First Time Subaru Owner - 2003 Outback Limited

[Grifforama]

Hi Everyone,
Wanted to introduce myself.
I've just plonked down 3500 dollars on a Subaru Outback Limited. 2003. Black leather. Black paint.
188k on the clock.
The dealer put in new head gasket, new alternator, timing belt.
It's a really clean 1 owner car. Highway miles.
The only thing that seems to be an issue right now is the CD/CD Changer isn't working. I'm going to check the fuses. And the right indicator relay seems to be playing up. It's intermittently going fast.
I bought the car as a daily driver from my new house to the station. Probably around 20 miles per day, 5 times a week.
Also bought it due to Subaru's glowing reviews in the snow. There may be lots when I'm going to be living.
I hope I have a deal here. I think I have. KBB seemed to think around the 4500 mark. The mechanic I took it to thought it was worth 6k.
Anyway, I feel it's worth it.
I will be no doubt on here from time to time with questions..
Regards
Griff

[cardoc]

Welcome.

Check for a blown bulb on the side that blinks fast.

If the radio works and the CD player does not, it's not a fuse. New stereos are cheap with a warranty at Crutchfield.com. They also have refurbished units even cheaper.

[geardoc]

Looks just like mine. I picked up one this winter with 122k and put some winter tires on it. Its working great.

Just curious if you feel a slipping occasionally when you ease off the throttle slightly and then press on the gas again? Thats what mine does now but its not really an issue.

[jp1203]

Not uncommon for those CD changers to die. The one in my 2004 was shot when I bought it.

Like cardoc said, a good double-DIN stereo isn't expensive to get. Crutchfield will give you the required adapters and great instructions (which are also posted here somewhere) as well. Changing the stereo is a piece of cake in the 2nd generation Outbacks.


I dunno about it being worth 6k, my 2004 L.L. Bean with 50k fewer miles and an H6 engine would probably not fetch a whole lot more than that on a private sale. But, regardless, I think you did get a good price if it's mechanically solid.

[cardoc]

The stereo installation is a cakewalk for the models without the amplifiers. I had to make a harness to run from the head unit to the speaker harness under the pass front seat. But that was the Mc system.

[jp1203]

Originally Posted by cardoc

The stereo installation is a cakewalk for the models without the amplifiers. I had to make a harness to run from the head unit to the speaker harness under the pass front seat. But that was the Mc system.

...and because the OP's is just a limited, it shouldn't have that system.

This Outback is definitely the easiest stereo I've swapped out so far.


One tip if you go about changing it. I believe your car has its antenna printed on one of the windows in the trunk. If this is the case, you'll need to hook the blue amplifier power wire to it. If you don't do it, the amp for the antenna won't get power and you'll get next-to-no radio reception.

[Grifforama]

No blown bulbs.
It looks like it might be an issue with an electrical connection in the indicator/headlight arm itself going into the driving column.
It's intermittent, but seems to connect if it's moved slightly forward when indicating right.
It's a small pain, but I don;t really want to get it seen to just yet, as it would mean leaving my car at a mechanics to take the column apart...I don't have the funds to do that yet.

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by jp1203

I dunno about it being worth 6k, my 2004 L.L. Bean with 50k fewer miles and an H6 engine would probably not fetch a whole lot more than that on a private sale. But, regardless, I think you did get a good price if it's mechanically solid.

I agree. I just picked up a pretty minty 2003 LLB with 83,000 miles (134,000 km) for $6200 this past weekend.

[TchTchr]

Originally Posted by jp1203

...and because the OP's is just a limited, it shouldn't have that system.

It shouldn't but it could have it. I just pulled a bass unit and window tweeters out of a '98 at a local pull-a-part yard that were dealer installed. The car still had the installation instructions in the owner's manual folder. Sometimes you just get lucky. I payed $4 for all the speakers - the bass unit is going into my truck.

Anyways, congratulations on your new ride. Stay on the forum and share your OB experiences with all us.

[cardoc]

Originally Posted by Grifforama

No blown bulbs.
It looks like it might be an issue with an electrical connection in the indicator/headlight arm itself going into the driving column.
It's intermittent, but seems to connect if it's moved slightly forward when indicating right.
It's a small pain, but I don;t really want to get it seen to just yet, as it would mean leaving my car at a mechanics to take the column apart...I don't have the funds to do that yet.

Actually, you can change the multifunction switch inside an hour with simple tools. (screwdriver/socket) And, if you don't like Subaru's part price, you can use an aftermarket like BWD.

Take down the lower panel from under the column/dash. Take out the screws from the bottom cover to split the upper and lower pieces removing the lower and slightly rotating the upper right. Disconnect the plug. Unscrew the switch and remove. Put it all back in reverse. Gravy.

I've attached a pic. Ignore the steering wheel being removed. Its just a pic to show the switch with the covers moved.