I’m supposed to go look at a co workers boyfriends car this weekend. Subaru Impreza Outback Sport Special Edition Wagon AWD. Its an old one I don’t know the year. He just had the AC replaced. 75,000 miles and is asking $4500 or best offer. At approximately what mileage do these engines and transmissions fail on these? It’s only got 75,000 for maybe a 15 or older Impreza and I wouldn’t be racking up the miles too much since I have another car. Should I make an offer or say I’m not interested?
A 15-year-old, 4-cylinder Outback is right smack in the middle of the years that head gaskets were a problem. If they have not already been replaced they would need to be soon. (They usually start leaking around the 100K mile mark so they're probably original.) Head gasket replacement costs a few thousand dollars (engine needs to come out).
If it's a six-cylinder model don't even consider it, those engines guzzle gas and they turn into black holes for your money as they age.
Automatic transmissions are weak, but at that low mileage if it shifts OK and it's maintained it would probably last a while.
Mainly due to the spectre of probable head gasket failure in short order I'd look elsewhere.
