Daily pining for the Outback

"CB" (jrcb)
12/30/2019 at 20:19 • Filed to: Notice me senpai

Come on, June or July! You can’t get here soon enough.

DISCUSSION (20)

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > CB
12/30/2019 at 20:22

And me for a Crosstrek

CB > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
12/30/2019 at 20:23

If I get an Outback and you get a Crosstrek, I’ll roadtrip out west for a car comparison.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > CB
12/30/2019 at 20:25

Why do you want an outback? Sorry I missed it...

CB > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
12/30/2019 at 20:29

The Fiesta is not exactly designed for where I live, and it’s very much a compromise car . I haven’t gotten it stuck yet, but I’m not confident taking it out on grid roads which are dubious at best and terrible at worst. Storage space is lacking in it (though I’ve made it work), the ride is rough on our crap roads, and it’s loud.

I’ve driven the Canyon and Ranger, which I like, but the Outback has better fuel economy and is the top contender on my new car purchase list. Yeah, it makes me an old man, but I dig it.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > CB
12/30/2019 at 20:38

Gotcha!

How about an older legacy wagon or a newish WRX tho? They'll be a lot more fun than the outback and can be had with a stick as well.

CB > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
12/30/2019 at 20:43

WRX I’d still be worried about ground clearance, and it doesn’t really solve my storage problem.

And older Outback would also be alright, but I’m spoiled with driving a “fast” car now, and the new 2.4 sounds like it’s awesome in it.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > CB
12/30/2019 at 20:44

I am 100% getting one, just gotta bide my time. Moving has probably set me back a month or two

CB > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
12/30/2019 at 20:46

Yeah, but a garage is definitely worth a delay.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > CB
12/30/2019 at 20:48

Something like this (in wagon form) will be faster than a new outback tho. One of my friends has a wagon of the same gen and it quite fast...

CB > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
12/30/2019 at 20:50

I’m familiar with the old Outback XT. They’re also rare out here, and usually pretty thrashed or high mileage, and still commanding a pretty high price.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > CB
12/30/2019 at 20:58

Welp:(

CB > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
12/30/2019 at 21:04

Yeah, there are no manual ones, but there’s an automatic 2008 with 117k kilometres for $15k. Which... eh...

AestheticsInMotion > CB
12/30/2019 at 21:27

Okay but get the sexy onyx edition

CB > AestheticsInMotion
12/30/2019 at 21:31

It’s called the Outdoor XT in Canada, but yes. I’m surprised it doesn’t have a heated steering wheel, buuuuuut there’s no good reason for me to spend an extra $3k on a Limited model.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > CB
12/30/2019 at 21:50

I would like whatever they are smoking

CB > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
12/30/2019 at 21:53

Peter Black and I were looking at their inventories. Last gen hatchback STis for over $30k, a 2004 STi with 178k kilometres for $24k, and a bunch of new 2016 Forester XTs for $37k.

As you can see, I’m unsure of buying a new car from them.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > CB
12/30/2019 at 22:04

Hatchbacks have always been crazy expensive but an 04 should not be...

thejustache > CB
12/31/2019 at 16:18

I’m thinking I should send my Outback XT up there if I ever decide to get rid of it. 2005 XT manual and I paid $7k us for it with 102k miles 4 years ago. Lots of Subarus around me in New England so they don’t hold their value as well, and with 160k miles and a few more winters under her belt I bet I’d be getting around $3500 if I sold it. Maybe even less

CB > thejustache
12/31/2019 at 16:20

That’s shocking to me. But I also feel like that generation XT had prices bottom out for a bit and now they’re on the upswing. Speaking as someone who wanted one for years.

thejustache > CB
12/31/2019 at 16:55

Yeah I think the issue is around here it just looks like every other thrashed 4rth gen outback, of which there are many. I agree I think the price has about bottomed out, and it would be nice if it starts swinging back up. On one hand, I really want to keep this car ‘forever’ so resale value is meaningless. On the other hand, it’s still in a place where it’s currently my DD. I’m hoping to move it to second car status eventually, and at that point it’ll be easier to justify fixing up/putting money into if it’s not essentially worthless on paper. I’ve really never had a car that’s such a good combination of practical and fun. I got it because I really wanted a WRX but couldn’t justify the extra price, but I’ve come to realize I made the way better choice for my life