PTinVT

I'm looking for an 02 or 03 Impreza Outback Sport (which interestingly some the time on cars.com and autotrader.com searches come up under "Outback" and not "Impreza" - is it it's own model officially considered an "Outback"?)

Anyway, I'm also looking for an automatic, and I'm trying to do some research on these cars, and my confidence isn't inspired by a link that comes up on the i-club home page (in the google column):

http://www.girardgibbs.com/subaru.html

Uhh... is there some widespread problem with the auto trannies on these cars failing, or is it just the known recall that the car could slip out of Park and roll with the lever on "P"? I'm hoping it's the latter, which would obviously be taken care of (or Subaru would have to fix if there was an open recall on a car) and these guys are looking for "liability" type claims vs. a class action suit to pay for tranny repairs.

What's the factory warranty in the US, 3/36? Powertrain (engine/tranny) same or longer?


I'm also quite impressed by how much dealers are asking for these cars. $15-16K seems to be the standard asking price up here (NY/New England) for even an 02 OBS with 30-40K mlies on it. I mean, for a few bucks more, I can find a brand base 04 TS wagon MTX! The OBS is just looks and a few toys, mechanically the same as a TS, right? But even the used car guides concur that high dealer retail could be $16K. Do I have any chance of finding one for less without having to travel? I'm thinking $13-14K is the right price for such a car.


any input appreciated, thanks.
-Peter

PTinVT

OK... I realize these forums are focused on WRX and manual-trans equipped cars, so I'm already expecting not a lot of support for a "vanilla" Outback Sport with ATX (they are an "automatic transaxle" right?) I do plan to participate here as there should be some useful crossover info, but I imagine I'll be mostly sitting on the sidelines - and the only one answering my own posts, like I did on the Mustang forums

Aside from the obvious cosmetics, the OBS does sit a little higher than the TS. I have found no widespread auto tranny concerns on 2002/3 Imprezas. The factory warranty is bumper-bumper 3/36 and powertrain 6/60 - which eases my concern in this area.

I've found a red 2002 OBS ATX with 28,000 miles on it, offered at $13,500, being held for me at that price until Saturday. It has a clean carfax, one owner, and 8 months/8000 miles of factory warranty left. I'm going to look at it and assuming there's nothing wrong with it, I'll most likely be joining the ranks of the Impreza owners this weekend.

I'm still finding most dealer listings for these cars are $15-16K or even more, but I also realize the trade value is more like $11-12K so if I was more aggressive, I could probably shave a few hundred more by looking further or waiting. But I've done my homework and figure if I don't buy it at that price, someone else will. Even though Subaru is dubbed the "state car of Vermont" it's a small place and I don't have a lot to choose from, for what I've decided I want exactly.

Beyond putting in a real stereo, possibly a nicer set of summer rims, and maybe someday the Hollandia power $unroof for the wagon ( http://www.webastoshowroom.com/Subar...x_2004_730.htm ), I don't plan on doing a whole lot of mods to such a car.

Looking forward in any event,
-Peter

PTinVT

Thanks, esracer. I looked at the car and took it for a short drive today, and while I don't see anything blatantly wrong with it, it had a bit of a shimmy to it. It wasn't consistent (even at highway speeds) but it was much more noticeable applying the brakes. Their answer was that the car has been sitting for a bit and the rust on the rotors (which is quite evident on the front) is causing the shimmy and it should go away once the car goes into normal use. They said they'd check the wheel balancing, and claimed they were sending the car home with the mechanic tonight for him to diagnose it. They might clean/remachine the rotors. I told them I'd be back on Saturday for another test drive, and if the shimmy was gone, I'd buy it for their price. It tried to squeeze a couple more hundred bucks off but they said that was their absolute best price, no dice.

I hope I'm just being paranoid, but you can just never be too careful when buying a used car, from any source. They faxed me the Carfax which of course indicated no problems, but I might sign up to get my own version of it and register for their guarantee, depending on how much that is - is that any more than just the report fee? I've never dealt personally with Carfax.

