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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 305 of 313

#3037 of 3121 Re: Am I crazy to buy an Impreza with 156K? [aruth] by snowboardwoman

Nov 09, 2008 (10:52 am)

Replying to: aruth (Nov 07, 2008 3:48 pm)
Hi!
 
I have had quite a few Subarus, including 3 Imprezas. They are great cars for winter and I have found them to be much more dependable than the Legacy. I sold a 1995 Impreza with 160,000 miles 3 years ago for $2200. That was a pretty good deal for the buyer, but I knew that it had been driven by my high school kids, so I wasn't going to promise anything for future repairs.
 
Currently, my son in college is driving my 2000 Impreza RS coupe with 170,000. It has had its share of repairs because of his driving style, such as shocks,springs, and manual transmission, but it always starts and goes anywhere with snow tires.
 
The mileage is not such a big deal if you don't plan on putting a huge amount of miles on yourself. You should be able to get 2-3 years more out of the car. Have a local garage check it for rust, undercarriage issues, suspension, and basic engine stuff, including belts. Find out a little about the driver. Makes sure he didn't do pizza or newspaper deliveries!
 
The PRICE seems a bit high, so check out Kelly Blue Book online values for your area and then offer a little over the wholesale price. The seller will let you know if they are interested or think you are crazy! If the car hasn't sold for a month, they may be surprisingly interested. Sometimes I print out the values to show the seller.
 
Put some winter tires on, such as Nokians and you will be able to drive anywhere this winter!
 
Hope this helps.

#3038 of 3121 Re: Am I crazy to buy an Impreza with 156K? [snowboardwoman] by aruth

Nov 09, 2008 (11:10 am)

Replying to: snowboardwoman (Nov 09, 2008 10:52 am)
Thanks for the great feedback! Deciding now between the Impreza and a 2001 Forester with "only" 96K on it. Looking forward to becoming a Subaru owner!

#3039 of 3121 Re: Am I crazy to buy an Impreza with 156K? [aruth] by leo2633

Nov 09, 2008 (6:17 pm)

Replying to: aruth (Nov 09, 2008 11:10 am)
I have a 2001 Forester with 184,000 miles on it. I'm the original owner, and have maintained it religiously since new. It's had a few issues, but is an otherwise great vehicle. If the one you're looking at has been well maintained, it may be a car you can depend on for many more years. Good luck!
 
Len

#3040 of 3121 Re: Am I crazy to buy an Impreza with 156K? [aruth] by caliberchic

Nov 11, 2008 (6:55 am)

Replying to: aruth (Nov 09, 2008 11:10 am)
Congrats on your decision! Hey I snowboard too and love it!

#3041 of 3121 Re: Am I crazy to buy an Impreza with 156K? [aruth] by xwesx

Nov 11, 2008 (2:03 pm)

Replying to: aruth (Nov 09, 2008 11:10 am)
It depends highly on the car itself. Subaru vehicles are fantastic, in my experience, but if they have problems, they can be a complete nightmare. In particular, watch out for head gasket issues. The Forester, at 96K, may be due for a major service (is it 105K on the Forester, as with the Legacy/Outback?) including timing belt. That is several hundred dollars at a shop, so factor that into the purchase price. For me, known history on a used car is quite valuable. Without it, I have less confidence in the vehicle's apparent condition and therefore will not pay as much for the car.
 
I put nearly 140,000 on my 1996 Outback after purchasing it at 83,000, and had I not lost it with 220,000 miles on it, I would likely still be driving it today with nearly 260,000 on the ticker. Were I not able to do much work on it myself, though, I would have put in a few thousand in repairs over the years to get there. As it was, I would say that I spent, on average, about $500 a year in maintenance and repairs during the six years I owned it.

#3042 of 3121 Re: Am I crazy to buy an Impreza with 156K? [aruth] by ateixeira

Dec 02, 2008 (9:23 am)

Replying to: aruth (Nov 09, 2008 11:10 am)
I would check for oil leaks and maybe do a compression test on that 2.5l boxer engine, to make sure the head gaskets are still sealing properly.
 
I agree that the Outback Sport was a bit overpriced.

#3043 of 3121 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport by shawmou

Feb 17, 2009 (9:19 am)

Hi all,
 
I'm looking for a Subaru Impreza Outback Sport for my son. Can anyone contribute suggestions/comment about this car?
 
Thanks in advance.
 
Terence

#3044 of 3121 Re: Subaru Impreza Outback Sport [shawmou] by rsholland

Feb 17, 2009 (10:09 am)

Replying to: shawmou (Feb 17, 2009 9:19 am)
Great vehicle. I did the same when my son got his driving license back in 1996. He's now 30 and on his second Outback Sport, an '06 model.
 
Bob

#3045 of 3121 Re: Subaru Impreza Outback Sport [rsholland] by xwesx

Feb 17, 2009 (10:23 am)

Replying to: rsholland (Feb 17, 2009 10:09 am)
Other than two-tone paint and a roof rack, is there anything unique about the OS trim? A friend of mine recently (Sept) purchased an '08 Impreza hatch, base model, and it seems like a solid little car. The price was pretty good, too.

#3046 of 3121 Re: Subaru Impreza Outback Sport [xwesx] by rsholland

Feb 17, 2009 (12:27 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Feb 17, 2009 10:23 am)
Yes, the Outback Sport gets the AWP (heated seats, heated outside mirrors and a windshield deicer). In the Impreza model line, you have to move up to the WRX Premium in order to get those features, as they're not available on any other Impreza.
 
Once you've experienced bun warmers, nothing else will do.
 
The Outback Sport also gets 17" wheels with 205/50x17 tires and a slightly raised suspension. Other non-turbo Imprezas get 16" wheels and 205/55x16 tires.
 
Bob

Messages Page 305 of 313

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