Is there any resource like a website or hard-copy catalog that lists the PARTS NUMBERS for our cars. Occasionally it is useful to actually have the part number instead of just a lengthy description? Also this would be useful to match up identical part numbers from model to model. Some websites have this info, but only after you submit an inquiry.
SOA does not want that in existance. Which is why there are no more paper catalogs, and you must be a dealer with special licenses to use the electronic parts catalogs. On top of that, most dealerships destroy the disks once they are done with them so they do not appear on the black-ish-greay market.
Subaru Genuine Parts has the part # for most parts. Go to the site and then view a part, click on reviews -- it tells the part no on that page. https://www.subarugenuineparts.com/product_reviews.php?cPath=33_95&products_id=1127
www.subaruparts.com also has part numbers but only for 02 and earlier cars. Why does SOA not want anyone to know part numbers? Does that not make it easier for their parts departments if someone walks in with a number they found in a manual instead of having to explain exactly what they want?
I read somewhere (either here or NASIOC) that it is easier/more accurate for the parts department to not have the customer bring in the part number. They use the VIN number of the vehicle the part is being requested for, because due to the random changes that Subaru likes to do, they can get the right part for that specific car. Plus, you have people who dont know what they are doing, would bring in a part number for an 05+ STI when they have an 04 STi...many different part number differences between these...
That makes sense. I fully admit that I don't always know what I am doing! For me 90% of the fun in modification is the problem solving and just figuring out how to make things work. But as we know, when it comes to modification, the part that you want isn't always the one that was designed for your model of car. In my situation this makes more sense, because NOBODY else has an NA wagon, and if I want used parts, I have to find ones that are common to other models.