Buying a 2001 Outback LLBean

[JaySun]

I have the opportunity to purchase a 2001 Outback witht the LL Bean trim and 3.0l engine with 75K miles. Anyone know of any problems or issues with that year and model? Let me know. Car is in great shape and I will be using it as a daily driver.

[Cougar]

That's what I have. It's the best Soob I have owned, also the most expensive. You need the high octane gas for it.

[JaySun]

Thanks for the info. I currently own a 90 legacy wagon and use it as a daily driver and it still runs great, but I'm looking to improve my image with the ladies as it looks like hell.

so, no one else has opinions about this model? i ask because i have heard some horror stories about the newer gen of outbacks, esp the 3.0l engine. rumour and innuendo or is there some basis to them? anyone...anyone?

[JaySun]

so no one knows anything?

[drewd]

I've got an '03 3.0l...so far ran it to 50k, no problems...had to replace an idler pulley over the winter and that's it!

[JaySun]

thanks for the advice...however, i drove the car today. not what i expected. 1st-the guy's dealer friend from colorado (we're in FLA) bought it at a hurricane auction last year after IVAN, there was some minor damage to the left front fender, he got fixed and it looked good

2nd-he's been driving it since then, but his friend uses his dealer's license so he hasn't titled it or tagged it other than dealer tags or serviced it and he's been running 87 octane in it

3rd-there was some very minor scratches to the left front fender due to damage from hurricane dennis that hasn't been fixed

4th-there were no records for the car from the previous owner who was supposedly a "lil' ol' lady from gulf breeze"

5th- the car was sluggish and rode very rough and the AC was waaaay weak, esp. while i was driving it "hard"

6th-he wanted $15900...KBB for excellent cond is only $14400 at best and KBB for good cond is $13030

i told him all these things and said that since the 60K mile service hadn't been done i would have to spend that money myself, so why shouldn't i just go a dealer and get one off the lot. he looked at me and said: "you know your stuff...most ppl around here don't know about subaru's" i told him that the $15900 pricing was for NADA dealer to private seller value and that i thought this was a private to private deal...he said he had to call his friend and he would get back with me...i also told him that most subaru owners know the brand and are fiercely loyal and to expect more of the same unless he dropped the price.

BOTTOM LINE- i'm still shopping unless he comes down to $12000

[kickson]

thanks for the advice...however, i drove the car today. not what i expected. 1st-the guy's dealer friend from colorado (we're in FLA)

 

Hmm, any idea where from colorado the dealer's friend was from? Anyways, I drive an '03 outback with 3.0l and have had no problems for the 7k miles I have driven it. (now at 20k) I'll admit it doesn't have the greatest accelaration, but I don't drive it hard, and I think my A/C works great!

[cookie]

and nobody has had any trouble at all. With the fours we start out discussing head gaskets....

[mikem]

I have an 04 3.0 H6. Love the car, very good quality for the money. However, it is sitting at the dealer, again, (fifth time) for an unknown electrical problem affecting the throttle position sensor. The symptoms vary from very erratic running and erratic shifting to uncommanded operation of the throttle so that the car will maintain 65mph with no input from the driver and the cruise control never having been engaged. I have found five other cases similiar to this on the National Highway Safety Admin. web site. My car has been out of service for almost twenty days for this in the last 16 months. It has 27k on it.

SOA rep shows up next monday for meeting. It already meets requirements for North Carolina lemon law.

Having said that, I would buy another in a heartbeat. I think this problem is somewhat isolated but it doesn't seem that way when it is yours!