'98 Forester, 140k miles, automatic "Needs some mechanical work" $750 obo. Upon inquiry I'm told it is believed to need gaskets. I don't know yet if it overheated badly in the process. I haven't seen it in person, either, just pics.

 

The price seems attractive to me, at least if ALL it needs is head gaskets. I could do it myself, but really don't have the time. I know that the EJ25 DOHC has a bad reputation for head gaskets.

 

Also less than thrilled with the automatic, but mainly because if my perception that they don't last as long as manuals.

 

At this price is it worth paying a shop to do the HG's? Any other advice?

Without knowing if it was serverally overheated, I wouldn't buy it unless I was willing to replace the motor if need be. Be careful.

+1^ ditto......

Balance what you do know with what you don't know.

 

140k=88,000 miles

Head gasket job=$2500

Asking price=$750

 

If the above is acceptable to you it is time to go and look.

 

Checking for:

Condition (the overall condition will tell you how the car was treated)

Service records (reasonably important)

How the motor runs (smelling the oil, and looking in the coolant tank)

 

Then you can decide.