Looking at my first Subi

[RusticGrain]

Hey all, been lurking around here for a week or so looking up info on these cars and thought I'd pop in and introduce myself. Seems like a ton of great info here so thanks in advance.

 

I work as a sales rep, on the road approx 40-50,000 km/year. I like to buy cheaper cars, run them for a year or 2 and then sell them off. Keep my main financed vehicle parked and wear out the "beaters". My old impala is getting worn out so I've been on the hunt for my next rig. 

 

I came across a 2010 Legacy 3.6r and like the looks, and the AWD (Canadian highways in the winter) and thinking I might go check it out this weekend. From what I've read here they seem to be a pretty robust/tough setup. It has 218k km (about 135k miles). I can get it pretty cheap, has a fresh mvi and new battery, and looks relatively clean. Just wondering what kind of input you all have on longevity of these, assuming it's been well maintained. Any common issues with the 3.6 I should look for when I go check it out? Any other common issues this gen might have that I should look out for? I've never owned a Subi before, my brother had a 2010 with the 2.5 years ago and loved it, although had the head gasket and trans issues that I've read were fairly common on them, is the 3.6 prone to those as well? 

 

I don't expect brand new and don't mind doing some repair/maintenance as needed, I just want reliability and to drive something comfortable and that I enjoy getting into every day. Thoughts? 

Edited January 25 by RusticGrain

[peril]

 

standard stuff - sparks plugs are a pain to do but not impossible, control arms will need to be done at some point - also front / rear struts, bearings go on these cars, the serpentine belt will need to be changed, interior stereo is a little more  difficult  change out if it's a premium audio (b/c of amp integration), it also sucks to change the inner tie rods cause they have them hidden like turtles, but nothing impossible to do just hard to figure out the first time.

I would check frame and front / rear subframe for rust - it's pretty easy to see underneath. check suspension (ball joints, control arms, links) - drive the car for 30 minutes on the highway at speed and see what the mileage / suspension feels like.  In particular listen for clacks from control arm bushing on road reflectors (this is a technical term); i would look for vibrations at 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 mph to see if any are there (if they are there just means that something needs to get changed), and plan for it.

I have 192k on my 2013 outback and about 100k on our 2010 legacy (owned them both for about 250k of road miles over 15 ish year.) I wouldbuy these again in a 2nd no reservation

 

 

Edited January 25 by peril

[peril]

5eat tranny needs fluid changed and all boxers need oil kept; mine have been solid rides.

[RusticGrain]

Thanks, sounds like so long as it's been maintained and not rotted out it should make a solid rig. 

[DugsSin]

Agree with Peril take it for a 30 Minute ride so you can really see how she feels. Some find the seat uncomfortable over time.   Don't know what sorta mileage your expecting but I get 28~30 miles per gallon with care on the highway.

Love out '11 Legacy 3.6 which has been rock solid for 118K miles but at 13 years much of the usual stuff has needed replacing. 

 

[silverton]

It is my opinion that the six cylinders are the best engine subaru ever made, there aren't many things to look out for with these.

Since you're going to look at a 10 those dont have much of an undercover so you're going to want to peak underneath.

The timing chain cover can seep/leak, I believe this is a telltale sign that one too many oil changes went long overdue. And the head gaskets will start to show they're failing externally around 200k miles.

[RusticGrain]

Planned on going Saturday morning for it and he sold it Friday night. Definitely thinking it's what I'd like to find for my next ride so guess I'll keep an eye out for another to come along.

 

Thanks for the input!

[RusticGrain]

May have a line on a 2011 now. I work for an auto auction company and one of the dealership groups we deal with has a "buy it before the auctions do" lot where they sell older/high mileage/need repair units. it's 3 hrs away so a guy a I work with is in the area tomorrow so he's going to stop in and snap a bunch of underside/damage pictures to see if it's worth me going to check it out. Looks like it has a nasty dent where the rear door meets quater panel on passenger side, but just being a highway beater I'm not worried about cosmetics. If it's not rotted out underneath I'm going to head up this weekend to check it out.

Lower Km's than the last one, 162km, which I guess is about 100k miles, and a bit cheaper but being an "as-is" lot there could be a bit more involved if it needs work for mvi. I'm guessing the damage on the passenger side is probably the main reason for the lower price though. Looking at the pictures they have posted if it, might be a small bit of rust bubbling over drivers rear wheel well where it meets the bumper. So really rust is my biggest worry. Hopefully it's a decent one, my Impala is starting to get pretty tired and not sure how much longer I can limp it along.