Subaru Outbacks

[jackjoh]

It first appeared on a select model Outback (read: top of the line) way back in 2002 or so, though it didn't expand to the full lineup until six or seven years later. I know it became standard across the entire brand for 2009, but I think it wasn't standard on every model of Outback before then.



Even just the front-to-rear AWD power delivery of the Subaru outclasses just about all their competitors. Most other brands utilize setups which cannot send torque to the rear once significant resistance is encountered, such as weight transfer when climbing a hill:

(This is an excerpt from a training video)
[video=youtube;0_MXK2nzt2Y]

Now mix in the added capability of ESC, and most people are astonished at what a Subaru can do in challenging conditions.

(Sorry for the dopey music--I didn't make this video)
[video=youtube;8CEVet095GI]

I bought a New 2017 Outback from Rot Box and have had zero problems except for learning all the electronic gadgets we got on it. Have only been on dirt roads and a couple of trips to St George in 17,000 miles average of 25.1 mpg, oil changes, and tire rotations. Probably the best car I have ever owned especially with all the safety stuff and touch screen. I used to race sports cars and off-road and the handling is very predictable and love the breaks in a hard corner. Almost forgot, I wonder why they use the Turbo 4 in the Ascent instead of the 6?

 

[Rot Box]

I bought a New 2017 Outback from Rot Box

I don’t think it was me 🤔. Glad you like the car though!

 

[Rot Box]

I’m looking at a lift kit seems I have a few options. Outback or Baja struts will give me around 2” or I could go with spacers for 2”.

Spacers will be the easiest and cheapest option (less than $300) for sure I’ll probably go that route unless you guys can think of a reason not to..

This might turn into a ‘what’s the biggest tire I can run thread’ 😂

 

[Rot Box]

[SR] Billet 2" Lift Kit Spacers for 00-04 Subaru Legacy / Outback & 03-06 Baja

Check out the deal on [SR] Billet 2" Lift Kit Spacers for 00-04 Subaru Legacy / Outback & 03-06 Baja at StreetRays.com

www.streetrays.com

🤔

 

[TurboMinivan]

I don’t think it was me 🤔.

No, that was me, actually.

This might turn into a ‘what’s the biggest tire I can run thread’ 😂

LOL

I wonder why they use the Turbo 4 in the Ascent instead of the 6?

The H6 engine was put out of production and replaced by the 2.4L turbo 4 purely for CAFE reasons. The 2.4T makes the same peak horsepower as the H6 did, but it makes more torque and does it at lower rpm than the old 6. This results in better acceleration and better fuel economy than the H6 could muster.

 

[glockman]

So I'm in the market and looking at Subaru's but not the Outback, specifically the Cross Trek and the Forester. Sounds like they both come with the 2.5 non T engine. Anything you Subaru gurus can teach me about those two models or engines?

 

[TRD270]

So I'm in the market and looking at Subaru's but not the Outback, specifically the Cross Trek and the Forester. Sounds like they both come with the 2.5 non T engine. Anything you Subaru gurus can teach me about those two models or engines?

Crosstrek comes with the 2.0 unless you get a 2021+ in the sport trim. Can’t say much about a forester. I really liked my crosstrek, the 2.0 let’s say is adequate. Plenty of power around town, does lack umph at highway speed for passing and such. I did average low 30’s in mine. One thing I despised was the eye sight system. The dynamic cruise is nice but the lane assist is annoying and anti collision system I’ll say isn’t perfect on its situational awareness.

 

[Thursty]

/\ /\
Agree with all the above for my wife’s 2017 Outback. I really like the car because it really fits what we use it for. It’s great for dirt road bombing and driving over Soldier Summit frequently in the winter. It gets great mileage, I think, for an AWD car. The cons are also true. It’s gutless and the Eye-Sight just makes you shake your head.

 

[glockman]

Thanks for the feedback. ABS is a pretty revolutionary technology on my current cars so all the nanny stuff will be an adjustment. We started looking at used Cross Treks and happened to drive a Forester which is so much quieter/roomier and is rated at 1 mpg difference. Not sure how that works in real world numbers but my most fuel efficient vehicle currently gets 15mpg so 25 would be a huge improvement.

 

[Gravy]

No, that was me, actually.



LOL



The H6 engine was put out of production and replaced by the 2.4L turbo 4 purely for CAFE reasons. The 2.4T makes the same peak horsepower as the H6 did, but it makes more torque and does it at lower rpm than the old 6. This results in better acceleration and better fuel economy than the H6 could muster.

