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Post by trinity on Feb 25, 2016 15:06:45 GMT -8
After about 260,000 miles, I fear the days of my 2003 Toyota Matrix may be numbered. After doing some research, I am leaning towards replacing it with a Subaru Outback. This will be primarily a commuter vehicle, as well as an occasional trip out west for backpacking and car camping. It will mostly stay on pavement. I will be frequently carting my 6 year old son around, and occasionally my 7 year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever. I seem to recall that there are a number of Outback owners on this board. How do y'all like your cars? Any helpful insight to offer?
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Feb 25, 2016 15:18:09 GMT -8
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2016 16:04:06 GMT -8
After doing some research, I am leaning towards replacing it with a Subaru Outback. From what I have been able to read, that sounds like a good decision. A Subaru Outback was one of my first preferences when I bought a new pickup truck a few years ago. With the absence of a Subaru dealer in my area, I decided not to get the Subaru, but I remain convinced that they are very good vehicles. And they also have some nice colors.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Feb 25, 2016 16:08:26 GMT -8
Woodsie, Roger, and several others have Outbacks. Some towing capacity, large space for gear, decent gas mileage, CR likes them.
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whistlepunk
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Post by whistlepunk on Feb 25, 2016 16:16:45 GMT -8
Snow is their niche. They have every other make/model beat in Winter driving.
Their downside is if you do your own wrenching they are harder to work on. Not a factor if you let the dealer do all the maintenance for you. Some of their interior layout does not seem well thought out. The new models may be better than my 2013.
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Feb 25, 2016 17:06:02 GMT -8
On my second Outback. Totally awesome in snow. Average 30 miles per gallon. Mixed urban highway use. Daily Mr. Mom transportation duties. Works well on gravel and many forest service road. High clearance helps. Angle of approach and departure very low, so rule out most 4 wheel drive roads. When out in West Desert I bring a real rim and tire as the little 50 mile spare is scary (experience). Good for long road trips and the 2016 version has reduced interior road noise. My next vehicle will be the same.
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desert dweller
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Post by desert dweller on Feb 25, 2016 17:32:46 GMT -8
Are you sure that's the right choice? Here's one to consider. link
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Post by Coolkat on Feb 25, 2016 19:03:45 GMT -8
After owning 2 Subaru Foresters I wouldn't go near another Subaru. Both times we had to get rid of them at 100,000 miles due to multiple large repair bills. I have a toyota prius with 280k and it's been the best car I've had and I bought it with 138k. I'm also starting to look around but I think I'm going to stick with Toyota. Either a Rav4 or Highlander. I'm going to miss the mileage but I recently purchased a canoe and the Prius just doesn't fit my lifestyle anymore.
To be frank, I want to go with an awd car like Sabaru but I simply don't trust them to be reliable after 90k miles anymore.
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tomas
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Post by tomas on Feb 25, 2016 19:34:32 GMT -8
I bought a 2015 model. Love it.
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Post by atvtuner on Feb 25, 2016 19:48:24 GMT -8
We've had a 2015 Subie Forrester for 14 months/10,000 miles now. Love it. CVC transmission took some getting used to. Understand 2016s have CVC with 'steps' that lock in so it approximates gears.
ANYway, we went with the Hamon Kardon music option. Best stereo I've ever owned, anywhere anytime. Subie great on long trips, great in snow and wet pavement. Built solid as proverbial tank. I'd trust her off road more than some stupid jeep. Yes, I just said that.
Just be careful with breaking in the engine. Do it wrong and you'll have an oil-eater on your hands. Do it right and she won't use a drop of oil.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Feb 25, 2016 20:07:11 GMT -8
We have a 2008 Forester with over 200K. It;s been a good vehicle, but when they need service, expect to pay a bit more than you would with a Toyota, Nissan or Honda.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Feb 25, 2016 21:43:13 GMT -8
I think the newer Subarus are better, but one of the reasons (besides a leaky head gasket) that we ditched our 2000 Outback in 2010 (about 150K or a bit less) was that the back seat leg room was appalling. Those who met them know that our boys aren't huge, even now, and at age 11 or so they were at about the 4' range. And even for them, there wasn't enough leg room. We did try the 2010 version, and it was much better, but still not great. The slope of the sides makes it uncomfortable to put 3 people across the back,and I think they actually *increased* that in newer ones. The Prius has more passenger space (we once jammed 4 kids from ages 11 to about 20 into the back seat, and they were all able to breathe, though I admit they were a skinny crew), and while it doesn't have AWD or high clearance, we get a good 10-15 mpg more than the Outback, even fully loaded (seriously. With 4 of us, a pod on top, and camping gear for us all, we get 42 on slower roads, and well over 30 at 75 mph on the freeway). In the end, we bought the car we need for the majority of our driving, not the one we want for a few days a year in the desert. Not saying you shouldn't get an Outback. Just to think about what you mostly use it for. The Prius is easier to park, and I probably spend about 15% less time buying gas
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FamilySherpa
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Post by FamilySherpa on Feb 26, 2016 5:16:44 GMT -8
05 Subaru Outback (bought in 07) here. Been a good car. Have had issues with check engine lights, which causes other issues (like the cruise control not working if the light is on), but besides that it has been a good car.
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Post by Coolkat on Feb 26, 2016 5:25:42 GMT -8
In the end, we bought the car we need for the majority of our driving, not the one we want for a few days a year in the desert. This is my dilemma right now.
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Post by dayhiker on Feb 26, 2016 6:16:06 GMT -8
When I bought my Forester I looked at the outback, their price points overlap so why not, the dealer did not understand doing that.
I decided on the Forester because the Outback rack was too narrow to carry more than one boat, and if you put your own rack on theirs the bars were too close together. Also the Outback was just released and I don't like to get a model that hasn't gotten the bugs out of yet. The Forester has higher clearance loaded, and it extends less beyond the wheels so entry exit clearance is better too (forget what they call this). I was surprised how well it performed in snow, as I had a 4 wheel drive Honda civic wagon and it did not seem to do much. I am better sure this has to do with the tires. They just had a video comparing the mid-size suv's on snow and I think the Subaru won, partially due to its tires. I think it has replaced Honda has the maker of good cars along with Toyota.
I just had my Subaru 60,000 maintenance and its mpg is now under 20! Part of that is the rack, but it was on before the maintenance.
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