Buying '97 outback limited on Monday.

[lager68]

I'm due to pick up a '97 outback limited (automatic trans) with 75 thousand and change on the odometer. However, after reading this forum and becoming aware of the headgasket problem, I feel as though I should go back to the dealer tomorrow and ask for the service records and phone number of the previous owner. Any legal reason for the salesman/dealership to not give me these records, I would really like to find out from the previous owner if there were any issues with the car, and if the headgasket has been changed.

 

Looks like I'll be purchasing the "Pre owned dealer protection plan" if for nothing else than for the powertrain coverage {engine block and cylinder heads and and all internally lubricated parts including pistons, piston rings etc.}

 

Anybody out there purchased the "Pre owned dealer protection plan from SOA and can you ballpark a figure on how badly I can expect to be violated for it

 

As stated above this is a '97 outback limited with 75,017 miles, did a carfax in the dealership and found that it has had two owners and was originally sold in

Shrewsberry N.J. no accidents or other major catastrophies on carfax!

 

Is this engine 2.2 or 2.5 ? Any other info from you folks here would be much appreciated! Now I'm off to do a search of this site to see what I might learn about this specific model and year!

 

Thanks All!!!

[ShawnW]

Any Legacy Outback with an Automatic is a 2.5.

 

Regardless of if the headgaskets were done, having it inspected by a 3rd party would probably be best. Compression test, leakdown test(better), etc would be better than even knowing if the gasket was changed as they may not have had the heads surfaced which would make the gasket change moot.

 

Another thing is to go test drive the car COLD in the morning. If the engine has piston slap issues this is when you are going to be able to tell.

 

The worst case scenerio is that you end up with a car that eventually needs a rebuilt engine. www.ccrengines.com is a good place to shop for one.

[lager68]

Thanks ShawnW. Would a leakdown test tell if there are headgasket issues, and what kind of numbers/readings should I be seeing with a leakdown test?

[rweddy]

I'm due to pick up a '97 outback limited (automatic trans) with 75 thousand and change on the odometer. However, after reading this forum and becoming aware of the headgasket problem, I feel as though I should go back to the dealer tomorrow and ask for the service records and phone number of the previous owner. Any legal reason for the salesman/dealership to not give me these records, I would really like to find out from the previous owner if there were any issues with the car, and if the headgasket has been changed.

You can try but they usually discard the records for privacy reasons and they will never give you the phone number of the previous owner.

Looks like I'll be purchasing the "Pre owned dealer protection plan" if for nothing else than for the powertrain coverage {engine block and cylinder heads and and all internally lubricated parts including pistons, piston rings etc.}

FYI this plan will not help you with a HG issue unless "all seals and gaskets" covered. If not and you have a HG issue you are s.o.l.

Is this engine 2.2 or 2.5 ?

2.5

Any other info from you folks here would be much appreciated! Now I'm off to do a search of this site to see what I might learn about this specific model and year!

 

Thanks All!!!

You will love the car, I think the 96-99 Legacy outback is the best looking of all the outbacks until the 05 came out. Be careful of the HG issue, but other than this you will have a rock solid car that you will enjoy for years to come.

[later, Peter]

I have a '96 (147k) & a '99 OB (71k)wagon.... AND once again I agree with RWEDDY in that this is the best looking Subaru until the newest ones...

I tend to believe the bruhaha regarding the headgaskets are in direct relation to the poorly designed cooling system. The system has a tendancy to trap air pockets which heat too high too fast & cause the HG to fail.

My fears of driving the Phase I engine kept one eye fastened to the temp guage... until I started talking with everyone I could (10 - 15) regarding their cars (same engine) NOT ONE PERSON HAD ANY TROUBLE & ALL APPEARED TO HAVE THE OIL/FLUID CHANGES REGULARLY (by others).... most had over 140k>>>NO PROBLEMS<<<<

then there was quite a post by an airplane pilot that uses this engine... he figured out how to remove the trapped air (a special bleed valve & container) & has NOT had the HG problem....

So, as in all manners of this life, believe what fits your needs or as Paul Simon said:

"all lies & jest until a man hears what he wants to hear & disregards the rest" hummmhumm hummm hummmm

Enjoy.

Later,

Peter

[idosubaru]

i bought a subaru XT6 a couple years ago from the original owner and i independently contacted Subaru of Annapolis Maryland (because that's where they told me they had all the service done) and they provided me with all the service records for the vehicle.