Outback 3.6

[chandrew]

Does anyone have any experience with the 3.6 Outback? I took my 2003 2.0 Forester XT, which I've owned since new, to get the summer / winter wheels swapped and was lent a current diesel outback. I much prefer the looks of the old car from the outside but have been pleasantly surprised by how it drives. I dislike diesels but the garage is just taking delivery of a 2012 3.6 which will be going for about 50% of the new price so I'm a bit tempted. I'm guessing it's one of the last 3.6 litre cars imported and whilst the new model looks nice I think I might miss the performance of my current car with the current european engine choices.

I'm guessing that I'll get about the same fuel economy as the Forester. We've always run that - apart from when we've been unable to find it - on 98 which is about 10% more than 95 here in Switzerland. Does Subaru recommend 95 or 98 with the Outback?

The driving is mostly B roads with a decent number of gravel / forestry tracks as short-cuts between villages. Whilst I probably don't need the the raised height it's comforting to know I'm less likely to bottom out when off tarmac, or giving me the option to grab an off-road parking space most cars couldn't make.

Truth is there's nothing wrong with the Forester but the Outback felt a lot more modern, comfortable etc.

[NailedOn]

I've ridden in a 2011 Outback and found it pretty similar to my 2008 3.0R. Like you my eye had fallen on the 3.6 models. The claimed fuel economy is better than the 3.0. I average 28mpg with varied use so I'd guess something similar.
Plenty of car for the money.
But just now I'm looking at a Tribeca. Ugly and cheap!

[chandrew]

Thanks. I haven't seen a Tribeca for some time. They sold OK here but were always the slowest seller, selling less than half that of the Outback.

I put together a little viz a few years ago to show model-level sales in Switzerland. It's here. You'll need to select Subaru to see the sales. Note that the car was classified as a B9 Tribeca and a Tribeca depending on the year.

I liked the more car-like handling of the Outback, at least compared to my Forester. I also got to do a decent amount of km on untarmaced roads and the car was much more stable. I felt comfortable driving at up to the national speed limit (80kmh) in the Outback where I'd have felt less confident over 60kmh in the Forester. It was certainly not sliding about as much and not needing so much constant input.

[SonicHedgeHog]

My dad is changing his 3.0 litre Outback (one owner FSSH) next year and has said I can have his car for free if I want it. Having borrowed it for a couple of weeks I can honestly say it is a brilliant car. I don't particularly want it as I don't have dogs or kids but it is so good it's making anything else I look at seem overpriced and unnecessary. I imagine the 3.6 is absolutely fantastic. They sell tonnes of them in the States because they do everything so well. If you can get one for a price somewhere in the low teens I'd jump at it. It'll keep going for ever and be all the car you ever need.