Subaru Outback/Legacy Buying Advice

What I seem to be finding are somewhat lower mileage '92s-'94s (108-125k) or 150-160k '98s and '99s. Any lower mileage '98s & '99s are beyond the budget I set.

#109 of 126 Looking for a used Outback for my son by wired1

Nov 22, 2008 (6:33 am)

Well, it's been a while since I have been on these forums, but its a reflection of my satisfaction with my previous Subaru buying experience ('02 Outback LL Bean....presently with 124K miles and still going strong)

My son is presently looking for a reliable used vehicle for his wife and their 2 month old bundle of joy...our granddaughter! AWD is great here in the Pittsburgh area.

He is familiar with my Outback so that is tops on his list. He's also giving an eye to the Forester, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. His price range is the $12K range.

Any advice? ateixeira....glad to see that you are still around the forums.

Replies to this message:

ateixeira (Nov 24, 2008 2:12 pm)

#110 of 126 Re: Looking for a used Outback for my son [wired1] by ateixeira

Nov 24, 2008 (2:12 pm)

Replying to: wired1 (Nov 22, 2008 6:33 am)

Yup.

$12k will get a good used Subie. Aim for 03 or later if it's a Forester. By then the gasket problem was behind them. Same for Outbacks. The new generation arrived in 2005, so I'd try to find a nice one of those.

#111 of 126 Re: Subaru Legacy Buying Advice needed! [matthew12] by sidious6688

Feb 23, 2009 (4:27 pm)

Replying to: matthew12 (Sep 08, 2006 6:21 am)

27K is way too much. Granted the car is new, but keep in mind while "new" it is not state of the art as it might have been in 2005. Some parts, like tires have a shelf life due to age in addition to mileage. I just bought a used 2005 Subaru Legact GT limited (awesome by the way, you'll love it) with 50K miles, new brakes and clutch, pretty flawless shape for $12K. The mentioned $21K is probably about right.

#112 of 126 08 or 09? by marsound

Apr 15, 2009 (1:12 pm)

I've narrowed down my decision to an 08 2.5i or 09 2.5SE. Looks like the main difference, besides cost, is VDC. I've found 2 08's (in colors I like) that are basically new (less than 10 miles). Question: is it worth another $2-3K for the VDC? Is there something besides this that I would get?

Thanks for any help.

Replies to this message:

morin2 (Apr 15, 2009 4:47 pm)
- ateixeira (Apr 16, 2009 12:24 pm)
  - marsound (Apr 20, 2009 10:49 am)
  - leo2633 (Apr 21, 2009 6:41 am) and 1 more...
- ttut (Apr 16, 2009 2:07 pm)
  - morin2 (Apr 16, 2009 6:56 pm) and 1 more...

#113 of 126 Re: 08 or 09? [marsound] by morin2

Apr 15, 2009 (4:47 pm)

Replying to: marsound (Apr 15, 2009 1:12 pm)

I bought an 09 SE 3 weeks ago and love it. The SE package includes fog lights, heated mirrors and washer fluid, cross bars, power driver's seat, heated seats, cargo cover and tray, upgraded Harmon Kardon sound system, splash guards, 17" alloy wheels. Some of these things are available as options on the base model, but the heated seats are very much appreciated. Good luck with your decision. I'm happy with mine.

Replies to this message:

#114 of 126 Re: 08 or 09? [morin2] by ateixeira

Apr 16, 2009 (12:24 pm)

Replying to: morin2 (Apr 15, 2009 4:47 pm)

If you price each thing, a la carte style, then add up only the items you would want, and see if it's worth it.

VDC is probably worth about $400 or so stand-alone.

The All-weather package is another $400, that includes the heated seats, mirrors, and wiper de-icers.

Fog lights? Not sure, say a couple hundred or so. Call it $300 installed and wired.

Cross bars? Another few hundred, $300.

Power seats, I'll guess $200 or so.

Cargo cover and tray are sold in a package, I bet that's $150 or so.

Premium sound adds another few hundred, it really depends on what it includes.

Slash guards - on all four wheel wells? Painted? $100 each, so $200-400.

Plus One rims are worth a few hundred at least.

All that plus a 2009 will have better resale later.

Put it this way - if you really want the 2009, I think you actually can justify it as long as you want most of that stuff.

If you want the 2008, well...you probably would not have bought all those items a-la-carte.

Personally I think the SE package is a bargain, and if you ask Car_Man the residuals for that model are actually higher, so you make up even more of the difference there, potentially.

In the end, buy the one that brings you the bigger smile.

Replies to this message:

marsound (Apr 20, 2009 10:49 am)
leo2633 (Apr 21, 2009 6:41 am)
- ateixeira (Apr 21, 2009 12:29 pm)

#115 of 126 Re: 08 or 09? [morin2] by ttut

Apr 16, 2009 (2:07 pm)

Replying to: morin2 (Apr 15, 2009 4:47 pm)

Hi morin2, could you share the price that you paid? I'm in the market for a 09 SE. I'm in NE area.Thanks.

Replies to this message:

morin2 (Apr 16, 2009 6:56 pm)
- ttut (Apr 17, 2009 5:24 am)

#116 of 126 Re: 08 or 09? [ttut] by morin2

Apr 16, 2009 (6:56 pm)

Replying to: ttut (Apr 16, 2009 2:07 pm)

ttut - see my message #1702 in the Prices Paid - Outback. I bought at FitzMall here in MD. Quartz Silver auto SE + floor mats, popular equipment group 2a (armrest extension & rear cargo net) and wheel locks. Total MSRP was 25901 & I paid 20999 (before tax) for one of their clearance cars (these are new but have been driven about 100 miles for test drives) no-haggle internet price; I could have bought one with 5 miles on it for 300 more - but bought the one I drove.

Replies to this message:

ttut (Apr 17, 2009 5:24 am)

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