I bought a 2003 Subaru last weekend from an elderly couple that stopped driving when Covid hit. Legacy Outback wagon with 265k miles. My son-in-law is a Subaru fan and said it looked like it needed CV Joints, a new timing belt, fluids changed, and a detail. $1200. Couldn't pass it up. Subarus are worth their weight in gold around here and anything under $6-7k is very high miles and suspect repair history. Same as this one, but for $1200.
Bought it, drove it into town, and really liked it! Took it to the gas station and filled the tank with ethanol-free gas, then was driving it to the car wash to degrease the engine and get the grime off when it suddenly died in traffic. Couldn't restart it. It would sort of start and just stumble. Figured it was just a clogged fuel filter from the last of the old gas.
I towed it to the most reputable shop in town that my family had used before and they said they were booked solid until December, but would at least try and diagnose it and see what it needs.
I stopped by yesterday and talked to the mechanic. He said it needed new head gaskets, timing belt, fuel pump, CV Joints, axle stub shaft, all new brakes and rotors, couple of dashboard lightbulbs replaced, and a couple of other little things.
I was adding it up in my head and figured around $3500. Nope. Over $6,000!
I told him I was reasonably capable of repairs and he suggested I do everything except the timing belt and head gaskets. He's a Subaru guy and said he uses special head gaskets and that not getting the new belt on correctly will destroy the motor.
I checked around and his charges are inline with what repairs go for these days. Just incredible! At least he gives a 10% veteran's discount.