STILL looking for the new car

[Blackberry Smoke]

Yeah guys, I am STILL looking for the next new car purchase. Pretty typical for me....usually takes me a year or two to narrow it down, do some test drives, do the research etc.

Anyway, any thoughts on the Subaru Outback? It seems to check all the boxes but I have some concerns about quality issues in some areas on the recent models (2015-2018) (paint, electronic interface/touchscreen).

Any good or bad info you'd like to share would be appreciated.

 

[wvu2007]

@atlkvb

 

[roadtrasheer]

They all suck & they all rock ...just the luck of the draw

 

[mule_eer]

Yeah guys, I am STILL looking for the next new car purchase. Pretty typical for me....usually takes me a year or two to narrow it down, do some test drives, do the research etc.

Anyway, any thoughts on the Subaru Outback? It seems to check all the boxes but I have some concerns about quality issues in some areas on the recent models (2015-2018) (paint, electronic interface/touchscreen).

Any good or bad info you'd like to share would be appreciated.

We bought Forester almost exactly 2 years ago. I have no complaints about the quality of the vehicle so far. We have almost 25k miles on it, and the only maintenance has been the routine stuff. It's awesome in bad weather as well. I drove it in a literal blizzard to pick up my wife and daughter from the airport. I will caveat that the 2.5L engine isn't going to set any land speed records, but it easily holds highway speeds and isn't sluggish.

We also have family up in the mountains who bought an Outback about a year ago, also the 2.5L. I haven't heard of them having issues with it. They seem to really like it.

 

[dave]

We bought Forester almost ecactly 2 years ago. I have no complaints about the quality of the vehicle so far. We have almost 25k miles on it, and the only maintenance has been the routine stuff. It's awesome in bad eather as well. I drove it in a literal blizzard to pick up my wife and daughter from the airport. I will caveat that the 2.5L engine isn't going to set any land speed records, but it easily holds highway speeds and isn't sluggish.

We also have family up in the mountains who bought an Outback about a year ago, also the 2.5L. I haven't heard of them having issues with it. They seem to really like it.

I have never bought or driven one but they are all over Morgantown and people love them, both Outbacks and Foresters.

 

[atlkvb]

@atlkvb

Check your conversations for my personal e-mail address to hit me back 007.

 

[DvlDog4WVU]

I have never bought or driven one but they are all over Morgantown and people love them, both Outbacks and Foresters.

Every Lesbian I know drives one.

It’s known as the Lesbaru for a reason.

 

[Snow Sled Baby]

Yeah guys, I am STILL looking for the next new car purchase. Pretty typical for me....usually takes me a year or two to narrow it down, do some test drives, do the research etc.

Anyway, any thoughts on the Subaru Outback? It seems to check all the boxes but I have some concerns about quality issues in some areas on the recent models (2015-2018) (paint, electronic interface/touchscreen).

Any good or bad info you'd like to share would be appreciated.

Go get yourself a Honda Ridgeline.....THE best vehicle in bad weather that I have ever owned. Bought mine new in 2007 and other than replacing the brakes nothing has ever gone wrong,,,,even have the original battery. 18-20 mpg with a 6 cylinder engine.....just turned 90000 miles yesterday. I will drive it till it dies and then go get another one...the 2018 model has some neat new features

 

[atlkvb]

I think all of the manufacturers have fabulous products and offer quality vehicles. Ir's really a matter of personal preferences. Designers can't afford to build duds anymore, and most of the new cars are backed with bumper-to-bumper warranties and generally hold up very well.

 

[Snow Sled Baby]

I think all of the manufacturers have fabulous products and offer quality vehicles. Ir's really a matter of personal preferences. Designers can't afford to build duds anymore, and most of the new cars are backed with bumper-to-bumper warranties and generally hold up very well.

smacked any liberals around today?....plenty of good material to choose from:victory:

 

[moe]

We bought Forester almost exactly 2 years ago. I have no complaints about the quality of the vehicle so far. We have almost 25k miles on it, and the only maintenance has been the routine stuff. It's awesome in bad weather as well. I drove it in a literal blizzard to pick up my wife and daughter from the airport. I will caveat that the 2.5L engine isn't going to set any land speed records, but it easily holds highway speeds and isn't sluggish.

We also have family up in the mountains who bought an Outback about a year ago, also the 2.5L. I haven't heard of them having issues with it. They seem to really like it.

Ever hear of oil burning issues with Subarus? I have a 2011 Forester and it burns several quarts between oil changes and mine is not a unique experience. I bought it used with 35k miles and it was leaking from the front engine seal and I could always smell burned oil when I stopped and got out. I got that fixed under warranty and thought that would fix everything, it didn't. It doesn't leak oil anymore but it still burns it out the tailpipe though not visibly. I've adjusted to it though but checking the oil frequently and carrying a big jug of oil with me. Other than that I like it and it does go like a beast in the snow and even better if I kick off the traction control on short steep snow covered hills. If there's 6 or more inches of snow I can't get up my driveway until I kick off the traction control and it climbs like a champ. For regular snowy driving leave the TC on though.

