Hi all,

 

The time has finally come, and i'm on a definate hunt for a new, used sube. Naturally, this necessitates several questions. Naturally, i've turned to you all for help.

 

I'll ry to keep this as short and succint as possible, but it could get a little long. I was unsure if I should break it up into several different threads, but here goes...

 

Here are the criteria of my search:

 

Outback or Legacy wagon

2.2 or 2.5

manual

@ $8000 (i've got to watch the payments...)

ideally nothing older then a '98

ideally with a sunroof ) superficial I know, but i really miss having one)

 

My Questions:

 

Part 1

 

1) are there any "safe" years for the 2.5 as far as the headgaskets go?

2) when was the last year for the 2.2?

3) are there any specific models that came with sunroofs, or was that an option?

4) using $8K as a max price, what is the max milage you all would be comfortable with ? ( i realize that it is condition dependant, but ballpark)

 

Part 2

 

1) what should one look for as far as thecar in concerned? i recently looked a fithly outback for sale: the interior and exterior were filthy, the motor was fithly ( it hadn't been detailed at all) the brake fluid was filthy, the air filter was sooo dirty that it ha stuff HANGING from it...and thetires didn' have much life left. what else should i look at? i forgot about the tranny diptick on that one ( which i "passed" on)

 

Part 3

 

1) Any tips/ tricks for dealling with used car salesmen? (and sales women)

any tips or haggling advice?

 

Part 4

 

Any specific models to avoid?

 

Thanks in advance for all advice, it is always greatly appreciatted!

 

Sicerely,

 

jared

I think 99 was the last year for the 2.2 liter.

 

The whole 2.5 headgasket thing is really a crap shoot. I've heard of some people having no problems, and others having tons.....

 

I really haven't heard of too many issues with the 2001+ models. whether that's because they just don't have enough miles on them, or they fixed something. I don't know.

I think 99 was the last year for the 2.2 liter.

 

The whole 2.5 headgasket thing is really a crap shoot. I've heard of some people having no problems, and others having tons.....

 

I really haven't heard of too many issues with the 2001+ models. whether that's because they just don't have enough miles on them, or they fixed something. I don't know.

 

I agree with all this. I'd go 5 speed, and if your going in hawk for 8 grand you should have alot of buying power. Why not have your bank lend you the money "at a lower interest rate" and then you can buy from private party, where you will save alot over high pressure car dealers. A 3.0 H-6 would really be cool. Good luck