new to Forum: love my '90 Wagon!!!
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new to Forum: love my '90 Wagon!!!
hey there everyone,
glad i found you guys - as i have a couple of questions..
have to say, my '90 Legacy wagon looks like hell - but is the most reliable car i've ever owned. It is stock with no modifications and is front wheel drive, only. Its my daily driver and use it so i can park on the street and not have to worry about dents and scratches. i live and work in downtown Washington, DC.
i've owned the car for 2 solid years and bought it from dear family friends who were the original owners. I have only had to replace one CV joint, an air filter and a new battery. Every 3,000 miles i change the oil and filter. The funny thing is - i don't even wash the car - i do however, keep the interior very clean. You see, i DON'T REALLY CARE about this car (it is my 3rd) and i'm pretty hard on it - but the car refuses to fail me!! It is my daily beater.
it has 145,000 miles.
it starts EVERY time on the 1st try.
the heater, AC, and window defrost work perfectly.
the 16 valve, 4 cylinder engine leaks no oil and zips me around town.
NOW, the timing chain is original.
how much longer do i have before it breaks???
i believe this is about a $500 repair.
ALSO, i soon need 4 new tires and brake pads.
is it worth putting in all this $$ - or should i just sell it and use the $$ toward a down payment on an Outback??
during this last blizzard the car has been fantastic!!
Was this model known for being bulletproof - or am i just lucky??
your thoughts and any advice would be really appreciated.
glad i found this forum!!
best regards,
Maurice
(btw, is it just me - or does almost EVERY Legacy owner have a hub cap missing??? Every other Legacy i see is missing at least one!)
glad i found you guys - as i have a couple of questions..
have to say, my '90 Legacy wagon looks like hell - but is the most reliable car i've ever owned. It is stock with no modifications and is front wheel drive, only. Its my daily driver and use it so i can park on the street and not have to worry about dents and scratches. i live and work in downtown Washington, DC.
i've owned the car for 2 solid years and bought it from dear family friends who were the original owners. I have only had to replace one CV joint, an air filter and a new battery. Every 3,000 miles i change the oil and filter. The funny thing is - i don't even wash the car - i do however, keep the interior very clean. You see, i DON'T REALLY CARE about this car (it is my 3rd) and i'm pretty hard on it - but the car refuses to fail me!! It is my daily beater.
it has 145,000 miles.
it starts EVERY time on the 1st try.
the heater, AC, and window defrost work perfectly.
the 16 valve, 4 cylinder engine leaks no oil and zips me around town.
NOW, the timing chain is original.
how much longer do i have before it breaks???
i believe this is about a $500 repair.
ALSO, i soon need 4 new tires and brake pads.
is it worth putting in all this $$ - or should i just sell it and use the $$ toward a down payment on an Outback??
during this last blizzard the car has been fantastic!!
Was this model known for being bulletproof - or am i just lucky??
your thoughts and any advice would be really appreciated.
glad i found this forum!!
best regards,
Maurice
(btw, is it just me - or does almost EVERY Legacy owner have a hub cap missing??? Every other Legacy i see is missing at least one!)
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 100
From: Roseville, CA
Car Info: 98 GT Wagon
Maurice, Sounds like you got a real trooper there! A couple of things:
The Subie uses a Timing "belt" not a chain, and somewhere between 2-500$ depending on who might be running a special, etc.
That engine, 2.2L, is a non-interference type motor, meaning it won't destroy the motor/valves/pistons if it does "drop" the belt. It'll just quit.
My advice would be to find a Subaru specialist that'll do the belt, and anything else she needs before you're left stranded. If the motor is not leaking any oil consider yourself fortunate, as most develop leaks onto the exhaust that smells like heck. Sounds like you may be (over)due for Coolant and trans/diff fluids/air cleaner/brake fluid change as well. These cars often go 200+ K-miles trouble free, but a little TLC might be in order, and save you from having to use one of your "real" cars in that nasty "Right Coast" weather!
Glenn O
The Subie uses a Timing "belt" not a chain, and somewhere between 2-500$ depending on who might be running a special, etc.
That engine, 2.2L, is a non-interference type motor, meaning it won't destroy the motor/valves/pistons if it does "drop" the belt. It'll just quit.
My advice would be to find a Subaru specialist that'll do the belt, and anything else she needs before you're left stranded. If the motor is not leaking any oil consider yourself fortunate, as most develop leaks onto the exhaust that smells like heck. Sounds like you may be (over)due for Coolant and trans/diff fluids/air cleaner/brake fluid change as well. These cars often go 200+ K-miles trouble free, but a little TLC might be in order, and save you from having to use one of your "real" cars in that nasty "Right Coast" weather!
Glenn O
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 85
From: SStarling Subaru/Orlando/UCF
Car Info: 91 Legacy, 88 XT, 79 GL
Yes the BC-BF Legacies are known to be bulletproof...145,000 miles? It's just broken in! My `91 sedan has only 117,000 on it, a compression test revealed the engine is in brand-new condition...
The oil-on-exhaust leak mentioned is the valve covers...oh, how 2.2's love to leak from valve covers!
You should check out bbs.legacycentral.org it's for BC-BF Legacies, lots of tech stuff, questions answered...
The oil-on-exhaust leak mentioned is the valve covers...oh, how 2.2's love to leak from valve covers!
You should check out bbs.legacycentral.org it's for BC-BF Legacies, lots of tech stuff, questions answered...
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subyluvr2212,
thanks for the legacycentral web-site! i'll also check them out and probably post my similar concerns above.
this morning i was sliding all over - definitely need some new tires on the front. plus brake pads and an alignment, plus a tune up, plus all new fluids, plus a timing belt - not sure i want to put this much $$ into the car - but feel that i owe it to her.
she's been SO RELIABLE!!
Maurice
'90 Legacy LS Wagon
thanks for the legacycentral web-site! i'll also check them out and probably post my similar concerns above.
this morning i was sliding all over - definitely need some new tires on the front. plus brake pads and an alignment, plus a tune up, plus all new fluids, plus a timing belt - not sure i want to put this much $$ into the car - but feel that i owe it to her.
she's been SO RELIABLE!!
Maurice
'90 Legacy LS Wagon
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mexicanpizza
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