Subaru Outback or Forester??

[ChrisinNJ]

My Husband needs a new car. He is currently driving a Jetta TDI.

We looked at the Outback & Forester last night and my hubby was impressed by them.

If you have one, what has your experience been? Is it reliable? Gas milage? Service issues? Do you recommend your car?

TIA for any help.

 

[bear_mom]

We are on our second Outback. Our first was totalled in an accident where I was rearended by a Trail Blazer going 45 mph. The car handled the accident very well, we all (dds and I) walked away without a scratch. The police were impressed when they got on scene also.

Other than that we really like the car. Handles well in the snow. Decent gas mileage for an all wheel drive. We did have to replace the head gasket on the engine early, but Subaru paid for part of it.

Emily

 

[princessnoelly]

I work at a Subaru Dealership and drive an Outback. We have a 2011 and I love it. I have driven both as demos and decided I like the outback better and bought one (it's terrible to have your car sold out from under you while you are on a field trip with your kids!). I feel the Outback is a better quality vehicle and I like all the features more. We have three Subaru sales people that drive Outbacks. I do like the added height of the Forester over the Outback but the seats are more comfortable in an Outback.

Subaru has a great resale value (try finding a good used one that is still under factory warranty) and as the previous post said they are SAFE. The Subaru extended warranty is great too, I bought a Gold Plus even though I work at a dealership and get service and parts at a discount (roadside assistance sold me!).

Right now we are having a hard time getting cars so if the dealer tells you they can't get the car you want they are tell you the truth! It's complicated but dealers just can't get enough cars at the moment.

Another thing, I have the blue tooth and love it. I wish I had gotten the Media Hub since I just got an iPhone but when we got the car I wasn't thinking about that.

Send me a PM if you have questions.
Noel

 

[DeltaDiamond001]

I've heard nothing but great things from Outback owners.

 

[vicki_c]

We are on our 4th Subaru since the late 90s, I guess (Outback Wagon, Outback Wagon, Legacy Sedan, Outback Wagon). The only reason it is 4 cars is because the first 2 were on 3 year leases, so went back after the lease was up.

We recommend - could you tell? Excellent cars. We just got a new (but used) Outback in the fall and the only reason we had to was because my DH had an accident in our 2003 Legacy. (And as stated by the PP from the Subaru dealer, we did have one used Outback sold on us before we could make it to the dealership to see it - less than 12 hours later! And we had to have the dealer looking out for us and ran right over there the minute something was coming in to get what we wanted.)

We never had a Forester because we feel like they are too small for a wagon-type vehicle (like a wanna be wagon), but lots of people like those as well. Our dog is really too big for the back of a Forester (Newfoundland).

 

[Ginny Favers]

We had both an Outback and a Forester, at the same time, because where I lived everyone swore by them.

Once, when I was travelling up a hill, my Forester suddenly lost all power and began to roll backwards down the hill. It was less than a year old at that point.

The check engine light would constantly come on, for no reason. Every time it did, I'd have to take it to the shop to have it turned off.

I traded it in after a couple of years. Maybe it was just a lemon, but I will never own another Subaru again.

 

[StarWarts]

You may want to checkout the new Mazda CX-5 too before you make a decision. It gets good mpg's (somewhat close ( but not that close) to the tdi compared to the Subaru cars.

 

[kiki02]

You may want to checkout the new Mazda CX-5 too before you make a decision. It gets good mpg's (somewhat close ( but not that close) to the tdi compared to the Subaru cars.

HOW UMUCH is the Mazda and the subura forester? 2012

 

[ChrisinNJ]

HOW UMUCH is the Mazda and the subura forester? 2012

I think the Forester was in a $22,000 - $25,000 range

The new TDI wagon was $29,000

 

[katrina1122]

I am the only owner of my 1998 outback. Got my baby with 14 miles on it, it now has 137,000 miles on it and we've only had 1 problem. For some odd reason the transmission went around 70,000, but it was so minimal in going bad it took 3 places to figure out we needed a new one. All the mechanics were perplexed by it and all agreed it was well worth the money to replace it rather than the whole car. None of them had ever seen a transmission go so early if at all in a subaru and not in the way mine did.

It's also been in one accident. I was hit dead on between the driver and passenger doors. Both needed replacing. I was completely unhurt.

