Suggestions, concerns, comments on 96 Subaru

looking to buy a car for my girlfriend who is prego and she needs a safe, reliable, cool looking (for me) car to get around. I have something like $3,000 to play with and have looked at accords, bmws, audis, volvos, and subarus. I like this one so anything I need to lookout for when buying this or any other suggestions for cars I should look at??? I know you guys will be good to me...

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/cto/1147433045.html

96 subaru outback legacy , all wheel drive , automatic, good condition mileage 129k . no taxes

which motor?

noisy wheel bearings?

glittery trans fluid?

My sister has a '96. It popped a headgasket at under 100k. They are well-known for doing this, so you might want to do some research on it. In other words, maybe not a big deterrent if you'll be the one fixing it but maybe so if she'd have to pay someone.

Other than the HG, it's a decent enough car that's well-suited to ferrying small people around.

96 outback is good, but the auto trannys and 2.5s around that time are not. A 5 speed 96 outback has the 2.2 which is alot more durable.

As mentioned, the 2.2 (still available in '96) is rock solid, a fantastic engine. The 2.5 is pretty good, but had teething issues related to the head gasket. If you're handy, the head gasket is an easy job, but time consuming. If you aren't so handy and have to take it to a shop, it's going to cost you. I am a big fan of Subies, especially an AWD wagon (what's not to love?) but I'd specifically look for a 2.2 and manual trans (look just a little bit earlier than '96). The 2.2 and manual trans are uber-reliable, that combo with the always rock solid Subie chassis is a fantastic commuter/beater/safe/reliable/cool kind of car. Very cheap to fix if you do have problems, too. Personally, I'd be looking at Imprezas, but the Legacy is a bit more comfy if you're into that sort of thing.

Bryce

Not much to add. Our '96 2.2 Impreza was rock solid for 200,000 miles and still fun to drive. The 2.5 Phase 1 engine is a head gasket blowing PITA, but you may want to ask if it's already been done. If not, it's a $1500 wager at an independent shop to have it done, closer to $2000 at the stealership. Best to pull the engine and replace ALL the gaskets and seals while you're at it (that's figured into the prices I quote). Once that bit of evil is done, it should provide reliable service for another 100k.

Remember, the fuel mileage on Subarus isn't spectacular thanks to the AWD system and it's weight. Figure mid 20s.

The Outback Legacy is the one car you can't easily lower with non-Outback parts should the mood strike. It has chassis modifications that make it sit taller.

Focus wagon? I'm not a big focus fan, but I kinda like these. For 3 grand you should be able to find a farily nice one.

+1 for a 2.2L/manual combo. I have a 98 Impreza coupe with that drivetrain. It's not fast and there's no hop-up parts, but it's been dead-nuts reliable. Subarus are built like Legos, so many drivetrain parts will swap easily between similar-year Legacys, Imprezas, and Foresters. Both the 2.2L and 2.5L are interference engines with timing belts, and changing them is a PITA.

Timing belts are once every 90,000 miles. Big deal. I pay someone to do that job as it's not fun and not worth my time. I can afford that little piece of maintenance once every...what? 6-8 years?

Now, you want to talk timing belts, let's talk Fiats and the 30,000 mile interval...

If the HG's haven't been done on that '96 then I'd say it's overpriced. Pay close attention to any humming from the trans. (auto or manual) because diff. bearings can start to go. That's all I have to add... the other posts have covered everything else regarding the 2.2L/2.5L. That said I like my Subie and it's approaching 200k.