[kevdiggity40]

Thread title says it all. It's a 2011 2.5i with 100k miles, previous corporate vehicle, obviously primarily highway. Still trying to figure out how they put that many miles on it. Asking price is $14.5 k and I'm sure I can get it a bit lower. Anyway, it's otherwise in great shape and every service was done on the dot. I have a newer Volvo XC70 and a Toyota Sienna and would probably use it as a commuter car and for rougher trips in the Sierras (want to keep the Volvo nice and clean). I only drive 8-10 k miles per year and would hopefully keep the car for 5-6 years, putting at ~ 150k miles. Looks like I'll have a timing belt change coming up but otherwise I'm tempted. What do you guys think? Thanks, in advance, for all comments.

p.s. Long-time Legacy/Outback owner: 92 Legacy wagon in college, Gen 2, Gen 3 and never quite warmed to the Gen 4 styling. Figure this is a good way to try it out at a lower cost.

 

[paulfolio]

That's a lot of miles in a short about of time. I'd be weary.

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

corporate vehicle?

seems too much like it could've been abused like a rental.

if you got it very cheap and maybe with a warranty, but - seems risky

 

[statueim]

Still trying to figure out how they put that many miles on it.

I put ~45k miles on my Outback in its first year before moving closer to work. It's not too hard, you just have to have a long commute of about an hour of highway driving each way (probably why a company car was provided to the individual who owned it). Or, maybe they were a sales rep who traveled a lot (probably even more likely) who needed to haul some samples in the back.

Those are probably all fairly light highway miles (the occasionally stop-and-go traffic thrown in). I haven't looked on bluebook at the value compared to the 14.5k being asked, but if the price differential is big enough, it could very well be worth it.

 

[subiesailor]

LOL all depends on price- records and if it had the 100K timing belt job done.

I found that in some cases company cars which get replaced at 100K tend to see long oil change intervals given they know that at 100K the car gets replaced which case it makes no sense for them to change the oil slightly early before the max suggested interval etc.

Price matters - if you can get a new OB for just a few grand more 100K 2011 isn't worth it

 

[GasGuzz]

... otherwise in great shape and every service was done on the dot. I have a newer Volvo XC70 and a Toyota Sienna and would probably use it as a commuter car...

$14.5K/lower sounds right. Might want an Ind take a look at it, put it on a lift. The usual fluids/brakes/tires/wear-tear costs/caveat with Used.
100K if that’s a CVT, that’s a testament to the forum.

 

[subiesailor]

CVT - have them service the fluid even if they protest that its a sealed gear box. Mine will get done around 60K

 

[kevdiggity40]

LOL all depends on price- records and if it had the 100K timing belt job done.

I found that in some cases company cars which get replaced at 100K tend to see long oil change intervals given they know that at 100K the car gets replaced which case it makes no sense for them to change the oil slightly early before the max suggested interval etc.

Price matters - if you can get a new OB for just a few grand more 100K 2011 isn't worth it

Carfax shows all services done right on time, including oil changes per the manual. All fluids have been changed with the exception of the CVT. Timing belt not done yet but it's something I would bring up in negotiations (and would probably request they do prior to sale).

Again, this would be my play car. If I get 50 k/5 years out of it without too much $$ in repairs, I'll be happy. If I can save close to 10k over new buying a reasonably reliable car to knock around, I'm probably in.

 

[kevdiggity40]

$14.5K/lower sounds right. Might want an Ind take a look at it, put it on a lift. The usual fluids/brakes/tires/wear-tear costs/caveat with Used.
100K if that’s a CVT, that’s a testament to the forum.

I looked at Edmunds TMV and it's close to 17k, which really surprised me. I'll check out KBB/Clearbook.

 

[GasGuzz]

Fleet cars normally get scheduled maint, ours does (4mos OCI on the dot).
But if it was one of ours, no way I’d touch it. My work/div 08 Grand Cherokee only has 48K on it, but it’s idling hot-summer/cold-winter a good 85% of the time (normalized, I’d say it has 140K on the engine).
Maint is one thing, user (or error) is another. But per the OP, it’ll be on cost-benefit.

