Weekend Athlete: 2008 Subaru Outback
Rating: 9.0 out of 10
I tested the 2008 Subaru Outback L.L.Bean edition using my usual Weekend Athlete race and camping gear, and it earned a very high rating of 9. The downsides are the sticker price — it's more than $30,000, which doesn't leave a lot of cash for s'mores or race fees — and it's a bit sluggish on the highway. Of course, you could forgo the L.L.Bean edition and buy a 2.5i, like someone I know, and save roughly $5,000 — but you'll still have to deal with the highway sluggishness. Either way, in the city or on two-lane roads the L.L.Bean edition is fun to drive and offers good visibility. Watch the video above to see how the Outback earned its ranking.
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I've got a 2007 XT Limited, and love it. I test drove all three of the engines, and agree that the normally aspirated 2.5 is a bit too anemic, although many drivers will not mind it.
I actually preferred how the turbo drove to the 6 cylinder, even ignoring the very large price jump to get it.
I do wish they'd continue the 2.5 XT (non-limited) as they did up through 2006, as the leather and sunroof are nice but it ends up being quite a pricy car.
Subaru although greats cars have moved into BMW territory as far as price and it's great that they offer AWD but I found the engines to have no real passing power so I think I will remain a Honda Accord Fan and drive our X3 when the need for AWD comes up.
Some Guy,
I may be wrong but I don't think BMW has a car currently on sale in the U.S. for under $30,000.
Some Guy
I just about threw up a little bit with the "Honda Accord Fan" statement. Really? Sure it's reliable and economic and all that politically correct jazz but Honda makes the most boring cars on the planet. I don't see how anyone that actually enjoys driving can possibly drive a Honda. They are built for old people and people who just want to get from point A to point B and have no enthusiasm for driving.
I agree with Nate, the XT version is awesome...really sad that in 2010 it is gone now...not to mention the 2010 Outback is FUGLY and too much CUV looking....I loved the 05-09 models. I really hate what Subaru did with the 2010 model.