Would you buy it?

[Fubeca]

We've been looking for a new car for the wife and soon to be kid .

I found something that I like, that I can afford - but. Its a 2003 subaru forester and it only has 9500 miles on it. Carfax confirms, apparently the guy's grandparents bought it in Dec. 2002 and drove it a total of 6,000 miles during the next three years. Then this guy got it (I guess they died), and he's put another 3,500 or so on it this year.

It is a pretty good deal (right at KBB good condition, private party value - lower than most others in the area).

So how do I tell if its a great-deal? What should I watch out for?

 

[Confedneck79K30]

well 6+6=12 not 9500... but otherwise it sounds fair, they're good vehicles, but not cheap to fix once out of warranty..

 

[burban89]

Im not real sure what model or engine size but I do know that Subaru had head gasket problems with one of them. And yea not cheap to fix.

 

[Fubeca]

Fixed my adding - bumper-to-bumper has expired. The powertrain warranty would go 'til December 2007.

 

[dhcomp]

I'd jump all over it. Its a flat 4 probably, and fun to drive. sh*t, talking about major repairs. Its a jap car wiht 9500 miles on it.....you've got about 100k more before you need to worry about anything.

 

[Fubeca]

I just went and drove it. It must be the cleanest car I've ever seen outside of a dealer. A bit of surface rust on anything not painted underneath. Fun to drive, 2.5 flat four - AWD. I'm still thinking about it.

 

[burban89]

I was wrong it is on the 1999-2003 2.5s, sorry.
http://www.subaruproblems.com/