scotteverett

Yeah thats actually starting to become my approach. I've been using this site http://www.autotempest.com/ which is pretty great for doing a multi site cross country search for very specific cars. I'm totally willing to take off 2 days from work, fly to CA, get the car, and drive back, in fact would be fun. I guess the only challenge is I've foind the whole buying from a private seller to be hard enough as it is. So to manage to take care of it mostly online, or to fly out only to find out the person wasn't being 100% honest...

Also, I've found a handful of Outback Sports with the 2.2l, anywhere from 135K to 160K miles, usually running about 5-6K. Although I prefer the Loyale body style, the practical side of me thats been reading these forums for months is feeling like the 2.2l OBS is a safer route with less upkeep in the next few years. Even the 116k Loyale I mentioned above is still a 23 year old car...

Well, I'm headed tomorrow to look at a 91 Loyale with only 116K miles. Owner just did timing belts and battery. I think it only has studded tires, so I'm factoring in that cost. He's asking 4K because of the condition (in and out), which seems about $1500 too high, but I'm still going to go and make a reasonable cash offer and see what happens. Wish me luck!

I'd be fine with investing in the swap assuming I could A) find a vehicle with really great interior condition, and find the right engine, and C) find a mechanic willing to do the work in Seattle. But all of that also requires quite a bit of hauling stuff around it seems, and I am car-less at the moment. So having to take cabs and buses and so on, which is impractical when a lot of the good finds are outside of the city. : \

My price range is 3-6K, roughly. I've been looking at Outbacks, Impreza wagons, and Loyale's mainly. I've considered the Legacy wagons that replaced the Loyale's, but there's something about the Loyale angular body I really love. The later 90s Outbacks, like the one's linked above, are fine. I'm not in love but its probably my second favorite. The Impreza Outback Sport Wagons are also on my list, as they are a bit slimmer looking than the regular outbacks. I think my main criteria though has more to do with interior shape and engine. I would probably be happy with any of the above vehicles if the cloth wasn't stained, the car smelled decent, and the engine was going to run for me. I'll be using this car mainly for ski trips to Mt. Baker, so lots of snow, and camping, so longer trips. So the better MPG models start looking more attractive, and the higher ground clearance as well. -s

Well, in the end it didn't matter. I show up and the lady goes: "So, I just wanted to tell you that I have a full price offer on the car for $5100, so after you check it out, if you want it, you'll have to beat their offer." I was factoring in the head gaskets and a possible 2.2l swap in my overall valuation, and so If anything I was prepping to make her an offer closer to $4000. Oh well, based on your guys advice, sounds like I saved myself some trouble. Thanks again, and back to the hunt!

Thanks for the feedback guys. I guess it just comes down to risk. As far as I can tell this car has been well taken care of, has had a lot of good routine maintenenance and key work done like timing belt, and has a mechanic saying at least right now, head gasket work isn't needed. So while I totally get it, a later 2.5 or a older 2.2 is te preferred route, if I get this one, and take care of it, am I still making a mistake by takin in the risk that this engine will inevitably need work done in a manner much beyond the preferred engines? Because I've been looking for 6 weeks and really having a hard time finding either of the better engines in a decent shape car at a decent price and with a seemingly normal owner, and this guys seems like someone I feel comfortable doing business with.

Hey all, going to look at a 1999 Outback Limited today with 135K on the engine. The owner has had the following work done: 2010- Clutch 2013- Brakes 2014 (two weeks ago)- timing belt, water pump, thermostat, seals, valve cover gasket. I called the mechanic where he's had the work done, CMARR automotive, and the owner there, Eric, told me he didn't see any current issues with the Head Gasket. Based on everything I've read though here in the forums, it seems this is an automatic repair sometime in the next 20K miles, is that safe to assume? Or if I have the fluid flushed periodically is it plausible I could go without a replacement for a number of years? I was thinking of taking it to AWD Automotive to have a second opinion on the head gaskets. If I will have to replace them sometime in the next 2 years I want to factor that into the price and offer I make. The owner wants $5000 cash. Interior and exterior in great shape, leather, heated seats, etc... I've read threads here about the engine, how many owner opt to swap in the 2.2l, but I've also read that once the head gaskets are fixed, and if the engine overall is given some love on a regular basis, routine stuff, its not a bad engine per say. Thoughts? Thanks all in advance... Scott

Hey all, thanks for the replies! After more research, I finally found a pic of the style I'm referring to. I haven't been able to isolate if this cloth style is limited to a certain year or not though. It seems it was an available style in 1996 &1997 Subaru Legacy Outbacks, but I'm unsure of the style was switch in 1998 or just depended on the model. Almost all of the interior cloth pictures I can find online for 97-99 are close but decidedly different in that they have a squiggly line pattern instead of a strait line pattern, see pics below: This is the one I like: And this is the one that I'm mostly seeing pics of for any 96-99 legacy out

Hey all, noob to the forum, pleased to meet ya. I'm planning on buying a 90s legacy wagon or outback, and have read through all the engine varieties and pros/cons of each, so I feel I am ready to proceed on that front. However, one thing I've had a hard time nailing down is which years/models have which interior seat cloth. There were a lot of legacy wagons in the early 90s with a sort of Velour looking cloth. There is also a two-tone looking style that is most often light grey and dark grey, and is a little more textured, almost like a canvas/wool look to it. It is this latter style, and variations of it, that I'm most interested in learning about. Specifically, there is this one green legacy that Ive seen parked a number of times when I ride my bike to work. I always look inside when I pass it because the seat style is awesome! Its this wool like texture I mention above, but instead of just dark and light grey, there is some more colorful threads woven in, maybe a mixture of light reds/pinks with browns, and then some grey as well. Its still two-tone if I remember correctly. And it is the most wool looking of any legacy seat ive seen. Anyways, is anyone good at naming the year/models that have distinctive seat cloth colors/textures? Ive had a hard time finding any site that breaks it down well. And cant seem to find pics of the style I describe above. I also dont kow the exact year of the legacy, just that it is a wagon. My gut says late 90s. If you know of any resources let me know. I will try and sneak a picture if I spot that car again! -Scott