My wife and I are considering purchasing a '96 Subaru Legacy Outback 2.2L wagon in my area.
It's $800, 195k miles on it.
I've previously owned a 98 Impreza hatchback, and a 92 Legacy wagon - been around Subarus most of my life (the '92 was my ma's), and have done maintenance chores like oil changes, timing belts, head gaskets, spark plugs, that sort of thing.
So, the details on this old wagon….
Carfax is clean. No accidents. And it shows very regular maintenance, oil changes, transmission fluid, timing belts every ~80k, etc. Current owner bought the car at 35k (lease vehicle). He showed me receipts from a local mechanic, new clutch 2 years ago, rear drum brake repaired. Totally regular maintenance, oil changes, and timing belts every ~80k miles (last one was at 168k).
It's NYC and he doesn't drive it much. Less than 2k miles/year since 2008.
The biggest outstanding "known" issue is leaky exhaust, in the front. It SEEMS to be the joint between the "dual" front exhaust pipes and the catalytic converter. I can spot exhaust smoke coming out of that flange It's also possible the front pipes leak where they meet the cylinder heads.. You can smell exhaust in the cabin at idle if you're stationary. But he says it passes NY state inspection/emissions(!) as is. He replaced the muffler/rear pipe a few years ago, but didn't do the front at that time. So I believe most of the exhaust system is fine.
Oddball minor issue, he shifter is TOTALLY LOOSE/floppy even when it's in gear! That's a new one for me. You can move the shifter side to side even when it's in gear. Trouble?
Other than that the transmission/clutch seemed great. (can be hard to get into Reverse but they all do that right?).
Here's the biggie.
While there wasn't an oil slick on the street where it was parked,
the area under the left valve cover seems to have a fair amount of oil coverage (suspension arm, etc). I'm concerned about the oil, and what looks like engine coolant. Blown head gasket?
There is green "coolant" on parts of the frame/other bits south of the left valve cover (!). Here's a good photo:
http://gallery.mac.com/paulievox/100735/IMG_0178&bgcolor=black/
Bit different angle, note the CV boot for orientation.
http://gallery.mac.com/paulievox/100735/IMG_0180&bgcolor=black
Here's the front exhaust pipe coming out of the passenger's side cylinder head. This where the exhaust leak is, I think. Note the green "coolant"
http://gallery.me.com/paulievox/100735/IMG_0172&bgcolor=black
http://gallery.me.com/paulievox/100735/IMG_0174&bgcolor=black
The CV joints seem fine. No knocking. Boots feel good. Engine has plenty of power. Brakes are iffy, likely need replacing (at least the rear drums). Front calipers appear extremely rusted, and the discs looks pretty worn. The ol' EJ22 Has a slight "knock" going on,but they can get Subaru "piston knock" as well correct?
Does this look like a blown head gasket? Would you run away for $800?
I haven't taken it to a mechanic yet, though I don't have a Subaru mechanic in NYC so I'd have to track one down. That's why I'm here.
As mentioned, the owner is super cool, told me who his mechanic is, and invited me to talk with him and see the complete repair history. I am confident that if he KNEW this vehicle had a blown head gasket/other somewhat major issue, he would absolutely tell me. But he's not a gearhead, and doesn't drive it very much. I don't think he's had it in for oil change/service in 8+months, as I said he doesn't put many miles on it these days.
For your consideration:
For ~$500 in transport cost, I can have my sister's old '96 civic coupe. It's mechanically sound, new exhaust, ready to rock. Much more road worthy than this Subie is right now. But it's a 1.6L 4speed. I love Subarus, but I don't have a great space to work on one. The insurance for my wife and I is much cheaper for the Legacy in our area, so that's a consideration.
Would you take the chance on the Legacy? Or get the Honda out here and be done with it?
Thanks if you've made it this far. Like I said, If I move forward I still want to have it get a good "once over' by a mechanic, but I don't have one I trust -- this will be my first car since moving to NYC in '04.
