Outback 3.0 vs XC70 D5 family & winter wagon
Discussion
Hi All,
I’ve decided to sell my current daily MK7 Golf R Estate. It’s recently had a niggle and to be honest with a small family and what I use it for it is too nice for the abuse. I’m constantly cleaning it and faffing trying to keep it nice, so it’s going to get moved on and some of the value in it used on a house extension.
So that brings me to looking for a cheaper family hack that I won’t be so precious about.
My criteria is:
1. 4WD/AWD, I regularly park on a sandy beach and my 2WD colleagues are often dug/towed out. We live semi-sticks and it will be the only 4WD in the extended family. However it doesn’t need to be Defender capable.
2. Isofix compatibility.
3. Dependable. It will be regularly serviced and looked after, it’s a false economy IMO to skimp on it. However other than maintenance and consumables I’m not (who is?) a fan of being stranded and facing four figure parts and labour bills (though impossible to rule out on cars I know), so dependability and reasonable parts cost is important.
4. Budget up to about £6k.
This criteria has lead me to either a Subaru Outback Gen 3 3.0 or a Third Gen (2007 on) XC70 D5.
From my PH forum browsing the 3.0ltr chain driven Outback seems to be a bit of a winner. Lots of happy owners on PH, though sourcing a good one seems a little difficult i.e. be prepared to travel or buy it unseen and have it delivered. Which led me onto the more available XC70 and at the same price the rather suave and cosseting interior of a D5 Lux is tempting.
I do about 8k a year in mileage so economy isn’t vital. The D5 would obviously better the Outback on that front but if the internet is to be believed (a dangerous thing I know
) then the Outback is likely to claw back that cost in not being as needy.
The budget gets me a very good Outback 3.0, (though as mentioned not often for sale) or a higher miles D5. Though both seem to wear the miles extremely well.
While I am far from a mechanic I will change oils and filters myself on this purchase (dealer history will have a negligible affect on cheaper cars like these in a few years) so accessibly during those jobs would be a bonus.
I have been following (lurking!) a lockdown PH thread on a XC70, which has been fantastic (https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1868371) and has further swayed me towards a D5. Though on other threads the words “money pit” appear a lot in ref to XC70s.
Has anyone had any experience running both an Outback and a XC70?
Am I overlooking anything else? I did think about a Freelander 2 but it’s a bit of a stretch budget wise (because I’d have to have a shiny HSE), maybe a Superb 4x4 estate? Am I wrongly ruling out an Audi Allroad due to to criteria 3?
Cheers,
Josh
I’ve decided to sell my current daily MK7 Golf R Estate. It’s recently had a niggle and to be honest with a small family and what I use it for it is too nice for the abuse. I’m constantly cleaning it and faffing trying to keep it nice, so it’s going to get moved on and some of the value in it used on a house extension.
So that brings me to looking for a cheaper family hack that I won’t be so precious about.
My criteria is:
1. 4WD/AWD, I regularly park on a sandy beach and my 2WD colleagues are often dug/towed out. We live semi-sticks and it will be the only 4WD in the extended family. However it doesn’t need to be Defender capable.
2. Isofix compatibility.
3. Dependable. It will be regularly serviced and looked after, it’s a false economy IMO to skimp on it. However other than maintenance and consumables I’m not (who is?) a fan of being stranded and facing four figure parts and labour bills (though impossible to rule out on cars I know), so dependability and reasonable parts cost is important.
4. Budget up to about £6k.
This criteria has lead me to either a Subaru Outback Gen 3 3.0 or a Third Gen (2007 on) XC70 D5.
From my PH forum browsing the 3.0ltr chain driven Outback seems to be a bit of a winner. Lots of happy owners on PH, though sourcing a good one seems a little difficult i.e. be prepared to travel or buy it unseen and have it delivered. Which led me onto the more available XC70 and at the same price the rather suave and cosseting interior of a D5 Lux is tempting.
I do about 8k a year in mileage so economy isn’t vital. The D5 would obviously better the Outback on that front but if the internet is to be believed (a dangerous thing I know
) then the Outback is likely to claw back that cost in not being as needy.The budget gets me a very good Outback 3.0, (though as mentioned not often for sale) or a higher miles D5. Though both seem to wear the miles extremely well.
While I am far from a mechanic I will change oils and filters myself on this purchase (dealer history will have a negligible affect on cheaper cars like these in a few years) so accessibly during those jobs would be a bonus.
I have been following (lurking!) a lockdown PH thread on a XC70, which has been fantastic (https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1868371) and has further swayed me towards a D5. Though on other threads the words “money pit” appear a lot in ref to XC70s.
Has anyone had any experience running both an Outback and a XC70?
