Prospective 2004 3.0r purchase - Concerns !!

[Horse13]

Hey guys

Not sure if this is the right place to post within your forum ??
I'm looking for a 2004-5 3.0r (Spec b prefered) with low km.

I have just found a 2004 3.0r with 20k mileage in perfect condition. After checking some of the other threads re oil usage I am a bit concerned that it may have been driven by miss Daisy....

Could you pls shed some light on the possible issues with this purchase ?
I need to find out but I think it is possible that Mr Daisy (Rest his soul) may have been a lead foot (fingers crossed) - I just need to tread lightly with my enquiries so I don't offend.

I'm a new member and currently drive a 2008 MkV GTI with APR mapping (secretly always wanted an all paw Lib!!)

Thanks Guys

[Robbks]

if it's only done 20K in that amount of time i think you should be ok but make sure the KM's are genuine

then when you get it home, so a complete and thorough fluid replacement and service.
and i mean everything from coolant, brake fluid, all filters, clutch fluid or ATF, diffs, etc
a bunch of upper engine cleaner, new plugs and anything else you can think of.

then just drive it.
do a few good runs once the car is warm and give it a reasonable hiding to get the exhaust and cats nice and hot and working to their optimum to clear it all out

[alessandro132]

It's honestly super hard to check whether it's consumed oil (aside from checking the obvious being the level in the dipstick) unless you can somehow verify its service history with Subaru.

Rob's advice is solid if a little extreme, but still good practice nevertheless. I'd recommend the Spec B (particularly the 6MT if that floats your boat) cos you get all the nice handling bits which should make you feel right at home having hopped out of the GTi.

What's your budget?

[kiks]

Buy my gen 4 3.0RB wagon. 160k's but you'd soon realise thats irrelevent and its only just being run in. Uses approx 200ml between 5k services and has been driven spiritedly its whole life = run in properly :p

I'll throw an entire free spare engine in with the car if you're that concerned (needs a new set of bearings, cheapest rebuild in history)

KM's irrelevant, Ever driven a half million k old subaru? Better than 90% of shit with 50,000km on it.

[kiks]

if it's only done 20K in that amount of time i think you should be ok but make sure the KM's are genuine

then when you get it home, so a complete and thorough fluid replacement and service.
and i mean everything from coolant, brake fluid, all filters, clutch fluid or ATF, diffs, etc
a bunch of upper engine cleaner, new plugs and anything else you can think of.

then just drive it.
do a few good runs once the car is warm and give it a reasonable hiding to get the exhaust and cats nice and hot and working to their optimum to clear it all out

I'd be more concerned about whats left of the head gaskets and what the bores look like after sitting for months on end.

[Horse13]

Thanks for such prompt replies guys.

Good advice.... My budget is around 18k and the one I'm thinking of buying has 21.5k on it which is a bit rich even considering the low km.
Do you think I should look at spec b's with higher mileage (up to around 100k) in light of the fact that these engines seem more resilient than most ? - why are they so resilient compared to others ? Please excuse my ignorance... Just learning about Subarus.

Are spec b's that much better ? Pls bear in mind that I do want an auto (if the spec b comes in auto).

Thanks again boys

[kiks]

no engine should ever have a problem up to 1-2million km. keep it serviced, drive.

Why does it magically die at 100k? Please explain the worlds taxis and prime movers and buses with 500k-5mil k on them with nothing but scheduled servicing in line with how they are used.