1999 Subaru Outback Legacy Thread (mntnce, mods, info, discuss)

[SwamiSalami]

Hey guys,

Back on here to discuss my new ride and keep track of what I've got going on with her.

1999 Subaru Outback Legacy Limited 30th Anniversary Edition

Planned maintainance:
1st oil change (for car and I, that is)

replace spark plugs, wires

detail (the guy i bought it from didn't have it done--cheap *******)

Planned mods:
winterization for next season

new tires thinking something economical, mpg-high as well as good with snowy spots in spring and fall (as of now i have studs and need summer set)

set up proper block heater plug station (just an improvement in cognition as well as set up itself)

want to do a removable aero cap for the trailer i want.

grill block

possible bra to go over front end

wiper shield/block

eco headlights

remove crossbars

scanguage

Planned Upgrades:

Passenger Headrest Monitor for the kid

finally--a freaking alaska gps!!!

trailer hitch

small utility trailer

rear cargo rack (already own, but doesn't fit car yet)

fancy schmancy spark plugs and wires (probably e3 or something efficient--open to suggestions)

mp3 compatibility (somehow, someway, pleeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaase)

rear window tint (possible colors or something unique, but not obnoxious)

new rear view mirror (updated version with compass and temps)

[SwamiSalami]

...I forgot to mention how excited I am that today is the first warm day up here in the north! I'm hoping my mpgs go up with the temperature accordingly! I haven't had the focus to keep good track of my mileage over the last few months since moving to alaska and getting this new subaru. it's a far cry from the days of the diesel beetle, as I'm only averaging about 23mpg in the frigid arctic winter. I cleaned out my two car garage the day before last and picked up stuff to change the car's oil. I'm excited,because I haven't ever owned my own ramps. they should be here sometime int he coming weeks. that's when i'll perform the oil change. very excited got some partially "recycled" variety, too. I'll take pictures when It happens. I've always really liked subarus and been genuinely jealous of those that drove them, so I'm particularly happy about driving one today, even if it is from 1999. Hell, I loved the year 1999. I was 14, for christ's sake. it's a beautiful car. i feel as though a tremendous amount of these era cars are coming back, because of the generations that are beginning to collect or simply own cars for the first time as adults experienced them first as young children.

[SwamiSalami]

oh yea, engine detailing.

and possibly an instantaneous mpg readout on that rearview. if so, no need for scanguage.

[drewbabich]

did you ever do anything to get some good mpg improvements?

[ever_green]

hey man you don't need any of those mods to get good MPG. The maintainance and change of driving habits is enough. Also a tip as fellow suby driver, slow down! our cars use a lot of juice at 50+ mph. I have seen cars that use almost same amount of gas at 65 vs 55, but not ours. with a scangauge and a light foot i get about 30mpg in the city now.

[redpoint5]

Su (1996 Legacy manual) and I had a long and wonderful relationship. I liked the car so much that I bought a 2007 Outback. It turned out I missed driving the old Su, so I sold the Outback a month later for $1k more than I paid for it, and went back to driving the old girl.

At 235,000 miles, I was rear-ended and the car was totaled. I still dream about that car, and now that I'm looking at needing to purchase 3 cars in the next couple months, an old Legacy is sounding more and more appealing.

[SwamiSalami]

I just got an ultragauge for my subaru. It's pretty revealing in terms of my car's mpgs. I need to reprogram it though. For some reason it think s my 15.9g tank is a 15g. Don't have time to figure this out right now but will soon.

[redpoint5]

What kind of MPGs are you getting? Any head gasket issues?

My friend just sold his 1999 Outback after his second gasket blowout. He's now driving a 2003 Outback. I don't know anyone with worse luck than him and cars.