(OT) Outback vs. Forester

Search
Go

Discussion Topic

Return to Forum List
This thread has been locked
Messages 1 - 20 of total 116 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
JEleazarian

Trad climber
Fresno CA
Topic Author's Original Post - Nov 24, 2015 - 06:45pm PT
We're considering buying a Subaru Outback or Forester to replace one of our very-low-ground-clearance sedans. i'd appreciate your thoughts on which you prefer.

Thanks.

John
the Fet

climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
Nov 24, 2015 - 06:53pm PT
After needing head gaskets on my 2006 Subaru at 110k I'm sticking with Toyotas or 4 cylinder Hondas from now on for small cars.

Check out http://tradeinqualityindex.com. Real long term quality info. And https://www.yahoo.com/autos/bp/a-car-dealer-s-scientific-guide-to-the-most-and-least-durable-used-cars-214802625.html which summarizes the best cars from the index.

Unfortunately the RAV4 is one of the few Toyotas that doesn't measure up.

So I'd go 4 cylinder CRV or highlander. Highilanders are really nice but a bit bigger and worse mileage than a suby.
rottingjohnny

Sport climber
Shetville , North of Los Angeles
Nov 24, 2015 - 07:00pm PT
the fet...why did you need new head gaskets...? Overheated engine..? curious my daughter has a 2005...rj
christoph benells

Trad climber
Tahoma, Ca
Nov 24, 2015 - 07:10pm PT
the subaru head gaskets (at least on the mid 2000's models) have to be replaced every 100,000 miles.

thats what i heard from everyone when it happened to me. I thought it was a sweet deal, used car, 1 owner, 100,000 miles...
the Fet

climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
Nov 24, 2015 - 07:19pm PT
I had read they fixed the head gasket issue around 2001 but I guess not. :-(

My car never overheated or anything. They just started leaking and the coolant can then get in the cylinders and ruin the engine so you have to do them.

If you look at subys in the index above you'll see they only rate average in long term reliability. 50% while Toyotas are better than 80-90% of all cars.
c wilmot

climber
Nov 24, 2015 - 07:23pm PT
My 2006 subaru is still going with 130,000 miles (knock on wood). Nice car. Its gone everywhere. Only issue has been a crankwheel that fell off due to faulty work when the time-belt was replaced.

looks easy from here

climber
Ben Lomond, CA
Nov 24, 2015 - 07:29pm PT
Based off my research looking at cars last year, Foresters are gutless (two friends own them, and they're miserable going up a grade or at elevation), Outback's head gasket problem can be mitigated by buying the 6-cyl, but comes with a $$ premium.

I was considering an Outback pretty strongly before settling on my '04 Honda CRV. Absolutely no regrets with my decision. Great interior room, small exterior, great clearance, good in the mountains.


$0.02

TGT

Social climber
So Cal
Nov 24, 2015 - 07:29pm PT
Ground clearance and Subaru is an oxymoron.

If you need ground clearance get a truck.

Willoughby

Social climber
Truckee, CA
Nov 24, 2015 - 07:49pm PT
Heard some rumor about a class-action suit in the works 'cause of all that oil-burning, head-gasket stuff. It's nigh on 2016 and high time for them to square that situation.
looks easy from here

climber
Ben Lomond, CA
Nov 24, 2015 - 07:51pm PT
Horizontal layout is space efficient, but leads to pooling. Surprise! /sarcasm
doughnutnational

Gym climber
its nice here in the spring
Nov 24, 2015 - 08:03pm PT
Heard some rumor about a class-action suit in the works 'cause of all that oil-burning, head-gasket stuff. It's nigh on 2016 and high time for them to square that situation.
These are two different issues. The oil burning issue is in newer 4cyl. engines. We have 2014 Forester that was burning over a quart of oil per 1000 miles with less than 20,000 miles on the engine. After numerous oil consumption tests we got a new engine. Hopefully that solves the problem.
rwedgee

Ice climber
CA
Nov 24, 2015 - 08:33pm PT
Subaru has the head gasket issue up until even the 2009 engine. Google "Subaru head gasket". They will leak either into the engine(type 1 leak), to the exterior(type 2 leak), or both. The trick is to not over heat when they eventually do get low on coolant. Small volume of coolant so they get hot fast and before you know it you need a head job....don't we all. Not your type Charlie.
Look on Craigslist and you will see Subis advertised with the heads done. A lot are on the dealers dime. They are bomber after the new gaskets are installed. They used an inferior material and the coolant ate them. Been there and done the Lesbaru thing.
Still have two Foresters as they have a little more room than the outback so I can carry more lesbians.
Hope that helps.
ms55401

Trad climber
minneapolis, mn
Nov 24, 2015 - 08:46pm PT
toyota tacoma you're welcome
Fossil climber

Trad climber
Atlin, B. C.
Nov 24, 2015 - 08:49pm PT
Forester is ubiquitous in the NW of Canada and the US, gets great ratings in consumer mags. Still, you can always get a lemon. Not cheap though. Up here, anyway.
phylp

Trad climber
Upland, CA
Nov 24, 2015 - 08:51pm PT
I buy my cars new and sell them at 125-150k miles. I owned two outbacks previously and now we have a forrester. I've never had any trouble with any of them.

We switched to the forrester because in 2011 (when we bought the most recent car), the forrester had better clearance and was more comfortable for my long legged husband to drive. I've slept in the back of both vehicles, don't know if that's a factor for you. The outback was more comfortable to sleep in. Don't know if that is still true. The new outbacks are bigger than the old ones and more expensive than the forrester.

