Buying advice - 01 Legacy Sdn GT

[Joredin]

Going to go look at an 2001 Legacy GT in the morning.

Single owner
110,xxx mileage
5-speed
Clean title, never wrecked, clean carfax

What are some things to look out for as potential issues and money pits? Been looking at a subie for a long time and finally gonna pull the trigger tomorrow.

Thanks in advance,
Joredin

[Wiscon_Mark]

At 110,000 it should have already had it's timing belt done (interval is 105,000). As it has probably been done fairly recently, the owner should have the service records. Hopefully they did the crank & cam seals as well as the water pump. If it hasn't been done at all, leverage that into the cost as you'll be dropping a fairly serious amount of money into it right away, you don't want the timing belt to give out and ruin your valvetrain.

Otherwise, headgaskets are a pricey repair. The EJ251/3 engines found in the '00-'04 Legacy tend to weep oil/coolant externally, so take a good look around the motor & check the coolant and make sure it doesn't look discolored or cloudier than coolant usually does.

Otherwise, just make sure the steering feels good, the suspension doesn't clunk, etc. Basically, take it for a test drive and really listen for noises and make sure everything feels good.

[Joredin]

Great information. I know they timing belt hasn't been replaced yet, so that will likely be my largest bargaining chip, though I was told about a very very very small leak (per the seller 1 drop per week). Based on what you said, that very well could be the headgaskets.

I am bringing my buddy along with me who is also a car enthusiast. We'll be going over it with a fine tooth comb. They currently want $5300, so maybe I can talk them down to $4500 - $4800.

[Wiscon_Mark]

I would find a good shop and just have them do the headgasket repair when they do the timing belt - it can save you some on labor.

Depending on the condition of the clutch, you could have that done, too. All 3 jobs tend to have the motor pulled to perform them (although timing belt can be done by taking the radiator fans out).

[r3v_v3ng3]

look under the car for rust