Stevo F Posted December 30, 2013 Posted December 30, 2013 I saw this Outback (local for me) on Craigslist and was wondering if it would be a good deal (especially if I could get the seller to come down a little on the price). I got a response back saying the headgaskets are the only issue she's aware of. http://fredericksburg.craigslist.org/pts/4243704710.html If I were to get this car I'm wondering if it would be better to fix the headgaskets (wondering about head warpage since the the car has been overheating) or look for a decent 2.2 to replace the EJ25. I'm thinking any 1996- '98 2.2 shoudl just be a direct replacement? I wish I could pull the motor myself, but not physically up to it. I know of a young man that's done a couple of Subaru headgasket jobs and am going to see if he'd be interested in doing this one for some $$$. My old Nissan truck is starting to fall apart- wouldn't mind another Subie around in the family as a spare AWD vehicle.
johnegg Posted December 30, 2013 Posted December 30, 2013 miles ? since you are paying for labor, i would have the guy price out a swap as opposed to the HG job. the R&R of the engine will be the same for both. but the cost of the ej22 (and timing belt kit) vs the time for the HGs (and timing belt kit and HGs.) based on the unknown of the ej25, i would go ej22. plus the down time would be less.
Headtrauma89 Posted December 30, 2013 Posted December 30, 2013 I wouldn't pay more than $6-700 for it with a bad motor. I love the 2.5L's. The EJ25D is a great motor once it has the new OEM head gaskets. We own and daily drive 2 of them, and they are both at or over 200,000 miles. They make great torque and good power. If your going to go through the expense of it, why would you want to downsize your engine and get less power? I do subaru head gasket jobs for people on the side fairly often. It's really not that bad... I usually charge $1k or so with a complete reseal, new timing belt, components, wp and plugs and wires. I don't charge normal shop labor rates either though. But what I'm saying is, its likley heads can be milled, gaskets replaced and much life can be had out her.
Stevo F Posted December 30, 2013 Author Posted December 30, 2013 BTW- Here's a first gen near me that I saw: http://fredericksburg.craigslist.org/cto/4172700088.html I'm asking why the owner thinks the HG's are bad, since this is a Gen 1 with an EJ22. The body looks pretty decent in the pics- for $450 (or less since it hasn't sold yet) it might be worth it.
johnegg Posted December 30, 2013 Posted December 30, 2013 for a beater, i would go with the 94. but there is no guarantee it is AWD, check. and it could be head gaskets, but it could be a clogged rad too. info from the seller should help. just cause the ad is still up does not mean it has not sold. but if it hasn't, offer $250 ?
Stevo F Posted December 30, 2013 Author Posted December 30, 2013 I received an initial response from both people. The seller of the Outback wants it gone and the seller of the '93 has been trying to sell it for a long time. On the '93 I asked about AWD and what was telling her that the headgaskets were bad (since that engine isn't known for it). Sounds like both sellers would take less than their asking price at this point- just waiting to hear back.
Kevlar_07 Posted December 30, 2013 Posted December 30, 2013 I would go with the wagon, body looks clean other than the left rear door and some scratches. I bought a 96 obw for $800 with blown head gaskets a while ago if you have access to a engine hoist the head gaskets are an easy to do, plus you will learn a lot about your car in the process. If nothing else just drop a bullet proof 2.2 in it and go. I would defiantly talk her down to the $600-700 range That's just my .02
johnegg Posted December 30, 2013 Posted December 30, 2013 in thinking about your situation, paying for labor, i might have to re-think....... the outback is more truck like so if you need a truck, that may be best. i retired my 90 nissan 5 speed, and replaced it with a $200 tag-a-long trailer. so far i do not miss the truck. but i do feel bad about putting it out to pasture. but if what you need is just a 3rd car, (another wagon can do the truck like work) then i have to go with price all the way as long as both are AWD. but the fix for the 94 could be the same as the fix for the outback, ej22 engine swap. a 90 - 94 ej22 MAY be a little cheaper, but it may be the same as a 95 ej22 w/EGR for the outback. (96 - 98 ej22 will work for the outback, but you will need the exhaust y-pipe as well. this will add tot the cost.) so price aside, buy the one you want. the 94 will be a little cheaper $200 - $400, maybe. but that it not a lot, really. (what can you get for your nissan? one owner? miles?) i don't think resale is really an issue, although the outback is younger and more in demand. but we are talking about a $1500 - $1800 car once done. there will always be a market for a $1500 car that runs and is inspected. i'll sell my 97 GT wagon for $2700. ej22 swap 160k miles (i bought it at 125k w/ bad ej25) auto trans good tires antenna stuck up rear wiper does not work (wiring) leather seats outback struts, lifted clear coat peeling timing belt due at 185k. it has a hard 1-2 shift, since i bought it trailer hitch roof rack sun roof i'm in roanoke.
