Michelin X Radials from Costco)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/iPod2520210-2.jpg

eBay key fob, works great, and was like $16 (obviously panic and trunk buttons don't work)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/iPod2520212-2.jpg

Orig brake fluid

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/iPod2520214-1.jpg

New fluid after flushing and bleeding

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/iPod2520215-2.jpg

And hitting 65,000.... Crazy.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/iPod2520219-2.jpg

[1839cc]

Very nice. Damage doesn't look so bad.

Can you feel a difference with the new brake fluid?

[tjdzor]

Yeah i bled through quite a bit of fluid (until clean stuff came out and then some). Firmed up a lot. When i bought it i could barely lock it up enough to get the ABS going on wet pavement...

[1839cc]

Glad to hear it. I think that might be a project in my near future.

[mike-tracy]

I put those same tires on my mom-in-law's outback. Seems to work well, like you said not performance models. 4.xx a gallon huh. Does Alaska not have any refineries and you have to shipped gasoline back? lol Montana's one of the cheapest states for gas. Plus nice open roads and almost no cops...perfect for going fast lol.

[tjdzor]

As far as brake bleeding, just make sure you do the right order PF DR DF PR iirc. Check first. And aquarium tubing has been the best I've found to fit the bleeders.

The rest of AK prob isn't quite as bad but there's no road to Juneau, gotta fly in or ferry/boat. I'm sure that adds to the cost!

[98legwag]

My car had Michelin X-radials on when I bought it. Best thing I ever did to the car was get those off. They are ok for daily use, but any spirited driving will show how little grip they have.

[tjdzor]

My car had Michelin X-radials on when I bought it. Best thing I ever did to the car was get those off. They are ok for daily use, but any spirited driving will show how little grip they have.
I hope to come across some 15 or 16s to put some better tires on, but for now it's practical hah

[greenspeed]

Juneau...man you really missed out on a good summer in Alaska by being there ;P lol

If you make it to Anchorage, lmk, that's where I am

Welcome to the Subie world

[tjdzor]

Well it has been a rainy one! But i'm pretty sure my GF was glad i came up to see her, and i got my Legacy up here too!

Won't be making it to Anchorage in the near future unfortunately, getting on the ferry and headed south in 2wks for the foreseeable future.

And a car update, all is well, except in a weekly fluid check and while pondering cleaning my battery battery, i noticed my + terminal clamp is nearly corroded in two.... Picked up a new one and will do a thorough clean and such before i put it on tomorrow! (And grease it of course)

[greenspeed]

Well it has been a rainy one! But i'm pretty sure my GF was glad i came up to see her, and i got my Legacy up here too!

Won't be making it to Anchorage in the near future unfortunately, getting on the ferry and headed south in 2wks for the foreseeable future.

And a car update, all is well, except in a weekly fluid check and while pondering cleaning my battery battery, i noticed my + terminal clamp is nearly corroded in two.... Picked up a new one and will do a thorough clean and such before i put it on tomorrow! (And grease it of course)

You ferrying to Skagway and up to haines, or going south to Seattle?

Drive though canada is epic btw if you've never done it.

[tjdzor]

To Skagway and then to Dawson creek, then down to Idaho. Did a similar drive last year, definitely fun!

[greenspeed]

To Skagway and then to Dawson creek, then down to Idaho. Did a similar drive last year, definitely fun!


Just drove up in March from Wisco, the Alcan is probably the best drives in North America. I love how vast the nothingness is lol. The second time up definitely went faster (it felt like) to drive up thats for sure.