I suggest getting any vehicle you you may purchase inspected. If it is the H6 engine, the chance of a HG failure is next to none, but they still need regular service (and recommend premium fuel). Depending on your local, price is a little above average but not horrible.

 

Find out in your area which independent garage is specialized in Subaru and Japanese auto. A lift + visual pre-purchase checking should cost about $80 to $120 and it gives you confidence of if big job is needed or not.

6 cyl should be in timing chain so 105k mile timing BELT replacement is not in the schedule.

Bean-o is nice but I don't like beige leather, personal preference, I like interior grey or black leather.

The price of 9,995 is kind of high side.
If everything is good then I think i will counter-offer $8400 - $8900 range.
Excellent trade-in is $8300 in nada.com

 

Thanks folks. No matter where I buy a car from, I want to take it to an indep. mechanic and luckily I found one who quoted around 80 bucks. They even said to have the seller come with me to see what he finds wrong, if anything. If the seller has a problem with me or them taking it to the mechanic, then no sale (at least to me.) There will be more cars for sale, no need to rush into a mistake. I was just wondering if I should go with a 4 cyl or 6 cyl. From what I can see, less problems with a 6cyl but lower mpg and higher fuel expense. For those with a bean-o, does anyone use the lower grade or even mid grade? Around here it is around .30 more per gallon, around $5 more per fill-up.

 

They run fine even on 87 octane, but down a little on power.
An H6 is worth chasing if you do a lot of freeway driving.

Dave

 

I use midgrade (89) in my 2003 LL Bean, as did my grandmother for 7 years before she sold it to me a couple months ago. Only use premium if the price comes down to recent midgrade prices.