Subaru Outback - Any Good?

[blueg33]

Mrs Blue is after a new car, she wants a 4x4 because we live in a rural area and have to venture off road occasionally onto fields etc. She wants performace to match her current Seat Leon Cupra, space for a 6ft teenager in the back, not huge like a range rover or XC90 and handling more like a car than a tractor.

As far as I can tell the only car that meets this is the Subaru Outback 3.0. Is the car any good? reliable? etc. Views of owners would be appreciated. The other alternative would be a Subaru Legacy

[Mr Gearchange]

Outback would be ideal. I run a legacy and it is easily the best car I have ever owned.

[rhinochopig]

Or a Forrester STi

[GravelBen]

Great cars, the only major difference between the Legacy and Outback is the extra ground clearance of the Outback vs the stiffer/more direct suspension setup of the Legacy.

[rb5230]

rhinochopig said:

Or a Forrester STi

+1, they do look pretty cool too.

[rovermorris999]

I've had two Legacies, a 2 litre and a 3, one Impreza and now have a Forester. So you can guess what I think of Subarus. Go for it.

[blueg33]

What are they like at high milages? I have seen a newish one thats 18 months old but has done 85k?

[reg_slr]

blueg33 said:

What are they like at high milages? I have seen a newish one thats 18 months old but has done 85k?

Head gaskets can be an issue on older ones, as per usual buy on condition and history not age.

[blueg33]

reg_slr said:

blueg33 said:

What are they like at high milages? I have seen a newish one thats 18 months old but has done 85k?

Head gaskets can be an issue on older ones, as per usual buy on condition and history not age.

This one looks to be in excellent condition, one owner, full subaru service history. Its a late 2007 car. 3.0l Auto

[admanofbristol]

I run a 3lt outback. If you have the budget go for an 08 onwards. You'll get flappy paddles and a much better audio system. I've had two legacies and an wrx and never had any major problems with any of them.

[admanofbristol]

To clarify that's the year of the facelift so you can find these as a 57 reg.

[blueg33]

It is the 2008 spec car with flappy paddles

[admanofbristol]

That's the one you want then. Very happy with mine. Great to drive on the commute and then takes the family and all kit at the weekends. Don't expect great things on the mpg but then I'm sure you've already guessed that. Car was great in the snow too.

[rovermorris999]

My first Legacy was a 2 litre base model. I ran it to 135k and 6 years old. It had a clutch at 120k, due mainly I think to my dearly beloved's habit of riding the clutch (thankfully since cured), and that was it. Nothing apart from the odd bulb was replaced. No joints, bushes, zilch. Even still on the factory exhaust when p/exed for a Spec B.

[Small Car]

We are on our second high mileage Subaru. Bought a three year old Forester at 88k miles and now five year old and 119k
and nothing needed apart from regular servicing. Tow a little and the clutch is still original, on same turbo and all the electrics work. Suspension has a knock in the rear and previous one had a nasty exhaust vibration so not perfect.

[blueg33]

Thanks for the replies folks, sorry another question

Does the cambelt need changing? If so when? It seem to need a service every 10k miles, what sort of cost are the services?

[Mr Gearchange]

They are chains on the H6 engine

[HellDiver]

Diesel Outback?

[uuf361]

Can't comment on the Outback but I just picked a Legacy at the weekend, 2004, but only on 28K miles with a FSSH - it's great - drove home yesterday (200+ miles) and it performed fantastically.......2.5 auto petrol and still managed 38mpg.

Would highly recommend......so far.....prev ran an Impreza RS Coupe in the US (With the same engine) and that was great although had a whole load of warranty work done on the drivetrain/shafts.

[Stig]

GravelBen said:

Great cars, the only major difference between the Legacy and Outback is the extra ground clearance of the Outback vs the stiffer/more direct suspension setup of the Legacy.

Outback also has self levelling suspension. I've got a 2.5SE and it's without doubt, the best 'practical' car I've ever had.

Ace cars (but I preferred the 2.5 Manual over the 3.0 Auto).

If your budget stretches to it, it's worth trying the new 2.0 Diesel too.