Learn me Subaru's and Saabaru's

Potentially looking for a Subaru or Saabaru. I'd be looking for an Outback, Legacy, WRX, or 92x.

What were the engine choices during these years? What do I need to look out for? I know head gaskets were the common issues, but not much else--is this something that can be fixed? Are there any specific "best" years/combos to find, and similarly avoid?

Talking about 3rd and 4th generation Legacy/Outbacks (1998-2009), and 2nd generation WRX (2000-2007). Oh, and throw in the 1st generation WRX RS. I'd consider that one too.

No need to mention the STi, that isn't happening.

The sohc from the early to mid 2000s had the bum head gaskets. All subarus can have oil leakage from the bottom of the head gasket that doesnt hurt anything though. The turbos have issues with the engine management that causes them to be right on the edge of detonation under load during the switchover from closed loop to open loop fueling. This can lead to the common issue with blown ring lands. The six speed manual is the best transmission but those only came in the STI. There is a six speed that has come in late model subarus that is NOT the same as the STI transmission. Rather it is a split case like the five speed with an extra gear. Honestly unless you are going to be doing burnouts and clutch dumps the five speed manual is fine. The 4eat is fine for an auto. The Saabarus are basically the WRX with minor changes like a fancier interior but they come with a discount since they dont have a Subaru badge.

EDIT: Im going to sell my 05 Saab 92x aero manual with 82k (going to buy a truck) if you are interested.

This hear link may or may not be helpful.

The car I was looking at is still sitting on the same lot, staring at me as I drive by.

Honestly I'm still thinking about picking it up, but then I keep remembering the rust issue.

Ojala wrote: EDIT: Im going to sell my 05 Saab 92x aero manual with 82k (going to buy a truck) if you are interested.

Where are you? DD#1 might be interested.

Duke wrote:

Ojala wrote: EDIT: Im going to sell my 05 Saab 92x aero manual with 82k (going to buy a truck) if you are interested.

Where are you? DD#1 might be interested.

Looks like Forth Worth, TX.

I think that is too far of a drive for me, but I'll bite: how much??

Ojala,

That is the best Saabaru, I really want that especially one from out of the rust belt. $6-10k? The Aero is a WRX with the STi rack, different shock valving, matching springs and more sound deadening. They also look better IMHO.

Not that I'm in line or anything due to it not being what I need and I'm not in the market right now, but what a sweet ride.

I forget what year did they switch from the 2.0 to the 2.5 in the Aero?

akylekoz wrote: Ojala, That is the best Saabaru, I really want that especially one from out of the rust belt. $6-10k? The Aero is a WRX with the STi rack, different shock valving, matching springs and more sound deadening. They also look better IMHO. Not that I'm in line or anything due to it not being what I need and I'm not in the market right now, but what a sweet ride. I forget what year did they switch from the 2.0 to the 2.5 in the Aero?

I think there were only 2 years of the Saabaru.

Every Subaru from the mid-90's on - look at the rear quarters real carefully for rust. If rusty get a good look at the rear strut towers. If they are rusty - run!!! Don't walk - RUN!

Outback and Leggy - 04 was the last year of the old body style, new style started in 05. Not very exciting with 4EAT, decent with the 5 spd, but JUST decent. Not an exciting drive by any stretch. The HG's although better in those years will leak externally. Most of them just check the oil and keep on going. 97-99 cars had the EJ25D - avoid. When the HG's go they leak internally and boom!! Most of them still running would have been fixed by now. I had one and sold it with over 250k miles on it and as far as I know it's still running. 05-up Leggy GT's got a de-tuned 2.5L turbo like the WRX and the one-year wagon manual Leggy GT was in 05 (Unicorn!) The Outbacks were available with the 2.5L turbo/5spd combo for a few extra years, but again Unicorn!! More of a gentlemen's express and less likely to have been beat on! EDIT - Ooops - I forgot - Leggy's and Outbacks could be had with the 6 cyl - auto's only though.

WRX - 00-02 - would have to have been brought in from outside North America. NA imports began in 2002.

WRX - 02-05 - 2.0L engine (the better option in my opinion). High mileage ones will occasionally spin rod bearings. 227Hp from the factory, Cobb AP will get you an extra 40-50 HP and actually a better tune. Early 02 cars have weaker synchros, but I have had 2 02's and an 05 and unless you (or the PO) drive a 5 spd like a monkey the trans issues are blown way out of reality. 05's get the upgraded interior of the 06-07 cars with the 2.0L. That is the combo I would go after!

06-07 - 2.5L with smaller turbo then the STi. 265Hp if I remember correctly. The 2.5L in the STi's have issues with the Cyl #4 ringland, but this failure seems much less common in the WRX than the STi. Get a tune. They are stupid lean in spots trying to meet emissions rules. WRX is still a 5 spd. These cars came from the factory with the 4pot/2pot brakes that all the fanboi's want unless they have gone Brembo's.

Saabaru 92-X - only made 05-06 - Linear's had the 2.5L NA engine. Aero's had the 2.0L turbo in 05 and the 2.5L turbo in 06. Rumour has it that some of the body panels are getting scarce already. Interiors in the Saab's were nicer than the Subaru's. Almost everything else is the same. In some cases they maybe cheaper as people forget to include them in searches.

Keep in mind that many of these are cheap enough that they are becoming the current-day DSM's! Every kid with a crooked hat and a few Benjamins can buy them and get going. Turbo Subaru's don't last running on modified parts and stock tunes. Look for things like aftermarket intakes and turbo-back exhausts. If they have not at least used a Cobb AP OTS tune, or better a pro-tune. Run.

Don't waste a lot of time holding out for a 2006 92X Aero. I think they only made about 6000 of them and that's the one that everybody wants. They don't last long

And while, Subaru interiors aren't exactly works of beauty, I always thought that Saabaru's had ugly seats.

Best number I have seen from Fuji Heavy production numbers is about 250 turbo manual 92x's produced for the US market for 2006. Slightly better for 2005 in that there were about 1400 turbo manual Aeros made for 2005.

Im thinking $8k for my Saabaru.

Nothing useful to add, but After reading this thread I went looking on CL. No 9-2, but came across this:

Saab 96 two stroke