I found this CL legacy on the CL thread. http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/2788593415.html Spoke to the buyer, and it's a very clean car from what I could see, but he doesn't seem to be very flexible on price and he's asking double the value of the vehicle on KBB.com. On the other hand, for being 20 years old this Legacy is in really good shape and under 200,000 miles. It also already has a trailer hitch which is kinda nice. I expect to get roughly $4700-$5000 from the sale of our newer car. I keep coming back to this Outback http://www.pb4w.com/detail-2000-sub...ack_manual_w_slash_gb_equip-used-8010509.html However I have heard that Outbacks from these model years have issues with head gasket leaks and repairing that could be very expensive. It's got pretty low mileage for it's age, also a manual trans. Doesn't appear to have a hitch, but to be perfectly honest I'm not sure I want to trade an '06 for a '92, and I like the overall look of these model years a lot. http://www.pb4w.com/detail-2001-subaru-outback-used-7982955.html This one is the same price as the first, so what's the deal? I save $2,000 in comparison to the $5k Outback, but it has an automatic trans, which I can live with but might make DIY transmission work difficult or impossible. I would love some advice. the CL car is cute, but the seller seems to want an awful lot of dough for a 20 year old car, even though it is in really good shape.
Well, the Legacys are bigger and a little more luxurious. You are certainly stepping up a bit by staying in the 2000s versus that old 92. Old is old, plain and simple, but Subarus do hold their value strongly. They're just very practical and stand the test of time really well. The head gasket issue is meh. Unfortunately all 2.5L engines share the same issue. The DOHC ones leaked inward. The SOHC ones leaked outward. The issue was mainly in the gasket itself, and a switch to the better metal ones generally fixed or at least greatly minimized the issue. In the end however, it's just normal for these cars until you get much newer. The 2.2Ls I'm not sure on, and sticking to an older car will give you the 2.2L. the 2.5L certainly gives you a little more power, and the SOHC motors have a lot more midrange torque. There are a lot of old Subarus floating around, so I wouldn't exactly settle on one quickly if you don't have to. You can certain just wait and find one that has unusually low miles, nice mods, or extra bits like extra sets of tires. Also not all cars end up on Craigslist. If you want to stick with the Subaru community, RS25 and Nasioc are big places that sell a lot of cars from fellow enthusiasts. MNSubaru itself is good for staying local, and things do pop up. I'd also watch Auto Trader heavily too as it is the largest online source for car sales with a LOT of dealers and private sellers listing.
We're definitely not in a terrible hurry, but I'd like to have the extra cargo and utility available before Spring, when we plan on starting work on our house in earnest. edit to add: I found a really beautiful wagon on RS25. Not sure how n00b friendly this one is though. Thoughts? Seller is right smack dab in the middle of my old stomping ground. http://www.rs25.com/forums/f171/t170109-price-drop-1999-impreza-l-rs-wagon-ej25-swapped.html
i'll also give a +1 to the autotrader thing, that's where i found my new legacy. if it's local, go test drive it! I drove 90 miles one way to test drive mine, then drove down again a few days later to buy it. If the car is worth it, the cost of the gas is negligible compared to having a car that you really love. continue doing research into problems that the different models may be known for, check maintenance history and available service records. and haggle. the worst that happens is that you pay what you were expecting to, but you could end up paying less.
I like the 92...but not for 3k. We bought ours (94L awd 5spd wagon with 104k one owner miles last January for $24oo), so is price is definitely way high. OBD II is sure nice though. Oh yes, we found the aforementioned wagon on carsoup of all places.
I would take Craigslist pricing on ANYTHING with a grain of salt. Often times, sellers take advantage of the fact that their advertisement isn't surrounded by 12 more items just like theirs that buyers can sit and comparison shop. Before you even start looking at the cars, I would find out what the price range SHOULD be for that vehicle. Then you can simply weed out the retards that think they are going to get twice what their car is worth...often times justifying it with some mundane or pointless BS reason like "it's the cleanest" or "custom stuff done." Ebay, Autotrader, carsoup and the like are your best bet for finding a car local. And check with the Subaru dealerships, they often have used cars around as well. Check Morries website, I know they list them.
Wow! Thanks guys for all the great ideas. We're on our way to Morrie's to see how much they want to give us for husband's car and test drive the cute '00 that I saw. $5000 is a little steep IMO but I want to at least see how it handles.
After the history I went through in research. I didn't search the right things about the car. When I found a car I want I looked in to reviews, etc. I never searched "transmission issues with _____" or my engine is doing _____ " etc. searching for issues that come up when you own it. I am having breaking, bad gas mileage with ______" instead of best reviews on the car or what people think about the car. After I had my Engine blow up, I found out so much more researching on issues that happen and common things such as my # 4 piston is prone to crack.
Went to Morrie's and had a look at the '00. It handled nicely but there were a couple of things that just really bothered me - a big fat rust spot over the rear driver's side wheel, that was fairly deep and appeared to go all the way through the metal on the car. Not too sure how comfortable I am with that, and I noticed a sweet smell when I popped the hood, as well - i thought that was usually a sign of a coolant leak?
If you're not comfortable with something involved with the car right away, then just rule it out. Don't settle -- not happy now probably means regret later!
I have a 1998 Outback. I replaced the head gaskets. It's not a question of if, but when the HG's go on the 2.5. The Outback is an amazingly versatile vehicle. I also own 2 2007 Legacy's. Whatever your choice, if it's a Subaru you won't be disappointed. Do your research and know the weak links in the models or engines and base your decision on these factors as well as your own preference.
Thanks for the advice everyone. I've discarded that 00 as an option. We still have plenty of time and I'm going to go have a look at the 92 tomorrow or Wednesday after work. I do like the ability to be picky, which is nice. I've never purchased a vehicle in anything but a hurry so the change in pace is welcome.
Thanks for everyone's help! I went to see Vector's 98 and it's in pretty good shape but for a couple dings. Drives nice and I won't have to teach the husband unit to drive stick. A/C blows cold, tape deck works, has a nice sound to it, and definitely well taken care of. We should be closing the deal tomorrow or Tuesday, and then I'll have a Scooby to call my own. She's gonna need a name!
