First Time Subie Owner - great body and interior, high miles - concerned?

[FirsttymerSubie97LegacyGT]

First time poster - thank you. Read the article on the heater control lights and had to join. Can't wait to contact dealer in am. Got a used subie, great in and out, high (182K on body, original mtr overheated @ 52K and replaced. So, got about 130K on "new" motor. I am not mechanically inclined, but the write up by Ace (sorry - don't know the whole name, but based on write up and photos, I prefer to call you Ace or Sir. I will be doing this this weekend if lights are available. What about the lights for the automatic shifter? Just right there I am sure, but I have a history of starting interior vehicle mods ( stereos only ) and sometimes having an extra screw or two. Great site - so far glad to be owner. Do all subies shift hard from first?

[ehsnils]

Now - I wouldn't be overly concerned if you have done the general checks of compression, fluid leaks and oil consumption. If all those are acceptable there shouldn't be any expensive problems.

 

The wheel bearings are something to check now and then, as are the driveshaft boots, but neither can be considered especially unusual.

 

One experience I have had is that if you get a problem with the CV joints it may be that it's the inner right joint that is giving up first, not the outer. The reason is that the inner joint is located above the cat (or on earlier models like the brat/1800 it's the first silencer). This heats up the grease which causes it to be less efficient and degrade faster.

 

When it comes to gearboxes you didn't really indicate if it's an AT or a MT. You will certainly not want to have an AT that's too soft in gear changes since that may indicate that it slips. Too hard shifts can be that it needs an adjustment, but it's hard to tell if it's normal or not unless you have a similar car to compare with.

 

Since your car has been driven a lot the gearbox oil may be either changed to a different type than what it was originally filled with or that the oil has gotten too old and needs to be replaced and that may also be the cause for a bit odd behavior in the gear changes. (Assuming it's an AT).

[donswhitegt]

Great body and interior, but High mileage hmmmm sounds like my wife. No worries here

[05GT Guru]

Wow, at least your ok with her being driven

[FirsttymerSubie97LegacyGT]

Thanks for the responses! It is an automatic, and after just 2 days I am starting to really like the vehicle. AWD too if that helps, sorry. The shifting is just almost like a 5 speed MT when you get on it and then shift down to 2nd quickly, and it kinda throws you back. Now look, I have had and driven both 5 speeds and fast vehicles - I do know the difference. I guess I was just wondering if this is Subie thing or not? No other "hard shifts" in any other gears.

 

anyway, just had her tinted out today (legal is 28%, got 15% - and it looks friggin great!) and had stereo deck put in (didn't even know they made tapes anymore, but I do recall my first Alpine deck with tape - you know, when you had to hit the reverse and FF button to switch sides if that helps let you guys know that I am not some little punk )

 

I also purchased heater control lights today - 3 lights = $11.57 - thanks again Ace.

 

Again, thanks for all your input - never, ever owned or even thought about owning a Subie - current 07 Pathfinder LE (wife's), 04 Mazda 6, etc. First wagon, but at 36 yrs old, guess it's time. Good for the dogs and golf clubs.

 

Please let me know about the shifting and if I should have this checked - yes, high miles, but doesn't drive like it yet. 85 point inspect was provided by seller with only about $600 worth of repairs.

 

I plan on listing all the issues this weekend - but hey, it's friday night, my ass is still at work (with access to this site - YES!!) and only have about 30 min to go. I can look out the window and see the blacked out Subie - awesome.

 

Have a good night.

[Aczwild]

Sounds like you would like to know how to change the lights in the shifter. Can do, when I'm digging around in the project this weekend, I'll try to locate them

[FirsttymerSubie97LegacyGT]

I think I am just getting used to the hard shift - doesn't sound bad or make noise, so maybe just used to something "smoother". PS - don't worry about the light for the shifter - the stereo guys took care of that for me.

 

How about this though - should the door panel electric locks/windows light up? I only see 1 green light for left front?

 

If anyone is in Northern Colorado, I have a great reference for your windows (If you like the tint look, your gonna love this - I will post photos later) .

[gugarci]

My 02 WRX wagon has 98K miles. Been driving this car since 7/01. Car has been very reliable. Althought I recently had to replace the radiator.

[FirsttymerSubie97LegacyGT]

Done with replacing all 3 lights - easy money - thanks again Ace. Hey, one fog light working, right front not. Bulb looks new. Any ideas? I have checked wiring as far as I am willing to go - don't really have tools to determine if even any current there.

[Bdubs]

Sometimes it isn't the bulb that blows, but the wire that plugs into the harness burns out. Your cheapest and easiest way to troubleshoot would be to start with a new bulb.

What a reliable car though, If I had more room in my driveway I'd get another.