What do I have here?

Sorry if this ends up being a silly question but I recently damaged my 1997 Legacy 2.5 GT (I think? That's what the VIN reads...) and was looking around for some parts (DS Fender, Hood, Bumper Cover) and google keeps spitting pictures of 1997 Legacies that look like this:

 

http://images.cars.com/phototab/MDC/24/421624/701771270.jpg

Not my car, just providing an example of what I've seen on google as far as white 97 GTs go. Note the single tone paint job and front bumper. My car on the other hand has a two tone white and grey w/ pinstripe paint job and a significantly different bumper/foglight setup. Picture here:

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x414/fallarnon/Subaru/photo.jpg

Sorry for the grainy low light nature of it, took it with my iPhone about ten minutes ago.

 

At any rate, before I let a body guy order any parts I figured I'd better make sure I really have a 2.5 GT here, so any assistance figuring out what I've got would be appreciated.

 

Edit: I fixed the one above since I noticed it had ended up flipped upside down somehow. Also, here are some other pics to help with identification. Thought the paint job deserved a picture and someone asked about wheels.

 

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x414/fallarnon/Subaru/photo1.jpg

 

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x414/fallarnon/Subaru/photo2.jpg

 

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x414/fallarnon/Subaru/photo3.jpg

 

Yes I know the rims are in rough shape, filthy obviously and whoever had the car before me really dinged em up somehow. They're made by Ronal according to the molded logo on the rim (And apparently one on the centercaps that the camera can see but I've never noticed, I'll have to see if I can even see it tomorrow... interesting)

 

Edit: More photos, starting with the plate under the hood. Maybe someone can identify what it's supposed to be from the trim or option code? VIN is here too for anyone curious that might be able to figure it out. I can confirm the engine is stamped with EJ25 and the Transmission at least begins with TZ102... didn't think to write it down or anything.

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x414/fallarnon/Subaru/photo13.jpg

 

Here's some shots of the interior. There has been some mention of woodgrain and there's some stuff I have been planning to remove (much of it is deteriorated and falling apart) that I'd assumed was aftermarket (especially due to what I consider poor fitment on the dashboard side vents) but maybe someone knows for sure?

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x414/fallarnon/Subaru/photo11.jpg

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x414/fallarnon/Subaru/photo10.jpg

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x414/fallarnon/Subaru/photo7.jpg

 

Here are some more pics taken of the outside now that it's daytime.

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x414/fallarnon/Subaru/photo12.jpg

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x414/fallarnon/Subaru/photo9.jpg

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x414/fallarnon/Subaru/photo6.jpg

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x414/fallarnon/Subaru/photo5.jpg

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x414/fallarnon/Subaru/photo4.jpg

 

And finally a close-up shot of the striping, do Outbacks have their stripes painted on or are they decals?

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x414/fallarnon/Subaru/photo8.jpg

 

Thanks,

Jon

pic1 is GT

pic2 could just be GT w/ outback bumper

same rims?

Picture 2 is clearly Austrailian.

You may have a gt someone swapped an ob bumper onto. I did that very thing. Also, there is an Sus that existed. But if your vin says gt, someone swapped the bumper.

pic1 is GT

pic2 could just be GT w/ outback bumper

same rims?

Yeah I know Pic 1 is, it was an example of a white GT I found on google so I could point out the differences between what my car looks like and it. If someone swapped an OB bumper onto a GT then they spent some money getting it painted, has a two-tone silver and white paint job on the entire car.

 

Rims are not the same either, but I assume they're aftermarket considering they're made by Ronal. Check the first post for some additional pictures.

Picture 2 is clearly Austrailian.

 

Picture #2 is an Australian Outback.

 

Hi guys, thanks for the input. According to decodethis.com this car was made in the United States and it carries Legacy badges.

You may have a gt someone swapped an ob bumper onto. I did that very thing. Also, there is an Sus that existed. But if your vin says gt, someone swapped the bumper.

I couldn't find much about the SUS online except that it was apparently limited to the NE area. What exactly is it?

 

My VIN says GT according to decodethis.com -- do you know if their results are typically accurate?

