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November, 2024

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So I've got $5,000 for a Subaru...

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Wall_Nut
Posts: 629 - Karma: 113
...and I need help finding one within 500 miles of Albany, NY.

I've done my research on the different Subaru models and engines, and I need your help.

The EJ22 was Subaru's most reliable engine,
it was featured in the 1993-98 Impreza
also in the 1990-99 Legacy, but a much heavier car

I've looked at some sites, but these cars are hard to find in good condition.
If you could point me in a good direction, I would be very grateful.

Aug 24 2011 1:15AM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 373
lol do you really think you need locking diffs to drive in the snow?

for just pure snow driving ability id go for a truck, if you know how to drive alright they're pretty much unstoppable

example of this, ive rallied my truck around in 3 feet of snow... in 2 wheel drive.

but honestly OP, a scoob would be perfect for you, imo you should get an old legacy wagon for like 2 grand and trick it out with performance stuff
Aug 25 2011 2:29PM
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smallmtskier
Posts: 254 - Karma: 41

i'd go audi(or VW) over subaru. they might have more expensive parts but they are much higher quality. I have an 03 passat wagon with 4motion(audi's 4wheel drive system) and its amazing in the snow. 3 of my friends have subarus and they all like my car more, especially in the snow.

also my VW was only $5000, with just under 100k miles(great condition with all the extras), so they are in your price range.

Aug 25 2011 2:46PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
I really disagree to this.

I've owned two Subarus with 5 speeds and the 2.2l engine. Both of them have been flawless. The transmission on my current '97 Impreza Outback 5-speed shifts flawlessly with 185k on it. There is no notchiness and the synchros are in perfect shape. It's on it's second clutch that was installed around 150k, when the first one gave out.

Yes, each spring I needed to replace a balljoint at $140 for parts and labor. That was it. I drive 25,000 miles a year on average, and a number of those miles are on rough, dirt roads, heavy snow, and shit conditions.

Neither of those cars had ANY issues handling the abuse. Additionally, my wife drives a '03 Legacy Outback. Bought it with 50k on it, it's now at around 90k, and it's needed very little in terms of repairs.

My next car will be a Subaru as well with no hesitation. My commutes and the industry I work in require me to have a vehicle capable of handling the worst the weather can throw at me. I've driven my Outback with snowtires up my steep, gravel driveway with snow billowing over the headlights with no problem and have never come close to getting it stuck no matter how carelessly I park in snowfilled parking lots. Additionally, it's at speed stability is far beyond that of any SUV I've driven as AWD is a far better system at speed than 4WD.
Aug 25 2011 2:52PM
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
Where did I say need?
Aug 25 2011 2:57PM
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Joebin
Posts: 1664 - Karma: 867
I dont know where you got this information from. Yeah audi's and VW's are good cars, but subbies are by no means "unreliable". I know several people rollin with over 200k miles on there outbacks, and they've never had a problem with them.
Aug 25 2011 3:17PM
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Thick.Black.Gurl
Posts: 492 - Karma: 28
Ok we'll here's what I got for $1100! Its a 97 subaru impreza with 185xxx on the body, but only 10xxx on the replace tranny and head, thats correct 10xxx! Everything runs perfect and was not too good to be true. It also came with a 12' in the back so it also bumps. Runs fast and nice! Reliability and parts are not bad at all, it is for sure a very reliable car, but its not like my 97' civic ex, cause that thing runs so good and if anything goes wrong, parts come dime a dozen and is sooo easy to do. Look on craigslist like everyday for at least a month before you go and a purchase something, end of the month is always best cause peoples rent is due...always bring cash, cause $$$ talks
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Aug 25 2011 4:49PM
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Ryan.Street
Posts: 444 - Karma: 20
just wait til you need parts
Aug 25 2011 5:00PM
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XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
the subarus i see in the shop all the time tend to be wrx's, ive seen more than a couple with blown engines under 150,000 miles, countless turbo problems, tranny problems, etc..
i see quite a few early 2000's foresters, and the 05+ outbacks. those are the ones that seem keep coming back with problems.
i feel like its kinda hit or miss with subaru as well. since some of the older subarus seem to be pretty bombproof.

its just when people say subarus are reliable, so go buy a wrx, thats some pretty bad advice. i have just seen so damn many wrxs, and more repeat customers coming all the time with new problems, than most any other car. and the parts arent cheap. the early 90's audi, bmw, and subaru drivers are the ones who seem to come in once a year at most.
Aug 25 2011 5:14PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 373
my bet is the reason wrx's have trouble is cause people run the shit out of them.
Aug 25 2011 5:46PM
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Chompo.
Posts: 4952 - Karma: 88
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=304950796&dealer_id=47692156&car_year=1999&systime=&doors=&position=top&model=A4&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=500&min_price=&rdm=1314309273047&drive=&marketZipError=false&advanced=&fuel=&keywords_display=&sownerid=1854544&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&showZipError=n&make2=&certified=&engine=&dma=ALBANY-SCHENECTADY-TROY&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=0&transmission=&default_sort=&max_mileage=&color=&address=12203&sort_type=mileageASC&max_price=5000&make=AUDI&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=134&standard=false
Aug 25 2011 5:56PM
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Static
Posts: 8559 - Karma: 4,128
QUOTED FOR TRUTH!
even if you know how to drive right, they're pretty much unstoppable
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Aug 25 2011 6:06PM
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Elmo.
Posts: 4317 - Karma: 662
by a long shot... european cars (audi, VW, ect) r around 3 times more for simple things like oil change and 2 times more expensive to repair. especially if it has a turbo which is very likely in audi's and VW
Aug 25 2011 6:11PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,948
Yeah, so you're talking about the newer cars, which tend to be bought up by people who treat them like a hot wheels car rather than transportation... of COURSE you're goin to have a few blown engines... people dont know what they're doing with them half the time and drive them into the ground like a bunch of idiots... not to mention, there is truth to the fact that many of the early 2.5L engines had many issues that have since been fixed, and are now flawless today as the 2.2L was in the 90's.

Also, there's a lot more truth to the fact that there ARE many more Subaru WRX's out there than Audis. They tend to be cheaper, and more readily available - that or people just like them anyways.




That said, I drive my Subaru like a total idiot, because guess what, I bought the thing for peanuts with a bazillion miles on it already, and I figure I'll be picking up another one sooner or later. If I had a newer subaru, i'd actually take good care of it because I didnt pick it up for pocketchange lol.
Aug 25 2011 8:02PM
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.nasty
Posts: 10582 - Karma: 11,182
I got my 97 legacy with 60k for only 6000 :]
Aug 25 2011 8:06PM
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Merrill
Posts: 253 - Karma: 71
The Audi A6 is in the top 5 LEAST stolen cars. Just thought i would let you know.
Aug 26 2011 12:32AM
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Petey_Wetey
Posts: 274 - Karma: -1
Subaru Wagon drivers unite!
Aug 26 2011 12:52AM
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KingTaco
Posts: 2510 - Karma: 2,829
beware of the 2.5 liter engine. i drive a 1998 legacy gt 2.5 and it makes a lot of noises, leaks a lot of oil, and i just feel like its about to blow. its also known to blow head gaskets which can be extremely pricey
Aug 26 2011 1:55AM
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XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
its just too much of a car for chassis/drivetrain the car is built on. but look at an audi 90 for example. everything about the car is overbuilt, the AWD system could handle a 5000lb diesel truck. transmissions are bombproof etc.. subarus seem to do fine when its a 150 hp motor in a light car. but when they get heavier and more powerful they seem to fall apart. some of the older subarus would be one of the best options out there for a tough awd car. because they are light and under powered, the car can handle it extremely well.
Aug 26 2011 2:45AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,948
yeah. I personally would have no use for any WRX or STI or more than that either... frankly, all youre doing is saying "ooo look at me, I have a fastish car, that gets pretty crap gas mileage, and has to use the premium fuel, I'm so cool"

Meanwhile, my suby, has 150hp, and kills it.

Lets just say this much about older subarus haha. I backed into a cop car a few years ago when I was exiting a parking space, and the cop was flying through the parking lot. My rear bumper was 100% intact, and not a scratch on it. No marks. No nothing. The Cop car? Totaled. My suby = more of a tank than a 5 ton Crown Vic. baller.
Aug 26 2011 6:50AM
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Static
Posts: 8559 - Karma: 4,128
First off, not fastish, fastest. heh. You can drive conservatively, without spinning the turbo up, and get the same mileage as cheap regular imprezas, which is still pretty shitty.... most buy a subaru for the AWD, for some the option of going faster is worth the premium in price. But if you want to cry bad gas mileage it applies to all Subarus. "look at me I have an awd car that is good in any weather condition even though a 2wd car would suffice 99% of the time saving me thousands"
Aug 26 2011 10:00AM
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SKETCHY_D
Posts: 979 - Karma: 27
ill give u my subaru for 5000 and ill drive it out to you, just over a 100k with alpine system in it
Aug 26 2011 11:36AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,948
My impreza gets 27 with a ski rack on... and runs on gas that's 20 cents or more cheaper than top grade.


