Looking for info on Outbacks

OutbackOiler

OutbackOiler

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Jan 8, 2012
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Townsville, Australia
I am looking at buying a second Outback, around the 2000 model. As I am new to Subarus I was hoping some guidance as what to look for on these models. Any info would be greatly appreciated

Cheers

Scott
 
Has a timing belt and idlers been or due for changing.
Regular services.
The DOHC motors are prone to blowing head gaskets every 180,000ks
 
my '99 is upto 245k and going strong, like mentioned the 100k service is big and important like 95% of subaru's.

the 2.5's are prone to head gasket issues(same as foresters), so best to get it up on a hoist if possible. if no coolant leaking/work has been done then should be ok for a fair while.

just to let you know maintenance wise at 200-245k mines required front cv's, steering rack, head gasket, oil seals and front disk rotors/pads. i changed the sprigs/shocks for a lift but they were getting spongy. the rears are self leveling so if require changing aprox $800 to replace or otherwise swap spring/shocks for non self leveling. also my auto starts to get a little bit of a whine around 100km/h same happend on my families old liberty >200k, still drives fine.

not sure if manuals run dual mass flywheel like the later foresters? if so they can be expensive to change with clutch.

oh and i believe there was a slight update around '01 the models with crome rings around speedo, these have some extra reinforcing to front end suspension to give better feel? someone would have to back me up on that. later models have VDC i believe for what it's worth to.

otherwise it's just general car stuff: service history, check cooling system, brake life, tyres etc. can help you haggle on price if maintenance is due.
 
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also for what it's worth, and at risk of opening a can of worms. what were your plans with the car and manual or auto?

i bought mine to a budget with my dad. cheapest 2.5 we could get into, and went with auto because it was to be used for occasional beach trips. also had cruise control (not all forries had in price range)

manual's have better fuel economy. the low range unfortunatly is a bit of a gimic (not very low) you can get a ratio swap https://scorpionsubaru.com/low.htm
i personally like auto in the sand.

manual also has 50:50 torque split to auto's 90:10 to 50:50 when slipping. so on a dirt road a manual will feel more planted with less understeer. unless you want to fiddle and add a c.diff lock like i did. https://www.offroadsubarus.com/showthread.php?t=1348

if you plan to do moderate off roading, do be aware a forester has better aproach/ departure angles and better articulation. but what i found was for the money you'd be looking at the 2lt sf. no head gasket issues but a little less power/tourque. also the early foresters run 15's some may argue benifits off road.

hope this helps. but like i say, just my 2c.
 
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Thanks for the replies guys, definately gives me a starting point



Gero OB said:
also for what it's worth, and at risk of opening a can of worms. what were your plans with the car and manual or auto?

i bought mine to a budget with my dad. cheapest 2.5 we could get into, and went with auto because it was to be used for occasional beach trips. also had cruise control (not all forries had in price range)

manual's have better fuel economy. the low range unfortunatly is a bit of a gimic (not very low) you can get a ratio swap https://scorpionsubaru.com/low.htm
i personally like auto in the sand.

manual also has 50:50 torque split to auto's 90:10 to 50:50 when slipping. so on a dirt road a manual will feel more planted with less understeer. unless you want to fiddle and add a c.diff lock like i did. https://www.offroadsubarus.com/showthread.php?t=1348

if you plan to do moderate off roading, do be aware a forester has better aproach/ departure angles and better articulation. but what i found was for the money you'd be looking at the 2lt sf. no head gasket issues but a little less power/tourque. also the early foresters run 15's some may argue benifits off road.

hope this helps. but like i say, just my 2c.
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I plan to get an automatic and the vehicle is more based on comfort because I have a bad back and shoulder from an accident I had 2 years ago. I will be using it for a bit of offroad, in my landrover days I had a diesel freelander and you will be suprised where I got that, to the point I shamed all the other people on trips with me to do things they were afraid of. So approach angles dont really bother me as there is always a solution besides bumpers can be replaced :lol:.
I do however live in a town that has a tendancy to flash flood in streets you are driving down, I have turned a corner in my commodre ute and all of a sudden had water over the bonnet and running up over the windscreen talk about change of undies time. So I am tending towards ground clearance plus I am so impressed with my wifes Outback I thought I wouldnt mind one just not as new:iconwink:
 
OutbackOiler said:
I have turned a corner in my commodore ute and all of a sudden had water over the bonnet and running up over the windscreen talk about change of undies time
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Yes change of undies indeed! :rotfl:

The Outback is a great car but approach/departure angles are severely limited by its overhanging bumpers. A front bar like from SubaXtreme helps but is expensive. Also you could put in a 1" or 2" lift kit, which would help ground clearance even more.

Also have a look at Foresters, they're very similar to Outbacks but have a bit more offroad potential. Esp the older ones which have a much better low range
 
I have found a liberty with 360k on it sedan unfortunatly, it requires front cv's all the brakes and timing belt replacement, the price is fairly good. Apart from that the auto is responsive, the engine makes no unusual noises and there is no oil leaks. I am thinking of getting it fixing it then raising it for a bit of fun. Question is what are the autos like, are they known for their longevity or will I be up for one of them too? and does anyone know whatelse to look for at that mileage
 
If 360k km on the clock dont expect miracles as to how much longer the engine will last without problems. However if it has full service history it should have a good bit of life left in it.

Other possible problems could be head gaskets valve stem seals water pump pretty much anything with that high km.

I dont know if its worth pouring so much money into something so old however...
 
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