There’s a pit thread about VWs, and it got me thinking. I am not really happy with my Jetta. it’s a nice enough car, but I don’t really like the black leather, the a/c is not working, and I can’t put dogs in it. Most importantly, it sucks in the snow, of which we have a lot. The tires are those wide, low-profile tires and even if it rains heavily I feel like I’m barely holding on to the road. I don’t know if I can just replace those tires with other regular tires, but anyway, the point of this thread.
Does anyone have a Subaru Outback? How do you like it? Is it pretty reliable? How is it in the snow? What size engine do you have? What are the options you have? I only really need two things as far as options - a/c and heated seats.
Normally, I’d suggest a used model, but the new 2005 Outback is apparently an outstanding car. Here’s the Edmunds preview.
I just saw a new Outback a couple of days ago, and it’s a gorgeous car - the photos don’t do it justice. And the 2.5XT gets a similar motor to the WRX STi and suspension improvements that make it a real road rocket - probably under 6-second 0-60 times. I suspect the new Legacy and Outback will be Audi A4 killers.
I bought a 2004 Outback in Jan, have about 10K miles on it now. Like it a lot, gas milage sucks but all wheel drive and extra weight (it’s 1000 lbs heavier than my Saturn) come at a price. Great in snow, comfortable on the highway, love the heated seats.
The 2005 didn’t turn my head, but I haven’t looked at what is different. Doesn’t look like major changes. Also, these cars are getting expensive. A new base model will set you back $22,000, the higher models will cost over $30K.
If you drive a lot in snow and/or need ground clearance, I don’t think there is any other car or truck that matches it for comfort/usability/price. If you don’t drive in snow and/or need ground clearance, there are other choices that make more sense. You can save some money by getting the base Legacy instead of the Outback version. You give up a center diff and some ground clearance, but not much else.
Subarus are outstanding vehicles. Good in the wet/snow, high build quality, good resale value. You should be satisfied. I’ve been hunting around for a reasonable deal on a Baja. Maybe next year.
However, for the money, you can get a used BMW! Mine has traction control (and anti-lock brakes) and is actually better in the snow than both my 4x4s and the front-drive Toyota! Even with the Michelin XVXs on it. If I got studs, there would be no stopping me. Simply the best vehicle I’ve ever owned. Its got heated leather seats, too!
I love my Outback - it’s a (I think) 2002 model. It was the first year they came out with 6-cylinder engines for them, so I got one. They only put the 6-cylinders into the super-duper high-end models (that year), so I purchased the LL Bean Outback (ran about $29,500). I plan on having this car for many years.
Would I purchase one again? Without hesitation, and although I would prefer one that didn’t have so many “luxury” items that I don’t need, I would always get 6-cylinder version.
That being said, there are a few drawbacks. Gas mileage for my car is not great (in fact, pretty poor). The brakes seem to wear slightly fast, but that could just be my driving. I get the sense that repairs are somewhat pricey, too.
The heated seats are great! And the A/C works really fast!
I’ve had mine since '96 and like it a lot. It’s very, very good in the snow – I usually don’t even bother shoveling the driveway in the winter. Mileage is not bad, but unfortunately they don’t make the smaller engine (2.2L?) anymore, so later models are much worse. Fuel efficiency is the only reason I’d hesitate in buying another one – like many manufacturers, Subaru has been favoring power over mileage in their models. Hopefully high gas prices will convince them to offer some less thirsty models.
The reliability has been good and the cargo room is excellent.
[slight hijack]
Just curious, how do you pronounce Subaru in the US? In Australia it’s Suba-RU but in NZ it’s Su-BAR-ru. I guess I really should be asking how it’s pronounced in Japan.
[/hijack]
I own a '99 Subaru Outback Sport and lovelovelove it. Great in snow, zippy in good weather, and nice response time.
I’ve always pronounced it “sue-bah-roo,” btw, jastu. But my pronounciation might be a bit skewed by the fact the car was nicknamed “Mewbaru.” YMMV, of course.
They still make the 2.5 liter 4, but it was a little hard to find on the lots. More people are buying the boxer-6. I find the 4 to have plenty of power for my needs.
We had a 1998 Outback. It was stopped at a stop-sign when it was rear-ended by a Range Rover going about 45. The crumple zone sure crumpled! The car lost about 20 inches of total length. But there was no incursion into the passenger compartment, and you could still open most of the doors. Amazing! My husband’s injuries were thankfully minor. The car was declared totaled, so we immediately got a brand-new 2001.
