1998 Legacy GT Wagon, like new, $6,200obo

[Bronson]

1998 Subaru Legacy GT wagon, 123,000 miles, 4 speed automatic, metallic silver, meticulously maintained by a certified automotive gearhead for over 9 years, 2nd owner car, both primary drivers females. All service records and receipts. Amazing all weather capability, ABS, 21 city/26 highway mpg. Super clean body and interior, looks and drives like new, no body damage, newer tires. Sport cloth charcoal interior, leather steering wheel and shifter, moonroof, newer audio head unit with aux jack for MP3/IPod, aftermarket door speakers. $6,200 obo. Free and clear title. Cash-only buyers please. PM me with questions.

[SovereignAxe]

Dude, that is beautiful. That car should go quick.

[Bronson]

Thanks. I'd really love to see someone turn it into a battle wagon with a a EJ20T turbo motor swap, coilovers, some nice 17s, and install the euro roof rails in place of the rack. I've really enjoyed the car and I hope our new 07 Outback has the same reliability and dependability as this jewel of a car.

[subiesailor]

Regardless of the condition your price is way off the scale! Which means a swap into this car makes it a pretty lame deal. For $8000 which is what some one would have in it by the time they pay your ask and do a swap - they could simply buy a decent WRX and be done with it.
1995 Subaru Legacy 4 Dr L 4WD Wagon Shown1998 Subaru Legacy GT 4dr Wagon AWD True Market Value Pricing
Trade-In Private Party Dealer Retail
National Base Price $1,802 $2,434 $3,306
Optional Equipment $92 $127 $193
Keyless Entry System $14 $20 $30
AM/FM/CD Audio System $27 $37 $56
4-Speed Automatic Transmission $51 $70 $107
Color Adjustment
Silver $10 $14 $19
Regional Adjustment
for Zip Code 94556 $70 $95 $129
Mileage Adjustment
123,000 miles $59 $59 $59
Condition Adjustment
Outstanding $403 $521 $723
Total $2,436 $3,250 $4,429

Certified Used Vehicle

[Bronson]

Price is based off the following things:

1) NADA value vs KBB value based on my zip code. Using this information, the overall price is in the $5600-5700 range. The $6,200 price is negotiable.

2) Pricing above NADA/KBB is based on 6 months of research in the Midwest region of Outbacks and LGT wagons selling in the area. The $6,200obo price is actually a bit less than what many people and dealerhships are asking for with lower optioned, higher mileage, and visually damaged Outbacks in the region. Using CA numbers isn't valid because of the immense amount of cars available in that region.


The car is in prime condition. Good luck finding one that is remotely as clean or perfect on the inside or outside. Unlike most any other similiar year Outback/LGT for sale, this car needs absolutely no work. You can be nearly 100% assured that buying an 97-99 Outback/LGT for $4,000-$4,500 will need $1,000+ worth of work within a month. This one needs nothing.

Timing belt/oil pump/water pump replaced at 88K miles
New KYB shocks at 100K
Newer rotors and pads
Newer tires with 80% life left
Newer NGK plugs/wires/coil pack
1 y/o battery
Two new reman OEM front half-shafts
Valve cover gaskets recently replaced
Powersteering pump reservior O-ring recently replaced
Knock sensor recently replaced
Starter contacts rebuilt in March

Interior is spotless. No signs of wear and no funny smells. On the exterior, the car looks basically new. These are niche cars.

[TEXN]

The car is very clean and obviously well maintained. We are providing honest opinions (or criticisms, if you prefer). This car still has a very distinct possibility of a head gasket failure and at this price, I believe many (like myself) will shy away due the higher price and still unknown major headache that plagues all early 2.5l motors.

I finally am having to replace my 1984 Volvo 760 turbo...been wanting to find a used Legacy or Outback but a clean 2.2l is very hard to find. Moving on to Honda/Acura or even a Tacoma (hefty premium in the northwest).

[Bronson]

Originally Posted by TEXN

The car is very clean and obviously well maintained. We are providing honest opinions (or criticisms, if you prefer). This car still has a very distinct possibility of a head gasket failure and at this price, I believe many (like myself) will shy away due the higher price and still unknown major headache that plagues all early 2.5l motors.

I finally am having to replace my 1984 Volvo 760 turbo...been wanting to find a used Legacy or Outback but a clean 2.2l is very hard to find. Moving on to Honda/Acura or even a Tacoma (hefty premium in the northwest).

We bought this car with 52K miles on it back in 2001. There was no record of a head gasket repair. Surprisingly, we've not had the issue either. I'm almost certain the HD issue is a direct result of the driver. If you drive the car harder and use the full sweep of operational rpm, then you're probably going to have HD failures because more power = more heat generated = more stress on the HD. My wife is a crusier and rarely goes over 4000rpms. I think this why we've had no issue with the HD. Additionally, the coolant has been changed twice by Subaru and on the last coolant change I made sure that the coolant additive was added.

With that said, the car is no longer pristine. On Tuesday morning, my wife informed me that our friend had backed into the car. Damage includes a scraped up rear driver's side passenger door moulding and two dents in the door. I'll be refinishing the moulding (ie have an automotive gun) and will massage some of the dent out, but I'm not going waste money having the door refinished. The paintless dent removal shop said they'd only be able to get about 60% of the dent out. I'll let the next owner decide if it's worth it because most people probably won't even notice it. I'll be lowering the price to around $5,100obo.

[subiesailor]

2nd owner no known prior history and regardless of your perception of how the HG's fail its both related to driving - maint and they simply just fail regardless so your concept of what causes it isn't really correct.

If you were the original owner and knew everything about the car you "might" get your ask price prior to the fender bender. Since your 2nd owner with no idea what the car did for 52K your top asking price is way off - add the fender bender and its obviously way off base. My 2001 legacy GT with leather and factory top of the line audio system with 100% full records, HG job, Timing belt job, and new tires would not fetch 6K with 123,000 miles on it so your cloth GT 4spd AT ain't going to get that sorry. 3-4K is a realistic asking price before and after the fender bender.

[Bronson]

I'll take my chances. Completely whored out, beat up 150-190K mile 96-99 Outbacks/Legacys easily fetch $4,200 - 4,500 in the KC metro and last about 2 days on Cars.com. This isn't CA or the east coast. I had already gotten 3 sight-unseen offers for $5,300-5,400 from my Craiglist listing (with pics). If it takes me 4 months to sell the car, so be it. We're not in a hurry. The KBB Private Seller "good" condition value, which the car easily meets even with the dent, is right at $5,000.

I know the history of the car up to 52K miles as I've got every single record for the car for the first 2 years of it's life and it was a trade-in at a local Subaru dealer. The car was never been in for warranty work. Basing a car's value on what could possibly happen in the future is downright silly. The car has shown absolutely no indication of a head gasket failure (ie coolant temp spikes, overheating, foam/debris/much in the radiator or tank).

[Wagondude]

Don't worry B, in late October or early November when folks start remembering last winter you'll sell for your asking price. Just remind them what Christmas Eve brought last year (I had to drive that mess from Lenexa to Lawrence).