I have to agree with the RPMs. I came from an I-6 Jeep and that thing only ever saw 2k on the freeway. It seems like my Subie has to turn that much just to get around, and I commonly hit 3500 on the freeway. My 2.2 only has 135hp, but it is enough for me. I run a better air filter and synthetic oil and that seemed to give me more get up and go.
For parts I like to mail order from Auburn Subaru in Washington. They ship UPS and the parts get to me in Utah in 2 days usually. A guy in the NASIOC forum turned me on to them. They give a 30% discount for Internet customers. Ask for Jason at the parts desk. I don't have the number, but they have a web site.
I am considering buying a used (around '99) Subaru wagon. The Forester, Impreza, or Legacy. They seem quite popular here (Sacramento, Northern California). And I do like them.
Is there any pattern of mechnical and electrical failures that I should pay special attention to when I have the car inspected by a mechanic? Are parts readily available and not over-priced, and is repair expertise not in short supply? I am a bit concerned about the unique H4 engine.
Does the 165-hp engine give enough power? I cannot afford the turbo.
Not a complete list, nor does it apply to all years or models, but some recurring problems to check/be aware of are (a search of the archives may help you pinpoint the car you decide on):
Mechanical:
--Wheel bearings (inexcusably short life on many models)
--CV joint boots (and the joints if a boot fails and isn't attended to immediately--a little more prevalent than other makes I'm familiar with)
--Headgaskets (search the archives, some models have problems, some don't) leak on some, and even a single instance of overheating can blow 'em on many.
--Rust is a problem with the bodies of East Coast cars, though the year you're looking at should be reasonably rust free if anywhere but the West, absolutely rust free if from out here.
--OTOH, rust is NOT a problem on any engine components cuz the engines leak oil! IME, seals have a life expectancy of about 60k miles or so (same as earlier timing belts, so if seals and belts are replaced at the same time, leakage is minimized.)
--Radiator life is about 100k miles before the factory units start to clog. This is ONE place I suggest aftermarket, from
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Any car with a single row rad can benefit from one of their dual row units if one's catalogued for that car.
Electrical/electronic:
--CELs (check engine lights) seem to attract gremlins (again, a little more prevalent than other makes I'm familiar with)
Parts are ~reasonably~ available (not the greatest parts distribution system in the industry) from the dealers as long as you're patient (if I have to wait more than 3 days for my Toyota parts, I'm miffed. Subaru seems to take that long to locate where the parts are before they even start their journey to the dealer. Patience is a virtue, they tell me. I allow a week minimum for parts if they must be ordered, but YMMV.) Aftermarket parts are less available than more popular makes, due to much lower number of cars on the road. Also, many aftermarket parts are not particularly satisfactory. It's my experience ALL filters (with a possible exception of oil filters: there's lots of discussion on them in the archives!), CV joint boots and axles, timing belts, and clutch parts should all be purchased from the dealer when possible.
Prices? If you buy parts from the dealer, try to negotiate on big ticket items (don't make a pest of yourself with filters and such.) Auto parts are sold with price lists having several columns: the dummy off the street price, the guy off the street who's not a dummy, the Subaru specialty mechanic, the other mechanic down the street, you get the picture. IME Subie parts are NOT cheap no matter what column you can talk the dealer into.
Expertise? Most of the Subie owners I know are at least moderately talented wrenches and do much of their own work. On the H-4, you can do a lot and save money. Don't know about the H-6. You should be able to find a reasonable supply of Subie knowledgeable mechanics in NorCal if you don't like to spin wrenches yourself. Some parts of the country are better than others!
If it's got a stick and you know how to drive it, yes. Not a race car, but acceptable. With an auto, you'd best drive the car and see for yourself (I personally think hooking an auto to a 4 cyl should be a crime, but lots of people do it.) Easy way to remember how to drive a 4 cyl Subie with a stick: read the redline on the tach, divide that number by two. Keep the revs above that result. Downshift if you can't. Spinning that flat four does nothing but make it happier! Driving a car all day at close to 4 grand scares some people but it's easy to get used to!
You can do it that way (be sure to spell it "Forester"), which will open you up to other forums and sources, or you can google "groups" (with the real
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not other search engines) then type in alt.autos.subaru and search from there to stay within this NG.
There are at least a couple of other Subie forums that are good, too: NASIOC is Impreza oriented, The Ultimate Subaru Message Board's good for both current and "soon to be vintage" models (like mine?) There may be more, but those are the two I've visited in the past.
Wonder if they're having server problems again? I know they moved at least once in an attempt to get things "right." I don't go there that often, but tried this morning after reading your question. Got there ok thru :
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I had another link that said it contacted the site but then nothing happened. Maybe that's what you're getting?
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