Used buying advice

[noboatfred]

I'm new to the Community, and looking to buy my first Subaru.

 

I understand that these cars are nearly indistructable, and can easily get 250 -300 K miles during the life time.

 

One car I am looking at, is a great price (about $5000 USD)...which of course comes at the cost of high miles.  This is a 2005 Outback with a little over 207K Miles.

 

I like the look of the car, it is in pretty good shape, and appears well maintained, but that high mileage has got me locked from pulling the trigger.

 

I need something dependable, and reliable to last me at least 3 -5 years.

I am not a heavy duty driver, my last car I had for ten years and only put about 60,000 miles on it.  I do have two long distance drives coming up.  One in June 2015 from San Diego to Seattle and back, and one in Aug 2015 from San Diego to Detroit.

 

Advice and comments are more than welcome.

Thanks

[1 Lucky Texan]

have a pre-purchase inspection done (start a new thread asking for a shop recommendation near you) and ask the mechanic to print/write out what needs immediate attention, what you can live with (drips, squeaks w'ever) and what you need to save-up for. he will also test for torque bind and 'may' be able to tell the condition of the timing components (at 207 - in theory, you will need the timing belt VERY soon if not immediately). You can use the list to maybe negotiate a better price.

 

they are fairly well designed and tough cars, easy to work on - but a used car's reliability depends WAY more on previous care and current condition than 'brand reliability'.

Edited September 9, 2014 by 1 Lucky Texan

[mikec03]

+1 to above.  Also see if you can determine if the head gasket was done and by who.  I would think almost certainly it was done, maybe under warranty.