Thread: Subaru Outback - AWD Station Wagon

i'm on my 3rd subby. a 3.0 legacy wagon in which i get better milage than my 2.0 forester. wouldnt touch a new subaru as they have gone cvt gearboxes. bloody disgraceful

I haven't done much serious homework on them yet, approx what year did they start using the cvt trans

Originally Posted by oraki

I haven't done much serious homework on them yet, approx what year did they start using the cvt trans

since about 2013 i think.
belts belong in turntables not drive trains !!

Didn't do much homework as I got a deal I couldn't turn down.... 30K with it now only thing bad is I put wrong oil in and had it going into limp mode every time it went over 3000rpm. Sure it's thirsty but I figure if I have a 3.0 4wd I'm guna make the most of it. Love the acceleration from 80ish to 110.... ++ when overtaking.

Roof in them is surprisingly low, came touch it with my head in dividers seat, putting things in and out of the boot is tricky at times. Back seats folded and plenty of length to sleep (6'4").

Tow a single trailer a wee bit, no issues but does use even more gas... At its worst 4.5km/l usually around 8-9km/l

For what it's worth, I've just bought a 2009 Forester. Pretty happy with it. Handles well on the road for an SUV. Seems to be thirsty, but everything was going to be after my last car which was a hatchback. Can just get a 190cm mattress in the back, so that's overnighters sorted

The 3.0 has quite a high tow rating too. 1800kg braked from memory

So it would be using about the same amount of fuel,but no RUC, and should be cheaper to service.......plus it'll be a dam sight more comfortable and stable to drive. Most of my driving is open road.Overall probably cost more year on year but bugger it...

The EZ30 is such a great engine. Smooth as can be and pulls cleanly to the limiter. Oil change intervals are important, (fully synthetic only) as the AVCS (Subaru's variable valve timing system) is actuated by hydraulic oil pressure.

had a 3.0 one and it was a great donk

@oraki on the way back from my trip down your way, cruise control set and didn't have to touch a thing for 90mins, few corners but no reason to slow down. Good stereo, got a sunroof but never use the dam thing, could have a use spotlighting though!

Originally Posted by oraki

Bringing an old topic back to the top, but have any of you original posters still got your Outbacks, and had any problems in the interim.
I can't see the point of having 2 4wd Utes when one will do. Looking at ditching the Mitsi once I get it back from hospital and getting a daily drive Outback. I'll just use the Hilux for serious off road stuff.
How much are the service costs etc, expected life of engine, any issues with trans when towing......ra de ra etc.
Not sure if I'll go 06-08, or go flash 2012 onwards, 2.5 or 3, or whatever they're coming out in now

Well my mate has 94 gt legacy and it still feels like it definitely has near enough the 280 hp it came with from the factory. His has 280000 odd indicated kkms but being a Jap import it's bound to be more. He hasn't had any issues with his.

Can't help with servicing as he does it all himself.

The transmission would probably be helped a lot by an oil cooler and a Trans oil cooler if towing a lot.

The 2.5 is an older design but if a head gasket goes then replace it with a good quality multi layer steel gasket and you won't need to do it again. If it's naturally aspirated it'll be an open deck but that won't affect anything.

Ahhh house of something... Dont rely on the tiptronic, ask it to stay in 1at all of a sudden Ur in 3Rd going downhill to fast. Stability control is awesome in the ice, gravel it helps if you screw up.... Took it off on a snowy road and was all over the place.

golden rule of subaru engines. no 91 octane gas !!!!!

Originally Posted by gonetropo

golden rule of subaru engines. no 91 octane gas !!!!!

Ahem and any chance you get to top up with anything extra.. Anyone played with adding octane? Got given some a while back. Sell sitting there

Originally Posted by 223nut

Ahem and any chance you get to top up with anything extra.. Anyone played with adding octane? Got given some a while back. Sell sitting there

it will do bugger all except put rust on your spark plugs and cause misfiring.
i found the best thing on my 3.0 was to change the air intake system away from that silly nostril breathing low flow unit. next job will be to make a couple of pieces of electronics so fool engine management and take 2 catalytics out