Subarus: what's a good starting point?

[jeffryscott]

My wife is picking up a 2012 Subaru Outback in the morning and we're very excited, but it now has me thinking of eventually selling my 02 Trooper and picking up a more affordable (i.e. economical) vehicle. Although I love the Trooper, I just don't use it for its intended purpose. Gas is just too expensive to spend $70 for a tank and a day of fun in the dirt and rocks. So, I'm thinking of beginning to look for a Subie. Forester seem's like the best bet for light trail use, but I'm open to ideas as Outbacks and Imprezas and ???? are out there.

I'm wanting solid build, reliable engine, easy maintenance and capability for up to trails a bit rougher than graded FS dirt (ones that could require occasionally stacking a rock or two.)

Are there years of Foresters (and the other models as well) to avoid? Are there years that are sought out? Subaru specific quirks to look for when looking at used vehicles?

Mods? Tires and maybe springs and struts/shocks. No bumpers, etc ... forecast.

Budget? Well, I don't really have one as I'm wanting to find out more about these vehicles before jumping in. If I found a $1000 high mileage well maintained old wagon, I might bite. Or it could be a recent model if the right deal was there (briefly looked at a 2010 with 91K for $13K)

As of now, my wife's will be the main machine for family trips, including camping, and my eventual machine will be more for me to get to work, get kids to school and to get out, do some photography, have some fun, camp, etc ...

Thanks!

 

[brandish]

We have a 10 Forester 2.5x that we use for family trips, fire roads etc. So far it has been problem free in the two years we have owned it. The only issue we have had is we picked up a nail in one of our tires at 20k and we had to replace all 4 tires. Subaru recommends keeping tires within the same spec of tread wear and unfortunately the local tire place could not shave the tire to match. Most of the time this issue is solved by finding a matching used tire but we were pressed for time, so we just swapped all four.

We average around 26 mpg with mixed driving with the roof rack, we were seeing closer to 28 without the rack. I do wish at times we would have went for the Turbo, since the base can be a little under powered up in the hills. The 4 EAT trans isn't great and on the highway it feels like it needs a 5th gear. The 09+ has larger ground clearance than the previous years, but there are small 1 inch lift kits available.

The Forester is probably better for offroad since it is smaller than the Outback and supposedly has better approach angles etc. Though you will feel the size difference in the interior, my parents have a 10 Outback and it feels much larger inside. The major cons are the exterior paint is crap, the interior scratches/wears easily and the car is very utilitarian.

There are skid plates, lifts, rock sliders available for the car so you could build a fairly capable light roader. Check out http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/ for tons of Forester info.

Lifts, Skid plates etc: http://www.get-primitive.com/
http://www.subtle-solutions.com/

 

[JAvendan]

head over to both www.subaruforester.org and www.subaruoutback.org... lot's of info.

my buddy finished his '04 impreza wrx built using www.dirtyimpeza.com.

i have had an '05 forester 2.5x 5-speed and now a '12 outback 2.5 premimum 6-speed.

i recall there being problems with foresters with the 2.5 engine and head gaskets 2003 and below. might have effected other models as well.

good luck and LOVE - lol.

joel

 

[Ozarker]

The Forester, 2.5 XS 03 to 05 is hard to beat forthe money, auto tranny, IMO. The 05 having the better upgrades and safety. For off road, trips to no where, I just don't trust the turbo, if it goes you're stuck. Mine is non-turbo, bullet proof and reliable. I say that even though I replaced the engine due to a mechanic messing up my radiator and blowing a head gasket, but that was extreme, he changed the timing belt and droped the readiator! Ijust didn't catch it till it was to late....

They are also fairly easy to modify, all I did was take off the front airdam and there is enough room for getting off road for the mild stuff. By changing a switch you can go full time 4x4. Check out Off Road Subarus, lots of info on stock and mods for them.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Early oughts Subarus had problems with head gaskets failing, caused by or resulting in the occasional warped cylinder head. Some middle ought boxers suffer from piston slap, more an annoyance than a problem. The manual transmission cars have a 50-50 power distribution F & B. The automatics are send more power to the front wheels under good traction conditions. Turbo models can be expensive to fix if the turbo gives you trouble, maintenance is key for long term turbo reliability.

Jim

 

[jeffryscott]

Thanks for the info. It seems as though most of the headgasket problems cleared up in 03.

