looking to purchase my first Subaru

**AK Rev** · 03-08-2007, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by YetiMan

Mine throws codes all the time, many of which are catalytic converter codes...yet, I just watched it like a hawk and kept resetting it and took it into inspect right at the 1 hour window when it wasn't chucking a converter code.

Mine does the same thing with codes.

**Ireallyliketoski2** · 03-08-2007, 10:27 AM

I drive a subaru too, a 99 Legacay L. I have 128,000 miles and change the oil every 6,000 miles, no major repairs. Wait, what was the question?

**cinnepa** · 03-08-2007, 10:29 AM

i have a 2003 forester, plenty of room for my 6'-2" frame, wife loved it so much she traded her jetta in for same; another 2003 forester.

**bean** · 03-08-2007, 08:38 PM

I've got an '06 Legacy wagon. Went with the Legacy over the Forester and Impreza because I could fit in the back with my legs straight (diagonally) for sleeping in there if/when I need to, but had to bend my knees in the others. Very happy with it.

**okaybro** · 03-08-2007, 09:10 PM

You can get up t0 $3,000 off the price of a Subaru if you are a member of IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Association) for six months. A good deal for a hella good cause.

http://www.imba.com/tcc/subaru.html

**nutcase** · 03-08-2007, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by raj

. I could sleep nicely in the old legacy/ new outback. The WRX/ Impreza/ Forester is too short for that and I am not tall to begin with.

.

I disagree. i'm 6'2 and have spent many winter nights in my WRX wagon with a few pairs of skis, boots and a cooler. if you put the back seats down, pull the front seat up and stuff gear in the foot area between the back and front seat you have plenty of room to lie diagonally and be comfy. I find it more comfortable to sleep in than my old 4runner

**flip** · 03-08-2007, 09:59 PM

Two things. The difference between the standard and the auto is huge. The car is quick and playful with a 5-spd and a total dog with the auto. Since it sounds like you don't hit much traffic, get the standard.

Second thing... all this talk about the car being the opposite of a chick magnet are only half true. When I sold my forester I met more cool outdoorsy chicks in a two week period than in any other year of my life except maybe freshman year of college. And I got propositioned by at least one (maybe two... still not sure).

**skiman1009** · 03-08-2007, 10:30 PM

i live in SLC and a subaru would be perfect, i have one and i rarely need to use it, because your really not going through snow as much as people think, but just make sure you get one that has under 50,000 miles

**seanpistol** · 03-08-2007, 10:38 PM

how much gear more room is there in an outback compared to the impreza wagon? is it substantial?

i'm really unsure of what i want to get at this point. all i know is that i'm thinking subaru.

i really need to go test drive one of everything.

**skiman1009** · 03-08-2007, 10:45 PM

that one is pretty tight, try and pay 12,500 but that is actually a really good deal, does it have a clean title

**Benny Profane** · 03-09-2007, 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by seanpistol

how much gear more room is there in an outback compared to the impreza wagon? is it substantial?

i'm really unsure of what i want to get at this point. all i know is that i'm thinking subaru.

i really need to go test drive one of everything.

Length. The Outback is long enough for skis. A buddy of mine puts a road tandem in the back of his, sans wheels. You could get by without a rack and box with the Outback, if you're flying solo most of the time. (I had two Outbacks before the Forester) But I would still get a box, just to keep the stuff outside. wait a minute, I already have one......

And Flip, sorry to burst the bubble, but they only wanted your for your steed.

**mtnbikerskierchick** · 03-09-2007, 01:07 AM

I had a '98 Impreza Outback and loved it! To answer your question, yes the engine is an Outback engine and generally it is the same body as a WRX. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of trading my Impreza Outback in for a '99 Forester w/ 1/3 of the miles of my car. Well, that was all good for a while, but then my Forester started falling apart. Just before 90,000 miles they told me I needed a new engine... gasket problems. I might expect this in a Ford, but for a Subaru that's just plain dumb. Around that time my whole electrical system started failing... and I kept having more and more problems... and I decided I had a lemon for a Subaru. I kept hearing the Subaru Service folks saying, "Well, I haven't seen this in 2 years".... or 10 years.... or 5 years.... I decided to pretty much run the car into the ground and almost bought a new car last Friday when I found out it was going to cost $500 to fix some brake issues. Well, I talked to the Subaru people and pointed out all the things wrong with my car. The rep decided to call some sort of district rep or something, and basically, all this freakish stuff happening with my car is being fixed now for 70% off. Now, I'll be able to fix it and trade it in for more than I paid to fix it.

