RE: Subaru Outback | Shed of the Week
Discussion
we had an 07 3.0Rn which went reasonably well and sounded nice and a good load lugger, but mid 20s per gal, sluggish gearbox (paddles made it quicker and smoother) and wallowed rather (our XC70 replacement felt so much more planted on the road). Interior is nice but thin steel meant it was very vulnerable to parking dents, at 10 years old and 100k it was really feeling its age and was putting up some ominous engine warning lights. Swapped for aforementioned Volvo and was struck by how massively better the Volvo was in terms of quality of materials, ride and just that feeling of togetherness. when p/x'ed it the Subaru was in lovely condition but whatever that engine fault was meant it didn't survive past its next MoT
I drove the Legacy one of these for about 10 years. Brilliant motor. MAF sensor was the only thing that ever went on mine. these things give total confidence in the snow and ice. the newer sensor driven systems fitted to newer cars do not come close to the ability of the subaru on the snow and ice. I have a 2023 Suzuki Across (toyota rav4) and it doesnt come close to the subaru on the snow.
GianiCakes said:
Such a great looking car and they were good to drive as well. With a design like this and the engineering quality they were known for it’s crazy how badly Subaru have lost their way since.
Indeed - one might imagine some sort of F6 Turbo-über-Legacy would be a truly brilliant and reliable car, that no-one would buy due to aforementioned snobbery.Great cars, I had a 2.5 from new back in the 2000's then two of the 2.0 quad cams (Legacys).
I loved the 2.5, not fast in any way but nice torque and as the article says brimming with character and handle beautifully - a real 'engineers car'. They do rust mind, badly - mostly underneath.
Supremely reliable but parts are expensive when they do go wrong. An exhaust from the cat back was £1,800 to purchase from Subaru, so I had a custome stainless system made and fitted for £450. They eat drop links but they are cheap and an easy DIY fix.
I have an A6 Allroad now - a better everday prospect for an AWD estate but I still miss those old Subarus.
I loved the 2.5, not fast in any way but nice torque and as the article says brimming with character and handle beautifully - a real 'engineers car'. They do rust mind, badly - mostly underneath.
Supremely reliable but parts are expensive when they do go wrong. An exhaust from the cat back was £1,800 to purchase from Subaru, so I had a custome stainless system made and fitted for £450. They eat drop links but they are cheap and an easy DIY fix.
I have an A6 Allroad now - a better everday prospect for an AWD estate but I still miss those old Subarus.
sjabrown said:
Proper farmer shed there. One of those vehicles that can live on beyond expectation like diesel Peugeot 205s and K11 micras.
Plus 1 for the longevity of diesel Peugeot 205. My auntie had one that went on forever and ever, it was impossible to kill and absolutely refused to rust. I hope I wear as well.
richinlondon said:
struck by how massively better the Volvo was in terms of quality of materials, ride and just that feeling of togetherness.
Funnily enough I made the exact same move - from a 3.0 06 into a T6 XC70 and couldn't agree more. The 3.0 went off to Lithuania and I am sure lives onCryssys said:
sjabrown said:
Proper farmer shed there. One of those vehicles that can live on beyond expectation like diesel Peugeot 205s and K11 micras.
Plus 1 for the longevity of diesel Peugeot 205. My auntie had one that went on forever and ever, it was impossible to kill and absolutely refused to rust. I hope I wear as well.
I'm a fan of these, Subaru's in general, even though I've never owned one, always been put off by the general running costs, servicing and parts etc, but they always appeal due to their general robust nature. My dad ran a Forrester for a few years, after previously owning a Honda, and found it expensive, but he loved it.
Lotobear said:
Great cars, I had a 2.5 from new back in the 2000's then two of the 2.0 quad cams (Legacys).
I loved the 2.5, not fast in any way but nice torque and as the article says brimming with character and handle beautifully - a real 'engineers car'. They do rust mind, badly - mostly underneath.
Supremely reliable but parts are expensive when they do go wrong. An exhaust from the cat back was £1,800 to purchase from Subaru, so I had a custome stainless system made and fitted for £450. They eat drop links but they are cheap and an easy DIY fix.
I have an A6 Allroad now - a better everday prospect for an AWD estate but I still miss those old Subarus.
