Wanting advice on buying a used

[subiesailor]

Good friend does highend custom electrical and interior work. He told me he would personally rip me a new one if I purchased a volvo product. The skinny on volvo is the worst electrical components he sees in any brand. BMW a close second. Check into spun bearings on the v70 oil pressure issues causing bearing failure. A friend just dumped his v70 after the second spun bearing. He has a used Infinity now. Lol

[subiesailor]

Sounding to me like a 4runner is a better fit. Subarus are great logging road rides but once it goes slighty technical the overhang is the end game.

[Blanco]

Originally Posted by subiesailor

Sounding to me like a 4runner is a better fit. Subarus are great logging road rides but once it goes slighty technical the overhang is the end game.

Like I said it wont be my Off Road rig , yet being Subaru seems to claim its abilities I'm the sorta guy that might want to see what it can actually do?

To be honest being I was considering a Volvo as well, seems the Subie might be a wee bit better off road?
Yet not as plush?

Yet, to be 100% honest I prefer something like a OB due to the fact that a 4X4 SUV will end up having me throwing lots of money at it building it into a OFF ROAD rig & I really don't want that again.

I just want a nice car that can do more than a basic Station Wagon....?

[StingyPaperWaffles]

Here's a few interesting vids of a guy in his Forester. I've never driven a Forester, but I'd say the OB ought to do pretty much the same. I haven't watched them all yet, though.
I took my '98 OBW up and down a pretty rocky trail a couple of times, and the guys I was with were shocked that a car was following their F-150 down it.
But it sounds to me like the OB, or maybe a Forester, is what you want though. I think the OB looks better, though. Advice about off-roading with a forester. - Subaru Forester Owners Forum

[RedGeminiPA]

Originally Posted by Blanco

I've noticed some have dual sun-roofs & lots of nice options, how do I figure out what ones have all the nice stuff to limits my searches to those while shopping?

Can anyone give me a breakdown?

For the dual sunroofs, you'll want to focus on either Legacy L Special Editions, Outback Limiteds, or Outback LL Bean or VDC (both 6 cylinder). The Limited, Bean and VDC have heated leather and seat-mounted side airbags. More features come with each trim level, with the VDC being the top end model.

The VDC also has a unique AWD system with Variable Torque Distribution, stability and traction control. Power split is 45% front, 55% rear. When I pull out on gravel or shale while turning, I can hear the rear wheels kick a little. It also feels a little more like a RWD car when accelerating, especially around a curve or turning.

I'm glad I held out until I found a very well cared for '01 VDC. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the McIntosh sound system, that's going to be a real pain to put my JVC double-DIN stereo in.

[AWDFTW]

Subaru Outback research pages: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009... all years/models should help you some.

[Blanco]

Thanks for all the links guy's I will follow & watch all that & probably now not be buying my Subie till next year being I did not sell my Bronco as planned, the guy tried to talk me down in price & I refused to budge on my asking price.

So for now I'm keeping it but next year will hopefully have the money for a OutBack VDC Limited, with all the cool options, Being I live in LA, I have no need for the heated seats & such though.

[subiesailor]

Originally Posted by Blanco

Thanks for all the links guy's I will follow & watch all that & probably now not be buying my Subie till next year being I did not sell my Bronco as planned, the guy tried to talk me down in price & I refused to budge on my asking price.

So for now I'm keeping it but next year will hopefully have the money for a OutBack VDC Limited, with all the cool options, Being I live in LA, I have no need for the heated seats & such.

The older purpose built 4x4's don't sell well on Craigs list but on the right forum ie audience you can get the right buyers. My mint condition 93 Land cruiser spent a month on Craigs list lots of looky loos looking for a 4runner and had zero idea what they were looking at had a few low ball offers which I showed and explained would not even cover the must do's maint on such a truck per my actual receipts etc.

In the end LC forum had a guy from Seattle ask some questions I sent him a pile of info picts and records. He flew into Oakland Airport picked him up drove it 30 minutes back to my house paid cash and he drove it home. $7000 for 145,000 mile mint condition all records LC. He sent me a note a day later 16hr drive home zero issues loves the truck.

Good luck with the old Bronco! Try some 4x4 forums where people really know these rigs you might get a better buyer.

[Blanco]

Originally Posted by subiesailor

The older purpose built 4x4's don't sell well on Craigs list but on the right forum ie audience you can get the right buyers. My mint condition 93 Land cruiser spent a month on Craigs list lots of looky loos looking for a 4runner and had zero idea what they were looking at had a few low ball offers which I showed and explained would not even cover the must do's maint on such a truck per my actual receipts etc.

In the end LC forum had a guy from Seattle ask some questions I sent him a pile of info picts and records. He flew into Oakland Airport picked him up drove it 30 minutes back to my house paid cash and he drove it home. $7000 for 145,000 mile mint condition all records LC. He sent me a note a day later 16hr drive home zero issues loves the truck.

Good luck with the old Bronco! Try some 4x4 forums where people really know these rigs you might get a better buyer.

This guy actually found me from RaceDezert, & drove down from Aspen Co.
We'll his buddy was delivering a car to this area & so he rode along..
I know he loved it but wanted to pay less & No way was I gonna drop it anymore, I've got over 25K into that truck & I'm asking 9K

Anyways I have sorta fallen for this Little Subies & think they're perfect for the wife & dog etc etc...

So I'll probably get an OB next.

[subiesailor]

LOL stick to your guns on the Bronco pricing! I had some joker keep emailing me that I was way over priced. I finally responded and told him sorry dude it sold for ask and the difference between a buyer and seller - the seller owns the vehicle and can sell it for whatever they want. LOL