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Subaru Impreza Outback Sport & TS

3121 messages,  Last post on Nov 18, 2009 at 12:30 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Subaru Outback, Wagon


Messages Page 77 of 313

#759 of 3121 Bought new OBS on Saturday by bobbier

Jun 18, 2001 (9:22 am)

I've been lurking around these message boards for the past month while trying to decide what car to buy. I considered the Forester, the Impreza TS, Ford Escape, Protege5, and of course the OBS. After reading what everyone had to say and driving the OBS, it was a "no brainer" to go with the OBS. I was all set to buy at my local dealer who has been very helpful during the past month, answering my questions and letting me test drive the cars. He is a a set-price Subaru-only dealer. I checked prices over the internet both with intenet-only dealers and other dealers in my area and found my local one to be reasonable at 3% over invoice. Last Friday evening I was ready to sign the deal with the dealer, but decided to give it one more try and went to another Subaru dealer a little further away. I knew he had a car on his lot that had most of the features I wanted. After a few go arounds with a young salesman running back and forth to his manager, the manager finally came over and asked what it would take for us to seal the deal. I told him, he agreed, and we are now proud owners of a Platinum Silver 2002 OBS at $90 over invoice. I pick it up next Saturday! (So much for hassle-free dealers, and hooray for sales contests that a sales manager wants to win!) I added a moonroof since I've been driving a VW Cabriolet for the past 15 years and I love the feeling of the wind and sun. The only reason I'm getting a new car is because I wanted a 4-door vehicle since I now have 2 grandbabies and it is too difficult getting them in and out of the car seat with only 2 doors! I love the sporty look of the OBS and, after reading all the neat things you all have to say about it, can't wait to get my hands on it and get it out on the twisty mountain roads here in Northern California. I'll post some first impressions next week. I've never participated in message boards before, but reading what all of you have to say has been really informative and helpful in deciding on my new car. Thanks, everyone.

#760 of 3121 brekke: unfortunately, no by action303

Jun 18, 2001 (9:23 am)

Brekke: Nope, that $18029 price I mentioned in an earlier post was for the specific options that somebody else was talking about. I was comparing the prices a local dealer quotes compared to the price that person was quoted at their local dealer. I paid a bunch more than that, but I still got all the options at invoice (which I think any dealer should be willing to do!). I kept the pre-tax price a bunch below $20000.
 
Once I have time to take some pix of the new car, I'll post them, and give a more thorough review of my first week's impressions of the new OBS (very favorable).
 
-Action

#761 of 3121 dennis by brekke

Jun 18, 2001 (11:14 am)

Thanks for the advice. I will try my dealer again tonight, and if I don't hear from him I will try the 800#. I don't want to make an "official" complaint until after the 8 week period. (Although I don't see why my car wasn't with action's shipment)

#762 of 3121 Ames2 by raybear

Jun 18, 2001 (11:16 am)

Double check the model year. There was no 1995 Impreza Outback. The Legacy Outback came out in 1996.
 
But, anyway, it is a nice car and should last you a good long time.

#763 of 3121 by ateixeira

Jun 20, 2001 (8:05 am)

I think a used OBS is as good a bet as any. Just ask for maintenance records - it should have a new timing belt and a full 60k service, plus regular oil changes.
 
ramon: yes, I've been wanting one of those 240hp Forester GT (turbos) for years.
 
The OBS' EPA dimensions may be close, but it's the square shape that gives the Forester the edge in hauling. The OBS can fit a 27" TV, but the Forester can fit an entire oversized clothes washer (on its side) still in the box, hatch closed. The roof rack also has cross rails and there are rub strips on the roof.
 
Still, the OBS is close in size and a bargain given all the content (gotta love them 16" alloys). I drove one and found it was more refined than my Forester, had better seats, and generally moved up a notch or two over the previous generation. It's also very attractive.
 
The only bad thing was weight - it was no quicker than my Forester, really (not slow, I just expected it to be faster). If I had to pick nits, the carpet is still cheap, and the sun visors are cheap, cheap plastic.
 
But look at the price/content, and you can't beat it for a sporty little AWD wagon.
 
-juice

#764 of 3121 OBS' Special Niche by tinyivan

Jun 20, 2001 (9:28 am)

I have a rather odd question for the group: What kind of image do you think the OBS portrays? For example:
 
Minivans: seen as kid-transports and are very family oriented,
 
SUVs: rugged and outdoorsy (although I think more and more they're viewed as modern-day minivans)
 
sports cars, sedans etc, all have their own images.....
 
However, the OBS has a unique niche in that it is not really a sports car (except maybe the WRX!), not really an SUV, and not really a station wagon. Just wondering what your views were on this. Thanks!
 
-TI

#765 of 3121 by ateixeira

Jun 20, 2001 (9:32 am)

IMHO an OBS owner is outdoorsy like an SUV owner would be, except that they are much younger and not quite in their peak earning years yet. They are affluent and educated well beyond the norm, they own two dogs (or cats) and their name is Dave, with a few exceptions being Mikes. Females have a "K" in their name.
 
I'm serious.
 
-juice

#766 of 3121 huh? by ramon

Jun 20, 2001 (10:17 am)

what image. If we care about image, we'd end up with a Honda or a VW. We got Subarus because we know they are reliable and unique. Most ppl give you this weird look when u mention that u drive a Subaru.
=)

#767 of 3121 juice by leomort

Jun 20, 2001 (10:19 am)

What tires w/ new rims did you put on your Forester? I tried scrolling back to find the info but its like searching for needle in the proverbial haystack. Thanks for reposting the info.
 
                       Leo

#768 of 3121 by ateixeira

Jun 20, 2001 (11:32 am)

Stock size was 205/70R15 Bridgestone Desert Deuelers. They were good in snow, but only ok in the dry and poor in wet braking, and didn't last long. The sidewalls were way too tall for my driving style.
 
So I did a Plus One, with a little extra width, to 225/60R16. My rims are 16"x7", which is actually wider than the Forester S comes with, so the offset was 15mm further out.
 
The tires are Nitto NT460, basically an all-season touring tire, H rated, 460AA UTQG rated, and with a higher load rating as well. They are better in every way except for snow, but the AWD is more than enough for our mild winters. Far better dry handling, hugely better wet braking, and quieter to boot, plus longer lasting.
 
I have no complaints and would do the same thing again.
 
-juice

Messages Page 77 of 313

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