I'll take that any day over a flashy STI badge.
Aug 26 2011 2:49PM
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Static
Posts: 8559 - Karma: 4,128
even though wrxs get that you missed the point. 27 is shitty for a compact car, a ford focus gets 40. I know how my car drives without the turbo spooling, gutless, it would be torture to drive these little shit boxes if they wern't fast, god damn no power all the way to rd line ewwwwww just thinking about it makes me so glad I don't have a regular impreza, or a wagon to get all nasty up front from my smelly boots sitting in the trunk.
Aug 26 2011 5:38PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,948
For a compact car from the 1990's, that was designed in the late 1980's? That has a full all wheel drive system built in that's for the most part, with suspension that's overbuilt like hell? (seriously... my struts are 15 years old now, have well over 200k on them, and are JUST NOW going out? fucking insane for stock parts)

I'd say 27's not bad, considering I couldn't get better than about 22 or so in my 325ix...

Aug 27 2011 3:28AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,948
I'd say 30-33 is probably more realistic... not everyone drives perfectly enough all the time to get 36 lol.
Aug 27 2011 4:20AM
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Static
Posts: 8559 - Karma: 4,128
yea, not bad for the 1990's..didn't realize your car was that old seeing as how they didn't improve the fuel economy until 2012. Still, ditch that awd that you only need a fraction the time and save money on the car and on gas. But you shouldn't really demonize the turbo versions using mpg, as the difference is negligible, the real comparison comes down to upfront cost and power.
Aug 27 2011 4:21AM
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Static
Posts: 8559 - Karma: 4,128
they're claimin 36 on the subaru website with the cvt tranny, I believe it
Aug 27 2011 4:22AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,948
I personally demonize it because, they do suck down more fuel as it is, cost way more for insurance, and its an extra quarter per gallon to fill up... and that shit adds up fast yo!

they didn't really change the car much until the new models over the last few years... pretty sure that they've claimed 36 for the last few years though?


Aug 27 2011 4:39AM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
My 140hp 2.2l in my Impreza Outback is peppy. It's got a decent torque curve and it's geared very nicely. That said, the same engine in my Legacy Outback was seriously underpowered.

Weight is one issue. The transmission gearing makes the biggest difference though.
Aug 27 2011 10:48AM
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NickCage
Posts: 111 - Karma: 33
130,000 so its kinda up there, but its a completely clean title. I was cruising at 120mph on a roadtrip this summer and that couldn't happen in a Subi unless it was a WRX without feeling like your gonna die.
Aug 27 2011 12:06PM
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esotericjive
Posts: 1889 - Karma: 1,445
In comparison, a friend bought a 1999 Camry with 160k miles for $1500. He spent like $200 more on fixing some small component in the A/C, but now it's fine.
Aug 27 2011 12:14PM
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Static
Posts: 8559 - Karma: 4,128
no, the 11 and back only get 27 or worse, not that great...
Aug 27 2011 12:38PM
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hedgehog
Posts: 1595 - Karma: 167
audi's are also absolute money-pits after 100k
Aug 27 2011 1:05PM
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all-i-do-is=ski
Posts: 700 - Karma: 248
old audi's look like shit though
Aug 27 2011 1:38PM
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
Are they though? I've always heard this and I tend to believe it, but I've never seen any actual reviews/data that back it up.
Aug 28 2011 12:26PM
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Static
Posts: 8559 - Karma: 4,128
Audi spends a lot of money to keep that info hidden, McDonalds was gonna put it on their picture menu, but Audi said "no, people will see the data." So that's probably why you haven't seen any reviews/data on it.
Aug 28 2011 4:14PM
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squibble
Posts: 4569 - Karma: 104
no company can claim that
Aug 28 2011 4:18PM
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spreadeagle96
Posts: 87 - Karma: 15
check craigslist
Aug 28 2011 4:19PM
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
Wat?
Aug 28 2011 6:00PM
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Static
Posts: 8559 - Karma: 4,128
Well when you said you had never seen any data or reviews I just assumed you meant in your day to day life. Because it's not as if they don't exist in all the places a normal person would expect to see them.
Aug 28 2011 6:08PM
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
Oh got it. I've never really bothered looking.
Aug 28 2011 6:11PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,948
Really? I don't know man... old audis look like boxcar heaven to me..

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Aug 30 2011 7:27AM
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XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
no, it totally depends on the car. my friend has gone through 2 transmissions, and had a blown head gasket in his 04 outback in 40,000 miles, does that mean all subarus are unreliable? no.

some audi's will rival a honda for reliability, some are absolute money pits. it totally depends on the specific car.

Aug 30 2011 6:31PM
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XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
soooo smexy!!
Aug 30 2011 6:32PM
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Static
Posts: 8559 - Karma: 4,128
haha, one transmission might mean the car sucks, two transmissions means your friend sucks.
Aug 30 2011 7:57PM
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XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
it was the car, the tranny had some kind of faulty part, not sure what exactly was wrong, so he got a new one, the same part failed. got a new one and now it works.
Aug 31 2011 2:07AM
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