Love my 1980 Subaru GL Wagon (I still have it and runs like new). Have owned 4 outbacks -1997, 2005, 2011, and 2017 . With a set of Blizzak WS80's the Outback is the Winter driving champ!
The head gaskets that the EJ25D was assembled with were defective from the get-go due to a design flaw. But once replaced with proper head gaskets, the engine will last just as long as the 2.2 and 2.0. But the Phase I EJ25D was replaced by the Phase II EJ251 starting with the 2000 Legacy and Outback. New generation/new engine
Our 2003 Outback w/ the 3 litre H6 has taken every thing our Canadian winters could throw our way with not a whimper and it's good fun on summer highway trips too! Lots of room in the back and styling with real personality when compared w/ post 2009 editions which... who cares? another faceless SUV type.A great value that has far exceeded our expectations, so much so that folks stop me in parking lots asking if it's for sale!
my mom used to have this i remember when i was little me and my sisters loved this car we had it for a long time it ran great and it was roomy we had a 95 one
"In the mid 1970s my father bought a pickup truck, and I BELIEVE that he was ONE OF THE FIRST people in SOUTH SHROPSHIRE to acquire a Subaru." That always made me laugh. I still have this episode on VHS recorded off TV back in March 1997. I remember the Hale Bopp comet being visible that same week. Can't believe it's so long ago now. Wonder why that Subaru was last taxed as early as 2005. Possibly exported or involved an accident, as 9 years is nothing.
And still going strong all over the world. These had some kind of mechanical issue but fixed on later models. Mine is coming up for 220,000 miles no sign of wear
its not about being behind times as much as its about reliability I think. Subaru always waits before jumping into something new. They use older proven technology until new is proven reliable enough.
I thought I will like a 2005 H6 Outback more than my old Legacy 1998 when I bought it.But now I am not sure.The old Legacy was a monster.The Outback is still reliable machine,but....
I agree, i never had an H6, i REALLY want to swap someday, but I had a 96 outback, then an 04 outback, and i missed my 96, i had a couple other cars, and now i have a 96 outback again, i think its one of the ultimate cars, as far as utility and general purpose. But now i miss my Miata!!!
Agreed. my 94 2.2 has 370000KM on it, and has been faultless. Has only had tim belt, oil changes, plugs (once) , and a temp sensor in that time. Not a thing more. Got the odd oil leak now, but otherwise runs like new, no smoke, sounds tight.. Def the most trouble free, reliable engines I know. and I have NOT driven it lightly! the only issue I have is the cooling system in general. They were prone to getting airlocks and overheating in this model due to heater design. fixed with mod.
@Grizzinsumstoks You're absolutely right! That version of the 2.5L was very prone to head gasket failure. The 2.2L and 2.0L motors are some of Subaru's most reliable....
316K on mine works like a devil :) Just changed the headgaskets with the aftermarket ones original from SUBARU. The engine runs like hell with no issues , oil leaks or other issues.
amen to that! including my own in the family we have 4 between 98&05 all are well into 300k and have had the heads/timing belts replaced every 160 or so
Had a V reg/ 2000 for coming up to 2 years, and I've not spent 1 penny, love her, maybe I've been lucky, but I will definitely be getting another when she goes, something around 2006/7 maybe ;-)
As much as I hate to agree, yes. The 2.5L DOHC non-turbo is fun as hell (high-revving, high power compared to the other USDM engines of that time), until the head gaskets blow and then a myriad of issues pop up with the engine. Of course, I am talking only about the infamous EJ25D.
that Subaru DL first registration is 07 08 1981 and date of liability 08 02 2000 that Subaru Legacy first registration is 20 08 1996 and date of liability 01 11 2005
I had -95 legacy, 360tkm, then -99 next model 489tkm and i just bought a -00 outback almost 323tkm, i love legacy's. Perfect work-cars for a construction worker. Also it goes very well in the forest (Rocky Road made with a tractor mostly and also there is very very bad forest roads)
True, but when I posted that comment only 12 months ago, Subaru were still making the previous generation Forester with the 4-speed auto. They are a bit behind the times, although I'm yet to be convinced you really need as much as 7 or 8 gears in a car unless you're obsessed with fuel economy. But that's a whole other topic...
if PROPERLY serviced (pretty rare as its an expensive job) the 2.5l dohc will last just as long as subarus other motors. 240k on mine with a recent tuneup and my 97 outback will still burnout all 4 wheels
I've got a 2001 250t, but its an automatic and really suffers because of that. These are pretty good all round cars but just suffer from zero low down torque. I need to use first to get up a hill with tight corners on it. I didn't need to do that in my old Charade
