I looked at Subarus two years ago. In my opinion, the Outback rides more like a car…the forester like a SUV. Both are nice, but the outback is plusher…and more expensive.
But to be fair…there are tons of them in New England…and everyone we know likes the model they have.
Husband had a Forrester forever, they are slightly more sporty and less luxurious. I bought an Outback 6 cylinder two years ago, with leather, navigation and climate package and it is as luxurious as my old Lexus SUV, uses a lot less gas, is much more reliable and everyone loves to go on trips it is so comfortable. Also can tow the U-Haul trailer to drop off and pick up kids stuff to college.
Jumping in here… those of you with a Subaru, how many kids do you have still at home? Do you do longer road trips with more than 2 kids? Kind of piggybacking on the thread, sorry, and maybe I should start a separate one, but my 2002 Odyssey is getting more expensive to own and we are probably replacing it this year. We have 3 kids, oldest is heading to college, and (depending on what happens later this week) will most likely be in college about a 10 hour drive from home. So most likely am going to get still a larger car… another Odyssey or maybe a Highlander (or Pilot if we wait until fall and the new redesign gets good reviews) but I do like the look of the Outbacks and the idea of driving something a little smaller.
Washugrad, one of my best friends hung onto her Odyssey FOREVER refusing to give it up and not wanting to get rid of her “van”. Her kids are older, but she still clings onto the hopes of family vacations. Anyway, after much convincing from her family, she bought a Pilot to replace her van. I’m not convinced she loves it - I really thing she still wanted a van! - but the Pilot will still fit her “family” if they decide to vacation together.
But staying on the topic of this thread, the neither the Outback or Forester has a third seat. You have room for two in the front and 2 or 3 in the back. Not the choice if you want lots of “roomy” seating.
3 can fit in the back of the Outback in a pinch, but 2 in the back is comfortable for a long ride. Also the split folding down back seats have been used by my kids to stretch out into the cargo area to sleep (college student 1) while college student 2 sits and reads in the seat nor folded down.
We kept our 2000 Odyssey til the transmission died and both sliding doors were broken (178k miles). Blue book value was $1100. I cried when we replaced it. Would get another one in a second – I loved the space and more importantly, I loved driving at that height. I hate not being able to see over the front of the car (and I’m tall!).
I would still be driving my Odyssey if I hadn’t totaled it when I hit a deer.
Subaru used to have a SUV with a 3rd row but it looks like they don’t make it anymore.
My S’s gf bought a Subaru Crosstrek that she loves. Maybe you could find one of those used Abasket. It’s really cute. I guess that it’s basically an Impreza that sits up higher.
Yeah, not a fan of the crosstrek! The shape is too similar to the car I currently have and I hate the way the wheels/hubcabs/“plastic” around the wheels looks.
The Tribeca is Suburu’s 3rd seat option vehicle.
washugrad, no, we do not take trips with more than 2 kids in the Outback. For that we use H’s Buick SUV which has more space and rides well, but awful visibility for me!
Thx. I figured the Subarus would be too small but thought I’d ask. I think we might end up getting a 3 year old (or so) Odyssey (my younger 2 kids are 7th grade and 5th grade so will be around for a while but I don’t want to still be driving a minivan when everyone is in college/ out of the house).
2014 Forester (6-speed manual) owner here. 3rd Subaru so far… Love my new Forester, but beware of the oil consumption problems with the 2.0 and 2.5 liter non-turbo engines. It’s a pretty big problem for Subaru right now, and they still haven’t been able to figure out the root cause of it. My car doesn’t seem to be affected (fingers crossed), but the problem exists for many people out there. The impreza, outback, and crosstrek are also affected.
I love my 2014 Subaru but it is much longer and lower than I expected coming off a CRV. It has good room. We traveled 1000 miles last summer vacation with the four of us in the car, luggage, beach chairs plus a Thule on top. It seemed easier to get the Thule on this lower height car. The heated cloth seats were very nice this past winter. I think they could do better on the windshield glass. It seems to smudge or fog over easily making it annoying to drive at night or in humid weather. I don’t know if anyone else has experienced this.
H has the Crosstek and I have fun driving it around town but I don’t think it is as comfortable for longer rides. It is ideal for him since he works in the city and parking is easier with a smaller car. He has the navigation package and I wish I had taken that for my car since it has the backup camera as well. I did not test drive the Forester but was tempted
The Outback and the Forrester are two different vehicles . The outback started as a tarted up Legacy Wagon, but has morphed into basically an upscale CSV (crossover vehicle), while you can get it in base trim, most people seem to want it with all the bells and whistles. The Forrester is a lot nicer looking vehicle now, its first generations were kind of boxy and utilitarian. It is basically a small SUV and its handling and ride is more like an SUV, whereas the Outback from my experience driving it (I don’t own either vehicle, but have driven them) is more car like, and yes, the seats are more comfortable. It isn’t as roomy as a minivan, the Honda Odyssey I have (now at 201k miles!) is quite a comfortable highway cruiser, we practically lived in it for years, driving my S to various things, and if you are expecting that, you won’t find it. Honda is supposed to be offering AWD with the Odyssey sometime this year, and that could be an attractive alternative to those needing more room but wanting AWD.
I don’t think you can go wrong with either the Forrester or the Outback, while no car line is perfect, from what I know of Subaru they still are pretty rugged, reliable cars. About the only downside with them is they still have parts that are relatively expensive compared to other car makes, and many of their parts remain dealer only well after third party is available on other makes, but given how reliable they are, and other than things like brake pads, wearables are relatively limited, I don’t think that is a big deal.
Like fractalmstr said, my 2011 Outback has needed a quart of oil twice in the 4 years I have owned it, which never happened with my other Subarus. It’s surprising when that oil light comes on!