missoula Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Hello all, I am new to the forum, and have been lurking for a few days. I have however been lurking craigslist, for sale ads, etc. for a clean 5spd OBXT. Basically the perfect car for where I live, here in Montana. This one has happened to pop up, with a clean and relatively thorough detailed car fax. https://billings.craigslist.org/cto/d/2005-subaru-turbo-outback/6444486523.html I've been looking extensively into the things to look for when searching for one of these cars, banjo bolt, catted uppipe, strict maintenance, etc. The carafe shows that this OBXT lived in vermont most of its life, and was serviced by the subaru dealership for the first 103k miles of its life. 30k, 60k services were done. and at 100k the timing belt and tensioner were replaced. water pump was not specified. My questions are: What do you guys think of the car? Things you would ask the owner about this one specifically? Does the water pump fall under the 60k maintenance? Thanks all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Hmm, GRP OBXT. The best color for the wagon on stilts! Vermont/Montana car - probably saw tons of salt. Check the rear quarter panels. Water pump is done typically with timing belt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brady Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Almost no one skips the water pump with the timing belt. I wouldn't worry too much about that. I'd say it's worth checking out, and it sounds like you know what all to check for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubOperator Posted January 18, 2018 Share Posted January 18, 2018 Interesting that new clutch was installed recently and car goes for sale. I'd be suspicious as to why. Could it be that owner did WOT with new clutch and turbo went kaput? Otherwise looks like lots of things were taken care of. Definetily one of few remaining unicorns. 2005 LGT Wagon Limited 6 MT RBP Stage 2 - 248K 2007 B9 Tribeca Limited DGM - 258K SOLD - 2005 OB Limited 5 MT Silver - 245K SOLD - 2010 OB 6 MT Silver - 205K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brady Posted January 18, 2018 Share Posted January 18, 2018 Interesting that new clutch was installed recently and car goes for sale. I'd be suspicious as to why. Could it be that owner did WOT with new clutch and turbo went kaput? Otherwise looks like lots of things were taken care of. Definetily one of few remaining unicorns. I think owner 4 is flipping it. Probably bought it cheap at auction (owner 3 - auction house), did a little work and turning it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missoula Posted January 18, 2018 Author Share Posted January 18, 2018 I think owner 4 is flipping it. Probably bought it cheap at auction (owner 3 - auction house), did a little work and turning it. Been talking to the owner a bunch. It is exactly what he is doing, has 3-4 other subies next in line to work on. Looks like I am doing a 10 hour round trip road trip this weekend to go pick it up! fingers crossed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrD123 Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 Nice! Looks like a good find! Very clean inside and out from the pictures! (always wonder why they don't show the engine bay) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missoula Posted January 22, 2018 Author Share Posted January 22, 2018 So I think I have the record for the shortest time of owning an outback xt before the turbo blew. Test drove it, everything felt good, sounded good, turbo made no smoke, no noises. No oil leaks, or any odd business. Give the owner cash, I sign the title, and drive away. Alls good for about 30 miles, cruising at highway speed, when the turbo starts making an odd suction sound (almost like the noise if you put your hand over a vacuum ). Then in about 30 seconds, loud metallic rattle noise that you can instantly tell is turbo related. I’ve read enough on here to shut the car down immediately, before any damage to the engine. By this time too, I’m far enough out in the middle of nowhere that I have no cell service. Luckily my ride over to pick up the car was still driving with me to come pick me up, drive me to closest town. And call the previous owner. The guy came out, agreed with me the turbo was blown, and was very professional about it. I could have gotten all my money back, except I had made the mistake of already signing the title. So he gave me all but $500 back, he was going to have the car towed back to his shop. I now get to put the title in my name, and think about what I want to do. I can wipe my hands clean son as I can give him a notarized title back and get my remaining money. Or wait for him to put in a new turbo, and make the long trip back out to get it. So we shall see! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgoodhue Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 Get your money back and run, unless you want to risk having to replace the motor and the price is dropped accordingly. (I am guess the flipper isn't going to like the real value of his OBXT with a questionable, when he bought the car to turn a profit) You definitely aren't the 1st person to have a turbo blow on the way home from a purchase. Who knows what the prior owners knew? Maybe its bad luck? maybe the owner who traded it in just replaced the turbo? or knew it made noises when hot? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 Yep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s2baru Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 https://boise.craigslist.org/ctd/d/2006-subaru-outback-30-low/6465442726.html Get your money back. Make the adventure over here to Boise and buy this instead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 https://boise.craigslist.org/ctd/d/2006-subaru-outback-30-low/6465442726.html Get your money back. Make the adventure over here to Boise and buy this instead Hmmm, 3.0R with a 6MT swap would be a nice reliable machine and fun enough to drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missoula Posted January 22, 2018 Author Share Posted January 22, 2018 I'm not sure how it is in other states, but today I learned at the DMV that once you transfer a title, you have to license it as well. Luckily it was only $80, and I should get my new title in a couple weeks. I've got plates for it now good till '19 lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missoula Posted January 23, 2018 Author Share Posted January 23, 2018 This is the replacement turbo kit that he is installing on the car. Anyone have any experience with these at all? https://www.buyautoparts.com/buynow/2005/Subaru/Outback/Turbocharger_and_Installation_Accessory_Kit/40-80121_IL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 That's some junk. Seriously run away from this car, unless you want to be replacing the engine in a short order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s2baru Posted January 24, 2018 Share Posted January 24, 2018 You seriously need to stay clear of that car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrD123 Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 Guess we know why they weren't showing anything other than the interior/exterior of the car! I'd get my money back and look elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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