2008 Subaru Outback: Long-Term Update 2
Since Cars.com doesn’t have an official long-term test fleet, right now my own personal car will have to do. A few of you may remember the purchasing process of my wife and I getting our 2008 Subaru Outback, and how we decided to get it. I also had one previous update.
Now it’s eight months later, and we’ve definitely lived in the Outback for better or for worse. However, there hasn’t been too much worse. I’ve only had one question about reliability, and that was the rubber stripping around the rear door window coming loose. Turns out you stick it back in and that was it; it hasn’t popped back out since, and the car hasn’t needed anything other than routine maintenance (two $30 services).
While we have put under 7,000 miles on it, they are mostly hard-driven city miles of my wife commuting to work. Lots of bumps, lots of snow, lots of bad drivers. Because of that, our average mileage is pretty low, around 20 mpg.
After 16 months, I’ve discovered two truths about the Outback that I think sum up our experience so far:
1. I still love driving it. Even with the smaller 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and 170 hp, the Outback is fun to drive, with excellent steering, decent pickup and a very comfortable ride. As a jaded auto journalist who tests a new car every week, I still can’t think of another car we would’ve been happier with.
2. We need a bigger car. With a 9-month-old and a dog, the Outback fills up quickly on weekend trips to the ‘burbs to visit the in-laws/grandparents. Now, if we didn’t have the dog or the child, the Outback would be plenty big enough. But thinking that baby No. 2 won’t be too far down the road we either need to get a minivan, a larger crossover or a roof-mounted cargo carrier. I’m leaning toward the cargo carrier and its much smaller price tag.
Check out the photo above. That’s our 33.5 cubic feet of cargo area filled with suitcases, Black Friday shopping and an umbrella stroller. And this is about our average return fill-up from the ‘burbs after a Baby’s R Us stop — (we don’t have any in the city, so we stock up on supplies) — minus the shopping.
What does the dog do when her normal space is so occupied? She had to ride shotgun, and she doesn’t like that.
Feel free to pepper me with any specific questions on the car and/or offer suggestions on a roof rack that can hold suitcases and strollers.
Previous
Subscribe to our feed
Email us your tips!
If it's an automatic you'd better service the transmission every 15k. They go by "Severe Driving" recommendations unless EVERY mile is highway-driven.
Uh oh Dave, get ready to be bombarded by all those commenters out there who berate anyone who even mentions the notion of getting something larger than a midsize car! Looks like you made the right choice as you have no regrets.
It IS a midsize car isn't it? I would certainly not place the Legacy in a size class larger than say the Malibu or Accord.
Besides, no matter your view, I think it's a better choice than a brick on wheels like an Edge or another blocky, not particularly space efficient crossover.
it's definitely midsize. I think he was talking compact, which in a previous post people mentioned that I could have gone with a civic or some such small car.
I will agree with others that the Outback does have a cramped back seat but the cargo area is pretty big.
With two boys and gear in a 2004 Forester (which replaced a 1997 Legacy wagon), the cargo capacity shortage can be solved with a quality rooftop cargo box from Thule or Yakima. The cheap ones aren't aerodynamic (they rattle) and can't be locked or loaded on either side of the vehicle. You'll instantly more than double your cargo capacity, with only a small, and temporary, loss of fuel efficiency.
With two boys and gear in a 2004 Forester (which replaced a 1997 Legacy wagon), the cargo capacity shortage can be solved with a quality rooftop cargo box from Thule or Yakima. The cheap ones aren't aerodynamic (they rattle) and can't be locked or loaded on either side of the vehicle. You'll instantly more than double your cargo capacity, with only a small, and temporary, loss of fuel efficiency.
When you say it's fun to drive, is it an automatic or a manual?
I'm considering the Outback for my next car. I drive 70 + miles each work day so "fun to drive" and decent pickup is important.
David,
My sister and brother in law have a Thule I believe. Seemed like a good array of choices from them.
