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Subaru Legacy/Outback 2005+

10833 messages,  Last post on Feb 26, 2013 at 5:40 AM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru, Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Sedan, Wagon




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Messages Page 341 of 1084

#3393 of 10833 Taking the plunge - '05 Subaru, but which one? by timo1745

Aug 06, 2004 (9:53 am)

A huge 'thanks' to all the excellent info shared on this board (Juice et al...you know who you are). My fiancee & I drove an '05 Legacy GT Ltd last weekend. Man, now that's a driver's car. And this is coming from a long-time fanatic of older BMWs. Well balanced, excellent power, no noticeable turbo-lag w/ the MT and a nice broad power band. Decent room, nice fit and finish. The price I've been quoted for an in-stock GT Ltd was invoice + 2%, or invoice + 3% for a dealer locate...both of which I'm ok with given that I live in NJ.
 
The issue now is choosing whether to get the GT Ltd sedan, or the Outback XT Ltd which the fiancee fell in love with. The car we're replacing is my beloved, slightly-modified '91 535i 5-speed (my daily driver), so of course I'm leaning towards the GT Ltd sedan. Her 'argument' is that by getting the OB XT Ltd w/ MT, we'll have the same power, same basic 'goodies', but with more versatility and additional room for growth (I'm thinking this means we're either getting another huskey, or her biological clock is ticking--yikes!) over what the sedan would offer.
 
I'm torn--though it really is a 'win-win' situation. Price is not a viable argument in favor of the sedan (only about $1300 difference), and while I love the "go anywhere with gear" idea of an OB, we already have a 2001 Expedition, and I'm gonna' sorely miss the sportiness of my bimmer. Thoughts??
 
Tim G (excited about getting ANY '05 turbo-subie!)

#3394 of 10833 Tim G by c_hunter

Aug 06, 2004 (11:16 am)

Clearly, the Legacy GT Ltd wagon sounds like the perfect car to compromise on. The only major benefit to the Outback is the ground clearance but it doesn't sound critical in your case. With the GT wagon, you get all the goodness of the GT sedan and some extra cargo area for those huskies and/or sticky kids .
 
So if I were you, and I speak from experience here, suggest the GT Ltd wagon and I think you will both be happy. Actually, she's the only one that needs to be happy to make you both happy (experience again), but the GT Ltd wagon is basically a no lose option for you!
 
Craig

#3395 of 10833 Re: Help me convince wife she needs an '05 Outback [mitt] by c_hunter

Aug 06, 2004 (11:29 am)

Replying to: mitt (Aug 06, 2004 9:33 am)
Mitt,
 
We looked at a Highlander back in 02. It was certainly a nice vehicle and very slick, but my wife correctly pegged it as a minivan with SUV pretenses. Honestly, the Highlander is so closely related to the Sienna it's not funny, and it drives like a minivan as well (compared to the Outback which drives like a car). So, what you should probably try to do is convince your wife that the Outback is more of a sport wagon and the Highlander is more of a minivan. That really differentiates the two, and it's accurate in my opinion. If she's turned off by the notion of a wagon, the notion of a minivan ought to really scare her! In addition, I think the Highlander is closer to the classic station wagons of yesteryear (to which everyone makes the "wagon" association) than the Outback -- in the sense of lumbering handling, driving dynamics, etc...
 
Also, the Outback is far more nimble and capable than the Highlander could ever be, both on-road and off-road. Personally, I see the Outback as a go anywhere foul weather sport wagon while the Highlander is a minivan trying to be an SUV. Unless you have lots of kids/passengers or want a larger vehicle, I can't see choosing a Highlander over an Outback at all.
 
Finally, keep in mind that every Outback is based on Subaru's highly optimized and time-tested symmetrical AWD system. The Highlander, like the Sienna, is based on the FWD Camry platform. Very different beasts.
 
By the way, after looking at the Highlander, my wife test drove a Subaru Forester XS and fell in love with it. It sort of looks like a 3/4 scale Highlander, but drives and handles more like a sports car compared to most SUVs.
 
