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Hi there, i'm new and looking to purchase a mid to late 90's model impreza stationwagon as soon as i sell my current car.

I was wondering with the 2.0L model in the GX or RX what are things i should look out for mechanically when shopping around? Aside from obvious things like, listening for CV clunks and checking the engine cap for sludge, are there any subaru-specific problems i should be aware of. I will also only be looking at manual transmission and 4WD versions.

Also, what is the fuel consumption like, in general? And what is the ride, handling and build quality like? Do they have low-ratio, similar to what is in my parents 97 Liberty LX?

What is the going price on privately sold ones, around say 100,000 to 180,000 km's?

Thanks, and i hope i've posted this in the right place, tis only my second thread.

With the above things you said, I'd check for;
Rear wheel bearing noise, very common.
Thermostat housing leaking, not so common but enough to notice.
Oil leaks around the timing covers, crank and cam seals.
Timing belt, did it get changed at 100k.

Those cars will most likely have a drum rear end, so brakes aren't really performance minded.
Also, it may have no rear sway bar, don't know why they don't have them, Whiteline make a complete kit if you want to put one on, which includes brackets, links, bar etc.

2.0l won't use much petrol, as long as its had a decent service life.

Ride is ok, but budget for new struts, 100k + and they get a bit rough.

No idea on prices.

also check the service history for it. It pays for it! Its possible to find dual range. Most of them are single range AWD. I can't tell if the dual range ratios is. Can someone here tell is?
Cheers
AP

Great advice, thanks guys!

bobbyjimmy wrote:With the above things you said, I'd check for;
Rear wheel bearing noise, very common.
Thermostat housing leaking, not so common but enough to notice.
Oil leaks around the timing covers, crank and cam seals.
Timing belt, did it get changed at 100k.

Those cars will most likely have a drum rear end, so brakes aren't really performance minded.
Also, it may have no rear sway bar, don't know why they don't have them, Whiteline make a complete kit if you want to put one on, which includes brackets, links, bar etc.

2.0l won't use much petrol, as long as its had a decent service life.

Ride is ok, but budget for new struts, 100k + and they get a bit rough.

No idea on prices.

Can you tell me where the thermostat is usually located?

I am also considering early 2000 model impreza's, it all depends on how much i get for my honda i'm about to put up for sale and how much i've saved when i look to buy. The main advantage being, if i can find one with lower k's and in better condition, i might not be replacing so many parts! My '94 honda prelude shat it's camseals yesterday and it's making me want a much newer car!

jaymz_maiden wrote:Great advice, thanks guys!



Can you tell me where the thermostat is usually located?

I am also considering early 2000 model impreza's, it all depends on how much i get for my honda i'm about to put up for sale and how much i've saved when i look to buy. The main advantage being, if i can find one with lower k's and in better condition, i might not be replacing so many parts! My '94 honda prelude shat it's camseals yesterday and it's making me want a much newer car!

Fair enough.
Thermostat is located under the engine, its on bottom front passenger's side where you'll see thick pipe going to. Its inside a black cover. Can't miss.
Also sometimes there is a oil leak coming from rocker covers, not big job, seals is something like $30 from subaru.
Cheers
AP

^doesn't sound too difficult to find, i'll make sure to wear a grotty t-shirt when i go to look

I notice you've had two liberty's AlpineRaven. Can you give me some similar advice on mid 90's to early 00's models? I am a bit more wary of these compared to impreza's as i have heard of issues with the 2.5L RX model blowing head gaskets. And my parents '97 liberty is on its 3rd engine. Do you think their reliability is on par with impreza's?

Cheers

jaymz_maiden wrote:^doesn't sound too difficult to find, i'll make sure to wear a grotty t-shirt when i go to look

I notice you've had two liberty's AlpineRaven. Can you give me some similar advice on mid 90's to early 00's models? I am a bit more wary of these compared to impreza's as i have heard of issues with the 2.5L RX model blowing head gaskets. And my parents '97 liberty is on its 3rd engine. Do you think their reliability is on par with impreza's?

Cheers

Yeah i did have two, previous one was written off two years ago, both were reliable had no problems. Ej22 are normally most reliable engines if they're well look aftered. You're talking abt EJ25 that were in early RX Liberty that blew head gaskets, subaru has designed better gaskets so problem shld have been fixed. Other EJ25s are okay.
How come your folks are on 3rd engine which is unusual.
I like Gen2 liberty same what your folks have bec of the shape and comfort, rust isn't a problem for them but there is some on them due dirt build up or been in contact with salt water.. Again service history is must/worth checking..
Again, i did look on impreza when i bought the liberty i didn't like the space of them, but was impressed with the power output of them, that was for 97 impreza. Non turbo liberty or impreza aren't built to be driven hard or anything.
Cheers
AP

