Just bumping this up because, darn it, I just like this one. 
This story comes from all the way back in 2001. The message rings even stronger today as Subaru is currently celebrating its 67th consecutive month of yearly month-over-month growth.
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Just bumping this up because, darn it, I just like this one.
Love Subies. I am on my sixth one currently.
I really want to love Subaru's. Well, I love the looks and performance and the aura but I'm struggling to get over my fears of the Grassroots priced ones.
Coming from a GMT 800, it's hard for me to feel comfortable with the issues I've read about i.e.: head gaskets.
If fact, (not sure if this is a strange notion) I'm searching for a brand that I can not only drive but collect lots of interchangeable parts and kind of get into the "scene".
I mean, I LOVE driving by a house where you can see that they're big fans of one brand or another: a driver, a parts car, a garage full of seats, rims, tires, body panels.
Seems like Subaru and Jeep are like that. The ol' Lego phenomenon!
^ Headgasket issues haven't been a thing since the 2.2 era. You're talking 20 years ago.
LEGO AWAY!
Blaise wrote: ^ Headgasket issues haven't been a thing since the 2.2 era. You're talking 20 years ago. LEGO AWAY!
Thanks for that! I'll have to look into prices because the 2.2 era is what I was referring to being Grassroots priced but maybe in need to revisit that theory.
A few years ago we built up a 2.2-liter-powered Impreza rallycross car. As a Subaru technical rep once told me, that's the engine that can easily take a shot from a .357 Magnum. It was deemed as unkillable.
Blaise wrote: ^ Headgasket issues haven't been a thing since the 2.2 era. You're talking 20 years ago. LEGO AWAY!
Don't want to be a downer, but the NA 2.5l engines are notorious for going through head gaskets. I've heard rumor that 2010+ have fixed that. I dunno. My '98 w/ 163K on it was just diagnosed as having its third freaking set of head gaskets leaking. Instead of the normal $1500 charge, the shop recommends doing a complete rebuild/replace of the engine for a mere $6K.
The turbo engines are of a closed-deck design, and are apparently not prone to the head gasket issues.
Don't get me wrong. I love Subarus. I'm frustrated that they're continually losing to VWs (and the Fords) in the Red Bull GRC. I share bro nods with other modded Subie drivers. But this latest engine problem is a really bitter pill to swallow.
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