looking at subarus

[Robertslowpoke]

Hi!

tomorrow taking my son to look at new/used Subaru outback/forrester. he has 2 cocker spaniels, which will go in crates in the back of the car.

2 mechanics did NOT like the 6 cylinder, and recommended the 4 cyl.all my friends LOVE their subarus, i like all wheel drive here in Mass.

1. would you recommend a used one? the dealer has some certified pre owned, some around 40,000 to 60,000 miles. should I be afraid to get a used one?

2. if you have an outback/forrester, do you like it?

3. any other advice?

and THANK you!!!

bob

P.S. i would REALLY like a CTS V if I had the money! ha!

 

[eljefino]

I would stretch to buy new on these cars. Lots of total numbskulls get them, so what problem would cause them to get out at 50k?

Case in point, coworker's GF has one and she always has a tire that's bald and or low on air, never fixes the CEL. And she's quite crazy... a hoarder type.

 

[wsar10]

I would not be afraid of 150k on a suby.....

I've never really owned a newer one, although I owned 9 differenr older suby's with the EA82 motor and you just could not stop that motor PERIOD, the body wouild rust off the frames but the 1.8 would still be ticking !

I have heard of head gasket issues in later models but I do not know the facts, other than my buddy has a 96 legacy with around 140k that needs a HG.

another thging if it's AWD and has different tires on F/R than walk away!

 

[Robertslowpoke]

thank you! especially WSAR! if you had 9 of them, they must be good!! my friends all love them.

does everyone agree I want the 4 cylinder motor?

any advice?

best

bob

 

[bodeh6]

A new Subaru Forester would fit the bill. The H4 in my 06 Legacy still runs like a top at 63K + miles.

 

[97tbird]

ALL current Subarus are ugly as heck compared to the previous generations of the same models. If i were to buy ANY Subaru, I would try to find a mint, low mile, previous gen model and save money and drive a MUCH better looking vehicle.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Aaargh, I agree about the new models. Subaru has almost matched Mazda for ugly quotient!

 

[97tbird]

yep here's a good comparo of the Legacy:

before:

now:

 

[Pop_Rivit]

My wife's 2006 Outback has just over 100K on it and it's been completely trouble free other than normal maintenance. Barring anything unforeseen, I fully expect to put well over 250K on it before I even remotely consider purchasing another for her. Even then I may keep it as a spare vehicle.

Not only does it go anywhere in virtually any snow depth, it's great to load up and take to the lake house and has plenty of room for us, the dogs, luggage and on occasion a couple guests.

When driven sensibly she can get around 30MPG.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

We Have owned two Legacy wagons and have a 2011 Outback. Biggest issue is whether the owner made sure to keep tires on them properly rotated so that tire wear is even. A blow out may require replacing four tires, and many folks choose not to do that, and then trade before the effects of their choices are seen. The AWD system is sensitive in that regard.

Our second one, an 03, was supposed to have head gasket issues (2.5 engine), but it went 150K miles with no issues. I did use the $2 Subaru coolant conditioner every coolant change-out.

Both were totaled in accidents before they would have met their full lifespans. Have never bought used for these reasons. I prefer to make sure I know the car's complete history. If tires check out OK, there is very little else to go wrong or mess up at 40-50K miles level.

Given the relatively minimal difference in cost, we prefer the room of the Legacy/Outback wagons, compared to the Forester.

 

[mrsilv04]

Sis has a '99 Outback with 220,000 miles on it. Her husband has a '95 Legacy Wagon with 240,000 miles on it. They have a spare late '80s GL wagon (pea green) with 295,000 miles on it.

That's over three-quarters of a million miles total.

They're happy with theirs. They have dogs as well.

The '99 was a CPO, with 38,000 miles on it when they bought it. It is a 4 cylinder with an automatic. It came out of Florida. It didn't bother them a bit that it was CPO.

The '99 Outback needed a new fuel pump a few weeks ago. There's an access door in the floor behind the back seat, which is right above the in-tank fuel pump. What a nice touch to include that!

 

[ueberooo]

get one with a 2.2 Litre engine (4 cyl) and make sure you don't get one with a 2.5 Litre engine -- many of those years have head gasket problems on the larger displacement engine (I believe starting roughly 1996 and it took them like 5 years or a little more to iron that problem out on the 2.5 litres-- so mid 20 00's 2.5 litres might be safe again).

Other things to be aware of are the very few expensive regular replacment items (timing belts get replaced every 120K -- on the subie's I'm aware of at least) and it's wise to replace the water pump as preventative maintenance while at this because the labor is expensive and the parts cheap.

clutch jobs on subies are also not cheap. they last about 160kto 180k miles typically.

very low yearly service costs otherwise.

 

[Robertslowpoke]

THANK you everyone!! going today to look!!!!

 

[supton]

Always thought they rusted fast, and got low mpg's. Well, the 80's versions rusted fast and got decent mpg's, the later ones got less. Dad's 04 Forrester, 4cylinder/auto, is kinda lackluster: the auto sucks power, gets 25mpg despite 65mph cruising, and spins at some high rpm on the highway. Then again, that was '04, and now it's now.

I've kinda itched at the Baja. I'd love a short bed, four doors, AWD, for a spare/backup vehicle/wintertime driver. But I think slushboxes belong behind torquey motors that don't need to shift much. And I'm not sure if I could get myself to live with much less than 30mpg--it's the 21st century and all.

 

[97tbird]

I've always thought a turbo Baja would be a fun, all-round utility vehicle

some people hate them, but i really think they're interesting

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: 97tbird
yep here's a good comparo of the Legacy:

before:

now:

Funny how many people agree that the older LGT's were just years better looking. I even like the previous generation before that one as well. (2000 ish) Subaru has had a hard knock life in the looks dept over the last number of years.

 

[Robertslowpoke]

THANK YOU ALL!!!!

just saw the cars today. i myself thought there was a BIG difference between the outback and the forrester. the outback cost a LITTLE more, but felt much sturdier and stronger. and the seats were better and the back seat LOTS better.

i and my son are thinking of getting the outback, 4 cyl. automatic, premium I think. the salesman had a WRX sti that he cranked up over 400 horsepower! i almost asked him for a ride!! ha!

what a GREAT car, asking $27,000 something.

any suggestions?

best

bob

 

[odie]

There's a redesigned 2012 IMPREZA hatch / sedan coming out soon . It's said to get 36 highway / 27 city for the C.V.T. and 25/33 for the 5 speed manual . May want to find out when that arrives while at the dealership . They start at around $18,000 .

 

[odie]

Here's some pics . http://www.carshowp.com/2012-subaru-impreza-at-the-2011-nyias/ and http://www.subaru.com/impreza/2012/index.html .

 

[Robertslowpoke]

thank you Odie! great looking car!! my son is leaning toward the outback, has 2 cocker spaniels.

off the subject, the salesman had a WRX STI he modified!! he was busy, or I would have asked him for a 5 minute ride. my friend, a mechanic/racer, says they are amazing!!

best

bob