Hi all! Been reading around here a bit, first post. I will do my best to present relevant info, but I really don't know much more than what I am sharing. Here it goes:
I am a long time Subaru owner, but only of 2.5s ('02 Legacy wagon, '08 Outback LTD). Both were reliable, and ultimately felled by head gasket/oil/coolant issues (180k and 145k respectively). Beyond that my peevs with the car were limited acceleration power, chintzy suspension (fair amount of tough roads in northern VT), and of course the inevitable head gaskets/timing belt stuff.
From what I have read and can tell the 3.0 H6, though not a guarantee to be immune to the above issues, does a good job to be better than the 2.5- more oomph, beefier suspension, and less of a certain head gasket mess.
I have located 2 different 3.0 H6s near each other and close enough to me that I can go see them. Here are some quick stats- forgive the fact that one is a Gen2 and one a Gen3:
2002 w/ 84k. One owner. "mostly used to commute back and forth to the train". Private seller. Asking $5500
2008 w/ 67k. Not sure how many owners. Carfax indicates regular servicing with most work done at a dealer. Dealer sale. Asking $12900
I know lots of people on here have said to beware of dealer sales (overheating being why the car would be brought back for trade). Though I am Subaru literate, I am hardly a mechanic, and some of the radiator tests folks recommend on here would be tough for me to pull off in a pinch without looking like a total ass.
My gut tells me that the private sale is a better deal if only because in the worst case scenario that it overheats right away and I put a new JBL (or whatever the aftermarket engine seller is called) that I will still end up with a decent deal. Please take into account that any warranty on a dealer sale will be almost useless for me since I won't be driving hours to get it serviced should it need something.
A mechanic I trust once schooled me to beware of 2.5s that are older model year and low miles, since any gas/oil/coolant left in the firing chamber would form a solvent that faster eats at a head gasket. Forgive my wording if this isn't exactly accurate- you get the idea. His bottom line was that a newer, higher mileage car was safer in the gasket dept. than an older lower mile 2.5. Does this hold true (if it was true to begin with) for the 3.0?
Would love any input or questions as I try and resolve a gameplan in the coming days.
Thanks!
I am a long time Subaru owner, but only of 2.5s ('02 Legacy wagon, '08 Outback LTD). Both were reliable, and ultimately felled by head gasket/oil/coolant issues (180k and 145k respectively). Beyond that my peevs with the car were limited acceleration power, chintzy suspension (fair amount of tough roads in northern VT), and of course the inevitable head gaskets/timing belt stuff.
From what I have read and can tell the 3.0 H6, though not a guarantee to be immune to the above issues, does a good job to be better than the 2.5- more oomph, beefier suspension, and less of a certain head gasket mess.
I have located 2 different 3.0 H6s near each other and close enough to me that I can go see them. Here are some quick stats- forgive the fact that one is a Gen2 and one a Gen3:
2002 w/ 84k. One owner. "mostly used to commute back and forth to the train". Private seller. Asking $5500
2008 w/ 67k. Not sure how many owners. Carfax indicates regular servicing with most work done at a dealer. Dealer sale. Asking $12900
I know lots of people on here have said to beware of dealer sales (overheating being why the car would be brought back for trade). Though I am Subaru literate, I am hardly a mechanic, and some of the radiator tests folks recommend on here would be tough for me to pull off in a pinch without looking like a total ass.
My gut tells me that the private sale is a better deal if only because in the worst case scenario that it overheats right away and I put a new JBL (or whatever the aftermarket engine seller is called) that I will still end up with a decent deal. Please take into account that any warranty on a dealer sale will be almost useless for me since I won't be driving hours to get it serviced should it need something.
A mechanic I trust once schooled me to beware of 2.5s that are older model year and low miles, since any gas/oil/coolant left in the firing chamber would form a solvent that faster eats at a head gasket. Forgive my wording if this isn't exactly accurate- you get the idea. His bottom line was that a newer, higher mileage car was safer in the gasket dept. than an older lower mile 2.5. Does this hold true (if it was true to begin with) for the 3.0?
Would love any input or questions as I try and resolve a gameplan in the coming days.
Thanks!