Alternator replacement

The aftermarket autoparts stores can be a crap shoot when buying an alternator. Have you checked at the Subaru dealership for their price and availability? Also if you live in or near a larger city their may be a shop that specializes in auto electronics repair. They could rebuild your old unit. Do a "google" search in your area for rebuilt starters and alternators. I prefer dealership stuff when it comes to electronic items, but they can be much more expensive.

Ask questions about the alternators. You want a company that only uses the shell and replaces all of the electrical and mechanical parts. Cheap rebuilt alternators only replace the part that failed leaving worn parts in place that will fail after just a few miles .

Nah...you're both off on this one. Subaru sources excellent alternators except that early models had intermittent internal voltage regulators that "forgot" to turn on and charge the battery at idle. Rebuilding primarily includes replacing the regulator. Since the alt is sturdy with great bearings a cheap rebuilt one will probably outlast the car. That's why they're only in the $125 price range. Don't pay more...and don't worry about it. Several years are interchangeable (go by the connector matchup), and install is straightforward, although a tight fit to align the slider-bolt unless you lube it well and possibly LIGHTLY hammer the rebuilt one into alignment. Figure 30-45min total, and use a new alt/ps belt while you're at it, as they're cheap.