Transmission Whine 2000 Outback

[forester01]

A car I am looking at is a 2000 outback with about 121000 on it and an automatic trans. The owner says he hears a whine at about 30 MPH and thinks it might be coming from the transmission. What do you all think about this? Is it likely the transmission is making noise or could it just need a fluid change? Are the tranny's known to be a problem with any of these cars? I've got a 2001 Forester with the 2.5 motor and it never given me any kind of problems. The proce on the car is pretty good and I'd have it fluid serviced and change the timing belt just to be safe.

Appreciate any advise or methods to verify the noise.

Thanks.