Real talk: the 2.4 in the bigger cars and SUVs is often saddled with a lazy sluggish miserable wrench of a cvt which won't let you make boost unless you absolutely hammer it and as a result feels like a na 2.4 most of the time.
It may "make more power" but dynos show full throttle power not part throttle driving.
I test drove an Ascent for 24 hrs: I wanted to want it. Then I drove it to Park City and up Parley's it made me weep. Also the eyesight thing made a "bong" chime every single time it thought you weren't looking at the road, or got too close to someone, or changed lanes if someone was "too close" I LOATHED it. I always turned it off, but everytime I turned it off and on again it reinabled the system. And it was buried in menus to disable it.

The 2.4T in the wrx is a whole different animal and it replaces the EJ. It's amazing.

The EJ motor and it's varients are what Subaru ran forever. The 2.0 and 2.5 share the same architecture. The performance models got the 2.0 turbo and the others got an na 2.5. "Touring" sometimes got a lower boost 2.5.

Think of the 2.0 and 2.5 as a KTM 250 and 300. The 2.0 is revier because the bore is smaller the 2.5 makes a little more bottom.

Real world feedback. I had a 2.5 Impreza for 80k miles. Lowest weight vehicle with that particular motor. It had the older 4 speed auto and averaged 32mpg over the life of ownership (my wife mostly drove it.)

 

[TRD270]

Thanks for the feedback. ABS is a pretty revolutionary technology on my current cars so all the nanny stuff will be an adjustment. We started looking at used Cross Treks and happened to drive a Forester which is so much quieter/roomier and is rated at 1 mpg difference. Not sure how that works in real world numbers but my most fuel efficient vehicle currently gets 15mpg so 25 would be a huge improvement.

Pre 2020 sub limited trims can be found without the nanny stuff. I was actually looking to pick one up again since I can buy a brand new one cheaper than what I sold my 2020 for. It appears the 2021+ models it’s an option again. 2020 it was standard

 

[TurboMinivan]

So I'm in the market and looking at Subaru's but not the Outback, specifically the Cross Trek and the Forester. Sounds like they both come with the 2.5 non T engine. Anything you Subaru gurus can teach me about those two models or engines?

All 2020 and older Crosstreks used a 2.0L engine. For 2021, the base and Premium trim levels continue to use the 2.0L engine, but the Sport (which is a new trim level for '21) and the Limited now come standard with the same 2.5L engine used in all Forester models. These two engines are variants of the same new FB generation of engines, and share much of their architecture and basic hardware.

 

[TurboMinivan]

Pre 2020 sub limited trims can be found without the nanny stuff.
It appears the 2021+ models it’s an option again. 2020 it was standard

The EyeSight Driver Assist System is standard on every 2021+ Subaru with an automatic transmission.

 

[TRD270]

The EyeSight Driver Assist System is standard on every 2021+ Subaru with an automatic transmission.

Lame 2019- for me then 😂

 

[Rot Box]

My parents have a 16ish Crosstrek STI. I thought being the STI it would be turbo’ed and have all the go fast goodies but it doesn’t. interior is definitely sporty and it has all the body work associated with that trim package which looks good IMO but the engine is just the plain old naturally aspirated four cylinder.. boo.

Nice car they like it but my mom likes our 16 Legacy sedan a lot more because it’s like a grandma car in comparison. Legacy rides smoother and is quieter.

That’s all I’ve got in regards to the Crosstrek. I wish we had the Outback because I’m not a fan of sedans. Our Legacy has been rock solid though. CVT is a little interesting.. it has shift points even though it doesn’t shift which I think is kinda odd.

 

[glockman]

Well, we ordered our 2022 Forester Sport from Dempsey last night. This is the first new car I've ever bought but the used prices are so silly it was actually cheaper. My wife just has to stop shaving her legs and arm pits now

 

[Gravy]

My neighbor calls his The Lesbaroo

 

[Thursty]

The salesman we bought ours through said all the lesbians buy the Forester and that we would be safe with our Outback.

 

[Rot Box]

I think I have an extra coexist bumper sticker somewhere. I’ll look for it.

That said both of mine came stock with one so you might already have it 😂

 

[Thursty]

When we bought our first Outback, while living in Moab, my wife and I put a SUWA Sucks sticker on the back window. I made sure to tape it to the inside so it couldn’t be scrapped off. Wish I had more of those stickers. 😁