Yep, only diesel that'd work for a swap would be an imported Subaru EE20. Many nontrivial issues there, and not all of them mechanical.

Right now I am indeed leaning towards a manual SH chassis car. That'll check every box except the diesel one. Pretty much the conclusion I came to before posting, but we have a lot of awesome people here with all kinds of knowledge, so thought I'd ask.

Thanks for the input, folks.

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617 swapped Toyota Pickup, 22-24 MPG, 50k miles on swap

Just for kicks you could price out a half cut of that subaru model. Not that you are looking for another project for a DD, but it may not be terrible, especially for your location. I once installed a diesel half cut in an AWD previa minivan, if i recall it cost less than 5 grand shipped to our door, i think closer to 3.

Figuring out the wiring was a job and a half, but unlike the mid engine previa, a subaru half cut might actually be the full half cut, with everything in place. The previa stuff was a drivetrain and a rats nest of a wiring harness in a trash bag thrown on top

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

I did.

Subaru Outback 2014 JDM EE20 Boxer Turbo Diesel Front Clip Engine 6spd Trans | eBay

JDM Subaru EE20T 2.0L Boxer Turbo Diesel Engine AWD Auto Trans Full Drive Train | eBay

First one would work, second one is an auto and would completely defeat most of the point of doing the swap.

Add in shipping and other incidentals and reselling my current engine and transmission and I'd probably be into it for ~$6k or so all done. It'd save me ~$70/mo in fuel, so I'd be looking at a payback period of 7+ years. Pretty much never, and the car would be well over 200k miles on it by the time I broke even.

Keep coming back to another Subaru w/ a manual already in it.

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617 swapped Toyota Pickup, 22-24 MPG, 50k miles on swap

What about a manual Forester XT?

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

This. Have some fun!

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Most manual Foresters (SH chassis at least) are from the base or premium model or had very limited factory options. If you want some of the upgrades, be prepared to start from the basics and put them on yourself, or find a Touring XT model (or a simple Touring model, non-turbo) and swap in a manual trans.

I *think* it's not as easy as it sounds, Subaru has quite a bit of differences when it comes to manual transmissions and AWD types.

At least, if you do choose an automatic, the 4EAT in the SH chassis has "sport mode" that lets you row the gears.

If you do luck out with a diesel engine, are the front/rear diff gear ratios different from those in a manual? I would think so too.

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

Ugh, typed out a response and then had to re-log-in and lost it all. In short:

Thanks for the ideas, everyone. Really appreciate it.

Not really interested in an XT, that's a different mix of compromises than I want.

I'm completely fine with and actually prefer lower trim level vehicles. Only niceties I want are AC, power windows, and power locks. I usually upgrade the factory stereo anyway. Everything else is just extra cost and extra stuff to go wrong.

With my truck now running well and not going to blow up at any moment, AWD goes from "necessity" to "nice to have" and opens several other doors. Looking at VW TDI wagons as well.

I have battery electric lawn equipment - mower, string trimmer, chainsaw. No gas is NICE. So I looked at EV's as well. Basically anything comparable cost wise to a gasser won't handle my commute, and anything that'll handle my commute costs a LOT more than a comparable gasser, even with tax incentives. The $$$$ difference would buy ~140k miles worth of gasoline. Nope.

Maybe I should have pursued the TDI Mr2 swap. Would have likely put me over 60mpg and twice the torque of the stock engine.

Thanks again everyone.

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617 swapped Toyota Pickup, 22-24 MPG, 50k miles on swap

I don't think you can go wrong with either a VW TDi or Forester.

I think Tom W had (or still has) a VW TDi which he ranted about. Some friends also have TDi'S and have nothing but good to say about them.

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Thanks Justin. Guess there wasn't much "in short" to my response above.

Still considering options and keeping my eyes open. Will jump on the right deal that comes along.

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617 swapped Toyota Pickup, 22-24 MPG, 50k miles on swap

need some thing with

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

if you go TDI consider the ALH engine vehicles, pre all the emissions cheat nonsense, and swappable without too much headache.

Super MPG there are people out there who have put the ALH TDI into mk2s generation vehicles for amazing economy.

I recall an excellent platform with a ton of room, good power, and good economy, was an 1.9 ALH powered 5 speed TDI passat wagon.

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

ha, way ahead of me

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

that is, of course, a given whatever he must choose.

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

Well, test drove an '11 Forester w/a manual. Decided to pass. Nice yes, still a soccer mom mobile and not something that was able to convince me to fork out the $$$ or take on a car payment again. An important consideration is that my current Subaru is paid for.

Maybe more along these lines:

https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/ctd/d/bmw-series-xi-wagon-awd-speed/6243169113.html

Just with less miles, and would obviously expect to pay more for it.

Also have a buddy with an Audi A4 quattro that's pretty sporty. There are wagon versions and a VW TDI swap wouldn't be out of line. Was hoping to get away from complication and this is obviously going in the opposite direction. I'm also not a huge fan of German vehicles, but we'll see.

What can you do with: 10, 12, 13, 15 mm wrenches and sockets, Phillips screwdriver, pliers, four special tools, feeler gauges, a torque wrench, three unicorns and a voodoo shaman?

Japanese car: Rebuild the entire car from the grease spot on the concrete up to the ball on the tip of the radio antenna.

German car: Oil change. Maybe.

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617 swapped Toyota Pickup, 22-24 MPG, 50k miles on swap