Outback 2.5 petrol owners views
Discussion
Hi, I looking at potential replacements for my much loved Freelander 2 and considering very few options that actually appeal.
Given the all too common issues with complex Euro 6 diesels I'd consider a used petrol Outback, around 2020/21 vintage.
Any owners care to share their impressions and experiences with these?
Also, what is the realistic every day mpg one could expect to achieve?
Thanks in advance.
Given the all too common issues with complex Euro 6 diesels I'd consider a used petrol Outback, around 2020/21 vintage.
Any owners care to share their impressions and experiences with these?
Also, what is the realistic every day mpg one could expect to achieve?
Thanks in advance.
There’ll be nothing in it fuel costs wise - perhaps towing will make a bigger dent in the petrol car but that’s just holiday costs rather than daily running costs. Plus the Subaru doesn’t have a turbo or DPF to threaten your bank balance.
Japanese cars can be less resistant to rust which is worth bearing in mind. A mate of mine has works in accident repair and said there’s a notable difference in rust levels depending where the car (any car not just Japanese ones) has lived. His daily was bought in Scotland and the extra salt has taken its toll vs a vehicle that has lived in Suffolk for example,
I don’t know about Japanese imports other than they’re usually well looked after and have lived in a road salt free environment. They will be people on here who can advise f this option interests you.
Japanese cars can be less resistant to rust which is worth bearing in mind. A mate of mine has works in accident repair and said there’s a notable difference in rust levels depending where the car (any car not just Japanese ones) has lived. His daily was bought in Scotland and the extra salt has taken its toll vs a vehicle that has lived in Suffolk for example,
I don’t know about Japanese imports other than they’re usually well looked after and have lived in a road salt free environment. They will be people on here who can advise f this option interests you.
I fresh Jdm import is often a good idea , it is like getting a new car , I have not had an issue with any of my imports , but even in Japan some areas are like uk weather so can be rust issues , jdm tend to be better spec cars , car tax is often much lower , insurance is about the same as the uk
Simon_GH said:
There’ll be nothing in it fuel costs wise - perhaps towing will make a bigger dent in the petrol car but that’s just holiday costs rather than daily running costs. Plus the Subaru doesn’t have a turbo or DPF to threaten your bank balance.
Japanese cars can be less resistant to rust which is worth bearing in mind. A mate of mine has works in accident repair and said there’s a notable difference in rust levels depending where the car (any car not just Japanese ones) has lived. His daily was bought in Scotland and the extra salt has taken its toll vs a vehicle that has lived in Suffolk for example,
I don’t know about Japanese imports other than they’re usually well looked after and have lived in a road salt free environment. They will be people on here who can advise f this option interests you.
+1Japanese cars can be less resistant to rust which is worth bearing in mind. A mate of mine has works in accident repair and said there’s a notable difference in rust levels depending where the car (any car not just Japanese ones) has lived. His daily was bought in Scotland and the extra salt has taken its toll vs a vehicle that has lived in Suffolk for example,
I don’t know about Japanese imports other than they’re usually well looked after and have lived in a road salt free environment. They will be people on here who can advise f this option interests you.
This previous life in Scotland thing cannot be overstressed, especially with cars like Outbacks and Landcruisers many of which start their lives in Scotland but get shipped down south after a few years.
vxr2010 said:
I fresh Jdm import is often a good idea , it is like getting a new car , I have not had an issue with any of my imports , but even in Japan some areas are like uk weather so can be rust issues , jdm tend to be better spec cars , car tax is often much lower , insurance is about the same as the uk
I think reputable importers underseal cars by default but I’m sure it’s worth checking. I fresh Jdm import is often a good idea , it is like getting a new car , I have not had an issue with any of my imports , but even in Japan some areas are like uk weather so can be rust issues , jdm tend to be better spec cars , car tax is often much lower , insurance is about the same as the uk
I have been looking for one for about 8 weeks there are not many for sale . I am looking at 2015 about 100k costs about £10 -12k in premium spec. There are lots of utube reviews about them and even some dedicated channels from the US . They are very popular in US and AUS ,my brother in law in AUS has had two.
I test drove one about three weeks ago for about 45 mins . Lots of spec quite nice cabin. Smooth engine, petrol, quiet but with a nice noise .CVT gearbox not unlike my DSG car now . Does make a noise when you accelerate, not unpleasant. Quite firm upright handling, seems a long car but not as wide as I thought . I got out of a Skoda Kodiak into this test drive car and it felt noticeably narrower. It's no rocket ship , adequate performance. The trip computer was showing 35 mpg over last 1200 miles .
