Subaru Outback

[OPExp]

Originally Posted by hbg1

My last car was an outback, I had the 3.6R and loved it.
It’s a great car that is perfect for road trips and long drives!
Super comfortable ride, great in the snow and rain and a really solid car overall.
My mom (77) needed a new car and we went with ‘21 Impreza last week.
As mentioned by others they’re super popular and discounts are hard to come by but we did well with Costco auto program and got a decent deal on the Impreza.

My first Outback was a 2005 LL Bean with the 3.6 R six cylinder. Great overall vehicle. It was leased and I made the mistake to return it at the end of the term.

Second one was a 2015 with the four cylinder engine and the CVT. Sold it after less than two years. The car was quite underpowered especially when loaded and very loud under acceleration.

I am scheduled to test drive a 2021 XT with the 2.4 turbo engine that replaced the 3.6

[JebM]

Don’t they have head gasket issues?


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[77T]

Originally Posted by JebM

Don’t they have head gasket issues?


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Past generations have had a recurring problem when composite head gaskets were used. After switching to a metal facing that changed. The new materials are better.

But any boxer (flat 4 or 6) has propensity for issues.

Boxer engines let fluids remain next to the lower edge of head gaskets - acids in the fluids reduce their life.


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[1hoot]

Wife has a 19 Outback. Generally a solid car around town and comfortable. Love the adaptive cruse control and AWD in the snow. I would say the 2.5L engine is slightly underpowered and loud under load at altitude here in the Rockies. If I had it to do over, I’d definitely go with the turbocharged engine. I read something interesting recently about head gasket failures related to engineering designed to increase gas mileage. Essentially, some of the newer cars have loosened tolerances to decrease friction and improve gas mileage. That in addition to very lightweight oils contribute to premature gasket failures and oil leaks.

[rolehex]

Originally Posted by JebM

Don’t they have head gasket issues?


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That is what I had found as well while researching them. So decided to buy something different.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by JebM

Don’t they have head gasket issues?


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The problem is that they have 2. 😂
Seriously though, 206k miles and not a single problem with an internal engine part.

[zengineer]

Originally Posted by swils8610

As it is an all wheel vehicle, all 4 tires should match and the tread depth should be the same as well. It can in some cases damage the all wheel drive system.


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That's a bit of an exaggeration. Half the cars around here are AWD and a slight difference in tread depth is not a big deal. My AWD/4WD F150 comes from the factory with a slightly mismatched diameter spare.

I know Subaru will tell you to stay within .25" circumference which only gives you one or two thousandths of an inch in tread to play with....but c'mon, they wear even a little uneven and you are beyond that.

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by JebM

Don’t they have head gasket issues?


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The head gasket issue is primarily an EJ series issue. There have been minimal to no head gasket issues with the newer FA series. The issues that has been prominent with the FA series of engines is carbon buildup in the intake valves due to the adoption of direct injection design and weak as piss con rods (not an issue if you keep stock)

[mschafer]

We had a 2011 Outback, a lot of car for the money, love the ground clearance, power is fine to slug along and merge, but the base engine is not a hot hatch in any means, which im fine with. After 5 years and 75k miles I had to switch it up, we had some water intrusion on the rear cargo door after a strong rain fall at some point after 2 years and in the 5th year some electric gremlin they couldn't work out, had a loaner for 2 month. After getting in a Benz, I realized how noisy the Outback was and also how silly it was to be at the dealership every 3k miles, 4+ times a year, for oil and other service/issues. Proceed with this in mind, it might have changed also.

[Slimpee]

My wife has a 2019 (I think) Outback paid for by her employer. It isn’t heavily-optioned but I think hers has a premium package with Eyesight (drivers aids) and heated seats.

I don’t like it. I might like it more if it had an upgraded sound system and seat/mirror memory. And I hate the Apple Car Play and touchscreen.

I much prefer my 2015 Mercedes suv even though it isn’t as new.