Buying a new car - What do you think of the Subaru Outback Sport?

[Columbia]

http://autos.yahoo.com/newcars/d/subaru04outback/sport/trim_specs.html?refsrc=ggle

Invoice Price: $17,683
Retail Price: $19,220
Estimated Payment: $401/month* Calculate Payments
*based on 20%down, 6.5% interest rate, 8% sales tax, 48 months.

Engine(s): 2.5L H4, 16 - Valve, 165 @ 5600 Horsepower
Fuel Economy (cty/hwy): 21 mpg / 28 mpg

Standard Features:
· Front Driver Airbag
· Front Passenger Airbag
· AM/FM Radio With 80 Watts and 4 Speakers Total; Single Disc CD Player

[GOPisEvil]

1. Everyone I know that has a Subaru loves it.

My family owned two back in the 80s, and they were good little cars.

I wish their mileage was a bit higher, but with AWD, that's about the best you can do.

[boobooday]

I totally want one!

I live out in the woods, and have the driveway from hell, but since we moved here from sunny CA, and it was SUMMERTIME, we didn't buy a four-wheel drive.

I'm not an SUV kind of person, so this is what I've been drooling for. Everyone I know who has one really likes it.

Jealously,
Boobooday

http://www.wgoeshome.com

[radwriter0555]

2. Subes are great.

well priced, live forever.

Edmunds.com it, see how it stacks up there.

[Bonhomme Richard]

3. Bought a 2002 Outback wagon ..............

and love it. My only regret is that subaru didn't make the WRX roomier.
That car flies.

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

4. I have one and really like it

When I bought it, I wanted AWD because of the winters here, but people that point out they aren't all that needed by most people are correct. The roads are always plowed so quickly. However, I have come to love it for the convenience of the cargo space in back. So easy to throw in snowshoes and luggage and Christmas trees and plants and stuff like that. It also is nice to drive.

[thom1102]

5. Buddy of mine just bought the Outback...

But it was loaded. He loves it, although my partner keeps asking him when he became a lesbian. I like my Saab better.

[wysimdnwyg]

6. If you get one, get an older one.

Older models use a car chassis. The 2004 (not sure about 2003) models use a truck chassis. From what I've read, there is very little difference in the feel of driving, but the change enables Subaru to avoid CAFE restrictions on fuel economy.

That said, they're better than most SUVs.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

7. There so prevalent around here...

that they're nicknamed "West Virginia Cadillacs." I have a 1998 Legacy SW and I love it. The AWD is essential for getting around in the WV snow. My dad has driven Subs for the past 20 years, he swears by them.

[wryter2000]

8. Don't know about that Subaru

But I have a 1982 Subaru 1600DL with 216K miles on it. It's as good as gold, as far as I'm concerned. In areas with salt on the roads to melt snow, the bodies of Subarus rust. But if you live in a warm climate, get a Subaru, change the oil regularly, and it'll run forever!

[Kathy in Cambridge]

9. My sister has a 2003 Subaru Wagon and she LOVES it

gets GREAT gas mileage.

[Columbia]

10. Wow, great replies folks

You guys have really sold me on the Subaru. I live in California so I don't need the AWD much, but I do go up in the mountains fairly frequently and the AWD would definitely come in handy on those camping and skiing trips. The extra cargo room would be great too.

Thanks for all the awesome advice! :yourock:

[Misinformed01]

98 Outback here

Love it; went through a foot of snow like it was nothing!

[welshTerrier2]

11. Car Websites

here are the two i use the most:

http://www.edmunds.com
http://autos.msn.com

[ihaveaquestion]

12. When you can - go 4 a hybrid.

I'm hanging on to my old clunker until I can afford a Toyota Highlander Hybrid - coming out in 2005. I wanted a hybrid pickup, but.. close enough.

[SheilaT]

13. My 2001 Subaru wagon

is my second Subaru. I love them. I'm a middle-aged mom with mostly grown kids at this point (16 and 21) and I do a lot of long-distance driving. They've never let me down. I also wish the gas mileage were a bit better, but it's so much better than those awful Nimitz-class SUVs that so many people around here drive that I can't complain too much.

[LibertyLover]

14. Subarus

I've got a 1999 Subaru Outback w/ @75K miles and I love it. It gets good gas mileage, has space for a couple of dogs and the kid and/or my gear for re-enacting. All I've done to it so far is change the oil regularly. I do need new tires and will have to replace the timing belt soon. I'm going to hold on to it for a couple more years and then get a Forester.

[myccrider]

15. Love my '96 Outback

App 120k miles. No major problems. Always reliable.

We actually took it off-roading a few times & it performed as well on dirt, sand, mud as the 4x4 Blazer our friends had. We went up a sandy incline of about 20 degrees & backed down it without any slipping or sliding. (Note: this was all done in areas where off-roading is allowed =). Of course, we didn't attempt any of the really difficult trails where you need the super low gear (which Subs don't have.)

As others have said, I wish the gas mileage were better. I get 20 in town and up to 28 on the highway (if not loaded heavily, then it's down to 25 or so) The 4 cylinder engine is a *bit* underpowered for the weight of the full-size wagon, but the Sport should be lighter. (New Outback wagons have a 6-cylinder, I think.)

My 2 cents.