Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see May lease deals!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I am going to a local Subaru dealer tomorrow to test drive some Subies.
Here is my dilemma:
I have researched the Subaru here on Edmund's and elsewhere and I am somewhat confused. It appears to me that the Legacy and Outback are the same size and the Forester is only slightly smaller. Is this correct? If so why the big price difference? Are they all different variations of the same vehicle platform?
I would like to hear some Subie owners' reasons for choosing Legacy over Outback or vice versa.
I would also be interested to hear reasons for choosing wagon over sedan and vice versa.
One last question: I have seen some posts here alluding to significant changes for the 2003 model year. Can anyone give me details and/or point me in the right direction so I can find out this info? When are the new models due to arrive? I am not very pressed for time, but I am sure that the salesperson I will meet tomorrow will (understandably) push me to buy now rather than wait.
Thanks in advance for your assistance
The Forester is a tall wagon based on the smaller Impreza platform and so is smaller than the Legacy/OB .Depending on the trim, there is some overlap in prices.
I don't like the OB's SUV look, esp on the previous model,though the latest one looks better, so I have a 98GT Legacy wagon. Wagons/hatchbacks have always appealed to me for their practicality. Still have a 92 Legacy L sedan as my beater ("inherited" it from the in law - unfortunately the darn thing won't die on me so I can get a WRX wagon!) and used to have a 92 LS wagon. If you like a more conventional car look and slightly more sporty feel, the Legacy is the way to go except right now only the OB has the H6 engine.
The 03 Forester is new, uses the 02 Impreza platform but the changes are not major ones. The Legacy/OB is probably not going to have major changes for another 2-3 years except for maybe the H6 engine coming into the Legacy lineup.
1998 2.5 RS coupe 5 speed wr blue
1992 Trek 8900 mountain bike
1991 Trek 2300 raod bike
1991 Bianchi hybrid bike
2000 Yardman Yardbug lawn mower (this is our coolest vehicle--the wife and I fight over who gets to cut the lawn--looks like a new Beetle in John Deere colors)
TWRX
Start with the idea that all Subies are AWD. The two base cars are the subcompact Impreza and compact Legacy (5 inches longer in wheelbase). The basic engine is a peppy 165 HP model. Subaru has many models based on these two basic platforms.
The Impreza line features two sport wagons and two sedans. Two of these models are the super hot rally style WRX cars, with 227-HP engines.
The Legacy line is slightly larger. It has two wagons and three sedans, each with its own unique content.
Then there are the Outbacks, and they are based on both the Impreza and Legacy, although only one is Impreza-based (the Outback Sport) and seven are based on the longer Legacy. You can think of Outbacks as a distinct style of Impreza and Legacy cars. These are marked by more body cladding and a higher stance (more ground clearance). Outbacks are differentiated from each other by content, engines and tractions control technology. Some Outbacks are very powerful.
The Forester is a station wagon that looks something like a SUV, and it is based on the Impreza. It has the 165 HP engine but a lighter body.
Most of the talk about new models has centered on the 2003 Forester, which has been significantly revised. Each year Subaru improves most models a little bit, but in keeping with Japanese practices the company does major revisions in a four-year cycle.
This will all be clear if you spend some time on the Subaru of America site: . Play with the site you can get a good sense of how the different models inter-relate.
Which to buy? Do you need an Impreza or Legacy sized car? Do you need a wagon or sedan? Do you need the extra ground clearance -- it isn't much -- of an Outback, or can you settle for the street car clearances of the regular (non-Outback) line?
After that, test-drive and nail down your preference. Don't let anyone push you around. The 2003 Forester (not on dealer's lots yet) is very exciting, but all Subies are worthy cars with many special features. Have fun!
Wagons I compared against were VW Passat Wagon, Audi S4 Wagon, BMW 3 series Wagon, and Saturn.
One thing to keep in mind for your test drive is that Subaru makes several different styles of AWD depending on engine, transmission, and trim level.
Its definitely worthwhile looking at the website for how they all work.
If you're looking at something in the $23-25K range, then the base Outback (wagon) and Outback Limited (wagon and sedan) models are good bets. The GT wagon and sedan are also nice vehicles, and what I would pick if the pseudo-SUV image of the Outback didn't matter.
