I am going to look at a 2003 Subaru Legacy Sedan with 2.5L H4 tonight. It has 36000 miles and I think I can get it for about $12,000. What are the known problems to look for on this year of car?

 

Thanks for your help

Fit and finish sucks. Orange peel, poor body panel lines etc. Check the tranny fluid if an auto and if burnt walk away. Find out if the 30k service was done (not the cheapest usually about 300 or so). Make sure the tires are the same brand and tread pattern. Brake rotors tend to warp as well. Piston slap at start up when cold but its probably too warm for that. Fairly normal though!

Thanks for the reply. Why would the tranny smell burnt at that mileage? Is there a known problem?

Fit and finish sucks. Orange peel, poor body panel lines etc. Check the tranny fluid if an auto and if burnt walk away. Find out if the 30k service was done (not the cheapest usually about 300 or so). Make sure the tires are the same brand and tread pattern. Brake rotors tend to warp as well. Piston slap at start up when cold but its probably too warm for that. Fairly normal though!

Sounds like you love the 03 models!!

Also be sure you have a warranty on the HG my fathers blew on his 03 at 34k.

Thanks for the reply. Why would the tranny smell burnt at that mileage? Is there a known problem?

 

if they had mismatched tires or drove on a flat, the AWD clutches will get very hot and burn the fluid. It will also turn the fluid brown.

 

nipper

funny gut feeling...I bet it was a lease car. See if the dealer can tell you if so or not. See if they have any service history on it too.

 

Enjoy it. they are great cars.

[...]What are the known problems to look for on this year of car?

I hate to sound like Donald Rumsfeld , but you should probably consider the "unknown unknowns", too. If you get serious about plunking down $12k, you might consider pulling a CARFAX report. It can either give you more confidence about the purchase, or be a (relatively) cheap warning or bargaining tool.