Replacing with Subaru Outback?

Trading my ‘15 Forester XT for an ‘18 TRD OR on Wednesday. The CVT died at 53,000km and was replaced under warranty a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been wanting to get back in a truck so that was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

The turbo was pretty fun, it’s a shame they ditched it for the 2019 MY. Whoever buys it will be getting a great little car

 

Lesbian!

 

After 5 years in a ‘12 Outback I switched to a ‘17 Tacoma DCSB TRD OR 4x4 with a shell. On stock tires I got on average 3 more miles per gallon in the Subaru than what I get in the Taco on the same 70 mile commute. When I put on some 225/65r17 BFG KO2s it only got 1 mpg better than the Tacoma with factory wranglers. I agree the Tacoma is a great second vehicle but I wouldn’t go back to an Outback which in my opinion is trying to be in two places at once. Its perfect for the young family that can’t afford two cars. If I was concerned with gas and depreciation (assuming that’s why you say great second vehicle?) then you’ll be grossly disappointed with the scubie. Keep the Tacoma and get a commuter. Get a cheap enough one (used accord/civic, *cough* prius) with good mpgs and it’ll pay for itself.

 

My wifey drives a 2011 Outback with ~120k and still going strong. The 2.5 engine and the CVT have been flawless for us, besides changing the oil is pain in the ass. However, newer outbacks, Imprezas and forester have moved the oil filter into the engine bay. The AWD makes this vehicle a tank in shitty weather and HIGHLY recommend it for any inclement driver.

Good:
- Very reliable for engine & CVT transmission
- AWD - as mentioned this fucker is a tank in the snow.
- MPG ~30 for a AWD vehicle
- Comfortable for a family on trips

The bad:
- After ~95k suspension clunks like a SOB
- Headlights - OMFG - these suckers burn out constantly and are a real pain in the ass to change. You literaly have to go through the wheel well.
- Other lights - I have replaced all the lights in the vehicle, so if you have a question on to how I can help.
- Brakes - Outbacks burn through rear brakes for some reason.

Overall, great car and we plans to keep it until it dies. Would I buy it over my Taco or trade in my Taco for one - Not a chance. Taco seems better built by far in my opinion, but time will tell. Oh - this was built in Indiana whoever said built in japan was incorrect. Probably our typical 2nd-gener who loves to troll for some unknown reason...

 

You can also special order them just the way you want them . I had my 15 WRX limited made to order.
Then shipped from Japan. That is the only Subaru I like .


Or you can get a used forester?

 

Are you able to double like ??

 

had a 10 legacy 3.6R before the cvt came out. great car, had the subie oil consumption feature (I think all of them do). had a few minor issues when first bought (moonroof rattle and dreaded suspension clank that was diagnosed as normal). once it came time to get a new vehicle, all the new legacy/outbacks were going cvt, so I switched back to a 4runner limited.

was awesome in the snow, as long as it wasn't too much snowfall. ground clearance was very poor, like 5.8". bottomed out easily for where I lived until the snow plows came thru the sub division 1-2 days later.

 

My wife drives a 2011 3.6 Outback, about to turn 200K miles and never any problems. Damn good and solid vehicle and surprisingly capable off-road and especially in the snow.

 

We also have a 2011 Outback 2.5, 67k on it. We plan to keep it and let the kids drive it and buy the wife a new ride once the truck is paid off. We bought the Subby over a VW, because Manual trans.

 

If you want a good commuter car, go a Mazda 3. The reliability is top notch, cheap to maintain/own, and you can get a dang good deal on a used one.

I’d recommend 12’+ with skyactiv engine.

Bought my wife one new, and didn’t look back. Has 145k in 6 years of driving in 75% city 25% highway, and it has been incredible.

In that time, the struts/shocks are leaking, need to be replaced relatively soon, and the engine mount busted on the passenger side. $130 bucks plus 1 hour of my time fixed that.

Other than that, just normal maintenance cited in owners manual intervals.

Pros- Highway MPGs 50mpg(hypermiling) 40mpg(driving normal)
-extremely reliable, low cost of ownership

Cons- 28mpg City driving
- resale value isn’t great
- seats are more sporty, so long road trips can be grueling. (Foam pad helps!)

 

I traded my 2012 outback 2.5i 6spd manual in for a ‘17 SR DCSB 4x4 last week. While the double cab had a smaller passenger area, especially the back seat which is where i really need it with two kids, I just didn’t trust the Subaru anymore. I bought it CPO at 30k miles two years ago, and in the next 57k it needed both headgaskets replaced, front and rear main seals replaced twice, went through 4 sets of headlights and 1 set of high beams, a set of all taillights, 3 windshields (known to be weaker and prone to cracking), the suspension was worn out and needed new shocks and front end bushings, and the clutch was showing its age. It was a BEAST in snow and on ice with Blizzaks and handled well for a wagon, but the ej253 motor is a dog in that heavy of a car and I was tired of fixing it and worrying about fixing it.

The Tacoma will cost me about an extra $50 a month in gas at my 25,000 miles a year driving at current gas prices and will actually be worth something when it hits 200k, well worth the trade in space imo.

 

Just traded my 15' outback in for a 18' Tacoma. Had trucks all my life, had the wagon for 2+ years and was great to save the gas and decent for my needs (mostly hauling bikes for racing etc) but doesn't completely replace a truck. Still have a Subaru crosstrek for my wife and its great Had zero issues with either subaru. Guess i just really missed driving a truck daily and was tired of loading tools into the wagon.

 

I test drove a 2018 a couple months ago and I was really surprised with how well the 2.5 drove. Smooth suspension and very steady, torqey acceleration.

 

2.5T or 2.5 NA?

 

I have the 18 taco and my wife drives a 16 outback. It's a great wagon. Had it on the beaches in NC and the x-mode worked great.

 

I guess I don't see why a Tacoma would be a better fit as a second vehicle. I bought mine so that I could get RID of my main and second vehicles. It's a perfect commuter, recreation, and workhorse.

Outback is a great vehicle. But it's not small. Dimensions aren't that far off of the Tacoma. Ours served us well for many years with no issues.

 

Any specific questions i work for Subaru. I traded my 15 Outback to get back into a Tacoma... I had a 99 tacoma then an 08 tundra to a 15 outback back to a 16 Tacoma... car was fine but it wasnt a truck.... as a home owner DIYer + (in the middle of renoing my own kitchen) i needed to have a truck


Subaru makes GREAT vehicles, safe and idiot proof... I would second the recommendation of an earlier post go with the 3.6R many less oil leaks / consumption issue... other than that they are awesome....

 

Naturally Aspirated.

Its much lighter than the Taco and it was a stark contrast.

 

Yea man. They are fun little cars, no doubt. I just have the 2.0L which gets better MPGs, but still fun. Haven’t driven the 2.5L. I’m sure it peppy. I just Dont like going to dealerships unless I absolutely have to buy something.

 

The Forester is getting a makeover for '19, which is going to a global platform (like the Crosstrek). If I had to buy a Subaru, I would get one of those (or the Ascent if you need the room).