 

[MichiganHerd]

Ever hear of oil burning issues with Subarus? I have a 2011 Forester and it burns several quarts between oil changes and mine is not a unique experience. I bought it used with 35k miles and it was leaking from the front engine seal and I could always smell burned oil when I stopped and got out. I got that fixed under warranty and thought that would fix everything, it didn't. It doesn't leak oil anymore but it still burns it out the tailpipe. I've adjusted to it though but checking the oil frequently and carrying a big jug of oil with me. Other than that I like it and it does go like a beast in the snow and even better if I kick off the traction control on short steep snow covered hills. If there's 6 or more inches of snow I can't get up my driveway until I kick off the traction control and it climbs like a champ. For regular snowy driving leave the TC on though.

I have a friend that had a similar problem. His Forester had bad piston rings. Have you had someone look at that?

 

[moe]

I have a friend that had a similar problem. His Forester had bad piston rings. Have you had someone look at that?

That's probably what it is and I think that it's inherent to Subarus to a great degree as the engine lays on its side (more of a horizontal piston). A friend of mine said it's similar to some small airplane engines that lay on their sides too and burn oil. I'm sure not paying to have that repair done and it's recently out of warranty so I'll just keep pouring the oil to it.

 

[bornaneer]

I was a Toyota guy for many years after I soured on American brands because of quality issues. We always had positive experiences with my many Highlanders, Avalons and my wife's many Sienna's. After deciding to downsize to one vehicle we wanted one with AWD with interior room. We ended up getting an 2017 AWD Sienna.....it was a mistake as it was a real lemon with several quality issues that we had not experienced with Toyota before. We got rid it it and went with a 2017 Chevy Tahoe.....great choice....have zero complaints with the quality and features of this Tahoe.

 

[EERs 3:16]

Buy a miata and be happy

 

[moe]

Buy a miata

Chick car or used to be.

 

[mule_eer]

Ever hear of oil burning issues with Subarus? I have a 2011 Forester and it burns several quarts between oil changes and mine is not a unique experience. I bought it used with 35k miles and it was leaking from the front engine seal and I could always smell burned oil when I stopped and got out. I got that fixed under warranty and thought that would fix everything, it didn't. It doesn't leak oil anymore but it still burns it out the tailpipe though not visibly. I've adjusted to it though but checking the oil frequently and carrying a big jug of oil with me. Other than that I like it and it does go like a beast in the snow and even better if I kick off the traction control on short steep snow covered hills. If there's 6 or more inches of snow I can't get up my driveway until I kick off the traction control and it climbs like a champ. For regular snowy driving leave the TC on though.

I have not heard of that issue with the Subarus. I also haven't experienced it with this Subaru, at least not yet.

 

[moe]

I have not heard of that issue with the Subarus. I also haven't experienced it with this Subaru, at least not yet.

I hope that you have no problem from it. I found a class action suit regarding the issue after I bought it.

 

[JLW71073]

Just purchased a new Nissan Pathfinder. So far it's been pretty awesome. It's the 3rd one for us. The 2005 has 240K miles on it and runs awesome. We need to get the AC fixed but other than that been pretty good vehicle.

 

[D. Denzil Finney]

Yeah guys, I am STILL looking for the next new car purchase. Pretty typical for me....usually takes me a year or two to narrow it down, do some test drives, do the research etc.

Anyway, any thoughts on the Subaru Outback? It seems to check all the boxes but I have some concerns about quality issues in some areas on the recent models (2015-2018) (paint, electronic interface/touchscreen).

Any good or bad info you'd like to share would be appreciated.

Recently (1 month) leased a Subaru Forester. I didn't realize that Subaru is second only to Ford in units sold in the U.S. So far I am really happy with its performance. Has plenty of pep and am getting 24+ miles to gallon in city/suburban driving area. So many bells and whistles included; I haven't figured them all out yet. 3yr 0% lease at reasonable price. So far I am impressed with vehicle. Just keep on keeping on.

 

[countryroads89_rivals]

Go get yourself a Honda Ridgeline.....THE best vehicle in bad weather that I have ever owned. Bought mine new in 2007 and other than replacing the brakes nothing has ever gone wrong,,,,even have the original battery. 18-20 mpg with a 6 cylinder engine.....just turned 90000 miles yesterday. I will drive it till it dies and then go get another one...the 2018 model has some neat new features

You are a southern red neck coal miner and you bought a foreign vehicle?

 

[COOL MAN]

Ever hear of oil burning issues with Subarus? I have a 2011 Forester and it burns several quarts between oil changes and mine is not a unique experience. I bought it used with 35k miles and it was leaking from the front engine seal and I could always smell burned oil when I stopped and got out. I got that fixed under warranty and thought that would fix everything, it didn't. It doesn't leak oil anymore but it still burns it out the tailpipe though not visibly. I've adjusted to it though but checking the oil frequently and carrying a big jug of oil with me. Other than that I like it and it does go like a beast in the snow and even better if I kick off the traction control on short steep snow covered hills. If there's 6 or more inches of snow I can't get up my driveway until I kick off the traction control and it climbs like a champ. For regular snowy driving leave the TC on though.

FWIW, just turned 80K on our 2012 Outback 2.5, and the vehicle has never burned a single drop of synthetic oil.

 

[Blackberry Smoke]

FWIW, just turned 80K on our 2012 Outback 2.5, and the vehicle has never burned a single drop of synthetic oil.

In doing research on the car I found that issue was identified back around 2013 and 2014. As stated above there was even a class action lawsuit regarding the oil usage. Come to find out it was a piston ring issue. So, hopefully, the issue is no longer an issue even though if you got to the Subaru forum there are still occasional posters posting about it on more recent models.