Broken Soob, Good Buy?

[arimattson]

I found this car in the auto trader. I called and the guy said the car kept overheating, even after he had just replaced the water pump and thermostat. I'm thinking I could buy it and put a engine in it. I got an engine quote for $750, so what do you guys think?!? I'd probably offer him 750 for the car, so it could be worth while.

 

http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=190350308&dealer_id=57002852&car_year=1996&search_type=used&make=SUB&distance=300&model=&address=93003&certified=&advanced=&max_price=3000&bkms=1132597068404&min_price=1&end_year=2006&start_year=1995&isp=y&lang=en&cardist=128

[tunered]

I found this car in the auto trader. I called and the guy said the car kept overheating, even after he had just replaced the water pump and thermostat. I'm thinking I could buy it and put a engine in it. I got an engine quote for $750, so what do you guys think?!? I'd probably offer him 750 for the car, so it could be worth while.

 

http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=190350308&dealer_id=57002852&car_year=1996&search_type=used&make=SUB&distance=300&model=&address=93003&certified=&advanced=&max_price=3000&bkms=1132597068404&min_price=1&end_year=2006&start_year=1995&isp=y&lang=en&cardist=128

i would find out if the trans is good ,if the struts has been replaced,if the car has been kept up its a good buy,but if everything has been let go,BUYER BEWARE.

[crws]

From recent experience, I would discretely try to find out if he used an OEM thermostat. I did 2 pumps/T-stats on 2 different vehicles (1990 2.2's) and the MotoRad thermostats I used were $1 less than OEM. Both vehicles got hot. The OEM stat seems to have a superior flow and temperature regulation. I'm told this is via design to integrate with emissions equipment, optimizing engine temperature at 195 F. When I replaced both stats with OEM's, whola- rock solid 1/3 guage. BTW- NO Subie expert I called, even the dealer- had a clue about this possibility. That is actually when I found this board, searching for overheating clues. If that's the case- and it's a 2.2 (very few head gasket issues) sounds like a deal. A 10mm socket, OEM stat, and liquid container makes for a quick change after driving down the block and around the corner.

[nipper]

I found this car in the auto trader. I called and the guy said the car kept overheating, even after he had just replaced the water pump and thermostat. I'm thinking I could buy it and put a engine in it. I got an engine quote for $750, so what do you guys think?!? I'd probably offer him 750 for the car, so it could be worth while.

 

http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=190350308&dealer_id=57002852&car_year=1996&search_type=used&make=SUB&distance=300&model=&address=93003&certified=&advanced=&max_price=3000&bkms=1132597068404&min_price=1&end_year=2006&start_year=1995&isp=y&lang=en&cardist=128

 

For that price, and maybe needing an engine, and at worse a engine tranny, thats not bad at all. I bet the tranny is ok. Copare it to a car that is in good condition in your area, i think yould come out ahead.

 

nipper