Life expectancy for '01-'04

[zero529]

My wife wants an AWD wagon for our snowy country roads, and the obvious
first choices are the Legacy and Outback. It sounds like the models
from '01-'04 are probably what we want, although we disagree on our
price range (I'm thinking more $11-13K, she's thinking more $12-15K).
Anyway, I've come to realize that I don't have a good sense of the life
expectancy these cars might have. Anyone have a rough guess? Is >150K
miles common? Thanks for your help.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

My wife wants an AWD wagon for our snowy country roads, and the obvious
first choices are the Legacy and Outback. It sounds like the models
from '01-'04 are probably what we want, although we disagree on our
price range (I'm thinking more $11-13K, she's thinking more $12-15K).
Anyway, I've come to realize that I don't have a good sense of the life
expectancy these cars might have. Anyone have a rough guess? Is >150K
miles common? Thanks for your help.

In a word, yes.
Of course, the present condition and its past care are much bigger
issues with any used car than its average model record from new.

I believe there is a website devoted to soobs with over 300K and folks
that participate in this forum have over 200K.

Carl

 

[Dmitriy]

If you're looking at '01 - '04, you should have no trouble no trouble
finding one with under 50k miles that is in your price range. Just a
quick search on autotrader.com turns up a bunch of Outbacks with
30--50k miles for $12-13k.

To answer your original question, a Subaru (if well maintained!!!!)
will last you well over 200k miles. With under 50k miles it's still
basically a brand new car, and you can expect many years of safe (and
fun!) winter driving from it

Good luck in your search!

 

[AS]

Make sure you drive the car from cold so you can detect any piston slap
or noisy lifter issues. Check the A/T by driving it in all conditions,
under heavy and light acceleration, etc. Also check for wheel bearing
issues.

Good luck

 

[bj]

get the 03 or 04....some of the earlier ones had some problems...

 

[bigjim]

First off I think folks are foolish to pay 15k for a USED car when any
number of makes/models can be had after negotiating for $20k NEW. I
dont doubt I will get over 100k miles on my 04 outback. You will find
that after 50k miles the car will have become sloppier feeling than
when new. On one hand I want to see how long I can keep it before
major problem and on the other I want something new as the car just
doesnt feel as nice at 75k as it did new. The subaru is awesome in
rain snow and ice though.

 

[Dmitriy]

A new Outback starts at $22k... that's for the very base version.
For $15k you can easily get one with 30k miles or less... which is
basically a new car.

Savings of $7k... which should more than take care of servicing the car
for the next 100k miles... even if you manage to blow the engine a
couple times

I'd love to have a brand new car, but IMO, from a financial standpoint,
it's foolish to buy a new car, since the car depreciates the most in
the first 2-3 years of ownership. According to Consumer Reports -
40-60% within the first 4 years.

 

[Jim Stewart]

A new Outback starts at $22k... that's for the very base version.
For $15k you can easily get one with 30k miles or less... which is
basically a new car.

Savings of $7k... which should more than take care of servicing the car
for the next 100k miles... even if you manage to blow the engine a
couple times

I'd love to have a brand new car, but IMO, from a financial standpoint,
it's foolish to buy a new car, since the car depreciates the most in
the first 2-3 years of ownership. According to Consumer Reports -
40-60% within the first 4 years.

Agreed.

I happen to *like* older cars. I like being
able to haul a dozen two-by-fours home without
worrying about scuffing the seats and I like
the general feel of knowing all the little sounds
and vibrations as I drive. I wasn't totally
comfortable in my Outback until it had 70k or
so miles on it. It's got 6 years and nearly
130k miles so far and I'm hoping for another
5 years.

 

[bigjim]

That 22k sticker car can easily be had for $20k . You are free to waste
money on someone else's trouble . I'll stick with a new car that I can
maintain properly and has a warranty to pay for the inevitable
problems. I will always buy new. A used car for $15k is a sucker's
bet.

