zksailor534 Posted September 9, 2017 Share Posted September 9, 2017 I have had my 05 wagon since 2006 and still love it. There's nothing on the market now that has the same combination of power, practicality, and fun. This car is tired. It runs well now but has lived a full life, and I haven't always been able to treat it as well as I want to. Also, my wife likes to use it like a truck. Now we're buying an Outback and I should be getting a garage again soon, so its trucking days will be over and I can begin babying it again. The question is, should I rebuild it? Where? How? I'm an engineer but don't have any experience working with cars, I've spent most of my career working with computers. Also, life likely won't afford me all that much time to learn everything and do it myself, though I'd love to. Where do I start? Is it worth it? Any advice or experience would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meier motor sports Posted September 9, 2017 Share Posted September 9, 2017 first whats wrong with it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zksailor534 Posted September 9, 2017 Author Share Posted September 9, 2017 Mostly wear and tear. Paint, upholstery, interior trim all need some work. There's probably a reasonable amount of rust, as it's lived outside for the last 6 years, but I haven't taken a thorough look. It was in a moderate accident 8 or so years ago, someone ran into the back end going around 15-20 while we were stopped at a light. The back hatch hasn't closed correctly since. I don't know of any major mechanical issues, though it definitely does not run as smooth as it used to, but then it has 185k miles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesA Posted September 9, 2017 Share Posted September 9, 2017 You can learn by doing, mostly. There is the factory service manual that has most of the info you need if you have a reasonable set of tools and some basic mechanical aptitude. There's a lot of how-to information online, not all of it is good, but there is much that is. Most basic repairs don't require high levels of skill or precision. You might need a specialist or a machine shop to help you with those jobs that do. Check out the vacation pix: http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/vacation-pix-171435.html 250K to 300K is a reasonable expectation if you keep things maintained well. You might have a few expensive repairs along the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zksailor534 Posted September 9, 2017 Author Share Posted September 9, 2017 Any specific advice on shops? I'm in southern RI. I'd consider having someone rework/rebuild the car, but I have no idea how much that would run me. It has to be cheaper than a new car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted September 9, 2017 Share Posted September 9, 2017 Get that hatch fixed if it doesn't close correctly. Does it leak water ? The cosmetic stuff is not important. How's the turbo ? See my click here link in my sig for what I did 91,000 miles ago. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxBLOOD88SHOTxx Posted September 9, 2017 Share Posted September 9, 2017 The question is, is it worth it to you to spend the money on it? If done right it will last just as long as the first time (look at Max Capacity's build). Plus, you have a very desirable 5spd wagon, so take that into consideration too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunny5280 Posted September 9, 2017 Share Posted September 9, 2017 I have had my 05 wagon since 2006 and still love it. There's nothing on the market now that has the same combination of power, practicality, and fun. This car is tired. It runs well now but has lived a full life, and I haven't always been able to treat it as well as I want to. Also, my wife likes to use it like a truck. Now we're buying an Outback and I should be getting a garage again soon, so its trucking days will be over and I can begin babying it again. The question is, should I rebuild it? Where? How? I'm an engineer but don't have any experience working with cars, I've spent most of my career working with computers. Also, life likely won't afford me all that much time to learn everything and do it myself, though I'd love to. Where do I start? Is it worth it? Any advice or experience would be appreciated. Given this constraint my recommendation is to have someone else do it or sell it and replace it with another one in better condition. IMO rebuilding a vehicle of this age generally tends to be financially unwise. One does it for the enjoyment of doing so or has some other specific reason. If you cannot dedicate the time to do it then it's unlikely you will get much enjoyment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted September 9, 2017 Share Posted September 9, 2017 Good advice right there ^ 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesA Posted September 9, 2017 Share Posted September 9, 2017 ...IMO rebuilding a vehicle of this age generally tends to be financially unwise. One does it for the enjoyment of doing so or has some other specific reason. If you cannot dedicate the time to do it then it's unlikely you will get much enjoyment.Having another car payment can be financially unwise, too. Maintenance and fixing things as they break is par for the course with an older vehicle. What changes the equation is whether you can do the work yourself or have to pay someone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunny5280 Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 Having another car payment can be financially unwise, too. Maintenance and fixing things as they break is par for the course with an older vehicle. What changes the equation is whether you can do the work yourself or have to pay someone else. I would be in agreement with you if the OP had inquired about maintenance / repair. However he had inquired about rebuilding his car which is a completely different animal. Such a thing can be costly in and of itself. Especially since it appears he doesn't have the expertise or time to do it himself. Which means having someone else do a lot of the work and thus considerably driving up the cost. Of course I could be completely wrong depending on details which we do not have With that said the primary point of my response was to point out that a rebuild should not be undertaken unless he has the time to put into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 he has had the car since 2006, so we'll assume its paid for. So yes it comes down to what the is worth to him. We all know what I did, but again that was 5 years ago when the car had higher cash value. I also have all the tools needed. Not sure I'd do that at this point in the cars age, after all his is a 5eat. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesA Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I think resale value is moot point. What matters is how much useful life you can get out of the car before having to replace it with something else. This is where having some mechanical skill pays off. I wouldn't try to rebuild, but just maintain it and replace what breaks. 250K - 300K miles is possible as long as something catastrophic doesn't happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunny5280 Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I think resale value is moot point. What matters is how much useful life you can get out of the car before having to replace it with something else. This is where having some mechanical skill pays off. I wouldn't try to rebuild, but just maintain it and replace what breaks. 250K - 300K miles is possible as long as something catastrophic doesn't happen. OP asked whether he should rebuild or not. Discussions involving regular maintenance / repair are outside the scope of the advice the OP is seeking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 Not sure I'd do that at this point in the cars age, after all his is a 5eat. Subject says it is a manual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesA Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 OP asked whether he should rebuild or not. Discussions involving regular maintenance / repair are outside the scope of the advice the OP is seeking. The question is, should I rebuild it? Where? How?...Where do I start? Is it worth it? Any advice or experience would be appreciated... What are you, the master of ceremonies? Look again, OP said any advice or experience about his situation would be appreciated. So, my advice is rebuilding is not worth it, but keeping the car going for awhile may make sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
200kSpecB Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 IMO rebuilding a vehicle of this age generally tends to be financially unwise. In this case I agree, having a shop rebuild your engine will probably cost you more than 3x the amount it would if you had the time to do it yourself. At that point you'd be paying the shop more than what the cars worth. From my experience it can be done for around $2,500 if you do it yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savethewagons Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 The Subaru shop in tiverton ri is an excellent shop to have mechanical work or an engine rebuild done. They also have a great tuner jay perry so it's a one stop shop mechanically speaking. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunny5280 Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 What are you, the master of ceremonies? Look again, OP said any advice or experience about his situation would be appreciated. So, my advice is rebuilding is not worth it, but keeping the car going for awhile may make sense. OP was asking for advice as to wether he should rebuild his car. He was not seeking advice as to whether he should keep the vehicle and continue to maintain / repair it. If you wanted to advise the OP to continue driving his car and maintain / repair it because it tends to be lower cost than buying a new car that's reasonable advice. The confusion came because you provided this advice to one of my posts where I was discussing the cost of rebuilding the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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