Like JThw8 I couldn't go very long without a project.

My automotive shenanigans pale in comparison to Mr. Thw8's but they are shenanigans none the less!

Like the rest of you I peruse craigslist daily with a specific set of criteria; manual, <$2,500, has a pic, and for funzies I added Subaru to the make and model this time.

Then I found this ('98 OBS, 2.2, 5MT):

So I contacted the seller and arranged a test drive. It drives MUCH better than my Crown Vic and is in MUCH better shape than my Scoob. Someone cared for this thing. I didn't waste much time making an offer and snapping it up. Am happy.

Moar pics:

Clean interior:

Yep, it's this:

Edit:

I forgot to add it has a tick over 200,000 miles and I gave $800 for it.

Cool! I remember when those cars came out. I loved the combo of that color and that body style.

All shenanigans are good shenanigans :)

A friend of mine has one in that same color. Just lots more rust an AT and locked center diff! Hes not really a subaru guy but his was dirt cheap and has taken one hell of a beating!

Nice choice! The OBS is the only Subaru that really interests me. That one looks super clean.

I have no shenanigans

Your shenanigans look good

Nice Score! Build Thread ?

In Reply To IndyJoe:

I'll be documenting my upgrades and repairs. The plan as of now is to fix this one and pass it on to my daughter when she is of driving age. The Scoob (this ) will be repaired then passed on to my son when he is old enough to drive.

So they both will have haggard, green, 5-speed, 2.2 powered Subarus to bomb around in.

The underside of this one is covered in an oily residue and there were a few tendrils of smoke wafting out from under the hood at the end of my test drive. The owner explained that he thought it had a terrible oil leak. He also explained that there was a terrible grindy, whining sound that he thought could be the power steering pump.

I laid down and looked at the underside of the oil pump. There was a bit of old oily haze but nothing dripping out. Also there was not much at all on the front of the oil pan. Okay, no big leak there.

I checked the back side of the heads...no leak there. Hmmm...

I checked the engine oil. It was full. Hmmm...

The gearbox... fearing the worst I pulled the gearbox dipstick. Nice and full.

The noisy power steering pump! I checked the reservoir...empty.

I think the source of the leak may be a power steering line or fitting. I'll dive into it soon and see what's what.

In reply to bastomatic:

It's a bit rusty but not too bad. I've paid much more for worse!

2.2L - check
5 spd - check
Not too much visible rust - check
$800 Subaru - SCORE!

The_Jed wrote: I've paid much more for worse!

That made me chuckle.