I'm driving a 2017 Subaru Outback Limited this week AMA

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
12/15/2016 at 19:55 • Filed to: Dat oil consumption tho

Subaru was kind enough to lend me a car for the week while they install a new engine in my 2013 Outback (under warranty). The 2013 was gulping a quart of 20w synthetic every 1,500 miles so they figured it was due for a new short block.

This is the top of the line outback, the only thing you can get more of is if you get the 3.6R 6-cylinder car. It has everything. It’s pretty damn nice. It’s also annoying with all that lane departure crap.

DISCUSSION (17)

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/15/2016 at 20:09

How’s the gas mileage? Mom’s Hyundai Santa Fe is going to be out of warranty soon. She’d go for something like this is the gas mileage is good.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Flyboy is FAA certified insane
12/15/2016 at 20:28

Gas mileage is really good, about 30 + mpg combined.

random001 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/15/2016 at 22:19

I miss my outback...

Amoore100 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/15/2016 at 22:22

With a flat six AND AWD? Damn, uh, “Hi Mr. Bricklin, yes, I’d like a new Subaru please...”

TheRealBicycleBuck > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/15/2016 at 22:28

You must be really light-footed. My loaner Outback showed 19.8 mpg at the first fillup.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/15/2016 at 22:46

This is funny. I too have a loaner 2017 Outback, except mine is Wilderness Green on Ivory. It had 42 miles on the odometer when I took possession of it. My WRX is in the shop for a engine replacement under warranty.

I have to say that I really like the Outback. It needs more power, but the amenities are really nice. I’ve been meaning to do a write-up about all the nice little details: the lights on the mirrors that come on when you get near the car; the swing-away roof crossbars; the seat warmers(!); the driving lights that come on to illuminate the curb when you steer left or right; even the handling is pretty nice. Perhaps we should collaborate on our experiences!

Kinja'd!!!

This is it on the day I picked it up. The roof box and my bike rail were on my WRX at the time, so the tech helped me move everything over. It all fit without making any adjustments to the clamp positions, so I know the crossbar spacing is about the same. The big difference is the stiffness of the bars. The sport bars on my WRX require additional bracing to keep things from bouncing.

The Outback reminds me how stiff the suspension on my WRX can be. I can plow through things in the Outback where I would normally pick and choose my lines in the WRX to avoid the bumps.

The additional space has made the carpool a lot more comfortable. Unfortunately, it has also made it a lot more boring. I’m going to have to think about which is more important to me. Dang, I must be getting old.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > TheRealBicycleBuck
12/15/2016 at 23:30

My 2013 has most of these features minus leather and navigation. I’m sorry to here the WRX is getting a motor too. I thought this was limited to non turbo engines. It is otherwise a great car and there is nothing for sale that comes close for the price.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > TheRealBicycleBuck
12/15/2016 at 23:31

That’s pretty bad for the 4cy car. We get 27-28 city mileage in the 2013 outback.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/15/2016 at 23:43

It wasn’t the same issue. They blamed it on a “known problem,” but I had it in the week before for an oil change and they overfilled it. When overfilled, the oil can froth, making it impossible to pump. That starves the engine of oil and ruins the bearings.

Thankfully, it was still under warranty and they can replace the engine because of the “known problem” that they blamed it on. If not, I would have had to fight with them about their responsibility.

Here’s the dipstick about 20 minutes after it started knocking and I shut it down:

Kinja'd!!!