Please help us pick the best 01-03 Outback VDC vehicle below so we can join the club!

[mountainwalker]

If you were nearby I'd say H so I could buy your snows.

 

Seems to be little difference between B and H. When all things are "equal", maintenance records trump, especially if all the interval-maint has been done with the records to prove it.

 

Dave

 

The main difference is that H) is 2 years newer - all things being equal, and records checking out for each, before inspection, at which price would you go for H) ? Before inspection, at which price would you go for ?

 

I say before inspection because inspection could reveal needed repairs/damage.

[CNY_Dave]

The main difference is that H) is 2 years newer - all things being equal, and records checking out for each, before inspection, at which price would you go for H) ? Before inspection, at which price would you go for ?

 

I say before inspection because inspection could reveal needed repairs/damage.

 

For a piddling 2 years difference, the age difference is almost meaningless if the condition is the same.

 

The price, I figure you just have to compare it to the KBB (for the matching condition). Around here, you couldn't find lower than the KBB.

 

 

Dave

[nipper]

And remeber, no one show him the secret handshake till he buys one.

 

 

 

 

nipper

[mountainwalker]

And remeber, no one show him the secret handshake till he buys one.

 

 

 

 

nipper

 

Is that all? No initiation? No trial by fire? I don't have to paint the Subaru symbol on my chest and drive down the street while sticking out of the moon roof?

[mountainwalker]

1) Is there really no difference between an 01 and an 03 H6 VDC with the same miles, if both of them were maintained well consistently?

 

2) How much value does a tow hitch that's never been used add?

 

3) One seller says that the original CD player/stereo was skipping and was removed and replaced last year during a major tune up with a new one that doesn't skip (seller still has the original if I can repair it). Does this still preserve the benefits of the McIntosh sound system? I'm assuming the McIntosh was about the speakers more than anything else.

 

4) How much value do Brembo rotors, specifically sized for the model of Subaru Outback add? I know they are far superior to smaller weaker OEM rotors that came with some of the earlier Subaru Outbacks (and which led to vibration and rotor warping especially when carrying heavier loads).

[mountainwalker]

1) Is there really no difference between an 01 and an 03 H6 VDC with the same miles, if both of them were maintained well consistently?

 

2) One seller says that the original CD player/stereo was skipping and was removed and replaced last year during a major tune up with a new one that doesn't skip (seller still has the original if I can repair it). Does this still preserve the benefits of the McIntosh sound system? I'm assuming the McIntosh was about the speakers more than anything else.

 

3) How much value do Brembo rotors, specifically sized for the model of Subaru Outback add? I know they are far superior to smaller weaker OEM rotors that came with some of the earlier Subaru Outbacks (and which led to vibration and rotor warping especially when carrying heavier loads).

 

4) If one of the 2 cars (the 03) was driven in Western mountain snow country for 3-4 winters (not visiting but there full time), could that have made it more prone to corrosion? I think out West salt is not used like it is in the Northeast.

[mountainwalker]

I noticed after checking on a few similar vehicles in the crossover and compact-mid SUV category, including other Japanese makes, that the Subaru Outback, especially the 6 cylinder, seems to hold its value very well for the same number of years. Why is that? I used 2003 as a benchmark.

[nipper]

I noticed after checking on a few similar vehicles in the crossover and compact-mid SUV category, including other Japanese makes, that the Subaru Outback, especially the 6 cylinder, seems to hold its value very well for the same number of years. Why is that? I used 2003 as a benchmark.

 

Maybe because its a better car, has a better reputation for not falling apart as it grows older, and isnt a photocopy of everyone elses, not to mention real AWD.

[mountainwalker]

Thanks to all for the great advice and encouragement. We picked up a 2003 VDC in excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition maintained well with a whole bunch of nice extras, including a gold warranty for many more miles, Thule roof box, WRX rims, extra rims, extra snow tires, etc. I'll post some pictures after we pick it up.

 

I can't thank all of you enough.

 

Now I have to figure out whether we really need the WRX rims - not sure how much of a difference they make for our driving.

[nipper]

Thanks to all for the great advice and encouragement. We picked up a 2003 VDC in excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition maintained well with a whole bunch of nice extras, including a gold warranty for many more miles, Thule roof box, WRX rims, extra rims, extra snow tires, etc. I'll post some pictures after we pick it up.

 

I can't thank all of you enough.

 

Now I have to figure out whether we really need the WRX rims - not sure how much of a difference they make for our driving.

 

They are like flames, they make the car go faster

 

[CNY_Dave]

Thanks to all for the great advice and encouragement. We picked up a 2003 VDC in excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition maintained well with a whole bunch of nice extras, including a gold warranty for many more miles, Thule roof box, WRX rims, extra rims, extra snow tires, etc. I'll post some pictures after we pick it up.

 

I can't thank all of you enough.

 

Now I have to figure out whether we really need the WRX rims - not sure how much of a difference they make for our driving.

 

 

 

A 2003?

After the problems we told you about with the '03 model year?!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Psych!

 

Welcome to the '03 H6 club!

 

 

Dave