Call me lazy, but this seems like it would take a lot of searching, and it's not even for me, it's for a friend. I know some people love imparting their knowledge, so, if you're one of those people, humor me, please:

 

I have a friend looking at newer Outbacks. 2008-2010, probably. She was looking at a 2008 LL Bean edition. Someone told her 2010 was the best year outback (quite a generalization and I'm assuming he didn't say why, like engine? tranny? overall? what??).

 

So for anyone who knows and is willing to give me a quick rundown of these later models, major problems to look out for, good points, etc., that would be awesome. I think she's looking for a 6 cylinder.

Call me lazy, but this seems like it would take a lot of searching, and it's not even for me, it's for a friend. I know some people love imparting their knowledge, so, if you're one of those people, humor me, please:

 

I have a friend looking at newer Outbacks. 2008-2010, probably. She was looking at a 2008 LL Bean edition. Someone told her 2010 was the best year outback (quite a generalization and I'm assuming he didn't say why, like engine? tranny? overall? what??).

 

So for anyone who knows and is willing to give me a quick rundown of these later models, major problems to look out for, good points, etc., that would be awesome. I think she's looking for a 6 cylinder.

 

www.cars101.com

all the newer ones can have some issues.

While this board is by far the superior message board, you will want to spend some time over on http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/

 

and read up. steering shimmy, SHAKERS, handling, poor heat, moisture, roof rack issues, headlights burning out prematurely, bad tires, bad shocks, bearings, unsafe engine dying when pulling to stopsigns, cvt shift issues, paint issues, etc etc etc, etc all the topics you need are there.

Edited January 19, 201115 yr by bheinen74

all the newer ones can have some issues.

While this board is by far the superior message board, you will want to spend some time over on http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/

 

and read up. steering shimmy, SHAKERS, handling, poor heat, moisture, roof rack issues, headlights burning out prematurely, bad tires, bad shocks, bearings, unsafe engine dying when pulling to stopsigns, cvt shift issues, paint issues, etc etc etc, etc all the topics you need are there.

 

 

I would skip the 2010 for now. They are still having teething pain. Some of those i add up to being picky, others are real issues.

You need to understand that the 2010 is a completely new car. CVT with the 4-cyl, 3.6 litre with the 6-cyl. Framed door windows. I prefer the 2008, which was a face-lifted 3rd gen OBW.

My mom has an 08 OBW with the 4cyl and 5speed. It's a pretty good little car. It isn't fast and doesn't really handle the best, but it's a smooth ride and pretty roomy and comfortable inside. The clutch is nice, it shifts nice. It would make a good DD.

It hasn't had any major issues. Just regular maintenance. The engine does burn about 1qt/3k miles, which I feel is completely unacceptable for a car with 38k on it.... My ea81 doesn't burn any. Probably the water-thin 5w-30 oil. But I digress.

 

The 08 IS a very nice car, and if I could afford a new car for my DD I wouldn't hesitate to get one.

CHnage the PCV valve.

 

You may feel it is unaceeptable, but it is well within limits. Realize you are not BURNING oil, you are consuming oil. In todays engines oil is used to cool the piston skirts and under the pistons. This oil gets vaporized (As it is desgned to do). There are quite a few things that affect this. This is why everyone chould check their oil level once a week.

 

The one thing that really bothers me is the 1999-2000 and i think 2001 with the delayed transmission engagement. Head gaskets i can live with, that i can't as i know all transmission places are con artists, especially since it can be fixed without a total rebuild.

Alright, thanks a lot so far, everyone. I'll spend some time on the subaruoutbackf forums.