Seeking advice on a possible used car purchase

How To

John Paul, AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor, answers a question from a reader eyeing a 2022 Subaru Outback.

Q. We’re looking at a 2022 Subaru Outback. It has 13,500 miles on it. Consumer Reports has 2023 and 2024 rated as the best, but I’m wondering if anything stands out for the 2022 model year. I cannot find anything online but you are my go-to, so I wanted to check with you. 

A. Overall, the 2022 Subaru Outback is a good car with a few minor issues. Check the windshield, many have developed cracks. Move all the windows up and down. Some act sticky and need new window components. Drive the car for a bit, maybe 10-15 minutes, and then get up to 60 miles per hour and apply the brakes to slow down to 30 miles per hour or so. If there is a vibration, Subaru came out with a new brake pad design. Like many Subaru vehicles, even newer ones, the battery and charging systems can be wonky. The fix is a new battery with a software update for the charging system. Some glitchy issues with the infotainment system, the most common is that Apple CarPlay drops out. Some drivers have told me they cannot stand the glare off the navigation screen. Other readers don’t like the delay in how the car goes into drive, but it is a normal characteristic and nothing can be done. One final thing, ask where the car came from. With many areas experiencing flooding, be cautious of cars from North Carolina to Florida.

Q. I am the original owner of a 2003 BMW 325i wagon. The motor was replaced with a used one and associated parts at about 208,000 miles in 2019. The car ran fine, with regular maintenance until 232,000 in 2024 when it developed a vacuum leak. A new mass air sensor was installed to correct the problem. Minutes after picking up the car, the check-engine light came on. I returned to the shop and was told that the condition probably existed prior to the repair, and that I should drive the car, and the light would eventually go out. It did not. So, I returned to the shop and was told the car passed a smoke test and the repair was complete. I have replaced spark plugs, ignition coils, fuel pump, fuel pump relay, filter,  O2 sensors, air intake temperature sensor, and gas cap. I have also run Seafoam and Resole through the system. Shortly after each attempt, I get the same codes; P0171, P0174, P1083, and P1085, indicating that Bank 1 and Bank 2 are too lean. Misfires are also indicated. The car runs fine at highway speed but will present a rough idle from time to time. What can I do?

A. The most common issue is the engine intake air duct. A slight leak will cause a lean condition and the other associated codes. This component can be easily missed during a smoke test. I would carefully inspect the air duct for cracks. The other common failure parts have already been replaced. 

Q. My 2007 Lexus 460 is in good condition except for a brake squeak. I have taken my car to a reliable and trusted repair shop for many years. They have told me that the brakes are fine and safe, but they cannot figure out why when I brake going forward and in reverse there is a very annoying squeaking sound. I have taken the car there twice for this issue. I get the squeak at every red light, every time I slow down in traffic, and when backing up. Please help.

A. The issue could be the brake pads that your shop is using. Brake squeaking is usually caused by the brake pads moving very slightly. This slight movement causes a vibration which makes a squeak. Although perfectly safe, it is quite annoying. Sometimes the only answer is replacing the brake pads and associated hardware with the same pad/kit the factory uses. 

Q. I want to sell my 2003 Dodge Durango with 63,000 miles that I always kept in the garage. I would say it is in overall excellent condition and well maintained. Selling it privately takes time and effort. I need to sell quickly. Should I use CarCash, or one of those companies?

A. At that age, even in excellent condition, not all dealers may be interested. Still, it only takes a few minutes to check. I am not familiar with CarCash. I would try TrueCar, Carvana, and CarMax to see what they are willing to offer. Many readers have told me they have had very fair offers from these companies. 

John Paul is AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor. He has over 40 years of experience in the automotive business and is an ASE-certified master technician. E-mail your Car Doctor question to [email protected]. Listen to the Car Doctor podcast at johnfpaul.podbean.com.