Going to look at a high mileage 1993 Legacy sedan...what to look for

[hatchsub]

Ok ive been around the block a few times with vintage subarus and old cars in general so i know the basics but are there any real problem areas rustwise that i need to take special note of?  Anything i should know about  this car going in?  All i know is it has 237k on it and he wants 1500 bucks which he wont see from me lol.  It is fairly clean from the pictures he sent me however. Its 2wd 5 speed.   It has a bit of rust behind the drivers side rear wheel and rust hole in the middle of the hood (odd?) but otherwise the body looks fairly nice for a 93.  He also has a mountain of receipts for it including timing belt, water pump, full reseal and new clutch at around 220k.  So....what should i realistically be paying.  I was thinking of looking at it and if it was anything good...offering 800 bucks.  The mileage does worry me some but he says it runs great and i know the EJ22 was  fantastic motor.  So much for a EA81 sedan or coupe lol.  

[Fairtax4me]

Transmissions wear out the mainshaft bearing around that mileage so listen close for noise with it in nuetral. If it goes quiet when you push the clutch pedal in it will probably need a transmission soon. 15-25k miles depending on how worn the bearing is.

Edited March 1, 2014 by Fairtax4me

[hatchsub]

Transmissions wear out the mainshaft bearing around that mileage so listen close for noise with it in nuetral. If it goes quiet when you push the clutch pedal in it will probably need a transmission soon. 15-25k miles depending on how worn the bearing is.

Good to know.  Thanks for the info.  I was wondering what the general life of syncros was anyways.  I cant see this trans shifting very well at this point unless someone already swapped it out before this owner got it.  From the sound of it, all the high dollar items were done before he took ownership.  

 

Would 800 be a fair price for both sides or a slap in his face?

[Fairtax4me]

High miles, 2wd, manual trans, and rust. I'd be looking to pay around $700. Maybe $800 if the tires are brand new.

 

If it were a clean Awd with auto trans $1500 would be reasonable, assuming the tires, brakes, and exhaust system are good.

 

Synchros are hit or miss and entirely dependent on how the car was driven. The trans I put in my 95 FWD has 230k on it and the synchros are great. Had to replace the mainshaft bearing at 220k because it was all chewed up.

 

The original trans from my 96 AWD had worn out 2 and 3 synchros at 165k. Mainshaft bearing in that one bit the dust around 190k.

[hatchsub]

See to me the manual trans is a plus.  I wouldnt want an auto.  I am also contemplating a 91 turbo legacy locally but he wants a bit much for it.  It is also fairly clean but at 123k miles and with an auto trans (blah!).  So if i were to get that it would have to be for less than hes asking and then i would swap a stick into it.  

[moosens]

Mine is a 92 with 228k FWD and looks great with only a minor spot where expected - the same you mentioned excepting the hood. I have kept mine up well and have nice alloys , no oxidation , but do also have the above mentioned tranny main bearings on their way south.

 

You'd never get mine for $800, it's too valuable as a reliable car/truck

 

But $1500 isn't bad for CT. Something people who live in the northeast know. It's really really hard to find those great cars at great prices up here anymore. And scammers and flippers run rampant.

 

Smell for windshield leak. Listen for wheel bearings. Check suspension. Good luck.

[moosens]

I've been hunting trannies. There are some around and you can do the work or pay for one to be worked and still have a reasonably cheap and highly effective ride.

 

Ignore F & S parts prices online and deal with them direct. These people with FWD trannies know they aren't selling them here so you should be able to get one for under $200.