Subaru Owners/drivers please....

[bimmerboodle]

Talk me in or out of buying a ~~~2001 outback wagon to use as a family hauler. We have one kid @almost 7 yrs. and a new one coming in Jan. I need a second car that is family friendly and with more space than the Civic EX sedan we have. The K2500 and the E30 are not gonna work out for that role. I drove the wagon yesterday and like the seats and the cargo space. My foot hits the dead pedal when shifting and the 2.5 seems a little under powered but not horrible. I can't really afford the 3.0 LL Bean bling right now so don't suggest that please. The comparison ride was a 2003 Honda CR-V. It was ok but seats sucked and the rearward visibility was the worst I have ever experienced. decent room in it and engine pulled up to redline just like a Honda should but in general I was not too impressed. I need to shop around and I have the time(jan.) so any suggestions? Please be kind as you will be in my boat sooner than you all think!!!! All wheel drive is a big plus . I may look at a Volvo XC if I can find one to check out. TIA

[.RJ]

My dad is a subaru tech and he seems to think they are pretty damn good cars - he says just keep the maintenance up and they'll pretty much run forever.

[bimmerboodle]

My dad is a subaru tech and he seems to think they are pretty damn good cars - he says just keep the maintenance up and they'll pretty much run forever.

That part I was pretty sure of, considering the rep the Co. has. I was hoping for some first hand info.. BTW where does Dad work? inside info on good trad-ins is a good thing. No need to pay the detailer if you know what I mean.

[WRXtranceformed]

You could always get a WRX wagon :twisted:

I know TONS of people with kids that drive those. They have a decent amount of room, are comfortable, sporty, AWD, and can be 5-speed. Did I mention boost?

One of the fastest grocery getters from hell I've ever been in was a rexwagon.

[WRXtranceformed]

I do want to say that it's fairly common for the head gasket to go around 80k miles in that particular car though. I don't know where I remember that from, but with proper care a Subaru will last a long time.

[JohnC]

Here's a data point - 50k miles on our '04 WRX Wagon and zero problems. Love the car, and plan on driving it 'til the wheels fall off. I've often thought about picking up an older Subaru as a winter beater (if Jess and I can't carpool together in the WRX)...

And - Jess' parents have an '05 Outback, which we talked them into (after 20 years of VWs). They're liking it - winter in Highland county will be the real test though.

[white_2kgt]

And - Jess' parents have an '05 Outback, which we talked them into (after 20 years of VWs). They're liking it - winter in Highland county will be the real test though.

Coming from VW's they would think a Yugo is living the high life!

[Evan]

01 2.5L (SOHC) should be great. The DOHC motors in 97,98,99 had a tendency to pop headgaskets, but that was fixed in 2000.

[Feersty]

And - Jess' parents have an '05 Outback, which we talked them into (after 20 years of VWs). They're liking it - winter in Highland county will be the real test though.

Coming from VW's they would think a Yugo is living the high life!

:?:

[Sijray21]

And - Jess' parents have an '05 Outback, which we talked them into (after 20 years of VWs). They're liking it - winter in Highland county will be the real test though.

Coming from VW's they would think a Yugo is living the high life!

:?:

....i think it's sarcasm feersty.....don't get soo trigger happy to retaliate with the :?: that has been used against you oh so often :wink:

and vw's aren't that bad......they're just for people who like to fix their cars.....

[.RJ]

BTW where does Dad work? inside info on good trad-ins is a good thing. No need to pay the detailer if you know what I mean.

He works at dulles subaru/jeep but he doesnt have any pull with sales, even after being there 15+ years. I tried to work something out in the past with them, but nothing - that was pretty shitty.

[CaptainHenreh]

and vw's aren't that bad......they're just for people who hate themselves...

[white_2kgt]

And - Jess' parents have an '05 Outback, which we talked them into (after 20 years of VWs). They're liking it - winter in Highland county will be the real test though.

Coming from VW's they would think a Yugo is living the high life!

:?:

....i think it's sarcasm feersty.....don't get soo trigger happy to retaliate with the :?: that has been used against you oh so often :wink:

and vw's aren't that bad......they're just for people who like to fix their cars.....

Ask JohnC what he thinks about VW. I won't touch an Audi/VW w/ a 10' pole.

[bimmerboodle]

Thanks for the input everyone.

[GQROB]

Yup, my 2001 2.5RS is at almost 95000 miles and runnin great.

01 2.5L (SOHC) should be great. The DOHC motors in 97,98,99 had a tendency to pop headgaskets, but that was fixed in 2000.