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mheappey

Hi
Ive decided upon getting a Subaru Legacy 4th gen (03-06) 2.0 in the next few months and I am currently on the look out for the best value one.
Most are good prices with many being in the sub 7.5k bracket in Auckland. I am not overly concerned if one has done over 100,000kms, and many I am looking at have done 120-140,000 max. Ones more towards the 120-140kms often have had their cambelts done and I am happy with going for one like that. However, many I am looking at are in the 90-110/115,000kms bracket and do not state if the cambelt has been done or not.

I asked a dealer about one with 110,000kms and he could not tell me if it had been done or not.
I wanted to know if most dealers would be happy to change the belts (or at least subsidise a majority or it) before I went ahead with the purchase of a legacy?
Also, if it had a mechanical warranty would this I am assuming would not cover a snapped cambelt.
And with the legacys if I bought one with about 85-90,000kms, is it quite safe to go right up until 100,000kms before the cambelt change regardless of the age of the car?

Sorry about all my questions in this I just want to be sure what I can do and needs to be considered before buying one.

Thanks

Mitchell

Anon

Hi there,
For Subaru, the 100km service requires all fluids, filters, and cambelt to be replaced and will cost quite a bit. So a lot of people will sell their cars before this is due.
You can negotiate for the cambelt to be replaced before buying. It is always better to replace the belt if in doubt. A mechanical warranty will require proof of the cambelt replacement in order to be covered. I'm confident that Subaru cambelts last till 100km, but always good to get it checked on any car you buy just to make sure.

mheappey

Ok thankyou. Hopefully something can be done as most of the cars are from dealers and as appraised, maybe a deal can be done if they have on site mechanics. For imports of over 100k, if the c/belt has been done in Japan does it ussually indicate it anywhere on the car and will this serve as proof for a mechanical warranty?
Thanks

mheappey

Ok thankyou. Hopefully something can be done as most of the cars are from dealers and as appraised, maybe a deal can be done if they have on site mechanics. For imports of over 100k, if the c/belt has been done in Japan does it ussually indicate it anywhere on the car and will this serve as proof for a mechanical warranty?
Thanks

Anon

Hi there,
Only on occasion there are stickers under the bonnet.
However maybe a reciept from a workshop syaing they checked it and it looks to be replaced. Might be enough.

mheappey

Ok that's good to know. I intended to get the car checked out by either the aa or vtnz, would checking the cambelt be something that could be done at the inspection? Most of the cars are aa appraised, and as the last question what does the appraisal contain?