questions about an 05

[davej]

so an 05 lgt mt5 caught my eye at a local place here, and i wanted to throw out a line for some general opinions. it's got ~68k miles and is tagged at $14k.

Do you guys know of any 'gotchas' to watch out for in that year? anything specific i should be checking for? or is there a better option to consider?

currently have a 06 fxt and spent a good deal of time researching it on my own before buying, but then came across subaruforester.org after the fact, so this time i'd like to get the enthusiasts opinions before hand.

oh, and for what it's worth, still keeping the fxt, looking to replace a 99 a4 avant. i wouldn't mind getting into some light mods down the road, but don't have nearly the time or opportunity i'd like to do more.

never thought i'd be an all-scoobie family, always had a soft spot in my heart for evo IX mr in dark grey, but the lgt looks like it could be some fun and give me a little more room than the a4.

thanks!

dave

[TSi+WRX]

Welcome to teh .org! :)

If you can, see about getting full maintenance records - the '05s had a filter in the turbo-supply line, and too-long OCIs can cause these to get gunked up, reducing the amount of critical cooling oil to the turbo, translating to a quicker-than-normal demise of the turbo. Records should also show servicing for the fan relay recall, if VIN-affected.

Check for evidence of modding - the UP as well as the DP should provide easy evidence (newer hardware, etc.).

That kind of mileage, obviously, would be suspect for clutch wear.

Under the car, check the front lower control arm bushings for wear/damage (replace) as well as check the rear anti-sway bar mounts for damage (repair). If the car's up in the air on a lift, some quick shakes of the wheels for a quick wheel-bearing check is good, too: remember that Subaru has extended the factory warranty on the rears to 100K miles (? years; sorry, can't quite remember!).

[blackfang]

In addition to the above post.

Watch out for the turbo's. Like it was said, there is a banjo bolt on the oil line going to the turbo that has a screen in it. If the OCI's were too long, this will clog up and starve the turbo of oil. DEMAND all oil change receipts from the past 30k. If they can't provide any, buyer beware!

Check for mis-matched tires. This can lead to AWD failure.

As for the rear wheel bearing extension, it is on certain 05 and 06 Legacy/outback models for the rear wheel bearing only.

[TSi+WRX]

Check for mis-matched tires. This can lead to AWD failure.

^ Very good point - I'd forgotten about that!


As for the rear wheel bearing extension, it is on certain 05 and 06 Legacy/outback models for the rear wheel bearing only.

^ Ah, thank you - I did not realize it was VIN-related. :o

[m sprank]

Offer 10K. I sold my 2005 5EAT in MINT condition (30k on odometer) in June 2009 for 14k.

[davej]

thanks so much for the info guys! spoke with the dealer a bit today and the background story (which i take with a grain of salt mind you) is that the car was a subaru dealers mechanic's personal car, (which now works at the dealership in question) and he had the engine and turbo replaced under warranty about 10k miles ago while he was working for subaru. now if that holds true, and by golly there'd better be service records for that, seems like a pretty decent setup. not sure what caused him to blow the first block/turbo but maybe some more digging will turn that up.

great notes on the clutch/tires/bearings/moding, thanks again everyone. i'll update as i get more info and maybe move closer to a purchase.

[blackfang]

Do you have the last 8 of the vin? I can try and run a report to see if that is true.

[davej]

Do you have the last 8 of the vin? I can try and run a report to see if that is true.
that'd be great if you could find anything out here's the vin
4S3BL676256204770 and the url to their site
http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dda/detail.jsp?ct=u&car_id=282764512&dealer_id=80272&car_year=2005&dealership_view_name=quinnmotorcar&num_records=100&model=&start_year=&search_type=&make=&min_price=&sort_type=make_modelASC&end_year=&max_price=&cardist=0&captcha=success

took it out for a quick test drive today and i don't know if it's just me but it seemed i really had to jam the shifter into each gear. can't compare it to the fxt since that's a 4EAT, and maybe the audi is just so old and worn out that it shifts smoother than a new car? gonna have to find some other lgt's to compare with i think.

out side of that, i was pretty impressed, first experience in a lgt and it seemed to pull really well. more continual power than the fxt, but maybe since it's a manual you don't get that inflated sense of turbo kick when the 4eat downshifts

[blackfang]

The car has had the cooling fan recall done.
The car does have a rear wheel bearing extension.
The short block and turbo have been replaced under warranty.

[davej]

The car has had the cooling fan recall done.
The car does have a rear wheel bearing extension.
The short block and turbo have been replaced under warranty.

great to know, thanks for the confirmation.
did you get that from someplace i might be able to access in case i come across other cars to look up?

[blackfang]

Nope. Trade secrets my friend ;)

[m sprank]

Good to have friends like blackfang. Dealership insiders.

[blackfang]

Well not anymore. I now work for an Acura dealer. That is a different story.

I have created a good reputation with SOA so there is always a possibility that I could end up at another dealer or at SOA. I still have all my contacts.

[davej]

Nope. Trade secrets my friend ;)
fair enough =)

thanks again for looking it up. we've been trying to move back down south (harrisonburg va) so if we make it, it's good to know there's some helpful people that know their scoobies down there....even if your avatar gives me nightmares.

[blackfang]

Ha ha ha. Not the first time I heard that about my avatar. ;)

[kagenmateer]

I have one thing to add. Make sure you test-drive it on the freeway and take it above 90 just for ****s to make sure there's no vibrations you need to know about.