If you research enough you will be scared off by head gaskets, gearbox failures and most recently EGR failures . However there seems to be lots of high mileage ones about, especially diesel versions.
I am still looking out for one albeit I am beginning to wonder what draws me to them against the downsides. They depreciate very fast , there have been a few model refresh over the past few years and a completely new Outback out now in US and here later this year.
I test drove one about three weeks ago for about 45 mins . Lots of spec quite nice cabin. Smooth engine, petrol, quiet but with a nice noise .CVT gearbox not unlike my DSG car now . Does make a noise when you accelerate, not unpleasant. Quite firm upright handling, seems a long car but not as wide as I thought . I got out of a Skoda Kodiak into this test drive car and it felt noticeably narrower. It's no rocket ship , adequate performance. The trip computer was showing 35 mpg over last 1200 miles .
If you research enough you will be scared off by head gaskets, gearbox failures and most recently EGR failures . However there seems to be lots of high mileage ones about, especially diesel versions.
I am still looking out for one albeit I am beginning to wonder what draws me to them against the downsides. They depreciate very fast , there have been a few model refresh over the past few years and a completely new Outback out now in US and here later this year.
I fresh Jdm import is often a good idea , it is like getting a new car , I have not had an issue with any of my imports , but even in Japan some areas are like uk weather so can be rust issues , jdm tend to be better spec cars , car tax is often much lower , insurance is about the same as the uk
Don't know why my post came up again and again , torque gt are good , not all importers under seal , but sometimes under-seal can hide things , I've always sealed my own cars , importing cost has gone up , but still a good way to get a clean car , I've heard of the odd import issue , when ever I have bought a jdm import , i have only bought fresh imports that are already here , if you do the self import route or through a company , if there are issue found on landing it can be on you as you chose the car , I don't think jdm auctions that they can start the car , an already landed car you know what's what ,
I bought a 2.5 petrol CVT and have done about 2,500 miles in it since the start of the year.
In that time my mpg has been 35.9. There has only been one long motorway journey - other than that, A and B roads around Yorkshire.
It is a Gen 6 car - lots of tech.
I was out in a Freelander on Sunday - the Outback is quirky, quieter, a little more comfortable and obviously newer.
The engines need revving to access their power - they are a bit weedy - I came from a turbo diesel Octavia Scout and miss the lower down torque.
In that time my mpg has been 35.9. There has only been one long motorway journey - other than that, A and B roads around Yorkshire.
It is a Gen 6 car - lots of tech.
I was out in a Freelander on Sunday - the Outback is quirky, quieter, a little more comfortable and obviously newer.
The engines need revving to access their power - they are a bit weedy - I came from a turbo diesel Octavia Scout and miss the lower down torque.
We’ve had our 2021 Gen 5 Outback for 2 years now and have been very pleased with it. Feels totally solid, go-anywhere. Ground clearance and AWD useful in Cumbria, cruises well on the motorway to get there. The Eyesight cruise control works very smoothly. Despite coming from more ‘driving focused’ cars (MX-5, 964 Carrera 2, Mini R56 JCW, BMW E91 330i) I’ve found the CVT absolutely fine. Switchgear totally robust but not as ergonomic as on the E91.
Being relatively narrow makes it much easier to get through tight gaps on country lanes and city streets. For us the average MPG over thousands of miles is around 35, but this drops to around 34 if we have done a few school runs in heavy city traffic.
Zero issues so far (except put in new battery after left interior lights on twice). Hope to be keeping it for years.
Being relatively narrow makes it much easier to get through tight gaps on country lanes and city streets. For us the average MPG over thousands of miles is around 35, but this drops to around 34 if we have done a few school runs in heavy city traffic.
Zero issues so far (except put in new battery after left interior lights on twice). Hope to be keeping it for years.
Idly looking at a few of the late Gen 5 from 2021, not massively different to the Gen 6, better infotainment seems to be the biggest improvement along with a few nips and tucks.
I'll have to actually drive one and try them.
I'm strangely drawn to these despite their low power and torque and mpg, they just seem like a simple robust car that will wear their miles well.
Anybody tow caravans with them?
I'll have to actually drive one and try them.
I'm strangely drawn to these despite their low power and torque and mpg, they just seem like a simple robust car that will wear their miles well.
Anybody tow caravans with them?
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