I have an ex who is moving back to the Bay Area and I guess is looking for a car. Previously, they drove a ~2000 Subaru Forester which got sent to the junkyard at 220K for some unknown catastrophic failure. Their family had owned it since new. It happened right as they were preparing to move away, so all was well that ended well.
Anyway, out of nowhere I was sent this Craigslist ad asking if I thought “something like that is worth buying”:
They also remarked that “it’s ugly but seems like it is in good shape”.
I’ve already done a few things:
- Replied letting them know that generation Outback may well be Subaru’s finest design ever.
- Said the price seems like it could be right (looks decent, low enough mileage).
- Told them this would not be something they should consider buying because they are not mechanically inclined or even aware.
- Pointed out how the seller trying to have the buyer get something fixed for the “title transfer smog check” is a huge red flag. In California, it’s up to the seller of a vehicle to have it pass smog within 90 days before the sale. It seems like this guy wants to do the sale and then have the buyer be on the hook for the smog check.
Anyway, I figured I would get Oppopinions because I am really not too familiar with these Subarus despite always thinking they were good looking. Given that this person is still not even physically here, chances of them ending up in this particular car are pretty much zero, but it still got me curious. Nice Price or No Dice?
If you wanna take it further, what would be your suggestions for a car:
- Located in the Bay Area.
- Under $4,000.
- Automatic.
- Able to accommodate an “active lifestyle” (space for camping stuff/a bicycle, able to easily go down dirt roads requiring a little ground clearance and AWD).
- Good/easy resale.