I've been offered the chance to buy a '95 Outback wagon with:

 

• 154K miles
  
• automatic transmission replaced two years ago
  
• new belts
  
• new valve cover gasket
  
• non-working gas gauge
  
• back hatch that doesn't open with key.
  

Asking price is $3,675 OBO

 

I have no previous experience with Subarus at all. Would appreciate any and all advice anyone is willing to offer on the following questions:

• Is the asking price reasonable?
  
• What's the cost/hassle involved with fixing the problems with the gas gauge and back hatch?
  
• What is the life expectancy for the car with reasonable regular maintenance? Is this a car we can expect to get another 100K-150K miles out of?
  
• Any other problems/defects associated with this model/year we should look out for?
  
• Any specific questions we should be asking about the car's performance or maintenance history?
  

I will pass on the selling price. The sending units (2) are easy to do,pull up mat in cargo area remove plates (2) If AWD. Cost about $90 each at dealer. Go to locksmith for rear hatch. That is normally a 300K engine on normal maintanence. This includes radiator coolant replaced every 2 years. This is probably a 2.2 engine none interferce design, 2.5L is interference type prone to headgasket problems. Are you sure its valve cover gaskets and not head gaskets? Rotate tires and or replace to keep circumferecnes identical for the AWD. They are slightly more unique that other inline engines so find a mechanic that is knowledgable. My wife bought another after 18 years of an 80 with original engine and tranny with 210K miles . Has a 95 AWD legacy now for 5 years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've been offered the chance to buy a '95 Outback wagon with:

 

 

• 154K miles
  
• automatic transmission replaced two years ago
  
• new belts
  
• new valve cover gasket
  
• non-working gas gauge
  
• back hatch that doesn't open with key.
  

Asking price is $3,675 OBO

 

I have no previous experience with Subarus at all. Would appreciate any and all advice anyone is willing to offer on the following questions:

• Is the asking price reasonable?
  
• What's the cost/hassle involved with fixing the problems with the gas gauge and back hatch?
  
• What is the life expectancy for the car with reasonable regular maintenance? Is this a car we can expect to get another 100K-150K miles out of?
  
• Any other problems/defects associated with this model/year we should look out for?
  
• Any specific questions we should be asking about the car's performance or maintenance history?
  

I have a '97 with 153,000, all maintenance records, nice stereo, everything works, and it had head gaskets replaced pre-emptively at 140K. I put it here and on Craigs List for $3,700 a month ago, in the middle of a bad winter here in the Greater Boston area.

 

The highest offer I've gotten was $2,500 via email and no one has even come to look at it. I decided to keep driving it, I figure it will still be worth $2K at 175K miles.

 

So, based on my experience, it's not worth more than $2,000 or so. Never overestimate the market for high mileage cars.

I wouldn't touch an EJ25 in the 1996 - 1999 Legacy...unless it was dirt cheap.

 

Is the 1995 Outback just a Legacy wagon with two tone paint. or does it have more ground clearence?

 

I paid $5900 for my 1996 OBW manual 2.2l, with 90,000 miles on it in April of 2004...all maintnece records...including EVERY recipt for oil changes. :-/

I'm assuming new belts includes the timing belt...if so how "new", if not, add $300 to replace it.

First off, it has an EJ22, not an EJ25 (the EJ25 wasn't the standard engine for the Outback until 97, optional in 96), this was the first year the Subaru offered the Legacy Outback, abd there wasn't much difference between it and the regular Legacy wagon. Per the NADA and Kelly Blue book, it is priced about correctly, but a lot of that depends upon where the car is, there are great diiferences in regional prices. I have a 95 AWD 'L' model wagon that I picked up at an auction for $2300 recently, I check both to Kelly Bule book and NADA after I bought it so I know what they say about the prices. The car sounds pretty good, it doesn't take long to change the rear lock in the hatch, I did it in about ten minutes, if you purchased a new lock, you could take it and your current key top a locksmith, and they could re-key the lock to match your key. I would offer the $3000 as a starting price and go from there. Ask for the maintenance records if he has them, or where he got the car maintained.

In 1996 it was an option...but I think like 85% of them built were automatic, thus having an EJ25.