93 Subaru Legacy: Moneypit or not?

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Ranking - 03 Nov 2007 05:32 GMT

Hi all, I hope it's okay to post this sort of thing here, can't find a
better place to ask about old Subaru's.

Just totaled my 97 Honda Accord with less than 90K on it (I owned it
less than a year, never really liked it much, reliable and all that,
just wasn't me I think, need a better winter car too), other guy's
fault he missed the stop sign. I'm in much better condition than the
Honda, but I really wanted an AWD Subaru anyway, with the nasty
winters we get up north.

So, I found this ad on a local website:

1993 Subaru Legacy Wagon. Tan/gold color. Four door, all wheel drive,
automatic transmission, power windows, power locks, cruise control.
The car runs great and has had no major mechanical problems. It has
nice tires and a new exhaust. This is the best car for the money.
Looking to sell soon.

Mileage:     165,000     Year     1993
Make    :     Subaru         Model    Legacy Wagon
Condition:     Good         Transmission     Automatic
Exterior Color:     Gold/tan         Engine
Interior Color    :     tan         Body Style4 door wagon
2500 OBO

I'm looking to go cheap, paid 7K for the Honda and never felt it was
worth it. I can find many Legacys and Outbacks in the area, newer and
a little less mileage for around 4-5K. Like to keep it under or at 4,
5 tops and that would be more than I care to spend really (wished I'd
kept my GEO!)

Any opinions on whether this year is a good one? Am I buying a money
pit? I have heard about old ABS, and a few other things at Edmunds and
epinions, but I'd rather spend a couple hundred a year maintenance
than waste money on a newer vehicle and lose value. I'm cheap... ummm
thrifty. Are the 93 Subaru's as safe as the newer ones? I believe it
has an airbag, man that came in handy in my bang up yesterday. Poor
little Accord!

Thanks again, I want a safe car, AWD, reliable with decent mileage and
cheap! I want it all baby!

Is there a lot of scheduled maintenance coming up at this mileage? I'd
look myself harder, but I'm feeling the accident, I'm exhausted and
medicated and ready for bed.

Ranking

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Ralph E Lindberg - 03 Nov 2007 16:16 GMT

> Hi all, I hope it's okay to post this sort of thing here, can't find a
> better place to ask about old Subaru's.
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> 2500 OBO
> ...

Looks affordable and close to the right price from what KBB.COM says.
You are buying a heavily used car and it might die the final time soon

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Carl 1 Lucky Texan - 03 Nov 2007 20:18 GMT

>>Hi all, I hope it's okay to post this sort of thing here, can't find a
>>better place to ask about old Subaru's.
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> Looks affordable and close to the right price from what KBB.COM says.
> You are buying a heavily used car and it might die the final time soon

Indeed for any used car that old (14 years!) its care history and
present condition mean much more than the repair record for the model. I
also think the auto-trannies in that year range (Rick - anyone?) MAY
have had the aluminum 'sleeve'/whatever in the transmission/clutch pack
that fails. Either way, I think I'd definitely want to have a good
mechanic ,very familiar with Soobs, to inspect it. And I'd want to have
$2k in the bank in case something major failed.

www.ultimatesubaru.org is populated with many experienced folks keeping
older subies on the road. Might even get a recomendation for a local
mechanic over there.

good luck!

Carl

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Rick Courtright - 08 Nov 2007 00:17 GMT

> present condition mean much more than the repair record for the model. I
> also think the auto-trannies in that year range (Rick - anyone?) MAY
> have had the aluminum 'sleeve'/whatever in the transmission/clutch pack
> that fails. Either way, I think I'd definitely want to have a good

Hi,

I don't remember which was what as to "good-bad" autos back then, but I
do remember seeing several posts about automatic transmission problems
in the early '90s models.

Personally, I'm not a fan of autos, and don't remember seeing any that
"got better" w/ age, especially the electronic ones. So I'd second the
suggestion for a complete inspection by a qualified "Subie familiar"
mechanic! Or look for a car w/ a stick?

Rick

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