Finally, the "regular" Legacy sedan and wagon are great cars in the $20K price range.
I originally shopped for a Forester but bought an Outback. Completely overlooked the Legacy GT in the process, which would have been the better choice at the time. I don't know if it was my fault or Subaru's, but the Legacy lineup was almost invisible when I was shopping. Recently, I sold my first Outback to my parents and bought a 2002 LL Bean. I have been thoroughly happy with the new car.
Craig
U.F.O.
(Unidentified Fabulous Outomobile)
Ross
Now, role forward two years and know we need a vehicle for my wife. We once again looked at the Saturn L but my wife decided she wanted AWD after driving my OB on a couple of snowy nights.
Both are great cars, but you really need to drive them both. The driving experience is quite different. Another important consideration is if you will be hauling rear seat passengers. If so, the pre-2003 Forester is VERY tight - only comfortable for kids and short trips with adults, IMO. (I can't comment on the new Forester, haven't seen it.)
Ron
Is AWD important/desired? Yes=Subie; No=Camry
Like "SUV" look? Yes=Outback; No=Legacy or Camry
Know the trade-offs: Slightly poorer acceleration and MPG with the Legacy/Outback because the AWD adds a bit of weight plus the friction loss.
Personally, I wanted an AWD sedan. The only choices available when I was looking were Subaru and Audi (there are more now). I'm still very, very happy with my Legacy sedan.
Good luck!
-mike
Which Subaru to buy is easy, just follow the Demographic guide:
Outback: your name is Dave or Mike, or at least has a "K" in it. You own 2 dogs or cats, and use a Mac computer (or at least used to). You are truly outdoorsy, young at heart, adventurous, smart, very well educated. You have or will have 2 kids.
Legacy: same as above, only you are good at uncovering well kept secrets.
Forester: same as Outback, except you have at most 1 kid.
-juice
I bought the legacy in the beginning by default, I have owned many Honda,s since they went on sale in Canada in 1976, had Honda still had an Accord wagon when I was shopping for a new car I would probably have bought Honda and not even looked at the GT.
However they got out of the wagon market In 1997, and to be honest now, I am glad they did, otherwise I would not have my beautiful GT wagon.
Much as I loved Honda,s I have to say after a year with the GT it is a much more refined car than any Honda I owned,and that,s after a string of six Accords some bought new and some used.
Also after experiencing the benifits of AWD, I will never go back to either FWD.or RWD.
Cheers Pat.
I chose the Outback over the Legacy wagon because I wanted just a little more clearance for dirt road use (not off-road), and my wife likes to sit a little higher. Although we compared against the usual suspects, the clincher was a back-to-back comparison against a Lexus RX300 where the LL Bean clearly drove and handled better (at 2/3 the price).
Steve
2001 LL Bean Outback
1995 SC400
1990 Toyota Cressida
Jamis Mountain Bike
Schwinn Super Sport Road Bike
(The Cressida is included only for sentimental value - just sold it today! I've written many times on my previous bias towards Toyota, earlier cars included a 1984 Tercel Wagon and a 1982 Supra. But now I'm a fledgling Subaru junkie.)
Steve
My pigeon coop is only good for one '98 OB and two left over tires from our '83 Caprice Classic. My 99' OBS with the other two left over tires are in the pigeon coop next to mine.
Does Roller Blades/Skates count? =D
-Dave
-mike
Money became a problem as I also had to replace my wifes lease van this year. I went looking for max wagon room, comfort, AWD for local winters. Sporty handling and power had to take a somewhat back seat to the above. Price target was very low $20's.
I started with the Legacy L wagon, but found it to be a bit too bare. Everything was extra. Roof rails, floor mats, etc. By the time I added a bunch of small items, I was within $2k of the base OB. And while I was not at first terribly keen on the body cladding look, a few functional things did sell me. These included the power seat (just could not get comfy in the L), the limited slip rear diffy, the better headlights (the L has 2 bulb, all others use 4 bulb), the fog lamps, extra ground clearance and more agressive tire tread for unplowed roads.
