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Considering 2000 Outback but REALLY worried about HG

16 messages,  Last post on Feb 10, 2011 at 6:26 AM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 2 of 2

#7 of 16 Re: Considering 2000 Outback but REALLY worried about HG [lynnejacob2001] by erikmsmith

Jan 15, 2009 (3:34 pm)

Replying to: lynnejacob2001 (Dec 17, 2008 7:00 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.

#8 of 16 Re: Considering 2000 Outback but REALLY worried about HG [erikmsmith] by ateixeira

Feb 03, 2009 (12:50 pm)

Replying to: erikmsmith (Jan 15, 2009 3:34 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 16 Re: Considering 2000 Outback but REALLY worried about HG [erikmsmith] by leezamt

Feb 20, 2009 (12:45 pm)

Replying to: erikmsmith (Jan 15, 2009 3:34 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?

#10 of 16 Re: Considering 2000 Outback but REALLY worried about HG [leezamt] by xwesx

Feb 20, 2009 (5:16 pm)

Replying to: leezamt (Feb 20, 2009 12:45 pm)
Could have, but it is impossible to tell without more information.

#11 of 16 Re: Considering 2000 Outback but REALLY worried about HG [lynnejacob2001] by frmulcahy

May 26, 2009 (3:22 pm)

Replying to: lynnejacob2001 (Dec 17, 2008 7:00 pm)
I just gave my 2000 Outback Ltd sedan (purchased new) to my 19 year old college daughter. It has been well taken care, garage kept and has 175k miles on it. It has been a reliable and very good car. Not sure that helps but wanted to weigh in....

#12 of 16 2000 Subaru Outback Legacy brakes? by drzini

Feb 08, 2011 (2:29 pm)

I am considering a 40k miles Outback. Things seem okay buy the brakes are not responsive. Is that a trait of the car? Or, might there be something else? Are there other potential concerns that can be check before buying?
Thanks

#13 of 16 Re: 2000 Subaru Outback Legacy brakes? [drzini] by ateixeira

Feb 09, 2011 (10:09 am)

Replying to: drzini (Feb 08, 2011 2:29 pm)
Some describe the pedal feel as "mushy", but I wouldn't call it unresponsive.

#14 of 16 Re: 2000 Subaru Outback Legacy brakes? [ateixeira] by xwesx

Feb 09, 2011 (11:18 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 09, 2011 10:09 am)
I agree. With the age of the car, it is entirely probable that the brake fluid is very old and needs both replacement and bleeding. "Unresponsive" is not a descriptor you want for a braking system!
 
I did that once, and it was the longest 1200 miles I ever drove!

#15 of 16 Re: 2000 Subaru Outback Legacy brakes? [xwesx] by drzini

Feb 09, 2011 (5:08 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Feb 09, 2011 11:18 am)
So-this is what happens. When the brakes are applied it doesn't feel like the car will stop there and then. There's a car a slower stopping time. Brakes applied and no immediate grab. I have a 2000 Volvo and it has the right feeling. This is kind of like my first car. A '48 Chevy. So, I guess a change of fluid? Take off the wheels and have the shoes etc checked? Otherwise, it's had 4k miles a year, driven regularly in classic stop and go manner.

#16 of 16 Re: 2000 Subaru Outback Legacy brakes? [drzini] by fibber2

Feb 10, 2011 (6:26 am)

Replying to: drzini (Feb 09, 2011 5:08 pm)
You didn't mention what year your car was, but I assume it is an early decade model also? Early Outbacks of this body series (2000, 2001 & very early 2002) had undersized brakes given the weight of the vehicle, and didn't stop as well as later cars. I drove a 2003 back to back with my 'first build 2002', and the difference was night & day. After that I upgrades with different rotors & pads and it helped, but you just cannot address this without upsizing calipers & carriers, etc.
 
Aside from design issues, you need to have your system checked out. It could be fluid related, glazed pads, a frozen caliper, trashed rotors, etc.

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