New Here, but need Subaru Advice

[LooneyToon]

Hello,

I am new around here but I have been reading for quite some time now. This is a great site. i love Subarus.

I am looking at getting a used Subaru, but I have a couple questions regarding what to buy.

I am looking at buying (from the original owner) a 99 Outback Wagon with 165,000 miles. The owner says she hasnt experienced the head gasket problem yet.

The car is in good condition, but I am worried that if I buy it, I will be stranded on the highway somewhere with this issue. Would this be a bad car to buy or is it a ticking time-bomb waiting to explode??

I am also looking at a 93 Legacy Sedan with 113,000 miles.

I need help deciding, so any advice would be appreciated. :)

[xXGTBspecXx]

well you could always buy it and get the headgaskets changed. or maybe shes never beat on the car and the headgaskets are still fine.

[LooneyToon]

Is there a way to visually see if the head gasket is problematic from just looking around in the engine bay?

[xXGTBspecXx]

no, damn i wish our car were kinda like volkswagons.( you can see alot of bubbles in the coolant resivoir if theres a gasket problem..)

[Huffer]

If there is a HG problem, the car will overheat quickly, or there's bubbles in the coolant reservoir with oil.

I have an engine sitting in my garage right now that has 220,000miles on it and is running the original HG.

It has a valve cover oil leak, but that's it.

[1996Battlewagon]

The headgaskets are the biggest problems with the EJ25 in the second gen Legacy's. But, if you take care of it, you can make it last with the orignal gasket (Huffer has proof). Check the coolant for bubbles and oil and make sure to take it on a long test drive to see if it starts to overheat.

The 93 sedan on the other hand has an EJ22, and these are strong; and I mean STRONG. With only 113k, it sounds like it would be damn reliable. But, sedans are not as useful as wagons, so........

Texas huh? Looks like J.McD finally has someone to talk to.

[Perdue]

There is a problem with the headgaskets in those motors, but it doesn't mean that EVERY motor will need new headgaskets. If she's made it to that mileage without a problem, I'd probably not worry about it very much.

[LooneyToon]

Texas huh? Looks like J.McD finally has someone to talk to.

yeah, not many Subarus here compared to the North East or Pac. North West.

I am test driving the 1993 Legacy tomorrow.

if I buy 99 Impreza RS rims for the 93 Legacy, they just fit directly correct? No spacers or hub modifications needed?

[Huffer]

Yeppers. 5x100 bolt pattern, offset around 48-55mm.

[LooneyToon]

so I checked the 93 Legacy

The gear shifter is loose (has play in it) It still shifts gears fine, but I prefer it to be tight.

How much am I looking at to replace/fix this problem?

What parts do I need and is it an easy fix?

[Huffer]

Could be as easy as some new shifter bushings. Easily obtained OEM from a dealer or you could use some Impreza (GC) bushings from kartboy.

The problem might also be a weak spring linkage, which is more complicated to fix. Only way to know is to take the shifter trim out and check.

[LooneyToon]

Could be as easy as some new shifter bushings. Easily obtained OEM from a dealer or you could use some Impreza (GC) bushings from kartboy.

Can those be purchased from Autozone or similar stores? There isnt a dealer around here.