 

Edit: Noticed an anomaly (I think) in the VIN Data. The Trim Level is reported as being a 2.5 GT, but the Engine Type is cited as a 2.2L H4 SOHC 16V -- I assume the 2.5 in 2.5 GT would relate to the engine and is therefore excluded by having a 2.2L Engine?

Take it too Subaru or call them with your vin just be real nice so they help you out

It looks as though you do have an Sus. It's the sedan version of an outback. Rare car. Your ride height is pretty talk compared to a gt also, A gt would be monotone paint, gt front bumper, gt side skirts, spoiler, sunroof, wood grain window switches, and a 2.5l. Do all of your vin plates match?

the SUS, at least the pics i have seen of them, do not have the color strip above the wheel wells but do have it on the doors. so what ever your car is it has been hobbled together.

 

maybe it was in an accident?

 

but when looking for parts it does not matter. the only different between the outback and GT are looks, paint and bumper. yes, i know there other differences like struts and sway bar and ...... but all legacys in 96 - 98 are basically the same parts. there may be small differences but they will swap.

 

if you are trying to replace parts on your damaged car just look for the ones that look like your car. outback bumper and fenders. outback or GT hood. the undercarriage is all the same except for struts and sway bars.

 

clue about your car, do you have plastic cladding on your rocker panels on the outside of the car, just below the doors? GTs do, outbacks do not.

 

EDIT: what size tires? GTs will have 205/55/16 or similar. the SUS/ outback will be bigger 205/70/15. a legacy L will have 185/70/14.

 

i think GTs all came with a sun roof. check http://www.cars101.com/subaru_archives.html .

Pictures show NO sunroof.. This thread has got me intrigued!!

As I was driving today. I saw a SUS at a corner store. This SUS had a sunroof n 2-tone paint WITHOUT the wheel archs painted...

Take it too Subaru or call them with your vin just be real nice so they help you out

 

That's a definite idea because it definitely seems like there's a bunch of kind've inconsistent bits from what everyone is saying.

 

It looks as though you do have an Sus. It's the sedan version of an outback. Rare car. Your ride height is pretty talk compared to a gt also, A gt would be monotone paint, gt front bumper, gt side skirts, spoiler, sunroof, wood grain window switches, and a 2.5l. Do all of your vin plates match?

 

I went looking for the VIN plates, found the one inside the windshield (duh) and the manufacturer's plate with all kinds of fun numbers on it, but I couldn't figure out where any of the other VINs on the car are hiding. Any directions would be appreciated.

 

Also, I am adding some pics to the original post. I have got some woodgrain stuff on my dashboard, but I'd kind of assumed it was aftermarket junk (nicely made though, the ones falling apart are real wood veneer under the plastic) and was planning to make a project of removing it.

 

the SUS, at least the pics i have seen of them, do not have the color strip above the wheel wells but do have it on the doors. so what ever your car is it has been hobbled together.

 

maybe it was in an accident?

 

but when looking for parts it does not matter. the only different between the outback and GT are looks, paint and bumper. yes, i know there other differences like struts and sway bar and ...... but all legacys in 96 - 98 are basically the same parts. there may be small differences but they will swap.

 

if you are trying to replace parts on your damaged car just look for the ones that look like your car. outback bumper and fenders. outback or GT hood. the undercarriage is all the same except for struts and sway bars.

 

clue about your car, do you have plastic cladding on your rocker panels on the outside of the car, just below the doors? GTs do, outbacks do not.

 

EDIT: what size tires? GTs will have 205/55/16 or similar. the SUS/ outback will be bigger 205/70/15. a legacy L will have 185/70/14.

 

i think GTs all came with a sun roof. check http://www.cars101.com/subaru_archives.html .

 

No Sun Roof on my car. The tires are P205/70R15s on 5-spoke Ronal rims, and no clue on the plastic cladding. Closer examination of the striping over the wheel wells and along the doors make it appear to be a decal (photo coming to OP), do you know if the outbacks had that detail painted on or as decals? I have new pics coming in a minute that will show the car now that it's daytime and maybe you can tell me if I have the cladding or not? Thanks for your input!

 

Pictures show NO sunroof.. This thread has got me intrigued!!

 

As I was driving today. I saw a SUS at a corner store. This SUS had a sunroof n 2-tone paint WITHOUT the wheel archs painted...

