HB_Dad

I have the exact same car (well, my is a 2003 but everything else is the same), and I have this problem all too often. Unfortunetely, you're not going to like this, but it IS your brakes, namely your front ones. Yes, 20,000 miles is far too soon for this to be the case, but in fact, this IS the case. Take it to the dealership and get them replaced under warranty. However, they will tell you nothing is wrong with the amount of wear and it "must be your driving". Actually, they will tell you lots of BS. The real cause is unknown but probably a design defect SOA doesn't want to fess up to. I have 45,000 on mine right now and have had to replace the front brakes 3 times now, rotors twice, and Subaru insist its how I drive (and they seem very defensive on the subject). The funny thing is, I have had 2 other Outbacks and had no problems even remotely like this. Sure they were 4 cylinder instead of 6 as I (and yourself) have now, but there is only 185 pounds difference which shouldn't make THAT much of a difference. My driving style hasn't changed at all either and my commute is EXACTLY the same. Bottom line, Subaru is screwing with people like you and I. There IS a problem they are aware of, but they just don't seem to want to admit it. Prepare for heavy expenses down the road. In fact, do the work quickly and you might be able to lemon-law it depending on where you live and how quickly the cycle repeats. Good luck, and keep us posted. I am trying to gather as much info on this subject as I can...

I wish I could get anywhere NEAR 50,000 on my '03 LL Bean Outback! I've replaced the fronts 3 times now (twice included new rotors) and I only have 42,000 miles on the car!! All work is done at the Subaru dealership, so you'd expect the best, but maybe this is untrue? I have an open case with Subaru on this who insists it must be my driving. This is untrue since I drove my previous Outbacks EXACTLY the same with the EXACT same commute! Moral of the story, I wouldn't bitch about 50,000 miles on a set of brakes, because some of us are envious of your "problem"...

I've mentioned this before, but my 2003 LL Bean Outback seems to grind brakes like a banshee. I have had the car for a little over 15 months now, and have 41,000 miles and have been informed my front brakes AGAIN have worn down to 20% even though I just had ALL FOUR replaced between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This is now my FOURTH brake replacement on this car. After speaking with the dealership, they tell me the following (see my answers after the quotes): 1) "It's the way you're driving." I drive this car no differently than I did either of my 2 previous Outbacks. 2) "Your foot may be depressing the brake rump roast you press the gas." For laughs, I stayed EXTRA aware of this being a possibility and made sure that the brake was in NO WAY being touched when depressing the gas. i kept my foot on the far right side of the gas. 3) "Its common when you put on the mileage you do." BULL****! My two previous Outbacks accrued the same mileage in the same amount of time. My commutes haven't hanged at all. 4) This Outback is heavier because it's a six-cylinder". The total curb weight difference is only 285 pounds, which is not much (good technical design on Subaru's end though), so the differences should be negligable. Anyway, I was wondering what you LL Bean owners out there have experienced with your brake life. Am I driving a lemon? Unfortunatly, the extened warranty i bought seems to be worth aout as much as a squirt of piss since it doesn't cover brake wear (even abnormal)! HELP!!!

Usually, these problems are attributed to design flaws and not production errors.

I'd definetely wait for the new H6. Almost 40 HP more and supposedly BETTER fuel economy than the current H6 OB, how could you go wrong? Styling and even creature comforts have been dramatically improved. I have the '03 H6 and am currently thinking of trading for the '05 when it comes in and keep it until the 7-seater is available. Again, I'd wait if I were you.

So if some of you think the new look is ugly, and apparantly think the old look is ugly too, why bother complaining? Just curious...

Like it or not, its here to stay so stop bitching all of you! Subaru's can't get much uglier than they are currently! Now a little sexy style comes along and you all bitch?!! GIVE IT UP!!! They will build it, and the people will come (not sexual)...

I like the front end look. Finally a Subaru that doesn't look like a friggin Honda!!!

I just hope for an H6 with more HP and Sportshift!!

Its nice to have an engine that doesn't have that 4-banger whine!! I've had to 2 Outback 4's previously and now the H6 and will NEVER go back!!

Okay, you're stupid! :-p Actually, the blue vehicle in the sketch is about the same height and dimensions as a Nissan Murano but longer to accomodate a third row so it is substantially bigger (in case not coming through in sketch). If you are thinking the thing looks more Outback or Forester-like, why not take a stab at it and throw us a sketch of what exactly you are picturing? This is what this thread is all about! I'd love to see exactly what you envision!

Wow, this thread died quick...

Actually, I took the front of the B9SC (scaled it vertically for a bigger SUV-like front), the rear of the WX-01 Concept car, door handles and turn light from R1E, and roofracks from scratch. B9SC's mirrors were added, wheel wells were straight modified to blend with cladding inspired by the new Outback (built from scratch in this sketch). I think that's everything...

Based on what little we know about the 7-seater (rumoured to be called "Surveyor"), and looking at Subaru's past, present, and future designs, I came up with the following possible mockup of what the vehicle MAY look like. It'll be interesting to see how close I am to the actual car when unveiled! Anyway, your thoughts are welcomed and consider this an open invitation for everyone to try to mockup their own interpretation of this vehicle's possible look!

Good point. I also think the Outback and Legacy are also redundant to each other.