Forester value check

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?ownerId=68321343&searchRadius=0&listingId=350377021

2003 base Forester, 133k. Head gaskets, timing belt, and water pump just done at a local Subie dealer. Front brakes earlier this spring. Private party sale. Looks in clean in pictures; I haven't seen it in person.

Edmunds puts private sale at right around $4,000-4700. KBB puts it about $4400-$4600 private party.

What says the GRM hive mind? Going to see the car in about an hour. Thanks.

Anyone? Bueller? Headed out to see it soon. Thanks.

Price seems pretty high to me, I just bought a 2000 with 100xxx for $4000. Other then that it seems pretty good without looking at it.

Also its kind of sluggish with the auto...

$4500, tops. It even has the steel wheels.

You can get the first gens for challenge money pretty easily..

Seems a little high, yeah
(and that's with my scoobie sense very much influenced by everyone locally overvaluing them... came very close to flying to Texas for an 04 Forester XT last year)

Lot of money for an X. A clean XS with all the options would go for about what they're asking.

It's for my 18 year old daughter; sluggish isn't a problem. DD#1 has a 2002 Impreza wagon with the same drivetrain, and it's acceptable.

OK, just drove it. It is pretty clean; not perfect. A few dings but zero rust, and no real evidence of accidents. Interior looks pretty darn good for the miles.

Like all Subarus, it's going to need a RWB in a year or so. There is a receipt for $2000 worth of head gaskets, timing belt and tensioner, water pump, etc. thermostat, fluids, all done about a week ago. Engine sounds good, runs smoothly, transmission seems crisp and tight. Didn't get a chance to put my scanner on it, but it's going to show no codes and a recent reset anyway.

I'm thinking of offering $4800 cash and seeing what they come back with. I'll play up the wheel bearing. Plus, the current registration is about to expire.

Seriously, I'd sell you my wife's 2010 with 120k for not much more. Seems a bit high to me.

Just saw this, and unless there is a bag with 3000$ of loose bills in the trunk, it's WAY too expensive. That price is in WRX territory. And that 2000$ worth of repair was just to bring a neglected car's maintenance up to date. Just pass. To give you a comparison, last October, I bought a 2005 Saabaru AERO with 140K with a few scratches, and a leaky PS pump for 4000$.

Hrm, not around here you wouldn't. 150k, pre-2000 Foresters are still asking in the 3 large range.

Thanks for the input, everybody.

Oh, hey, not trying to bump my own stupid post, but:

This car had a lot of wind noise around both outside mirrors and/or the leading edge of both front doors. Notable wind noise. The guy said he had been trying to chase it down and had given up.

Panel fit is neat and gaps are even and proper size. Is this a particular issue for Foresters?

Yeah it's normal to all frameless window Subarus

Its a Subaru, they all do that.

Odd, DD#1's 2002 Impreza doesn't make that noise. Though moving on from the link fanfoy provided, it seems that there is a squeeze-with-pliers method that may work.

Thanks, gents.

Is the rubber gasket around the side view mirror in good shape? Those get torn easy and can make noise.

Most of the gaskets seemed pretty live. I'll look in more detail, though. I'm going back for another drive this evening, with DD#2 along to check it out.