Impreza Outback reviews plz!

[dugrant153]

Hi folks,

been looking at the OBS over the Impreza Brighton cuz it seems you get more stuff.

The main thing of interest to me is the suspension and the handling, though.

I was wondering if anyone could show me or give me brief reviews on how the car handles the twisties, straights, rain and snow, dry roads, whether it suspension is very soft, stiff, etc.

Thanks

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[Cao Cao]

I know a few people who own them and really like them. I think they are really neat little cars, I'd definately get one if I didn't have my Outback H6-3.0. I've driven a few and IMO they handle just as well as a standard TS Wagon, they ride slightly rougher but still comfortably. I would definately get one over the standard Impreza wagon, you get a few extra things and also there aren't many Outback Sports out there so there is somewhat of an exclusitivity factor.

Its not easy finding reviews for the Outback Sport, but I have a few here from Edmunds.com:

Date Posted
07/29/2003 Fun to drive - Subaru by Neill Trimble
Style: Outback Sport AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M) Rating 9.6

Review: Fun to Drive with 5 speed. Brakes very good on 2004 Outback Sport. Needs anothe cup holder for coffee or Bottle Water. Nicely appointed features as Standard Equipment and list of options. Matenience should have available an upgraded to Platium Plugs for longer driving between servicing - Tune ups.
Favorite Features: Fun to Drive. Great Kid car with the all wheel drive & safety. Alotof car for the money.
Suggested Improvements: Up grade Subaru to Platium plugs for longer driving between tune ups. I didn't realize they werent available. My Ford Explorer & MB have them. I like the 100,000 between tune ups!


Date Posted
08/25/2003 Street Shredder by NHdriver
Style: Outback Sport AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A) Rating 9.1

Review: On the whole, this car kicks some serious butt! The only issue I have with it is that there isn't any real room. My 3 year old son takes up a lot of space in the back with his car seat, so the driver really can't be that big of a person. We're moving from a '98 KIA Sportage. That being said, there are several MILLION pluses on the Subaru's side. The only minus I can think of is the roominess. The Sportage had a little more room in the front and in the back and more head room as well. Our Subaru gives you so much confidence while driving. No matter what I've put it through so far, it seems as if it know's what I'm about to do before I do.
Favorite Features: AWD, Fog Lights, Rear Rubber Cargo Mat (standard), the OPTIONAL Arm Rest, GREAT view from the driver's seat and just about everything else!
Suggested Improvements: Give the people in the back a little more room. Maybe throw the arm rest in automatically. You really need to have it, otherwise it feels pretty awkward on long trips.


Date Posted 07/14/2003 Goodbye Passat by Seattle
Outback Sport AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A) Rating 8.6

Review: I traded in my 1999 Passat V6. Was rather tired of the Bosch electrical drama all the time. I am only down 25hp from the 190 V6 in the Passat and it tracks far better (AWD) and handles about the same! Exterior wind noise is minimal and interior sound deadening is wonderful....like the Passat. The safety I feel is there as well. Just to know the engine will submarine under me in an accident and there are imbeded roll bars in the door coupled with good crash test has me hooked. The boxer engine reminds me of my BMW motorbike........smooth and durable ( I hope).
Favorite Features: Handling, Tracking, Raised viewing, driving postion.....without the top heavy, wallowing of a SUV. Suspension technology, engine technology.
Suggested Improvements: Lumbar support. Would like a sunroof which is not common with this model. Also leather would be nice.


Date Posted 06/22/2003 Subaru is the best! by INUYASHA
Style: Outback Sport AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A) Rating 9.8

Review: I love driving my new Subaru!!! I love the fact that I get to see the whole road while driving. I was going to get a Honda CRV, but it costs way too much more than what I am getting from Subaru. Besides, Subaru has a Excellent ratings on Crash Tests than most of the SUVS or cars around. I wouldn't want to trade it in for anything else!!! I will always going to buy Subaru!
Favorite Features: I love Subaru because it has everything is standard, including: AWD, CD player, ABS, and Air Conditioning, alloy wheels, etc....

[FaastLegacy]

I just got a 2000 OBS a couple weeks ago and I like it a lot. Handles great, much better than my old Legacy. You can throw it into the turns with no worries at all, I haven't even made the tires howl yet.

Does pretty damn well in the snow too although the RE92's leave something to be desired, nothing a set of Blizzaks won't fix. The interior is pretty nice too, for mine, it's pretty much the same one in the RS only with different apholstery. The drives pretty solid, very responsive even mine w/a 2.2. It'll be better in the snow than a 2.5TS too.

-faast

[skiertrav]

I've got one. It's fun to drive, not a ton of room but enough for me to get all my crap in it to move to college. Super fun in the snow. It seems a bit more squirrelly than a legacy outback in the snow, but that could just be my tires. I'd defenitely recommend it over the brighton...anyday

[dave_t]

i've seen one at the while working at the dealership in the summer.. if only it could have the turbo engine and the raised suspension it would deffinatly be a kick ass little wagon

[bheinz57]

I have an '02 and I love it. I've done some mods to it so it ain't no dog either. I recommend it highly. Brian.

[dugrant153]

I'm hearing cases of head gasket problems, crankcase problems, oil leakage and that sort of thing in these cars.

Does anyone know if these are isolated cases or whether they are widespread in the OBS?

[Rally Medic]

anything subaru = awesome