Bought the '02 base model OB wagon in Sept and am very happy with it. Price was $22,350 which included some dealer installed stuff (cargo net, bumper pad), and have since added about $700 worth of stuff (CD, tow hitch, security system, bug deflector, etc.).
Good luck,
Steve
The above messages mention the $$ benefits of the Legacy GT wagon. Are leather seats available with this model??
Thanks to all in advance.
02 outback wagon
86 mazda rx7 glx[in peices at friends garage]
giant mountain bike
mike k
You might also want to negotiate a dog guard. Mine don't like to ride anywhere but in the OB behind the guard. Strange, but I ain't complaining. Don't see much hair up front, it all seems to stick firmly to the fuzzy parts of the trim in the back.
Ed
The most popular leather is from a manufacturer called Katzskins, there have been group buys on leather interiors in the I club.
Cheers Pat.
-mike
By a junior, I had moved up to a 56 Studebaker Silver Hawk. Now that was a cool car; I wish I still had it.
Even then, Studebaker owners had a real bond for their unappreciated cars. I'll bet there is a forum today where they are still congregating. Come to think of it, I think I will look for it.
Mike
Don
At about the same time, my parents had a 1941 black Buick Special fastback 2-door sedanette, which was soon replaced by a gray 1950 Dodge Meadowbrook 4-door sedan. Ah, the good old days...
Bob
Don: you'd be proud, I scraped the icicles (not really) and cobwebs off my bike and went for a nice ride. It was a bit chilly and I should have had gloves, but it was nice to ride again. :-)
-juice
I'm convinced that those cars are a good part of the reason that I'm an incurable car-nut today.
Bob
Mark
-juice
Jim
-juice
Bob
:-)
Ross
Our old '50 Dodge Meadowbrook had fluid-drive and vacuum-operated windshield wipers. If you gave it gas, the wipers stopped, as it was drawing on the vacuum. This was great fun in a rain storm. The Dodge had a flathead inline 6, and our old Buick had a straight 8, and both had three-on-the-tree.
Bob
Speaking of double-clutching, when I was in college, one summer I drove a Good Humor ice cream truck up in Palisades Park and Leonia NJ. The truck was a '51 Ford F-2 (precursor to the F-250), it too had a crash box which required double-clutching for clean shifts. Anybody who is familiar with Palisades Park know there are a lot of steep hills there. When I stopped this old truck, I would have to turn the engine off, put it in gear, put the emergency brake on, and turn the wheels to the curb. Why? Because the emergency brake was almost useless, and the engine's compression was so poor, that the vehicle would start "hopping" down the hill!!
Bob
The word "precision" wasn't even part of the vocabulary.
Bob
rubber floor mats instead of carpet, 6V electrics. Vent windows didn't have locks until the 60s on a lot of cars. Mechanical AM radios that detuned every time you hit a bump. Cloth upholstery that was scratchy as an old wool blanket. Vinyl that peeled the skin off the back of your legs on hot days. Taking all day to go 300 miles.
On the other hand everyone knew what brand/model of car you drove just by looking at it. The floor button for the high beams allowed you to keep your hands on the wheel in turns. Bench seats were great for extra friends, dating or the drivein. Letting your girl shift. Tuneups are an airtight excuse to hang out in the driveway and have a couple of beers with your buddies. $5 for a tank of "Ethyl". Cars were cool for the sounds of their exhaust, not the stereo.
We've come a long way, maybe...
-mike
-juice
Did anyone else make quick right turns to reposition shy girls on the seat? Had to be just the right speed or it could be embarrasing. you wanted her to slide and not tip, unless her name was Monica.
Mike
One of my high school buddies had a hand-me-down 1954 Chrysler New Yorker limo as his car. He came from a large family (it was originally the family car), and was passed on down from several older brothers, to eventually my buddy. It was painted lavatory green, and was named the "The Green Latrine." Everybody in high school knew that car. We used to triple date in that car. It had a set of folding jump seats between the front and rear seats. Oh, if that car could only talk, the stories it could tell...
Bob
Mike: I believe the "necker knob" was designed to assist in turning the car while repositioning your date.
Bob: My '63 also has split reclining bench seats which will fold flat into a bed-like area. Nash had them first, to be sure, but these follow the same principle. They are covered in thigh-peeling red vinyl.
Ed