Good luck!
Craig

#3396 of 10833 Re: Taking the plunge - '05 Subaru, but which one? [timo1745] by tsy

Aug 06, 2004 (11:49 am)

Replying to: timo1745 (Aug 06, 2004 9:53 am)
I agree with Craig. Get the wagon. I would have if I needed the extra space. In fact, every once in a while I think I should've gotten the wagon anyway (usually when I'm at Costco). It drives just like the sedan, is nice looking (for a wagon) and will handle much better than the OB (much more like your bimmer) and you have an SUV for when you really need to go offroad.
 
Although, you really can't lose with either.
The OB is a great car too. It depends on how much you like twisties.
 
tom

#3397 of 10833 Re: Help me convince wife she needs an '05 Outback [c_hunter] by timo1745

Aug 06, 2004 (11:51 am)

Replying to: c_hunter (Aug 06, 2004 11:29 am)
Yes--Craig's got the right idea; point out to your wife that the Audi Allroad (which most people agree is beautiful) has a twin-turbo 6-cylinder motor, producing 250 HP, and is clearly not a minivan or a "real" wagon--it's a sports car for people who have stuff. Now point out that the Outback XT or VDC is in the same class as the Allroad, but much lighter, more reliable/less expensive, and just as powerul. Not to mention, finding one with a 5-speed MT is MUCH easier.
 
Hope that helps a little ;o)
Tim

#3398 of 10833 Re: Help me convince wife she needs an '05 Outback [mitt] by tsy

Aug 06, 2004 (11:55 am)

Replying to: mitt (Aug 06, 2004 9:33 am)
The Highlander is a Camry on stilts. Drives just like one too. It's a good car (SUV?) but nothing like anything European. Very domestic-like (reminds me of an old buick) not sporting, comfortable, quiet, smooth. Good attributes if that's what you really want. It's also quite expensive for what you get compared to the OB.
 
I never noticed the lumbar support in my GT LTD, although I never sit there. . I think mine's adjustable, though. I'll check.
 
Good luck mitt
 
tom

#3399 of 10833 FUEL in 2005 Outback by cnote

Aug 06, 2004 (12:00 pm)

I was looking at getting a 2005 Outback 2.5 XT Wagon and getting rid of my ML 430. What type of fuel would I need to use? Would I have to use premium gas 91 or can i use 89???

#3400 of 10833 You can afford ML430 by krzyss

Aug 06, 2004 (12:10 pm)

but cannot buy premium fuel ?
What is wrong with this picture ?
 
I believe that any turbo/super charged engine requires premium fuel.
 
Krzys

#3401 of 10833 Re: Help me convince wife she needs an '05 Outback [mitt] by kens

Aug 06, 2004 (12:17 pm)

Replying to: mitt (Aug 06, 2004 9:33 am)
mitt,
 
Wagon-phobia and SUV-phillia are distinct US traits. Tell your wife that in Europe, Japan and Oceania, sport wagons strike the perfect balance between performance and practicality.
 
Also, if it's possible, park an 05 Outback side to side with a Highlander and compare the features. There's nothing that the Highlander has over the Outback for everyday needs *except* the Highlander is made to look like an SUV.
 
Better yet, let her drive one back-to-back and see how different the two can be.
 
Ken

#3402 of 10833 Re: Taking the plunge - '05 Subaru, but which one? [timo1745] by kens

Aug 06, 2004 (12:21 pm)

Replying to: timo1745 (Aug 06, 2004 9:53 am)
Tim G:
 
The Legacy GT Ltd Wagon has your name written all over it!!
 
Not only will it meet your wife's argument for the OBXT: "we'll have the same power, same basic 'goodies', but with more versatility and additional room for growth "
 
But it will also retain pretty much all the same handling characteristics you love about the LGT sedan.
 
The lucky few here who were able to attend Subaru's Ride and Drive in Vegas and take both the sedan and wagon on the track can attest that the two handle pretty much the same.
 
That's what I love about my LGT wagon. When I'm driving it on the twisties, I completely forget that I'm driving a mid-sized wagon. Yet the passenger and cargo room are there for family needs.
 
Ken

Messages Page 341 of 1084

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