The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Hey everyone, so my 88' L series is getting to the end of its life and its time for an upgrade!

I'm pretty keen on getting an Dual Range Manual 2.5ltr Outback 00-02 3GEN.
Limited if i can afford it, otherwise the standard model.
Most i've seen on carsales are in the early 200,000km range and the $5000 - $7000 mark, which is my MAX limit. Preferrably the 6k mark if i can!

For an outback of this age and around about 200k on the odometer, what are the main things to look for when purchasing?

Engine/Clutch/Gearbox and things like that are my main concern as they tend to be quite pricey for parts + labour as i couldn't do them myself.
I'm used to replacing bits and pieces on my L series(Driveshafts/Ball joints/Bearings/Rotors etc), but parts for the L are quite cheap, are part prices similar with 00-02 Outbacks? and are they much harder to work on?

Just trying to see what i should be really looking out for when it comes to buying time, also any flaws/advantages/disadvantages of the Outback, and here opinons from Outback owners on their cars!
Thanks guys!

come on outback owners, i know your out there!

Major Issues
The viscous coupling in the centre diff tends to go around the 150-200k mark, once this fails the centre diff is effectively locked. During a test drive find an open area and just do a low speed U turn or full circle, if it has failed you will hear and feel the wheels chirping and slipping as the drive train binds.

If this is the case move along, a new centre diff is $1,500 plus labour.


The Gen3 came factory with a dual mass flywheel, these also are prone to failure around the 200k mark. Slowly let the clutch out at idle, a sick flywheel will rattle and squeak.

A solid flywheel conversion and new clutch will be about $1,200 with labour.


Some Gen3 have headgasket issues but not normally until 350-400k if they are well maintained.


Depending on how hard it has been driven you might be up for a new set of brake discs.

Minor Issues
The drivers side inner CV joint is very close to the catalytic converter and tends to cook the boots leading to early failure.

The tailgate garnish cracks in the middle filling your tailgate and tail lights with water.



That's about all I have had to deal with on my 2001 MY02 Outback which has just clocked over 310,000km's and is still going strong.

Jordan.

Thanks alot Baron, some really good info, will definatly look out for the above stated.

I have an 02 Outback. So far the the only issues I have had was the centre diff at around 140,000km then the original clutch decided to finally give up at 184,000km recently. I got rid of the dual mass flywheel at the time and cost me around $1100. The centre diff was around $1600 for replacement and installation. The car has 188,000km now.

I have an 00 auto outback.

To look out for.
leaking rocker covers.
worn steering rack bushes
my tailgate leaked as well but it was only an open join, a thin bead of silicon fixed it.
Most subarus for sale seem to have just below 200,000ks or just below 300,000ks, Why ? cause they will need timing belt and or idlers and tensioner, this can be expensve if you can't do it yourself, Try to find one that has just over 200,000ks and has had the belt and idlers done.

how much you want for your L

Found out the other day the dual mass fly wheel only started 1st month 01, our 2000 gen3 sedan has a solid fly wheel

bryan

Captain Obvious wrote:Found out the other day the dual mass fly wheel only started 1st month 01, our 2000 gen3 sedan has a solid fly wheel

bryan

Awesome, can anyone confirm that this is the same with outbacks?
I'm guessing so as Libs/Outbacks are pretty much the same?

Found this on carsales:
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/deta ... rt=default

Its close to where i live, and looks good from the ad, however a bit out of my price range (its $7500, looking for $6000-6500 MAX).
Redbook has $6400 being the upper limit of private sale for MY00 3GEN manual outback.
Is Redbook generally the way to go when it comes to prices?

Revmax:
Not sure really on price, wouldn't be much at all, i'd advertise it here when i get my hands on another soob! I don't wanna scrap it as itd seem like a waste.