Subaru Outback?

[kstruckcountry]

My mom needs a new car, so I'm trying to help her pick the right one. Her current one, 2005 Buick LeSabre, isn't working out as well for her as when she got it. Since it's about 5 miles from our house to the blacktop, the car takes way more abuse than it was designed for in the way of rocks, mud, whoops, washboards, etc. It only has 127k miles now, but I think a couple ball joints are bad, tranny doesn't shift like I think it should, and the engine is getting vocal in the wrong ways. Considering the circumstances, I suggested a 1-2 year old Subaru Outback. Lots of clearance, AWD, better mileage, nicer interior, better handling. The Boxer 4 looks like a good engine to me, and I think overall the car would hold up better to my mother's Ken Block style driving.

Does anyone have experience with these cars? Feedback on ease of maintenance, repairs, etc is appreciated.

[Shaners]

I guy at work has a Subaru Baja that just turned 300K miles. He has put 2 timing belts on it, a head gasket, and wheel bearings...

 

I believe he put a new auto tranny in at about 250K...

[Portdriver]

My wife had a 2003 Forester. Never had any issues with it. Boxer motor has a good rep. The cars are built safe and solid. She had a high speed roll over on Interstate 79, barrel rolled it 5 times over. She was sore has hell but walked away from it!

[MikeNH]

Subaru makes a great car. We had a 2008 Outback as a company vehicle that was good but honestly the 2010 and newer are better- slightly larger in all dimensions, looks nicer, more fuel efficient and so on. Everything is very very easy to do maintenance-wise. I know a guy who is a Subie tech than can bust out a timing belt in under 30 minutes on those motors. One catch might be the 2010 and later use a CVT for the automatic trans and not everyone likes those. A 6-speed manual is available too.

[kstruckcountry]

Glad to get some feedback. They were what came to my mind first cause of their rally background, because that's the conditions this car will see.

 

They sound like a vehicle I won't mind borrowing for a joyride

 

I heard parts were pricey, but what isn't anymore...

[RyanbabZ71]

I will be at the Subaru plant later this week want me to grab one for you

[becker87]

Mom has a 2006 Forester, great little car, to small for me, but it has great ground clearence, handles rough roads and snow very well. The boxer engine is plenty peppy and gets decent mileage. The one thing i dislike about it is that it only has about an 11 gallon gas tank.

[kstruckcountry]

I will be at the Subaru plant later this week want me to grab one for you

 

 

Sounds like a plan, do you deliver?

 

By decent do you mean 25+? The Buick has been getting 23... pretty bad