(OT) Outback vs. Forester

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Messages 61 - 80 of total 116 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
BuddhaStalin

climber
Truckee, CA
Nov 30, 2015 - 07:57am PT
Throw a bonin to her in the car. That will work.

Good on ya, you made the best choice. If the 'cake' is the most important to you, go Forester. If the 'frosting ' is most important, get one of the others. All others are gimmicky AWD systems that are not solid like Subaru or Audi. Its simple.
John M

climber
Nov 30, 2015 - 08:19am PT
Nice Choice… just make sure it has the right tires on it before you take it to the snow. A friend of mine bought a new Outback in Fresno a few years back. She kept having trouble in the snow, so I checked out the tires. It had all weather tires on it, but they were more summer tires then anything. You can't just look at the brand, you have to check the model number. They use to come with bridgestone potenza. The potenza came in something like 10 different models. Hers was more of a summer tire. It did not have decent traction on ice. They said they were all season, but that is a range of rubber softness.
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Nov 30, 2015 - 09:33am PT
Nice Choice… just make sure it has the right tires on it before you take it to the snow.

Roger that. The tires on my 2015 forester don't seem aggressive enough for snow or loose dirt/mud.
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Nov 30, 2015 - 02:55pm PT
Question; on an AWD which wheels get the chains, front or back?
phylp

Trad climber
Upland, CA
Nov 30, 2015 - 03:26pm PT
Congratulations, John. You're going to love it!
ryanb

climber
Hamilton, MT
Nov 30, 2015 - 03:54pm PT
We have a 2015 2.5i CVT forester and love it. its not a truck but it can hit 35mpg on country highways and handle all sorts of bad Montana roads including the unplowed dirt one we live on. No issues with oil consumption yet just after the second oil change.

Friends have Outback's. They are a bit longer, a bit shorter and have a higher towing capacity which would be nice if plans include a camper. Other friends have tacomas...inside feels really cramped.

Stock tires aren't great especially on ice now that they have a bit of wear and a full size spare will be needed for any sort of off road use. The suspension could eat up small bumps better.

Eyeing a set of 15" method racing rally wheels and all terrain tires like this guy has done:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v723/SKVR6GTI/Method%20Race%20Wheels/14%20Forester%20MR501%20VTSpec%201570_zpsqmmcxwlk.jpg

The book says to only use chains (actually low clearance cables) on the front wheels as the back don't have the clearance.


Splater

climber
Grey Matter
Nov 30, 2015 - 06:21pm PT
I've had a 2005 Outback 2.5i since it was new. 144000 miles. Overall it's been ok, but I would get something with higher MPG and more fun to drive for my next every day car in SoCal, where the AWD is rarely used.

Leaks oil slowly at this point, probably both head gaskets and an engine seal, only when running, so it never drops on the ground when parked. Most of it burns when it hits the exhaust.

Have replaced 2 rear bearings, (& maybe another soon), and both front CV boots / axels (too close to the exhaust so they get hot.)

2 of the 3 PZEV cats were replaced by Subaru under warrantee at 142000, plus various O2 sensors. California requires PZEV emissions warranty to 150000 miles. Would have cost $2700.

The LSD rear slips too much for slow off roading. It's best on snow. Don't know if VDC would help.
I have never put rugged tires on it but a couple choices might be http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=General&tireModel=Grabber+AT+2&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=165TR6GRAT2&tab=Sizes
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=Geolandar+A%2FT-S&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=165HR6GEOATS&tab=Sizes
Lorenzo

Trad climber
Portland Oregon
Nov 30, 2015 - 06:31pm PT

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

Seat warmers? What a pussy.


( wish I had sprung for them on my Pilot. Sticker shock got the better of me.)
SC seagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab, A sailboat, or some time zone
Nov 30, 2015 - 06:35pm PT
Seat warmers? What a pussy.

Meow. Love em' on my 4 runner!

When driving my dad's car in winter in Western Pa I loved the heated steering wheel too!

