"jvirgs drives a Subaru" (jvirgs)
06/27/2018 at 21:14 • Filed to: Subaru, Subaru Outback
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"jvirgs drives a Subaru" (jvirgs)
06/27/2018 at 21:14 • Filed to: Subaru, Subaru Outback | 0
| 19 |
It has been a while since I’ve been around. But I come with a question. What are the thoughts of the current gen Subaru Outback. I’m considering a 3.6R Limited or Touring model.
Nibby
> jvirgs drives a Subaru
06/27/2018 at 21:20 |
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good, the 2.5 is horribly slow for a vehicle that size
they’re nice rides and roomy.
wafflesnfalafel
> jvirgs drives a Subaru
06/27/2018 at 21:21 |
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I know a couple guys, one with a 2016 2.5 and the other with a 2016 3.6. I’ve have ridden in both. Both have leather, (and I really like the interior - but I lean spartan/Teutonic in my tastes... ) The 3.6 isn’t much quicker and gets quite a bit worse mileage. The only issue either have had is that the leather on the seats has torn/separated. The 2.5 needed a battery already, but he makes a bunch of short trips - so more likely to have battery problems I suppose.
daender
> jvirgs drives a Subaru
06/27/2018 at 21:25 |
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The 3.6 is very nice, mom has a ‘16 in black. The only gripe is that if you want powered seats you have to get it with leather instead of cloth seats. I prefer cloth since we have a dog that likes to come along for rides.
vicali
> jvirgs drives a Subaru
06/27/2018 at 21:26 |
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We have an Sg Forester that will be replaced by a 3.6 Outback when the time comes. It’s a bit bigger, and upscale, without being a blob of an suv.
HammerheadFistpunch
> wafflesnfalafel
06/27/2018 at 21:29 |
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The factory Subaru battery I feel is notoriously bad.
TheTurbochargedSquirrel
> jvirgs drives a Subaru
06/27/2018 at 22:14 |
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My mom has a 2017 with the 2.5. I wouldn’t buy one for myself as a daily (personal preference for smaller cars, the Outback is a boat these days) but I would have zero objections to having one in the family as it makes a great travel car.
I haven’t driven a newer 3.6 but the 3.6 + 5 speed auto combination in my family’s old Legacy 3.6R was awful. Eons of throttle lag and a brain dead transmission got on your nerves rather quickly. I would imagine it behaves better with the CVT though, I actually really like Subaru’s CVT.
FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
> jvirgs drives a Subaru
06/27/2018 at 22:36 |
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I had a 3.6R Touring loaner last year while my Forester was in for service. Absolutely loved it.
m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
> jvirgs drives a Subaru
06/27/2018 at 23:32 |
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We have 3 in the family right now, a 15, 17, and 18. All are 2.5’s, the 18 is a limited and the 15 and 17 are Lifted Premiums. I’ve pretty much had no trouble with the 70k I’ve put on my 15. Only real complaint is that the factory tires were crap. Having driven a 3.6, I personally can’t really justify the extra money, as the 2.5 feels adequate enough.
PyramidHat
> jvirgs drives a Subaru
06/27/2018 at 23:46 |
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Just bought a 2015 3.6 limited 2 weeks ago and I love it. Coming over from a 2004 XC70. It’s weird in that it’s not as plush as the Volvo, but I’m not missing anything. I do note that the seat pans are shorter on the Subaru, but that goes away after 2 minutes. I didn’t consider the 2.5 as I plan on getting a small trailer and I wanted more towing capacity (in 2015, the 3.6 was rated for 3000lbs and the 2.5 was 2700; now they’re both 2700 for some reason). I think if you’re in the flats and not towing the 2.5 should be fine. But...when folks drive mine, they all comment on the acceleration. I do find the 3.6 to be exceptionally smooth.
The infotainment system is Toyota’s and it’s a little slow and quirky...but that may have been worked out in later years. Someone mentioned the battery issue, which is true, but that’s an easy fix IMO. The power lift gate is wonky as it periodically doesn’t open with the tailgate switch....but it works with the fob or with the button on the dash. There have been reports that every now and again the anti pinch sensor gets confused and won’t allow the gate to close. Then again, I’m told a lot of power lift gates have weird issues. Someone on Subaruoutback.org posted a way to convert the lift gate back to manual for <$100, so I’ll do that if mine ever shi ts the bed. TBH, if I could have gotten leather, sunroof and heated seats (Bonus: the rear seats are heated, too) without the power lift gate I would have. But it’s all package deal.
