Subaru Outback 3.0 '03-'09 General Reliability?
Discussion
So looking for a dog/winter estate/occasional boat tow and launch vehicle (I havea small RIB) and have narrowed the search down to a strange mix of vehicles, the Outback being one. Tthe others being the TD5 Discovery, but general reliability and rusty chassis issues are making me reconsider and the 3.0CRD Grand Cherokee but actually finding a non-leaking one in good body/interior condition is harder than I thought - I've viewed 3 already.
So what attracts me to the Outback? -Perceived reliability and ease of ownership, more car like handling and better performance than the other two. Panoramic sunroof is also a big attraction.
Downsides being more car like, i.e. lower driving position (my girlfriend likes driving my van) and less rugged aesthetics.
So my questions are:
1. Are they as reliable and straightforward to maintain as their reputation suggests? (I understand parts may cost a little more than some). Any big items likely (I've heard of the Y section of the exhaust).
2. There seems to be a great range in price, what should I be looking to pay for a good condition one with panoramic sunroof? I'm guessing I'm looking for the RN spec.
3. Is mileage a big issue? - Should I be targeting a specific mileage (we'll probably do 3-7k a year depending on foreign trips etc)?
4. Are the advantages of the facelift ('07?), flappy paddles etc a big incentive for the extra cost? And is there much of a difference between '03 to '09 - as the early ones will have cheaper RFL?
Any help, views or further comments on the 3.0 Outback much appreciated. Thank.
So what attracts me to the Outback? -Perceived reliability and ease of ownership, more car like handling and better performance than the other two. Panoramic sunroof is also a big attraction.
Downsides being more car like, i.e. lower driving position (my girlfriend likes driving my van) and less rugged aesthetics.
So my questions are:
1. Are they as reliable and straightforward to maintain as their reputation suggests? (I understand parts may cost a little more than some). Any big items likely (I've heard of the Y section of the exhaust).
2. There seems to be a great range in price, what should I be looking to pay for a good condition one with panoramic sunroof? I'm guessing I'm looking for the RN spec.
3. Is mileage a big issue? - Should I be targeting a specific mileage (we'll probably do 3-7k a year depending on foreign trips etc)?
4. Are the advantages of the facelift ('07?), flappy paddles etc a big incentive for the extra cost? And is there much of a difference between '03 to '09 - as the early ones will have cheaper RFL?
Any help, views or further comments on the 3.0 Outback much appreciated. Thank.
TiminYorkshire said:
1. Are they as reliable and straightforward to maintain as their reputation suggests? (I understand parts may cost a little more than some). Any big items likely (I've heard of the Y section of the exhaust).
2. There seems to be a great range in price, what should I be looking to pay for a good condition one with panoramic sunroof? I'm guessing I'm looking for the RN spec.
3. Is mileage a big issue? - Should I be targeting a specific mileage (we'll probably do 3-7k a year depending on foreign trips etc)?
4. Are the advantages of the facelift ('07?), flappy paddles etc a big incentive for the extra cost? And is there much of a difference between '03 to '09 - as the early ones will have cheaper RFL?
Any help, views or further comments on the 3.0 Outback much appreciated. Thank.
Can't give complete answers as I've not had a 3.0 but hopefully can fill in a little bit:2. There seems to be a great range in price, what should I be looking to pay for a good condition one with panoramic sunroof? I'm guessing I'm looking for the RN spec.
3. Is mileage a big issue? - Should I be targeting a specific mileage (we'll probably do 3-7k a year depending on foreign trips etc)?
4. Are the advantages of the facelift ('07?), flappy paddles etc a big incentive for the extra cost? And is there much of a difference between '03 to '09 - as the early ones will have cheaper RFL?
Any help, views or further comments on the 3.0 Outback much appreciated. Thank.
1) I believe so. See plenty of big mile H6s about. I work on them myself easily enough although if I do use a garage I prefer a specialist. They're not difficult, it's just faster if you have the knack for certain things (spark plugs and timing belts) so labour can costs less from someone that knows the cars.
There's at least one good parts specialist for genuine Subaru parts without dealership costs. Some items, like shocks, you can get as pattern parts direct from the people that make the OEM.
3) If I've found anything over the years, it's that Subarus like suspension components! I'm not sure if the outback has self level rears like the forester, but they're eye wateringly expensive. Some of the bushes do a good impression of 10K service items.
4) Get folding mirrors on the later UK cars. Added Si drive on a lot of models, which is just a throttle map.
I'm assuming that if they had paddle shifters they ran the 5 speed on the 3.0. If so, my personal opinion is that shifts aren't really quick enough to make good use of paddles. I've got thumb shifters on mine and I only very occasionally use them to drop a gear when I want engine braking downhill (living in Norfolk, 'occasionally' may be an understatement). There are 2 or 3 user selectable modes on the transmission and it adjusts itself according to what you're doing with the throttle over time as well - it tends to make a decent enough job for me not to bother with manual override (it's got + and - on the stick in sport mode too).