Am I overlooking anything else? I did think about a Freelander 2 but it’s a bit of a stretch budget wise (because I’d have to have a shiny HSE), maybe a Superb 4x4 estate? Am I wrongly ruling out an Audi Allroad due to to criteria 3?
Cheers,
Josh
I had a 2006/56 Outback 3.0 H6 Auto and was a decent machine.
I am in the middle of the country and needed something that was quick enough, a bit different, high-ish clearance but 100% reliable.
Yes, the interior is typical Japanese but everything worked. The noise from the 3.0 flat was lovely too. Parts are easily available off a well known auction site and fairly easy to deal with... with exception of changing the spark plugs. My local spanner said that they were painful to get to and replace.
It got used for tip runs, animal feed in the back, never washed, kids wiping snot on it and never let me down. Felt indestructible. Snow tyres on a spare set, never got stuck and was competing with Landys and Shoguns around where I live.
On the downside, the MPG was rough to swallow. Best I ever got was 30.0mpg on a long A1 run at 65 mph and watching the MPG meter to try get 30! Typical mixed was 19-22mpg. Apparently, the 2.5 petrol is a sweet spot between grunt and MPG. The 2.0 diesel is a no-no. The 2.0 petrol is underpowered and thirstier than the 2.5 - alas, both are 4 pots.
Would have another in a heartbeat, but now I have a Mk4 Shogun, I'd happily trade the clearance for a Legacy B Spec version.
Leftfield - a Mk4 Shogun. 3.2, 4cyl diesel. A 2008 will be about £6-7k now. Even easier to work on, massive, enough knowledge on the forums, loads of parts available. Very reliable, however, only one notch up in terms of noise and comfort that a Defender... except won't let you down. Hell fire, they are slow(ish) and noisy as hell. But unpretentious, bulletproof and seemingly plenty about now. 25-30mpg is doable. Services are cheap. Only downside is best part of £600 for VED, but you are in the same boat with the other 2 options.
I am in the middle of the country and needed something that was quick enough, a bit different, high-ish clearance but 100% reliable.
Yes, the interior is typical Japanese but everything worked. The noise from the 3.0 flat was lovely too. Parts are easily available off a well known auction site and fairly easy to deal with... with exception of changing the spark plugs. My local spanner said that they were painful to get to and replace.
It got used for tip runs, animal feed in the back, never washed, kids wiping snot on it and never let me down. Felt indestructible. Snow tyres on a spare set, never got stuck and was competing with Landys and Shoguns around where I live.
On the downside, the MPG was rough to swallow. Best I ever got was 30.0mpg on a long A1 run at 65 mph and watching the MPG meter to try get 30! Typical mixed was 19-22mpg. Apparently, the 2.5 petrol is a sweet spot between grunt and MPG. The 2.0 diesel is a no-no. The 2.0 petrol is underpowered and thirstier than the 2.5 - alas, both are 4 pots.
Would have another in a heartbeat, but now I have a Mk4 Shogun, I'd happily trade the clearance for a Legacy B Spec version.
Leftfield - a Mk4 Shogun. 3.2, 4cyl diesel. A 2008 will be about £6-7k now. Even easier to work on, massive, enough knowledge on the forums, loads of parts available. Very reliable, however, only one notch up in terms of noise and comfort that a Defender... except won't let you down. Hell fire, they are slow(ish) and noisy as hell. But unpretentious, bulletproof and seemingly plenty about now. 25-30mpg is doable. Services are cheap. Only downside is best part of £600 for VED, but you are in the same boat with the other 2 options.
Edited by brixo on Thursday 3rd September 18:46
We have a 2.0d 2011 outback and a 3rd gen xc70
xc70 wins for comfort, space, refinement, and versatility- of note the seats are 1000% more comfy and the interior is just another league above the subaru
the subaru wins for reliability, off road ability, a bigger boot with the seats down and quite possibly better residuals.
For us its a toss up between comfort and reliability.....the xc70 is capable of producing very very large bills.
xc70 wins for comfort, space, refinement, and versatility- of note the seats are 1000% more comfy and the interior is just another league above the subaru
the subaru wins for reliability, off road ability, a bigger boot with the seats down and quite possibly better residuals.
For us its a toss up between comfort and reliability.....the xc70 is capable of producing very very large bills.
Another suggestion the Lexus RX300/350. A bit bigger than the Outback/Volvo but still more car like than proper off roader. They’re proper 4 wheel drive too.
Meets all your requirements and the only thing owners really say as a bad point is how much fuel they use. My 300 does 24mpg round town and low 30’s on the motorway.
Meets all your requirements and the only thing owners really say as a bad point is how much fuel they use. My 300 does 24mpg round town and low 30’s on the motorway.
