I found a used 2000 Legacy Outback (automatic) at a dealership selling for less than $10k. The catch is that it's got over 80k miles on it, which I think is a lot for 3-4 year old car. That's about 20k - 26k miles a year! Even factoring in the high mileage, it's below blue book and Edmunds pricing.

I love the fact that it's 2000 because that's the new body styling but the mileage kinda scares me. How reliable is this Outback that's been driven to the point where's it's got the wear and tear of a car that's at least 1-2 years older.

 

Update: I ran a CARFAX on it and it looks clean. The car was owned by a private individual for approximately 41 months, which averages to 24k miles/year. The guy must've done some cross country trips or something!

 

well as far as legacy's in general go, just check the major things, such as maintenance. ask to see the records of when the head gasket was done or if it was done at all which is the main thing that happens frequently in the 2.5L motors, along with the water pump. timing belt etc. one quick check way to look for leaks is test drive the car, then while its running and still warm, look for bubbles coming up in the radiator overflow tank. i did when i bought mine and got a free head gasket and h2o pump out of it otherwhise theyre great cars, and i sure ull be more than happy with it.

Phil

 

I don't think the head gasket is as much of a problem on the new body style vs. the late 90's model. And a lot of miles in such few years usually menas a lot of highway miles. That is much better on a car than stop and go traffic.

My wife has an explorer with over 130k and it was getting 30 and 40k miles for the first few years, but they were all on the highway. It has only needed very minor, regular maintainance and that is AMAZING for a ford. Ususally they need majorrepairs at 100k.

So basically, those highway miles USUALLY aren't as hard on a car as regular city stop and go stuff. But cabs and police cars have it really rough, because they not only drive stop and go constantly, but are also left to idle all the time too. And idling never shows up on the odometer. So be glad that there aren't very many subaru cabs and subaru police cruisers!!!