The limited come with 18’s which limits tire selections. The stock Bridgestones are believed to be crap on anything except dry pavement. When mine are done at end of summer, I’m going to get a set of 17’s (Motegi MR 118) and Yokohama Geolandars.
If you have any more questions, I’ll be happy to try and answer!
fefe_s2k
> PyramidHat
06/28/2018 at 01:12 |
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I’d actually love to hear more about the positives & drawbacks you’ve observed between your old XC70 and the new Outback. I have an ‘04 as well that I inherited last year and has been in the family since new but at 170k miles, it’s leaking three types of fluids (power steering reservoir , oil pan gasket , and shocks need replacing ) and the transmission shifts weird on hot days (had original tranny fluid for first 165k and my mechanic filled it with Dexron instead of the JWS- 3309 ) . I’ve been considering a jump to either a 3.6 Outback or an XT Forester , or maybe even a P3 XC70 with the T6 when the P2 is ready for retirement.
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PyramidHat
> fefe_s2k
06/28/2018 at 02:23 |
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My XC70 is at 193,xxx. No leaks, but has received regular maintenance which can be spen dy. I figure the suspension will need to be rebuilt at 200K. It ate radiators every 40K with the previous owner, but the last 90K there has been no problem. Radio is starting to change stations by itself. A/c blows cool, not cold. Turbo lag. I’m always worried that the transmission will go out and it will cost more than the car is worth (though no shifting issues and no flaring between shifts). But it’s a plush ride. Eats tires fairly quickly. Mainly FWD but sends power to rears when there’s slippage.
The Subaru has much better acceleration due to a) no turbo lag, and b) bigger engine. MPG is about equal between the 3.6 and the 2.5 Turbo in the Volvo. Newer Subaru is fairly solid but not as...dense, say, than the Volvo. Higher road noise with the stock tires. Better ground clearance. Handling is good, but the Volvo does better due to being lower. AWD is better, I’m told. Seats are firmer, but still good.
That’s all I can come up with for now, but feel free to ask specific questions!
CaptDale - is secretly British
> jvirgs drives a Subaru
06/28/2018 at 13:51 |
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ALways go for 3.6 or turbo 2.5. The NAs always have issues. If you can get a 2012 3.6 or older with a regular automatic trans. CVTs are awful especially Subaru’s
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CaptDale - is secretly British
> HammerheadFistpunch
06/28/2018 at 13:51 |
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It is, the service replacements are night and day compared to the shit factory ones
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jvirgs drives a Subaru
> wafflesnfalafel
06/28/2018 at 19:20 |
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I had to put a battery in my Dart after 3 years so its seems to be a common problem with all the electronics and sensors these cars are running now-a-days.
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jvirgs drives a Subaru
> Nibby
06/28/2018 at 19:24 |
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Yeah I wanted to get out of a 4-cyl and have something with more than 200 hp. I just really want something that is bigger and more roomy than my Dart but not massive like a full-sized suv.
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jvirgs drives a Subaru
> CaptDale - is secretly British
06/28/2018 at 19:26 |
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As long as it is better than nissan’s I’ll live. It would be a new purchase. I do too much driving to deal with an older vehicle.
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jvirgs drives a Subaru
> daender
06/28/2018 at 19:27 |
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I definitely prefer the leather to the cloth.
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CaptDale - is secretly British
> jvirgs drives a Subaru
06/28/2018 at 19:29 |
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It might be slightly better. The power of the 3.6 definitely helps it not be awful.
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fefe_s2k
> PyramidHat
07/01/2018 at 03:12 |
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No flaring is a good sign! Keep that tranny on clean JWS-3309 fluids and I’m sure it will be happy. Most transmission issues were sorted out by MY04 (though mine is a 08/03 build). Glad to hear yours has been relatively trouble-free and that it’s still part of your fleet.
Besides the touchscreen media controls and power lift gate, does the Outback have any other creature comforts a P2 Volvo doesn’t have?