2001 Subaru Outback Base 2.5L boxer 4 from North America
Summary:
Decent hauler that gives bang for your $
Faults:
Rear struts needed replacement.
Rear differential has a pinion seal leak.
Heat shields rattle.
Exhaust needs a new catalytic converter.
Driver's seat might need new cushions.
Strange tailgate water leak.
General Comments:
It's not the most comfortable car, but it will hold an amazing amount of stuff. Accessories have held up surprisingly well, as the A/C still works, albeit weakly, and the seat/mirror/windshield heaters all warm up nicely. Even the cassette deck still plays.
Better plan a few rest stops if your trip is longer than 3 hours, because the driver's seat will pain your rear. The car shouldn't hurt you too much for gas, though. I've gone 600-740 km on the 60 litre tank. Using the A/C tends to put it towards the lower end of the spectrum.
Oh yeah, one more thing: it's not fast.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 10th July, 2018
16th May 2019, 20:38
335000km update: just poured a ton of parts into it. It now has a new cat, coil, O2 sensors and valve cover gaskets. The car's picked up a new rumble from something transmission related. I still trust this car, but service can be a bit tougher than in a normal 4-cylinder due to the amount of space the engine takes up. Oil changes, however, couldn't be easier.
5th May 2020, 16:47
355000 km update: wheel bearing noise and driveshaft replacement recently. The rust is catching up on the rear wheel wells and into the rear door sills. The fuel economy is down a bit, to 500-600 km/ tank, but I think I'll blame that on the wheel bearing for now. The driveshaft on these is expensive due to having staked yokes.
18th Nov 2018, 05:20
Quick update, now at 325,000km. The car gets decent economy, but in these winter months it drops noticeably to 550-650km a tank. The design of the doors is particularly prone to freezing shut with ice rain, so hopefully you have a garage to park these cars in. The utility of this vehicle can't be denied, however. I've had 4 people and all of their musical equipment in the car, I've transported an entire kitchen-full of dishes rented for a wedding, I've had 2 tubas in the car at one time, and everything I've needed it for it has fit. These Subarus are great in the winter. Also, the car has been steadfastly reliable, with regular oil changes the only maintenance since the last comment.