Outback/Lancaster/Grandwagon 2.5

[ODB]

Hey team,

might be looking at an alternative ski transport to the truck.

Dont want to be spending much as we are in the process of a buying a new number 1 car for the mrs too.

Have been looking at the BF/BE shape 1996-1998ish??Outback/Lancaster/Grandwagons?

All come with the factory 2.5.

Questions:

How do these things go on gas? Im expecting that Id have to feed it a diet if at least 95?

I have heard that the 2.5 is pretty unreliable but personally do not have any experience with them. What do i need to look for when buying?

Havent seen any manuals so i am assuming they come only in automatic?

Any help is good!

[funkytown]

BF/ BE hehe

BD/BG you mean

the 2.5' s of that era do HG's lots but guessing you already knew that from comments. at least 95 like you suggest.

Other than doing HG's thy are seem to be ok - check general car health, must be lots getting near 200k now? ticky heads, servicing and you should be right.

But for my money id stay away - poor reputation those motors.

[Divine]

I agree, I have herd of the 2.5's having issues.

What about a '02 GT30?

[DRFVDR]

Ditto about the heads

How much u got to spend, there is a 3 litres outback here for 7500, which is damn cheap

[Flat4]

My uncle has a grandwagon, it's pretty thirsty by the sound of it and he has had a lot of trouble with it over the last few years. You might be alright if you can find one that has had the HG's replaced though?

I have seen the odd manual BG outback on Trademe, they may have been converted ones though.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Subaru/legacy/auction-366457991.htm Have you seen this listing? From what I've heard the EJ22's are one of the more reliable Subaru engines, and this one has a high/low ratio gearbox and plenty of ground clearance so it should have no trouble getting up the mountain

[ODB]

nah only wanna spend like $4k.

Mrs is car shopping atm and it seems there is a large gap between her Forester turbo sale price and the purchase price of the new car she wants!

Thought about a Carib too but wasnt sure how gutsy they are and didnt think clearance would cut it on some of the club field tracks!

[DRFVDR]

Old school Leone

if u can find a turbo wagon

or even an early GT, then fit the outback springs for a lift, run some aggresive 15" tires

[G-unit]

had a 96grandwagon when my rs was getting a cambelt done, took it from hawkes bay 2 wellys, used $100gas and that was almost 2 years ago now when gas was cheaper, was worse then the rs on gas and was dam slow, auto awd heavy