Subaru Outback or Forester operators

Anyone out there with a Subaru Outback or Forester?

I’m contemplating one to replace my current diesel Kuga AWD.

I need more cargo volume than the Kuga has, as there’s a large dog taking up all the boot space (maybe 2 of them in the future… that’s for another thread) and do a fair bit of camping, + obvs bike trips etc.  And a fair amount of stuff on the roof too like kayaks.

The Kuga is OK, but lacking in space and 2nd row leg room (my daughter’s knees are up against the front seat, and she’s not overly tall. No fun fpr her on a journey to Cornwall or the Highlands.

Mild AWD preferred for all the shiiity lanes and muddy fields I end up in on a regular basis (and the increased road clearance given the fecked state of Derbyshire roads).

Don’t want a VW Transporter or similar- they drive and ride like an uncomfortable empty transit van from experience.

Most cars seem to have an excessively raked boot these days = style over practicality (current RAV4 the worst – I couldn’t get anything more than an chihuahua in there !)

Pity that Volvo XC70s not brought into the UK any more as that was idea.

Main downsides I see seem to be a thirsty Boxer engine, no hybrid option on the Outback (and only a token hybrid on the Forester).

Any users with experience?

Can’t help with those models, but the Subaru AWD system and boxer motor are one of the most impressive performers in snow or wet grass you will find (so long as it isn’t more than about 8″ deep). I drove an old Impreza estate (non-turbo) for about 11 years. Best car I owned (and I have had a few). Shame they no longer equip their AWD models with a low range box like they used to do. That car would crawl anywhere.

Forgot to add. Lots of horror stories with the Diesel Boxer. Probably best avoided unless there has been some improvement.

Pity that Volvo XC70s not brought into the UK any more

You can still get V60 & V90 Cross Country, they aren’t as tufty tufty as the original Xc70 but are still Haldex AWD.

Sorry can’t comment on Subaru as I’ve never owned one.

It’s a shame the only robust engine/gearbox combo they have made is the 1.6

Coupled with their love to rust inner arches sills outer sills and subframes

I’m out Octavia scout for me unless towing heavy trailers out of the muddy fields and wanted a hi/lo  and if that was regular I’d buy something heavier and longer

.

Forgot to add. Lots of horror stories with the Diesel Boxer. Probably best avoided unless there has been some improvement.

I almost bought a second hand Diesel Forester from a dealer. Deposit paid and the deal was contingent on a compression test. I got the deposit back.

I had a Mk1 Forrester Turbo. Great on offroad tracks for pissing about, not sure about proper offroading. Hilarious acceleration from such a square box bus but couldn’t corner for shit.

We’ve had 2 outbacks, a legacy, 3 imprezas, a forester, a BRZ & now an XV, so I guess we are Subaru fans ?

Early diesels were crap & had a habit of spinning the main bearings, it’s unlikely there are problem ones still around.

I did about 160k in my last (63 plate) diesel outback, it had many tyres, a few sets of brakes & 2 rear wheel bearings. Unfortunately we got a bigger caravan & so needed a bigger tow car, or I’d have another one.

Standard petrol engine has a reputation for being bomb proof, is about 150bhp but isn’t terribly quick of the mark. I loved the CVT automatic gearbox in the outback, I’ve heard stories they are less reliable than the manual though.

Import car parts are way cheaper for OE parts than main dealers.

180k on my 2010 diesel Outback. Getting a bit tired now but just went through  mOT with a couple of advisories. Rattles a bit but most Subarus do from what I can tell.

As stated diesels were problematic and not that efficient. Mine had a new short block at 120k (thanks Subaru UK) but all the problematic ones should probably be dead by now. I think they have since dropped it if you are looking newish.

What year you looking at? I’ve a 69 plate Forester with 90k miles, came with a five year warranty, but they’ve stopped that now- had two issues- had to replace the aircon condenser, and the drivers seat ‘leather’ is cracked/peeling by the bolster. Fuel economy is lousy- struggle to get the onboard computer to register into the 30’s unless I reset it and take a motorway drive.  CVT takes a fair bit of getting used to, but there’s flappy paddles on the steering wheel if you want to pretend that you’re in command of the gearbox. Boot is actually quite a bit larger than I’d thought at first- I’ve managed to fit the proverbial wardrobe inside.

Previous car was a 2011 forester diesel.
Owned for 5 years, the only actual fault in that time was an external temp guage that occasionally told lies.
My car was on 140k miles when I sold it to a cousin.
He’s still using it.
It went through every mot with minimal work/cost.
Averaged 43mpg the whole time i had it.
Went through a couple of wheel bearings at around 120k.
Tyres lasted close to 50k miles, the 50/50 split awd is kind to them.
Great cars to drive.
Forester probably slightly easier to live with than outback.
It’s rust that kills them, rear wheel arches and surrounding.
Although it doesn’t seem to affect scoobs in Canada, we spent a day in montreal in February, 1 in 5 cars was a subaru, the climate there is a lot harsher than ours in uk.

Don’t they use grit on the roads, not salt?

mine says it does 43mpg on the dash. It lies.

id like to replace it but it owes me nothing so I’ll keep driving it until something catastrophic goes wrong.

brother had a full fat forester, the massive bonnet scoop one. Amazing vehicle. I had a chance at an auto version of the same  but balked at the consumption figures!