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Bad headgaskets were prevailent in the 2.5 NA (normally aspirated) motors from the early 2000's through about 2006. After that they corrected the issue. The XT (Turbo) versions had a different head gasket and never experience the same issues. The H6 or 6 cylinder models also were immune to the head gasket problems.
My son's 2005 XT has 85K on it and he drives it like he stole it most times. No issues with HG failure. Two CV boot repairs (left and right), rear wheel bearing replacement (on Subaru's dime), replaced PS, alt and air belts and regular oil and tire changes are the extent of the repairs thus far.
Agreed that if AWD is not high on your list of needs there are better MPG people haulers out there.
Sorry to (continue to) take this a bit off topic. I had a 1999 wagon until a couple of days ago. I never had a head gasket problem but it was a possibility.
"The first group is the 1st generation 2.5l engine found predominantly in the 1996 to 1999 Outback, Legacy G.T., Forrester (up to mid year 1998) and Subaru Impreza R.S. This group usually, will develop an internal head gasket leak ultimately resulting with an overheating engine."
Sorry to (continue to) take this a bit off topic. I had a 1999 wagon until a couple of days ago. I never had a head gasket problem but it was a possibility.
"The first group is the 1st generation 2.5l engine found predominantly in the 1996 to 1999 Outback, Legacy G.T., Forrester (up to mid year 1998) and Subaru Impreza R.S. This group usually, will develop an internal head gasket leak ultimately resulting with an overheating engine."
Thanks for correcting my post. I was shooting from memory (always a bad thing at my age). I thought the 2.2 motor was pre-2000. I knew it was the early 2.5's and the NA motors only.
Great choice if he wants high ground clearance, good utility, and good all wheel drive. They are comfortable, and there is a decent dealer network in a lot of remote cold weather climates. I think Subarus (Outback, Forester, Impreza wagon especially WRX) are great cars for people who like adventuring. The all wheel drive is a big bonus where I live, because my state is full of national forests and lots of areas that aren't easily accessible with a standard car. I bought a Forester a year or so ago, because I have two European cars and they just don't have any ground clearance, or traction in bad weather.
Keep in mind anything with a back seat is a potential family car. Subarus are everyone cars in more severe climates. I have heard all the "family car" bull**** from people when they learn that one of my cars is a Forester. Most of these people don't care about adventuring, the outdoors, or things like that.
He lives in Phoenix I don't think he needs awd. I heard awd systems are more maintenance and go through tires alot faster
They don't go through tires faster. Maintenance costs could be higher (there are more parts).
Unless your friend takes all of his road trips south of I-10, he is probably driving at high altitude some of the time. There are a lot of areas of Arizona--some of the most scenic and memorable--that experience heavy rain and snow, and all wheel drive comes in handy on forest roads. It's not necessarily a requirement, but it opens a lot of doors. I had a great trip up 89A through Oak Creek Canyon in a blizzard. The warning signs said that chains were recommended. Not necessary. Another drive on I-17 on sheet ice with cars off in the median and ditches all over the place. This type of thing isn't unusual, especially on the back roads.
They don't go through tires faster. Maintenance costs could be higher (there are more parts).
Unless your friend takes all of his road trips south of I-10, he is probably driving at high altitude some of the time. There are a lot of areas of Arizona--some of the most scenic and memorable--that experience heavy rain and snow, and all wheel drive comes in handy on forest roads. It's not necessarily a requirement, but it opens a lot of doors. I had a great trip up 89A through Oak Creek Canyon in a blizzard. The warning signs said that chains were recommended. Not necessary. Another drive on I-17 on sheet ice with cars off in the median and ditches all over the place. This type of thing isn't unusual, especially on the back roads.
It's AWD and you still have to replace all four tires at the same time, so a larger upfront incurred cost instead of replace the front or rear tires separately on a FWD vehicle.
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