I have run an 07 outback 3.0r for nearly 4 years and 60k miles
Its been reliable. Aside from the usual tyres and brakes it has been through a pair of droplinks and a whole set of bushes on front suspension, the exhaust rotted though last year ( at 9 yrs old) so i got a powerflow system made up for 500quid, just recently had to replace radiator. Other than that just plenty of unleaded. It has managed 26mpg in my ownership.
My car is the later version with the higher tax and flappy paddles, downshifts are ok for engine braking but upshifts are tardy so i leave it in auto. The six pot motor is a peach, turbine smooth and sounds great. I have the big sunroof, but i keep the cover over mostly
Its been reliable. Aside from the usual tyres and brakes it has been through a pair of droplinks and a whole set of bushes on front suspension, the exhaust rotted though last year ( at 9 yrs old) so i got a powerflow system made up for 500quid, just recently had to replace radiator. Other than that just plenty of unleaded. It has managed 26mpg in my ownership.
My car is the later version with the higher tax and flappy paddles, downshifts are ok for engine braking but upshifts are tardy so i leave it in auto. The six pot motor is a peach, turbine smooth and sounds great. I have the big sunroof, but i keep the cover over mostly
I had an 10 plate Outback from new for about 3 years/60,000 miles - perhaps doesn't help that much re: how it ages but hopefully I can give some general views on reliability.
Overall mine was a reliable car, however it did have some quirks that we're shared by my other Subaru's (WRX's). All seemed to get through suspension components like crazy - droplinks and anti-roll bar bushes seem to last 30K miles. I'm not a mad driver and my cars tend to do a lot of motorway work, so I concur with an earlier poster on this point. I'm not sure if any aftermarket items are available that are more durable than the OEM items?
I actually liked the paddle shift box and used it a lot in Sports Sharp mode. The shifts aren't especially fast but it was rarely wrong-footed if say I asked for two downshifts into a corner. I did find the gearing odd - extremely long, possibly to improve fuel economy?
Essentially, it felt like a good long term motor if you take my comments re: suspension into consideration. It never used any oil or required components outside of the droplinks and ARB's replacing. I have to confess, it was probably my least favourite car that I've owned in the last 20 years, but that's more because I prefer stuff that is more sporty and admit openly that I chose badly. I think a Forester XT would have been better suited for me!
Good luck with your search
Overall mine was a reliable car, however it did have some quirks that we're shared by my other Subaru's (WRX's). All seemed to get through suspension components like crazy - droplinks and anti-roll bar bushes seem to last 30K miles. I'm not a mad driver and my cars tend to do a lot of motorway work, so I concur with an earlier poster on this point. I'm not sure if any aftermarket items are available that are more durable than the OEM items?
I actually liked the paddle shift box and used it a lot in Sports Sharp mode. The shifts aren't especially fast but it was rarely wrong-footed if say I asked for two downshifts into a corner. I did find the gearing odd - extremely long, possibly to improve fuel economy?
Essentially, it felt like a good long term motor if you take my comments re: suspension into consideration. It never used any oil or required components outside of the droplinks and ARB's replacing. I have to confess, it was probably my least favourite car that I've owned in the last 20 years, but that's more because I prefer stuff that is more sporty and admit openly that I chose badly. I think a Forester XT would have been better suited for me!
Good luck with your search
Edited by GibsonSG on Friday 28th July 16:44
I run my dad's old 2006 Outback 3 litre. Has full Subaru history so probably not typical, but is just ridiculously good. I can afford a newer car but every time I think about I come to the same conclusion - what's the point? It does everything so well. Engine is a gem - so smoothe, it's comfy, doesn't rattle, rides great, carries 40 bags of compost without a hint of complaint. It's just a brilliant car. I intended to keep it a couple of years, but I'm getting the wheels refurbished next month and will probably keep it years and get a fun thing for the garage. All the car you'll ever need.
I've had a 3.0Rn Legacy since 2006, now at 97k miles, nothing has ever failed. The aux belt tensioner & pulley were replaced at 70k miles. The OEM front disks are a weak point, shuddering under braking is commonly reported: it can be solved with better disks/pads. Dip beam headlights on pre-facelift models are poor and the interior lights are idiotic. The built in SatNav is dire. Pre-facelift Legacy/Outback(?) have a 6 CD audio system. As a tow car it's inferior to the Outback as it doesn't have self levelling rear suspension. Mine is still on the original suspension, just two bushes replaced at 70k miles. Overall a great car and being early 2006 in the "lower" tax bracket. Full sized spare wheel, chain cam engine, dip stick, 4 wheel drive, 2000kg tow capacity ; be nice if it did more than 23mpg!
