I loved my 9th gen Accords but my kids are set on wrecking them. I miss not having a vehicle that can tow a trailer and I miss AWD. Illinois winters are much more pleasurable with AWD, so I might try an Outback.

I know certain years had oil consumption issues and CVT transmission issues.

What do I want to look for and what do I need to stay away from?

I just bought a 2018 Legacy Limited in February. Looked for an OB, but they were either super base models, really high miles, or worn out, for what I wanted to spend.
It's no sports car, but it drives really well. Great for a commuter, torquey enough for normal driving, and I'm getting 27-30mpg.

My sister has a 2018 OB Limited, and my parents have a 2020 OB Onyx XT.

Eyesight is probably the best ADAS I've used. It doesn't overreact & doesn't seem to really fight if you do something it doesn't like.
Tends to coast while it decides if it needs to brake, rather than stomping on the brakes every time you get close. The Elantra I had as a rental drove well, but the ACC was way too reactive and would brake hard and late by comparison.
The reverse sensors are not too fond of hitching a trailer. Reverse Automatic Braking [RAB] detects it as an obstacle & hits the brakes. My dad just wanted to move his trailer & took a minute to find the RAB disable so he could get close enough to hitch up to it.
2020 the engine added direct injection, and got a small power bump. Also the center stack on the higher models went to a giant vertical touchscreen. Mine has the touchscreen radio with physical buttons/knobs for the HVAC.

Seems as long as the diffs & CVT have been serviced on time & properly, they're pretty solid from what I've seen/read.
Spark plugs can be a pain if you're a DIY person. Very little room on the driver's side head.
Seat bolsters on the outside on the bottom of the front seats seems to be a when, not if, situation. Saw a few when I was looking with peeled leather, just on the bolster.
Wheel bearings, too. I know mine has had 2 replaced, think 1 might be getting noisy. My dad did 1 on his Onyx & 1 on my sister's OB as well.

Got lucky that mine was the prior owner's 8th Subaru & got almost all the service done at the dealer where I bought it.

Also they're supposedly intolerant of varied tread depths, so if you get an irreparable puncture, you may be buying 4 tires. Happened to my dad a few months ago.

Here's my threads [short] on the 2 Legacy sedans I was looking at:
https://www.legacygt.com/topic...ng-2020-legacy-sport

https://www.legacygt.com/topic...ervice-diy-or-dealer

Another source that's more active & OB focused
https://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/

Not sure how much you want to tow with a Subaru, 2k pounds maybe?.

Older models around 2006 were good. Anything with a detailed service history.
Yup, they had head gasket problems solved with three layer gaskets.
Yup, they had wheel hub bearing issues.
The thing is though they are easy to work on, especially if you do your own wrenching.
Not gonna matter much anyway if you let your kids wreck stuff, have them buy their own ride.

I have a friend lookign to sell a 24 outback, he bought it for his son and his son cant have it at college.
its a outdoor/sportsman type model, blue with black stripes and black wheels

This latest generation of Outbacks is arguably their best. The styling went south, but they do pretty much what you want them to do.

They have a turbo and a non-turbo engine, and both are considered some of the best of the modern engines. The problems of their prior model engines are no longer, but that history, still lingers in the minds of many.

As you may know, the Wilderness model is the Outback of the Outback. It is more off-road capable. Its ride off-road is greatly improved if you use an X-Mode setting, which activates the ride system. Sad that that ride system can't be used for regular driving at speed.

They listened to the masses, going back to more tangible buttons with this new gen. The dummies put that control-all-screen from the last gen Outback in the latest Forester, but everyone is hoping they follow the Outback with the way new and improved infotainment and buttons in a refresh.

Personally, I have a '24 Forester Wilderness, which has taken me on some cool adventures up in Colorado. Any Subaru model I get, with have that more off-road capability the trim brings.

With its more off-road capabilities of a steeper gear, off-road suspension, a hair more lift, a/t tires, and dual X-Mode, etc, I can't think of another vehicle I would want...unless I need more room. That's where the Outback comes in.

My mother-in-law will be moving in with us, and when she does, she will stop driving. It is possible that we may want the Outback in case she needs to use her walker more and later, a wheel chair. They already fit in a Forester, but the extra space of the Outback, is welcomed.