Stevo F Posted December 31, 2013 Author Posted December 31, 2013 in thinking about your situation, paying for labor, i might have to re-think....... the outback is more truck like so if you need a truck, that may be best. i retired my 90 nissan 5 speed, and replaced it with a $200 tag-a-long trailer. so far i do not miss the truck. but i do feel bad about putting it out to pasture. but if what you need is just a 3rd car, (another wagon can do the truck like work) then i have to go with price all the way as long as both are AWD. but the fix for the 94 could be the same as the fix for the outback, ej22 engine swap. a 90 - 94 ej22 MAY be a little cheaper, but it may be the same as a 95 ej22 w/EGR for the outback. (96 - 98 ej22 will work for the outback, but you will need the exhaust y-pipe as well. this will add tot the cost.) so price aside, buy the one you want. the 94 will be a little cheaper $200 - $400, maybe. but that it not a lot, really. (what can you get for your nissan? one owner? miles?) i don't think resale is really an issue, although the outback is younger and more in demand. but we are talking about a $1500 - $1800 car once done. there will always be a market for a $1500 car that runs and is inspected. i'll sell my 97 GT wagon for $2700. ej22 swap 160k miles (i bought it at 125k w/ bad ej25) auto trans good tires antenna stuck up rear wiper does not work (wiring) leather seats outback struts, lifted clear coat peeling timing belt due at 185k. it has a hard 1-2 shift, since i bought it trailer hitch roof rack sun roof i'm in roanoke. I'm the original owner of my old '88 Hardbody- runs good but getting to many issues. Also the stock brakes aren't that great so I don't really like commuting 80 miles round trip at 60- 65 MPH in it anymore. Good for local use, but my wife isn't interested in driving it around town. I'm trying to interest someone at work to buy it (maybe $1,500) as they are looking for something older to haul stuff in. I'm thinking of another old Subie that my wife can run around in and I can occasionally drive to work to keep the miles down on my '98 wagon. We are using our Corolla for that currently, but my son will be getting that car this coming year. As for hauling, we could probably use my wife's Sienna van for for a lot of it, as it's dirty enough to look like it's been used like a truck! Your '97 sounds interesting- I'd love to see some pics. I would like another EJ22 if possible.
Stevo F Posted January 2, 2014 Author Posted January 2, 2014 I'm pretty much wanting to get a second EJ22 if possible. I saw a couple of cheap ones in my area on Craig's list. The guy wselling this one responded back. From the look of it, it will need a paint job- curious if mileage is correct (70K on a '95?). The guy wrote back that he got it from a shop who said the transmission was bad, but all that was wrong was a sensor http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/4267836793.html
Stevo F Posted January 7, 2014 Author Posted January 7, 2014 Seller dropped price a little- tempting- but I've got no help with an engine (even if I can find a decent EJ22- carparts.com doesn't list any too close to here). Too bad I'm too old and with a bad back- not up to it :-( http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/4274816454.html
Stevo F Posted January 8, 2014 Author Posted January 8, 2014 Here's one local to me that has had headgaskets done but has an odd sounding oil leak: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/4276718930.html
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