AlpineRaven wrote:Yeah i did have two, previous one was written off two years ago, both were reliable had no problems. Ej22 are normally most reliable engines if they're well look aftered. You're talking abt EJ25 that were in early RX Liberty that blew head gaskets, subaru has designed better gaskets so problem shld have been fixed. Other EJ25s are okay.
How come your folks are on 3rd engine which is unusual.
I like Gen2 liberty same what your folks have bec of the shape and comfort, rust isn't a problem for them but there is some on them due dirt build up or been in contact with salt water.. Again service history is must/worth checking..
Again, i did look on impreza when i bought the liberty i didn't like the space of them, but was impressed with the power output of them, that was for 97 impreza. Non turbo liberty or impreza aren't built to be driven hard or anything.
Cheers
AP

Can you tell me which yr model onwards the liberty was designed with better head gaskets? As for engines in our liberty, the original did the big-end bearing, and the second one i think the piston seals or something went. We got a refund on that because it was faulty, and the third engine feels strong and willing (fingers crossed).

EDIT: Found what i was looking for! "2/6/04 1999-02 Phase2 2.5L engines, Legacy, Outback, Forester possible external coolant leak at the cylinder head gaskets Certain 1999 through 2002 2.5L equipped vehicles may experience an external coolant leak at the head gaskets. As a precautionary measure, SOA is adding a special conditioner to the engine cooling system. This conditioner prevents leaks from occurring and corrects existing leaks.
Only early Phase II 2.5 liter engines are affected. Phase I 2.5 liter engines (some 1999 model year and prior years) are not affected. Countermeasures applied to the manufacturing process for those 2002 and later VINS not affected by this campaign have eliminated the need for this campaign to be performed on those vehicles.
In the future, it will be necessary to add Genuine Subaru Cooling System Conditioner to the SUBARU vehicle cooling system whenever the engine coolant is replaced.
If the vehicle owner has this repair performed promptly, Subaru will extend warranty coverage on cylinder head gasket external coolant leaks to a period of 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Warranty coverage begins on the date the vehicle was delivered to the first retail purchaser or on the date the vehicle was first placed in demo or rental service. The owner must have Genuine Subaru Cooling System Conditioner added to the vehicle at any subsequent cooling system services at the interval specified in the Warranty and Maintenance Booklet under the heading “Schedule of Inspection and Maintenance Services”. Resulting damage caused by a lack of maintenance or low coolant level will not be covered."

This is a good website: http://www.cars101.com/recalls.html

jaymz_maiden wrote:Can you tell me which yr model onwards the liberty was designed with better head gaskets? As for engines in our liberty, the original did the big-end bearing, and the second one i think the piston seals or something went. We got a refund on that because it was faulty, and the third engine feels strong and willing (fingers crossed).

EDIT: Found what i was looking for! "2/6/04 1999-02 Phase2 2.5L engines, Legacy, Outback, Forester possible external coolant leak at the cylinder head gaskets Certain 1999 through 2002 2.5L equipped vehicles may experience an external coolant leak at the head gaskets. As a precautionary measure, SOA is adding a special conditioner to the engine cooling system. This conditioner prevents leaks from occurring and corrects existing leaks.
Only early Phase II 2.5 liter engines are affected. Phase I 2.5 liter engines (some 1999 model year and prior years) are not affected. Countermeasures applied to the manufacturing process for those 2002 and later VINS not affected by this campaign have eliminated the need for this campaign to be performed on those vehicles.
In the future, it will be necessary to add Genuine Subaru Cooling System Conditioner to the SUBARU vehicle cooling system whenever the engine coolant is replaced.
If the vehicle owner has this repair performed promptly, Subaru will extend warranty coverage on cylinder head gasket external coolant leaks to a period of 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Warranty coverage begins on the date the vehicle was delivered to the first retail purchaser or on the date the vehicle was first placed in demo or rental service. The owner must have Genuine Subaru Cooling System Conditioner added to the vehicle at any subsequent cooling system services at the interval specified in the Warranty and Maintenance Booklet under the heading “Schedule of Inspection and Maintenance Services”. Resulting damage caused by a lack of maintenance or low coolant level will not be covered."

This is a good website: http://www.cars101.com/recalls.html

Yeah... that as well.... Also the DOHC engines did have these problems as well. But Subaru stopped making DOHC engines in Liberty from 1998 onwards - the rest was SOHC.
Cheers
AP

AlpineRaven wrote:Yeah... that as well.... Also the DOHC engines did have these problems as well. But Subaru stopped making DOHC engines in Liberty from 1998 onwards - the rest was SOHC.
Cheers
AP

Hey AlpineRaven, what's your word on this deal, it's right in my pricerange, and lowish km's: http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/pr ... Y&__Nne=20

close to redbook value too: http://www.redbook.com.au/used-cars/det ... _Int32%7c0

jaymz_maiden wrote:Hey AlpineRaven, what's your word on this deal, it's right in my pricerange, and lowish km's: http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/pr ... Y&__Nne=20

close to redbook value too: http://www.redbook.com.au/used-cars/det ... _Int32%7c0

Nice looking ride there, I would go for it and try offer him $9000 and work your way up... never know if he'll accept. Check for service history.
Cheers
AP