13 replies to this topic

[jarl]

...for a 2001 Legacy GT?

I'm in Ft Lauderdale, about to start a trip of some 2k miles (Thursday)... and I don't have a car yet. I'd like to avoid renting a car ($800 or so) and it would be a good opportunity to replace my '99 OBW, which needs some maintenance. But so far I have not seen a soobie worth of being bought.

Enter a dark green '01 Legacy GT sedan Limited, automatic, with 145 k or so on the odometer. The thing is, the car is far from perfect, and I don't know if the pricing is fair. The carfax shows 3 crashes, but the title is clean and the only trace of a problem is a slight misalignment of the hood. There's just a tad of paint bubbling in the rear wheel well (the car was in CT until '09), an some cosmetic damage on the interior (glossy part of the wood trim peeling off because of the sun/heat).

The real issues that worry me are:
- there is torque bind
- check engine light on, codes P0304 and P104
- leak at the last junction of the exhaust, behind the rear axle
- the rear end of the sunroof doesn't close flush with the roof, but maybe a tad less than 1/4" lower.
- the all too familiar smell if the engine oil evaporating on the exhaust was present

The car is being sold by a Volvo dealer, which obviously don't have a clue about the car, and the list price was $5k. The last offer I heard today was $4.4k title in hand. I'm very tempted, and it would save me renting a car to drive home to MI. But how much is the car worth by itself? How much is it to fix the torque bind? The rest of the stuff is probably not critical, but a bargaining chip

I would really appreciate some input.

Thanks!

Edit: I have the carfax for it, if it helps. The file is too big to put it here, though...

Edited by jarl, 09 October 2012 - 07:45 PM.
Added detail

[J A Blazer]

Way overpriced, in my opinion, given the obvious problems that you already see, not to mention the ones not yet apparent.

[johnceggleston]

+100, too high.

i have a 00 legacy wagon w/ 85k, auto trans, new head gaskets, ready to go, for $5000. clear coat peeling on hood.
let me know if you are interested.

[jarl]

Thank for the prompt answer....

I agree it's overpriced. Still, the question is how much should I expect to pay for a car in similar conditions. It looks like finding a decent Subaru down here is impossible. Actually, finding *any* decent car down here (for a decent amount of money) is impossible. (Here's the carfax, btw)

Right now my options are limited because of the short time I have before driving north, and if I don't buy something I'll have to give $800 to a car rental, and I'd rather put that money in a car instead of giving it to them.

According to Edmunds that car (in "average" condition) should be $3200. Is that realistic? Including title and registration, maybe $3500?

(Btw: I though the one of the codes was P0104, but I remember it was something to do with the front O2 sensor)

[J A Blazer]

My concern is that a car with those problems has probably been neglected, which means that it might leave you on the side of the road somewhere you don't want to be.

[lmdew]

If you rush into something most likely it will cost you more.
Anything that needs that amount of work is not a good bet for a long trip before the needed maintenance is done. Fly there and Drive Back? FL is not a Subaru place.

[davebugs]

run away!

[cal_look_zero]

I just bought one in similar condition... for $800

[jarl]

Je je... I know, believe me. The thing is my brothers wanted to visit me (in MI), but want to drive along the Mississippi, and they invited me to go along. I just traveled a couple of days in advance to see if there was a car that would save us the rental. So, it's either buying something or pouring those $800 down the drain and investing some money on the '99 (it needs struts, a new windshield and other niceties). I love my OBW (and my wife likes it even more... she really wanted another OBW) but I know it's money that will never be recovered in any shape or form, so buying another soobie was very enticing. I guess I'll have to look into a Jetta wagon :-\ or something like that.

I learned my lesson about Florida cars as a whole, and Florida "private dealers" as well (hint: there seems to be none, and most of the cars have a grim history behind them). Next time I'll convince my brothers to go to Oregon or Colorado

[avk]

Just take a bus.

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[jarl]

I missed the "Run away" before my last post. Ok pals... you talked me out of it... But I still need a car! (Wagon and 4WD if possible)

Here's the hardest question for you: if you were forbidden from having any more subarus, what would you buy? CR-V? Volvo V70XC?

Heck... I was considering a '99 Mercedes 300TE

Re:Take the bus. Did it once (NOLA to Chicago). Never again.

[mikec03]

Well, in your price range, look at the old nissan pathfinder with the 3.3 engine. I know that the 3.3 is a very reliable engine since I'm been driving a van with it for 12 years.

I almost started to look for a pathfinder before I bought a 95 subaru because I noticed that their used prices were kind of low.

[davebugs]

Around here structural rust is what kills the Pathfinders. So definately crawl under and check that out.

[jarl]

Around here structural rust is what kills the Pathfinders. So definately crawl under and check that out.

Someone asked me today why didn't I use something to get rid of the rust. My answer was "because I would dissolve the car"

Rust is the reason I'm reluctant to do anything on the Soobie. I know once I'm done doing anything the car will be much better, but I'm afraid of breaking bolts in the process. The body is not that bad, but I've had bad experiences with some of the bolts and I'm not in a hurry to spend 10 hours removing one bolt /nut