John-Charleston

Thanks but it may be moot now. After I got a mechanic to look at the car, got an Autocheck report and made arrangements to travel to NC to pick the car up, the guy renegged at the 11th hour. Basically he got a higher offer. I was going to buy it at $11K but he's now waiting to see if someone who's offered $12.2K can get financing. If not I might still be able to buy it at $11.5K but I'm not sure I want to deal with this guy anymore. The heated windshield cost about $375 to replace vs $300 for non-heated. I'm in Charleston Sc and don't need heated windshields but one windshield place told me it's a bad idea to not re-connect it. Think that's bull? John

Further info: Vin report comes out clean except for two items; the car has a current lien against it so I just need to figure out how to exchange the title correctly. Next, this guy is the second owner and he bought the car at an auto auction in Feb, '06. Is there a reason to view the auto auction sale as a red flag? Thanks again, John

That was fast! Thanks Jeep! The seller told me a funny thing about the tires when I asked him what condition they were in.....He said he replaces the tires every year because the roads there are so twisty that it wears out the tires fast. Now I've been to the area he's in (Cashiers, NC) and it is Appalachain mountains with lots of switchback roads in the area, but changing the tires every year seems excessive doesn't it? I clicked on the original ebay link and theres an Autocheck deal for ebayers that runs the vin check for $7.99 so I'll run that just for the hell of it anyway. John

Hi everyone, I'm not a regular here but lurk/search sometimes in my quest for a used outback. I think I found one that's suitable and was hoping for some advice... This is an '03 Outback with <59.000 miles on it. A basic model, Automatic, cd player, not much more for options but with a cracked windshield. I should be able to get it for $11K. I'm looking to buy this car sight unseen thru a deal that started on Ebay so I'm trying to be very cautious.... First off, are carfax or other vin check type reports worth much? I don't mind paying for one but I just don't know how much stock to put in the report. Second, I'm going to have a mechanic look the car over at it's current location. I'll arrange this over the phone and will have to place my trust in the mechanic. What should I ask him to look at specifically? Any '03 issues to watch out for? I figure I'd ask him to rack it, pull the wheels (supposed to be new brakes all around), put it on an analyzer and test drive it. Hopefully he'll do at least all that. And hopefully he's not related to the seller! (the town is pretty small) Third, is replacing the windshield likely to be a future problem? I already know the price, but is it likely to cause leaks or rust down the line? I very much appreciate any help with these questions and any further advice I haven't even thought to ask about. My first (and probably best) car was a '73 subaru coupe so I'm looking forward to getting behind the wheel of a subaru again. Thanks, John

I haven't yet gotten any answers about either car's head gaskets and the timing belt info is useful. Somewhere I read about interference vs non-interference engines ('99 vs '00) so that's another consideration. If I can I'll look for a newer model I can afford. Are there any post '00 years to avoid? Local dealer has used subarus listed at what seems to me very high prices and there just aren't that many being sold around here by individuals. I'm not desperate (just impatient) so I can wait a while longer. Thanks, John

Nipper, the link was a help, thanks. One change I don't follow is the "increased power" in the 2000 4cly vs the 99 4cly. That site and others both say 165hp for both models. Is there a noticeable difference in the models' power? Olnick, Wintergreen. :-) That color's OK but the beige cloth seats will clash with my hairy black dog... MtSmiths, Thanks for the opinion of someone who's owned both (sort of). I'm gathering the '00 has a better feel to it overall. As for the heated seats, here in Charleston, SC they don't count for much.... Ron917 and Nipper, I've read some about the head gasket problem and that I do pay attention to! How common is the problem? More so with either year? Internal leak vs external leak? Sounds like the external leak would be easier to see if I have a mechanic check out the vehicle, yes? Is either year easier to fix? Thanks for the help! These are the experienced answers/opinions I was hoping to get. I'll ask if either car has had the head gaskets replaced. John

Hi folks, I'm new here and found ya'll while researching Outbacks. I'm considering two locally for sale right now... First is a 2000 with 101,000K asking $8,995 but it's been listed for a while so would probably go cheaper. Second is a 1999 with 89,000k asking $8,300 and is newly out by the roadside with a sign on it. Both are automatics (which I like because I end up talking on the phone I hate to admit) but the '99 is a limited and has leather seats (which I like because I have a hairy dog). Otherwise they're similar both being in very good condition and with similar features. (the '99 is Burgundy...not my fav color) So is there much of a difference in the '99 vs '00 or should I be looking for even newer? I havent' been able to find posts that specifically compare these two years. Thanks for the help, John