Subie Love

"Dale Franks" (DaleFranks)
08/11/2014 at 15:42 • Filed to: None

I took the wife out to help her find a new car. She fell completely in love with the Subaru Outback, though she is neither a lesbian nor a communist. So, now she wants to come up with 30k to buy one.

I'm glad I didn't let her drive a WRX STI.

DISCUSSION (29)

Boxer_4 > Dale Franks
08/11/2014 at 15:47

2.5i or 3.6R?

Dale Franks > Boxer_4
08/11/2014 at 15:49

She wants the 2.5 for the gas mileage. I told her that she needs to get the 3.6. Prediction: She will get the 2.5. *sigh* It's her money and her car, so...

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Dale Franks
08/11/2014 at 15:52

Kinja'd!!!

I do like these new headlights.

Wishin & workin for an E39 M5 > Dale Franks
08/11/2014 at 15:58

Wrong! It is ya'lls money. Do not let yourself become a slave to your wife. Your job as a husband is to serve and protect your wife but you are not her slave. This shit infuriates me in American culture. I also am married and the wife has expressed her desire for a new car style we have researched and reviewed many different vehicles and together have made a decision on what vehicle to purchase, together. We too want a wagon, but we prefer the Audi allroad.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Dale Franks
08/11/2014 at 16:01

Saw one of these for the first time last week. It's a good looking vehicle...especially compared to the previous model.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Dale Franks
08/11/2014 at 16:03

Better gas mileage on her 2.5 = more money for other things (including YOUR car)? Assuming you're not sharing the vehicle 50/50, if she's happy with it I say why not?

Conan > Dale Franks
08/11/2014 at 16:06

Used WRX STI might be a convenient downsell!

m2m, apex detective > Dale Franks
08/11/2014 at 16:09

Uh ... why would her wanting an WRX (STI) be a bad thing?

Boxer_4 > Dale Franks
08/11/2014 at 16:25

It really depends on where she will be doing the most driving. If that is mostly in the city, then the 2.5i is probably the better choice. However, if that is biased towards highway driving, then the 3.6R might be the better choice. We have found with our 2012 Outback 3.6R that it isn't hard to exceed the highway rating of 25mpg (by anywhere from 2-7 mpg) if you drive reasonably. Plus, she would get the added bonus of passing and merging power when she needs it.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > Boxer_4
08/11/2014 at 16:26

Agreed, the 2.5 is a dog.

Desu-San-Desu > Boxer_4
08/11/2014 at 16:27

Altitude also makes a difference, as does cargo. If she's going to be hauling cargo or additional cargo, the 2.5 may end up being underpowered. Same goes for high-altitude, where the naturally aspirated 2.5 tends to get weezy.

Boxer_4 > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
08/11/2014 at 16:36

I haven't driven the 2.5 in the current or previous generation Outback, but I have in the previous generation Forester. The 2.5 is great around town, but isn't the happiest on the highway. I can only imagine what it would be like if it weighed over 270 lbs more like the current Outback does.

Boxer_4 > Desu-San-Desu
08/11/2014 at 16:38

That's a good point. If any of those are factors, then the 3.6R is a must.

Boxer_4 > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
08/11/2014 at 16:41

The new generation does look good, especially in the new Wilderness Green.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > Boxer_4
08/11/2014 at 16:44

My girl friend has a 2010 which I have driven extensively and like you said, it is very happy around town. Passing on a two lane highway takes patience and a prayer. I also hate the CVT but that's a different story.

Dale Franks > m2m, apex detective
08/11/2014 at 16:51

Another $6,000. And she really needs the extra cargo space of the Outback.

Dale Franks > Boxer_4
08/11/2014 at 16:52

I think I'll try and push the 3.6 a bit harder.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Boxer_4
08/11/2014 at 16:53

That's a nice colour. The one I saw was a dark metallic blue, looked very handsome. No doubt it's a huge vehicle though...I hope they bring over that JDM WRX wagon deal this way at some point, to make up for model bloat.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > Dale Franks
08/11/2014 at 17:07

Have you thought about a pre-owned model at all?

Dale Franks > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
08/11/2014 at 17:51

No. She's not interested in a used car.

m2m, apex detective > Dale Franks
08/11/2014 at 18:00

Hm ... Turbo Forester? :>

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Dale Franks
08/11/2014 at 18:08

Did she try the Crosstrek? Seems to feel more carlike over the Outback, in least my opinion. Then again, I could be biased since I own a Crosstrek. I guess it depends on how much room you really need. There really isn't a ton of space behind the rear seats, and could be difficult packing for a longer trip if you have all the seats occupied. But, there's always the roof.

Dale Franks > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
08/11/2014 at 18:15

We need the space. Mobile Photo/video studio. 3 mastiffs and a boxer.

Andrew T. Maness > Dale Franks
08/11/2014 at 18:18

Why wouldn't you want her to drive a STi? Wouldn't she let you drive it from time to time? The 3.6 is so good it's kinda messed up. As far as CVT's go, Subaru is at the top of the game.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Dale Franks
08/11/2014 at 18:54

Fair enough. I have a tough time getting my 5 dogs (2 hounds, 2 labs and a pit) in the Crosstrek. And your Mastiffs certainly trump them.

Dale Franks > Andrew T. Maness
08/11/2014 at 19:00

Cargo space is way better in the Outback, and that's a necessity, despite the fun deficit.

Newsboy > Dale Franks
08/12/2014 at 01:53

I agree re: towing or altitude, but otherwise the 2.5 is perfectly capable. We take ours rallying through deep snow and mud with no issues, and regularly get 30-31 mpg highway without even trying (in a 2011, the 2015 will be 5 mpg better). Passing power is more than adequate.

Great choice btw. Best car we've ever owned.

N/A POWAAAHH > Dale Franks
08/12/2014 at 11:27

Is she open to used cars? 2006 Legacy wagon, just saying

Dale Franks > N/A POWAAAHH
08/12/2014 at 12:36

No. She's not interested in used.