Meow. Meow. Meow. Purrrrrrrrr

Susan
crankster

Trad climber
No. Tahoe
Nov 30, 2015 - 06:39pm PT
John, you'll enjoy the way the car handles in the snow. Hope it goes on many a road trip.
Randall_C

climber
Flagstaff, AZ
Nov 30, 2015 - 07:03pm PT
I'm on my fourth Subaru, which is a 2015 Forester 2.5i. It now has 20k and I have had zero issues with it. Unfortunately, my friend has a 2013 Outback with the 2.5 and is experiencing the oil consumption issue. As for my Subaru, I am very happy with the purchase and plan on driving it as far as it will go.
Sierra Ledge Rat

Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
Nov 30, 2015 - 09:16pm PT
Forester is easier to get and out of than the Outback

My Forester has 230,000 miles and I just pour in a quart of oil with each fill up.
Daphne

Trad climber
Northern California
Nov 30, 2015 - 10:10pm PT
Congrats! Driving a new car is a luxe experience, no matter what the car. Its all clean and shiny and new. No wonder your wife is happy.

Yeah, the winter package was something I wrestled over. Really helps the o'dark thirty departures for cragging and skiing and I'm so glad I sprung for it.

Susan, steering wheel warmer! Can I get one aftermarket? Mmmm ...
BuddhaStalin

climber
Truckee, CA
Nov 30, 2015 - 11:02pm PT
Subaru, like all mfr's, puts cruddy tires on their cars OEM. They are all season technically, but all seasons are not snow tires, no matter what the quality. If youre going to be doing any snow time, its worth some snow tires for oeace of mind.

Ive said it before and ill say it again, all the AWD in the world wont matter with crap tires. A/S tires trick folks into thinking theyre adequate for the snow, theyre not. You cant rely on them.
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Dec 1, 2015 - 06:22am PT
Had not heard of the oil leakage issue. That is disturbing. A quart with every fill up? WTF!

And chain all 4 wheels? Jimminy crickets what a hassle.
BuddhaStalin

climber
Truckee, CA
Dec 1, 2015 - 06:40am PT
His is clearly not a new forester.

Ledge rat, give us your cars specs.

The oil consumption issue is with the 2011 and up FB and FA engines. The oil issue is a known TSB concerning consumption not leakage. Any old car that has leaks that were not fixed will, well, leak. Oil leaks are fixable, they are from failings of gasketing or seals somewhere. People choose to not fix them, then some complain about how their car chew through oil, or others just deal and add oil. Most of the time its an easy and inexpensive fix that people dodge and end up spending more on replacement oil than the fix itself.

A car is a huge set of variables, everyones will be different. Everyone takes different care of their car, brings it to different mechanics, exposes it to different conditions and workloads. Your results will vary.
BuddhaStalin

climber
Truckee, CA
Dec 1, 2015 - 07:58am PT
Yes, they manufacture them next to the Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles.
Splater

climber
Grey Matter
Dec 1, 2015 - 10:42am PT
Tho Some leaks may be easier, Fixing the head gaskets on a Subaru costs $2000, which I would not call easy and inexpensive.
Still, Overall I'd say my car has been average in repairs needed over its life. And I like it better than generic crv/rav4/etc.
Patrick Sawyer

climber
Originally California now Ireland
Dec 1, 2015 - 10:52am PT
Don't listen to these yuppies here!

Get a helicopter.

Werner, any suggestions? I'm on a budget.

I was thinking of a Bell Being V-22 Osprey, but at $72 million, a bit it out of my league. Of course, if I asked for a custom-designed V-022 with a paintball armament ('cause I am a wussy) instead of the machine guns and missles, it might cut the cost down some. Hmmm, decisions, decisions, decisions.
enjoimx

Trad climber
Yosemite
Dec 1, 2015 - 02:36pm PT
I'm on my fourth Subaru, which is a 2015 Forester 2.5i. It now has 20k and I have had zero issues with it. Unfortunately, my friend has a 2013 Outback with the 2.5 and is experiencing the oil consumption issue. As for my Subaru, I am very happy with the purchase and plan on driving it as far as it will g

No new cars have issues at 20k...that's not really an endorsement for Subaru
Messages 61 - 80 of total 116 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
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