I'm fairly new to i-club so please bear with me...but I come to you for all your Subie expertise and advise.

Please read everything before you make your suggestions...I need you to understand my situation fully.


my car:

02 SRP WRX Wagon
190k original
AT (family car, my wife resist driving a 5 sp)
Grimmspeed ceramic coated up pipe
Helix catted down pipe
BPM GT catback
Cobb ceramic coated turbo heatshield
Cobb AP V1 Stage 2
stock TDO4 (seems to pull strong still)
AEM CAI

Morettes (2-tone color match/black)
JDM V7 sedan fenders
JDM V7 STI hood scoop
5Zigen Fighters in gunmetal
(stock shocks and suspension)

About 2-3 months ago now, I had about $6500 worth of body repairs (Michael J's) from a fender bender..other party's insurance covered this. So the entire front clip is new and repainted (that's when I did the sedan fender swap).

I just had the 180k mileage maintenance at Garage1 in SJ...cost me around $1100. Will probably need to do the major maintenance (2nd timing belt) come 200-205k..if I do that, that'll put me back another $1500...at least.

BB value is probably around $8k

I am not in the position to buy a new or new used car...(if I was, I'd get another WRX, newer if I could afford to...have 2 kiddies)

There will be a point in time where the money going into my car for repairs/maintenance will be higher than the value of the car....but I still would not be able to buy another.

I love my bugeye (mainly cause of the Morette look)...if possible, I want to keep her as long as possible.

my question to i-club:

When the 200k mileage comes around...what is the absolute best mod/tune/maintenance I can do for the cost/value?

I'd hate to have to do the costly timing belt/water pump/head gasket routine when all that would be done if I did an engine swap.

Replace the entire engine with a low mileage (30k) Japanese import? Does that exist? I know this was the common route with Hondas.

Rebuild engine?

Replace engine and transmission (AT, I am slipping a bit)?

Stupid question...since I have an AT, is it possible to swith to a MT if I was already willing to replace engine and transmission? What else would be involved in converting an AT to MT?

upgrade engine? engine swap? what are my options? prices?

upgrade turbo? what are my options?

I know my engine mounts are worn causing my engine rattles a bit when it's cold (when I put it in neutral, the sound goes away)..Garage1 tech confirmed

my suspension is all stock

where should I be putting my money?

From Garage1, I believe they said they could replace my engine (parts & labor) for around $4500...which I am ok with spending. $6500 for replacing engine & upgraded turbo (I think it was). Which I would also be ok on spending especially if it would put another 100-200k more miles on my 02 chassis.

Please help...I need intelligent suggestions/answer...not just "throw in a VF43 dude!" ...I need to know why, cost, shops, etc.

I CANNOT afford to be without my car for weeks and weeks and months. It is my daily driver from San Jose to San Carlos/Belmont...I also need to pick up my 2 kids from school (my wife drops off). So local reputable shops are a good suggestion...I am happy with Garage1 so far.

thanks in advance!

 

My only question is why replace the powertrain if nothing is wrong? And honestly a timing belt job shouldn't cost 1500 unless your doing the full tune up like plugs fluids hoses all belts. But from what it sounds like is you've kept the car maintained really well. Look at some of the other local shops or evem online dealership pricing on timing belts. You'd be suprised.

 

Why not just follow the recommended maintenance schedule and fix anything else that breaks along the way. Sounds like money is tight and you arent mechanically inclined so why even consider an engine swap if the motor seems fine?

You can replace the timing belt yourself in less than a day by following meatys timing belt guide on youtube. If you can follow simple instructions and have a few necessary tools, its a piece of cake and will only cost you around $250 in parts. You can pick up a set of "like new" motor mounts for around $40 online, which are easy to change as well.

 

money to spend on materialistic items or non-money-making investments is lacking...I have kids ages 5 & 7 as well as a wife that are more important than my car Time is of essence...I rarely have time to wash my car let alone change the oil myself anymore. When you get to this point in life, you will understand what TIME is. Money is not the problem...to spend on a car, then possibly yes.

I am mechanically inclined..I've worked on Hondas in my high school and college days...nothing crazy but pulling the head, simple valve tuning, changing out the axles and CV boots, replacing distributor, valve cover gasket, spark plugs, suspension, brakes, etc . I did change the timing belt one of my two CRXs (DX and Si) but my bro helped me out.

Since I got into the Subaru world (and family life), I haven't touched a damn thing, mechanically, with it...I just pay someone nowadays. Again, no time.

I have 15+ yrs of experience in product design and development, manufacturing, engineering, plastics and alloy manufacturing, composites...I'm a decent gunsmith and have my own lathe and mill as well.

Trust me, I know how much parts cost...I will usually buy them ahead of time and then just pay a mech to install them. So for a timing belt maintenance, sure $250-300 for parts, and then $700 or more for labor depending on who you go to...if I did it myself, I'd charge myself $5k just for labor..that's what my time, away from my family, is worth.

I guess just wait for something to wear or break down before replacing anything is the consensus so far? Even if I am close to 200k? I'm sure it's common for Subarus to go well beyond 300k...

What's frustrating about replacing things as it fails (with my approaching high mileage) it becomes one thing after another..and it feels like you're constantly putting money into the bottomless pit....whereas if I just replace the entire drive train after 2-250k...there's less likely something will go wrong..kinda like having a new car...at least that's where I am coming from. Does this make sense?

with just my 180k maintenance (change all fluids, hoses, plugs, filters, etc)...and then my up coming timing belt at 205k...that will be almost $2500-3000 spent...if I could pay $4600 for a new/used (low miles) drive train..it already includes everything from my 180k scheduled maintenance AND timing belt maintenance. So more bang for the buck, no?