Just go test drive both of them and see how they feel to you. I love my Subarus.
WBraun

climber
Nov 24, 2015 - 08:55pm PT
Don't listen to these yuppies here!

Get a helicopter.

Just think of all the savings you'll get on tires and brake pad replacements ....
Daphne

Trad climber
Northern California
Nov 24, 2015 - 09:06pm PT
I'm almost one year in with my Forester. Have been on some very rough roads with it and feel very comfortable with its clearance and handling. As phylp reminds me, it's an AWD, not a 4WD though. Not appropriate for the designated 4wd climbing access roads at Shuteye, for example.

My gas mileage is not great, apparently I have a heavy foot. YMMV. Lol (between 25 and 26 mpg city)-

My main complaint is that the steering is a little shaky in high winds. I find i often hold the wheel steady with my knee on the golden gate bridge. Also, wtf were they thinking with not putting an overhead rear hatch light? I've installed my own stick on light back there. I used to have a 6cyl and notice the difference mainly when leaving a full stop. On grades and hills it feels completely responsive to my foot on the gas pedal.

And i love the backup camera, the moonroof, the seat warmers and the blutooth connectivity
the Fet

climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
Nov 24, 2015 - 09:43pm PT
I still like my suby it's a pleasure to drive and still drives like new. But I dont think I'd go that route again.

When I bought it suby was rated #3 to Toyota and Honda in "long term reliability". Turns out jd power and consumer reports long term is 3 years. That's not long term to me. I've had my suby for 9 years. So I'm glad I found the real long term index above so I can really see what cars will go 200k or more.

I just bought a Toyota with 50k for about half what it cost when new. And I'll likely run it to 200k hopefully with no issues. To me that's a great value. But YMMV, some people want new cars. Some people want cheap cars and don't mind spending their time working on them. I just cringe at that huge depreciation in the first few years. I'd rather spend that money on travel.
apogee

climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
Nov 24, 2015 - 09:55pm PT
I owned an '85 GL SW (predecessor to Outback) that I put 315K miles on it before it finally bit the dust. I did a lot of work on it (2 engines, lotsa brakes & CV joints, remodelled the interior for road warrior duty) but still loved it.

When it finally died, I got an '02 Outback which I had for a coupla years until I started building my house, and just couldn't haul enough stuff. That Outback was awesome too- those rigs are unbelievably stable on funky roads. I could haul ass safely through snow or rain- try as I might, I could never spin the damn thing.

Subarus have a lot of quirks to them- it's good to have a mechanic who knows them well. They're kinda like VW's that way- people either love them (and their quirks) or aren't crazy about them at all.

Since I needed more hauling ability, I went Tacoma. It's a fantastic truck, but nowhere near as stable on funky roads (um....cuz it's a truck.) YMMV!!
BuddhaStalin

climber
Truckee, CA
Nov 24, 2015 - 11:43pm PT
Former mechanic and 8 time subaru owner here.

A few things to note:
-Forester is built on the Impreza platform. Tighter turning radius, better approach/depart angles. Taller airy greenhouse.
-Outback is built on Legacy platform, longer overhangs, lesser approach/depart angle. Has gotten much more expensive if considering new.
-All 3 high clearance subys are the same at 8.7" clearance.
-The newer (2011 and up) have the new FB type engine, it does have some oil consumption issues, there are TSB's on it. I have one and it consumes but isnt problematic.

The Rav4 and HIghlander and CRV all have inferior AWD systems (Haldex-the 'slip to grip' type). This might matter if you live in a snowy area, might not if AWD isnt as crucial on the day-to-day. Basically this means that the front wheels have to break traction in order for the rears to engage. Youtube for AWD comparisons between them, there are many and universally, the subaru fares the best.

Honda/Acura makes SH-AWD which is quite good, the only one that can enter the ring with subarus and audi's AWD systems. Its not available on their popular CRV and Pilot though.Ive driven them all, and if I lived not here in snow country, any would do, but if its crucial, you cant beat a subaru. Ive never had any of mine leave me stranded except due to my own retardation.

JD Power means nothing. Most of those ratings and so on mean nothing, they dont relate to the real world. Its all strengths and weaknesses and how they apply or interact with your needs. They all have their strong suits and faults.

A good mechanic is your friend, Subarus are not quirky in the respect that they are difficult to maintain or repair, rather mechanics are more often quirky, combined with the car owners' lack of knowledge, can make any car seem quirky. All machines are imperfect, they all have the possibility of failure. They all take proper care and maintenance, which is the downfall of most all peoples car troubles no matter the brand. The fact does remain, most people do not, whether because of being unaware or unwilling, take proper care of their cars. People mostly wait for stuff to break, then give it attention. This holds true for any car.

Currently own a 2006 WRX since new, now has over 200k miles on it, original engine and transmission. Never stranded, never broken or out of comission. Always have done the proper maintenance at the proper times. With any car, if you dont do this, you invite failure. I would not hesitate to jump in it and drive cross country anytime. It pulls hard, gets great mpg still, never gives me any trouble.

Also own a 2015 Forester 2.5i Premium. Its great, airy and huge sunroof, ample power, plenty of room and mild off road ability. The oil consumption issue is well documented ( began in 2011 models, then in 2012 in the Impreza models with the 2.0l engine, but they have made good on cases with manifestations.) Mine hasnt consumed oil to the point of being a problem, my oil change interval comes around before I have to add. Its more pronounced on manual trans models. I can link you a thread on it if youd like.
Messages 1 - 20 of total 116 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
Return to Forum List
 
Our Guidebooks
spacerCheck 'em out!
SuperTopo Guidebooks

guidebook icon
Try a free sample topo!

 
SuperTopo on the Web

Recent Route Beta