Hi, I'm brand new to this board and I am thinking on getting a subaru outback. Not sure of what year..used one though. I was lookingfor info from current owners. Repair/maintance cost, driving (I'm in Wisconsin) in the elements, gas usage, manual vs auto trans, and what ever else you can tell me. I have been interested in them for a while. My hubby is trying to get me to get an accord. I am trying to build a case to convince him. For perspective the POS I drive now...94 cav. 5spd w/220k miles. I want the space too. Please help:-\ thanks

Hello and

 

I don't know what you're looking to spend, but reliability wise an early 90's up to 96 Legacy or Impreza with the 2.2L is probably one of the most solid options. (Just make sure it is all-wheel drive if that's what you want - not all early models were AWD).

 

Mileage-wise you will probably get a little lower mileage with AWD than an FWD or different make that is FWD. But once you drive it in the snow you won't care about that!

 

Also make sure you know what things to look for in test driving (you must test drive a Subaru to check for torque bind before purchasing).

 

I would avoid 2.5L's up to ~99 because of the possibility of head gasket issues (unless the head gaskets were already replaced with the new multi-layer steel type). Also 2.5L's from '00 to ~'03 have the possibility of an external head gasket leak. Also a number of '99 and '00 Outbacks with automatic transmissions have or develop a delayed engagement to drive issue.

 

Those are the major Subaru issues.

Welcome to the forum. If you got a Subaru I think you would like it a lot. We all like ours here. They are great in the snow and on regular road conditions also. It would help to know what kind of price range you are looking at and if you want a sedan or wagon.

 

For the most part all the models hold up well. The engines can have oil leaks and headgasket problems. The newer models after 2000 are less prone to these problems. I'm not saying the '90's were bad, just that they are have a little more higher rate of gasket failures. Newer gasket designs have helped fix this problem. I wouldn't pass up a good deal on a 90's model if you found one.

 

I drive a '01 LL Bean Outback and really like it. Soobs are real popular here in Akaska as you can imagine.

I kinda have got my heart set on the impreza outback sport. I just like how they look, body style and size..I have noticed that they have a high resale so I'm going to have to take one with higher miles so it's in my price range. Thanks for the info about common problems.

Impreza OBS are good, 2.2 engine is solid, and (far) less prone to head gasket failures. The only thing that stands out for me regarding an Impreza is the rear wheel bearings. They will go bad, sooner than other Subarus. This is due to the fact that they use a ball bearing instead of a taper bearing , this causes a higher load on the surface of the bearing, resulting in premature wear. When bearings are replaced, be sure to replace them with a Legacy rear wheel bearing as they are of the taper style.

 

Ooooh, the other thing...

Tailgate wiring tends to "break" at the bend between body and tailgate, easily fixed with some "butt" connectors though.

 

Lewis