2008 Outback limited, 134k miles

scomoor

I really like the vehicle and it's perfect for my needs, but I'm a bit put off by the mileage. The head gaskets and timing belt have been replaced recently. Is this a car that, properly maintained, won't fail on me within the next 70k miles? I'd like to make a purchase that will last me into the high 200s for mileage. I'm closing at $9800 for the car.

stever

I think so. Other than the recurring head gasket issues, reliability is pretty good on Subarus. My sister is closing in on 200k pretty fast on her '05 Forester. Sold my '97 Limited last year - it was mostly a snow car so it had just under 100k miles on it when I sold it, but it never even had the head gasket hiccup. Two examples don't make a trend, but most all cars are lots better these days and most can get to 175k pretty easily. I'd set some funds aside though if you intend to get close to 300,000 miles.

The price seems okay if you are buying from a dealer, but I don't know the model Limited you are shopping, and I'm using a NM zip code when I appraise it here.

kyfdx

scomoor said:

Thanks! Based on the reliability of this vehicle, do you think purchasing an extended warranty is necessary? it was in a minor collision that caused some very small cosmetic damage (dealer is going to fix that), but nothing structural was reported.

You cant buy a cost-effective extended warranty for a vehicle with that many miles.

stever

Have to wonder why the dealer didn't fix the minor damage before putting the Outback on the lot.

It's cheap insurance to have a pre-purchase inspection done.

scomoor

Thanks! Based on the reliability of this vehicle, do you think purchasing an extended warranty is necessary? it was in a minor collision that caused some very small cosmetic damage (dealer is going to fix that), but nothing structural was reported.

Mr_Shiftright

does this accident appear on CARFAX?

scomoor

 The car had just arrived that day and there was no time to have it cleaned or inspected before he showed it to me. The carfax says accident reported on 6/12/09: accident involving front and rear impact with another motor vehicle. I assume a fender bender that pushed the car into another one in front. NO airbag deployment reported on that. Damage reports are required for repair estimates over $1000 so it might have been a crumpled bumper replaced. 

stever

Shifty makes a good point - when an accident shows up on the Carfax and AutoCheck reports, the value may take a hit. If nothing else, a percentage of buyers will immediately move on to another car and not investigate this one further.

But since you intend to take it to 300,000 miles, you likely don't care about resale value. You may be able to knock a few bucks off the purchase price because of the accident though.

Three months from the accident leaves plenty of time to get it fixed. I'm assuming the owner never got it fixed for whatever reason and traded it in that way.

There's some pink flags here but you really like the car and you've done your due diligence on the gotchas, including the repair history. Another assumption - I'm guessing you've skimmed all the reviews on the dealer you are working with.

I'm with @kyfdx on the extended warranty btw.

scomoor

The dealership has a standup reputation amongst multiple generations of people I've spoken to. I believe the car was repaired because it wasn't sold again until four years after the accident. question: even though I've signed in good faith a non-binding write up of the sale, would renegotiating price when I go to pick it up be a bad move? This will of course be after they've done inspection and all of that, so perhaps they will find something that could give me cause to renegotiate. I'm going to see how much they were able to fix the cosmetic stuff and if it isn't up to snuff I'd like to knock off a bit more from the final price. Maybe I can request to see the inspection paper work just to make sure they aren't leaving something out? I think I trust this guy, but he is, after all, trying to get the car off his lot.

stever

Oh, sorry, missed the '09 part.

Everything is negotiable and it won't be the first time for the dealer to have heard the question. You can simply tell 'em something like you are concerned that there may be some hidden flaws that no one has discovered and would like a further discount (or maybe get that pre-purchase inspection at your own mechanic).

All cars wind up with problems; even new ones have glitches or transport dings. Kind of have to go with your gut a bit and you do seem to have a good handle on this one.