colorado-outback

I have a 2002 Outback wagon that is having idle problems and problems with a slight amount of pedal. Here is the scenario: if I coast for a few seconds and then give a very small amount of gas, the car hesitates and bucks. It has not died but has come very close on several occasions. Just before buying this car, I had a 2004 rental that did the same thing but not as bad. Is this a common problem with this generation of Outbacks? I have read some of the threads here and I guess I will reset the ECU and maybe try some of the TPS suggestions but if you have some advice I would like to hear it.