I'm looking at a 1999 Forester with 177,000 on it. It's at a dealer I trust. Car was a Nevada highway driver. New clutch, drives nice, all details appear good. they're asking $6000 out the door. I'm getting flack from friends/family about the high mileage, but I know that these engines can drive strong for a long time.

 

We also own a 2004 Legacy Special Edition that's been reliable so far, has 36,000 on it.

 

Any advice on the 1999 possible purchase is really appreciated.

 

--Todd

if you look on ebay, it seems you can buy a forester with that many miles for half the price OR buy a forester with half the miles for the same price. I'm not saying go buy a forester off ebay, but use it as a barometer for what cars are going for.

 

the expectation of buying from a dealer is that he fixed everything and you're buying a car that "needs nothing" and that's why you're paying more. did this dealer change the timing belt, water pump, brake pads and rotors, tires, headgasket, etc or did he just do an oil change and do a "100 pt inspection?" unless he did all that or has records of it being done recently, I wouldn't touch that car. I'd rather buy the same car off ebay and put the other $3000 in the bank and take my chances.

 

I have a 00 forester s with about half the miles that I'm thinking about selling this spring. I was thinking I'd get $7k for it. either this dealer has it right and my car will be a steal for someone, or....

if you look on ebay, it seems you can buy a forester with that many miles for half the price OR buy a forester with half the miles for the same price. I'm not saying go buy a forester off ebay, but use it as a barometer for what cars are going for.

 

the expectation of buying from a dealer is that he fixed everything and you're buying a car that "needs nothing" and that's why you're paying more. did this dealer change the timing belt, water pump, brake pads and rotors, tires, headgasket, etc or did he just do an oil change and do a "100 pt inspection?" unless he did all that or has records of it being done recently, I wouldn't touch that car. I'd rather buy the same car off ebay and put the other $3000 in the bank and take my chances.

 

I have a 00 forester s with about half the miles that I'm thinking about selling this spring. I was thinking I'd get $7k for it. either this dealer has it right and my car will be a steal for someone, or....

 

Thanks ... I'll be talking to the dealer again tomorrow, and will pop some of these matters into the mix ... especially all the service records of the items you specified.

 

I'll let you know how it all turns out, if you're interested (and you must be ... you replied).

 

-T

Yeah, that sounds really high, even with the stuff they fixed. Closer to $4,500 would be more reasonable, in my opinion. On the other hand, your market may be different than ours, so maybe that is a good deal. How does that price compare to similarly-aged Subies with less miles?

 

Brian

I wouldn't spend more then $5000 on a '99 Forester with that many miles. That year does have the Phase 2 2.5, which has less HG problems then the Phase 1. But my dads '00 Legacy with the Phase 2 has 190K, and the RF HG has just started leaking. We bought the car with 168K, and I don't know if the HG's went bad before that or not. Any car with that many miles has a chance of blowing a HG.

Yeah, that sounds really high, even with the stuff they fixed. Closer to $4,500 would be more reasonable, in my opinion. On the other hand, your market may be different than ours, so maybe that is a good deal. How does that price compare to similarly-aged Subies with less miles?

 

Brian

The local subaru market will affect the price, but I can't beleive subaru's are SOOOO valuable there that they have that kind of premium. also look at it from the dealer's POV-- he's got this hi mileage car. who's going to buy it? he probably sees you as a christmas blessing sent to him. I think he'd be LUCKY to get $4500.

 

the fact that he's asking so much probably means he expects a lot so you may have a difficult time haggling him down. if you can't get it between $3500-4500 depending on the condition of the car, then I'd just walk. I agree with the other poster, I'd rather buy a $3000 car off ebay and use the money I save as my "insurance" money for repairs.

To all who helped me on this: Thanks. I ended up purchasing the 1999 Forester for $4600. Your input gave me a good perspective on the value of the car. I'm happy with the deal, and the salesman and finance manager received, from me, a bottle of Irish whiskey for their work on the deal (and as insurance for their future cooperation with me when it's time to buy the next Soobie).

 

Happy holidays, all ... and be safe out there.

 

--Todd