Like those with thoughts of the older Subarus having leaky gaskets and drinking oil still in many minds, so are the brand being associated with the rainbow + crowd. They actively advertised that years ago, and now it is about being eco and dog friendly. If you don't care what people think...

Also, Subarus are nanny cars, with many safety features. There is a camera in the dash which watches you eyes, and it will give you warnings when it gets mad at you. That and other warnings, like lane departure, can be easily deactivated.

I've watched MANY videos relating to Subaru models and maintenance, and I'm on 3 Subaru forums. Like any make, they will have their problems, but overall, they are liked and loved by their owners.

Consumer Reports has them at the top right now, and I think the Crosstrek is at the pinnacle. It is on the same platform as the Impreza and the Forester, so they are up there, too.

For snow, they proudly ask, "What snow?!" Their symmetrical AWD system in top notch, but...you have to be very mindful of your tire pressure. I always have my real time tire pressure displayed. If too many miles on the tires and one has to be replaced, you may have to change all 4. Some tire locations will shave a new tire to match the other 3.

Back to the Outback, the first model was the wagon version of the Legacy sedan, which they shared the platform. Now, the Legacy being discontinued, the Outback is its own. Also, it looks somewhat larger than last gens, but if you put them side by side, you will see they are still very similar in size.

I've forgotten how much the new Outback k can tow, but I'm pretty sure it is more than the Forester Wilderness, which is rated up to 3,500#.

Lastly, I just watched a video about sales of the new Outback being very low. It could be it is a first year model, keeping buyers away, the hope-it-grows-on-you styling, etc, but again, it is a really good general purpose vehicle, and it is invaluable for those who need its AW capabilities.

EDIT
About the CVT, it is one of the best out there right now.

quote:

Originally posted by ftttu:
EDIT
About the CVT, it is one of the best out there right now.

I'm pretty strongly anti-CVT but I'll agree Subaru does it well, Honda too.
After some seat time in a couple Imprezas and Crosstreks, and my parent's OB Onyx, I wasn't as opposed

My lifelong car lot buddy specializes in used Subarus on his lot in S Indiana near Louisville. Most are over 100k miles and he's a fast nickel kind of guy, I've bought a lot of cars from him over the last 40 years. Here's a link to a 2020 Onyx Edition and there are a few more models on his site.

https://www.isaacspreownedauto...fersonville-IN-47130

quote:

Originally posted by ftttu:
They have a turbo and a non-turbo engine

I spent about 15 months in rental Outbacks a few years ago (long story). The first two were normally-aspirated, the third was the turbo (XT) version. I didn’t realize it was a turbo until I got on the Interstate after picking it up. The turbo made a difference, for sure!

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:

quote:

Originally posted by ftttu:
They have a turbo and a non-turbo engine

I spent about 15 months in rental Outbacks a few years ago (long story). The first two were normally-aspirated, the third was the turbo (XT) version. I didn’t realize it was a turbo until I got on the Interstate after picking it up. The turbo made a difference, for sure!

Reflects on the wallet too, if you're on the boost too much

I really should have given a bit more information. I’m not looking for a new or even close to new model. Most likely I’ll be shopping for a 2019-2021 depending.

Is the 3.6R still the motor to get? I have never been a fan of 4 cylinder engines.

The 2.5 H4 isn't bad as long as you aren't expecting sporty performance.
For a daily driver & commuter, I have no complaints.

I haven't driven the 3.6, but it's unavailable on the 2020+
If you want CarPlay & AndroidAuto, you'll want 2018 & up.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Reflects on the wallet too, if you're on the boost too much

It’s true. I got about 28 mpg with the NA wagons, and dropped to 23-24 with the XT.

quote:

Originally posted by 400m:
Is the 3.6R still the motor to get? I have never been a fan of 4 cylinder engines.

I know a fella with a 3.6R. He’s got about 125k on it, and absolutely loves it.

quote:

Originally posted by ftttu:

Also, Subarus are nanny cars, with many safety features. There is a camera in the dash which watches you eyes, and it will give you warnings when it gets mad at you. That and other warnings, like lane departure, can be easily deactivated.

The "feature" that watches your eyes can't be disabled - at least not on our 2025 Outback. I've taken it to the dealer and they confirmed it can't. I guess it would be great if you are prone to falling asleep. But it can get mildly annoying. And it was a $2000+ option, but thats the way the dealer ordered all of them

quote:

Originally posted by ranger312:

quote:

Originally posted by ftttu:

Also, Subarus are nanny cars, with many safety features. There is a camera in the dash which watches you eyes, and it will give you warnings when it gets mad at you. That and other warnings, like lane departure, can be easily deactivated.

