Want to buy 98 Outback, BUT ..............

[blank]

Im looking at a 98 Subaru Outback, automatic, Limited Edition with only
31,000 km (19,000) miles on it. I believe the mileage to be correct,
looking at the vehicle--practically no stone chips, engine very clean, log
book in order etc. (Price is $21,000 Australian, which is the correct book
value.) It had just been traded at a Subaru dealership and hadn't been
detailed when I saw it. So today it was meant to be available, BUT they
said there was a small problem with the transmission and it wouldnt be
available for a week. Bearing in mind that these guys are used car
salesmen, Im wondering:

a) are there known problems with the 98 Outback automatic
b) what do you guys think about automatic transmission problems when the
mileage is so low?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[jimuntch]

Sounds pretty "fishy" to me. Did you read my posting yesterday (pertaining
to a 98 Outback on ebay)? I looked up 98 Outback on www.kbb.com and came up
with $8850 US value on trade-in value. Converting Australian to US, the
value of your car would be $14562...plus it's got problems! Does it have a
turbo or something else that makes it so valuable/appealing? My 97 Outback
has 65K miles, with no transmission problems. One annoying problem is the
tranny likes to shift from fourth to second when climbing a steep hill, with
cruise control on. I attribute the problem to the cruise control, not the
transmission. Good luck...hth...jim

 

[TG]

My '99 SUS needed the trans replaced at 120,000 miles and the wrench said
this is common...cost $2,000 US to fix

 

[Greg]

Had trans issues with my 91, my fault, at 70K. Had some signs of trans
problems with my 98 at 95K. I'd think a normally serviced trans should go
100K or so which is still weak by my standards but miles ahead of what your
looking at.

 

[Pete D]

Can't compare car costs from US to Australia as there are many factors
involved. You cannot buy a 98 Outback for under AU$20k. New Outbacks are
around AU$50k

 

[Guest]

Greg, what automobile stands up to your standards?
Just curious, not any Detroit iron I've ever owned.
Nor BMW or Porsche. Certainly not Ferrari!
Even Detroit's seat upholstery won't go 100K miles!
Our '97 OB's did! ;-)

Piston slap due to short skirts is another issue that
I'll agree with your statement about. :-[

Had trans issues with my 91, my fault, at 70K. Had some signs of trans
problems with my 98 at 95K. I'd think a normally serviced trans should go
100K or so which is still weak by my standards but miles ahead of what your
looking at.

Username munged by FixNews

 

[jimuntch]

Yeah... you're probably right about comparing the two countries. But you
can't use your argument that new outbacks are AU$50K either. A US 2005
sells for over $33K US (
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/d...ake=Subaru&model=Outback&pos=Find&src=LeftNav )
, which is close to what they sell for in AU. ($50K AU=$35,320)