Talk to me about the Outback please
Discussion
We (more so the Wife) has been talking about a replacement "family" car. Currently running an old Volvo 940 Estate, been looking at the V70/V90 & Ford Galaxy/.VW Sharan amongst others.
She's been chatting at work (never a good thing) and friend suggested an Outback.
They look to be a big comfortable bus, better on fuel and VED surprisingly than the old Volvo, what are they like for reliability, what are the different specs/trim/performance levels?
Anything I should be looking out for?
Budget, probably up to £10K but would be happy to pay less.
Thanks in advance
She's been chatting at work (never a good thing) and friend suggested an Outback.
They look to be a big comfortable bus, better on fuel and VED surprisingly than the old Volvo, what are they like for reliability, what are the different specs/trim/performance levels?
Anything I should be looking out for?
Budget, probably up to £10K but would be happy to pay less.
Thanks in advance
What generation are you after?
The diesel engines are best avoided, but the N/A engines are robust. I've got a 4th Gen legacy, so based on my experience wishbone and anti roll bar bushes fail fairly regularly, but are cheap and easy to replace. Callipers aren't a great design and can stick.
I don't think the outback came as a manual, which is a bonus as a clutch change is an expensive job.
Rear suspension seats are a rubber block at the top of the strut and can collapse over time, leading to a rear end droop, but again, this isn't hard or expensive to put right.
Power steering can become noisy, but this can be cured with a new hose, O ring and some fresh fluid.
The thing that does kill these is rust. Check the rear sub-frame, the boot floor and the sills at both ends, behind the arch liners.
The interior and equipment level of these isn't great, however, it's comfortable and tough. My car is 16 years old and with 140,000 miles on the clock and had a lot less squeaks and rattles than the newer, lower mileage VW that preceded it.
The drivetrain on these can me a bit noisy, so have a drive of a couple to give you an idea of what "Normal" is.
The diesel engines are best avoided, but the N/A engines are robust. I've got a 4th Gen legacy, so based on my experience wishbone and anti roll bar bushes fail fairly regularly, but are cheap and easy to replace. Callipers aren't a great design and can stick.
I don't think the outback came as a manual, which is a bonus as a clutch change is an expensive job.
Rear suspension seats are a rubber block at the top of the strut and can collapse over time, leading to a rear end droop, but again, this isn't hard or expensive to put right.
Power steering can become noisy, but this can be cured with a new hose, O ring and some fresh fluid.
The thing that does kill these is rust. Check the rear sub-frame, the boot floor and the sills at both ends, behind the arch liners.
The interior and equipment level of these isn't great, however, it's comfortable and tough. My car is 16 years old and with 140,000 miles on the clock and had a lot less squeaks and rattles than the newer, lower mileage VW that preceded it.
The drivetrain on these can me a bit noisy, so have a drive of a couple to give you an idea of what "Normal" is.
Skyedriver said:
Thanks, guessing somewhere around the 2009 to 2014 era. No idea what series that one is. There are manuals, fortunately, I have a dislike of autos.
That's the 5th Generation, which is a big step up in modernity. The looks can be marmite, but based on the readers cars threads I've read on the legacies the owners really like them. This is a good thread:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
The problem with the outback/legacy is replacing it with something else. They are a fantastic car.
I had a legacy spec b for a year. If it didn’t cost £600 a year to tax and average 21mpg i’d still have it.
The 3.0 are bulletproof when maintained easy 300k.
The newer uk gen 5 have poor engines imo. The 2.5 can have head gasket issues and the diesel self destruct for fun.
The jap import gen 5 with the 2.5t boxer is the pick of the bunch. Only downside is the gearbox being cvt.
If buying an import underseal and a remap for uk fuel should be compulsory.
I had a legacy spec b for a year. If it didn’t cost £600 a year to tax and average 21mpg i’d still have it.
The 3.0 are bulletproof when maintained easy 300k.
The newer uk gen 5 have poor engines imo. The 2.5 can have head gasket issues and the diesel self destruct for fun.
The jap import gen 5 with the 2.5t boxer is the pick of the bunch. Only downside is the gearbox being cvt.
If buying an import underseal and a remap for uk fuel should be compulsory.
Edited by sam.rog on Wednesday 9th November 20:10
sam.rog said:
The problem with the outback/legacy is replacing it with something else. They are a fantastic car.
I had a legacy spec b for a year. If it didn’t cost £600 a year to tax and average 21mpg i’d still have it.
The 3.0 are bulletproof when maintained easy 300k.
The newer uk gen 5 have poor engines imo. The 2.5 can have head gasket issues and the diesel self destruct for fun.
The jap import gen 5 with the 2.5t boxer is the pick of the bunch. Only downside is the gearbox being cvt.
If buying an import underseal and a remap for uk fuel should be compulsory.
Scary coming from a Volvo 940 Estate, pretty much totally reliable, rust free and 204K milesI had a legacy spec b for a year. If it didn’t cost £600 a year to tax and average 21mpg i’d still have it.
