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Subaru Impreza Outback Sport & TS

3121 messages,  Last post on Nov 18, 2009 at 12:30 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Subaru Outback, Wagon


Messages Page 273 of 313

#2717 of 3121 1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport by dajabec

Feb 13, 2005 (12:22 am)

I just bought a 99 OBS manual transmission with 163000 miles on it from a dealer "economy" lot. I have always wanted one, and having about $5000 to spend on a car I thought I'd look for one, since my old car (89 volvo 740 GL) was having tranny problems. Found this one and since there was another manual Legacy Outback on the lot that just had the clutch replaced I figured they checked everything out on these cars and do what has to be done before they sell them. I test drove it for probably 20 minutes and didn't notice any problems. I have rarely driven a stick before, however so I don't really know exactly how they should behave. I do however love actually driving the car instead of just shifting into drive and pushing the pedal... Anyways, I got them to $3,600 with my trade ($1000) and was happy with it. Came in early a couple days later - since I work in the afternoon - and paid for the car and began driving it home... which is where the fun begins.... leaving the city traffic and beginning the hour and a half drive home from where I bought it, I began a steep climb at 60 mph when the tranny started slipping and the rpm's started pegging. I laid off the gas and climbed the hill at about 45 mph with smoke starting to come off the car. Pulled off first exit, headed back, got to the lot and after telling them what happened and them driving it around and taking it to the shop, gee they say the clutch is burned up. They say they will replace it and make everything right for me and give me my old car back to drive home.
 
Isn't this something that should have been caught or just some bad luck and a good job of trading in a vehicle by the previous owner at the right time? I don't know whether to be thankful to have them eat the cost of a clutch (and whatever might be wrong) or worry what else might be lurking for me to fix. Like I said earlier, I got it from a car dealer that was a trade-in so I'm figuring they at least looked at the thing to make sure it was mechanicanlly sound. I might as well have bought private party, at least I might get it home then!
 
Anyways, any suggestions or comments (like, buying a car with 163000 miles you moron!) would be appreciated.

#2718 of 3121 by ateixeira

Feb 13, 2005 (6:33 am)

I bet the previous owner felt it beginning to slip and then traded it in.
 
It's possible they would not have known, so I wouldn't worry about it as long as they replace it.
 
Think of it this way - your clutch will be newer than the guy that bought a 2005 model yesterday and put 16 miles on it.
 

 
-juice

#2719 of 3121 Side impact crash ratings? by herreshoff

Feb 13, 2005 (5:49 pm)

Heya everyone,
 
I've been doing a bit of research into these Subaru Impreza's and I've noticed that there is no data on rear side impact crashes. Anyone know why the data is this way? My best guess is that the car is so short that there's no way to do the side impact crash test in the rear of the car.
 
Thanks!
 
John

#2720 of 3121 Re: Side impact crash ratings? [herreshoff] by bluesubie

Feb 14, 2005 (7:48 am)

Replying to: herreshoff (Feb 13, 2005 5:49 pm)
Does anyone test the rear?
 
-Dennis

#2721 of 3121 Re: Side impact crash ratings? [bluesubie] by herreshoff

Feb 14, 2005 (12:44 pm)

Replying to: bluesubie (Feb 14, 2005 7:48 am)
I was wondering the same thing, so I checked a similar sized car (Toyota Matrix) and they crash tested the rear.

#2722 of 3121 Towing w a Subbie by 204meca

Feb 22, 2005 (1:45 pm)

I am considering replacing a 97 Caravan Sport with a smaller car -- don't need a lot of interior space. One of my needs is the ability to tow a 1,900 lbs. bass boat. Usually the tow trip is less than 50 miles, but once or twice a year I go over the Wa Cascades with the boat.
 
Any of you Subbie owners towing something that large? I read that Impresas and Foresters have a 2,500 lb tow capacity. Would I notice any difference in towing this boat between Impresa RS wagon & Forester XL (non turbo)?
 
Do either of these vehicles have a transmission cooler as standard?
 
When not towing, what can I realistically expect for gas mileage from either of these Subbies.

#2723 of 3121 Towing and MPG by ateixeira

Feb 22, 2005 (6:42 pm)

People report anywhere from 22 to 26mpg average with the 2.5l engine. I've averaged 25.1 with my '98 Forester.
 
I've also towed about 1500 lbs, and of course got lousy mileage while doing so. It was in the 17 range. But that was with a trailer attached the whole time.
 
The automatics do have an oil cooler, engine oil I think. 5 speeds make do without that.
 
What you might need is trailer brakes. The Forester X has rear drums, so I'd at least consider a Forester XS to get better-cooling rear disc brakes.
 
-juice

#2724 of 3121 Reliability difference AT vs MT on the 2.2L? by misstenacity

Mar 17, 2005 (10:29 am)

I'm going to be purchasing a '98-'01 OBS soon, and would love to get a MT: more fun to drive in general.
 
I know that the 2.2L is legendary as being reliable, sometimes into the multi-hundred K odometer readings, which is great! However, I've also heard rumors that the AT is more reliable over the long haul than the MT - is this true?
 
If it is true, is the difference huge, or just marginal? I definitely don't want to give up an MT if I don't have to....
 
Thanks!
 
Miss Tenacity

#2725 of 3121 Tranny by ateixeira

Mar 17, 2005 (11:13 am)

I'd say the auto is more reliable, sure, mostly because clutch chatter is a common complaint in those years.
 
Sounds like you want the auto, that's what you should get IMO.
 
-juice

#2726 of 3121 Re: Reliability difference AT vs MT on the 2.2L? [misstenacity] by lumbar

Mar 17, 2005 (4:12 pm)

Replying to: misstenacity (Mar 17, 2005 10:29 am)
It may depend on your driving priorities. I have a '99 OBS MT and, as juice noted, there is minor clutch chatter in lower gear (70K). On the other hand, on this vehicle, I would not give up the increased pickup that the MT provides. I also only get about 22 mpg around town (winter gas & leadfoot), and prefer not to sacrifice any mpg for the sake of an AT. However, if slight sacrifices in pickup and mpg are not important, the AT may do the trick Still, I have a hard time believing that, with a subie, the difference in reliability would be very significant--or well-documented for that matter.
 
You may want to stock up on the plastic wheel covers though. I've left them all up and down the East Coast and now buy them by the bushel.

Messages Page 273 of 313

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