Wanting advice on buying a used

[Blanco]

I've never had a Subaru before & I'm thinking about buying about a 2000 or some with in a couple of years, I like the 2000+ lines better, so if I can find a deal thats my preference, all the ones I'm looking at in my price range of under 4K have many miles on them ( 100K +) & so I'm wondering what issues I might want to look out for?

I've heard the rear bearing tend to be an issue with these cars?

What else might I want to consider?
I want a small wagon about this size that seems to have some off roading abilities as it seems these do, yet want it to have nice street comfort & looks.

Anyways any help you guys can give me is appreciated.

I'm the Los Angeles area.

[subiesailor]

no bearing issues with the cars till about 2005 regarding wheel bearings.

HG external leaks with the 2.5 from about 99 through 2003 updated multi layer metal HG replacement fixed this as long as the job was done well and the engine was not damaged prior to the HG job due to over heating etc.

Los Angeles Area - I'm in Norcal and family in LA the Legacy GT Limited non turbo we had for 180,000 miles was a great LA car and did plenty of dirt road fun up at Big Bear. Now we have the new generation OB and I really don't like it handles like a pig and for California use even the dirt road stuff its really not all that better than the legacy was regarding off pavement roads. However on road its a pig. Which is reason back in 2001 I passed on the 2001 OB and got the legacy. The legacy is also in many cases cheaper than the SUV'ed up OB legacy wagon.

Drive Both!!! Make the call your self but!!!!!! 100% have the HG checked for external leaks and check the maint history most HG jobs done by local shops not the dealer seem to have far more issues than the dealer reported fixed HG's which subaru will also back and help replace again if you have issues related to the bad gasket or poor workmanship for the replacement HG. Mine was done at 65K and was perfectly fine at 180,000.

The cooling capacity of the old legacy and ob is fairly limited bombing up 10 to Palm springs at 70+mph with a head wind in hot temps would start to get a rise out of the temp and need me to back down a hair on speed. Outside of that the car was great.

MT 5spd's the release bearings commonly fail before the clutch pad material is done this is seen between 130-150K just FYI. The proper no worry clutch job is full plate, clutch and bearing replacement. Cheaping out and not replacing the plate or the bearing almost always results in problems not to far down the road.

Good luck!

[Blanco]

Thanks for the info, But I'm looking at the Outbacks because I need a wagon, I have a dog & want him to have the back to himself while we drive.
Nothing worse than him trying to climb on you while driving.
I'm planning on getting one of them gates that keeps him away from the passengers.

To be 100% honest he is the only reason I'm looking to buy another car at all.

[subiesailor]

2001 through 2003 Legacy GT Limited WAGON is identical to the OB without the lousy OB stuff on it or the suspension.

Not to mention the the Legacy came with superior ie larger brakes disc front and back

[subiesailor]

Example Subaru Legacy Wagon L 2001 Manual

Though the L is the base model but you get the general idea

[subiesailor]

This is the same car I had only I had the sedan with MT and leather loaded interior even the same color as mine

2002 SUBARU LEGACY GT **AWD **

[subiesailor]

Shocks will be toast if original and timing belt service should have been done at 105K only proof that is proven proof of the Timing belt is a actual receipt with matching Vin and parts listed. Timing belts cant be looked at to determine if they were replaced or are original

[Blanco]

Originally Posted by subiesailor

2001 through 2003 Legacy GT Limited WAGON is identical to the OB without the lousy OB stuff on it or the suspension.

Not to mention the the Legacy came with superior ie larger brakes disc front and back

Looking on Craigslist seems they were one in the same?
They say Legacy outback?

What would be the lousy OB stuff your talking about?
I know nothing about Subaru's?

& What's the suspension difference your talking about?

I like bigger brakes.

[subiesailor]

Just a tip cars this old NEVER EVER! Purchase from a dealer! Be very picky and only purchase from a owner with lots of records that match the story you get from the seller and what you see with the car.

#1 problem with the older subaru's are buyers buying a zero history car at top dollar and having a engine that has been wrecked due to failed Head Gaskets not being addressed by Subaru. Properly addressed HG makes the 2.5 engine a very dependable great little engine in a good car. I personally would be very tempted to pick up a really nice 100% records well kept 2001-2003 Legacy GT Limited wagon with 5spd MT for the right price given they really are great cars when properly cared for.

[subiesailor]

Originally Posted by Blanco

Looking on Craigslist seems they were one in the same?
They say Legacy outback?

What would be the lousy OB stuff your talking about?
I know nothing about Subaru's?

& What's the suspension difference your talking about?

I like bigger brakes.

Subaru makes the Legacy sedan and Legacy wagon.
The Outback is a trim version of the Legacy wagon which had the suspension modified ie raised up, tough looking tires put on it and plastic kick panels pinned to the body work. This played into the SUV craze and turned the Legacy Wagon into a hot seller to SUV people.

The lousy suspension on the OB makes the car handle pretty poorly sort of a cross between a Ford Explorer and a lousy sedan. Where as the standard Legacy sedan and wagon are actually viewed as some of the best handling cars in their price range making them very fun to drive even though many people consider the 165hp not big enough for their dream to have a fast hot rod etc. However the 2.5 handles LA just fine your just not going to be doing 70-80mph over the Grapevine in 100 degree weather or doing 75+ east on 10 to Palm Springs in summer heat with a nice head wind blowing at you.