longevity of imprezas, legacies, and foresters

[David]

Can anyone tell me what is a reasonable expected lifetime for a
well-cared for impreza, legacy, and forester, say from 1998, 99, or
00?

Thanks,
David

 

[BlueSTi]

Can anyone tell me what is a reasonable expected lifetime for a
well-cared for impreza, legacy, and forester, say from 1998, 99, or
00?

Thanks,
David

Depending on care I would say 200,000 miles isn't unrealistic. Our
Legacy had over 180,000 miles on it when we traded it in. And it was
used almost exclusively on a mail route. Now that's hard miles!
For most folks that would take about ten years. I don't know a lot of
people that hang on to a car for 10 years.

BlueSTi
"Scary-Fast"

 

[John Reece]

Can anyone tell me what is a reasonable expected lifetime for a
well-cared for impreza, legacy, and forester, say from 1998, 99, or
00?

Thanks,
David

I have a '95 Impreza that just turned 217,000 miles. Engine still runs
strong, auto tranny is starting to have issues. No major repairs done..
a few oil leaks but thats to be expected with those kind of miles.

 

[H]

I can't tell you about that model...BUT. I have an 86 GL owned since new,
Driven in Northern Coastal British Columbia and now has 255,000km on it.
It's still a daily driver for our son. Yeah it's had a clutch, 2 exhausts, 2
brake jobs, many tires, one timing belt (at 50,000km), the last ones been in
there 205,000km! Never had any major engine work. It is starting to rust a
bit though.
Our second car is a 1990 Legacy wagon (only 165,000km) Runs very strong,
original timing belt and clutch. Door locks are finicky. One brake job, One
clutch job, One radiator re-core, No rust. Strong runner, I won't let it go.
Our third car is a 2004 Forester, no problems yet except for a speaker buzz
at loud volumes and the little floor mat hook thing didn't stay in place.
As you can see, we are car-keepers. I generally hang on to a vehicle as long
as it's doing what its supposed to do. Non of my subarus have EVER let me
down.

And hey, I just bought a 4'x8' utility trailer to do the pick-up things,
2,300lb GVW, that's more than most pickups will haul.

 

[Dominic Richens]

Can anyone tell me what is a reasonable expected lifetime for a
well-cared for impreza, legacy, and forester, say from 1998, 99, or
00?

From what people say, better than average I think. Currently driving a 1995
Legacy Brighton 5MT, runs and handles as good as new after 175,000km. Just
replaced the battery, front rotors and a ball joint (worn down). Timing
belt/water pump done at 96,000km as specified.

The VC in the center differential has worn out (it binds after lengthy
highway driving) - but it doesn't have to be fixed so I'm not going to
bother.

 

[Hallraker]

Can anyone tell me what is a reasonable expected lifetime for a
well-cared for impreza, legacy, and forester, say from 1998, 99, or
00?

Based on my observations, 200,000 miles is the generally accepted *minimum*
lifespan for any Subaru. There was a time when I thought that the higher
complexity of the newer engines would lead to more early failures, but that
doens't seem to be the case. Many Subarus from the last few years of the
90s are approaching or exceeding the 200k mark, mine included. At just shy
of 172k, the only engine concern is a small (but manageable) oil leak. I've
seen other Subaru odometers with over 400k on them.

-Matt

-Matt

 

[Jim Stewart]

Can anyone tell me what is a reasonable expected lifetime for a
well-cared for impreza, legacy, and forester, say from 1998, 99, or
00?

I have a '99 Legacy outback with 103k miles on the
clock. Other than the suspension getting a little
soft, and the headlights a little hazy, it's just
like new. I'll be disappointed if it doesn't make
it to 200k.

 

[A Doc]

ive got a 94 impreza 5 speed. 190km, second clutch, secon set of brakes, new
balls joints and struts, engine in mint condition, body has no rust.

Id say a well cared subie is good for 300km.

 

[David Silbey]

1997 Outback Sport (Impreza body) with 186,000 miles on it, running fine.

 

[Jim Stewart]

ive got a 94 impreza 5 speed. 190km, second clutch, secon set of brakes, new
balls joints and struts, engine in mint condition, body has no rust.

How long did your first clutch last? I was hell on
clutches in my youth, usually getting about 40k miles
out of them in my Mustang and Datsun. I've been very
pleased to make it to 103k miles on the Subaru with
it still going strong.

 

[A Doc]

the orginal clutch was replaced in 2002. with about 125km on it, but it had
problems for about a year prior. The brakes were changed all around at about
100K and i just replaced the original suspension parts at 180K . I dont need
to add oil between changes, which have been kept frequent.

adoc

 

[Dominic Richens]

Another data point:

Rear wheel bearings; my 95 Legacy (175,000km) is in at the dealer for an oil
change and I asked them about a noise coming from the rear and it turns out
that the driver's side wheel bearing is about to
"go". 400$CDN Doh!

 

[SpongeBob]

Can anyone tell me what is a reasonable expected lifetime for a
well-cared for impreza, legacy, and forester, say from 1998, 99, or
00?

Thanks,
David

1999 Subaru Outback Wgn. -

At 72,000 Catalytic Converters bad...Replaced under warrantee (80,000)
At 118,000 Blown Head Gasket...No warning, no warrantee...$2000+ to
repair...And looking on the internet, this seems to be somewhat common for
the 2.5l DOHC engine.

Engine was maintained properly...Never expected a problem like this at
120,000.

 

[Paul Harding]

My '00 Outback needed new clutch at 12000 mi. The '02 WRX has done better
than 45,000
on the original clutch, but a new front brake rotor and a high pressure a/c
hose was needed at 39,000.
I have run other makes up over 100K mi without having to replace those
items. The wors thing about
the later model Subarus is the paint, which chips about 10 times worse than
any other car I have owned.
I had driven an Infiniti Q45 on the same stretch of freeway in my regular
commute for 11 years
with only a fraction of the chips I have showing on my WRX in a fifth of
that time. Overall though
my Q45 needed a new motor in 12,0000 mi and transmissions at 37,000 and
again at 50,000 along
with power window mechanisms on a regular basis. I guess you have to look
at the overall picture!

 

[Edward Hayes]

My 2000 Forester with 82,000 miles has had one problem: the overhead clock
quit at ~80,000 miles and had to buy a new one for ~$40. This week I pulled
brake pads and found they had about 40% remaining. Good service I would say.
ed

 

[Jerseyj]

My 2000 Forester with 82,000 miles has had one problem: the overhead clock
quit at ~80,000 miles and had to buy a new one for ~$40. This week I pulled
brake pads and found they had about 40% remaining. Good service I would say.
ed

My 1999 Forrester has about 130K on it , I also need a new overhead
clock but can't seem to find one except at the dealer. Is that where you
found it or somewhere else ?

Jerry

 

[Edward Hayes]

Yes: the clock was only found at a dealer. However some have said they found
a poorly soldered wire which was easy to fix with a small soldering iron. ed

 

[GT]

My 1999 Forrester has about 130K on it , I also need a new overhead
clock but can't seem to find one except at the dealer. Is that where you
found it or somewhere else ?

Jerry

Is that a turbo charged engine?

G. Tarantino - Switzerland