It’s just the greatest car.
Negatives:
–Gas mileage.
–Cargo capacity isn’t really that big, if you tend to carry a lot of stuff.
–They’re really common around here, so I sometimes find myself impatiently pushing the “unlock” button at a car that isn’t mine.
We have a '97 Outback and love it. Great for dogs, bikes, my wife’s business. I enjoyed driving it even though it was only the 2.4 flat four. The new one with the 2.5 is fast, but not like the STi. For one, it’s heavier. For two, I don’t think it has a turbo, which the STi does.
The new ones are awesome, but any of the old ones are great cars, too.
Anyway, if you’re really looking to replace the Jetta with a sedan, you might consider the Impreza 2.5RS. That’s what I drive, and I love it.
They also have a wagon version.
The whole subaru thing is kind of confusing because “Outback” seems to be a “trim” and a “line”. For instance, there’s an Outback Legacy and an Outback Sport (that would be like the Outback Impreza). But, there’s also the Legacy Wagon and the Impreza Wagon. And then I think there are cars that are just Outbacks.
Anyway, both of our cars are Subarus. I don’t think you can go wrong with ANY subaru. They all have the boxer engine for a low center of gravity, and they’re all all-wheel drive with ABS.
It’s one of the highest customer-satisfaction brands out there.
My sister in law just bought one, and she is happy with it. However, I have a few questions:
-it is really NOT an off-road vehicle…the ground clearnace is not enough to take you on dirt roads with a high crown.
-the cargo capacity isn’t that great…my SATURN wagon holds more.
-gas mileage is terrible! She avargaes LESS than 14 MPG! On the highway, she barely gets 20 MPG
Plus, the factory maintainence is very expensive…to get to 50,000 miles,you will have to spend over $1600. Do most of you SUBARU people go to independent mechanics for this? Will the factory accept non-dealer service?
Not true, it has roughly 8" ground clearance, considerably more than most cars. I take it to remote trailheads in NH, ME, and VT, someplace that normal passanger cars cannot go without losing a muffler or oilpan. It’s not a mudder, but it will take you many places a normal car cannot go.
Depends on which Saturn you are talking about. I went from a 1998 Saturn SW2 to a 2004 Outback and the Subaru has considerably more room. It’s really no comparison. Also, the Outback seats fold flat. Perhaps your are talking about the larger Saturn L series, in which case the Saturn is a larger car so it’s not surprising. Or perhaps you mean an Outback Sport, which is a smaller car.
That is considerably worse than my experience. I average 24-26 MPG in mixed driving. Does she have the 6 cylinder?
All cars manufacturers in the US must accept non-dealer service. All you have to do is show the work was done. Does anyone else have comparible maintainence costs for other vehicles? I’d be surprised if Subaru was much out of line, although all wheel drive may jack up the scheduled maintainence costs.
Subaru sells four cars lines in the US, the Legacy, the Impreza, the Forester and the Baja.
The Legacy has sedan and wagon models, each of which also comes in an Outback version which adds center diff, more ground clearance, different trim, and some different option packages.
The Baja is basically a Legacy Outback wagon with a pickup bed and some ugly color choices.
The Impreza is a smaller model, that comes in sedan and wagon/hatchback body styles. It also has Outback Sport versions, I’m not sure what features are added.
The Forester is build on the Imprezza body, is a taller wagon. It does not have a Outback version.
Subura complicates this by referring to “Outback” as a model, and grouping the Legacy and Impreza Outback versions as all one model. They clearly are not, but that is the marketing dept talking.
Is there a vehicle out there with the gas mileage of a honda, the clearance of a Hummer, and the cargo capacity of a Tahoe?
It’s all-wheel drive wagon with better clearance than other wagons. It’s great in the snow and for light off-road stuff. Your sister should be getting WAY better mileage than 14. Mine averages over 22 with a mix of city/highway.
My wife uses it for her business and loads it with a 10x10 tent (broken down), the tarps for the tent, 3 display cases, the glass for the cases, 8 sandbags @ 25 lbs each, a hand-truck, two chairs, a cooler, her inventory, 3 boxes of miscellaneous things, her sign, and her necessities for 4 days on the road.
Just what are you using the Saturn for that won’t fit in an Outback?
Even with the Michelin XVXs on it. If I got studs, there would be no stopping me. Simply the best vehicle I’ve ever owned. Its got heated leather seats, too! 
