potter2010 Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Hello, I posted a few days ago about my car that won't pass safety. We're looking at a few used models online and since I've always gotten good advice on here I'm wondering what people's opinions on the five were looking at are, if there's any to avoid or a gem or two in there. I haven't seen any in person but the pictures online don't show any noticeable damages or rust and all are wagons/crossover. A couple have been brought up from the States in the past, if that makes a difference.-2009 Tribeca (216,000 km), $10,995 (dealer) -2008 Outback 2.5i (205,000 km), $8,995 (dealer) (American) -2005 Outback 2.5XT Wagon (230,000 km), $6,000 (private) (American; turbo and timing belt replaced at 160k; $3k of work done in 2014 with receipts) -2004 Impreza (194,000 km), $3,000 (private) (Timing belt replaced at 150k) -2004 Impreza (192,000 km), $3,500 (private) We're a family of three, mostly short in city trips with the occassional long distance trip a few times a year. Thank you in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golucky66 Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 My mom has a 09' tribeca, It gets like 16/17 mpg city driving, just be aware of that. does have lots of room with 7 seats, though rear most seats are kinda cramped... Outbacks tend to be nicer cars to ride in, and more of a "family" car then the imprezas. Though the imprezas are perfectly good cars. Not exactly sure about your location, but here in North East US, rust is a huge factor on all subies. Can easily make or break a car's value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtdash Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 DO NOT buy the XT - turbo engines are not recommended. The Tribeca has the 3.0 or 3.6 H6 engine...may be better than a 2.5 but as noted, MPG in town won't be good. All of the rest will have potential HG repairs looming - unless you can get verifiable proof they were done. GL, Td Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 What were you driving or what are you driving now? How old is the offspring? not sure, but the Tribeca with the 6cyl 'may' also need premium fuel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
potter2010 Posted January 9, 2016 Author Share Posted January 9, 2016 Right now we're driving a 2001 Subaru Legacy L, have been for three years now and I really enjoy the car. The offspring is four.Even though it is the most, something about the Tribeca catches my eye but I've heard almost nothing about it before starting my search. I'll have to check into the fuel thing, doin't really feel like spending an extra $0.20/litre!I've been reading up on the HG issues, of which I only knew of in more general terms. I'm happy we've neve rhad an issue, potentially the previous owner had the work done.Thanks for all the advice so far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
potter2010 Posted January 12, 2016 Author Share Posted January 12, 2016 No luck so far, the wife is being a bit pickey and vetoed the older models, a couple no replies and she read an article about the head gaskets (which she was horrified to find out included our 2001). Now I'm looking at a 2010 Outback with 190,000km on it and has had the timing belt replaced at 100,000km. The pictures look good so I'm talking with the owner to take a look at it. It's fairly high kilometerage for the year but the only way we could afford one that new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster2 Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 I would not worry about your 2001 head gaskets that much. If they leak, it results in a small amount of coolant dripping to the pavement. Subaru offers a coolant conditioner to treat the potential head gasket problem of 2001. Recommend you add it to your coolant, if you have not done so. It is good insurance against minor coolant leaks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtdash Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 (edited) I would not worry about your 2001 head gaskets that much. NO offense, as I'm not a mechanic, but I wouldn't trust any Subaru 2.5 head gasket older than about 2010 (EJ-series). If you've made it past 150K miles yours may have been done. The HG do not fail catastrophically and leave you stranded (usually). You'll have time to monitor and plan for the repair ($1500+ USD). GL, TD Edited January 12, 2016 by wtdash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Pin Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Had a Tribeca....not the best car Subaru has ever made. Bad mileage, poor HP if the 3.0. Limited productions so parts are not as easy to come by later. Outbacks are a good bet for your size family. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinsUBARU Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 I would give serious thought to one of those Outbacks before any of the Imprezas. The Tribeca would be at the way bottom of the list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovemyGLWGN Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Thanks for this topic, potter2010. I too am considering just replacing my '88 Loyale for a minute, as it recently developed some mysterious engine problem... (to keep it short), and am looking on here for ideas, recommendations, thoughts. May need to post my own search, though, as to not interfere with yours! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golucky66 Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 (edited) What were you driving or what are you driving now? How old is the offspring? not sure, but the Tribeca with the 6cyl 'may' also need premium fuel. If it has the 3.0 then it is supposed to have the 91 octane (in the states) where as if it has the 3.6 you can run regular 87 (in the states). And I say can as that's the recommended fuel by subaru not can as in you can for 50k miles. Edited January 16, 2016 by golucky66 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 My two cents. What does "replaced the timing belt" actually mean? Because if just the timing belt was replaced you could have a problem. Is it reasonable to expect the pulleys and tentioner to go 210,000 miles? I don't think so. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
potter2010 Posted January 17, 2016 Author Share Posted January 17, 2016 Thanks for this topic, potter2010. I too am considering just replacing my '88 Loyale for a minute, as it recently developed some mysterious engine problem... (to keep it short), and am looking on here for ideas, recommendations, thoughts. May need to post my own search, though, as to not interfere with yours! No problem, but all the advice is coming from the great members of this forum. Thanks everyone. With regards to our 2001, we bought it fairly cheap with 210,000km on it and now leaks about a litre of coolant a year. I wasn't really sure where it was coming from but with the comments here I'm guessing it's the head gaskets. Monday we're checking out the 2010 Outback I mentioned so the head gaskets are less of a worry. It's high kilometre but that makes it affordable. I'll ask what other work was done at the same time as the timing belt as The Dude mentioned. That's too bad about the Tribeca though, looks nice but I figured there must be a reason why they don't make them anymore. Thanks for the heads up! How is the coolant conditioner that Rooster2 mentions? Some people have said it's great but I've read other places that it's not recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailcutr Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Just buy an older model and put some money in it. Then go on a vacation with the rest. No need to spend more than a couple grand on a subaru. They last forever. If you get an 05 or a 2010 you are just buying an expensive used car with problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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