 

[4wheeldog]

If it was a car assigned to a single salesperson, I would have no problem snapping it up. If it was a pool vehicle, I would be very hesitant.

Personal responsibilty is an unknown, with pool vehicles, much like a rental. Something someone uses as a personal tool on a long term basis is treated with more respect. Just sayin'.

That said, it has been thoroughly shaken down, so no teething problems here.

 

[upflying]

Still trying to figure out how they put that many miles on it.

Two year old car with 100,000 miles? Two years equals 730 days or 137 miles per day.
Quite a bit more miles perday if you deduct for vacations, holidays and weekends.
The hardest miles are stop and go with a lot of cold start ups. I suspect this car was always warm and always on the highway. 100,000 miles on a traveling salespersons car are EZ miles.

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

yeah, rethinking it a little - dunno how much monkeying-around/abuse you could inflict if you're too busy just driving.

does it stink like cigarettes when you turn on the a/c?

 

[fatabbot]

That's a lot of miles in a short about of time. I'd be weary.

A 2 year old car with 100k miles is likely more reliable than a 10 year old car w/ 100k miles.

Having said that, I probably wouldn't buy it. For that amount of money, lots of other vehicles out there that would be reliable and likely a more fun daily driver.

 

[kevdiggity40]

I would use it as a daily driver but as mentioned above, I'll need AWD/4WD for winter abuse in the Sierras on hiking/skiing/biking trips. The AWD system and decent MPG, plus the fact that my daily commute is only ~ 30 miles round trip has me tempted.

 

[NinjaTurtle2.5]

I'd be hard pressed not to pick up a 2009 or earlier model with less miles for the same price... Might score some real wood inside too.

I am a sales representative and I have put on 40k on my car in around 14 months, and my car drives like new. Not everyone takes care of their car like I do, but I don't know too many companies that provide foreign cars for their sales representatives. I would think it was purchased individually by the sales person, and hopefully taken care of as such.

Good luck on your purchase and search.

 

[fatabbot]

I would use it as a daily driver but as mentioned above, I'll need AWD/4WD for winter abuse in the Sierras on hiking/skiing/biking trips. The AWD system and decent MPG, plus the fact that my daily commute is only ~ 30 miles round trip has me tempted.

I'd be more inclined to find a lower mileage used Outback Sport for that amount of money. Fuel economy wouldn't be any better, but would be much more fun to drive and you wouldn't be looking at the expensive 105k mile maintenance as soon.

 

[vr4Legacy]

For $14.5k you can find quite a few 4-5 year old Subarus with much less mileage and as mentioned more fun to drive. I'd look around and check some prices on lower mileage Subarus first.

 

[kevdiggity40]

I'd be hard pressed not to pick up a 2009 or earlier model with less miles for the same price... Might score some real wood inside too.

I am a sales representative and I have put on 40k on my car in around 14 months, and my car drives like new. Not everyone takes care of their car like I do, but I don't know too many companies that provide foreign cars for their sales representatives. I would think it was purchased individually by the sales person, and hopefully taken care of as such.

Good luck on your purchase and search.

Thanks for the feedback. I forgot to mention that along with AWD and MPG, I'm attracted to the larger back seat of the Gen 4. I have a 4 yo, 2 yo and a baby due in a few days, so a roomier backseat would be nice. Of course, they don't always have to go along on my mountain trips.

I will say that my Gen 3 LL Bean in Willow Moss was my favorite car of all-time and favorite color scheme of all-time. I really wish Subaru would continue that color with the Gen 4. My wife and I realized a rear facing infant seat was all but impossible if we wanted to sit comfortably in front (I'm 6'3", she's only 5'4" but still lacked room in front of the infant seat).

Thanks for all the responses.