I've been out of the game since parting with my Gen1 last year.

A neighbor is selling his '95 LS 5 speed with 165K and the 3.0 v6 for a great price.

It looks to be in great shape.

New timing belt and clutch.

What are some things I should look out for. Is the manual a prefered tranny choice? Is the 3.0 more reliable than the 3.5?

I would be replacing my '01 Subaru Outback Limited (our primary vehicle), worth almost $10,000, with this. I need it to be a wise choice or my wife may cut me off!

Thanks.

Want another gen1? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I've had two, but unfortunately they are not getting any newer. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Plus did you hear me say that this will replace an '01 Outback, and that my wife may cut me off if it's not reliable enouph? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

look for smoke after idle. or did they fix the stem seal problem for the gen II? cant remember.
is your wife gonna be driving it? what do you know about wrenching? just to play the <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" /> advocate here, it is 13 going on 14 and it needs work but on the other hand a subaru is a hell of a car. if you own it, thats good cash money... especially in zion.

[hijack] Hey, those are some capital letters! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> [/hijack]

Mileage on our 95 3.0 with MT versus 98 3.5 SOHC is better for the 98 by <2 MPG. Note that the 98 has ~80k and the 95 ~145.

As for prefered trannies, that depends on personal style, though few would argue the better ultimate strength of the AT.

If you get a Gen II MT, you will be in a very, very exclusive club- at least in the US. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

How great is the price? I've seen 95SR's with all the bells and whistles and around 150k miles for as low as $2k around here, and that is a VERY nice truck...

I think the later model 5spds are iron case instead of aluminum. No manual will last as long as an A/T, not even considering the clutch. How does she who must be obeyed like shiftin' gears???

And, no, the 24valve v6's didn't get the exhaust stem seals fixed. Check close for blue smoke after prolonged idle.

A rare MT in an SR ,,,
The V5MT1-3 is a great transmission, All of my 4wds have been MT , so I'm biased with good reason. My 89 Gen 3.0 12 valve has the no so refined V5MT1-0 in it at 230,000 on it and only now rummbles abit.
These transmissions were made for/used in overseas school buses and cabovers. They should hold up in a lite truck.
I don't like the 3.0 SOHC 24 valve as much cause of higher torque band,,,but you might have 4.8:1 or 4.9:1 instead of the commoner 4.63:1 which would help take care of that higher torque band.
I CA they sell for about $3,500 if not from the coast(rust) as they are rust freee and can be rebuilt forever. Rust would be my only drawback , unless it was beat to death offroading. Most of the late Gen 2s are Socceremom mobiles out here.
The bottom end engine are great on i2 valve and I think it's the smae bottom on the 24 valve. Valve guises and seals , at that many miles - what the check , seals-cheap or a head job for guides wouldn't stop me from getting it .

WhAt Is GoInG oN wItH tHe GrAaMmaR pOlIcE? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" />

I'd heard that Loranna Bobitt got married again...guess it was you! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />