Subaru drivers in Chicago don’t let go of their cars easily — but when the head gaskets finally blow on that 2008 Outback or the CVT gives up on the 2015 Forester, we’re here to pay cash. Cash For Junk Cars LLC has been buying junk Subarus across Chicago, the suburbs, and Northwest Indiana for two decades. Call (773) 939-3333 for a firm offer on any Subaru in any condition — running, non-running, wrecked, rusted, flood-damaged, salvaged, or title-less.
We pay $300 to $9,500 for junk Subarus depending on model, condition, and title. The brand’s AWD-first engineering means even high-mileage, head-gasket-failed examples have real parts-market value, which keeps offers competitive compared to equivalent FWD cars.
Why Subarus End Up at Chicago Junkyards
Subaru has a fiercely loyal customer base in the Chicago metro — Outback and Forester dominate in Evanston, Oak Park, Naperville, and college-town areas, while WRX and STI are everywhere on the roads from Logan Square to Aurora. That loyalty means owners drive their Subarus to extreme mileage. 200,000 is common. 250,000 is not unusual. 300,000 happens.
All of that mileage catches up. A few specific failure modes send Subarus to our lot more than any others:
The legendary EJ25 head gasket failure. From 1996 through roughly 2011, Subaru’s 2.5L SOHC boxer engine has a head gasket design that weeps externally (coolant dripping onto the driveway) or internally (coolant mixing with oil). It happens to essentially every car that reaches 130,000-180,000 miles without a preventive gasket job. A proper repair runs $2,000-$3,500 at an independent shop. On a 15-year-old Outback worth $2,500 running, the math kills the car. We see these every single week.
Lineartronic CVT failures. The CVT transmission used in 2014+ models has shudder and failure issues. Repair is $3,500-$5,500 and most owners tap out.
WRX/STI crash and abuse. The performance models attract young enthusiasts who sometimes overdrive or over-modify. Blown EJ257 motors with ringland failure and crashed STIs are a regular part of our pipeline.
Rust. Chicago salt plus unibody Subaru construction means rear subframes, rocker panels, strut towers, and rear wheel wells rust through on 2005-2012 Outbacks and Foresters. Structural rust that fails IL inspections ends the car.
Get a quote via our free quotation form or call direct.
Top Subaru Models We Buy in Chicago
Subaru Outback — The dominant Subaru in our junk pipeline. BE/BH (2000-2004), BP (2005-2009), BR (2010-2014), BS (2015-2019), BT (2020+). 2.5L boxer (head gasket), 3.0L H6 (2001-2009, reliable but rare now), 3.6L H6 (2010-2019, strong engine), 2.4L turbo (newer). Head gasket and CVT failures dominate junk triggers.
Subaru Forester — SF (1998-2002), SG (2003-2008), SH (2009-2013), SJ (2014-2018), SK (2019-2024). Same head gasket and CVT issues. XT turbo variants have EJ255/FA20DIT engines that fail differently (ringland, rod bearings).
Subaru Impreza — GC/GF (1993-2001), GD/GG (2002-2007), GE/GH (2008-2011), GJ/GP (2012-2016), GK/GT (2017+). Sedan and hatchback. Base 2.5L, 2.0L, and turbocharged variants.
Subaru WRX — Performance Impreza variant, separate model line from 2015. EJ257 and FA20DIT engines. Modified, crashed, or blown — we buy them all.
Subaru STI — Higher-performance WRX with EJ257 closed-deck motor. High-value car even as a junker because of drivetrain and aero parts.
Subaru Legacy — Full-size sedan cousin of Outback. BD/BG (1995-1999), BE/BH (2000-2004), BL/BP (2005-2009), BM/BR (2010-2014), BN (2015-2019), BW (2020+). Many of the same failure patterns as Outback.
Subaru Crosstrek — Raised Impreza hatchback (2013+). Popular urban-outdoor vehicle. Newer into the junk pipeline, mostly accident totals and CVT failures.
Subaru Ascent — Large 3-row SUV (2019+). Newer. We see accident totals and the occasional turbo/CVT failure.
Subaru BRZ — Rear-drive sports coupe (2013+). Shared with Toyota GR86. Crashed BRZs come to us regularly.
Subaru Tribeca — Mid-size 3-row SUV (2006-2014). Low volume but common in junk.
Subaru Baja — Truck-like 4-door pickup hybrid (2003-2006). Cult following; we buy them.
Subaru SVX (1992-1997), Loyale, and Justy — Older discontinued models we still occasionally buy.
Subaru Junk Car Prices — What We Pay in 2026
| Model Tier | Running + Title | Non-Running + Title | No Title / Totaled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru WRX / STI | $1,200–$9,500 | $700–$4,500 | $400–$2,500 |
| Subaru Ascent / Tribeca (3-row SUV) | $700–$7,500 | $450–$3,000 | $250–$1,600 |
| Subaru Outback / Legacy | $500–$5,500 | $300–$2,200 | $200–$1,200 |
| Subaru Forester | $500–$5,000 | $300–$2,000 | $200–$1,100 |
| Subaru Impreza / Crosstrek | $400–$4,500 | $280–$1,800 | $180–$950 |
| Subaru BRZ | $800–$6,500 | $500–$2,800 | $300–$1,500 |
| Subaru Baja | $500–$3,500 | $350–$1,600 | $250–$900 |
Head-gasket-failed EJ25 examples typically fall at the lower-middle of the non-running column. Modified WRX/STI often exceed the running-column top end if parts are retained. For how we price, see how much is my junk car worth.
Common Problems That Send Subarus to Junkyards
EJ25 Head Gasket Failure (1996-2011)
The single most common Subaru junk trigger in the entire Midwest. SOHC 2.5L boxer engine head gaskets fail externally (visible coolant leak) or internally (white smoke, overheating, coolant in oil). Repair requires pulling the engine or both heads — labor-intensive. $2,500-$3,500 at an indie shop, more at a dealer. Most owners of 10+ year old Subarus choose to sell to us instead.
Lineartronic CVT Failure (2014+)
Subaru’s CVT has a known shudder-and-slip failure pattern around 90,000-140,000 miles. Subaru extended the warranty on many 2014-2018 models to 10 years/100,000 miles, but many cars are out of coverage. Rebuild is $4,500+. Owners junk.
WRX/STI EJ257 and FA20DIT Engine Failures
Ringland cracks in EJ257 (often from tuning or lean conditions), rod bearing failures on FA20DIT (early 2015-2018 WRX), and turbocharger oil feed line failures all show up at our lot. Blown performance Subarus are high-value junk because the AWD drivetrain, 6-speed transmissions, BBS wheels, Recaro seats, and Brembo brakes all retain parts value.
Rear Subframe and Rocker Rust
Chicago salt eats Subaru unibodies worse than many brands. Rear subframe mounting points, rocker panels, rear strut tower tops, and rear wheel well lips rust through on 2005-2012 Outbacks and Foresters. Structural rust ends the car.
Rear Wheel Bearings and Clicking CV Axles
Subaru AWD means every corner has a CV axle and the rear has bearings that see AWD torque. Rear wheel bearings fail regularly around 130,000 miles. Combined with other issues, becomes the straw that breaks the budget.
Oil Consumption (FB25 and FA20)
2011-2014 naturally-aspirated FB25 and FA20 boxers have a known oil consumption issue — the piston ring design allows excess oil to pass. Subaru had a class-action settlement. Many engines got new short blocks under that program; many others did not, and owners who burn a quart every 700 miles eventually give up.
3 Steps to Sell Your Junk Subaru for Cash
Step 1: Call or Submit Online
Call (773) 939-3333 or submit your Subaru’s details on our free quotation form. We need year, model, trim, engine (EJ25 vs EJ257 vs FB25 vs FA20 etc. if you know), mileage, title status, and what’s wrong with it. If it’s head gasket failure, CVT shudder, or a blown turbo WRX — just tell us directly, we hear it every day.
Step 2: Free Pickup
Accept the offer, set a time. Same-day pickup is standard. Our flatbeds and wheel-lifts roll across every Chicagoland service area.
Step 3: Cash Paid
Driver verifies the VIN, handles paperwork, pays cash. Pickup takes about 15 minutes on site. Read sell my car for cash for the full workflow.
No Title? We Still Buy Subaru Vehicles
Illinois allows licensed buyers to purchase vehicles 10+ years old without a title using bill of sale, registration, or notarized affidavit matching your ID to the VIN. That covers every 2016-and-earlier Subaru, which is the bulk of the head-gasket-failure Outback and Forester population in the metro.
For newer Subarus, we work with Illinois Secretary of State duplicate-title and salvage-title procedures. WRX/STI with salvage titles from insurance totals — we buy these regularly. Full workflow on our we buy junk cars no title page.
Service Areas — We Buy Subaru Across Chicagoland
Chicago city — All neighborhoods, heavy Subaru presence in Logan Square, Lincoln Square, Rogers Park, and the North Side lakefront. Our junk car removal team runs daily routes.
Close-in suburbs — Skokie, Oak Lawn, Cicero. Higher Subaru density in Skokie/Evanston-adjacent areas especially.
Outer suburbs — Naperville, Aurora, Elgin, Bolingbrook. Outback and Forester are family staples here.
Northwest Indiana — Hammond, Gary. IN titles accepted.
Subaru owners are often Toyota or Honda owners too — if you have a junk Toyota Corolla or Camry in the driveway next to the Outback, we quote and pick up both on the same call. Also buy junk Ford, junk Chevy, and every other major make.
Why Subaru Owners Pick Us for Their Junk Outback or Forester
Subaru is a brand-loyal community. Owners know the cars — they know what the head gasket failure sounds like, they know what a dragging CVT feels like, they’ve heard every story about rear wheel bearings. When they call a buyer, they want someone who knows the cars too.
We speak Subaru. Our buyers know the difference between EJ25 SOHC and DOHC, the variations between EJ255 and EJ257, the FA20DIT oil-dilution issue, and the CVT extended-warranty situation. Tell us your year and we’ll know the failure modes. That translates to faster quotes and more accurate offers than a generic scrap buyer.
We pay for parts value, not just scrap. A typical junk yard weighs your Subaru and quotes scrap-metal pricing. We value the AWD transfer case ($200-$600 retail as a used unit), the rear differential, the transmission if intact, the engine short block if the heads are the only issue, Recaro or STI seats, BBS wheels, Pirelli or Michelin tires if recent, aftermarket parts, and intact catalytic converters. That’s why our offers beat scrap-only buyers on Subarus especially.
Free tow across every part of Chicagoland. Whether your Subaru is in a Naperville subdivision, a Logan Square street spot, an Oak Park alley, or an Evanston apartment lot, we dispatch a flatbed at no charge. No radius restrictions, no tight-space surcharges, no “it’s too rusty to tow” excuses.
Submit through our free quotation form or call (773) 939-3333. Most Chicago Subaru owners get cash offers in under 10 minutes and same-day pickup on request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
My 2007 Subaru Outback has the classic head gasket failure — will you still buy it?
Yes — in fact, head-gasket-failed EJ25 Subarus are one of the most common junk cars we buy. Blown head gaskets on 1996-2011 Outbacks, Foresters, and Legacys with the 2.5L SOHC boxer are legendary, and we pay fair cash for them. Non-running examples with title typically pay $300-$1,500 depending on body condition, mileage, and completeness. The AWD transfer case alone is worth real money in the parts market.
Do you buy modified or crashed WRX and STI cars?
Yes. Crashed and modified WRX and STI vehicles are a steady stream for us. Whether the EJ257 or FA20DIT motor is blown from tuning, the car was wrecked at a meet, or the build got stalled mid-project, we buy them. Prices range $800-$6,500 depending on the year, modifications, what parts are still on the car, and what's missing. Performance parts on the vehicle actually help the offer.
My Subaru has 250,000 miles but still runs — is it worth anything?
Absolutely. High-mileage Subarus are very common — 200k+ is normal for the brand because owners keep them running for the AWD. A 250,000-mile running Outback or Forester typically pays $600-$2,200 depending on body condition, recent maintenance, and what fails you're aware of. AWD drivetrains hold parts value even at extreme mileage.
My Forester has CVT shudder or failure — can I sell it?
Yes. The Lineartronic CVT used in 2014+ Foresters, Outbacks, Legacys, and Imprezas has a known pattern of shudder, slipping, and complete failure, often in the 90,000-140,000 mile range. Subaru extended the warranty on many, but plenty of vehicles are out of coverage. CVT-failure Subarus still pay $450-$1,800 because the boxer engine, AWD hardware, and body panels retain value.
Do you buy old Subaru Baja, Tribeca, and other discontinued models?
Yes. Discontinued Subarus — Baja (2003-2006), Tribeca (2006-2014), SVX (1992-1997), and older Loyale/Justy models — we buy regularly. Baja is actually a cult vehicle now with good resale on whole cars and parts. Tribeca with the 3.0L or 3.6L H6 engines is a solid junk candidate because the H6 has strong swap-community demand. Typical range $300-$2,500.