maintenance questions - potential WRX buyer

[metroplex]

I am considering buying a WRX w/ the 4EAT but need to know some of the fluids/parts it uses as well as its durability.

What kind of engine oil does it use/should it use?
ATF?
Rear differential?
Coolant (Subaru Coolant or will Prestone suffice)?

Will I need to replace any major suspension/steering/driveline components before 100k miles?

How durable are these cars with normal street use?

How do I change the oil - do I just change it like any other car, do I need to crank it to lube the turbocharger, etc?

Do I need to idle for 5 min after I get back from a long drive to prevent oil coking? Or if I use synthetic, can I just shut it off?

How easy is it to maintain the vehicle?
Coolant thermostat changes, belt changes, spark plug changes, spark plug wires (Not sure if it has any, my Ford Crown Vic uses ignition coils on each plug), engine oil, coolant, tranny oil, gear oil, etc... is it difficult to do these things (lift engine out, etc)?

Thanks in advance.

[k91]

Read the sticky posts at the top of the forum Periodic maintanence manual among others...

To answer some of your questions:

Oil: 5W30, synthetic or regular thats a matter of opinion

ATF: DEXRON III ATF or better

Rear Diff: 75W90 gear oil

Periodic maintanence is no more difficult or easy than any other vehicle. Oil changes are easy. Rear diff fluid change is easy. Look around all your questions have been answered before. Overall Subarus are pretty reliable and durable vehicles, I would not be scared to buy one