Still Subaru hunting...

Hey all,

I'm still car shopping for a good Subaru Outback Wagon 2001-2002 models and I have found quite a few in the Northern VA region which look outstanding. Although as we all know outward looks can be and most always are fooling. Before I goto check out this vehicles what info do I need to know regarding what to look for in case there is something bad with the motor, transmission, or anything else? I also know there were a few recalls recently for various odds and in's, what Outback models were affected for this?

Also since I highly value the opinion of posters here, I would like to know if the price is right or too high on some of these vehicles I've found for the mileage/features they have:

I am suspicious of most of the mileages listed. I mean think about it....

It's not just these examples, nor just Subarus... over and over again I see figures like this. It's ridiculous. There's no way you can tell me odometers are not being tampered with. I know in my experience I average around 13,500 per year until about 5 years ago when I moved to a rural area and my annual mileage has been around 15,500 (my '02 VDC H6 is just over 3 yrs old and has

Something's fishy. John

I have an '01 for sale with 38k. 38 x 4 = 9500 per year. This car replaced a 5 year old Nissan pickup with 37k. 37 x 5 = 7400 per year. Our 6 year old Jeep Wrangler currently has 45k on the clock. I bought all the cars new.

#1 Some folks have more than one car. #2 Other folks have company vehicles provided to them that don't allow weekend usage. #3 Some vehicles are leased with low mileage limits (NOT MINE!) #4 Many dealerships do not want high mileage vehicles, you'll usually see them being sold by private parties or kept to the grave. #5 Some folks make lifestyle choices to avoid commuting.

I sell my used vehicles myself, never trading them. The buyers have commented on several occasions that private party sales rarely have low mileage.

FWIW, My in laws frequently drive less than 4k a year, total between two cars.

It's not that weird.

Barry

I've got 40k on my 04 OBW that I bought on 1/17/04. I hope to kepp it til 200k miles.

I don't think the mileages you listed are too goofy. I can probably give the most extreme example of anyone on this forum about mileage. In early 2002, we bought a one-owner 99 OBW with 97,000 miles on it. The odomoter now reads 117,000 miles. That means the original owner put about 27,000-30,000 miles per year on it, and we've put about 6,600 miles per year on it. There are simply cars out there with owners who put a lot and a little miles on them.

As far as price, the prices you listed aren't too goofy, maybe a tiny bit on the high side.

Personally, I'd totally avoid the 1996 and 2000 outbacks, and would also shy away from the 1997 and 2001 outbacks. The 98-99 and 02-04 outbacks were very well sorted out, though.

my two duckets, LK

Thanks for that info. May I ask what was the reasoning to shy away from the

(Note to self, my own messages aren't showing up in the group)

This is a pricing list I just got from a salesman at one lot. The prices tend to be high ...

Hope the following information helps. Most everything we have right now are basic Outbacks with automatic trans, AC, CD players, some with heated seats. We have the one 2001 Ltd as you indicated with the the moon roof, leather, and 6-disc CD. Here's the list of vehicles including VIN's, mileage, and price.

1. Green/Titanium 4S3 BH6750 47646139 17,417 miles ,999

1. Green/Titanium 4S3 BH6757 47636806 25,387 miles ,999

2003....

1. Green/Titanium 4S3 BH6752 36604542 27,182 miles ,999

2002....

1. Blue/Titanium 4S3 BH6754 27625209 61,157 miles ,995

2001....

1. Blue/Gray 4S3 BH6753 17673623 44,355 miles ,999
2. Green/Gray Ltd. 4S3 BH6869 17634378 53,247 miles ,478

2000....

1. White/Gray 4S3 BH6756 Y7650525 93,871 miles ,999

1997....

1. Green/Gray 4S3 BG6852 V7630608 120,124 miles 68

High mileage may not necessarily indicate a worn-out car. I just bought a '99 with 112,000 miles on it, but the general condition of the car suggested that they must have been mostly freeway miles, because the car looked and ran like new. This kind of mileage produces less wear and tear on: brakes, upholstery, suspension, engine, door and window hardware, steering linkage, etc.

