rdp5008outback Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Hey guys, it's been awhile since I have posted here. I sold my 1998 OBS and I own a 1999 Honda CRV. I am looking at buying a 1996 Outback 2.2 L 5 spd. Is there anything I should lookout for? I know the 2.2 is supposed to be better than the 2.5 for reliability. Can anyone look up this VIN in carfax? 4s3bg4853t6374129 . I have a Pioneer touchscreen GPS nav unit in my Honda, is it possible to put the Double sized head unit in the outback? Thanks for taking the time to help me out. I hope to be a Subaru owner again soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOthis Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 wow...an outback with an EJ22...good find....How many miles are on the car?...Personally I would check for things like torque bind (yes this does happen to the manual trans too)(do a search here youll find tons), recent maintaince, and pretty much do an inspection of the car...lights,boots,brakes,tires,suspension,exhaust etc.. im sure others will chime in....good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster2 Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 see if you can learn when the timing belt, water pump, and pulleys were last replaced. The 96 with the 2.2 motor is a non interference motor, which is good, but still you don't want to be driving it, and have the timing belt break on you. If you buy it, prolly good to replace the spark plugs, and maybe the plug wires. Replacing the spark plugs is much easier on the 2.2 vs the 2.5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdp5008outback Posted April 10, 2009 Author Share Posted April 10, 2009 The clutch was replaced in 2006. At the 150,000 mile service the timing belt was checked and found that it didn't need replacing. Car now has almost 170,000 miles. Issues mentioned by seller include: right front axle boot torn rear struts weak minor to medium oil leak at left cam real - replace with next timing belt Check engine light comes on and off due to "engine code for throttle position sensor The seller claims to have a stack of service records and has owned the car for 10 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOthis Posted April 10, 2009 Share Posted April 10, 2009 sounds like hes really upfront...thats good...If I where you I would bring a scanner with me..just to make sure he isnt lying about the CEL code ...otherwise the things you mentioned are pretty easy to replace on the 2.2...How much is he asking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted April 10, 2009 Share Posted April 10, 2009 The clutch was replaced in 2006. At the 150,000 mile service the timing belt was checked and found that it didn't need replacing. Car now has almost 170,000 miles. Hmm,.......so is he saying that the timing belt has never been changed? If he has 10 years of reciepts, and there isn't one for a timing belt, then it NEEDS to be changed. They are supposed to be changed every 60k on that motor, every 100k at the bare minimum (it's the spec for cali models) So it is almost 3 times overdue for a belt. Issues mentioned by seller include:right front axle boot torn rear struts weak minor to medium oil leak at left cam real - replace with next timing belt Check engine light comes on and off due to "engine code for throttle position sensor The seller claims to have a stack of service records and has owned the car for 10 years. All these issues are realatively minor, although a CEL coming on and off, espescially for a throttle sensor error should be addressed right away. You could end up running lean, stalling out, or having no power, etc...... Or it could be a corroded connector too. HAve the codes read, and the TPS tested and adjusted if that is indeed the code. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdp5008outback Posted April 10, 2009 Author Share Posted April 10, 2009 Thanks for the replies. I'll have to go through the service records when I see the car and check when the timing belt was done last. I'd be surprised if he hasn't done it in the last 10 years, he said he just does what his mechanic tells him needs to be done. I plan on taking it in to a local Subaru dealer and have them check it out. He is asking $3,900, which I think is pretty high for the year and mileage. I want to get him down to $3,000 at the most. Does that seem like a fair deal? The body and interior look to be in great shape from the pictures. I am going to look at it in about 2 weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olnick Posted April 10, 2009 Share Posted April 10, 2009 I plan on taking it in to a local Subaru dealer and have them check it out. Is there an independent shop that knows Subarus in your area? I think I'd trust their opinion more than a dealers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subaru360 Posted April 10, 2009 Share Posted April 10, 2009 $3000 is about right I think. Subarus are worth more in your area. None of the repairs needed are too major. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOthis Posted April 10, 2009 Share Posted April 10, 2009 Wow...$3000...Personally I think thats kind of high....especially for a car with like 170k miles plus the work it needs done....as said it might sound like a good price for your region though...I just know I prob. wouldnt pay $3000...Im frugal... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgambino Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 Date:Mileage:Source:Comments:01/01/1996 Don Hattan Chevrolet Inc. Wichita, KS 316-744-1275 www.donhattan.com Vehicle sold 01/15/1996 Kansas Motor Vehicle Dept. Wichita, KS Registered as personal vehicle 02/16/1996 103 Kansas Motor Vehicle Dept. Wichita, KS Title #F0272283 Title issued or updated First owner reported Loan or lien reported 05/28/1998 31,015 Don Hattan Chevrolet Inc. Wichita, KS 316-744-1275 www.donhattan.com Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated 12/10/1998 36,919 Don Hattan Chevrolet Inc. Wichita, KS 316-744-1275 www.donhattan.com Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated Fluid levels checked 06/08/1999 41,262 Dealer Inventory Wichita, KS Vehicle offered for sale 09/15/1999 Dealer Inventory Wichita, KS Vehicle offered for sale Purchased:2000Type:Personal Where:Kansas, Washington Est. miles/year:18,980/yrEst. length owned:1/6/00 - present (9 yrs. 3 mo.) Date:Mileage:Source:Comments:01/06/2000 41,403 Kansas Motor Vehicle Dept. Title #K0375140 Title issued or updated New owner reported 09/28/2001 87,000 Washington Motor Vehicle Dept. Seattle, WA Title #0127116901 Title or registration issued 09/23/2003 123,396 Washington Inspection Station Seattle, WA Passed emissions inspection 09/23/2003 Washington Motor Vehicle Dept. Seattle, WA Registration updated when owner moved the vehicle to a new location 09/20/2004 Washington Motor Vehicle Dept. Seattle, WA Title #0127116901 Registration issued or renewed Registration updated when owner moved the vehicle to a new location Vehicle color noted as White 03/26/2005 Washington Police Report Case #1700904 Accident reported in King County Vehicle involved in crash with another motor vehicle 09/16/2005 150,608 Washington Inspection Station Seattle, WA Passed emissions inspection 09/19/2005 Washington Motor Vehicle Dept. Seattle, WA Title #0127116901 Registration issued or renewed Vehicle color noted as White 08/24/2006 Washington Motor Vehicle Dept. Seattle, WA Title #0127116901 Registration issued or renewed Vehicle color noted as White 09/07/2007 Washington Inspection Station Seattle, WA Passed emissions inspection 09/07/2007 Washington Motor Vehicle Dept. Seattle, WA Title #0127116901 Registration issued or renewed Vehicle color noted as White 09/09/2008 Washington Motor Vehicle Dept. Seattle, WA Title #0127116901 Registration issued or renewed Vehicle color noted as White 04/10/2009 Subaru of America No recalls open for repair Print this CARFAX Report and take it to your pre-purchase inspection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOthis Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 uh oh...I see accident history... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdp5008outback Posted April 30, 2009 Author Share Posted April 30, 2009 Wow, thanks for all that info. I ended up staying away from this Subaru. Thanks for all the replies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Pin Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Seemed kind of pricey to me. You can pick up one like that around here for $1400-1500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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