The wife and I are looking at getting rid of her grand cherokee that seems to be falling apart piece by piece. We are very interested in getting a subbie for the MPG and offroad ability. My question is outback or forester? It will be daily driven, taken camping,canoe trips, fishing etc... We have found a 2007 Subaru Outback 2.5i with 69k on the clock for $14K and a 2003 Subaru Forester 2.5XS with a 106.5k on the clock for around $9.5K. The wife really likes the forester but with having over 100k on it I am kind of hesitant. Please give me honest opinions here I really need them.
Question for the Subbie guys
- Thread starter WickedZJ
- Start date
We have had 12 Subbies in 20+ years (first was a 1981, when I was 21) and converted many others including my MIL to them. We had a 03' Forester and loved it, we just outgrew it when we had three kids 
, love the kids, MISS the Subbie. I would get it in place of the Outback. The outbacks lack interioir space in comparison. I feel WAY more cramped in an Outback.
I have spent SO many nights in the back of a Subbie, coldest was ice climbing near Lake Palcid at -20 air temp WOW, cold
Enjoy, I guarentee it will NOt be your last Subbie if you buy it.
Jronwood
, love the kids, MISS the Subbie. I would get it in place of the Outback. The outbacks lack interioir space in comparison. I feel WAY more cramped in an Outback. I have spent SO many nights in the back of a Subbie, coldest was ice climbing near Lake Palcid at -20 air temp WOW, cold
Enjoy, I guarentee it will NOt be your last Subbie if you buy it.
Jronwood
Whenever this forum has the "top 10" or "best" lists, I am always baffled that Subarus don't make the list--I think there must be some weird resentment or bad experience.
I am partial to the turbo versions and could tell a number of stories about why I love them.
I think my brother said it best when he was moving to Alaska and drove his Subaru up there--"I will never be without a Subaru; no other single car can do so many things and is so much fun to drive."
It is incredibly likely that my next car will be another Subaru.
I am partial to the turbo versions and could tell a number of stories about why I love them.
I think my brother said it best when he was moving to Alaska and drove his Subaru up there--"I will never be without a Subaru; no other single car can do so many things and is so much fun to drive."
It is incredibly likely that my next car will be another Subaru.
Outback
I would go with the outback. They should both have the same EJ25 SOHC engine which is preferable to the DOHC version. Despite what was said earlier I find the outback bigger and more comfortable (lower head height though). It doesn't have as good of a approach or departure angle but is longer, higher clearance, and IMO roomier. Lower miles is always best, less time and miles for someone else to mess it up. These engines are capable of very high miles IF maintained properly. At ~100k I there is maintenance that if not done can be $$. 100k is not too much but unless the timing belt has been done and other periodic maintenance you could be buying someones neglect.
The Forrester is a great car and as long as you are prepared for a little TLC it should be a great car and serve you well, but I would buy the Outback if it were me.
You will fall in love with the Subbies, everyone else does for a reason.
I would go with the outback. They should both have the same EJ25 SOHC engine which is preferable to the DOHC version. Despite what was said earlier I find the outback bigger and more comfortable (lower head height though). It doesn't have as good of a approach or departure angle but is longer, higher clearance, and IMO roomier. Lower miles is always best, less time and miles for someone else to mess it up. These engines are capable of very high miles IF maintained properly. At ~100k I there is maintenance that if not done can be $$. 100k is not too much but unless the timing belt has been done and other periodic maintenance you could be buying someones neglect.
The Forrester is a great car and as long as you are prepared for a little TLC it should be a great car and serve you well, but I would buy the Outback if it were me.
You will fall in love with the Subbies, everyone else does for a reason.
Applejack
Explorer
FWIW I am partial to Forester's more nimble off road ability. That being said there is rumor that the head gaskets on pre-'05.5 engines were of sub par material and prone to blow. This is anecdotal evidence but I have done enough research and know enough people with Subs that I do tend to believe the......ah hem....rumor. Based on that I would go with the Outback in this case.
Warn Industries
Supporting Vendor
We went with Forester. Earlier (e.g. pre 2009) versions seemed a bit smallish on the interior compared to the Outback (having ridden in the back of both vehicles) to me. We bought a '12, and it's quite roomy in all respects, but that's getting off topic. My friend's '04 Outback has well over 200,000 miles on it and is going strong, although he did have the aforementioned head gasket issue.
You may want to give a quick look over at SubaruForester.org. Lots of Forester info there.
I don't think you can go wrong either way; just find whichever suits your needs best. We ran some forest service roads this weekend, and I'm ever impressed by the AWD system on these. They feel so sure-footed on gravel/sand/snow. I'm a believer.
- Andy
You may want to give a quick look over at SubaruForester.org. Lots of Forester info there.
I don't think you can go wrong either way; just find whichever suits your needs best. We ran some forest service roads this weekend, and I'm ever impressed by the AWD system on these. They feel so sure-footed on gravel/sand/snow. I'm a believer.
- Andy
i've had an '05 forester 2.5x with 5-speed manual transmission and now a '12 outback 2.5 premium with 6-speed manual transmission.
i prefer the outback because of the space... my two girls are growing!
here's a pic of the forester
here's a pic of the outback
and one representing!
joel
i prefer the outback because of the space... my two girls are growing!
here's a pic of the forester
here's a pic of the outback
and one representing!
joel