Things to look for when buying 98 Legacy

[WRX GC8]

Hey guys, I haven't posted up here in a while.

I used to own a GC8 swap WRX and I've since moved onto a miata project.

I live in Ohio and the miata didn't take to the winters too well. I'm looking at legacy's and I found one I like.

It's a 98 Legacy GT sedan. Auto with only 76k. I might be going to check it out this weekend I was wondering if a few of you could give me some tips on things to look out for. I'll be checking all the obvious things you would when you buy a used car, and taking a close look around the head gaskets.

What else should I look for, any little tips would be greatly appreciated thanks!

-Steve

[Huffer]

Transmission fluid level... check the corrosion on the exhaust bolts. Also, it being an Ohio car, check the condition of the paint AFTER it's been washed. Rust likes to build up around the trunklid area where the lid meets the body of the car.

Check under the shock dust boots for signs of rust.
Replacement shocks can be had for $250.

The tophats are SEALED bearing types on the 98s - previous years and post-98s are OPEN bearing, meaning they can be regreased. Once the sealed bearings bind up, they are done. Fortunately you can replace with top hats from a different year.

First thing I would do is engine tune up (incl. timing belt if not already done) and drain the old transmission fluid, replacing it with whatever ATF that is available and specc'd, plus adding a bottle of Lubegard ATF protectant to help lower overall temps. High temperatures are murder on these trannies.

[deadlydave]

Make sure the head gaskets are not leaking. The DOHC 2.5L engines had some issues with that, right Huffer?

[Plays_with_Toys]

Yep, coming from the GC8 you probably know to check the coolant for oil and the oil for coolant to see if you can detect any headgasket issues. Also check the CV boots and axles.

With the automatics I remember reading on transmission bind, though I don't know how to check for that, maybe someone with an auto can enlighten us.

[Huffer]

Make sure the head gaskets are not leaking. The DOHC 2.5L engines had some issues with that, right Huffer?

That's what everyone else says, I've got two cars - one with 206,000 miles on the original HG, and another one with 93,000miles and had the HG replaced back at 60k (previous owner).

Both still pull strong when warmed up properly.


With the automatics I remember reading on transmission bind, though I don't know how to check for that, maybe someone with an auto can enlighten us.

Small slow turns in the parking lot while in D4 mode results in the rear tires "skipping" or scrubbing on the pavement. Putting the FWD fuse IN disengages the transfer clutch packs/DutyC solenoid in the transmission. If the scrubbing goes away, then the issue is torque bind.
(hence why I recommended the LubeGard ATF Protectant. It's an $8 bottle that saved my transmission. 20,000 miles since the addition. No worries)

[Gensaiken]

I don't mean to hijack this thread or anything but I am also looking in to buying a 1998 Legacy 2.5GT 5speed with 105,000 miles.

I have heard about the headgasket problems and other possible issues..

Just wondering if there is anything I should be looking for considering the amount of miles and it being a 5speed.


The whole headgasket thing has me really wondering if I should buy a legacy of this body style or if I should wait and get some other subaru.. :-?

Thanks.

[Huffer]

The headgasket issue is engine related - not body related.

I have two Subarus of the same gen, the one with less miles had the HG's replaced, the "older" one is still on the stock HG's.
So, based on that, you can draw your own conclusions.
You might luck out, you might not.

But if you treat these cars right, they will rock hard.

[Gensaiken]

The headgasket issue is engine related - not body related.

I have two Subarus of the same gen, the one with less miles had the HG's replaced, the "older" one is still on the stock HG's.
So, based on that, you can draw your own conclusions.
You might luck out, you might not.

But if you treat these cars right, they will rock hard.

yeah, I know its not body related. Not sure where you drew that conclusion.

Anyways, the headgasket thing is definately a concern. It is really up in the air when or if it will happen. Then agian any older / high mile car can go though a head gasket.

But I think I found one more solid than the one I was originally looking at. Might be joining your ranks for real. :grin:

[Huffer]

The whole headgasket thing has me really wondering if I should buy a legacy of this body style or if I should wait and get some other subaru.. :-?

[Wiscon_Mark]

The 2nd gen Legacy had the EJ22 as well, which is one of the most reliable engines out there...

[Gensaiken]

The whole headgasket thing has me really wondering if I should buy a legacy of this body style or if I should wait and get some other subaru.. :-?

I guess I use diffrent terminology.

I assume this problem affected the 1995-99 Subaru Leacy models. Which is a paticular body style (or as some say generation). Did this problem affect diffrent years as well?


In which case your comment about body style being irrelevent, would be correct.

But I guess we can agree to disagree before this topic begins to go offtopic..

[Huffer]

The whole headgasket thing has me really wondering if I should buy a legacy of this body style or if I should wait and get some other subaru.. :-?

I guess I use diffrent terminology.

I assume this problem affected the 1995-99 Subaru Leacy models. Which is a paticular body style (or as some say generation). Did this problem affect diffrent years as well?


In which case your comment about body style being irrelevent, would be correct.

But I guess we can agree to disagree before this topic begins to go offtopic..

The HG issue affected Impreza's as well as Legacies.

[Gensaiken]

The HG issue affected Impreza's as well as Legacies.

Oh really? Jeez, I was about to buy a 99 Impreza thinking, "oh no headgasket to watch out for!" Although a headgasket could go out on any car, but the higher risk on some of these subarus really bothers me.


Hopefully the Legacy 2.5GT Limited (30th anniversary) doesn't give me any issues considering the previous owners replaced the head gasket when they bought it at 80k miles and they are always on top of routine maintenance. In theory I shouldn't have to replace it for another 100k+ miles and maybe more if I keep it well maintained like Huffer's. :cool:

Hopefully I can find (or create?) a thread about preventative maintainace and how to keep these head gaskets from blowing.

Thanks for the info. :grin:

[Huffer]

The newer Subaru's don't have HG problems unless they're run very hard, in which case you're going to break something - seals and gaskets before hard molded metal.

If an engine is repaired under Subaru's direction, they are supposed to have used stronger, slightly thicker gaskets which are in turn more resistant to leaking/rupturing under stress.

There's no problem with the older 2.5 engines, particularly the SOHC's - it's the DOHC's that suffer more from the poor design of the original HG.

In "theory" you shouldn't have to replace the HG ever, but as with anything things will break - with age, use, abuse and lack of maintenance...any of the above.

You can either be freaked out by it, and never move on a car, or suck it up, keep a couple thousand in the bank for emergency car repair (don't buy a warranty except your own cash in the bank).

I enjoy my cars. But if they break they're just cars.

[Wiscon_Mark]

The 98 Impreza RS was the only model afflicted with major headgasket issues. The 99 Impreza RS got a phase II EJ25 (a year earlier than the Legacy) which had much fewer problems.

Here's a rundown on the PhaseI EJ25 headgasket problems and the models it affected:

96-99 Legacy GT
96-99 Outback

98 Impreza

97-98 (99?) Forester

If you get an L model of either the Impreza or the Legacy, you will have a completely different engine that is much less prone to headgasket issues (really only a problem if you habitually overheat it, which isn't really a good idea on any engine) and considered pretty bulletproof as I mentioned earlier.

So there, you have all the info on the headgaskets. Avoid the phase I EJ25.