Irene, it an Auto. check out the first pic
Irene, it an Auto. check out the first pic
We can relate...our Subaru is a 2007 Outback and we have a 16 month old and 2 dogs. We drove cross country last year with the help of a Thule Atlantis 1600 box on our roof rack. A stroller, a few dufflebags and Pack and Play (portable crib) went in the box. The 1600 is great since there is not much wind noise and doesn't bump the tailgate when the back is open. It is super easy to throw on the roof and remove too. Oh, we love our Outback too!
Irene,
It has enough pickup for my wife and even me with my right foot when I'm driving it. to me the fun part is more in its steering and handling.
Oh its an auto but has a manual shift feature.
Instead of a roof rack you may want to consider a trailer hitch and a cargo box that slides into the receiver. It's easier to access and you'll have a hitch for bikes, trailers, etc.
Irene, my wife and I have owned a 2005 Outback Sport (Impreza based, 160HP auto), 2005 Legacy GT (250HP, manual), and a 2008 Impreza (170HP, manual). Of the three I'd say the Impreza is the most fun to drive.
The Legacy is a LOT faster. A LOT. Its suspension feels a little more composed than the others, too... more damped than springy, so it leans into corners and takes a set nicely. It balances on the edge of oversteer very nicely, and there's just enough power to the rear to keep the throttle from being an "understeer button". I autocrossed this car for a few years, and the only drivers I feared were the fastest Evo and STi drivers. It's a very fast car with excellent handling.
But the new Impreza is more than the sum of its parts. It feels stiffer than the last generation car, like it's a solid hunk of metal. The car is eager to turn in, and if you coax it even slightly the tail will pop out slightly. It's easy to control like this, and if you leave the stability control on your antics will be very short-lived. Anyway, it feels like a hot hatch, minus the depressing power understeer. The two improvements I would make to the car are to add heated seats/windows/mirrors, and a bit of horsepower... an extra 20 or 30 would go a LONG way with this car. But not with a turbo. I can eek out 30MPG mixed with this car. I could only muster 24MPG mixed with my Legacy.
The Outback Sport is a bit more wobbly in the chassis and has a lot more suspension lean than the Impreza. I still enjoy driving it, but its steering response is a little less precise and quick than the newer model Impreza. It also has a lot more power understeer than the other two... you won't be doing donuts in the snow with this car.
If you want a fun to drive, livable car, any of these three (Impreza Outback, Legacy (including Legacy Outback), or Impreza) are a great choice. They're all snappy, but the turbo models are extremely quick.
Hey look its an Outback... (Yawn).... zzzz
Dave,
You can let the dog drive, then it won't be riding shotgun. (Just kidding)
Is there a reason for the dog not riding in the backseat with the baby? Or can't some of the cargo ride in the backseat?
Or, you just simply have too much supply in the car?
Dave,
I hear you on the storage. I have two sons 2 and 4 and had a dog (she passed) and the storage was tight. We used a cheaper Coleman roof box to give us the relief. We have an 03 Outback.
That said, we still have it, but I use it as my commuter and we got my wife the Tribeca. We are a Subaru family and the Tribeca really solves the space problem. Check it out.
Maybe try an '09 Forester, it might just fit the ticket for a little larger vehicle... otherwise I believe Subaru is redesigning the Outback for the '10 model, I'm surprised they haven't had a formal announcement but from internet forum rumors the size of the car hasn't changed too much. Glad you like the Subaru, my family does too, we have 4.
Consider a (trailer) hitch mounted rack. No fuel economy drag, easier to mount/dismount and access.
I, too, love my Outback - mine is a 2005 XT Ltd - the ultimate stealth vehicle (250 HP turbo hiding under a no-drama exterior) - step on the gas and it zooms. So far, I've driven 40K miles (mostly city), and I've never had a moment's trouble. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat, but I suspect I'll be keeping this one for at least another 5 years.
I'm single and get a lot of abuse from friends about driving a wagon, but it sure is comfortable, great to drive, and handy when it comes to hauling things around (& then my friends are happy they know someone with a wagon).