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ok its time for me to get a new to me Subie for commuting to work. I have been driving a 1994 Legacy wagon 2.2 4eat it has 201,000 and has been a great car, but i have a teenager needing a car so I am going to hand it down to him and get something newer, this is what I have im looking at;

1998 Legacy Outback Limited, it has the 2.5 4eat combo leather seats dual sunroofs and is in overall mint condition, it has 108,000 miles. I know the person who has owned this car since 60,000 miles. so I reasonably know its service history. It has had religious oil changes and all service needed. It has just had the cv axles done and water pump timing belt done. It has NOT had head gasket problems as of yet. I can pick it up for $4000

the next is a 2001 outback ll bean with 3.0 4eat combo 128,000 miles this looks to be in great shape it has the h6 so no timing belt and as far as i know no head gasket issues with this motor, but its at a dealer so service history I dont know its also $6500 the money I dont worry too much, I am more concerned about best deal for the money the 2001 id assume will be less likely to have trouble but its 2500 more for more miles s help me decide share opinions thanks

Personally I would go with the 98, I also own a 98 with 700k there pretty solid long as the t belt is changed on time.

Have you driven both cars? They are slightly different cars in terms of their size and how they drive so if you haven't driven them you may want to do that....that may just make up your mind for you.

I agree. I'd let the drive make your decision.

The '98 is very much like a slightly updated First gen. Same suspension, transmissions, and engine families. If you plan to "outback" it down fire roads and such, I would thing the simpler rear suspension might be a tad more robust.

The '01 is likely a tad more refined in ride quality and feature set.

Looks are subjective, but I've grown quite fond of second gens (personal favorite is the GT wagon) and think the 3rd gen headlights are too big - but the rear of the 3rd gen wagon is quite attractive.

As a 3rd-gen owner, I'm obviously going to be biased. But I say go with the 2001 H6. The 6cyls are less common than the 4cyls, but I've got about 5 years of Subaru dealer experience now and I have no recollection of ever seeing an EZ engine have a catastrophic mechanical failure. All they do is leak oil profusely, even for a Subaru. But that can be easily fixed.

I also agree with PhyrraM that the 3rd gens are a significant step up in refinement from the 1st and 2nd gens. IMO, they're the oldest Legacy that still feels somewhat modern.

I like the 3rd gen's as well. I do like the front end - it reminds me of classy vehicles such as the original Lexus IS. I don't like the tail end of the sedans, but the wagons look good, either in the 2nd or 3rd generation.

The h6 engine is solid, this generation should use a timing chain as opposed to a belt. The main problems I've read about are (as mentioned) leaks, the engine takes premium (but will run fine on regular for reduced power), and it is a dog under 3000 rpm (mostly due to the transmission). Above that, it comes alive. My good friend's mom has one and I've been in a couple road trips with it - the thing just eats up the miles. The seats are perfect for long trips.

The LLBean editions were some of the nicest and classiest subarus made - they have a great stereo, better leather interior, wood grain steering wheel, more soundproofing, and so on. That'd be my pick of your choices.

The lower mileage outback limited will need a headgasket sooner rather than later, so if you pick it up, might as well get it done immediately. Done properly with the updated gasket design, they won't blow again. Another thing to think about, is the autos in these things tend to last 200-250k miles, and finding a decent, low miles replacement will be harder for the 98, than the LL Bean (01 shouldn't have VTD and VTC yet, so you can grab an "normal" outback transmission as a replacement).

The 98 normally has a 90% front / 10% rear power split until it detects slippage, the H6 has 45% front / 55% rear, for a more competent feel (in my opinion). Real world there should only be 1-2 mpg difference between the two, at least in my experience on the freeway.

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/25/autom ... wheel.html

id do the 6cyl hands down. the 98 will need head gaskets, then you have almost the same amount of money wrapped up in a older car. 4k for a 98 is also way high. 2500-3500max is the norm, and for 3500 it better have new headgaskets and all other maintenance done already.

I can't agree.

Used car prices now are very, very different from what they were 10-15 years ago. They've come down in the last year or so, but a couple of years ago, used car prices were through the roof. In 2011, my best friend bought a 2006 Volvo V50 for his wife with 70k miles on it, from a friend of his, for $12k. That was the friend price. Book value on it was almost $15k. For a 5-year-old car with 70k miles on it. 10 years ago, that transaction would have been $5k cheaper.

Look around on AutoTrader. If you want a 10-year-old car in good shape with around 100k miles on it, you'd better come up with somewhere between $5-7k ($8k-$10k if it's a cream puff). If you've only got around $3k, you'll have to settle for something around 15 years old and over 150k miles. If you've only got $1500, you'll be lucky to find something that's even running.

Damn you Cash for Clunkers!!!

I currently own a 99 Outback Limited and just picked up a 03 Outback VDC a few months ago to replace the 99.

Honestly I love the VDC quite a bit more inside and out. I never thought I would have a 3rd gen cause it's my least favorite legacy made.

I talked to my friends at Subaru about the EZ30 engine and they said they never stock head gaskets because they never go out, it's just oil cooler gaskets and valve cover gaskets. The most common thing on those are cats. They said around 125k or so if they haven't gone out not to worry about it.

My biggest beef with the VDC or the 3.0 is the 4 speed trans, it could really benefit from a 5 speed. On a steep long climb I will have too high or low of a gear. But aside from that I really enjoy the car.

DerFahrer wrote: If you've only got $1500, you'll be lucky to find something that's even running.

From a dealer maybe, I paid 1700 for my 97 Legacy L a little over a year ago. I've since put about 14k trouble free miles on it.

Either way on paper looking at potential issues for each of your choices I'd go with the h6 model. The ej25d is notorious for bad head gaskets, and rod bearing failures shortly after if it's been overheated. There are some cases of head gasket failure on the ez30 as well, but generally speaking they are as reliable as the ej22e and make nearly an extra hundred horsepower.

excellent information gentlemen ! one more question , is the 2002 or 2003 h6 more reliable then the 2001 h6 ?

DerFahrer wrote:I can't agree.

Used car prices now are very, very different from what they were 10-15 years ago. They've come down in the last year or so, but a couple of years ago, used car prices were through the roof. In 2011, my best friend bought a 2006 Volvo V50 for his wife with 70k miles on it, from a friend of his, for $12k. That was the friend price. Book value on it was almost $15k. For a 5-year-old car with 70k miles on it. 10 years ago, that transaction would have been $5k cheaper.

Look around on AutoTrader. If you want a 10-year-old car in good shape with around 100k miles on it, you'd better come up with somewhere between $5-7k ($8k-$10k if it's a cream puff). If you've only got around $3k, you'll have to settle for something around 15 years old and over 150k miles. If you've only got $1500, you'll be lucky to find something that's even running.

prices where you are vary from where i am then. for 4k here you can buy a nice 04 outback with low miles. 6500 buys you a 06. the second gen outbacks bring 3k max around here. i buy and sell these things all the time, people wont pay that much. ive tried trust me lol

well i pulled the trigger on a 2001 outback ll bean last night h6 90,000miles $5900 in my area its a steal average is around 7000 for 140k cars its amazing how much prices vary by area but i feel i got a good deal, now to do the suggested maintenance

Good deal...enjoy the new ride!

I've also read the tensioner(s) on the timing chain can wear and cause some issues....I don't recall the specifics - I'll let you double-check on that.

TD