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Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Subaru Outback Prices Paid and Buying Experience
2202 messages, Last post on Nov 24, 2009 at 6:47 PM
You are in the Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum. Your Hosts are car_man & kyfdx
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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?
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Replying to: ladydayc (Jan 09, 2009 6:13 am) 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 |
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Replying to: ladydayc (Jan 09, 2009 6:13 am) |
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Replying to: ladydayc (Jan 09, 2009 6:13 am) "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. |
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Replying to: indianajohns (Jan 09, 2009 12:12 pm)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 09, 2009 12:31 pm) My local Chevy dealer has a sign on every used car that says certified... but, it doesn't mean anything...
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Replying to: kyfdx (Jan 09, 2009 12:35 pm) 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. |
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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!
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Replying to: kyfdx (Jan 09, 2009 12:35 pm) 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! 
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Replying to: ladydayc (Jan 09, 2009 2:05 pm) You pay more for a CPO to avoid this exact type of problem. |
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