We had an 07 Legacy from new, we now have a 17 plate Outback. Agree with the engineers car comment and also about the rust on this gen.I loved the 2.5, not fast in any way but nice torque and as the article says brimming with character and handle beautifully - a real 'engineers car'. They do rust mind, badly - mostly underneath.
Supremely reliable but parts are expensive when they do go wrong. An exhaust from the cat back was £1,800 to purchase from Subaru, so I had a custome stainless system made and fitted for £450. They eat drop links but they are cheap and an easy DIY fix.
I have an A6 Allroad now - a better everday prospect for an AWD estate but I still miss those old Subarus.
In common with you and many others, we had a custom exhaust made up when the Subaru dealer hit us with the OEM price.
Current gen car we bought at 3 years old and it's served us well - only issue being some rattly trim underneath when my wife hit standing water rather too enthusiastically. With decent tyres it really can go anywhere - mud, snow etc. really is no problem. Current car doesn't seem to be rusting in the same way either, but we keep an eye on it, just in case.
We've had several Subarus - they just work and we always seem to gravitate back from other brands for our famly car, usually because of unreliability (yes Land Rover, I'm looking at YOU especially, but don't think you're getting away scot free Audi....).
idealstandard said:
richinlondon said:
struck by how massively better the Volvo was in terms of quality of materials, ride and just that feeling of togetherness.
Funnily enough I made the exact same move - from a 3.0 06 into a T6 XC70 and couldn't agree more. The 3.0 went off to Lithuania and I am sure lives onRe this week's shed, I really don't know why you'd go for the 2.5 over the 3.0 flat 6 Outback. Surely nobody is going to be buying this sort of thing to do big enough miles for the difference in fuel economy (which I bet isn't much), to matter, and by all accounts the 2.5 has plenty of problems whereas the 3.0 just doesn't.
EmBe said:
Lotobear said:
Great cars, I had a 2.5 from new back in the 2000's then two of the 2.0 quad cams (Legacys).
I loved the 2.5, not fast in any way but nice torque and as the article says brimming with character and handle beautifully - a real 'engineers car'. They do rust mind, badly - mostly underneath.
Supremely reliable but parts are expensive when they do go wrong. An exhaust from the cat back was £1,800 to purchase from Subaru, so I had a custome stainless system made and fitted for £450. They eat drop links but they are cheap and an easy DIY fix.
I have an A6 Allroad now - a better everday prospect for an AWD estate but I still miss those old Subarus.
We had an 07 Legacy from new, we now have a 17 plate Outback. Agree with the engineers car comment and also about the rust on this gen.I loved the 2.5, not fast in any way but nice torque and as the article says brimming with character and handle beautifully - a real 'engineers car'. They do rust mind, badly - mostly underneath.
Supremely reliable but parts are expensive when they do go wrong. An exhaust from the cat back was £1,800 to purchase from Subaru, so I had a custome stainless system made and fitted for £450. They eat drop links but they are cheap and an easy DIY fix.
I have an A6 Allroad now - a better everday prospect for an AWD estate but I still miss those old Subarus.
In common with you and many others, we had a custom exhaust made up when the Subaru dealer hit us with the OEM price.
Current gen car we bought at 3 years old and it's served us well - only issue being some rattly trim underneath when my wife hit standing water rather too enthusiastically. With decent tyres it really can go anywhere - mud, snow etc. really is no problem. Current car doesn't seem to be rusting in the same way either, but we keep an eye on it, just in case.
We've had several Subarus - they just work and we always seem to gravitate back from other brands for our famly car, usually because of unreliability (yes Land Rover, I'm looking at YOU especially, but don't think you're getting away scot free Audi....).
Also had three Forester XT/Turbos - all autos - my last and cheapest S-Turbo was black, really miss that particular car and those engines with that flat four throb. It came with winter tyres and was the most unstoppable unstoppable thing ever in snow.
Top tip - stay pre 2006 - anything newer is £700+ a year to tax now.
jwwbowe said:
Brilliant cars. Though the flat six chain driven version is my preferred choice. Our one had to go to the great shed in the sky though as rot takes a hold on these. Check under the arch covers! Would have another but VED on them is frankly ridiculous now. They are so well put together, quite good to work on to.
Great pictures, Foresters/Imprezas are exactly the same in my experience; Subaru are one of the instances where i'd hesitate to buy anything that's been used over here since new and would search something out from kinder climes instead. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff