Looking at First Subaru

[bms259]

Hi!

 

I am looking to get my first Subaru, and need some advice. Any input would be helpful! 

 

I have been driving 5-speed VW Jetta 2.0L for ten years (until it was rear ended yesterday!), and loved driving it. It was a little small with a baby and carseat in the back. I  enjoy driving, but I'm not a huge car guy.

 

I'm looking at Outbacks, Foresters, Crosstreks, and to a lesser extent, Legacy. I'm particularly interested in getting a manual transmission if possible. I need to find the right balance of family functionality, economics, and driving experience. It will be my daily driver to and from work, not our main family car (we have a Honda CRV for that).

 

We will buy used, hoping to stay under $19,000.

 

Thanks so much!

[gbhrps]

bms259,

 

Great choice! I've owned 4 subie OutBacks (97, 03, 07, 12) and will own more of them. My brother is a Forester owner, with two under his belt, an 06 and his present 2010. They are pretty much bullet proof if treated properly (not hotdogged) and maintained with regularity.

 

Your $19 000 range puts you in a great situation for getting a low mileage cream puff that screams Pride of Ownership. Those are the only vehicles I buy, used with lower mileage, that display that the previous owner cared for the vehicle, and didn't abuse it. Since 97, I replaced  two wheel bearings, one door speaker and one tailgate emblem, other than wiper blades, brake pads, and tires on all of those four OBW's. No other issues, period. Everyone of them was sold or traded at the 160 000 km (100 000 mi) mark.

 

That said, if your CRV is your main vehicle, the Outback will give you more room, the Forester will be much like your CRV, while the Crosstrek will be slightly smaller, but just as capable. Really give some thought to any of them with a CVT transmission. What a terrific tranny in bumper to bumper traffic, or on the highway in hilly terrain with the cruise control on. Check out the following video comparing the various AWD systems: 

 

We just got home today from 10 days touring Newfoundland in a rental Kia Sorrento (4 banger/auto). While it had enough gusto for my driving style, the tranny was all over the place in cruise, trying to find the proper gear on upgrades and down grades, something my 2012 OutBack doesn't do with the CVT/boxer 4. There is no jerking, wild engine rev ups, or downs that frequently would have me turning the cruise off on the Kia.

 

But don't take my word for it. Test drive a few subies before you decide, and then check Consumer Reports for their evaluation of subies as good used cars.

 

Good Luck in your search!

[hrminer92]

Hi!

 

I've been thinking about getting a new Subaru as well.  The problem is that on other sites people complain about them using a lot of oil or having to get the head gaskets replaced around 100 thousand miles, etc.

 

I initially looked at a manual Crosstrek, but I've read complaints about the manuals were the ones with most of the oil consumption issues.  Others were saying that the CVT is actually better offroad than a manual because it can handle the low speed situations better and there's no clutch to burn out while going over rocks, etc.  Another complaint about the Crosstrek was that it was under powered and that for a few dollars more, you could get a Forester with a bigger, more powerful engine, more room, more gadgets, etc.  Of course, Subaru is offering 0% interest on Foresters and Outbacks right now, so that's another thing to consider.  Unfortunately, to get X-Mode one has to go with the CVT and after adding the prerequisite option package, it is about as expensive as the Outback.  The big advantage with the Outback is that it can tow more, but it has a longer wheelbase and is CVT only.

 

Has anyone here used both a manual and CVT versions of the Crosstrek or Forester?  Is one clearly superior to the other either on or off the road?  I like using a manual (with the exception of when I'm in traffic jams - another good use for X-mode apparently).

 

Any other experience with these models that might help me make a decision would also be appreciated.

 

Thanks!

[bms259]

I was able to test drive a Legacy, Forester, and Crosstrek yesterday. I liked each of them, for different reasons. All of them had the CVT transmission. Write now, I think I am leaning toward a Legacy. It seemed to handle the twisty back-roads around here a little better. I'll miss out on the storage capacity and some more rugged capabilities, but I think the Legacy will likely give me most of what I need. I'll still trying to decide though...so any input would be appreciated!