hey guys, just had a question.  Buying a car on vancouver island, going back up north soon, and found what seems to be a good one. 1993 legacy ls with 124k kilometres on it.  only real issue i see is the subaru mechanic working on it says it needs a computer, because overdrive wont work.  seems to drive kinda meh without it.  seems tranny is working irratic without the new computer, but with one, could be good.   they want 2200 for it with comp, but would probably have to buy the car first.  tranny fluid and oil have been checked/changed  and are clean.  Just when you step on it, it over revs, seems to want to switch to overdrive.

 

Do you have any suggestions about what else might be wrong with car?  as i said, seems to be all good, i just want to know if thd computer will make a definite difference to the shifting ability and all.  they are also selling a 98 forester with apparently new gaskets, with 190k, but he also wont budge on 4000 for that one.

oh, and its automatic

Could it be that the automatic is overfilled? as in too much ATF. I had that once and it really did not like it, neither did the lock-out work. I removed some oil and then it was fine.

Well apparently the guy has worked on lots of subies, so I'd hope he would know better. Lots of cool ones littered around the yard.  Not in the market for a brat though, heh.  He also has computer hanging out infront of pedals, so he seems to think that was issue.  he thinks issue happens to some of the same model year.  Such low kms and no rust is so damn appealing.  Boxer engine sounds great

if you buy it, keep in mind you may need to replace the trans.

 

if the computer is the only problem, tell him to fix and you will buy.

throw in another $100 for the computer and the labor, if it works.

 

if it does not work, walk away.

and tell him you will up front you will.

 

this is no risk to you,

but it makes him prove he knows what he is talking about.