The 3.0 are bulletproof when maintained easy 300k.
The newer uk gen 5 have poor engines imo. The 2.5 can have head gasket issues and the diesel self destruct for fun.
The jap import gen 5 with the 2.5t boxer is the pick of the bunch. Only downside is the gearbox being cvt.
If buying an import underseal and a remap for uk fuel should be compulsory.
Edited by sam.rog on Wednesday 9th November 20:10
I think it's a Gen 5 that would end up with; a budget of up to £10K?
Edited by Skyedriver on Thursday 10th November 14:04
I've had a few Subaru, inc a 2012 Gen 5 Liberty wagon, which is the same body as the Outback. Odd that you should mention Volvo, as I went from a Gen4 Liberty, to a V70, and the back to a Gen5 Liberty - have never been so glad to get back to a Sube!
Anyway, as others have said, they're tough things - Subaru is a relatively common car over here and Outbacks are everywhere. Whilst my Gen5 was a GT with the 2.5T engine, I've had three other cars with the N/A 2.5 and manual box. All have been v reliable, but all have been well looked after, with regular oil changes and nothing has been left to wait to be fixed.
To be honest, there wasn't much to fix - clutch on the last one was the biggest job - not cheap, but not difficult to get done either. Can be heavy on various suspension bushes, and the engine is not the most fuel-efficient. Headlight bulbs are an utter pain though.
However, they do tend to get under your skin - there's something satisfying about Subaru ownership, I'm not sure what it is, but they're good to drive, comfy, spacious (Gen 5 Liberty/Outback esp so), well built, and reliable. The interior isn't the greatest design, but it is v hard wearing - sold the last one at 8yo having had it 4 years with no squeaks/rattles.
Usual advice applies - buy the best you can afford, and buy on condition. Its worth getting it on ramps for a proper look over too. Once you've found a good one, just buy it and enjoy it!
Anyway, as others have said, they're tough things - Subaru is a relatively common car over here and Outbacks are everywhere. Whilst my Gen5 was a GT with the 2.5T engine, I've had three other cars with the N/A 2.5 and manual box. All have been v reliable, but all have been well looked after, with regular oil changes and nothing has been left to wait to be fixed.
To be honest, there wasn't much to fix - clutch on the last one was the biggest job - not cheap, but not difficult to get done either. Can be heavy on various suspension bushes, and the engine is not the most fuel-efficient. Headlight bulbs are an utter pain though.
However, they do tend to get under your skin - there's something satisfying about Subaru ownership, I'm not sure what it is, but they're good to drive, comfy, spacious (Gen 5 Liberty/Outback esp so), well built, and reliable. The interior isn't the greatest design, but it is v hard wearing - sold the last one at 8yo having had it 4 years with no squeaks/rattles.
Usual advice applies - buy the best you can afford, and buy on condition. Its worth getting it on ramps for a proper look over too. Once you've found a good one, just buy it and enjoy it!
2010 to 2014 would be a Gen 4 Outback as the Legacy came first so for example a Gen4 Outback is the same basic car as the Gen5 Legacy.
Don't discount the CVT gearbox as it is very suited to the car being very smooth and easy to live with. It just takes a bit of time to get used to as it messes with what you are expecting to feel from a traditional auto or manual.
As others have said, they are a bit different but get under your skin and are supremely capable for what they are designed for.
I've had my Gen5 3.6R since new in 2016. The only repair needed was a couple of months ago when the windscreen washer pump packed up. £35 for a new one and 15 minutes to fit. I bought it in Australia and when I moved back to the UK I couldn't find anything remotely close for the same money so brought it back with me. The equivalent V70 CrossCountry, Audi Allroad etc were all more money for less car.
Find one with the 6 cylinder petrol engine as it is super smooth and completely bulletproof.
Don't discount the CVT gearbox as it is very suited to the car being very smooth and easy to live with. It just takes a bit of time to get used to as it messes with what you are expecting to feel from a traditional auto or manual.
As others have said, they are a bit different but get under your skin and are supremely capable for what they are designed for.
I've had my Gen5 3.6R since new in 2016. The only repair needed was a couple of months ago when the windscreen washer pump packed up. £35 for a new one and 15 minutes to fit. I bought it in Australia and when I moved back to the UK I couldn't find anything remotely close for the same money so brought it back with me. The equivalent V70 CrossCountry, Audi Allroad etc were all more money for less car.
Find one with the 6 cylinder petrol engine as it is super smooth and completely bulletproof.
Bought a new Outback a year ago now (2021. 170HP 2.5l petrol) and am very pleased with it. After years of driving ridiculous mileages with Audis am now a pensioner and not driving anything so much. Changed to Subaru for various reasons but mostly because the VW group has got arrogant and won't even reply to genuine guarantee problems (even when I've bought 16 VW gp. cars from the same dealer in the last 40 years!)
