Any Subaru Outback experience

Obviously not a Toyota thread, but just curious if anyone had any experience (good or bad) with Subaru outbacks. Done some research and seems to be a pretty good vehicle with only a 2013 model year to avoid. Sweet spot seems to be 2005-2009 (for older used ones). And anything with 100k or more you're probably looking at head gasket repairs in the future (if it hasn't been fixed/replaced already). AWD/4WD is a big plus (a requirement for me really) with these. Auto tranny. Plan is to test drive a few and since I have no idea about any kind of mechanic stuff, I'm just looking to make sure there's no coolant (foam) in the oil cap (for the head gasket thing), check the belts, tires and visually inspect for rust and gonna see how it sounds with a hard acceleration and hard stop.

Looking to get one for my daughter. Our initial plan was to give her my wife's 4R, but my wife isn't ready to get rid of the 4R yet, and she's not sure what she wants, etc. etc..

Obviously with it being my daughter, I'm looking at reliability/safety which Subaru checks the boxes and dont really care for the little Toyota SUVs (and neither does she - she's into the Subie's.)

 

I had a 2017 Outback 2.5 limited, bought it new and drove it for 2 years, during those time I racked up almost 100k.

- The AWD was awesome, in winter time was amazing, I had Yoko G015 tires on the car and did +1 for size, it can surprise you where it can go.
- The CVT was not so good, mine broke the 2nd week I got the car, the belt began slipping in the transmission, they just replaced it under warranty, I believe there's a class action lawsuit for longer warranty now, so keep an eye out https://www.thedrive.com/car-warranty/35585/subaru-cvt-problems
- MPG, it was not as good as I thought, I get mid 20s in summer, and winter it's horrific, I've gotten as bad as 16mpg.
- Seats are terrible, it's torture to drive it long distance

They are decent cars, but depends on price.

 

Here it is after a 3 hour trek through the mountains to bring it home and a hose down to get rid of the salt and mud.
2009 Outback limited. Great shape. Handled the mountain climbs like a champ.

 

Nice pickup, I got an 05 Outback XT as my daily driver.

 

I have an 06 OBXT manual trans with an Ej257, D25heads and a vf52. It’s a hoot.

 

Nice, mine is just stock grocery getter and family wagon.

 

Still a bunch of fun!


That said, did you remove the banjo filters so you don’t munch the vf40?

 

Timing belt, head gasket. Make sure the idler pulley was replaced with the TB. Bought an 02 Forester that had a cheap idler pulley seize up and break the TB.

One of my daughters had an 09 Outback. It had a head gasket leak and would drip oil. Had to stay on top of it, but other than that it was a good car.

 

Thanks! This one has had the hg replaced. Belts are in good shape, but have a little age to them.

 

Yeah if there’s no oil under a Subaru there’s no oil in it.

For the 2005-2009 models, check the lower control arm bushings they are only good for 50-60k and will silently eat your tires. Look for the leaking PS pump (they are pretty much always leaking), it’s located on the top left at the front of the engine. Check the front axle seals (always leaking) and just expect to do the valve cover gaskets (always leaking).

If you smell burning oil while driving it’s 9/10 times the valve cover gasket leaking onto the header.

The turbo models aren’t tolerant to extended oil change service intervals.

 

We have a 2015 forester, not an outback obviously, but it has been turn key and reliable since we got it in 2016.

Subaru is my second brand to consider after Toyota.

 

Not necessarily an outback, but I considered a Subaru Crosstrek (New) when I was looking for a commuter car at the end of last summer. I just didn't like it overall, the seats were REALLY uncomfortable and I found that unless you upgraded to the leather which must have been totally different as far as padding etc. I didn't like it's handling, and the interior and tech seemed very dated. I read mixed reviews about reliability, and my friend has a Forester that has just under 100K that she bought new, and it needs like 4K in repairs already. Then there are the known oil consumption issues, as well as blown head gaskets. If it were my decision I would steer clear! Overall, it's up to you and your daughter's comfort level, and although Subies kick ass in the snow, I find their reliability questionable.

I ended up going with a new Honda CRV, there are some CRV years to avoid because they had some oil dilution issues etc, but overall it t think Honda is a more reliable vehicle. The CRV was MUCH more comfortable to drive and the seats were way better, and the interior was much nicer and more modern and mine does great in the snow (although, obviously if its like more than 6 plus inches of snow on the roads, which is rare, I do take the Tundra, although the CRV would probably still do fine). Have you considered a new Honda HRV (that was my first choice, but they had just come out so getting one was not easy, so I went with the CRV), the redesign is awesome, very comfortable and easy to drive vehicle with automatic AWD, just like my CRV, which does fine in the snow. I am like you, in that I really don't like Toyota RAV4 or the Corolla Cross, they are lower quality inside in my opinion and just not nearly as nice as the CRV overall. I would seriously give the new HRV a try, depending on your spending amount, or a Honda CRV.

Good luck with your decision and let us know what you decide on! (just realized I wrote this for nothing, since you already purchased) Good luck, hope your daughter enjoys it!

 

We have a 2012 CRV (115k) and absolutely love it. My oldest daughter has a 2018 HRV and loves it as well. Youngest has an 08 Rav4 (199k) and it’s been an excellent car so far.

 

The wife's 21' Crosstrek Sport has been a solid performer for the 1.5 yrs of ownership. Regular 550mi one way trips to AZ w/o issue.

The 2.5l gets 30+mpg and the paddle shifters make the CVT trans less meh.

We got the extended warranty 100k miles/ 7yrs.

She's happy with it.

btw: The AWD is impressive on icy/ snowy roads.

 

2012. Been great. For Subies research the CVT trans (mentioned above in thread) as they have known to have issues. We have had no issues but daughters 2016 forester had CVT issues.

 

Ours is a 2009 so I dont think there's a CVT (just from what i've researched).

Thanks for all of this info - I will look into these items. Thing drove like a top through some tough terrain. That's kind of the test, imo, but I will look at these issues (have a mechanic look). Thank you.

 

Banjos have been removed, are you using a cobb accessport on your outback?

 

We had a 2010 Outback and a 2012 WRX. Great cars both of them. Long gone now.

 

Nah, a friend of mine tuned it for me.

 

Be sure to bring your spreadsheets to the dealer.

 

It was exactly as depicted in the photos, description, and walk around/through videos he texted me. After we test drove it, I handed him a bankers check for the amount he asked, a couple of hundos for temp plates and the title/registration, and 10 min later we drove it home. "Spreadsheets" would've been fuming mad.