I'm not going to buy any extra warranty, the dealer has some standard 3-month warranty and of course I have the balance of the factory warranty if there's anything seriously wrong with it in the next half year (in service 2/2002).

It's a very clean car, no dings/dents/blems or obvious paint/body work. I even had them put it up on a lift, and while I don't know completely what I'm looking for under a car, didn't see any signs of major damage/repair there either.

Glad at least one person is reading my ramblings and concurring that I'm not totally off the mark here!

thanks,
-Peter

Blue Ridge OBS

I have an 'O4 4EAT OBS and have a friend who has an 02 4EAT OBS. Nothing but pleased, and I think he would say the same. He has had no engine problems with his at all. It sounds to me like the rotors might need to be resurfaced or the tires balanced, or both. I would buy that car for 13k if it is clean, damage free, and has warranty mileage left. Absolutely. Maybe see if they will throw in the 30k service for you if you buy it for thier price. The first thing you probably need to do is get new tires. Outback Imprezas are great cars IMO. And pretty much any mod that can be done to an RS can be to the OBS. Good luck.

PTinVT

I bought it yesterday! Have already put nearly 300 miles on it with the ride back from the dealer (3 hours away), riding around, showing it off, and I'm very happy with my purchase. They were firm on the $13,500 price (Saturn dealer, that whole no haggle thing) but they cleaned up the rotors which took care of the shimmy. It also appears that the tires have been replaced, no wear on them at all and they still have the manufacturing "hairs" on the side. They're Bridgestone Potenza RE92s, which I know little about, but I think I may ditch them in favor of a more dedicated "snow" tire for the winter and get 17s with more spirited all-seasons for the rest of the year. It's very clean, no dents or noteworthy damage, just a couple little dings and a few scrapes in the bumpers/trim - which is to be expected on a used car of this class with 29,000 miles.

I'm already very pleased with the car and aside from wheels/tires/stereo and a remote starter, I have no intention of starting down the endless road of "performance mods" with this vehicle

I'll go have to find a more appropriate "newbie" forum for my next "just bought my Impreza" post, but I've already put some pics online:

http://users.adelphia.net/~ptampas/subie/

[how do you format hyperlink/URLs here?, or will that just work?]

happy motoring,
-Peter

Blue Ridge OBS

Well congrats! Those RE92s are pretty bad, even new. They are serviceable in dry, but I found they hydraplane quite easily and are really lacking in the snow. You might consider the Continental ContiExtreme Contact or perhaps the GFGoodrich Traction T/A V. Both will give you good all around performance as well as decent snow traction. The Contis are pretty cheap. Since you are in Vermont I would also look at the Nokian WRs if your budget will support them. They are steep $$ wise, but are probably the best 4 season tire available. Very good all around performance and they are rated as snow tires as well, which is definitely important to you I'd imagine. Plus the have a 50k treadlife warranty. I have a set a set for my OBS. Enjoy the new car. Looks great. That is the exact color my friend has. If you want another site related to the OBS you might look here. http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/ We have a section re: the Outback Sport and there are quite a few of us on there. Whereabouts in VT are you? I have spent some time around the Chelsea/Vershire area as well as Randolph and West Brookfield.

PTinVT

Thanks for the info... I supsected the tires weren't great, I have a slight (and inconsistent) vibration/resonance at 65-70 mph and I figure it's because of them. Life is too short to drive on crappy tires, and I'm willing to pay for a good set. I had a set of Nokian NRW-1 on my Mystique for winter, they were excellent in snow, and surprisingly good on dry roads. I haven't looked at the newer lines, but Nokians are very popular up here - for good reason.

I live in the Burlington, VT area - Northwestern VT, about an hour from Randolph. I'll check out the other forum. Looking forward,

-Peter