Anyway to the Outback.
I go hiking weekly here in the southern Black Forest with a hiking group. Some of the hikers parking places are up steep unmetalled logging tracks. With 5 up, large males, absolutely no problem, even when 1 wheel is in the air! Grip on snow (using winter tyres) also fantastic. On longer runs, Autobahn and A+B roads, very quiet and capable whether 5 up or alone. 5 up on hard acceleration it can get a bit noisy with the automatic but that's the only time it gets intrusive. Autobahn speeds comfortably 140-150 kph for hours.....
Consumption: on restricted Autobahns (120kph) over 1000km just under 6.5l/100km, on the steeper twisties here in the Black Forest with 5 up can get to around 10l/100km, but normal is around 8.5l/100km (as in town).
I've also made a conversion so I can get away for a weekend, similar to the Christopher Chase conversion on Youtube (search Subaru Outback camper) but without removing the rear seats... the one advantage is that it can be removed completely and stored in around 10 minutes.... I might later also use a roof box.
Heated seats and heated driving wheel are fantastic especially as I have no garage and with our very cold mornings at the mo....!!!.
Niggles...
1) The massive tablet is too light (for me) for night driving and it can only be switched off completely, so no navi, radio or extras
2) No spare wheel, just a ridiculous pump and builders foam, which is totally useless unless you've a very minor leak. AND there is no lightweight emergency wheel available, so one has to carry a large spare (possibly on the roof rack and they're damned heavy!)
Anyone know of one I can buy? 5 hole 114mm holes diameter?
3) The automatic emergency braking is fantastic BUT it can react too soon (beeping) especially on the old Autobahn exits which can be tight, or when cornering and there is approaching traffic in the curve...
4) No heated windscreen available, no CD player available so music has to be on a thumb stick (but at least I can have 30-odd CDS on a stick!
5) I have to switch the auto-hold on every time the engine is switched off... why can't they make it a fixed as are all other personal settings?
6) The cars processor is so fast that Bluetooth will only connect clearly with a Smartphone, it will connect with older phones BUT the connection with slower processors hacks the connection so as to be unusable/unitelligable.... so I'll have to buy a Smartphone to use in the car, which I hate due to the ridiculously short battery life, needing to be charged daily FFS!.... my old phones stay charged for at least 14 days on the road!!!
Pros....
Comfortable, able in all conditions, blind spot/reversing warnings fantastic.... auto start stop excellent, even tells you how much (in ccs) you have saved in petrol.
Anyway to the Outback.
I go hiking weekly here in the southern Black Forest with a hiking group. Some of the hikers parking places are up steep unmetalled logging tracks. With 5 up, large males, absolutely no problem, even when 1 wheel is in the air! Grip on snow (using winter tyres) also fantastic. On longer runs, Autobahn and A+B roads, very quiet and capable whether 5 up or alone. 5 up on hard acceleration it can get a bit noisy with the automatic but that's the only time it gets intrusive. Autobahn speeds comfortably 140-150 kph for hours.....
Consumption: on restricted Autobahns (120kph) over 1000km just under 6.5l/100km, on the steeper twisties here in the Black Forest with 5 up can get to around 10l/100km, but normal is around 8.5l/100km (as in town).
I've also made a conversion so I can get away for a weekend, similar to the Christopher Chase conversion on Youtube (search Subaru Outback camper) but without removing the rear seats... the one advantage is that it can be removed completely and stored in around 10 minutes.... I might later also use a roof box.
Heated seats and heated driving wheel are fantastic especially as I have no garage and with our very cold mornings at the mo....!!!.
Niggles...
1) The massive tablet is too light (for me) for night driving and it can only be switched off completely, so no navi, radio or extras
2) No spare wheel, just a ridiculous pump and builders foam, which is totally useless unless you've a very minor leak. AND there is no lightweight emergency wheel available, so one has to carry a large spare (possibly on the roof rack and they're damned heavy!)
Anyone know of one I can buy? 5 hole 114mm holes diameter?
3) The automatic emergency braking is fantastic BUT it can react too soon (beeping) especially on the old Autobahn exits which can be tight, or when cornering and there is approaching traffic in the curve...
4) No heated windscreen available, no CD player available so music has to be on a thumb stick (but at least I can have 30-odd CDS on a stick!
5) I have to switch the auto-hold on every time the engine is switched off... why can't they make it a fixed as are all other personal settings?
6) The cars processor is so fast that Bluetooth will only connect clearly with a Smartphone, it will connect with older phones BUT the connection with slower processors hacks the connection so as to be unusable/unitelligable.... so I'll have to buy a Smartphone to use in the car, which I hate due to the ridiculously short battery life, needing to be charged daily FFS!.... my old phones stay charged for at least 14 days on the road!!!
Pros....
Comfortable, able in all conditions, blind spot/reversing warnings fantastic.... auto start stop excellent, even tells you how much (in ccs) you have saved in petrol.
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