Advice - Selling vs Fixing

[LTdesign]

I have an '08 Outback Limited. 205k miles. Lots of new parts & recent work done on it (see list below).
Looking for some advice here. Recently started re-paying student loans and may possibly have some upcoming medical bills TBD (MRI scheduled for tomorrow). Feeling a little overwhelmed financially atm.
The front differential blew almost a year ago (February '24). Originally, I had thought about fixing it. Usually I do my own work, but this repair is not within my skillset/capabilities, time, or space constraints. I ended up buying a 4Runner which I now think wasn't the best move, but that's another story. Right now, I have it listed on FB Marketplace, OfferUp, and Craigslist, asking $2000 OBO as-is. Question is - do y'all think this is the best way to handle this? Should I seek out a transmission shop instead and go ahead with the diff. replacement? I was quoted about $2500 from one shop. This would cut pretty severely into my savings acct. Pictures attached for reference.
Work done / extra & new parts: Tons of new parts, I think this is everything...:

• KYB SR4490 Rear struts and Energy Suspension bushing kit, installed Jan. ‘23
• Steering rack Part # 42-2287, installed Feb. ‘23
• Power steering fluid filter
• Front EBC S9KF1606 Brake Kit slotted rotors w/ EBC yellow pads installed Sept. ‘23, comes w/ spare set of EBC red pads
• Front drive shafts OEM Part # 28321AG00D (not installed, I pulled them out to move the car, but they were new as of Jan. ‘24)
• Front Mevotech control arms Part #’s CMS80181 and CMS80182, installed Jan. ‘24
• KYB SR4491 Front strut (not installed)
• Fel-Pro oil pan gasket (not installed)
• SuperStart Extreme (O’Reilly Auto) battery dated 10/23
• K&N cabin air filter, never installed (nearly new Wix filter is currently installed)
• Whiteline front control arm bushing kit
• RalliTek front skid plate kit
• 

 

[piste]

For me...the answer is almost always fix and keep. Can u sell the Foreskinner? The OB got a good 5 years and 100k miles left most likely. By then you hopefully in a better financial situation. If you dont fix what is your next best option? Personally i am not in a situation to save for a new car..and despise car payments.

 

[LTdesign]

For me...the answer is almost always fix and keep. Can u sell the Foreskinner? The OB got a good 5 years and 100k miles left most likely. By then you hopefully in a better financial situation. If you dont fix what is your next best option? Personally i am not in a situation to save for a new car..and despise car payments.

Unfortunately, I got myself in the predicament where I have some payments on the 4Runner.
I'm now leaning towards fixing the Subie - I found a trans with 75k miles on locally for $450. If I don't fix it, I'd sell it as-is, which I've been trying to do for a couple months now, but nobody wants it once they hear about the blown diff.

 

[piste]

Wait..i thought u needed a new diff. Now u need a transmission too?

 

[LTdesign]

Wait..i thought u needed a new diff. Now u need a transmission too?

The general consensus is to replace the whole transmission - the front differential is integrated into the transmission.

 

[bmart]

Looking at the work done to the Subaru while you know you had student loans coming makes me think that your major isn't finance. lol

Ditch the 4Runner, for sure.

Why do you need a transmission shop to swap a transmission? Find a good local mechanic. It is an easy job. Just be sure that you get the right one. Gearing can vary from version to version and it has to match the rear.

The larger question is probably the powerplant. Is it good with NO issues? It'll likely go another 100k easy if you've taken care of it and keep the oil topped. That's a lot of years of saving money instead of buying slotted rotors...just sayin'.

"A crappy product at a discount isn't a deal."

 

[piste]

So u got a quote of $2500 for what? Cvt?

 

[LTdesign]

So u got a quote of $2500 for what? Cvt?

Yes, for transmission replacement.

 

[piste]

Yes, for transmission replacement.

Hunh. Had just a valve body done and that was $2k. Have been told a full cvt replace runs in ballpark of $8k to $10k..maybe more.havent done one but so was told. If thats true $2500 a steal to replace a cvt.

 

[LTdesign]

Hunh. Had just a valve body done and that was $2k. Have been told a full cvt replace runs in ballpark of $8k to $10k..maybe more.havent done one but so was told. If thats true $2500 a steal to replace a cvt.

It's a trans that I found here in town at a salvage yard.
8 - 10k sounds about right for a new OEM trans.

 

[LTdesign]

Looking at the work done to the Subaru while you know you had student loans coming makes me think that your major isn't finance. lol

Ditch the 4Runner, for sure.

Why do you need a transmission shop to swap a transmission? Find a good local mechanic. It is an easy job. Just be sure that you get the right one. Gearing can vary from version to version and it has to match the rear.

The larger question is probably the powerplant. Is it good with NO issues? It'll likely go another 100k easy if you've taken care of it and keep the oil topped. That's a lot of years of saving money instead of buying slotted rotors...just sayin'.

"A crappy product at a discount isn't a deal."

Thanks for the subtle insult - very necessary, and super appreciated.
The work done was necessary when it was completed. Some of the stuff was upgrades (brakes), but still cheaper than OEM - and on par with O'Reilly or AutoZone (I use Rock Auto). So the financial aspect is a moot point - the only thing I splurged on was the skid plate which also needed replaced anyways. An OEM skid plate isn't much cheaper than the RalliTek - maybe a hundred bucks.
I am going through our work's fleet mechanic, not a trans shop. I was quoted $650-800 if I provide the trans. I found one in town for about $450.

 

[bmart]

Just a little ribbing...not an insult at all. I bought a brand new Mustang 5.0 when I was young then not long after lost my career job...and other young kid came and paid nearly MSRP...we're out there. lol

You're playing the odds. Many of the later CVTs went bad. For your situation (non-CVT) I absolutely wouldn't buy new..so you're very smart on that one. I'd absolutely do it. Most of those engines can run 300k w/out issue as long as maint is done on schedule. Does it turn over manually (not locked) and lower miles than yours? At our local junk yard engines are ~$500...

I love the '00-'09 chassis and that one looks nice. Please let us know how you make out.