RegularDude

Thanks for all the advice. Here's the checklist I've put together from a couple folks' feedback: - Complete timing belt kit installed (New tensioner, all 3 pulleys replaced, and new belt) - Quality head gaskets used (Subaru, Cometic, or SixStar) - Heads resurfaced - Subaru coolant conditioner added - Water Pump Replaced - Bushings and struts (end links, ball joints, tie rods) are in good condition - Front CV joints and steering boots - Exhaust is rust-free - Check for rust on the rear brake line - Fluids replaced - Check tire condition - Hoses replaced - Transmission history? Has it been replaced? - Possible 12 month or other warranty? ----- So this is where I'm at. I've never bought a used car before. I'm currently driving a 2000 Civic with 194,000 miles. It has been super reliable for me. Replaced the muffler twice, another piece of the exhaust once, and the distributor just went on me recently. Other than that, it's been really low maintenance. Kept putting off the timing belt change for whatever reason and now it doesn't seem worth it. Don't know if it was ever done. Part of me wants to see how long I can run the Civic, but the less reckless part of me wants a little more security... including the AWD for the winter. So I'm thinking about an Outback or a Forester, or possibly an Impreza hatchback. I've got $4,000 set aside for another vehicle. I just moved and am working two part-time jobs, not taking in a whole lot of money, so I'm not really looking to take out any loans. I'm trying to get a career going in education, but wanted to relocate first, so that's where I'm at. Hoping to get a better job / financial situation by the fall. I'm not super knowledgeable about cars, but have some general knowledge, and can diagnose and repair small problems if I can find an article, PDF or a youtube video about it. I would really like to get a car with lower miles, but if I make that a priority, I think I'm going to have to expand my search to 150-200 miles, in which case it seems like I basically need to commit before I see the car. Going with a Subaru dealer seems like a too expensive option. A smaller, independent dealer might work out. Found an '05 Forester with 105,000 maybe three hours away that seems like a nice candidate. Anyways I could use some advice on how to go about buying a used car. Since I don't really have the know how, know where to check for rust, what bad wear looks like and what's acceptable, etc, I don't feel like I can really assess a car's condition, other than a general impression. I can go prepared with a checklist, or use it to assess a car ahead of time. Maybe I should go that route? But ultimately, I feel like I'm just going to need to trust who I'm buying from. And I found out today that this guy with the '05 Outback is a third generation mechanic who grew up in the shop. It is just him running the shop, although his father goes down occasionally. It just seems like it would be awesome to buy from him and support what he's doing. Here are the options I'm considering: - Drive the Civic into the ground, at which point I'll have to make a rushed purchase - Scrape together the money for the '05 Outback through the local mechanic, make it quick and easy, hope it lasts - Another option: he's working on an '03 Forester with 130,000 that he'll be selling for around $3,300. But it's got some rust issues that will need to be tended to in a few years. - Assemble a checklist and widen my geographical search to look for a car with low miles. Possibly be prepared to buy at a distance based on information given to me by the seller. Seems risky, as I won't be near the seller, and it will be difficult to have it inspected by a mechanic before a purchase. Just seems like a headache to orchestrate - but maybe worth it. - Try to cool it and not think about getting a new vehicle until I get a better job. Thanks for reading and let me know what you think about my situation.

Hi there, I recently moved to Vermont, been looking to buy a Subaru, and happened to meet an independent mechanic who seems knowledgeable and honest. He's rebuilding the motor on a 2005 Outback which is rust-free. He said the head gasket was leaking - but just a little bit. Could have been driven on for a while, but he's doing the repairs and replacing some other major parts in the motor which he seemed confident would give the car another 100,000 miles. Wish I knew what he was talking about when he explained all the work he's doing. He's also taking care of any issues with the drivetrain and alignment. He said he's not sure whether he'll have to work on the rear alignment, but that he'd rather have the job done right and lose the sale over the $200 in extra repairs rather than let the car leave the shop with unresolved issues. So I feel like I can trust this dude, and I'll be able to talk to him about maintenance and any future repairs. But 200,000 is a lot of miles. Is it reasonable to expect to get another 100K? KBB says it'd be worth around $4,400 - but this isn't taking into account the new engine parts. It'd be great to buy a used car that's already been gone through by a mechanic. I don't want to risk buying through Craigslist and ending up with a car with serious problems. Don't want to pay out the wazoo by going through a dealer. Feel like this my best bet. But I don't want to jump the gun and regret it later. Opinions and things to consider? Thanks