quote:

Originally posted by ptruck:
Start searching on autotrader to get an idea of what is out there.

Yikes...talk about barren regardless of search criteria. Regional stuff is all super high mileage. Lots of way out of state stuff that say they'll deliver. <sigh>

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:
So an AWD or 4WD is all but necessary to counter that if you don't want to end up in a ditch or worse.

Right, AWD and 4WD is in my consideration criteria for you. But, does it need to be an SUV/Light truck? Would a sedan with AWD/4WD work?

For example, a Honda CRV has 8.2 inches of ground clearance. A Toyota Rav4 has 8.6 inches of ground clearance. All Subaru SUV's have 8.7 inches.

A Subaru Legacy sedan sits lower and has only 5.9" of ground clearance. Will the 2.25" lower stance be a problem?

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
But, does it need to be an SUV/Light truck? Would a sedan with AWD/4WD work?

Would prefer larger cargo capacity than a sedan, but obviously if the sedan and price are good... yes. Higher ground clearance much preferred.

I have a 2000 Forester, good condition 170K miles, I'm the 3rd owner, other two owners were local to me, each had the car for 10ish years until I bought it in 2019. It was a stopgap purchase to replace my '03 Outback. I'm in Oklahoma but can roadtrip up if your interested.

quote:

Originally posted by SevenPlusOne:
I have a 2000 Forester, good condition 170K miles, I'm the 3rd owner, other two owners were local to me, each had the car for 10ish years until I bought it in 2019. It was a stopgap purchase to replace my '03 Outback. I'm in Oklahoma but can roadtrip up if your interested.

Appreciate it but that is a little too long in the tooth and would be coming up on another timing belt change soon as well. Again thanks but will have to pass.

Here's a recently serviced 2003 Outback with 60k miles in Fort Collins, CO. Asking $5k.

https://bit.ly/2LJOKtG

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:

quote:

Originally posted by walkinghorse:
Check into Chadron Motors across the line in Nebraska. Several people around here have good experiences with them. They did close their Hot Springs location, but do deliver into the Hills area.

Jim neither their web site nor facebook page give any kind of used inventory....

Maybe phone, but that exposes you to return calls and your # out there?

Souix Falls is a bit of a hike, but there seems to be more available... Car Gurus

quote:

Originally posted by ShouldBFishin:
Souix Falls is a bit of a hike, but there seems to be more available... Car Gurus

Thanks. Not surprised as their market is larger some 350+ miles to our East.

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
Does it necessarily need to be an SUV/Light Truck?

...

And no, no road trip is possible.

Kinda painted yourself into a corner there a bit.

But some dealers will/may offer to drive out to a serious buyer. IIRC, I had one dealer offer to drive a vehicle basically across most of the state just for me to test drive it, no commitment.

If you can't go to them, you'll have to see who'll come to you. For $7K, you should be able to find something decent, you just need to be realistic with your expectations. Your budget dictates your selection pool.

But unless you've got an undrivable car or one dumping a quart of oil every 10 miles, you've probably got a little time to shop, no? If you're desperate and need something by the weekend, that's a different story.

Something will turn up...LOTS (and LOTS) of used cars out there.

Boss

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
Here's a recently serviced 2003 Outback with 60k miles in Fort Collins, CO. Asking $5k.

https://bit.ly/2LJOKtG

Interesting. Experian's AutoCheck shows as a "leased" vehicle in Sheridan WY from purchase and was up at a "Mountain Region auto auction" last September and again in October as a "Dealer vehicle" and finally in February this year again at an auto auction.
https://www.garagedmotorco.com...7649565&dcid=8410879

This activity really gives me cause for pause.... despite the price and mileage being very good and the dealer saying "Just serviced with new Serpentine Belt, Battery, and Fresh Oil Change"... Am I missing something?

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
Here's a recently serviced 2003 Outback with 60k miles in Fort Collins, CO. Asking $5k.

https://bit.ly/2LJOKtG

Interesting. Experian's AutoCheck shows as a "leased" vehicle in Sheridan WY from purchase and was up at a "Mountain Region auto auction" last September and again in October as a "Dealer vehicle" and finally in February this year again at an auto auction.
https://www.garagedmotorco.com...7649565&dcid=8410879

This activity really gives me cause for pause.... despite the price and mileage being very good and the dealer saying "Just serviced with new Serpentine Belt, Battery, and Fresh Oil Change"... Am I missing something?

Dunno enough about vehicle auctions and the like to really give a definitive opinion. At some point you'll have to work with the constraints of what you have.

My guess from the history, was that it was leased and then purchased off lease or traded in at the end of its lease to a dealer. Some vast majority of leases do not make it back onto a dealer lot, and are instead sold at auction to smaller dealers.

Perhaps here, since the car was in good shape, the small dealer kept it off the books as a dealer rental or a manger's vehicle before now finally putting it up for sale.

