Subaru. Which years? Which models?

[Christophe Noel]

I've been waiting for this day for a couple years now. I'm ready to move to Subaru for my primary adventure mobile. My Discovery II is just too beastly to drive distances over an 8 hour highway drive.

I'm looking for a vehicle that can zip down the highway at 80, tackle modest off roads to access trailheads, and get a bit off the beaten path. I'm more than willing to give up my current offroad abilities with my DII to be able to drive more than one state away and not at a donkey's pace.

So, which is preferred, the Forester or the Outback? Are there some years to avoid, and others to seek out? I've driven the newer versions of the Outback and loved the ride quality. The older models I've driven feel tinny, and seem a bit loud. I'd like to retain some comfort for those long trips down the highway.

What about lifts and armour?

 

[thospb]

Each successive generation is a huge improvement over the last one.
The A/T is faster response off-road and the MT is a viscous-couple center diff, not good for continual use in mud or sand.
The early Forester (98-2002) is smaller, 2003 and later has a longer wheelbase.
Turbo motors require Premium fuel.
I'll think of more later.

 

[Magnum Johnson]

I have an 05' Legacy wagon now and would not hesitate to recommend an Outback or Forrester. I have a 2.5i auto, its not fast, its not slow, its just rite. I get about 30mpg with a weeks worth of camping gear and 3 people in it. My car is very low and on 17's but I have taken it down some nasty muddy roads and have never had any issues with it. This is my 3rd Subaru and while I loved my WRX wagon I would stay away from the turbo, the insurance and fuel prices were slowly killing me. If I had to choose an Expo Subaru I would likely go with a newer Forrester for the larger interior volume.

 

[Christophe Noel]

I'm leaning towards a newer Forester. The newest body style started in 2009, correct?

Can these be lifted just a tad?

 

[Christophe Noel]

I agree with you on the aesthetics of the new Outbacks. There's a blobby plastic quality to them, but the interior is pretty swanky, and well, I like it.

As for any mods, I'd just like to bump up the ground clearance as much as possible without having it look goofy. I don't see myself installing a snorkel or bull bar. Maybe some protection on the belly.

Prescott does have a few Suby mechanics worth their salt. Coming from a Land Rover, I'm not too worried about that aspect.

I admit, I rather prefer the Outback over the Forester, but wonder if it's as capable off the tarmac?

 

[Martinjmpr]

The only thing I would say is avoid any Outback or Forester from about 1996 - 2002 that has the 2.5 motor (that is most of them.) They are notorious for blowing head gaskets (there are hundreds of threads on Subaru forums about this.)

I got lucky with my 99. No HG issues from 42k miles when I bought it to 120k when I sold it. But HG failures are very common with this engine. I think they had the problem fixed by 2001 (my brother's 2002 Impreza with the 2.5 is running fine and he bought it new) but I would try to get 2003+ to be on the safe side.

Subaru is very strict on 5 year rotations for their body styles. So the 1st gen Legacy was 90-94; 2nd gen was 95-99 (this included the first Outback Wagons and Sedans which are modified Legacy's.) 3rd is 2000 - 2004; 4th is 2005 - 2009; 5th is 2010 to present.

Forester was introduced in 98 so they go 98-02 for the 1st gen, 03-07 for 2nd gen, 08 - up for 3rd gen.

The Forester is built on the smaller Impreza platform. Legacy (i.e. Outback Wagons) were much more "loaded up" in terms of options: Alloy wheels, limited slip diff, etc. By contrast, Impreza platform cars (Impreza and Forester) are a bit more "stripped down." Foresters sit a bit higher and have slightly better approach and departure angles with less rear overhang, but you won't be going on any rock crawling trails with either one.

Best thing about Subies in my opinion is that they are widely available with manual transmissions. I don't think the CR-V has been available with a MT for some time. AFAIK the Element is available with a 6 speed manual or a 5 speed automatic.

I've decided my next DD will probably be a 4th gen Legacy Outback. I love the look and the size of them. My brother has a 5th gen (2011) Outback and the darn thing is HUGE!!! I don't care for the new ones as much as the 05-09 models but that's just a personal preference. At the same time, if a nice 2nd gen Forester (03-07) with a manual came along, I'd be tempted to jump on it as well.

 

[upcruiser]

My ex gf has an '07 outback wagon 5 speed. I drive it a lot and loved it. The NA 2.5 combined with a manual makes it fun to drive and it is a reasonably torquey motor. We were getting around 27 for most highway driving with the Thule rack mounted but nothing on there. I would go Outback over the Forrester just due to the interior length. The Forester is noticeably shorter a nd doesn't pass my requirement of being able to sleep in the back if needed. The outback I can fit in easily. I also agree Subaru really messed up the styling with the new model, fugly comes to mind. The last gen was a great looking car.

One thing you might want to consider is going auto if you are going to be crawling around off road a lot. The manual to me is more fun but when you need to creep along over rough stuff, 1st gear is a bit tall versus the autos ability to really crawl over stuff easier. It's kind of important when you are dealing with a vehicle with no low range.

After pondering a bunch of vehicle options for my next daily driver I am really leaning towards that last gen NA Outback wagon myself. About as bullet proof and economical of a car as you can get with awd.

