Almost ready to pull the trigger on a 2001 Subaru Outback

[JoeFahey]

Hey,
I posted a thread on here a little over a week ago asking for suggestions on a used car:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2094530&highlight=
I originally wanted a Cherokee or similar SUV for handling in inclement weather and storage capacity. I have now swayed towards a Subaru Outback. I searched online (autotrader, craigslist, etc.) for cars from private sellers as well as auto dealers. Today I drove around to multiple used car dealers.

The car I have "settled on" is a 2001 Subaru Legacy Outback AWP station wagon for $4995 with 157,xxx miles. I will most likely use the VIN to get a report from Carfax tonight. Tomorrow I will be dropping it off at an auto mechanic my family uses to take a look at it.

Since tomorrow would be the day that I will buy it, any input on this purchase is welcomed.

Thanks!

 

[PricklyPete]

My friend has I believe a 2003 or 2004 Outback with manual transmission. Great all around car/utility mobile.

 

[jlee]

Quote from a buddy of mine:

Well, good news is that subarus are like android powered legos
You can put one together out of any pile of parts, and there's an app for that

I love my Subaru - good luck!

 

[CrackRabbit]

Other than the head gasket being troublesome I can't think of anything else to add.

Your mechanic should be able to spot if it needs changing or has already been done.

 

[abaez]

<3 my Subaru.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Other than the head gasket being troublesome I can't think of anything else to add.

Your mechanic should be able to spot if it needs changing or has already been done.

Yeah my parents got a 2002 Forester from my grandparents. Hardly driven at all - under 30k miles when they got it in 2008.

Well, earlier this year the head gasket went and the repair cost $5,000. Apparently the reason for this is because the horizontally opposed layout requires an engine pull to get at the head gaskets.

So that's something to watch for. Luckily they got the car for free, otherwise it would have extra-sucked.

 

[jlee]

Yeah my parents got a 2002 Forester from my grandparents. Hardly driven at all - under 30k miles when they got it in 2008.

Well, earlier this year the head gasket went and the repair cost $5,000. Apparently the reason for this is because the horizontally opposed layout requires an engine pull to get at the head gaskets.

So that's something to watch for. Luckily they got the car for free, otherwise it would have extra-sucked.

I think my friend had the motor replaced or rebuilt (not just head gaskets) in his 05 Legacy GT for less than that...yeesh. That seems awfully high.

 

[thescreensavers]

I hear alot of the "head gasket" issues on subbies, this the most common thing to go caput?

 

[jlee]

I hear alot of the "head gasket" issues on subbies, this the most common thing to go caput?

On the older n/a engines, yeah it was fairly common.

 

[CraigRT]

I was recently eying up a 99 legacy wagon, 2.2L. and Now a 2001 Outback wagon, 2.5L.

They are great cars, not so good resale value makes them a good buy.

 

[JoeFahey]

Thanks for the advice, I will definitely tell my mechanic to look at the head gasket/give me his opinion on it before purchasing.

 

[fbrdphreak]

You need to find out if the head gasket has been replaced. AFAIK, all 97-02 2.5L engines have a poor head gasket design that WILL eventually fail. Not if, WHEN. I don't know exactly when the new head gasket designs were used, but I'm 99&#37; sure 01's are effected. This does not affect 2.2L or turbo motors.

If they don't have service records to confirm replacement of the head gasket with the updated design, I would shoot to have the cost deducted from the sale price and then have it replaced ASAP.

Otherwise, it's a solid car. My 97 Legacy GT wagon is getting near 240K miles and is doing well.

 

[CraigRT]

Otherwise, it's a solid car. My 97 Legacy GT wagon is getting near 240K miles and is doing well.

That is the exact car I tried to find around here... I wanted a 5 speed GT wagon of that era. Holy crap hard to find! I love the look of them though, one of the best looking Subaru's to date generation wise.

 

[StageLeft]

That is the exact car I tried to find around here... I wanted a 5 speed GT wagon of that era. Holy crap hard to find! I love the look of them though, one of the best looking Subaru's to date generation wise.

Here you go, just across the border:

http://rochester.craigslist.org/cto/1853918042.html

 

[CraigRT]

Here you go, just across the border:

http://rochester.craigslist.org/cto/1853918042.html

Sorry, I should have been more specific... I was looking for a GT wagon

 

[StageLeft]

I find you a GT 5 speed without rust at a good price and that's what I get! Use a reciprocating saw and make it a wagon yourself!

 

[fbrdphreak]

The 5-speed wagons are indeed hard to find. The Outbacks are more common and can be "dropped" to GT height with GT struts & springs. Though don't they have the barftastic body cladding too?

My wagon is a 4EAT sadly But it's all good since my fianc&#233;e's driving it for a while and she doesn't want to drive stick.