Scooby estate buying advice

[taffstalini]

Anyone got any handy hints for what to look for?

Have seen one nice example but with with no air con, it also had a sticky gear change into third and the rear hatch rattled. Only 32,000 on the clock and nice but for the above.

Any advice welcomed.

[vixpy1]

taffstalini said:

Anyone got any handy hints for what to look for? Have seen one nice example but with with no air con, it also had a sticky gear change into third and the rear hatch rattled. Only 32,000 on the clock and nice but for the above. Any advice welcomed.

The gear changes are all generally sticky, at least the ones i've come across anyway. What age is it and model?

[Jon101]

Agreed on the gear change (although 1st & reverse are the usual complaints). The rear shouldn't rattle - maybe it's just the luggage cover thingie?). With that mileage it shouldn't have any major problems.

I've got a MY99 with 38k (which I'll be selling soon...) and there's nothing that you would need to make an excuse about with them. All very reliable and practical, plus great to drive and maybe a little less attention-grabbing than the saloon.

Mine came from the dealer with a dog guard and large plastic tray rather than the luggage cover screen which in retrospect was not good as a replacement luggage cover is £120+.

You might get some scratches on the boot sill where people have taken stuff to the tip etc but the interior generally is robust and agian with lowish mileage you should expect it to look clean & tidy inside. The MY99 that don't have air-con should have an electric sunroof I believe.

[DJFish]

Air-con is more desirable come re-sale,

MY00 gearboxes suffered from a loose nut problem which allowed 5th to pop out under decelleration, should be a warrenty fix.

Check the usual things like panel damage, service history etc.. Scoobs are made of tin foil so a re-spray doesn't neccessarily mean a shunt.

There are so many decent ones about you should be looking at a low mileage, with aircon, possible even with extended warranty, preferably owned by a fully paid up Subaru cap-wearing enthusiast, then you'll know it's been treated with kid gloves.

Good luck (and try the for sale section on scoobynet and SIDC forum)

Dave

PS, Wagons rule

[scoobybloke]

The sticky gear change is a little concerning. They certainly can be stiff in first or when engaging reverse, but you shouldn't have that on third. Also - you'll regret not getting air con.

To be honest, there is such a choice around at the moment, at good prices, I would be inclined to keep looking. You should be able to get a very good example with none of the problems you've mentioned. As DJFish said, Scoobynet is a very good place to start.

Chris

[DocJock]

Tailgate strike plate rattles on the majority of estates at one time or other.

It is a simple adjustment to fix it.

[mechsympathy]

I'd keep on looking. Mines a MY97 with 74k, and the only problem is a slight squeek from the clutch pedal that I keep forgetting to WD40 (And I've just remembered a slight oil leak from the right rocker cover/endplate. But it still uses next to no oil.)