I'm glad Subaru is taking care of me because for several months I was feeling extremely let down by my Subaru as a car, and Subaru's service. If Subaru hadn't have made this offer to me, I would be telling you in this thread that Subarus are worthless, and that I will probably never buy a Subaru again. But Subaru is taking care of my car problems now, and I commend them. I really do think Subarus are great cars and handle so well on all road conditions. But just pray you don't get the lemon that I have!!!!

**matanuskaski** · 03-09-2007, 11:55 AM

I drive an '03 Subaru Impreza 2.5rs which has the same engine as the Impreza Outback... I bought the car new 4 years ago and needless to say have proceeded to put a lot of mileage on it due to Ski Trips and other ventures... So far I have had 0 problems with the car, the only complaint I have is that the one I got doesn't have an outdoor temperature readout and thats just me being stupid... My family has had Subarus since I was a little kid and I plan to have one for a long time.. The 2.5l engine has plenty of zip for anything I would ever need, and the suspension on the 2.5rs is almost identical to the wrx suspension from what I have been told... Feel free to pm me if you have any more questions..

**Dromond** · 03-09-2007, 01:53 PM

Well now my mom wrecked her car and needs a replacement. She's looking at a 2000 Legacy L Wagon with 79K. I've done some research and it looks like it's got the Phase II SOHC engine which is a much better bet than the Phase I. If everything else looks good I think that I'll tell her to go for it.

**Obstruction** · 03-09-2007, 02:13 PM

Recently replaced my wifes 2002 VW Asshat wagon (which burned up, but that's another story) with an '07 outback. We're really happy with it, plenty of power, handles well, etc.

I wouldn't discount a new car. I was looking for a late model, low mileage used version, but the new "basic" outback w/ a five speed was selling for around $19,000. All of the '05 and '06 outbacks w/ less than 40k miles were going for $15k . Given those prices and our lack of interest in fancy options it just didn't make sense to me to but the used car.

**uglymoney** · 03-09-2007, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by mtnbikerskierchick

I'm glad Subaru is taking care of me because for several months I was feeling extremely let down by my Subaru as a car, and Subaru's service. If Subaru hadn't have made this offer to me, I would be telling you in this thread that Subarus are worthless, and that I will probably never buy a Subaru again. But Subaru is taking care of my car problems now, and I commend them. I really do think Subarus are great cars and handle so well on all road conditions. But just pray you don't get the lemon that I have!!!!

Wow. Subaru trying to do you good. I'm always suspicious of $500 brake jobs. My girlfriend was recently told by her Toyota dealer that her 2003 4-runner needed major brake work on all four corners immediately. I told her to bring it over to my garage, where I put a new set of front pads in it for $50. The rear brakes were at 50% with no problems. She's been ordered to stay away from that particular dealer.

My 02 Outback has been trouble free. I do need to change a noisy belt, but other than that...

Originally Posted by Obstruction

I wouldn't discount a new car. I was looking for a late model, low mileage used version, but the new "basic" outback w/ a five speed was selling for around $19,000. All of the '05 and '06 outbacks w/ less than 40k miles were going for $15k . Given those prices and our lack of interest in fancy options it just didn't make sense to me to but the used car.

Absolutely. The same is true for Accords and Camry's. Any car that is extremely popular and has high resale. Take a look at the new prices, they'll still cost you a little more on a depreciated basis, but a new car has a lot less risk for the premium. Used cars need to be discounted to reflect their use, lack of warranty etc. Its the only reason I bought my Outback new. Still glad that I did.

**Blatant** · 03-09-2007, 06:53 PM

wow, asking for opinions on sub's and jeeps in one thread, i'm surprised this thread isn't 12 pages.

