Subaru: Am I missing something?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:They are VERY popular on this area.

+1 I'm trying to buy a new 2019, and they are selling out like hotcakes. People are putting deposits down for the 2019 for the last few coming in. 2020 doesn't come in till October.

2020’s are already on the lot.

We just bought the last 2019 Outback at Fitzgerald in Rockville this past weekend. Fully loaded Limited trim line for $30K. That was $7500 below MSRP and $8500 below the selling price of a similar 2020 model. We got a helluva deal.

We test drove the 2019 RAV4 hybrid, 2019 BWM X1, 2019 Subaru Outback Limited w/ standard 4 cylinder engine, and 2020 Outback with the turbocharged 4 cylinder (a new engine option for 2020 and beyond models).

We had every intention of buying a new RAV4 Hybrid, which was fully redesigned for 2019. Frankly, the interior feels so cheap compared to BMW and Subaru. It was going to be $34K for the RAV4 we wanted and it had no where near the bells and whistles of the Subaru. Decent engine for a hybrid, but it didn’t wow us. BMW X1 engine is like a sports car, but the seats were uncomfortable and their Apple CarPlay system was painfully difficult to use (and requires an annual subscriptfee).

I actually prefer the 2019 Outback over the 2020 redesigned Outback. The new 2020 replaces most of the in-dash buttons and knobs with a gigantic touchscreen interface (similar to a Tesla). I simply prefer the knobs and buttons, along with the normal 10” touchscreen. If we wanted the 2020 Subaru with the turbocharged engine, we were looking at closer to $39K. I didn’t see the value proposition in the spending so much more for a 2020 model when I could have a 2019 model with pretty much all the same exact features for $30K.

It was a no-brainer.

I should add the fact that Subaru is touting the 2020 Outback as a “redesign” is a bad joke. It didn’t improve on safety features, there’s nothing new in terms of features. The only major differences are the gigantic touch screen, more angular tail lights, the option for a turbocharged engine (extra $$$), and the fact that the 2020 chassis is the first Outback to be built on Subaru’s global platform (ie, all Subaru models will be built on same chassis). Personally, I thought the handling on the 2020 was stiffer and less comfortable relative to the 2019.

Well, modern cars haven't had a separate chassis in decades, but if it's a new platform the it certainly is a redesign. Changes don't get any bigger than that.

Interior and exterior are completely the same, minus a few small changes I mentioned.

The new global platform allows swappable engines and has better impact ratings. It also makes for a stiffer ride, which I did not like. Subaru claims the global platform is quiter, but I thought driving noise was roughly the same as the 2019. You can definitely feel the stiffer handling and I thought the absorption of potholes in the 2020 was a less comfortable ride (vs the 2019).

That said, the crash test ratings for the global platform are better than the legacy 2019 Outback frame and body.

In sum, the global platform will keep you safer but the consumer will notice little difference in what is supposed to be a major redesign.

[Anonymous]

More details on the Global Platform:
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15349746/subaru-global-platform-debuts-will-underpin-all-future-subarus/

[Anonymous]

I thought the gasket issues were mostly pre-2016?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:This gasket thing is an old wive’s tail.

You cannot go wrong w Subaru, or for that matter, Honda or Toyota.

Signed happy Subaru owner

What are you basing this on? I'm basing it on the fact that I've owned 4 Subarus.

And on the fact that if you Google 'Subaru gasket issues' you get a ton of hits.

why did you buy 4 knowing gasket issue?

2 were inherited. 1 I bought before I knew.

Last one is a 2018. Apparently they’ve improved design a lot.

Yes, they fixed it last year. I have a 2004 one and the gasket issue popped up last year. I'm going to get a 2019 or 2020 one soon. I specifically asked about the gasket issue at the dealer's. Other than this one issue, the car has been great.

We've had 4 Subarus as well. I don't recall a gasket issue, but I do recall an issue with the second Subaru. First 2 were beaters. First was awesome, and we only paid something like $1500 for. I planned on driving it to the ground until I got rear ended REplaced it with a second but more expensive beater, and that had issues.

Then we bought 2 new Subarus back to back; we wanted used ones with low gas mileage, but these things seem to maintain their value so you're paying only a little less for something that has 40K miles.

[Anonymous]

I just bought a 2019 Forester after my 3015 Outback was totaled in an accident (car slid into the side of my car on 495).

My Outback did a great job protecting me and I really like the safety features including the EyeSight system, lane departure warning and lane assist systems, blind spot cameras, etc.

The Outback was slightly too big for daily use as my commuter car and for our family of 3 so I went for the updated Forester.

Very happy with the Forester and plan on running it into the ground.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just bought a 2019 Forester after my 3015 Outback was totaled in an accident (car slid into the side of my car on 495).

2015 Outback not 3015!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Subaru is way behind Toyota in reliability. And they are not cheap for what you get.

Interesting since Toyota is part owner and the cars have many design issues in common. Other than the boxer engine, of course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Subaru is way behind Toyota in reliability. And they are not cheap for what you get.

I don’t agree with this—I feel like value is one reason I keep returning to Subaru as an option! AWD is standard—by the time I add that and price out a Toyota or Honda, I’m around $40k. Subaru’s are always mid to low 30s.

[Anonymous]

We had a BMW sport wagon that we drove into the ground. God, I loved that car. We replaced it with a Subaru Crosstrek. The guilt -- I feel like a widow who loves her second husband more than the first.

[Anonymous]

I picked a toyota over a subaru for reliability and more space.

[Anonymous]

My parents are on their fourth Subaru. The first one was an Impreza that was the first car for me, then my sister, then my brother. So it got beat to hell. It looked like a derby car by the time the engine blew at about 150k miles.

All of them have had to have the brakes replaced very frequently. Not sure if that's a function of the car or the drivers, but all four always needed new brakes a couple times per year at least.

My mom refuses to give up her 3rd WRX even though she is a terrible driver and has MS with a drop leg issue...she still insists on driving her stick-shift WRX. My sister recently rode with her and said she was terrified and holding on for dear life the whole time.

Btw, she's had 3 because the first one died somehow (not sure what was wrong with it) and she totaled the 2nd one.

[Anonymous]

Brake pads are wear items and generally the same across the board. So it was definitely your family. Replacing brake pads 3-4 times a year? That means you were putting a ton of stress on the car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This gasket thing is an old wive’s tail.

You cannot go wrong w Subaru, or for that matter, Honda or Toyota.

Signed happy Subaru owner

Yeah, just like the CVT thing. And the wheel bearing thing. And the CV joints thing.

All of them old wives tales.


I know this for certain, because I’ve had to fix all of them on my old wife’s Subarus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My parents are on their fourth Subaru. The first one was an Impreza that was the first car for me, then my sister, then my brother. So it got beat to hell. It looked like a derby car by the time the engine blew at about 150k miles.

All of them have had to have the brakes replaced very frequently. Not sure if that's a function of the car or the drivers, but all four always needed new brakes a couple times per year at least.

My mom refuses to give up her 3rd WRX even though she is a terrible driver and has MS with a drop leg issue...she still insists on driving her stick-shift WRX. My sister recently rode with her and said she was terrified and holding on for dear life the whole time.

Btw, she's had 3 because the first one died somehow (not sure what was wrong with it) and she totaled the 2nd one.

If they’re replacing brake pads twice a year, it’s because they drive like complete asshats. There is NO OTHER POSSIBLE REASON.

I have a Miata race car, that only gets driven at the track, and I only replace brake pads every 3-4 track days.

[Anonymous]

So... what about Lexus? Is it a good buy, with the Toyota reliability, or do the bells and whistles make it too expensive for what it is?