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Subaru Outback Prices Paid and Buying Experience

3416 messages,  Last post on Jun 19, 2013 at 8:38 PM

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

Messages Page 166 of 342

#1648 of 3416 Certified Used with RUST Damage?? Help! by ladydayc

Jan 09, 2009 (7:13 am)

Last week my husband purchased a 2004 Subaru Outback that was Certified Pre-Owned by a Subaru Certified Dealer.
 
After two days, I noticed a rust spot on the front hood of the car. Then, inspecting more closely, I saw that there were more rust spots which had been painted over (and they hadn't even done a very good job at it). They were at the bottom front of the car, so unless you were really looking for them, you wouldn't notice. Also, there was a patch of damage (about a quarter sized -- maybe hit a curb) around the same area that had been repaired with any sanding of the metal or anything).
 
So I checked the undercarriage and noticed more rust. For a car with only 37,000 miles, there shouldn't be this much rust unless...
 
We are very concerned that this might be a flood vehicle (It came from Georgia and we live in New York) But, as a certified used car, it came with a clean carfax report and they are supposed to do a 140 point inspection, etc etc...
 
However, I noticed something fishy. On the carfax and dealer documents, our car is listed as a Subaru Legacy Outback. But the car is a 2004 Outback 35th Anniversary Edition. Nowhere on the car is it labeled "Legacy". The car is not a Legacy right? Or were the models simply used interchangeably at that time??
 
HELP! We paid the blue book value on this car for a car in great shape, and assuming because it is certified and backed by the Subaru name, that we didn't have to worry about these things or have it checked out by our own mechanic. Is it possible this car is listed under a stolen VIN or title? Or some kind of mistake?
 
How should we approach the dealer?

#1649 of 3416 Re: Certified Used with RUST Damage?? Help! [ladydayc] by kyfdx@Edmunds HOST

Jan 09, 2009 (11:27 am)

Replying to: ladydayc (Jan 09, 2009 7:13 am)
All regular Outbacks (not the Outback Sport) are Legacys.. Whether labeled that way, or not...
 
The "Certified" cars basically come with an extended warranty. Does yours have a warranty? I'm not sure how much would be left... An '04 is a 5-yr-old car..
 
As far as rust on the under-carriage? I can't see it from here... but, most cars look pretty rusty under there... It's mostly surface rust, since the components aren't painted (generally).
 
regards,
kyfdx

#1650 of 3416 Re: Certified Used with RUST Damage?? Help! [ladydayc] by ateixeira

Jan 09, 2009 (12:16 pm)

Replying to: ladydayc (Jan 09, 2009 7:13 am)
Call 800-SUBARU3 to speak to customer service. Sounds like a shoddy repair. The dealer may not have known about it if the previous owner did not disclose whatever damage they tried to cover up, and back then the paint looked OK.

#1651 of 3416 Re: Certified Used with RUST Damage?? Help! [ladydayc] by indianajohns

Jan 09, 2009 (1:12 pm)

Replying to: ladydayc (Jan 09, 2009 7:13 am)
I don't mean to be so matter of fact but, the only "mistake" seems to be buying a used car without thoroughly inspecting it for problems. Especially when you are paying Blue Book EXCELLENT condition prices. It's not Subaru's problem that you didn't inspect the used vehicle prior to purchase. If you had read the Blue Book description of EXCELLENT condition you would've noticed that it describes Excellent Condition as:
 
"Excellent" condition means that the vehicle looks new, is in excellent mechanical condition and needs no reconditioning. This vehicle has never had any paint or body work and is free of rust. The vehicle has a clean title history and will pass a smog and safety inspection. The engine compartment is clean, with no fluid leaks and is free of any wear or visible defects. The vehicle also has complete and verifiable service records. Less than 5% of all used vehicles fall into this category."
 
Notice that it says free of rust, never had any paint/body work, clean title history, Also note, it says less than 5% of all used vehicles fall into the Excellent catagory.
 
It is possible you had a vehicle that sustained flood damage. The only way you could tell is if the vehicle was totalled by the insurance company. Then their would be a Salvage title. The CarFax report is never going to tell you anything except when it has a Salvage Title. Total Loss is normally reached when the total cost of repairs reach 70% or more of the vehicle's value. Some flood damage could easily be fixed for a fraction of that. Point being, it could've been flood damaged but there is no way of ever proving it. In my opinion, you should've inspected the vehicle before buying it.

#1652 of 3416 Re: Certified Used with RUST Damage?? Help! [indianajohns] by ateixeira

Jan 09, 2009 (1:31 pm)

Replying to: indianajohns (Jan 09, 2009 1:12 pm)
Remember this is CPO. She paid more because Subaru was supposed to do that for her, a fair expectation IMHO.

#1653 of 3416 Re: Certified Used with RUST Damage?? Help! [ateixeira] by kyfdx@Edmunds HOST

Jan 09, 2009 (1:35 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 09, 2009 1:31 pm)
I wonder if it's really certified... Does Subaru certify five-yr-old cars?
 
My local Chevy dealer has a sign on every used car that says certified... but, it doesn't mean anything...

#1654 of 3416 Re: Certified Used with RUST Damage?? Help! [kyfdx] by ateixeira

Jan 09, 2009 (1:37 pm)

Replying to: kyfdx@Edmunds (Jan 09, 2009 1:35 pm)
Good point. Coming from a dealership it means nothing. Coming from the manufacturer it certainly does.
 
If that CPO was a dealer claim, I'd go back to the dealer. Of course all they will do is try to get you to trade up to something else, perhaps offer you full KBB on your trade.

#1655 of 3416 by ladydayc

Jan 09, 2009 (3:05 pm)

Thanks to those who offered advice opposed to insults (which really don't help us at all at this point, unfortunately.)
 
The car is actually CPO. Subaru certifies cars up to 6 years old, with certain specifications. And it is under warranty until June '10 (for powertrain and bumper to bumper).
 
Already spoke to Subaru about the problem who told us to approach the dealer and then return to Subaru customer service to make sure it was resolved to our satisfaction.
 
thanks!

#1656 of 3416 Re: Certified Used with RUST Damage?? Help! [kyfdx] by xwesx

Jan 09, 2009 (6:48 pm)

Replying to: kyfdx@Edmunds (Jan 09, 2009 1:35 pm)
My local Chevy dealer has a sign on every used car that says certified... but, it doesn't mean anything...
 
Hehe, sure! They are certifying that it was owned by someone prior to it being on their lot! It is a certified pre-owned car!

#1657 of 3416 Re: [ladydayc] by ateixeira

Jan 12, 2009 (10:45 am)

Replying to: ladydayc (Jan 09, 2009 3:05 pm)
In that case, let's give them a chance to respond, but please keep us posted.
 
You pay more for a CPO to avoid this exact type of problem.

Messages Page 166 of 342

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