Nothing in the history is exceptionally fishy, and could probably be resolved by calling and speaking further with a manager.

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
Here's a recently serviced 2003 Outback with 60k miles in Fort Collins, CO. Asking $5k.

https://bit.ly/2LJOKtG

Interesting. Experian's AutoCheck shows as a "leased" vehicle in Sheridan WY from purchase and was up at a "Mountain Region auto auction" last September and again in October as a "Dealer vehicle" and finally in February this year again at an auto auction.
https://www.garagedmotorco.com...7649565&dcid=8410879

This activity really gives me cause for pause.... despite the price and mileage being very good and the dealer saying "Just serviced with new Serpentine Belt, Battery, and Fresh Oil Change"... Am I missing something?

Dunno enough about vehicle auctions and the like to really give a definitive opinion. At some point you'll have to work with the constraints of what you have.

My guess from the history, was that it was leased and then purchased off lease or traded in at the end of its lease to a dealer. Some vast majority of leases do not make it back onto a dealer lot, and are instead sold at auction to smaller dealers.

Perhaps here, since the car was in good shape, the small dealer kept it off the books as a dealer rental or a manger's vehicle before now finally putting it up for sale.

Nothing in the history is exceptionally fishy, and could probably be resolved by calling and speaking further with a manager.

Thanks. Tried to call and it went to voicemail so I sent an email. We'll see and again thanks for the help thus far. It has been sincerely appreciated!

quote:

Originally posted by Boss1:

But unless you've got an undrivable car or one dumping a quart of oil every 10 miles, you've probably got a little time to shop, no?

Just replaced a front axle that was about to break. (Apparently an undiagnosed issue from being hit two years ago that finally generated nasty sounds which showed the impending disaster upon inspection.) Tranny in extremis and could go any time, estimates of $1500 to $4000 to fix, so...

Got an update from the son.
He has some friends that have just volunteered to help drive him out of state to pick up a car if necessary. Issue will be getting a break from work to make such a trip.

My suggestion a 1st generation 2003 to 2007 Honda Pilot AWD version under $5000. Make sure that it has the timing belt done and maintenance and you will be good. God Bless

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
Here's a recently serviced 2003 Outback with 60k miles in Fort Collins, CO. Asking $5k.

https://bit.ly/2LJOKtG

Have exchanged emails with the owner there and are moving to close a deal. Again thanks for spotting this one for us!

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
Here's a recently serviced 2003 Outback with 60k miles in Fort Collins, CO. Asking $5k.

https://bit.ly/2LJOKtG

Have exchanged emails with the owner there and are moving to close a deal. Again thanks for spotting this one for us!

Maybe think about a mechanics inspection. Subarus tend to weep oil and it is usually not a big deal. The concern is the amount of spots in those photos. I hope it is from something else. If you smell coolant, avoid it. You are looking at big bucks for replacing the head gaskets.

My 2010 is just starting to weep coolant in addition to the usual oil.

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
Here's a recently serviced 2003 Outback with 60k miles in Fort Collins, CO. Asking $5k.

https://bit.ly/2LJOKtG

Have exchanged emails with the owner there and are moving to close a deal. Again thanks for spotting this one for us!

Maybe think about a mechanics inspection. Subarus tend to weep oil and it is usually not a big deal. The concern is the amount of spots in those photos. I hope it is from something else. If you smell coolant, avoid it. You are looking at big bucks for replacing the head gaskets.

My 2010 is just starting to weep coolant in addition to the usual oil.

I don't have a mechanic 5+ hours from our home. But good catch... inquiries made.

The 1999 had a head gasket and timing belt replacements in its time.

Might help...

https://www.autotrader.com/bes...ce-car-buying-146713

Boss

UPDATE: [Again thank's for all the help!]

Had a local mechanic check things out. He found the head gaskets are starting to leak. It’s not bad, not running down, or pouring fluid. It does have light seepage starting to show. Pressure was around 10 psi.

Dealer is having new head gaskets installed (with machined heads) plus a new timing belt, water pump, etc. for a modest price increase (a few hundred less than what we've paid in the past for separate head gasket and timing belt repairs on the soon-to-be-retired '99 Forester L). Documentation (OEM parts), mechanic shop warranty, etc. all to be provided as well.

The tires on the 2003 are just good - very good condition All-Season so road conditions will need to improve to bring it to South Dakota. (We're long time dedicated winter tire advocates.) As an aside the '99 Forester has new this year excellent winter tires brand/model that we've used in the past. Since both the Forester and the Outback have the same bolt pattern, etc. the Forester's mounted winter tires will work on the Outback. Plan is to remove them, placing the old girl on blocks for the local salvage company to retrieve at no cost. Son will also remove anything else he deems worthwhile from it as well.

'99 Forester last summer (body condition: minor side impact damage plus heavy hail damage)


'03 Outback w/60k miles being purchased