 

that makes complete sense but i've seen subarus last well above 300k if maintained properly. Keep doing the proper intervals for service and you shouldnt have a problem. Are you planning to do water pump and all the timing belt pulleys at the same time?

 

I know my buddy's 99 (?) legacy GT wagon has well over 260k and it runs like new still. Dealer maintained.

Yes, usually with timing belt is the water pump and pulleys...(replaced my AC condenser pully cause that seized up one time)

I wouldn't mind getting a little more power still...maybe just need a better tune than the COBB Stage2

I'm not a racer or have I tracked her...but I do like to give a challenge to some pompous BMW, Porsche, Mustangs, etc drivers...

The MAIN reason I want more a little more ooomph is I drive to LA to visit my in-laws so I like to "fly" up the Grape Vine on HWY 5 (back in the days, I burned the transmission up on an 83 Camry that was so incredibly under powered climbing through the Grape Vine)..So I like the power when I need it.

 

An extra 2K for upgrading the turbo while the motor is already out is absurd.

Which one is it? Weeks or months? How long do you expect an entire drivetrain swap to take?

Not necessarily, especially if you buy a drivetrain used. In a perfect world, your logic makes sense.

If you're refering to having an entire drivetrain installed for $4,600, that estimate seems low. You mentioned above that you got a quote for $4,500 for new motor only. What about when a CV boot goes bad, or the transmission goes out? Wheel bearings? Point being, in order for you to be better off with swapping to newer parts, you would need everything (motor, trans, diff, axles, hubs, etc.). Furthermore, I would be suprised if any of the 08+ MY drivetrain parts fit the 02-07 body style. Meaning that the newest parts you could swap in would be 7 years old at best - AND will still need to be maintained.

You said you dont have disposable income to spend on your car, and yet you are contemplating spending 2.5-3k for your 180k scheduled maintenance?! I find it hard to believe that even someone as busy as you say you are cant find 1 weekend day in a 6 month time frame to perform your 180k maintenance and SAVE over $2k.

 

I never said I spent or was contemplating on spending $2.5-3k on the 180k maintainance...according to Garage1, 180k maintenance (fluids, hoses, gaskets, filters) is completely different from the 205k timing belt maintenance package that they offer. Those two combined is the $2.5-3k

My old mechanic (i've used for the past 20 yrs) would charge me about $700 for a timing belt service....he was good but he wasn't a Subie mechanic (not that you have to be)..but being my mileage is getting up there, I wanted a specialist to take care of her. Garage1 is as close as the dealer as you can get but alot more affordable...at least what I've been able to dig up.

In response to the 1 weekend day...You probably didn't read my original post...I've never worked on my Subaru. I haven't worked on a car since college (which is almost 15 yrs ago)..and that was on Honda CRXs. You probably don't have kids...and if you did, you probably don't enjoy playing with them or watching them grow, learn and develop or plainly dedicate your life to them. I do...we have different priorities and lifestyles...do you live with your parents? do you rent or own and pay a mortgage? Do you make car payments or buy in cash? Are you saver or spender? Are you already investing in your kids college fund? what about personal retirement accounts? How many kids do you have? My kids are active in soccer, swimming, scouts, dance and baseball..some of those activities are related to community groups so us parents have to dedicate or volunteer manpower.

So no..I don't have 1 weekend day out of a 6 month to tinker with my car and HOPE I did everything properly...if my car is out of commission because I started a project that I didn't finish, then that screws up my work, wife and kids' work/school schedule not to mention their activities schedule.

If I drop my car off for routine maintenance..I at least have a good idea when I'll get it back and I can plan accordingly...I imagine an engine swap is NOT routine (I mean, most mechanics can probably do it, but everyone doesn't drop their car off, like changing oil, and get an engine swap).

You're quick to judge me on my disposable income...but yet you provide me no back up information...if $4500 is high...refer me a place that does it better and cheaper? or that's convenient for me? or are you referring to you and your friends doing a swap in your parent's garage? What warranty do I have with you? Do you have insurance? What are your credentials? If you did something wrong or something failed while i was driving, would you have a problem if I sued you for incompetence and endangerment on my family?

This is the exact type of response that I did not ask for...your response doesn't help my situation...if you want to help, then give me decent response

 

Before this thread gets way out of hand, let me chime in if i may.

I am currently waiting for my internals and block to come back for Clarks Machine Shop in Cupertino. I was referred there by my lady father where he got a head job+timing+machining IIRC for 700 on his late 90's toyota taco. just to give u ball park. way less than 1100. that just seems too much to me. check out Clarks and All Car in campbell for quotes. GL!

and if you keep up reg sched maint like it seems you do, there is no real need to automatically replace drivetrain. i have 245k on my 02 RS and the tranny is still rock solid.

 

Thanks for the info...that seems to be the consensus...to keep it well-maintained until something does go wrong. It seems like I have plenty of life in her...the only issue I've encountered is ...had the one instant where I was making a U-turn and my AT slipped...rpms went up and car didn't move...once in a while after a cold start...I will drive off and my RPM will rev higher

 

Yeh like others have mentioned. I wouldnt bother fixing anything until it breaks. You could end up spending alot very fast that way. Hows the ride feel overall?

If you want to put some money towards it I would first have a proper leak down test down on the engine to make sure your engine is sealing the way it should.

Bushings overtime wear down also and might want to be checked depending on how the car feels.