John=A0M wrote

I know what you mean. Why on earth would someone brag about how many hours they sit in their cars, probably stuck in traffic? Driving is a necessary evil of our "civilized" society. An hour driving is an hour lost out of our dwindling time on earth. Next time one of those nuts starts bragging about how much they love driving, ask them, if it is so wonderful, do they spend hours on end sitting in their car when it's parked in the garage?

Iconoclast Pete

May not be "worn out" but it will definitely need some repairs in the future. Subes may get to 200k regularly but the maintenance costs go up after 100k . I'd be cautious spending ,ore than $2000 on a car with

You won't find a Subaru (or any Japanese car) for $2000 at 100k. The OP however posted as one alternative:

That's bit high, IMHO except with a complete engine overhaul including new gaskets, seals and belts and a warranty.

florian /FFF/

$8k with NO warranty at all. Anyone who would pay that must love to gamble.

Those were the prices I were given from the dealership/car lot after I phoned in and played mr stupid when talking to them. It'll give me a starting point to work my way downward quite a bit hopefully. My explorer (I got it for $2000, `93 4door 4wd) has a dead cylender, I think the steering is going and I refuse to get much work done on it. I'd rather have a Subaru with great gas mileage (hey it's better than the 10mpg i'm getting now).

Mainly the orginial post was asking about anything I should be aware of specific to Subaru's when starting to negotiate the price.

There were a number of particular defects in the 1996 and 2000 MY OBs, which is not atypical of the first model year of any redesigned car. I can't list them all. Many of the problems persisted in the 1997 and

Re your prices, I still think they're a bit high, but assuming they're negotiable, you should be fine. With some negotiation, I would expect a dealer to accept an offer on a used Subie that is 10% less than dealer's asking price. You might be able to do better, but if you can't get a dealer to come down 10% on a used Subaru, I'd walk without even bothering to say goodby.

-LK

I took another look at the prices you most recently listed. On second thought, they're more than a little high. When my dealer started to receive the 2005 Outbacks, it cleared out all of its remaining NEW 2004 Outbacks. The asking price on the remaining NEW '04s was $19,900 (2.5L, cloth seats, auto trans, cold weather pkg). If your dealer is asking $21,999 for a used '04 Outback with 25,387 miles and basic equipment, he should be jailed. That's more than Kelly blue book used retail ($21.385), which is already fantasyland.

-LK

Bradley,

May I offer some advise? Find out the dealer COST (not dealer invoice price) for the car you are considering, and then work your way UP (or down) from there. This information is available from a number of sites online. Its much harder to work your way down in price AND, you may be losing out on a better deal if a dealer has had a car on the lot awhile and is really looking to get rid of it. You have a better shot at getting a lower price by starting low - not high, and you will immediately put the dealer on notice that you've done the research and understand the going cost and FAIR retail price.

Dom

Dude,

I seriously don't know what country you're from, but $8,000 is Blue Book! Kelley Blue Book used retail is actually $7,985 for a 97 OBW w/ std equipment and 120,000 miles. Where do you think you're going find a Subaru for $8K with a warranty???

I don't think your comments are steering this guy in any real world direction.

LK

Damn straight.

My '99 Outback has 106k miles on it, runs perfectly, and has costed me scheduled maintainance plus about $200.

I wouldn't even consider selling it for less than $12,000.

To your first question: I live in NYC.

Secondly, it's not that easy to put a price on the warranty since we do not know the terms.

It is obviously an offering by the dealer and not the manufacturer which means the dealer and his associated shop (not shops) are going to fulfill the warranty on their terms [at their leisure?].

A year ago I sold my 96 GT wagon (135000 miles) at just under $5000 [new belt, water pump and seals - all documented]. That three grand in your pocket buys you a lot more than some [6month?] dealer warranty IMHO.

The 98 GT Wagon I am driving now cost me a bit less at 95k miles than what the original poster [OP] is considering to pay for a 97 120k wagon.

If you know the dealer well and have trust in his service and the terms of the warranty are convincing, then maybe.

I do not want to knock any dealer's business here, so I suggest the OP contact me privately if interested.

florian /FFF/