"webmonkees" (kayoteq-of-the-forest)
11/02/2013 at 03:32 • Filed to: None
0
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"webmonkees" (kayoteq-of-the-forest)
11/02/2013 at 03:32 • Filed to: None | 0
| 9 |
A lovely example of a 1998 Subaru Impressa Outback Sport Wagon and whatever else they called it.
Not as many obvious holes as say, this random parking lot seller. Automatic, so just for evaluating typical condition. That's golf-ball sized holes, not baseball. Forget it if it's up to baseball.
I've been trying to find me a entry-level 97-up Subaru with the two challenging parameters of 5 speed and sub-$1000. Plus timing. Those three things have come together into a noonish meeting.
I'm not looking for concours. Just all the components in the right places and nothing that says 'your'e gonna have to pull that motor. Just a little bit, hopefully, to put a clutch in there. The front seems suspect for alignment. All I can do is look at tire wear and angles. Or something obvious.
Or I ask. It's dented all over the place, so no need to be shy.
In some way,s it's beter than my friend's hail-damaged variant of this model. But they've gotten paid the value of the thing about twice. This one looks like somebody big sat on the front or something. Yeah,I'll be looking under that bumper. Under everything.
Unfortunately that bad clutch still means a lot of stuff can't be tested. I can idle and check the cooling and the revving and the little air vents and door locks. All those things that don't break on my older Subaru because it doesn't have them.
Risky?. Back away? Adjust offer? Await fate to hang another one in front of me?
ddavidn
> webmonkees
11/02/2013 at 03:45 |
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I have one of these in the garage, but it's an automatic and a 1998. I'm not much help, but I thought I'd mention it.
SLR999
> ddavidn
11/02/2013 at 04:47 |
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Curious as to how much these things rust.
Was looking for a late 90's Outback on Canadian AutoTrader recently and there were barely any left.
Where'd they go?
George McNally
> webmonkees
11/02/2013 at 07:51 |
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Run away from this car. It doesn't look like it's been loved.
Subies don't do well when their maintenance is ignored.
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webmonkees
> George McNally
11/02/2013 at 10:31 |
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It's the white one, not the red one. But yeah, I can see your point. Lots of systems that scared me on previous Subie test drives are not able to be tested.
Those scary sounds. . rumble in the back, no sir i don't like it. I ended up after a few rotty cars going for a Brat.
My Brat has most certainly not had maintenance ignored. My joke to friends is I get to do all the breaking.So hold out for nice, set a top budget. and keep a cynical eye.
desertdog5051
> webmonkees
11/02/2013 at 11:43 |
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The first thing I would ask, if it has over 75K on it is, Have the timing belt and tensioning pulleys been replaced? I can tell you from personal experience that those should be replaced by 75-100K miles or you can have catastrophic engine failure.
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webmonkees
> desertdog5051
11/02/2013 at 11:58 |
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Oh yes, if I actually get to the seller's that's part of the inquiry and inspection.
. Yeah, I OCD the heck out of these thing for not owning one. (with fuel injection, you kids.)
. My budget accounts for HG/water pump/timing belt change either before or after acquisition. If needed. But I don't need a money pit.
So on the upper range of the local market is one asking $3200 for the same year and model. With all the parts, admittedly. But still. Book is 1850. Delusional.
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ddavidn
> SLR999
11/02/2013 at 13:07 |
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I haven't had a problem with rust. I also see quite a few of them around here (western washington) including a couple in my housing development. The only issues this subaru has had, to my knowledge, are a bad water pump a long time ago and currently the radiator is a little leaky. Not too bad for 200k miles.
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ddavidn
> desertdog5051
11/02/2013 at 13:16 |
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Yes, this. In fact, I am about to have mine replaced again...
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SLR999
> ddavidn
11/02/2013 at 14:09 |
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But do you have snow and salt in your neck of the woods?