My mom was just commenting the other day how great the ac still works. Fabric has held up, etc etc. The awd has saved me from skidding in rain and snow more than once. I always reccomend subarus! I love my car, tape deck and all.

 

[cvjw]

We usually only drive Toyotas or Hondas, but my DH really wanted a Subaru Outback - after seeing one at the local car show. He bought one in October, a 2012, and is in love with that car. It is his favorite car he has ever owned. It gets great gas mileage, and has so many electronic bells and whistles on it - he is in heaven. He is an avid bike rider, and his bike looks great on the back of his outback. We have decided that when I get a new car in a couple of years, it will be another Outback.

To PP, our 2012, top of the line (only a 4 cylinder), costs around $32,000, drive out. If you want a 6 cylinder, it will be a few thousand dollars more. We chose the 4 cylinder because it got much better gas mileage than than the 6 cylinder. My DH was pretty reluctant about the 4 cylinder, since his previous car was a Nissan Maxima, but he says the 4 cylinder has plenty of power, and is very peppy.

 

[katrina1122]

We had both an Outback and a Forester, at the same time, because where I lived everyone swore by them.

Once, when I was travelling up a hill, my Forester suddenly lost all power and began to roll backwards down the hill. It was less than a year old at that point.

The check engine light would constantly come on, for no reason. Every time it did, I'd have to take it to the shop to have it turned off.

I traded it in after a couple of years. Maybe it was just a lemon, but I will never own another Subaru again.

The check engine light comes on in mine if the gas tank isn't tightened with at least 3 clicks, it's a built in emission notice, but runs under the check engine light. Alot of people get confused by this.

 

[Swimalie]

I bought my first Subaru last June. It's a Forester and I love it! City gas mileage is around 22. I've gotten highway as high as 31 mpg. My car is the 2.5x Limited pretty full loaded and I got it for $27,000 through Costco. We considered the Outback but it's 2 inches wider and we are already tight in the garage with my husband's car in there as well so those 2 inches would have made a difference. After I signed the papers for my Forester I sat in the Outback and didn't like the dash board at all. Although, the dark green color is my favorite. My brother in law has an Outback and loves it and I love my Forester. Now we're considering getting an Impreza for my husband.

 

[foltzy]

I bought a 2000 Subaru Outback last month. I love it. I was surprised that I was able to transition from a mini van to the station wagon so easily. My mom drove it for a few days while her car was being fixed and now she wants one.

 

[momto28weeker+1]

We have a 2004 Outback and love it. No problems and I plan on driving until it falls apart and dies. It still looks and drives great. The only complaint my husband had is he sometimes has trouble with the gas/ brake pedals, no problems with the pedals, but he has size 13 feet and I think his feet are a little squished. He has jerked the car a few times by accident(if that makes sense). I am the primary driver though.

 

[lisaross]

Interesting thread - i've been wanting a Forrester for years - i have a minivan now and when its time for a new car i am most probably getting the Forrester - though i like the looks of the Outback now as well.....

Let us know what u decide!

 

[5kitty]

We have two Foresters in our household! We love them. The first one is a 2001 and has over 170,000 miles on it. When I got a new one (2011) we kept the first one as it was obviously all paid for and still worked great. DH uses the older one as his "around town car" as his other car is a diesel pickup and it gets horrible mileage and diesel is expensive. On my new Forester, my mileage is about 25 mph around town and 27 - 30 on the highway. The Forester handles well in the snow. Good Luck with your decision.

 

[kisaacs]

We have an '02 Forester here, and love it. It's got 145,000 miles on it or so and doing great. Whenever we take it in for normal wear and tear (struts are the next thing, but it's 10 years old), they're always impressed with how well it's running. We got it about 5 years ago from my dad who had it since it was new. It's been a great car, and we're hoping to keep it for a good long time. We've heard how well Subarus last, and this one is no exception. Here's hoping for many more years with our car!

Kristen

 

[disneysnowflake]

Note to my DH... see, it's meant to be.. a Subaru Outback and Me.


I want a new car. I only want an Outback. DH keeps dragging his feet about our family getting one. I'm going to show him this thread.

 

[Kate and Pete]

I'm on my second Subaru - I've driven an Outback Sport and now have the Forester. My DH and I love them! I've been in a couple accidents with my Forester (rear ended twice) and other than the work that has been done after the accidents, they've been maintenance free! I do regular oil changes...I'll probably never drive anything but a Subaru...