Subaru. Which years? Which models?

[Flounder]

The new Outback styling doesn't offend me. If anything, the new Forester is a little pedestrian to me, not that there's anything wrong with that. I do have a hard time seeing the Outback being as capable as previous generation Subarus off the pavement. That's a long snoot it has. A snoot clad in plastic.

I may look into the previous generation Outback. The size of the new Outback doesn't intimidate me, but it does seem unusually large. I do dislike the new factory racks on the Outback. They greatly limit the range of rack goodies you can get up there.

Okay....maybe I'm back at the Forester?

2012-subaru-outback.jpg

As a footnote - I already like the Subaru discussion vibe. At this point in the Land Rover forums, someone would have been banned - twice.

[Maddmatt]

Here's my first hand feedback: I've had an '01 Outback since '01 - absolutely love it. Drove the same year and options Forester when we bought it, and there was no comparison - back in '01 the Outback felt much more buttoned up.

Issues
Head Gaskets: Yeah, they're bad. We got ours replaced, about 80% covered by Subaru even though we were over 100k with the 'new improved' version. 18 months and no issues, but it took 8 years for the first ones to blow.

Fuel Leak - they seep some fuel in sub-zero temps. Easy fix, you just open the hood, find the leak and give the clamp a half turn or so with a phillips screw driver. No big deal, but that it always seems to be the middle of the night, and they don't leak (at least mine doesn't) at temps over 10 degrees, so I'm always worried about some unrelated plastic bit shattering.

Front brakes. Under sized. After 6 years of getting my front rotors turned way too often I broke down and had them placed with some drilled and slotted ones. Not only do I stop quicker and have reasonable brake maintenance intervals, I have cooler looking brakes than my 17yo neighbor.

Front skid plate: Factory version is plastic. Ours shattered during the winter of 06/07(?) when the front range of Colorado looked like Summit County, and we had 12" deep ice ruts in our neighborhood for six weeks. Got a cool STI aluminum one and put it on in then snow no problem. Cooler than my neighbor point #2.

Wind noise: The mirrors make a lot of noise at highway speeds. Luckily Subaru equipped each one with a 'wind noise cancellation' knob on the dash. They labeled it 'Vol' and it works quite well.

Gas mileage: The most variable of any car I've ever owned. On the highway, with 2 adults, 2 kids, a 70lb dog, a week's worth of stuff and a box on the roof, with the cruise control set at 75, it easily averages 25-27. In the winter, around town dropping kids off, etc.... I've seen as low as 18.

Hot: Lots of glass. A few years ago we broke down and had a professional, 3M tint job - car is much, much cooler and looks cooler too. Cooler than the neighbor kid point 3.

Highway miles: It eats them. YMMV, but for me (6', 200lbs) the driver's seat in my outback is one of the most comfortable I've ever owned. We drove Tucson to Denver with both kids and the dog, stopping only for gas. That's pushing 15 hours. Denver to SLC? 7 hours 23 minutes, personal record.

Snow driving: I grew up at 8000 feet and learned to drive in the snow long before I had a driver's license. Many vehicles, many miles, much snow in the last many years (I'm 42) and I have never had a car as good in the snow right out of the box as my Suby.

Knowing what I know now, I would buy it all over again. I plan to drive it at least 5 more years. In my opinion the best model is the next generation, the 05-09 version. Personally I think the 10's and newer are too big. If I wanted an SUV, I'd drive my 4runner.

[3jarrells]

I know your looking at a newer model, but I have to argue with the head gasket issue on the older models. I have 170k on our 02 Forester, with the original headgaskets. Not to say others are wrong by any means, but I have not had any problems.

BTW when are we getting our own Subaru section?

[Flounder]

Thanks so much for all of the info, everyone. I've been here before. Now I'm somewhat consumed by this project. I must have a Subaru!

[Bikemobile]

2006-2009 outback 4 cylinder automatic.

Simple reliable and fuel efficient.

I had a 2005. LOVED it. I would get a 2006 or later next time just to get rid of the first year bugs.

Roomy if you dont need to put 6 footers in the backseat. Great driver on the highway, and handles pretty good too.

[rgc]

03-07 second generation Forester is the best looking of the bunch with no head gasket issues.

rgc
(who is biased due to his 04 Foz)

[Maddmatt]

Also, re: reliability

This couple has been driving their Forester around the world for a couple years now - I know it's been posted here before, but if you haven't spent a couple hours on their site you (we) all should. http://www.getjealous.com/subaroute/photos/page1

Their little Forrester has been places the vast majority of us only fantasize about.

[mr3wan]

I'm currently a very happy over of a '08 Subaru Outback 2.5XT. This is the model with the Turbo. The only negative I have encountered is the need for premium fuel but so far my avg mileage over the past 9000 miles has been ~ 22MPG with being used for daily driving and trips.

I very much like the style of the 2005-2009 outback; much more then the current model. I have already been on 2 major road trips and it has performed very well.

1) Trip from Austin Texas to Taos in New Mexico. This trip was with road tires but I managed to cover everything from dry, wind, rain and snow. We actually camped in the car for 2 nights. I also tested the vehicle on a nice high clerence road near in new mexico, Mill's Canyon, and if performed wonderfully. I don't have a write-up but I do have some images:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr3wan/...7625671634005/

2) Just completed a trip to Big Bend National Park and spent my time camping out on the backcountry Primative Roads. I am still working on the trip report which can be found here:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...ad.php?t=59337

The car is fairly new to me. I moved up from a 2006 Mazda 3. I got the Subaru in Sept '10 and I have been loving it. Just the right car for comfort, space, handeling, and off-road capability.

Here are some photos of the car in action:







This last picture shows some of our sleeping arrangements by using the back of the car to sleep in.

[beavernation]

I had both an Impeza wagon (05 Saab 92x, built by Subaru) and an 08 Legacy GT sedan. I wont bore you with the details of the GT as it was only a road car, a really freakin fast road car though!...The Saab 92x was a tractor in the snow with the Nokian WR's! It was a five speed car (2.5 NA)with a short throw shifter which really made it fun to drive. Plenty of power for rollin the highway but the impreza platform of that vintage is a bit small inside for serious consideration. I gotta mirror what many have said before 05-09 Outback Wagon with a 5 speed and no turbo is gonna be an ideal platform. They are a nice looking, agrressive appearing car!!.....Good luck.....

[Navman]

I'm a little late to the party but I bought my Subaru for the same reasons. With the D1 I dreaded the thought of long road trips. Once I got the '05 Outback I used it for everything. The LR3 changed that to a degree but it still sucks down the gas so I still prefer the Outback unless I need a lot of gear or hitting the more serious trails (sorry for the run-on there.).

I too do not really like the newest Outback. Too big and bulky(plasticy) and don't like the roof rack. I would lean toward the Forester, but for me I need the interior length of the Outback. I can just fit my 9'6" surfboard inside for the odd days that I take the longboard out before work. The long roofline also is nice for putting toys on top.