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Subaru Impreza Outback Sport & TS

3121 messages,  Last post on Nov 18, 2009 at 12:30 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Subaru Outback, Wagon


Messages Page 272 of 312

#2711 of 3121 1998 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport by mikeyb

Dec 02, 2004 (2:47 pm)

Replying to: brattobaja (Aug 03, 2004 3:10 pm)
I'm thinking of buying a 1998 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport. Its got 145k miles on it. I was wondering if anyone could offer advice as to what things I should be looking out for on Subaru this age/mileage.
 
I have not seen the car yet but the brakes / battery / alternator and timing belt are new. The clutch is the original.
 
I guess my concern is that some cars still have another 50k of miles left on them at 145k of miles but others totally fall apart after this type of mileage. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
Mike

#2712 of 3121 with just minor trim changes by nippononly

Dec 02, 2004 (6:18 pm)

that car is exactly the same as the '97 I used to have. Watch out for clutch chatter - it was common from a young age in this car, and if it is bad enough you may want to factor in the cost of a clutch replacement right off the bat. Apart from that these cars are very durable. Look for leaking oil seals on the engine (as well as behind the timing cover) - they tend to do that and can make a mess, although not be particularly urgent to fix.
 
If it still has the original struts, they may be well and truly wasted by this point, and it is quite expensive to replace all four on this car if you can't do it yourself - I was quoted no less than $1000 by several different places two years ago for replacement with OEM shocks. Find out if those have ever been done.

#2713 of 3121 Re: with just minor trim changes [nippononly] by mikeyb

Dec 02, 2004 (8:51 pm)

Replying to: nippononly (Dec 02, 2004 6:18 pm)
thanks for the advice 'tis much appreciated

#2714 of 3121 by ateixeira

Dec 03, 2004 (10:46 am)

At that age it's all about the care they took. Ask to see all the receipts for service. By now just about every single wear and tear item should have been replaced (or will need it soon).
 
-juice

#2715 of 3121 Re: 1998 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport [mikeyb] by lumbar

Dec 03, 2004 (12:51 pm)

Replying to: mikeyb (Dec 02, 2004 2:47 pm)
On balance, this is a very minor issue--but watch out for the plastic wheel covers! If you're fussy about appearance, the so-called "locking mechanism) (i.e., a piece of plastic) tends to break and the covers fall of models around this time period. I never cease to be amazed at the number of OBS & Imprezas from this generation that I still see with missing wheel covers. I've also been told by a dealer that the cruise control has a relatively high rate of problems, if that option is on the vehicle.
 

#2716 of 3121 by ateixeira

Dec 03, 2004 (1:59 pm)

I sold my wife's wheel covers to an OBS owner, so good call!
 
We get used alloys to replace the steelies.
 
-juice

#2717 of 3121 1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport by dajabec

Feb 13, 2005 (12:22 am)

I just bought a 99 OBS manual transmission with 163000 miles on it from a dealer "economy" lot. I have always wanted one, and having about $5000 to spend on a car I thought I'd look for one, since my old car (89 volvo 740 GL) was having tranny problems. Found this one and since there was another manual Legacy Outback on the lot that just had the clutch replaced I figured they checked everything out on these cars and do what has to be done before they sell them. I test drove it for probably 20 minutes and didn't notice any problems. I have rarely driven a stick before, however so I don't really know exactly how they should behave. I do however love actually driving the car instead of just shifting into drive and pushing the pedal... Anyways, I got them to $3,600 with my trade ($1000) and was happy with it. Came in early a couple days later - since I work in the afternoon - and paid for the car and began driving it home... which is where the fun begins.... leaving the city traffic and beginning the hour and a half drive home from where I bought it, I began a steep climb at 60 mph when the tranny started slipping and the rpm's started pegging. I laid off the gas and climbed the hill at about 45 mph with smoke starting to come off the car. Pulled off first exit, headed back, got to the lot and after telling them what happened and them driving it around and taking it to the shop, gee they say the clutch is burned up. They say they will replace it and make everything right for me and give me my old car back to drive home.
 
Isn't this something that should have been caught or just some bad luck and a good job of trading in a vehicle by the previous owner at the right time? I don't know whether to be thankful to have them eat the cost of a clutch (and whatever might be wrong) or worry what else might be lurking for me to fix. Like I said earlier, I got it from a car dealer that was a trade-in so I'm figuring they at least looked at the thing to make sure it was mechanicanlly sound. I might as well have bought private party, at least I might get it home then!
 
Anyways, any suggestions or comments (like, buying a car with 163000 miles you moron!) would be appreciated.

#2718 of 3121 by ateixeira

Feb 13, 2005 (6:33 am)

I bet the previous owner felt it beginning to slip and then traded it in.
 
It's possible they would not have known, so I wouldn't worry about it as long as they replace it.
 
Think of it this way - your clutch will be newer than the guy that bought a 2005 model yesterday and put 16 miles on it.
 

 
-juice

#2719 of 3121 Side impact crash ratings? by herreshoff

Feb 13, 2005 (5:49 pm)

Heya everyone,
 
I've been doing a bit of research into these Subaru Impreza's and I've noticed that there is no data on rear side impact crashes. Anyone know why the data is this way? My best guess is that the car is so short that there's no way to do the side impact crash test in the rear of the car.
 
Thanks!
 
John

#2720 of 3121 Re: Side impact crash ratings? [herreshoff] by bluesubie

Feb 14, 2005 (7:48 am)

Replying to: herreshoff (Feb 13, 2005 5:49 pm)
Does anyone test the rear?
 
-Dennis

Messages Page 272 of 312

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