Anyway I owned a 2000 outback and now own a 2006 5sp. I also own a a 92yj 242I6. With other amAnities. I agree with the statement that you must get a 5sp. I also think you should avoid the shorter wagons and stick with the regular outback length. I went from a 3/4ton pickup to the first automatic 2000 outback and i'm 6'3. It was a tough transition but there was, remarkably, enough of room in there once you got used to it and quit comparing it to the truck. The 5sp i drive like an idiot and beat on it pretty regularly. I can say i've had no troubles except for a coolant anomoly that ended up being a bunk radiator cap. The dealers are very cool if it's warranted. I bought it new in march of 06 at a very good deal. I have 30k on it now. No issues. I had no issues with the 2k and it had 80k on it. It wasn't driven as hard as this new one. If you can get the 2.2 and don't care about looks do that. If you can get one with the hg done for the one's in that range, do that and you should be good. These regular ones aren't that quick and the auto's are pigs, but they are tanks in the snow and look ok with a rack.

if you're willing to travel to buy one, you'll be set and if you can buy privatedly from some little old lady you may make out even better.

with that said, i love jeeps but they have a tendency of being a pain in the ass and alot like women, from time to time. You love them and hope to look under their hood every day, you love their headlights and how they really put a smile on your face on a nice cool fall day.... yet they are always bugging you for money and require so much of your time and patience. and then you give it, willingly at first and then not so much later and in the end you have to PAY for it, you feel used, a simple whore....and you like a coy dog, you just keep coming back, keep paying b/c you're addicted, you have the sickness, the lust, and you know it, and it hurts you, but you simply love her......

maybe stick with the outback.

**raj** · 03-10-2007, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by nutcase

I disagree. i'm 6'2 and have spent many winter nights in my WRX wagon with a few pairs of skis, boots and a cooler. if you put the back seats down, pull the front seat up and stuff gear in the foot area between the back and front seat you have plenty of room to lie diagonally and be comfy. I find it more comfortable to sleep in than my old 4runner

I haven't owned a 4runner so can't compare but more relevant to this thread, I have owned both the longer version of Subie Wagons (legacy, outback) and shorter one (WRX) so speak from direct experience. The longer ones are atleast 6-8 inches longer. That makes a pretty big difference in luggage room, length of skis you can fit in straight and sleeping straight. Yes I am sure you can sleep in a WRX diagonally with some fidling of seats/ gear etc. All I am saying is that the added length made the fiddling unnecessary.

Don't get me wrong, I love driving my WRX but my older car (and likely next car) of a longer wagon are more practcal choices for an outddor person.

**booner** · 03-10-2007, 06:49 PM

Go Subies! I have an '01 Outback VDC wagon with 60K and it's silly. Traded in a '92 with 190K and it didn't have a single mechanical issues, just a cosmetic disaster. I will buy Subie wagons for the rest of my days.

**jerr** · 03-12-2007, 07:34 AM

Subi's in my family

Me - subi 250T
Mum - subi WRX
Dad's wife - subi outback
Sister - subi TR5
Sister's husband - subi legacy

But really, none of us rate them.

**jerr** · 03-12-2007, 07:50 AM

For outdoor sports access I'd rate the subi wagon shapes as such,

1) Outback shape, new shape
2) Previous model legacy-ish shape (mid 90's)
3) Forester (slightly less road handling for not much extra off-road performance)
4) WRX (quite a bit smaller for cargo)
5) Early 90's legacy shape (just cause they're a bit older, although that's unlikely to stop them).

Pretty much they'll all good. I've travelled in all of them quite a bit when skiing except the WRX. But I had one of these last week (I swapped with a friend as he wanted my car with it's towbar) and thought at the time how much smaller it was in the trunk. Not so good for piles of gear & skis.

4 years ago I owned a '90 legacy with 270,000km+ and it still went like a demon. I sold it for more than I paid for it!

**carlh** · 03-13-2007, 09:35 AM

i just hope your short subarus suck for amnyone over 6' you just dont fit, Im 6'3" and refuse to get one for that reason otherwise they are nice

**tenB** · 03-14-2007, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by Benny Profane

Be careful. As I said in my post, this was a dark period for Subaru, when they manufactured a bad engine with head gasket problems, which resulted in leakage and overheating. But they are very open about this at Subaru if you call the 800 service number - they did a recall on all these engines, and service is free to fix if it hasn't been done already before 100,000 miles. Chek the VIN, and call Subaru direct to see if that service was done. If not, stay away, and buy an '04 to present. Or a pre- 2000 model.

Yes, 2000 to 2003 was a terrible time for subaru. I had a 2000 outback, and the head gaskets went at 61,000 and then again before I sold it at 80,000 miles. Neither were coverred by warranty, as Subaru tried to cover the problem up before finally recalling them. I loved the way it drove, but they are not nearly as reliable as people think. I'd look at Toyota or Honda