looking for a new subaru

[gritle]

I've had my 98 legacy since 2004. I have put a lot into it but as I look for a new or different car i think I want to go with a subaru again. Any suggestions on years that are more reliable. I am looking for no older then a 2004 preferably 2005. I like the wagon but i like the AWD more. I figure I can spend up to 14k tops. In the time I have had my subaru I have had a new sub-frame placed, new rear lateral links, new wheels and tires in past three years, new clutch 2 yrs ago. a new alternator and battery in the past couple of weeks and new timing and alternator belt also. what kinds of trade value might I get. I have 146k miles on it.

 

Just curious for tips or suggestion as I begin to hit the market. I am in the Minneapolis area.

[98obster]

I've had my 98 legacy since 2004. I have put a lot into it but as I look for a new or different car i think I want to go with a subaru again. Any suggestions on years that are more reliable. I am looking for no older then a 2004 preferably 2005. I like the wagon but i like the AWD more. I figure I can spend up to 14k tops. In the time I have had my subaru I have had a new sub-frame placed, new rear lateral links, new wheels and tires in past three years, new clutch 2 yrs ago. a new alternator and battery in the past couple of weeks and new timing and alternator belt also. what kinds of trade value might I get. I have 146k miles on it.

 

Just curious for tips or suggestion as I begin to hit the market. I am in the Minneapolis area.

 

generally, imvho, you'll never get the cars value as a trade-in. don't even mention trade-in. buy your new wheels and then determine how much to sell your 98 on Craigs. but if they're willing to give you 3k for trade-in you have a hard decision to make. good luck.

[idosubaru]

yeah trade in is the best way to get the worst deal, so you're kind of going about it all wrong.

 

buy your new car and sell the old.

 

i wouldn't buy from a dealer either. at least you're looking for a very new vehicle, but in general buying from the owner is the best way to get a better vehicle and far cheaper.

 

dealers are just buying this crap at auction for next to nothing and then selling it for far more.

[gritle]

I also had a replacement engine put in last november not this past but last. It had about 38K miles on it although it is a 95.

 

I bought from the paper/owner last time and got stuck with a car that had likely been airborne. I think a dealer might at least give me a warranty of some kind.?.

 

suggestions on safe routes...for instance is carsoup safe?

[idosubaru]

you only loose with a dealer. you can still buy cars at dealers that have been beat to death. the only difference is you loose all possibility of having prior maintenance records, and they clean it up well.

 

remember - they don't have a magic supply on the moon. they're buying cars that have been dumped by a previous owner. in my opinion, particularly with a newer car, someone selling it outright is very confident in the condition they have kept it.

 

a car that has issues or has been beat is more likely to be traded in.

[Durania]

Craigslist would be the best way to sell your wagon. I sold two vehicles on there myself, and they sold very quickly.

 

Here is my suggestion to replace your outback:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___2005-Subaru-Impreza-WRX-TURBO_W0QQitemZ120357861512QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20TrucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item120357861512&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A727|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

[subaru360]

 

Here is my suggestion to replace your outback:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___2005-Subaru-Impreza-WRX-TURBO_W0QQitemZ120357861512QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20TrucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item120357861512&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A727|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

 

That WRX is dirt cheap for an 05 with low miles, wonder why?

 

 

The 98 is worth about 3000 maybe 3500 on CL in my area, in some areas you might get more.

[9098]

I just paid 12k for a 05 leg 2.5i 37k miles. I got it at a Lexus dealer that wanted 17k for the last 2 months. I walked in when they droped the price to 13k on the internet. I doubt they gave the orginal owner more than 11k. Nada trade value was 12k. Look on auto trader for recent price drops. You can always get 1k under asking price. & Get a carfax.

[98obster]

I also had a replacement engine put in last november not this past but last. It had about 38K miles on it although it is a 95.

 

I bought from the paper/owner last time and got stuck with a car that had likely been airborne. I think a dealer might at least give me a warranty of some kind.?.

 

suggestions on safe routes...for instance is carsoup safe?

 

 

if you get a new car-i'd keep the old one-it's worth more to you than it will to anyone else-i'd love to see a pic of it-non interference to boot also, I don't know about the quality of soobies in the last 6 years, safer, of course and more bells and whistles, heavier, less fuel efficient. I detest bank payments for a car so i'm limited to what cash I have and save for the next one-for example, I can't wait for my 04-5 san remo obs se in about 2 1/2 years

[heartless]

have to agree with the others - a dealer is going to ream you. Trade in values are generally about 1/3 to 1/2 of the private sale value...

you can get a general idea of the value of your 98 at either

http://www.kbb.com/ or

http://www.nadaguides.com/home.aspx?LI=1-21-1-5013-500-500-50000&l=1&w=28&p=0&f=5000

 

I usually use both and average the listed values.

 

A few guidelines when going to look at a used vehicle:

1. go with an eye toward looking for flaws - dont get all excited cause it looks nice - nit pick and take mental notes to use in price negotiation.

2. try out ALL the goodies - mirrors, power windows (try master switches & each door), radio, heater controls, power/heated seats - try everything!!!

3. best to hear car start & run from a cold state - if it was warmed up before you got there they may be hiding hard starting issues.

4. check body over carefully - sure, a used car is probably going to have a few nicks and scratches, possibly even a small ding here or there, no big deal, but be on the lookout for paint that doesnt quite match the rest of the car = evidence of damage repairs.

5. Check tires and wheels - look for uneven tire wear = possibly worn suspension parts and/or misalignment due to accident (especially if wear is on only one tire).

6. Take for a test drive - does tranny shift smoothly? how does clutch feel if manual? how does it handle? any pulling, wandering, etc. also how do the brakes feel? smooth stopping? jerky or mushy pedal?

7. Ask for maintenance records - look for things like timing belt change (if enough miles), regular oil changes, etc.

8. if possible - take it to a "trusted" mechanic and have it put up on the lift to get a good look at the underside and get his/her opinion of the vehicle.

 

Good luck with the hunt, and dont forget to post pics when you get your "new" car!

[lostinthe202]

It had about 38K miles on it although it is a 95.

 

Ooooo a 2.2 with only 38k... wish I could find one of those:brow:

 

I bought from the paper/owner last time and got stuck with a car that had likely been airborne.

 

I agree with the others, the dealer is just as much of a crap shoot as buying from the public. More so even if like Gary said they swallow the paper work to hide the maintenance history.

 

If your car is running fine now and you're not in a hurry, just keep looking at Craig's List or the paper or wherever regularly and you will find one that has been well maintained with a documented service history, not that there should be much on a car only a few years old.

 

You might also consider looking to the south of you. With a car that new, you could drive it home without worrying about it breaking down and you could get something with that many less Minnesota winters on it. Just a thought.

 

Good Luck!

 

Will-