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Considering 2000 Outback but REALLY worried about HG

11 messages,  Last post on May 26, 2009 at 2:22 PM

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#1 of 11 Considering 2000 Outback but REALLY worried about HG by lynnejacob2001 Dec 17, 2008 (6:00 pm)
My college age son really wants to get an Outback but these HG issues have me very spooked that it will drain his bank account.   I've looked at and inspected between 5 and 10 cars at dealerships and small resellers. All had HG issues. I've a private owner with a 2000 Outback. It has 75K miles, manual tranny, garage kept, one owner who has all of the records. All of the recall work has been done. But after reading all of the HG issues, catalytic converter problems, clutch replacements I'm thinking a Honda CRV might be a safer bet.   Can anyone tell me how wide spread these issues are. This car will be used by a college student who needs reliable transportation to and from school (200 miles away). He can't afford to get into a vehicle that is going to cost him in repairs. However, he doesn't want to consider anything but a Subaru.   I would really appreciate some perspective on this.   Thanks, Lynne Replies to this message: jfl (Dec 19, 2008 10:26 am) xwesx (Dec 19, 2008 2:38 pm) joelog (Dec 21, 2008 7:39 am) lynnejacob2001 (Dec 21, 2008 9:30 am) ateixeira (Dec 23, 2008 10:49 am) erikmsmith (Jan 15, 2009 2:34 pm) ateixeira (Feb 03, 2009 11:50 am) leezamt (Feb 20, 2009 11:45 am) xwesx (Feb 20, 2009 4:16 pm) frmulcahy (May 26, 2009 2:22 pm)
#2 of 11 Re: Considering 2000 Outback but REALLY worried about HG [lynnejacob2001] by jfl Dec 19, 2008 (10:26 am)
Replying to: lynnejacob2001 (Dec 17, 2008 6:00 pm) I believe Subaru increased the warranty on headgasket issues to 100k miles. But you should confirm that. Replies to this message: xwesx (Dec 19, 2008 2:38 pm)
#3 of 11 Re: Considering 2000 Outback but REALLY worried about HG [jfl] by xwesx Dec 19, 2008 (2:38 pm)
Replying to: jfl (Dec 19, 2008 10:26 am) It is really a tough call, especially when you want an older vehicle but no maintenance issues. It is so hit and miss as to be unbelievable, but you are certainly on the right track considering a purchase of a low-mileage car from a single owner with full records.   So, now I ask, was the coolant treatment added at any point in the past? If the car is solid now, with no clutch judder, no gasket leaks or other leaks, and no CV boot or brake issues, you are probably going to be in good shape for a while. Not sure how many miles the child will be putting on the car, but in another 30,000, it will be due for a major maintenance including a timing belt change. Plan for it, set aside some funds for maintenance, and the car will be rewarding.   If you keep up with the coolant additive, it will help reduce the chances of a leak taking hold.
#4 of 11 Re: Considering 2000 Outback but REALLY worried about HG [lynnejacob2001] by joelog Dec 21, 2008 (7:39 am)
Replying to: lynnejacob2001 (Dec 17, 2008 6:00 pm) Hi Lynne. I have a 2004 Outback 2.5i with 91,000 miles. Just brought it in because of burning oil smell and leaks. It needs both head gaskets replaced. I always changed the oil at 3750miles, not a hard driver. It's not covered under warranty unless you bought an extended warranty, which I didn't. Subaru said they would pay for parts but not labor, which is the bulk of the cost. I also had my catalytic converter fail at 73,000 miles, that is covered up to 80,000 miles. It's a crap shoot as to when the HG will fail. I thought this would be the car I would keep for a long time but after this probably will not get another Subaru unless they address these issues. Joe
#5 of 11 Re: Considering 2000 Outback but REALLY worried about HG [lynnejacob2001] by lynnejacob2001 Dec 21, 2008 (9:30 am)
Replying to: lynnejacob2001 (Dec 17, 2008 6:00 pm) Thanks to all of you for your replies. We drove 4 hours to see the car and it was well worth it. It is in beautiful condition. The coolant conditioner was added each time the radiator was drained. We had the mechanic check the health of the catalytic converter and, so far, everything is spot on. We took it the dealer for a complete check over.   I reviewed the service records, no check engine light issues, no knock sensor or O2 sensor issues. Head gaskets are still good (at least for now). Clutch feels solid, no shudder. Of course, now that my son is learning how to drive a stick we may need to replace the clutch sooner than anticipated.   We may have head gasket issues at some point, but I think we have plenty of time to save for that. Overall, I couldn't be happier with car.   Thanks again for your input!   Lynne Replies to this message: ateixeira (Dec 23, 2008 10:49 am)
#6 of 11 Re: Considering 2000 Outback but REALLY worried about HG [lynnejacob2001] by ateixeira Dec 23, 2008 (10:49 am)
Replying to: lynnejacob2001 (Dec 21, 2008 9:30 am) You can call 800-SUBARU3 to make sure your VIN is covered under the extended warranty for HGs.   No car is perfect, the CR-V had engine fire issues when gen II came out, 2004 IIRC?
#7 of 11 Re: Considering 2000 Outback but REALLY worried about HG [lynnejacob2001] by erikmsmith Jan 15, 2009 (2:34 pm)
Replying to: lynnejacob2001 (Dec 17, 2008 6:00 pm) I have a 2000 legacy wagon with 84,000 miles. It is at the shop right now getting both head gaskets replaced - along with the timing belt and drive belts. The repair total $1600. The open recall was for an additive only - something the dealer puts in the coolant to try and stop the leak. They did it on mine and did not stop the leak, so... The warranty was extended for 8 years or 100,000, but most 00's will have run out of time - mine was nine months passed. I asked what was to keep the new gaskets from leaking and the gal at the dealer just shrugged. The shop doing the replacement now says they have not had any return after the original leaks were fixed, but time will tell.   In addition to the head gaskets, I have also had a major transmission leak - complete gasket job bill was about $600 - and it shows a small leak again. Repair was done about 25,000 miles ago. Would I buy another? No - I had a 92, previously, and only replaced the speedometer cable on it - this one has been a different story. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Feb 03, 2009 11:50 am) leezamt (Feb 20, 2009 11:45 am) xwesx (Feb 20, 2009 4:16 pm)
#8 of 11 Re: Considering 2000 Outback but REALLY worried about HG [erikmsmith] by ateixeira Feb 03, 2009 (11:50 am)
Replying to: erikmsmith (Jan 15, 2009 2:34 pm) You had more than your share of problems. Our 2002 was trouble-free.   We had the extended warranty and never used it!   At least that helped sell the car.
#9 of 11 Re: Considering 2000 Outback but REALLY worried about HG [erikmsmith] by leezamt Feb 20, 2009 (11:45 am)
Replying to: erikmsmith (Jan 15, 2009 2:34 pm) We bought a 2000 Outback this last summer. It has a little over 100,000 miles on it and we just lost the engine. Could that be from the gasket problem? Replies to this message: xwesx (Feb 20, 2009 4:16 pm)
#10 of 11 Re: Considering 2000 Outback but REALLY worried about HG [leezamt] by xwesx Feb 20, 2009 (4:16 pm)
Replying to: leezamt (Feb 20, 2009 11:45 am) Could have, but it is impossible to tell without more information.

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