Curious as to whether the vehicles that had head gasket failure, if fixed properly, are at risk of another failure (in other words, did the replacement HG solve the problem?)

Another question is are any of the HG issues still covered by a recall for repairs of said HG if it hasn't been done (seen several 98-02 Foresters under 100K for sale)

Thanks.

 

[p nut]

We're also picking up a 13 Outback for family road trips, camping trips (only involving light trails aka fireroads). As much as I like Subaru's, I just can't bring myself to get one for any sort of off-roading (not counting fireroads). If I were in your shoes, I would get a 3rd Gen 4Runner with a 3vz (4-banger). 24-25mpg highway, stock, and much much better off-road. Compared to the Forester, you're only down a couple MPG's.

 

[jeffryscott]

We're also picking up a 13 Outback for family road trips, camping trips (only involving light trails aka fireroads). As much as I like Subaru's, I just can't bring myself to get one for any sort of off-roading (not counting fireroads). If I were in your shoes, I would get a 3rd Gen 4Runner with a 3vz (4-banger). 24-25mpg highway, stock, and much much better off-road. Compared to the Forester, you're only down a couple MPG's.

There are always options, and I'm open to ideas, but I am specifically trying to find out more about the Subarus. I've owned two 4Runners so want something different, besides, finding a 3rd gen, 4cylinder appears to be next to impossible, but thanks for the idea.

 

[p nut]

Gotcha. I've seen some cool Subarus at offroadsubaru.com.

 

[Flagster]

My GF has an '10 outback and she/we love(s) it...just took it on a 1500 mile road trip to Reno/Tahoe...
avgd 33.6mpg from Vegas to Reno at 80-85 mph...has the 2.5l and CVT tranny which is a bit mushy but gives good economy...and the back is cavernous with the rear seats down...it is just us two so we never have the rear seats up...
Three bikes (my MTB, and our Tribikes) fit inside easily with just the seatposts removed...along with all our other crap...
I have a Tacoma 4x4 and an 80 series LC and unless we are really getting into the backcountry we take the Subie always...plenty capable on mild forest roads etc and the comfort and mpg on the highway far outweigh the offroad capability...also we usually bike or hike our way into the backcountry

 

[upcruiser]

If you really want to stretch mpg's and retain some offroadability look into the CRD Liberty's. Best mix of economy and offroad peerformance bang for the buck in the US in my view. I sent the sprung travelling and exploring via Subaru and it was an interesting experiment. Yes you can get to ALOT of places even in a stock Outback with good tires. I have a 5 part post on my blog that covers my trials and tribulations. In my view, the Outback is a nice platform with more interior space and hauling capability versus the Forester. The XT/turbo models are a real blast to drive and combined with the auto provide great traction with the active center diff and rear limited slip diff. The best Subie driveline is the STi's but you loose alot of practicality with that car in an offroad environment and day to day travelling, though it is wicked fun. Any turbo model Subie needs premium though and mileage isn't great compared to the NA models.

 

[IdaSHO]

CRD Liberty's are NOT very fuel efficient.

Real world highway MPG is not what you'd expect. You are lucky to see 25mpg empty on flat highways with the cruise set.

 

[upcruiser]

I have been reading accounts of people getting 30mpg with stock size tires on Lost KJ's. Cruise control isn't conducive to optimizing mileage either FYI.

 

[IdaSHO]

Inflated numbers, or people just going by the digital MPG gauge on the dash. Which is nowhere near accurate. Sure a CRD liberty might "hit" 30mpg on a stretch of highway, but by no means is it averaging that.


And do you honestly believe that on flat ground cruise control isnt going to net better MPG than the right foot of an american driver?

 

[jeffryscott]

Back to Subarus please. I know there are other options (Jeep Patriot is one to consider) but I am very interested in the Subies.

Definitely leaning toward a Forester because I think the approach and departure angles makes it a little more off road friendly. That said, I don't know if there is truly that much of a difference in the two ... and as a practical matter, an Outback might be easier to find because of how much more popular they are (sales number-wise)

For light duty use, is there much practical difference in how the two platforms perform? I'm sure some people here have experience with both either personally or through observation.

Watching videos on youtube, I definitely think either of these would meet my expectations, but it does seem the Forester is a touch better.

It also appears the SOHC 2.5 is a bit more liked than the DOHC. An Outback sport is also of interest, even better gas mileage, but not as much cargo capacity.

Anything I'm overlooking with regards to Subarus?