Rittmeister Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 I'm in the market for a 2.5GT wagon. I have been looking for a 2nd gen, hopefully a 1998 or 1999 5MT car, but they are pretty thin on the ground near me. While I like the styling of the early car best, I'm considering expanding my search to the 3rd gen 2.5GT wagon. I'm curious however about the differences in the drivetrain. Does that car have the same issues with timing belts, headgaskets, etc? Any information would be helpful. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderzy Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Same situation here. Although I can find some decent examples of 2nd gen with in 300 miles of me they are all have near 200k miles or more on the clock. Plus it seems like 3rd gens are not much more expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZP Installs Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 The 2nd gen Legacys with the 2.5 DOHC motors were the ones with the head gasket issues. Subaru went as far as to make coolant conditioner a mandatory addition in the major services. If you need to get the head gaskets done, just make sure they use the multi layer steel gaskets and you should be fine. The timing belts were only good for 60K back then but Subaru went to a better belt and they could last for the now normal 100k. As for the 3rd gens they had the 2.5 SOHC and were pretty stout as they were the same as the RS motor. The 3rd gens seemed to go toward a more luxary crowd hence the money difference. Overall they are both good cars but plan to put some money into either generation as they are older cars now. -Jake http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/91072632.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/133406601.jpg http://upload.pbase.com/image/137566671.jpg Call directly for your best Whiteline Price! | We also carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us. AIM: AZP Installs | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber "Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rittmeister Posted December 20, 2011 Author Share Posted December 20, 2011 Thanks for the input. I still like the styling of the 2nd gen best - the bulge in the roof of the 3rd gen is a little goofy to my eyes, but availability might be the deciding factor regardless. That, and if the 3rd gen motor is a little tougher it might be the way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
error Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 My 2001 wagon had two sets of head gaskets replaced before the entire short block was replaced at 117k km (under Subaru "good will" warranty). Now it has 190 k clicks (70k on the new engine) and is flying well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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