 

[MadMax11]

I would say that the Forester would be more capable off-tarmac because of the much better approach/departure angles of the bumpers. Plus the new Outback is MASSIVE :Wow1:

You can get 1" lifts (easily installed by a mechanic) from:
-JacksonRally.com (preferred, but always out of stock)
-Subtle Solutions (also a great choice)

Lift for 98-08: Here

Lift for 09-11: Here



Personally, I enjoy the older generation of Impreza wagons (93-01) because of the decent departure angles (with a small lift), availability of parts, lightweightness, bulletproofness of the EJ22, and the great feel they provide of the road.
But they are small, and quite noisy, especially whilst :smiley_drive: Worth it? I think so.

 

[Christophe Noel]

The new Outback styling doesn't offend me. If anything, the new Forester is a little pedestrian to me, not that there's anything wrong with that. I do have a hard time seeing the Outback being as capable as previous generation Subarus off the pavement. That's a long snoot it has. A snoot clad in plastic.

I may look into the previous generation Outback. The size of the new Outback doesn't intimidate me, but it does seem unusually large. I do dislike the new factory racks on the Outback. They greatly limit the range of rack goodies you can get up there.

Okay....maybe I'm back at the Forester?



As a footnote - I already like the Subaru discussion vibe. At this point in the Land Rover forums, someone would have been banned - twice.

 

[Maddmatt]

Here's my first hand feedback: I've had an '01 Outback since '01 - absolutely love it. Drove the same year and options Forester when we bought it, and there was no comparison - back in '01 the Outback felt much more buttoned up.

Issues
Head Gaskets: Yeah, they're bad. We got ours replaced, about 80% covered by Subaru even though we were over 100k with the 'new improved' version. 18 months and no issues, but it took 8 years for the first ones to blow.

Fuel Leak - they seep some fuel in sub-zero temps. Easy fix, you just open the hood, find the leak and give the clamp a half turn or so with a phillips screw driver. No big deal, but that it always seems to be the middle of the night, and they don't leak (at least mine doesn't) at temps over 10 degrees, so I'm always worried about some unrelated plastic bit shattering.

Front brakes. Under sized. After 6 years of getting my front rotors turned way too often I broke down and had them placed with some drilled and slotted ones. Not only do I stop quicker and have reasonable brake maintenance intervals, I have cooler looking brakes than my 17yo neighbor.

Front skid plate: Factory version is plastic. Ours shattered during the winter of 06/07(?) when the front range of Colorado looked like Summit County, and we had 12" deep ice ruts in our neighborhood for six weeks. Got a cool STI aluminum one and put it on in then snow no problem. Cooler than my neighbor point #2.

Wind noise: The mirrors make a lot of noise at highway speeds. Luckily Subaru equipped each one with a 'wind noise cancellation' knob on the dash. They labeled it 'Vol' and it works quite well.

Gas mileage: The most variable of any car I've ever owned. On the highway, with 2 adults, 2 kids, a 70lb dog, a week's worth of stuff and a box on the roof, with the cruise control set at 75, it easily averages 25-27. In the winter, around town dropping kids off, etc.... I've seen as low as 18.

Hot: Lots of glass. A few years ago we broke down and had a professional, 3M tint job - car is much, much cooler and looks cooler too. Cooler than the neighbor kid point 3.

Highway miles: It eats them. YMMV, but for me (6', 200lbs) the driver's seat in my outback is one of the most comfortable I've ever owned. We drove Tucson to Denver with both kids and the dog, stopping only for gas. That's pushing 15 hours. Denver to SLC? 7 hours 23 minutes, personal record.

Snow driving: I grew up at 8000 feet and learned to drive in the snow long before I had a driver's license. Many vehicles, many miles, much snow in the last many years (I'm 42) and I have never had a car as good in the snow right out of the box as my Suby.

Knowing what I know now, I would buy it all over again. I plan to drive it at least 5 more years. In my opinion the best model is the next generation, the 05-09 version. Personally I think the 10's and newer are too big. If I wanted an SUV, I'd drive my 4runner.

 

[life_w_vagabonds]

I know your looking at a newer model, but I have to argue with the head gasket issue on the older models. I have 170k on our 02 Forester, with the original headgaskets. Not to say others are wrong by any means, but I have not had any problems.

BTW when are we getting our own Subaru section?

 

[Christophe Noel]

Thanks so much for all of the info, everyone. I've been here before. Now I'm somewhat consumed by this project. I must have a Subaru!

 

[Bikemobile]

2006-2009 outback 4 cylinder automatic.

Simple reliable and fuel efficient.

I had a 2005. LOVED it. I would get a 2006 or later next time just to get rid of the first year bugs.

Roomy if you dont need to put 6 footers in the backseat. Great driver on the highway, and handles pretty good too.

 

[rgc]

03-07 second generation Forester is the best looking of the bunch with no head gasket issues. :victory:

rgc
(who is biased due to his 04 Foz)

 

[Maddmatt]

Also, re: reliability

This couple has been driving their Forester around the world for a couple years now - I know it's been posted here before, but if you haven't spent a couple hours on their site you (we) all should. http://www.getjealous.com/subaroute/photos/page1

Their little Forrester has been places the vast majority of us only fantasize about.