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All-New 2010 Legacy/Outback

1296 messages,  Last post on Sep 21, 2012 at 8:25 AM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Subaru Forester, Car Buying, Car Comparisons, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 111 of 131

#1095 of 1296 Forester 2.5X Premium or Outback 2.5i Premium? by knr5

Jun 05, 2010 (9:21 pm)

My wife currently drives a 2002 Subaru Outback (MT). It has 88k miles on it and is in a decent condition. I am thinking of replacing it with a 2010 Forester 2.5x Premium or a 2010 Outback 2.5i Premium (both MT). The all-weather package is a 'must' for us. I am currently leaning towards the Forester because it has better visibility, seems more agile, and is less expensive (2 -3 k).
 
I would appreciate your thoughts on which may be a better buy. Thanks.

#1096 of 1296 Re: Forester 2.5X Premium or Outback 2.5i Premium? [knr5] by priggly

Jun 05, 2010 (9:27 pm)

Replying to: knr5 (Jun 05, 2010 9:21 pm)
The Outback is more upscale, has more room, has a much quieter ride and is less likely to rattle. The sight planes are very good although perhaps not quite so good as the Forester.
 
That having been said, the Forester is still a commendable vehicle but I would prefer the Outback if I could get one that did not have steering wheel shake. Be careful of that if you decide on the Outback.

#1097 of 1296 Re: Forester 2.5X Premium or Outback 2.5i Premium? [knr5] by saedave

Jun 06, 2010 (4:36 am)

Replying to: knr5 (Jun 05, 2010 9:21 pm)
The Forester actually has 1/4 inch MORE fore and aft room in the back seat and certainly is easier to park. Folding mirrors are missing on the Outback until the 2011 models arrive. The Outback's bloated look is not to my taste.
 
I chose a 2010 Forester XT over the 3.6R Outback...I like the narrower width for city streets (and folding mirrors), shorter overall length and better visibility. I didn't mind the lower price and made-in-Japan for potentially better reliability. Be sure not to get the base model Forester with no lumbar support in the driver's seat; I got a bachache with a 30 minute drive.

#1098 of 1296 Re: Forester 2.5X Premium or Outback 2.5i Premium? [saedave] by xwesx

Jun 07, 2010 (11:00 am)

Replying to: saedave (Jun 06, 2010 4:36 am)
I much agree with Dave's opinion.
 
Either vehicle will give you substantially more passenger room. The appearance, price, and agility of the Forester versus the Outback won out for me, and I had previously owned three Outbacks. The only interior rattle issue I had was the door panels on the driver and passenger doors. That was fixed just last week and was easily noted and repaired by the service technician. So far I have had no lift gate, glove box, or dash rattle issues in this car (a 2010), which is more than I can say for my prior two Outbacks.
 
The steering is very light and body roll more pronounced in both vehicles as compared to prior generations, but comparing 2010 to 2010, the Forester easily wins in both categories. Being a driver, these are important aspects of the experience for me. That said, the lightness of steering is the one thing about my 2010 Forester that I do not love, but I do tolerate it. It stands in stark contrast to previous Subaru vehicles, which always had very well-balanced steering.

#1099 of 1296 Re: Forester 2.5X Premium or Outback 2.5i Premium? [xwesx] by saedave

Jun 07, 2010 (12:39 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Jun 07, 2010 11:00 am)
That said, the lightness of steering is the one thing about my 2010 Forester that I do not love, but I do tolerate it. It stands in stark contrast to previous Subaru vehicles, which always had very well-balanced steering.
 
Wes
 
If you were my age, you'd appreciate the lighter touch.
 
The return-to-center action when releasing the wheel is nice in city driving; neither my Legacy or 2005 Outback 3.0R had that feature.
 
When I test drove a 2010 Outback with CVT I thought I was in a Buick.
 
Dave

#1100 of 1296 Re: Forester 2.5X Premium or Outback 2.5i Premium? [saedave] by xwesx

Jun 07, 2010 (5:35 pm)

Replying to: saedave (Jun 07, 2010 12:39 pm)
When I test drove a 2010 Outback with CVT I thought I was in a Buick.
 
Yeah, me too... that's primarily why I didn't buy it! Oh, and the fact that it is hideously ugly didn't score it any points either.
 
I don't think that return-to-center has anything to do with the lightness of the steering. I doubt there is any vehicle in the world that could best the action of my 1969 Ford Econoline in that department, and I guarantee you that the steering on that vehicle is anything but light. However, let go of the wheel and it will center itself in a heartbeat (or less depending on your heart rate at the time which, if driving that van, is probably pretty high).

#1101 of 1296 Re: Forester 2.5X Premium or Outback 2.5i Premium? [knr5] by ateixeira

Jun 08, 2010 (10:58 am)

Replying to: knr5 (Jun 05, 2010 9:21 pm)
Forester also has higher residuals, so it will cost you less to own over the long haul.
 
We had a 98 Forester (loved it) and an 02 Legacy (OK, but can't say we loved it). Wifey owned the Legacy.
 
When it was time for her to get a new car, I had traded my Forester for a minivan, and she ended up choosing the Forester again. She likes it better than any car we've ever owned before. Won't even let me talk about trading it.
 
The gas mileage of the CVT would be appealing, and the Outback is a little quieter.
 
Dunno, though, the Forester just gets my heart pumping more.

#1102 of 1296 Re: Forester 2.5X Premium or Outback 2.5i Premium? [ateixeira] by xwesx

Jun 08, 2010 (11:06 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jun 08, 2010 10:58 am)
If going for an auto, the better fuel economy of the CVT would certainly be appealing. I think the OP mentioned MT, though. Mine, as well, is MT.

#1103 of 1296 Re: Forester 2.5X Premium or Outback 2.5i Premium? [xwesx] by ateixeira

Jun 08, 2010 (11:12 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Jun 08, 2010 11:06 am)
In that case the Outback does have a 6 speed vs. the Forester's 5.

#1104 of 1296 Re: Forester 2.5X Premium or Outback 2.5i Premium? [xwesx] by birdboy

Jun 08, 2010 (7:02 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Jun 07, 2010 5:35 pm)
If this helps you, I had the 2009 limited Forester for 1.5 years and did not like it so I traded it for the 2010 outback limited 4cyl cvt. My reasons for the trade were I found the fit and finish of the Forester to be less than expected for the price, too many rattles and squeaks, too much plastic, no passenger seat adjustments and quite a few other issues. Again, all personal preferences. It did ride nicely for the 28k miles that I had it. I also had 3 windshields replaced due to the design angle of the glass and small rocks hitting it.
I have 4K miles on the outback and find a night and day difference. I think the fit and finish as well as attention to details and layout design are much better. I am getting better milage 31 mpg 70mph, 33-35 at 50mpg. I like the cvt transmission. The car overall seems more comfortable and drives very well except for a steering vibration which SOA is almost ready to fix . I also like the redesign and the overall look of the car as well. The exterior and interior colors available, well that is another story! God Luck..either way

Messages Page 111 of 131

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