Chuck Charger! Posted December 3, 2004 Share Posted December 3, 2004 Hi, great site! I'm going Subaru shopping in the next couple of weeks and I need a list of things I should watch out for when looking at used Subarus. I am looking at Legacy wagons/Outbacks from about 1995-1999, preferably manual trans, and the mileage range I'm finding with my price range is between 100,000 and 135,000 miles. I've been doing some research but I haven't found any comprehensive lists of items to look at or conditions to beware of. Any help would be great. Perhaps we could compile them all and make a nice FAQ sticky... Thanks for any help! Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outback_97 Posted December 3, 2004 Share Posted December 3, 2004 Many people will steer you towards the regular Legacies with the 2.2 liter engine, as opposed to the Outbacks w/ 2.5's. The 2.2 is regarded as a very robust engine and less prone to problems. If you've done any searching at all on these engines, you probably have noticed that head gasket leaks can be a problem with those years and mileages of the 2.5. That being said, mine hasn't had issues, but guess which car I don't take on long road trips far from home? Other than that, oil leaks can be common in the 2.5's, although many times they would have been fixed by that time, as is the case of mine with 108,000 miles. Warped brake rotors are common, but that's much more minor. Can't think of any other specific common problems, I'm sure others will chime in. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbhrps Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 Check List for used OBW's: - are all tires the same make, size and especially the same tread wear (one out of size tire will ruin the driveline) - timing belt replaced at 60 000 and 120 000 miles? Verified? - check rad when cool engine is running, any bubbles in radiator indicating blown head gaskets? - road test and swerve back and forth in a safe location at speed, any wheel bearing noises? - brakes, including parking brakes, how new? - rear wiper work, or seized from lack of use? - front and rear washers work, or electrical contacts need cleaning? - power antenna work?(easy fix to replace mast) - front leading edge of hood, rust bubbles? - heater/AC lights work, bulbs burned out? - metal bracket that holds licence plate lights, rusted out? (new one is $11) - car history, timely oil changes, fuel filter, plugs, clutch, shifts well, etc.? Maybe someone else can add to the list for anything I've overlooked. Good luck! Hope you find a gem! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenSisters Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 You need more than a checklist. One of the major "news/commentary" shows, eg.: 20/20, 60 Minutes, or the like (can't remember) , reported that about half of casual used car sales are actually done by "professionals". The cars can be wrecks, flood victims, etc and are fixed up for the least possible money and then sold off the street, through a used car ad in the paper, etc. I know what you're thinking. 20/20 (The Most Trusted Name in Journalism) are the bastards that rigged a GMC pick-up with explosives when they couldn't get the gas tanks to blow-up on their own in a crash, so they could make their anti-corporation news point. Be careful. What I'm trying to say is make sure the little old lady with the cherry Legacy is really who she says she is. Check the paper for multiple listings with the same phone number, get a carfax history on the car, etc. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 I am also interested in this information as I have finally, maybe, convinced my mother that she needs a Subaru - She would like a little newer model than I have (89 GL wagon) and is thinking about mid 90's or so... One specific question I have is: are the Automatic trannies in the newer Subes better/more reliable than in the older ones??? Or should we still steer clear of them? (mom is 60 and has bad knees, an automatic would be easier for her than a manual) Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Charger! Posted December 4, 2004 Author Share Posted December 4, 2004 I'm getting that unlimited 30 day Carfax deal so I can check out all the cars I look at. I'm just looking for mechanical deficiencies that are common to these years and models. I drove an Impreza Outback Sport not too long ago and I really liked it, but I like the Legacy wagons better for their bigger cargo space and overall size. Where do I look on the engine to determine if the crank and cam seals are leaking? Thanks Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outback_97 Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 Chuck: Can't believe I forgot wheel bearings, that's another good one to look for. I had to replace my front ones at just under 100K. http://users.sisna.com/ignatius/subaru/oil_leak.jpg This doesn't quite answer your question, but another potential leak point is the o-rings in the oil pump. Look at the photo, it's taken looking under the car and shows the bottom of the timing belt cover, where the oil pump leak will typically manifest. This is quite a common leak, mine happened around 60K miles IIRC. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brus brother Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/tsbsearch.cfm The above FREE site is the National Highway Safety site. In addition to Safety Recalls this site lets you access Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) which are heads ups from car manufactureres to their dealerships and mechanics related to common problems. While some of these problems are innocuous, others can be a pain or at least points of negotiations if you notice them on the car you are buying. New cars have problems that are usually discovered under warranty, yours will likely not be warrantied. Check the CV boots... the list goes on... You know, unless you are a good mechanic you should take the checklist to a reputable mechanic and let him do an inspection of the car and highlighting the issues presented here. When all else fails, I generally use my great mechanical prowess and buy the white car! Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Charger! Posted December 4, 2004 Author Share Posted December 4, 2004 I actually found a Subaru specialist that will inspect any Subaru I bring him for free, before I buy. I had some work done by this guy about 10 years ago on my first car, and 81 GL wagon, and he treated me right. The only problem is, it's way the hell out in Golden, which isn't far from me, but it's pretty far from most of the cars I've been researching. Thanks again, all help is appreciated greatly. C7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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