Subaru Outback

[Cory Schuller]

Morning everyone, in my quest for a replacement vehicle I found a 1997 Subaru Outback limited for $3,000. It has 123,000 miles, and will be due for a set of tires before chase season. The problem(I think) is it has had nothing done to it- example timing belt, head gaskets. The price is lower because he took it to a mechanic for service and the mechanic mentioned with the miles on it will be due for gaskets soon. What is everybody's thought on this? Is the price low enough to justify having to do the maintenance or should I just keep looking for one that has had all of that done? By the way the vehicle is also 300 miles from me but I do have somebody to go look at it for me. Thanks in advance for your input.

Cory

 

[Verne Carlson]

I have a 1999 Subaru outback that I bought 3 years ago with 118,000 miles on it. It's now approaching 240,000 miles without ever had a timing belt or gaskets changed out. For $3k I think you could double the mileage on it without any maintenance on it except oil changes. Those little Subaru's take abuse! Hope that helps.

 

[Tyler Allison]

I have a 2001 Subaru Outback (original owner) with about the same amount of miles so a 1997 with 123,000 hasn't been driven very hard.

I'd call a mechanic near you and ask how much a gasket job would be, and figure that into the price you'll end up paying.

Kelly Blue Book has a 1997 Limited in good condition as $4,800. So in theory if you can get the car for $3000 and limit the maint work to $1,000 you are coming out average. Not a steal..but average.

 

[Greg Campbell]

Assuming it does have a timing belt (and not a chain), you really do need to change the thing before it breaks....

 

[Eric Hostetter]

The less a previous owner has spent on preventative maintenance, the more you should worry. If they haven't bothered with the obvious stuff, then I'd be concerned about what else they've chosen to ignore. Who knows, perhaps they've ignored oil changes too.

I love Subies and think you're on the right track choosing an Outback for chasing, but if Tyler is right, try working the price down.

 

[John Erwin]

Cory,

I would say "approach with caution". Although the price sounds reasonable for what it is, the fact that there are outward signs of neglect (ie. worn tires, owner admits a mechanic gave advice etc.) should make you wonder "what else might be wrong"?

Still, if you are determined to get a better look I would strongly recommend getting your own independant opinion from a mechanic. A compression check can be quite informative, along with a quick OBDII scan.. not to mention a good going over while up on a hoist.

If everything looks good I would strongly recommend changing the timing belt. I wouldn't worry about gaskets unless there are obvious signs of leaks or other problems that your mechanic picks up.

Good luck!

 

[Cory Schuller]

I appreciate all the input that I have heard back and my first thought this would be a great buy but now I'm having second thoughts. The main problem I have is the vehicle is 300 miles away so for me to just jump in a vehicle and drive that far and find out it a junker. Maybe I'll look for something much closer and for something that has service records.

Now for another option, I have a local friend that has a 1996 GMC Surburban with 187,000 (that's right) miles. It is in very good shape with many new parts including new tires. He wants 3,000 for it. I have driven it and the space is awesome and the ride is even better. For the most part my chasing is done on a local aspect of about 150 miles all directions. With this vehicle at least the local mechanics can work on it and parts are cheap. On the Subaru I have 1 mechanic in town that said he could try to work on them. I'm not sure if I want somebody trying to work on a vehicle that I need to rely on to get me out of danger????? I'm open to thoughts on what people think on the suburban idea??? I know gas mileage is the biggest thing but my friend said he is able to get between 17-19 cruising down the interstate.

Thanks
Cory

 

[Jason Foster]

I would walk away.

I'd skip it....not worth the chance. Go with something that you can trust more. Go with something local that you can look at, inspect, test drive and more. Having someone else look at the vehicle doesn't really work...with maybe the exception of collector cars...that are mostly going to be on display and not driven. You can take the extra time to save more money, and that will mean either a better vehicle, or more chasing.

If the vehicle is even possibly likely to be a problem, it's no deal if you come out "average" as someone put it. If you don't mind getting a car with issues, go to a whole sale, and pick-up something like that for something more like $2000. Then do the repairs and reconditioning...then your still ahead.

There are plenty of cars and Subaru models out there....no need to get dead set on one.

 

[Tyler Allison]

One other thing. The market being what it is and car sales in the toilet you should be looking for "steals" not "average" blue book. If I could get that Subaru for something close to $2300 after inspection, I'd buy it and plan to put $1500 into it. I'd call around until you found a shop in the town 300 miles away that will look it over. DO NOT TELL HIM YOU WILL NOT BE USING HIM IN THE FUTURE. You want him to believe he is working up a job order so he finds _everything_ wrong. Expect to spend a couple hundred bucks. If the mechanic comes back with nothing major ($2000 or so in needed repairs for a handful of things. $300 for new brakes, $400 for new head gasket, $100 for new belts, $150 for an alternator, etc). If it's in the $2000 ballpark, I'd buy it and drive it home. Anything more I walk away.

Assuming you buy, ....First thing I'd do when I got home is take it to my own mechanic and have a full workup done on it. Yes...another couple hundred bucks, but you can't use the mechanic 300 miles away now can you? He should come back with a similar set of stuff that needs to get done (maybe not identical, opinions could be different on what is necessary and what isnt). Use some common sense and pick off the things that seem critical. (no..you don't need your fuel line flushed. Yes you probably need new gaskets or a timing belt) Drop $1000 on whatever it needs. Pay attention to major engine components and brakes first. Now go to the local tire place and drop $500 on new tires (I love my Michelin HydroEdge).

Do regular oil changes and pick off some of the straggling stuff from the "workup" as you get more money, and you should be good for another 100,000.

I would never buy a car from a "friend". Too much can go wrong and make that relationship "weird".

If you pass on both cars...use http://www.kbb.com to check the price of used cars. Take $1000 off whatever they say due to current market conditions. That would be my max purchase price. May want to even get a carfax report. Only runs a couple bucks and could save you the hassle of driving out there. You'll need the VIN. Tell the guy you are going to run a carfax and see if he stumbles over himself or if he says "everything is clean...here's the VIN".

-Tyler

 

[Cory Schuller]

Ok, I had the Subaru checked out and the owner does have extensive records as follows:

Timing belt at 65,000
Water pump at 74,000
Rotors and front brake pads 110,000
Knock sensor 2007
Radiator leak fix 2007- Did NOT get hot.
Tires have about 20,000 miles left.
Very clean and no outside damage or rust.
Will need shocks replaced.
Alternator and battery 2000

Wants $3,000 OBO. I think I may go for it unless somebody thinks different.

 

[Scott Weberpal]

Sounds like a good call, offer him $2700 and see where he goes with that.

 

[Mark Farnik]

The fact that it has extensive records is a MAJOR plus for the car. From looking at your list, it seems as though it's had the majority of the significant repairs already taken care of.
I agree with Scott. $2,700 is a perfectly reasonable offer, given that it needs the head gaskets done and the shocks replaced.
If he wants to meet you halfway at $2,850, I'd go for it.
Sounds like you've finally found your chase ride!

 

[Cory Schuller]

I'm going after the car today and I got it for $2,900. Anxious to get started on moving my radios and chaser gear into it. I may have to go chase a snowflake just to say I chased in it.

Cory