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Chockstone Forum - Gear Lust / Lost & Found

Rave About Your Rack Please do not post retail SPAM.

Topic Date User
Subaru Outback & Forester 8-Feb-2008 At 7:52:10 PM MichaelOR
Message
I've had an Outback since late 99 (MY 2000 New). The AWD is great on tracks - mud, sand and snow. I've not slept in it, but the seats do fold down flat and it is longer than the Impressa based Forrester. Outback has bigger boot space when you have more passengers on trips.
The limitations are obvious - front overhang, in particular, limits creek crossings, driving over steep humps etc. The clearance is better than my old Subaru, but it's a soft-roader, not a 4WD. Deep soft sand (eg beach) is a problem due to clearance and wheel ruts. Gun it!

Gets between 8 - 8.5 L/100km on climbing trips. Gets around 10.0 to 10.5 around town. I use 98 Octane on trips and 91 around town - the 98 makes no difference around town in terms of economy. The 98 pays for itself easily on trips with improved economy.

It gets up Goat Tk and Vic Ranges Rd and over 'Parks Victoria speed humps' - if you drive slowly and diagonally across them. Handles well on the dirt roads of the Gramps..... although it still can hit Kangaroos if you drive too fast.

Get a Manual as they have dual range - and the lower range is useful.

The 2.5L engine is fine with the car fully loaded - the 3.0 L option is a waste. It makes the car heavier and fuel economy suffers a bit for not much gain. But as said above, it's not a sports car. If you want to tow, you need something else, not the bigger engine.

You just have to weigh up the extra cost over the Forrester (or other options). Very reliable and well built. I had my old Subaru for over 365,000 kms.
Michael

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