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Wagons Subaru Crew Subaru Legacy & Outback Subaru Outback/Legacy Buying Advice
126 messages, Last post on Jul 27, 2009 at 10:01 AM
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You'll see it fully broken in and milage improve over 10k miles. Also for upstate NY where I travel fairly often get a set of snow tires, I suggest the Pirelli Sotto-zeros as great tires for cold climate as well as snow. A good 3 season tire. -mike
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Replying to: paisan (Dec 06, 2006 7:27 am) Craig |
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Replying to: n0wiseman (Dec 05, 2006 6:18 pm) They may be slightly noisy but for me they have more than paid for themselves over the years. Of course, this year we seem to be in a moisture drought. May have the 4th brown Christmas in 100 years. MNSteve
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Depending on where you live, I found for anywhere that only gets occassional snowfall, the Pirelli Sottozeros are a great 3-season tire at around $100 a pop. Outstanding wet/slush traction and none of the typical sidewall flex or poor grip in the dry that snow tires usually have. When I drove my legacy year round I used the Sottozeros in the winter and Azenis in the summer. -mike |
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Replying to: toboggan (Dec 21, 2006 11:24 am) Please? The snow tyres aren't getting their exercise this year. I've been using Dunlop Wintersports for a few years now. |
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I’m hot on the trail to purchase a used Subaru Outback in very good condition, which has had a solid maintenance record. I’ve been gathering information on Edmunds, CarTalk forums and USMB (Subaru enthusiast forum). I’ve got a little extra work to do as I’m searching for a car in Silicon Valley a few weeks before relocating for the summer from New York – I’d like to have any necessary maintenance done before arriving in a few weeks. This means I have to evaluate the car by having it inspected by 1-2 reliable garages, and maybe even hiring a local Subaru enthusiast with good experience to take a quick look after inspection. I'm just looking for the best value in a highly reliable vehicle. I don't mind doing some repairs and will do all recommended maintenance upon purchase, but would like to avoid any problems that can be avoided from the beginning. 1) Which model years from 2000-2005 would you look for/avoid, based on known issues with certain model years? 2) I read in another forum that pre-2005 Subaru Outbacks were prone to head gasket leaking. a. Is this problem confined to pre-2005 Subaru Outbacks? Is the cutoff a different model year? b. How prevalent was this problem? Should I avoid purchasing a pre-2005 vehicle? I’m looking for quality + value combination, and of course newer means more expensive. c. If you purchase a pre-2005 Subaru Outback, should you replace the head gasket even if there’s no visible problem yet? d. How much does replacing the head gasket cost at most good garages on average? e. Will replacing the head gasket solve the problem, or is the origin of the problem in engine design and it will simply happen again? 3) What are the advantages of the VDC Subaru Outback? I'm noticing that VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) Outbacks seems to be commanding serious premiums on Craigslist and KBB. a. What advantages does this model offer? b. How much of a premium is it worth? c. Which model years was it available? Thanks again to all for the great advice I’ve been getting here. |
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| I believe I just saw a Subaru Outback model listed with 4WD. Thought they were only AWD. For mostly highway driving and some weekend mountain road driving all season (including weekend ski areas), would AWD or 4WD be preferable? Would hardly ever be using the car off road - only at the very start of hiking/biking trails I imagine. | |
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After getting the editions sorted for each year 2000-2002, and getting great recommendations from many forum members, I would only go with a 6 cylinder, and I definitely think either the LLB or Ltd 6 cylinder 2000-2002 or the VDC Ltd 6 cylinder 01-02 (VDC apparently wasn't available in 00). Wanted to ask: 1) What do people like about the LLB edition over the Ltd edition for 2000-2002? 2) Do you prefer the LLB 2000-2002 to the VDC Ltd edition 2001-2002? 3) I realize the VDC for these years commands a premium. Is it worth it? 4) If price were no limitation, would you go for the 2001-2002 VDC Ltd over the LLB and Ltd editions? 5) Does getting the LLB mean paying a premium just for the LL Bean name? In the last day I've narrowed my choices to these model years and editions, and Edmunds has been a HUGE help. Thanks everyone for the great advice and information. |
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The new head gaskets came as a running change in MY2002. So a late 2002 model should be OK. 2003 and later also, of course. The VDC model was the H6 so it has more power (212hp vs. 165hp) and stability/traction control. I'm sure it will cost more and premium fuel is recommended for the H6. 2005 the new model arrived. For those the prices will be higher, of course. A 2003-2004 should hit the sweet spot, 2005 if you can afford it. They are all AWD. Should be fine for the conditions you describe. I'm selling a 2002 Legacy L MT5 (non-Outback) but frankly your requirements are a bit unrealistic, so I would look for less demanding buyers, and mine's still under a Subaru Gold warranty! You may want to ease up on some of those, FWIW.
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Replying to: ateixeira (May 14, 2008 12:49 pm)
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