I GOT MY OUTBACK :)

BaronVonChickenPants · Post by **BaronVonChickenPants** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 8:43 pm

First the context:
I've come across a 2001 (plated MY02) Outback, December rego, 2.5L, 175,000km's, Dual Range Manual, Tint, Fabric seats, Leather wheel, dash, gearknob, Cruise and Climate control, you get the idea.

Interior and Body are immaculate except small scrapes on either corner of the front bumper and 2 minor dints (look like hail but theres only 2 of them).

Apparently the centre diff is on it's way out, clicks on full lock, but they've offered to replace it.

I can get it for $13,500.

Now the questions:
I've got the impression that it's a really good price, is this correct?

Why would the center diff die?

Is it likely to have a dual mass flywheel?

Any particular problems I should look for?

Rough guide of fuel economy?

Anything else you care to mention.

Thanks,
Jordan.

smoov · Post by **smoov** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 8:49 pm

you're right. suspiciously cheap.

at least they're honest with you.

at that sort of money, with the cash you're saving on a VGC one, i'd do an EJ20T conversion with an auto VTD tranny.

but thats just me

BaronVonChickenPants · Post by **BaronVonChickenPants** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 8:53 pm

It's not dodgy cheap, I have a contact that deals with a wholesaler who sells to car yards and can get the odd car nice and cheap, like so.

Jordan.

fredsub · Post by **fredsub** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 9:03 pm

lol, does this mean your project touring wagon has hit some pitstops?
13k is a nice pricefor a 5yr old vehicle, sure the money you save will be needed to fix things...the big question is will you still be ahead?best of luck i hope.

BaronVonChickenPants · Post by **BaronVonChickenPants** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 9:11 pm

Thanks fred, the EJ tourer is still on the go, just need to decide what direction to take with it now ie: 2nd road car or EJ off road car, time will tell.

I'm pretty sure either way I'll still be ahead, it has full log books and every service has been done by R & C automotive, anyone in Wollongong who knows them knows they do a good job and are subaru specialists.

Even if something horrific mechanically goes wrong I can pinch spares from my tourer and I'll still be driving a MUCH nicer car then my current beater.

Jordan.

chridk · Post by **chridk** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 10:07 pm

Baron, I've got a 99/2000 outback with the same ks on it, the only drama i've had was the hydraulic clutch line blew out(left me sitting in the sun for 4 hours)this happened a couple of years ago ( about 150k on the clock)

The clutch has started to shuder at 170k, should be good for another 10-20k .
I say go for it, of course each car gets treated differently.
If you can, take it for a spin, my car is still dead silent ( no rattles or bumps)
Sorry cant help with the centre diff though

Anyway good luck
Chridk

GTlegs · Post by **GTlegs** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 9:01 am

These engines tend to have weak head gaskets, that went between 150k and 200k. Make sure you check that.

jzk25 · Post by **jzk25** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 8:52 am

It will have a dual mass flywheel in it if it has not already been changed. These can be replaced with a conventional clutch very easily using an EJ22 flywheel and a 5087 exedy clutch kit.

Viscous coupling failure is common on 8 bolt gearboxes. The vc swells internally and blows the retaing clip out eventually with binding being the initial symptom. They are $1000 new and very easy to replace.

Headgasket failure is caused by overheating, they don't fail for no reason. They do have a low tolerance for overheating however.

$13k is pretty right for wholesale on the car described, it would be a ~$15-17k car on a lot.

Clutch hose failure is common on all subarus post 98.

midnight · Post by **midnight** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 8:13 pm

All I have to say on the matter Jorda, is Damn you

.......That is all for me

BaronVonChickenPants · Post by **BaronVonChickenPants** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:15 pm

Thanks for that Al, they replaced the whole centre diff with a new one at their cost ($1,200) even got a reciept, so that should be right for a while.

AND for all those who have been waiting, here it is:

For more pics and larger versions see here

Bar a few minor dints it is imaculate, interior is like it is a new car, it even has the new car smell

And this is what it replaced:

Rough as guts, noisey as hell and barely runs, but it was my beastie and it served me well but now it's being put out to pasture...literally, in a nice cube shape

Jordan.

PS: Thanks Tim (Xaymaca) for driving the old white beastie back home for me, Amy felt sorry for you all the way home

tim_81coupe · Post by **tim_81coupe** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 1:54 am

I think my entire body has just turned a bright shade of green....

Very good score there BVCP. Great looking car - hope it serves you as well as we all know it will! I get the feeling you're not going to buckle to the conversion bug with it for now - you've plenty of other beasties to keep you occupied!

subiwidow · Post by **subiwidow** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 6:24 am

Rules are Rules. You can Not go from a MY to an Outback in one go. You need to go through the ranks like all the rest of us. Brett got to a Liberty and has now gone back to a Brumby.

No just jealous. That car looks great. Congrats on a good buy. Hope I won 21 Million last night to get myself one.

smoov · Post by **smoov** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:30 am

looking ace there Baron.

You are truly indeed the envy of the forums now!!!

enjoy the car mate, she looks tops!! centre diff repaired, should see you some quality motoring yet in front of you!!

(and yes, I agree, it was kinda time to upgrade!!

)

now for some action pics

cheers

alex

jzk25 · Post by **jzk25** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 10:03 am

You should think about fitting a low water sensor in the top hose. It could save you a lot of trouble and money. It's usually simple things like a leaking water pump seal that causes head gasket failure on these and a low level sensor will give you early warning.

We just upgraded to a 99 model Outback for my wife(from a 95 TT GX wagon). They are a real improvement over early models and really good value now. Easiest Subaru to work on yet also.

BaronVonChickenPants · Post by **BaronVonChickenPants** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 11:21 am

Thanks guys, I love it, Amy and me both still look like this

Yeah Tim (or is that kermit?) still got plenty of other projects to finish before I start to mod the outback, I'll leave it stock for a few years, got a liberty planned by then and when that happens, let the outback modding begin

:P Pfft to the rules, Megan you should know better than anyone us suby people don't stick to the rules

Al the water sensor sounds like a great idea, so I'd fit it to the top hose at the radiator right?

Looks like now I need to make a new signature

Tim (Xaymaca) just left with my sherpa so now I'm down to six suby's (yes thats right only 6

)

Jordan.

seagull · Post by **seagull** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 1:12 pm

I did a group buy on the low coolent alarms a few weeks back .I have one in my H6 and can tell you its worth the $ before you do any thing to that car fit one .

I be selling my H6 at the end of the year I think it would of done 70000ks by then .

BaronVonChickenPants · Post by **BaronVonChickenPants** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 2:51 pm

Seagull any chance you'll be coming across anymore of the alarms? do you have a rough price?

Thanks,
Jordan.

jzk25 · Post by **jzk25** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 8:17 pm

Sunspares have them including a stainless sleeve to fit into the top hose, don't know how much though. Otherwise I think Jaycar also have them.

seagull · Post by **seagull** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 12:54 am

It will be some time as to when I do the group buy again .

The unit I purchased I have used for many years /

not sure about the unit from Jcar but worth a look .These are far cheaper than a new motor .I put one in every thing I own tha has a water cooled donk .