Hi everyone,
This forum has been so helpful over the years of Saabaru ownership-- I'm so sad to have to post this but need some advice:

2005 9-2x Aero, bought it in 2011 with 66K, it's now at 130K miles, did some minor mods, catless uppipe, catted cobb downpipe, Stage 2 tune years ago, otherwise kept up with maintenance
- timing belt at 87K
- valve cover gaskets at 100K
- new clutch at 115K

And it's been rock solid with oil changes every 3K (liquimoly) and routine other maintenance (100K, etc).

Sadly driving back from Tahoe to SF on Sun night I started hearing some occasional unusual ratatatting when putting into gear (the noise would go away when I engaged the clutch) with a Check Engine Light that blinked occasionally, and over 10 miles the noise became more persistent and louder with the gears, and then changed in character to some squealing, and then permanent Check Engine Light so I pulled over and then car wouldn't restart.  Fortuitously I pulled over 0.5 miles from a local Subaru specialist in Newcastle CA (Subaru Specialist Barsotti's) and so I towed it there.

Steve there thinks 99% it's prob a rod bearing or something deeper, as there was no oil in the dipstick and he's about to take a look at the timing belt, which looked OK from an initial inspection.  I just changed the oil 3K ago and so am surprised that the oil was that empty (never been an issue before!).

He'll know more in a few hours, but thinks likely the motor will need to be rebuild/replaced, and looking at $6000.

Would you guys replace the motor?  Or scrap it at this time? The care is otherwise in good shape, clean interior, and I need to check the rear strut towers, but they I think have always been fine (New Mexico since 2011 and now CA).

thanks!
A