Nice in snow, but I had a Honda Accord that was just as great in the snow without AWD.

Head gaskets a weakness, even in 2.2 engines.

While I have enjoyed the AWD on my Legacy Wagon, it is a money pit. Purchased it used (I'm second owner) with 85,000 miles on it from a dealer. Every seal seems to leak and the head gaskets blew at 130,000. Now after having every ring and seal replaced as well as my head gaskets at a dealer in Sacramento, California, the car is still not fixed. Still have tons of oil in my coolant. Hope to dump the car soon. Was excited to be a Subaru owner. Now I will never own one. Subaru of America as useless in helping me get the dealership to honor their parts warranty on the head gasket replacement. Also SOA never returns calls as promised and seem completely disinterested in helping customers meet even basic needs.

Similar Products Used:

Honda Accord, VW Jetta

good mileage, great AWD system

Head gaskets blow and cause seious engine damage at around 90,000 miles. My mechanic tells me that a lot of Outbacks are having this problem, even the 2001's. As far as I know Subaru is not doing anything to help its loyal owners.

The head gaskets blewout on my 1998 Subaru Outback Wagon at 88,000 miles causing serious internal engine damage and $2,025 worth of repairs. The car runs ok now, but doesn't drive like it used to. It still gets good mileage and doesn't seem to be burning any oil like my mechanic said it might, but it is noticeably louder and not as smooth as it used to be. My mechanic recommended a totally new engine for around $5,500 but said that it should run ok with the new gaskets and one new head which warped as a result of the extreme heat. Bummer

Similar Products Used:

This is my third Subaru and now my last.

Sure looks pretty.. cargo space All wheel drive

See above

Bought this vehicle used (1 year old, with 23,000) at a Subaru dealer. Felt confident in purchasing the vehicle used, because we were buying it from a Subaru dealer....boy, were we wrong!! Within a month of owning this car, we began to have problems: excessive wind noise in both the driver's and passenger's windows, alignment problems (pulls to the right). These were the main issues. In addition, they also replaced the radiator as the coolant was leaking , the timing belt sensor and rack & pinon steering, right front strut and left front strut. To date, we have had this car back to Red Mountain over 15 times (and, each time, we had to defend ouselves that there really was a problem), and because of all the problems we were having, we thought going to Corporate Subaru would help. WRONG AGAIN! While Subaru of America SEEMED interested in helping us, I think that their main objective is to tell you that there isn't a problem, and hope that you will go away. (A Subaru field rep was brought out to drive the car, and he insisted there was no problem with the alignment...even though we brought the vehicle to an independant alignment shop which showed that no matter how many alignments are done on the car, the alignment would never be correct, there is some part broken causing the mis-alignment...) Also, we found out through Corporate that the dealership where we purchased the car would no longer service it! You would think that Corporate would do something about that, but their response is that they cannot mandate the dealerships to service cars if they choose not to. In fact, the car was still pulling to the right after numerous alignments, and because Red Mountain would not work on the car anymore, we had to drive to the next closest Subaru dealership, which was over an hour away! (By the way, they found a bent rod on the front right side which they believe was causing the car to pull to the right....why couldn't the other dealership find this!!) And, to add insult to injury, because our original warranty has expired, even though all of the problems began during the covered period, Subaru of America continues to call any repairs that they will do "good faith"....even though I explained that it has nothing to do with good faith, it has to do with fixing problem that begain occuring over 2 years ago!! Because of the car pulling to the right, we have worn through a set of tires sooner than expected, you would think they could kick in for 4 new tires....AGAIN, WRONG! After this last repair, they agreed to buy 2 tires, and they want us to sign a waiver that will absolve them from any future responsibilities from this vehicle and any future problems we have with it!! My husband has handled most of this, as he has the mechnical knowledge, but I got so fed up that I tried calling Subaru of America (we have dealt with both the NJ and the Denver offices). I was told that cars are mechanical devices, and that they won't run forever...yes, I understand that, but we are not talking about spending $2000 for a beater car!! And, because we did not buy this car new, the Lemon Law does not apply, however, we are consulting an attorney and hoping to get some type of compensation out of this and be rid of this car!! If anyone has had a similar experience with a car and decided to seek legal help, I would appreciate any advice you could give. What I would really love is a big apology from the dealership that sold us this car and have them replace it...but, we know that won't happen. You would think Subaru of America would stand behind their products and the dealerships that carry their name...that's what really burns me, that they are allowing this dealership to treat people this way....we were given no reason why they won't service the car, just that they won't anymore (Subaru of America's suggestion was that maybe after some time had passed thay may change their minds....why should I have to beg the dealership who sold me this obvious lemon to make good on fixing the problems?? Disgust is the word that comes to mind whenever I drive by that dealership or see the Subaru commercials...once you've signed on the dotted line, forget it, it's yours!

