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Interesting....I guess it comes down to preference. BTW comparing base model of each the Outback has more headroom (40.5/39.1)/legroom (44.1/33.9) and vs. Forester headroom (34.8/39.8)/legroom (43.6/33.7) towing capacity 2700lb vs 2400lb. The forester is not as long (6" less) or heavy (220lb less) and less expensive. thanks for the replies.

Just curious, I have a '00 Outback and a friend is thinking about getting a Forester, why would one choose a Forester over an Outback? A comparison of some the specs shows the outback has more headroom, legroom, ground clearance, cargo capacity, towing capacity, performance, etc. Is it a vehicle classification (i.e. small SUV), style...?

I use 303 Protectorant on my sidewall as well as the dash, door gaskets and other vinyl & rubber trim. It's more like sunscreen it prevent fading and brittleness, and on the tires it has a sheen but not that slick look of armor all. Take look at their website: http://www.303products.com/main.php they'll send you a free sample package of their products.

No one has used it or know of it, hmmmm....?

Does anyone know of this brand. Supposedly a high-performance after-market GL-5 MT oil, similar to redline (I was told)? Thanks.

1. subaru [outback] has a distinctive shape; particularly shape side and rear (I'll be on the highway doing 85mph and notice an outback 10 cars in front) 2. it use to be Paul hogan - crocodile dundee in the australian outback (rugged adventurous) now latest ads are targeting urban professionals with adventurous alter egos (Lance Armstrong) 3. sterotypes (from the point of view of a 35yr black male married in brooklyn, NY): a. forester - suburban type caucasian male/female 49-55yrs b. WRX - young caucasian or asian male 20-ish c. legacy - middle age caucasian male/female, married, kids d. outback - a mix of all the above (except young asian male) 30 - 50yr old male/female, active lifestyle/adventurous at heart, more environmental aware (i.e then suv owners) Again this is just from my experience, I've had my 2000 outback less than a year. When I go mountain biking in northen NJ I see 2/3 other subies in the lot, mid-age guys, and on race day see a lot more and young 20-ish guy in blue WRX's. In chinatown in the city I see the asian kids with WRX's. I'm sure those of you further up in the northeast and elsewhere will have different observations.

Just blew a tire (Michelin Symmetry H) w/approx 30k miles. Being that it's a '00 Outback can I buy one new tire (only Symmetry S available). How would that affect the AWD, should I replace all four even though they're good for 65k? Any recommendation on equivalent all-season replacements? Thanks. Patrick

Decided to enjoy the great weather today and took the subie to the beach. But the SUVs wore down the sand road so much that driving in their tracks sand underneath the car was at 7-8" and I stalled. Tried to start again but the wheels didn't even spin. As one of the guys I was blocking told me the chasis/differential was suspended and could not transfer power to the wheels. After two SUVs tried to tow us out, driving foward, and failed a 3rd, using reverse (more power), was able to pull us out to the point where we could drive through to the beach. Lesson learned: my Subie is not invincible (boo hoo), towing a stuck subie in reverse is better and don't let the conservative driving wife drive out from such road (got stuck again, twice, because she didn't rev the engine or shift quick enough to keep from stalling. The car is due for an oil change and tune-up any suggestion as to anything in particular I should have checked while I'm at considering the whole underside of the car was "drowning" in sand. Also the engine/clutch(?) was smoking during the time the wheels weren't moving. How much life has the clutch loss? Patrick.

I agree , so I'm taking my wife with me today. She'll not only get a feel of the sliding but also how well it maneuvers and how to get out of a slide.

What's better than an SUV on a former airport runway with 6" of snow...A SUBARU OUTBACK!!!! This afternoon I went to a former municipal airport (now a recreation area) thinking I could get in some snow time with the Outback. But when I got there it seems the road was plowed... but only partially, half the runway area was unplowed! As I hit the snow I passed a VW Jetta stuck in the snow spinning its wheel, I didn't have a tow line w/me to help. So it took about 5 minutes to get use to the feel of the snow, then I started doing imaginary cones (s-turns), then came the skidding and after a few skids a flat spin(?) 180 degree. And I got in a little drifting. Stop. Repeat. Stop. Repeat again, again. It was just pure fun!!! Especially watching the SUVs driving slow an steady in a straight line. Going back tomorrow for more. :-p

I have a 5spd MT '00 Outback and find that down shifting to first is difficult, until the car comes to a complete stop. I don't remember this happening when we first got the car (3 months ago). I think I started noticing it as the weather got colder? Could this be a clutch problem or fluids? Patrick.

Hey EOppegaard I did read those threads, but no one had a similar issue, expect for Skip, in this thread. BTW Skip did you adjust your lamps yourself

Does anyone find that the OEM headlights don't provide enough illumination? I'm thinking it's because the '00 Outback is higher than my previous cars (Accord, Volvo 240) and the light aims lower. I read some of the other post regarding headlights and I noticed some people replaced theirs with brighter bulbs, is that recommended? Thanks

Just saw this Nissan commerical awd when you need it: picture of all cars using tire chains on a sunny day in other words full time awd is overkill!? What are the benefits of "full time" AWD? Of course I've read everything on subaru site about AWD and know its good for adverse terrain (snow, offroad), exceleration (w/ 5mt outback not much advantage) what else?

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm glad to know that I can safely slam my finger in the door I'll treat the seals with silicone after I wash all that salt of the car, and make a note to do it on a regular basis.