New Owner Baja Shopping Checklist?

[RMDelete]

Ok so I've been doing a little reading here and there but was hoping to look for maybe a thread where people suggest WHAT exactly to look for when they are doing their shopping around... I recently called two people and one person had a new Catalytic Converter installed (2k job she said) on her 03 Baja with 174k on it. Sooo that lead me to just want to ask for advice on what to look for, what to ask and so forth... so far my list consists of the following questions:

1. what is the mileage (if not listed)
2. Do you have a maintenance record of all basic work done?
3. What and when were Major repairs done to this vehicle?

but I am not sure what else to ask... I've been reading here and there that sometimes there is a "clunk" sound when the tires turn to far a certain degree so I should check for that when test driving, but then again I also read that sometimes you don't hear anything until the car warms up.

I am planning on calling my Mechanic (he's a very reputable honest man with almost a perfect score on Yelp.com) and asking him how he feels about my decision to exchange my Miata for a Baja (he will tell me how he feels about it and not sugar coat things) I really want the Baja sooo at least if he advises me against it I know he will still be there to fix my car when and if it needs servicing haha but at least I want to hear what he has to say about things that he has experienced with these cars.

Sooo if anyone out there has some friendly tips on what to ask or what to look for when I am going out hunting please let me know! I could use all the help there is

thanks all!

[WillGT]

For maintenance schedules check here https://www.subaru.com/my-subaru/mainte ... e2003.html

Now its going to differ on how much info you get based on a dealer or private owner. Most dealers don't have the records, but if its a Subaru Dealer that should be able to look at it and tell what it needs or has been done.

Some of the things I looked at and it really doesn't matter as much on mileage with these because its all how the car was driven or maintained
Head Gaskets, biggie, if its using coolant or leaking oil, or smells like its burning that could be a costly repair, esp if the car has overheated before. Mines got a seep, nothing bad, but will need a replacement in the future

Axle boots, always check those for splits and what not

Tire tread

Has it been in any accidents, if so repair records? what was repaird

Rust can be hit or miss, some don't care some do