High Mileage Subaru plus auto = crazy???

Am I crazy for thinking about picking up a 1 owner 2003 Impreza TS auto with 180k on the ticker???

In reply to KSScotton:

There's two Outbacks near me for sale that've been there awhile with the same stats. I'm curious to look or run...

No help but I'll bump your post to the top!

In reply to ebonyandivory:

appreciate the bump ;-)

My 97 Outback had 412k kms (over 250k miles) on it when I sold it and I still see it around town and that was 3 years ago. Now granted it was a 5spd.

It had the "dreaded" DOHC EJ25D that had internal HG leaks.

I would flush the tranny and drive on. If it fails 4EAT transmissions are cheap!!!!

My daughter's 2002 2.5TS auto is solid as a rock at 106,000 miles. I changed the fluid when we bought it at around 75,000 miles. The filter is a spin-on type same as the oil filter. She's autocrossed it 4-6 times a year for the last 4 or 5 years and drives it daily. I wouldn't worry about it, if it feels good. I would change the fluid and filter immediately upon purchase.

Unless the AT OIL TEMP light is on or shows recent or pending history on the scanner, drive it and see how it feels. If the light is on, run, don't bother test driving.

Guys, appreciate the advice!

Any more advice? Due to wife needing an auto, I'm interested in learning more...

Just as an aside - I have seen 4EAT's for sale on enthusiasts boards for $250. So when I said cheap, I didn't mean through a JY.

Make sure you check the front differential fluid before buying it. My first Subaru was an automatic, and I checked it a couple days after buying it. The diff was dry. I filled it up, but it was too late, the pinion bearing went out a few weeks later...halfway through Mississippi on my way from WI to the Gulf Coast. Couldn't find a replacement locally, so I had one trucked in from the northeast for $350 shipping included. Swapped it out with the help of a couple friends, drove it around the block to make sure everything worked, then headed back home because classes started the next morning.

went and looked at the Impreza today, Transmission was rebuilt less than 50k ago and the headgaskets were replaced under factory warranty/recall. Car drove well, think it will be a change of fluids and drive ;-)

In reply to KSScotton:

Sounds like a good find! Hope it all goes well!

Sounds like a good car plus some of the expensive stuff was already done.
Make sure they did a full new timing belt kit when they did the head gaskets. I'm not worried about the water pump, just the belt, idler's and tensioner. There is an access cover held on by three 10mm bolts on the drivers side. You should be able to peek in there to see if stuff is new or oldish.

timing belt is due to be replaced, should be a fun DIY project.

There are two different 4eats, the pre-1999(I think) Phase I and the 1999-up Phase II which has the external spin-on filter. They are not interchangeable. Generally, the 4EAT is a decent trans, and was used by quite a few manufacturers in different variations (it's a Jatco design iirc). The only real exception is the SVX, since it had some calibration differences to make it shift more smoothly and a super long final drive, resulting in many early deaths. As with any auto, fluid changes and a clean filter are very important. If it was rebuilt 50k miles ago, I'd say you're good. They are apparently not that hard to DIY-rebuild, in any case.

KSScotton wrote: timing belt is due to be replaced, should be a fun DIY project.

The timing belt job should be pretty easy on that car. I just did one on my 2.5 Legacy. Granted, I had the engine out, but I don't think it would be too bad to do it in car either.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R58MwuhTsQk

Appreciate the info everyone! The timing belt replacement looks like it will be pretty straight forward.

I am at 188k on my 97 legacy OBW with a 4aet, no problems and it was an auction car so who knows if it was taken care of.

I'd do it. I recommend against a rebuild on a 4EAT. I have had master builders working for me at my shops and they couldn't get them right. It takes a very special builder to get one to work right, and even if you get it back together right, chances are there will be valve body issues and half of the plastic connectors will disintegrate when you touch them. I call them a disposable transmission.

But, like has been said, they're cheap and usually last pretty well if maintained. They're not weak, just a pain to build. Come to think of it, I've never seen a Jatco that I wouldn't call a disposable transmission.

Well I took the plunge and bought the Impreza yesterday. I do need to replace an front axle shaft. boot was torn and is making clicking sounds, will do that today while I have it up on stands changing all the fluids. Thanks again everone for the advice!