 

So is the sunroof a necessary feature of the SUS or a non-indicator? This would all be much easier if the trunk still had its trim plate, all I've got to go off of is "Legacy" and "AWD" lol

Lots of new pictures added. Got the manufacturer's plate up there now with trim codes and the like, hopefully that will help?

^^^

Assuming the facepalm was due to my seemingly literal answer to what I assume (and did at time of reply as well) were non-serious replies? Or is there really an Australian Outback?

 

Its a 1997 Legacy SUS (sport utility sedan). Its basically an Outback sedan.

 

If you go to www.mysubaru.com you can register for an account. Put in your VIN and it will tell you what your car is...look for recalls, dealer service history, etc. It all goes straight through Subaru.

 

I punched in your VIN and it came back as a 97 SUS

Hey Brok, Thanks for the info!

 

I was actually on my way to post in here that I was 99% sure it was an SUS since I was taking my seats out to go shampoo the rug and noticed the floormats say SUS on them. Feeling silly here, but everything in the car is so filthy I never even noticed and the trunk lid is missing the badging as I noted earlier.

 

One thing I am curious about, though, if you know, is the striping over the wheel wells and the like that my car has that seems to differ from the SUS photos I find on google and other people's experience. Is it possible my SUS was specially ordered with Outback decals added on the sides? (Does the outback use decals for its striping or is it painted on?) Or perhaps this was an option on the package that most people didn't bother to pay for? Or course aftermarket modification is always a thought, which is most likely the case if the OB is just painted.

 

At any rate, thanks for your highly useful response, I like the speculation from the other posts but the solid facts you were able to give me have been most useful!

Nice save lol. There are Australian Subarus. The Legacy is called the Liberty in Australia.

 

 

Back on topic...

 

The SUS is an Outback, just in sedan form.

 

Later year SUS cars didn't have the bottom color arch over the wheels...but the earlier years did.

 

Here is an example

 

1997 Subaru Legacy SUS

 

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv4/WRXbrian/lecacy001.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

And here is a 99 SUS (note how the silver doesn't arch over the wheels like the 97 does)

 

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/attachments/classifieds/20422d1311703196-parts-99-legacy-sus-parts-buffalo-ny-p1070040.jpg

Being new I didn't want to offend any established members by telling them their responses were nonsense and to peddle it elsewhere. Forum etiquette and all that.

 

Once again on topic...

 

Thanks a ton, you've solved the mystery!!! 1997 SUS is what I've got then. Just got back from shampooing the carpet and the mats, even thoroughly cleaned the SUS markings on the DS mat are almost nonexistent due to use, passenger side has fared better.

 

Going to have to keep an eye out for a donor SUS for some new mats if they're still inside and (if it's white) a trunk lid, my lock is floating around in its mount anyhow, some metal is torn and not much to be done with it without getting into some welding I'd just as soon not bother with.

 

Did the SUS also come with woodgrain trim? If so are my photos accurate? Should there be woodgrain on the glovebox latch, center vents (where Emergency Flasher button lives)? Do the vent areas (notably DS vent to left of Instrument Cluster) come free of the dash or are they molded into it somehow? I assume the switch cluster on the DS door can be removed and swapped for one that still has factory (if I have factory) woodgrain to fix the missing section. Any info you can provide could save me marring the car's original appearance by removing the woodgrain from the rest of the surfaces instead of finding a donor and replacing what's already lost.

 

Another thought I had was to possibly remove woodgrain and paint all of the removable parts silver or something, give it a more of a modern flair but if I want to go that route I'm gonna do up some photoshops to get an idea how she'll look.

 

Do you think a salvage yard would have on file if they've got an SUS vs. a GT or Outback or not if I called around?

i want one

I know how you feel. I didn't even know mine was special besides that it was the only one I'd seen that looked like it other than outbacks. I like the higher stance and the big round foglights, gives it a nice off-road ready look that I love.

 

And to think, I accidentally fell into owning this car as a cheap solution after a hit-and-run and an inability to get good credit to get a Jetta... so glad I ended up with it, it's terribly fun to drive. Trying to imagine what it'd be like if there's some way to stuff a turbo inside.