Interested in purchasing a '99 legacy L

[Snoman86ss]

Hello to all.

I am looking at picking up a 1999 Subaru Legacy L (30th Anniv. Edition)

 

I know nothing about subaru's, but I am very familiar with cars. Here is the low down on the car;

 

It's got 126k on it. 2.2L engine, automatic trans, new tires, new brakes, new rear diff. The owner is asking $3,000 for it. It was his daughters car, but she went off to college, so now it is being sold.

 

I am looking to you guys to tell me if this seems like a good deal or not.

 

Also, what are the common problems that I should look for when I go to look at this vehicle? I did some reading here and I know the timing belt is a big concern. I don't know if it has been replaced on this car or not. Is there anything else besides the usual (check fluids, engine/trans smoothness) that I should know about?

 

Thanks in advance and I look forward to becoming a new subaru owner!

 

I would also like to add that I am from Freehold, New Jersey, so if there are any local guys around that could lend a hand (need be).

Edited October 16, 2009 by Snoman86ss

[89Ru]

Welcome to the board.

The tbelt change interval is 105k miles so at 126k who knows, it might be about to break. If any work was done at a dealer they should have records tracked to the VIN. This car is an interference engine so don't take chances, if records are not able to be found you should expect to do some front engine work (these cars are easy to work on in general). I would (if you end up buying) remove the radiator fans and outer belt covers and inspect the belt. There are procedures on belt replacement that a first timer can follow. Search around the board or post a question.

The water pump and crank/cam seals are typically also replaced at this mileage. The 2.2L does not have head gasket issues as its heavyweight sister the 2.5L, but check the coolant overflow tank for anything suspicious.

Rear diff being replaced at this low mileage is a sign that good tire hygiene may not have been followed, I've not heard of many of these being replaced even after 300k. To keep the AWD differentials from binding up, the circumference of the tires should be kept within 1/4" all around.