99 Impreza Automatic Transmission failure. Common?

[WyattM]

Tranny just died in the 99 Subaru Impreza, 74k mi. Dealership is
quoting me $4100 for a Subaru remanufactured unit, and $500 labor! I
just about gave birth to a Buick!

I found a used tranny with 80k on it, for $700. What do you folks think
I should do? I can not flip a $5000 bill (with tax).

-Wyatt

 

[Dr. Rastis Fafoofnik]

Tranny just died in the 99 Subaru Impreza, 74k mi. Dealership is
quoting me $4100 for a Subaru remanufactured unit, and $500 labor! I
just about gave birth to a Buick!

I found a used tranny with 80k on it, for $700. What do you folks think
I should do? I can not flip a $5000 bill (with tax).

-Wyatt

Add this one to the list of "HAPPY" Subaru owners please..........

5 year old car, less than 100,000 miles and the tranny is toast.....just NOT
right.

 

[remcow]

I found a used tranny with 80k on it, for $700. What do you folks think
I should do? I can not flip a $5000 bill (with tax).

Hi Wyatt

An automatic transmission should last a lot longer than that -- must be a
fluke.
I'd go with the used transmission and try do it myself or find a reliable
mechanic to drop it in. They are solid cars and I doubt you'll find an
equivalent car for the cost of the repair. 5K seems excessive to me.

I've had two Subaru's in the family: an 84 DL with 232K and it was taken out
by a bad accident (as if there are good ones, right and my daughter's 93
Impreza with 180K which is still running fine.

Regards,
Remco

 

[TG]

I had the auto go out in my '99 Legacy and it cost $2,000 to have a used
unit from Japan installed. TG

 

[remcow]

Tranny just died in the 99 Subaru Impreza, 74k mi. Dealership is

quoting me $4100 for a Subaru remanufactured unit, and $500 labor! I
just about gave birth to a Buick!

I found a used tranny with 80k on it, for $700. What do you folks think
I should do? I can not flip a $5000 bill (with tax).

Hi Wyatt

An automatic transmission should last a lot longer than that -- must be a
fluke.
I'd go with the used transmission and try do it myself or find a reliable
mechanic to drop it in. They are solid cars and I doubt you'll find an
equivalent car for the cost of the repair. 5K seems excessive to me.

I've had two Subaru's in the family: an 84 DL with 232K and it was taken out
by a bad accident (as if there are good ones, right and my daughter's 93
Impreza with 180K which is still running fine.

Regards,
Remco

 

[John Reece]

I have a 95 Impreza with 217,000k miles in which I just ordered a used
tranny. There is no reason to even think about getting one from Subaru.
Get a used one, and try to find a reputable independent shop that
works on subarus to install it.. I'd probably do the rear main seal and
that support plate (if yours has it) at the same time...

If you do get a used one, just make sure to replace all the seals and
and service it before installing. At 80k a trans flush might not be a
bad idea...but I've talked to alot of guys who don't like doing flushes
on trannys without knowing the history of it...

I paid $800 for one with 45k on it from Japan... Luckily for me I
work at a car dealer (GM) and we have a tranny guy that came from a
Chev/Subaru store to put it in.. So I won't get taken to the cleaners on
labor.

 

[WyattM]

John, we found a used tranny for $700, and a reputable shop to install
it for $450. I'll take your advice and have all the seals done. Cheers!

-Wyatt

 

[WyattM]

I must admit that my 1968 Subaru 360 was also problematic.

Cheers,

Wyatt

 

[John Reece]

Glad to hear that. ~1200 bucks is alot better than $5000 Why do
things like this always have to happen around Christmas time though?