Opinions on '05 Outback?

[Stuart Goldsmith]

I'm considering buying one, but wondered what the experience is of those
who've already bought one?
Thanks

Stuart

 

[Guest]

I'm considering buying one, but wondered what the experience is of those
who've already bought one?

After owning only Subarus since '78 I sold my trusty '89 GL wagon and
I bought a Mazda3 in April. Nippy litle car but the more I drove it
the more I disliked it. So I bit the financial bullet, traded it in on
an '05 Outback 2.5i automatic.

Last month did a 5000km trip in the mountain states and I Iove the car
- best touring vehicle I've ever had. Good gas mileage, adequate
power, and quiet. I've now got my winter tires and steel rims on all
ready for winter and am looking forward to snow - almost

 

[KLS]

I'm considering buying one, but wondered what the experience is of those
who've already bought one?

My mother (age 71) loves hers and says it drives very well. She
prefers the appearance of her now-sold 1998 Legacy Outback LTD, but
enjoys the amenities and the driving comfort of her 2005 Legacy
Outback. All the car reviews are very positive about this car in a
way they are not about the Forester model.

 

[Ron Joiner]

My mother (age 71) loves hers and says it drives very well. She
prefers the appearance of her now-sold 1998 Legacy Outback LTD, but
enjoys the amenities and the driving comfort of her 2005 Legacy
Outback. All the car reviews are very positive about this car in a
way they are not about the Forester model.

Er, the new Outback is not a "Legacy Outback".

Ron

 

[Hallraker]

After owning only Subarus since '78 I sold my trusty '89 GL wagon and
I bought a Mazda3 in April. Nippy litle car but the more I drove it
the more I disliked it. So I bit the financial bullet, traded it in on
an '05 Outback 2.5i automatic.

Doesn't surprise me. I've considered getting a new car, but it's hard to
even look at anything else. Not much personality out there in other
vehicles.

-Matt

 

[Han Chung]

I have an Australian version '05 Outback 2.5i Automatic. It's a very
comfortable drive. The suspension is very nice, road holding is
brilliant. Fuel economy is great for an AWD. Fully loaded, it can be
a bit sluggish. My preference is economy rather than performance, so
this may not bother you either.

Han.

 

[Alan]

I have an Australian version '05 Outback 2.5i Automatic. It's a very
comfortable drive. The suspension is very nice, road holding is
brilliant. Fuel economy is great for an AWD. Fully loaded, it can be
a bit sluggish. My preference is economy rather than performance, so
this may not bother you either.

Han.

When you use "brilliant" do you mean it in the British sense or the American
sense? The American sense is quite a superlative- fantastic, incredible,
unbelievable, a genius designed it... while the British sense just means
"really well", or "very nicely" in an excited way.

 

[jf]

... and I bought a Mazda3 in April. Nippy litle car but the more I drove it

the more I disliked it. ...

I know this is not a Mazda group, but since I'm looking into the
Impreza and the Mazda3, I'd just like to know what about the 3 did you
dislike ?

thanks!

 

[Brian Wasson]

I rented an 05 Outback last for three days last week on a trip to
Arizona and was impressed by it. We currently own an 03 OBW (our
second OBW), and the 05 seemed to be a much better thought-out
vehicle, with higher grade materials inside. It felt more powerful
than my 03, but I think they kept the engine power the same on the
standard 2.5l (I may be wrong). The auto trans with the sport shift
up/down feature was kind of neat, and was helpful when driving over
the hills between Phoenix and Flagstaff. The car kept up the 75-80 mph
pace even when going over pretty good sized hills.

I had it off road a bit, too, around Sedona and it did very well. I
actually passed one of the famous "Pink Jeeps" when heading uphill on
a dirt road.

I really liked the interior; it was laid-out much better than the
previous models. They got rid of the stupid cruise-control on/off
button on the dash and incorporated it all into the stalk-mounted
controls. Also moved the fog light switch to the light stalk.

All in all, it just felt like a higher-quality vehicle. If we hadn't
just bought our 03 last year, I'd seriously think about trading it in
on an 05.

 

[Guest]

I know this is not a Mazda group, but since I'm looking into the
Impreza and the Mazda3, I'd just like to know what about the 3 did you
dislike ?

Tinny body, hard ride with lots of road noise, low ground clearance,
highly uncomfortable seats, limited range due to small gas tank with
high consumption, poor visibility to right rear, no side air bags,
wimpy little low profile tires, faddy looks - too much like a Focus or
Echo, steering too sensitive at freeway speeds, interior showed every
touch and scuff so it always looked dirty, exterior finish soft and
scached very easily, inadequate rear storage space....and more...

Sorry you asked?

 

[Rockin Ronnie]

When you use "brilliant" do you mean it in the British sense or the American
sense? The American sense is quite a superlative- fantastic, incredible,
unbelievable, a genius designed it... while the British sense just means
"really well", or "very nicely" in an excited way.

Or the Canadian sense meaning pretty shiny.

Ron

 

[Rockin Ronnie]

I rented an 05 Outback last for three days last week on a trip to
Arizona and was impressed by it. We currently own an 03 OBW (our
second OBW), and the 05 seemed to be a much better thought-out
vehicle, with higher grade materials inside. It felt more powerful
than my 03, but I think they kept the engine power the same on the
standard 2.5l (I may be wrong). The auto trans with the sport shift
up/down feature was kind of neat, and was helpful when driving over
the hills between Phoenix and Flagstaff. The car kept up the 75-80 mph
pace even when going over pretty good sized hills.

I had it off road a bit, too, around Sedona and it did very well. I
actually passed one of the famous "Pink Jeeps" when heading uphill on
a dirt road.

I really liked the interior; it was laid-out much better than the
previous models. They got rid of the stupid cruise-control on/off
button on the dash and incorporated it all into the stalk-mounted
controls. Also moved the fog light switch to the light stalk.

All in all, it just felt like a higher-quality vehicle. If we hadn't
just bought our 03 last year, I'd seriously think about trading it in
on an 05.

Traded an 00' Outback for an 05. Totally different car, more nimble in
the corners, quieter, more refined looking interior, better gas mileage,
better headlights, richer standard sound system, easier closing tailgate
to name just a few. Miss weatherband though!

Ron

 

[Michael Tissington]

Had my Outback just about a week.

I'm about 6'2" and I find the turn signal indicates on the instrument panel
to be too high to see clearly, either that or the slope of the instrument
panel is not enough.

I also find the 6" of tint on the windshield to be just in my line of sight
and a distraction.

 

[busterb]

.

I really liked the interior; it was laid-out much better than the
previous models. They got rid of the stupid cruise-control on/off
button on the dash and incorporated it all into the stalk-mounted
controls. Also moved the fog light switch to the light stalk.

All in all, it just felt like a higher-quality vehicle. If we hadn't
just bought our 03 last year, I'd seriously think about trading it in
on an 05.

I disagree. The interior is too generic like nissan etc. The
integrated audio means youre stuck with the crap they give you (if
youve ever replaced the stock speakers youd know what I mean). To me
the 04 is what the outback should be. A reasonablly priced ,
economical suv alternative. The lack of big foglights also shows
subaru is trying to produce another "me too" car. I'll keep my 04 as
long as possible and hope that subaru rediscovers what the outback is
all about before I need a new one. Otherwise I'll buy another make.