I also have a facelift 2010 3.0Rn Outback; higher road tax, MUCH better headlights, same idiotic interior light system, same dire SatNav and just a single CD sound system. The Outback is a lot less enjoyable to throw around but if you plan towing a lot it's a better choice. Both excellent choices!
I also have a facelift 2010 3.0Rn Outback; higher road tax, MUCH better headlights, same idiotic interior light system, same dire SatNav and just a single CD sound system. The Outback is a lot less enjoyable to throw around but if you plan towing a lot it's a better choice. Both excellent choices!
TiminYorkshire said:
Thanks for all the replies. Given the limited annual mileage I don't think the appetite for suspension bushes will be too big and issue.
you are right, in the grand scheme of things its small potatoes. I keep wondering if I should sell my outback (as it closes in on 100k miles and is 10 years old) but to be honest I cant think of anything that would cover all bases as well as it does ( I did wonder about a volvo v60 polestar, but I don't think they can tow)
I've owned an '06 Outback 3rN for six years, from 31k to 110k now. Nothing's ever gone wrong with it. Had a BRC Sequent (common rail) LPG conversion fitted at c.50k, it cost about £2k but paid for itself in 18 months; It's a bit livelier on petrol and prefers Shell V-Power but on a run the computer posts 30+ mpg (ideal cruise speed is about 80mph for best economy/journey times) even on gas at 65p/litre which ain't half bad. Incidentally you pay more for V-Power but it's more efficient and works out marginally cheaper than regular unleaded....
What you get with the H6 Subie is a roomy, comfortable (leather, aircon, full length sunroof) quite sporty 4WD with a near-as-dammit Porsche twin cam engine (by chains, not belts!), that handles beautifully, is built like a tank but is properly engineered and if looked after will last forever - 250, 300k? And outperforms my LR Defender in snow. The later Outbacks with the newer body shape and the 3.6 engine might be slightly more economical and have more room inside but I've got a feeling they're not made so well, and I prefer the earlier 5sp auto.
It likes front suspension links and bushes (and headlamp bulbs!) and you want to avoid Subaru dealer servicing. I use a good independent (East Sussex Mobile Services, Polegate) and an annual service and MoT, car collected and returned, is about £300 or so.
I toy with the idea of spending colossal dosh on a Discovery 4 which could replace my Defender and the Subie, and could cart me to weddings and also tow 3.5t for the day job but why? Every time I drive the Subie it's a pleasure. If Discos were built anywhere near as well as the Subie it would be a no-brainer.....
What you get with the H6 Subie is a roomy, comfortable (leather, aircon, full length sunroof) quite sporty 4WD with a near-as-dammit Porsche twin cam engine (by chains, not belts!), that handles beautifully, is built like a tank but is properly engineered and if looked after will last forever - 250, 300k? And outperforms my LR Defender in snow. The later Outbacks with the newer body shape and the 3.6 engine might be slightly more economical and have more room inside but I've got a feeling they're not made so well, and I prefer the earlier 5sp auto.
It likes front suspension links and bushes (and headlamp bulbs!) and you want to avoid Subaru dealer servicing. I use a good independent (East Sussex Mobile Services, Polegate) and an annual service and MoT, car collected and returned, is about £300 or so.
I toy with the idea of spending colossal dosh on a Discovery 4 which could replace my Defender and the Subie, and could cart me to weddings and also tow 3.5t for the day job but why? Every time I drive the Subie it's a pleasure. If Discos were built anywhere near as well as the Subie it would be a no-brainer.....
A caveat to 'nothing's ever gone wrong with it.....' It has never let me down. It has had, in its time, new front discs (c. 80k) a new battery (50k) and various suspension bushes etc and last year at about 100k a new cat-back exhaust system to replace the original. The Sube part which comprises a pipe and box each side in mild steel is big money, about £1000 or so, but I got a fully stainless custom built ditto for slightly less. It gives the flat six a bit more presence going through long tunnels but is still quietly harmonious, as befits a gentleman's carriage.
The downside is the road tax (it was first registered a few days too late so it's the top rate, what, £475?) and the insurance is about the same amount, with the NFU. That would be cheaper but after 50 years of a clean licence I collected points last year for speeding.
Summary: look for the right one with a full service history, look after it, and enjoy it. Mine will easily see me out!
The downside is the road tax (it was first registered a few days too late so it's the top rate, what, £475?) and the insurance is about the same amount, with the NFU. That would be cheaper but after 50 years of a clean licence I collected points last year for speeding.
Summary: look for the right one with a full service history, look after it, and enjoy it. Mine will easily see me out!
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