I have got a Legacy 3.0R spec B manual and the (same as outback) engine is a peach. The 3 litre has a cam chain where as the 2.5 is a belt so needs more maintenance. 30 mpg on a run, 22 around town everything still works on mine (a 2006) RFL is spiteful but the car is a delight. I can't comment on the Volvo never owned one.
Edited by 300sl-24 on Thursday 3rd September 19:42
Thanks All.
Seems the Outback still has a lot going for it. Finding one is a pain, one came up yesterday on a well known auction site and another well known car buying site, with one image as it was under prep by the dealer but has already gone, act fast on them it seems.
I hadn’t thought of a RX, a neighbour has a RX450h and it’s a lovey thing, will look into it. As for the Shogun, again not something I would have thought though had a brief look at some adds in my budget and they look a bit ropey.
As for the XC70, hmm still a lot around, maybe it is a gamble, I’ll have to go and look at one though.
Seems the Outback still has a lot going for it. Finding one is a pain, one came up yesterday on a well known auction site and another well known car buying site, with one image as it was under prep by the dealer but has already gone, act fast on them it seems.
I hadn’t thought of a RX, a neighbour has a RX450h and it’s a lovey thing, will look into it. As for the Shogun, again not something I would have thought though had a brief look at some adds in my budget and they look a bit ropey.
As for the XC70, hmm still a lot around, maybe it is a gamble, I’ll have to go and look at one though.
Can’t comment on an XC70 per se, but I do own a V70 AWD... so the same without the ride height.
It’s as comfy as you’ll get, swallows long journeys and can be loaded to the hilt and it just takes it all in its stride. They can however throw big bills. All of that generation V/XC’s eat suspension components for fun. It’s almost an annual MOT requirement to have some rubbers/drop links/shocks replaced.
That said I love it. Mines manual but I get 46mpg out of it. In auto form I think you’ll be looking at mid 30’s combined.
I’ve never owned a Subaru, but my ex MIL had a 2.5 Outback auto. If I’m honest I was shocked at how lethargic it felt. Not much get up and go at all, but did make a nice noise. That got used and abused as a horse yard car and it stood up to the abuse well on practically non existent maintenance.
If it was me, and I was was covering decent miles - XC70 all day long. Much nicer place to be.
It’s as comfy as you’ll get, swallows long journeys and can be loaded to the hilt and it just takes it all in its stride. They can however throw big bills. All of that generation V/XC’s eat suspension components for fun. It’s almost an annual MOT requirement to have some rubbers/drop links/shocks replaced.
That said I love it. Mines manual but I get 46mpg out of it. In auto form I think you’ll be looking at mid 30’s combined.
I’ve never owned a Subaru, but my ex MIL had a 2.5 Outback auto. If I’m honest I was shocked at how lethargic it felt. Not much get up and go at all, but did make a nice noise. That got used and abused as a horse yard car and it stood up to the abuse well on practically non existent maintenance.
If it was me, and I was was covering decent miles - XC70 all day long. Much nicer place to be.
Good grief my time has come! Until recently I had a 3.0 Outback and I now have a D5 XC70. Unfortunately it's not going to be a fair comparison as the Outback was a 2004 model that cost me £4k, whereas the XC70 is a 2014 that cost me £14k. The Outback was very good off road and in the snow, and the engine was lovely and smooth. Mine did cost me a fair bit to keep going - suspension and brake bits were very regular purchases and never seemed particularly cheap - and that's what did for it in the end, but I did do circa 17k miles p.a. and a fair bit of off-roading. The performance to mpg ratio is pretty poor by modern standards. If I did half the mileage I do I might just have kept it.
Thoughts on the XC70 so far are that it's bigger inside - particularly noticeable in the front where the Subaru felt a bit small for me and I'm hardly a giant. Mpg is loads better. A bit quicker in the 'real world' (I hate that phrase but you know what I mean). After a flat 6 petrol the engine seems rough as a badger's arse under acceleration but you get used to it. It's been out in the snow a few times and seemed just as good as the Outback - tbh so long as you've got 4wd and decent ground clearance then the main difference will always be tyres. You do see loads of them around the very rural area in which I live which is encouraging.
On balance with a budget of £6k and doing sub 10k miles p.a. I'd get thd Outback.
Thoughts on the XC70 so far are that it's bigger inside - particularly noticeable in the front where the Subaru felt a bit small for me and I'm hardly a giant. Mpg is loads better. A bit quicker in the 'real world' (I hate that phrase but you know what I mean). After a flat 6 petrol the engine seems rough as a badger's arse under acceleration but you get used to it. It's been out in the snow a few times and seemed just as good as the Outback - tbh so long as you've got 4wd and decent ground clearance then the main difference will always be tyres. You do see loads of them around the very rural area in which I live which is encouraging.
On balance with a budget of £6k and doing sub 10k miles p.a. I'd get thd Outback.
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