Subaru Outback 2.5 XT - any downside?

[iceman]

Do the Kerry/Edwards bumper stickers come included with the cold weather package, or are they an added cost?

No, they're included at no charge, but any car with a "W'04" sticker has been reduced to free, with the caveat that you need to pay for hauling, crushing and landfilling. Still, a good deal for all concerned.

Fucking twit.

[Dexter Rutecki]

Mine just has the big 'W' sticker (text: Worst President Ever).

[altagirl]

I really like the auto climate control, personally. Not to mention I REALLY wish we had the dual controls (and heated seats) in all of our vehicles, not just mine. Also excellent for warming up boots on the floor of the passenger side when I'm heading up the mountain by myself.

[Repoman]

Just an observation. Don't see too many "W'04" stickers on Subees. Tend to see those on the big Daddy Chevy's. Just think its rather strange....

[Kya]

I would so some research on the 2.5 L engine. Subaru had major problems with that motor blowing the Head Gasket on earlier 98-01 generations for that engine. Had to dump about $1800 into my wifes 98 Legacy. Subaru could have fixed the flaw by now?

Also, a Subaru over a Jeep? So many more places you can explore with a Jeep.

[Blurred]

Also, a Subaru over a Jeep? So many more places you can explore with a Jeep.

But dude, station wagons are so much cooler.

[AstroPax]

I would so some research on the 2.5 L engine. Subaru had major problems with that motor blowing the Head Gasket on earlier 98-01 generations for that engine. Had to dump about $1800 into my wifes 98 Legacy. Subaru could have fixed the flaw by now?

The early Phase II 2.5 liter engines are affected, 1999-2002, and that specific recall was due to the possibilty of an external coolent leak at the head gaskets:

Certain 1999 through 2002 2.5L equipped vehicles may experience an external coolant leak at the head gaskets. As a precautionary measure, SOA is adding a special conditioner to the engine cooling system. This conditioner prevents leaks from occurring and corrects existing leaks.
Only early Phase II 2.5 liter engines are affected. Phase I 2.5 liter engines (some 1999 model year and prior years) are not affected. Countermeasures applied to the manufacturing process for those 2002 and later VINS not affected by this campaign have eliminated the need for this campaign to be performed on those vehicles.

Jeep? Reliability? Bwaaahaaahaahaaa!...it's still an AMC product, at heart.

-Astro

[Tippster]

Never owned a Subaru, but don't knock the good ole Jeep Cherokee. Ours was impossible to kill, so we sold it to a friend who drove it for 5 more years before HE sold it.

That straight six motor and bomber drivetrain made for one solid ass vehicle IMHO. We sold it because it was my wife's workmobile, and it started looking too ratty for her clientele (she's a remodeler.)

[Blatant]

although i don't have a turbo, i can tell you the imba discount is a nice touch, they tend to fck with you less. Of course do your homework prior to arriving, but you already know that. I can tell you, from my research the awd is more "active" in the mt and the 2.5 is a safe bet. You will have to run high test, actually you "should' run high test in the regular 2.5 as the compression is almost 11:1. I'm 3000mile road tripping my 2.5 standard beater outback this friday. If it makes the grade, which i'm assuming it will, loaded the hell up....i'll be even a bigger fan.

good luck the new one's look slick.

[El Chupacabra]

Also, a Subaru over a Jeep? So many more places you can explore with a Jeep.

This would be to replace the '02 WJ Grand Cherokee. The biggest concern to me on the WJ is the 42RE transmission, which I learned (after buying it) has a reputation for failure. Damn. No problems so far, but may be better to sell it while it's working fine, rather than after the transmission lunches itself.

Also, the WJ is now redundant for offroad use; it's pretty much been relegated to a road trip mobile and ski car since the arrival of this last year (now with OME lift & misc bumpers/ skidplating):

[LaramieSkiBum]

I
I'm also not sure about fitting four with skis in the car--Laramie, were you thinking of doing that with the left seat down? That would have to be a really skinny person (phunK skinny) to fit in the middle seat. The only way I could do it is to put the skis over the middle which is awkward and hell on the interior.
If you're OK with the fuel economy I can fully recommend it.

I used towels to protect the seats from the ski tips, and layed the skis side ways. Fit 4 just fine for the short trip up the canyon (granted 2 smallish ladies in the back seat). Long trips, no go, but 3 would be fine.

[Kya]

This would be to replace the '02 WJ Grand Cherokee. The biggest concern to me on the WJ is the 42RE transmission, which I learned (after buying it) has a reputation for failure. Damn. No problems so far, but may be better to sell it while it's working fine, rather than after the transmission lunches itself.

Also, the WJ is now redundant for offroad use; it's pretty much been relegated to a road trip mobile and ski car since the arrival of this last year (now with OME lift & misc bumpers/ skidplating):

Nice, if you have a modified Rubicon for trail rides and exploring, then swapping out the other Jeep makes sense.