Similar Products Used:

1992 Subaru Legacy Wagon, also bought used, have not have any problems with...which is why we considered a 2nd Subaru

Excellent owners manual and gas mileage on 87 Octane. Excellent trade in value. Beautiful interior fit and finish. Two-tone paint. In glass radio antenna.

Instrument illumination could be improved for night driving. Car is quiet--hard to hear the turn signals to turn them off after a turn if they don't shut down automatically.Llight in glove box only works if the head lamps are on and engine is on. No tape deck for otherwise excellent radio.

H-4 Outback 2003 wagon. Plenty of power and torque at the right speeds--excellent freeway acceleration. Unusually comfortable back seats and plenty of cargo space.

Similar Products Used:

97 subaru outback

Plenty of power. Lots of cargo room. Nicely constructed. Good gas mileage for an AWD vehicle. Lots of standard features.

Hydraulic clutch is annoying. Manual transmission needs a 6th gear. Wish they offered one without the power driver seat and fake wood interior trim. Cup holders are very poorly placed for us manual transmission drivers. Steering wheel does not adjust up enough.

I have owned this car for six months and the longer I own it, the more I appreciate it. I have owned several Subarus and this one is by far the most comfortable, powerful, and stylish. Many people have commented that the seats are uncomfortable - I totally disagree! The thick side bolsters keep me firmly planted and the cushions are plenty comfortable for long drives. The 2.5 liter engine has lots of power - set the cruise on the highway and this car zooms along, no problem. I'm glad to finally own a car that seats four adults comfortably - plus all their luggage! The quality of the vehicle is impeccable. As others have commented, though, the manual transmission would benefit from a 6th gear (better gas mileage and quieter at highway speeds). The only problem I have had with the vehicle is with the clutch but this may be operator error (clutch slips a little).

Similar Products Used:

'78, '84, '85, '87, '98 Subaru 4WD wagons '79 Subaru BRAT

AWD Handling Heated seats

brakes, road noise, head gasket very expensive to repair

Problem with the front rotors. Originaly dealership turned the rotors, but then a few months later they warped because they were too thin. I had to pay. Head gasket leaked antifreeze. I have to have it replaced, no longer under waranty! Very expesive takes hours to get at the gasket.

Good traction in snow. Decent fuel mileage for AWD.

Wind noise, constantly shuddering brakes. Atrocious customer service both nationally and at the dealer.

This review will earn me a big "I told you so" from my wife. She tried to dissuade me from the purchase of the Outback but I did not listen. Constant problems with brakes and wind noise. Dealer made multiple half-hearted attempts to correct the brake shudder until the warranty finally ran out. At which point they told me I could pay 400 dollars or live with the problem. Subaru US customer service was a farce...wait an hour to get a customer rep and then another two weeks for a call back with absolutely nothing to say. Will get rid of this vehicle as quickly as possible.

Very good on road with the AWD system..

Runs very rough at speeds 35-45 MPH.

Vehicle runs very rough at speeds 35-45 MPH. When acceleratind or decelerating it stutters, skips. bucks, runs like going over a very rough road. Subaru field engineer has looked anddriven car. States it is designed that way.

Similar Products Used:

Honda Accord

Dependable. Great traction. Good features. Warm in winter. Comfortable. Quiet.

None.

Excellent vehicle.

Similar Products Used:

1987 Subaru wagons. 1982 Toyota Tercel wagon.

Can really fly around curves! Love it in Minnesota weather.

Transmission, head gasket. Electric system.

Love the car; great handling, great comfort. But at 60,000 the head gasket blew, at 98,000 the tranny went. My car is maintained and not overloaded or otherwise abused. The block heater also didn't work the first winter, and the electric converter didn't either. At 60,000 the dashboard lights blew and again at 98,000 which you cannot replace without pulling the dash. Am not happy with the quality at all or the accessibility of simple items that I have never had trouble with in my entire 50+ years of automobiles.

Similar Products Used:

Lots of cars -- Toyota Camry (great), Pontiac T1000(stunk), Plymouth Voyaguer (walked on water!!!), Ford 150 (stunk), Chevy Metro (great), Chevy Luminas (okay), Cadillac (old), Pontiac LeMans (great), Rear engine car - blew oil, Ford station wagon - great, Fords - okay, Chevy wagon - good.