The "feature" that watches your eyes can't be disabled - at least not on our 2025 Outback. I've taken it to the dealer and they confirmed it can't. I guess it would be great if you are prone to falling asleep. But it can get mildly annoying. And it was a $2000+ option, but thats the way the dealer ordered all of them

Yep, only this last gen. I just watched the video on it a couple of days ago. If it couldn’t, it would be a hard pass. The next car on my list would be a new Honda Passport TrailSport. Worse fuel mileage, but that V6 and real transmission should go the distance.

One more thing, my dad had a ‘99 Outback, and he noticed a small oil leak. When he got it repaired, he got them to put on a new timing belt. He drove it with no further problems until trading it in for a ‘17 Outback. So far, no problems with it after getting it September ‘16. He lives in Woodland Park, CO, and it is very much in its realm there at over 8,000.’

He told me, today, he zipped on over to Cripple Creek to pay his taxes. He’s 93, and he has no problems navigating it in the high mountainous terrain in all but the worst weather.

Subie family since 2000:
2000 OB wagon - my DD - donated at 365,000mi
2005 Impreza - #1/#3 son - bought used - tranny died at 235,000mi
2009 Forester - my DD then #2 son took to college-got rid of at 285,000mi
2012 OB - wife's drive - now at 160,000mi
2017 Forester - found a 30K unicorn-----#2 son has it
2018 Forester- my DD now at 165,000mi
2025 Crosstrek - #3 son's DD out Washington state.

"They need maintenance" - well no kidding these are mechanical devices with 1000's of moving parts. Relative to all other autos the maint is normal----and look at the mileage ^^^^^^^^^.

When time comes for a new car, it WILL be another Subie. I do not care for the new OB styling - we'll see which one when we get to that point.

NOTES:
_ follow the maint schedule
- my OBs do not like directional tread tires. Same side rotation they wore odd after a few cycles - cannot criss-cross unless you remount them so i stay with traditional tread. My 2018 is up for new wheels - will be gettting Falken Wildpeaks soon.

Our Subys play the role of family mule. Grocery getter, dog hauler, crappy weather sled, etc. Started with a 2013 4cyl OB Ltd, 90k miles of flawless performance, sold it to pick up the last year of the 6cyl 3.6 OB Ltd. Big diff in grunt, lower gas mpg, but remains flawless too. The OB's are an incredible value, and take a ton of abuse. Treat them right, keep up maintenance and they'll tend to last forever.

quote:

Originally posted by 400m:
I really should have given a bit more information. I’m not looking for a new or even close to new model. Most likely I’ll be shopping for a 2019-2021 depending.

Is the 3.6R still the motor to get? I have never been a fan of 4 cylinder engines.

If you are considering even older, Mrs. A. still loves her 2012 Outback 2 liter four-banger, even though it is getting to the point where things like control arm bushings are starting to fail. When I suggest that she consider a new car, she adamantly refuses to consider it even though we have enough free cash to buy something outright. I'll admit that it has proven to be a solid, dependable workhorse since it was brand new.

The engine is more than adequate for normal driving, but we don't tow anything. In that case, the six would definitely be more attractive. I see a lot fewer sixes on the road than fours, and the trim levels for the six seem to be higher, so there will be a premium involved. Neither engine will get youa pink slip at your local traffic light.

Parts for this series are still very available, and not expensive. Our mechanic, a really stellar guy, loves Subarus, dependable, with few mystery diagnoses, and easy to work on (except the damn headlight bulbs).

My 2013 with the 4 cylinder, burned more than a qt of oil every 750-500 miles. I traded it in 2017 with 90K mi for this reason. They said it was a normal amount and wouldn't recall it.

Headlight bulbs were also a major pain to change.

that was my experiance.

I drove a 2014 Outback today. It’s got the 2.5i motor.

I know Suburu had oil consumption issues because of ring specs. I’m going to have my mechanic look at it. My worry is I’m a bit of a spirited driver. It’s got 91k on the odometer. I don’t need problems

Am I pushing my luck with this year/engine combo? Or should my mechanic be able to find if it has issues?