Bone Daddy Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 My car was totaled on x mas eve and we just got our first child so I decieded I wanted a Subaru Outback . As I scanned the web looking for them and I noticed they were very affordable , I mean for the price and what they looked like with all the goodies I was happy and couldnt wait to make some offers . Then somebody said somthing in a passing about a coolant leak !!! I thought to myself they must be wrong , why consumer reports says their the best used car and new , that person I thought just wanted me to buy his brand but just incase I looked . I was shocked to read the letter sent out to owners with the 2.5l between 99-02 need to come in for conditioner to be added to the coolent to stop head gasket leaks. Then to find a web page dedicated to filing a class action lawsuit against subaru was disapointing. So I would still like to get a outback but with the H6 . I found one for sale its a 01 for a good price . Does anybody have any problems with the six or have heard of any major engine problems ? Also it states that it get 20-27mpg is that true ? And besides any engine problems is there any other problems? It seems that the 2.5l problem stops at 02 cuz the price for a 03 jumps up sharply . Thanks and I hope this 01 turns out to be in good shape this seems like a pretty awsome site for all my info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Aside from accessory drive belt pully failure they seem to be fine. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Pin Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 I have an 02 H6 with about 80K. Great engine, fun to drive, same mileage as my 2.5's that I have had in the past, just a whole bunch more punch! I bought mine at about 62k for about 10K two summers back. basic maintenance only so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 it's a real nice ride, so far I like our 2002 H6 with VDC. it's big car with beefy safety in mind. the motor is nice but it's pulling a lot of weight. my first highway trip was on the lower end of that spectrum of gas mileage. seems like i only got 22mpg or something. your 2001 will have the LATCH system too if you plan on using that for child seats. although they're on the outside seats and the safest position is the middle, so they're more ideal with more than one child in the rear. they have an excellent reliability record but are young relatively speaking. can't say how they'll do over the 10-15 year haul but it's looking good so far. like nipper said there's frequent accessory belt pulley failures. i plan on just replacing mine based on the few incidents of failure and how simple they are to replace. there's a great thread on here about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bone Daddy Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 Thanks Im glad to hear that . I can deal with the belt tensioner . My only kick is the gas mileage. I put on 30 k a year and that adds up when you put in $4 + gas . Is it possiable that on mostly highway 25 mpg on average is possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Pin Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 The best I got was 26 mpg on a 5 hour cruise at 75mph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screwbaru2 Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 I'm not sure if they all are but my 2003 is premum gas. Great engine though, MPG same as my 2.2 MT 25MPG. Haven't worked on it yet, it does fillup the engine compartment! Congrads DAD! That's the best ride of all!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 i think they're all premium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNY_Dave Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 They run best on premium but don't need it. I get about 25 or so in the winter, just under 27 otherwise, mostly highway. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 We've got the 2003 VDC model The VDC is the mutts nutz in the snow. The McIntosh stereo is fantastic! When McIntosh agreed to put this head unit in the Outback, the engineers made Subaru agree to changes in the interior and sound proofing. I own another Oh Bee plus a few normal Legacys and have riden in many others. Ours by far feels and sounds more solid than any of them. We run midgrade and get about what Dave does. If you go this EZ30 ( H6) route your oil changes become paramont Read this thread for why http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=84524&highlight=timing+chain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNY_Dave Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 We've got the 2003 VDC model The VDC is the mutts nutz in the snow. The McIntosh stereo is fantastic! When McIntosh agreed to put this head unit in the Outback, the engineers made Subaru agree to changes in the interior and sound proofing. I own another Oh Bee plus a few normal Legacys and have riden in many others. Ours by far feels and sounds more solid than any of them. We run midgrade and get about what Dave does. If you go this EZ30 ( H6) route your oil changes become paramont Read this thread for why http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=84524&highlight=timing+chain I'm doing my changes at about 5000miles, using castrol 5W-30, and (of course) a subaru filter. As long as the dealer doesn't go over to the cardboard-internals filter, anyway. The oil looks pretty dark coming out, but then again it starts looking pretty dark pretty quick after a change. Dark doesn't necessarily indicate the oil is due for a change, recc. interval is 7500 which seems a bit high to me. I do about 100mi/day so changing at 3kmiles would be pretty darn quick. Bought mine with 55Kmiles in Oct. 07, I have a bit over 90K on it now. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOthis Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 valve cover gaskets...very common oil leak area on the H6... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOthis Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Also not as common as the leaky valve covers or belt idlers....but we've seen a few timing chain tensioner's go bad... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Also not as common as the leaky valve covers or belt idlers....but we've seen a few timing chain tensioner's go bad... Early ones, sooby was replacing them as they came into the shop. It seems like if you can get past the warrenty period you should be good. Of course there are those 100 odd bolts to deal with. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bone Daddy Posted January 10, 2009 Author Share Posted January 10, 2009 Thanks guys that helps . Well Im going tomorrow to test it out. I tell you what I find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subyfreak Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 On my 01 OBW H-6 150000mi so far with no major problems except a leaking power steering pump. This engine really wakes up from about 4500-redline and sounds great with a free flowing muffler. Says premium fuel only on the gas door so thats what she gets. I usually get around 25-27mpg on the highway. Also lots of fun in the snow with it's limited slip diff standard in the H-6 OB from what I have seen. Nicest car I have owned and I have owned many. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 speaking of mufflers I wonder how long the fancy rear muffler with the built in auto bypass works? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monk50 Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 2005 outback ll bean bought new, 60K now with no problems at all. Lots of power and torque to climb the NC mountains around Boone. Plugs difficult to change and expensive. Dealer wants around 350 and up to change plugs scheduled at 60K, but with small hands and double universal sparkplug socket able to change and the plugs on line for around $9 each it is not too bad. 2005 subaru outback sedan bought used with 26K on the clock. Now has 27K and no problems. Very impressive auto and with the 05 model 250 HP. As is obvious with two H6's they have satisfied me. monk in NC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 speaking of mufflersI wonder how long the fancy rear muffler with the built in auto bypass works? Only time will tell. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 how will I know when it isn't working Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 when you loose some power, as that is what they are used for usually. In some cases you may never know depending upon how you drive. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 sorry this valve opens at some elevated air flow (RPM) and I never know if it's open or not. No performance difference is noted as I rarely go that hard on it. Be nice to rig a switch on the valve to show when it's open. I would if I could get the cap off of the actuation arm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 sorry this valve opens at some elevated air flow (RPM) and I never know if it's open or not. No performance difference is noted as I rarely go that hard on it. Be nice to rig a switch on the valve to show when it's open. I would if I could get the cap off of the actuation arm. No it wouldnt. As you could get a ticket for excessive noise, may see a drop in gas mileage, and may throw a CEL. Some things should be left alone, as this is made to give you the best of both words. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 (edited) That is ludicrous. It is the to give a lowering of back pressure. Why it would throw a CEL if I put a switch activated by the control arm to light a light to tell me when it's open? Excessive noise!!! Come on Nipper!! Edited January 10, 2009 by Skip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 That is ludicrous.It is the to give a lowering of back pressure. Why it would throw a CEL if I put a switch activated by the control arm to light a light to tell me when it's open? Excessive noise!!! Come on Nipper!! I read that as you putting a switch to opne it on demand, sorry. Do what you want it's your car. And yes noise regulations have gotten very tight. I personally think there are enough distractions in cars as it is, and no one watches what they should watch. Why add a silly light? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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