 

[bugalugs]

That 22k sticker car can easily be had for $20k . You are free to waste
money on someone else's trouble . I'll stick with a new car that I can
maintain properly and has a warranty to pay for the inevitable
problems. I will always buy new. A used car for $15k is a sucker's
bet.

One word

Depreciation

I always bought new......... Until I woke up. Found that I lost more in
the first couple of years than what I had been able to save in the
previous 2 years to get to the original sale price.

Never again.

 

[bigjim]

What $$$ do you actually lose? Nothing unless you sell. If you keep a
car for 4-5 years you get warranty benefits then can sell it to a
sucker who buys used.

 

[Dmitriy]

Your line of thinking is exactly why a new car will depreciate so much
so quickly

You lose about 10% of the cars value when you drive it off the lot.

A car depreciates on a curve, that starts steep and then flattens out.
When a car depreciates more, it costs you more per month to drive it. A
brand new 2006 outback will probably cost you $2-3k in one year. My 6
year old 2.5RS cost me much less than that. Even with a new timing
belt, new tires, upgraded shocks, new pads and rotors...etc it probably
costs me $1k a year (since all of that service actually adds to the
value of the car).

But to each his own. I love the appeal of a new car and everything
being perfect... but at the same time, I love to not have to worry
about every little scratch.

 

[JohnO]

That 22k sticker car can easily be had for $20k . You are free to waste
money on someone else's trouble . I'll stick with a new car that I can
maintain properly and has a warranty to pay for the inevitable
problems. I will always buy new. A used car for $15k is a sucker's
bet.

You keep buyin' new ones when the floormats get dirty because then I'll
have solid used Subies to buy.

See, it's all good!

-John O

 

[bigjim]

Hardly traded in for dirty floormats. Last two cars went for 8 years
and 100+k miles. The 86 Dodge Daytona was on the verge of exppensive
repairs so it went. Bought a 94 Trooper that was hit and totalled in
'04 with 140k. That was a great vehicle but Isuzu stopped selling them
or I'd have bough another. My04 OBW is nice and I'll keep it for a
couple more year or until the 4 door Wrangler is available in yellow.
Nothing is better than a new car as I know the history of it

 

[bigjim]

Hardly traded in for dirty floormats. Last two cars went for 8 years
and 100+k miles. The 86 Dodge Daytona was on the verge of exppensive
repairs so it went. Bought a 94 Trooper that was hit and totalled in
'04 with 140k. That was a great vehicle but Isuzu stopped selling them
or I'd have bough another. My04 OBW is nice and I'll keep it for a
couple more year or until the 4 door Wrangler is available in yellow.
Nothing is better than a new car as I know the history of it

 

[JohnO]

Nothing is better than a new car as I know the history of it

That's sure true. I wish I had the ability to go that route, but I have
to go cheap where I can.

-John O

 

[Todd H.]

I'd love to have a brand new car, but IMO, from a financial standpoint,
it's foolish to buy a new car, since the car depreciates the most in
the first 2-3 years of ownership. According to Consumer Reports -
40-60% within the first 4 years.

If they did depreciate that much, that logic would hold.

I originally went to buy a used late model Subaru, and quickly learned
that they hold their value so well, and so few people re willing to
part with them, that it made no financial sense. This was also an
issue that I was looking in 2001, and wanted a 2000 or newer style of
Outback of course.

So I reluctantly bought new.

You have to take a look at the depreciation curve for the specific
car. If an 01-04 era Outback is still commanding $15k and with the
sweet incentive financing you can often get on new vs used vehicles ,
the incremental $ pay for themselves in having a vehicle that you're
sure is properly maintained.

Best Regards,

 

[Jim Stewart]

If they did depreciate that much, that logic would hold.

I originally went to buy a used late model Subaru, and quickly learned
that they hold their value so well, and so few people re willing to
part with them, that it made no financial sense. This was also an
issue that I was looking in 2001, and wanted a 2000 or newer style of
Outback of course.

So I reluctantly bought new.

Exactly the situation here in Northern California.
A 3-year old used Subaru is very hard to find. If you
do find one, the depreciation is more like 10-15%.