what to get?libertyor outback!

[trcr]

We are looking for a second car.Our main car is a toyota hilux 4wd.Im
looking for a smaller second car with something different.I like the style
of the liberty but I like the clearance the outback has.I need a car mainly
for taking kids to school and shopping but on weekends we love driving
around and general going out(with or without Kids).

 

[hippo]

Based on my own driving over the last 6 years, unless most of your driving
is on hwy or high quality suburban roads, the OB may suit you better. IMO
each Liberty model has become increasingly highway focused, with tauter
suspension and larger wheels, while the OB has gained more suspension
compliance and a better ride overall.

Comments based on 200K in a 91 Liberty wagon, 20K in a 2000 OB (current),
some time in a 96 OB and being a passenger in various other Subies.

BTW - if you plan on towing, the manual is probably a better bet - again
IMO. (I wish my OB was a manual but the deal was far too good to pass up
just for that!) Cheers

 

[hippo]

Oops - sorry for second post - hit enter too early!
Worth looking at Forester or Impreza as well - they feel more down to a
price, the Impreza's back seat is squishier and the Forester rolls a bit,
but they cost significantly less & definitely use less fuel than bigger
siblings.

 

[trcr]

The Forester and Impreza aren't on my short list.Ijust don't like the
shapes.So its down to the liberty or outback but my question is why are
there so many libertys for sale compared to outbacks?. Is it due to
libertys selling better than outbacks so therefore there are more for
resale?,or is it because they have faults?.Talk about paranoid!I'm scared
to pay all that money to find out their dirty little secret.
trcr

 

[hippo]

Lots more Libertys mainly due to original price. Because model for model
Liberty is slightly lower spec and starts with 2L engine not 2.5, usually
able to start at least $3-5k lower for the same year or else 2 years newer
for the same money. Our 2000 OB Limited was $25K & I could have got a 2001
2L wagon or 2002 2L sedan for the same money.
Any problems are basically common to goth models (essentially identical
vehicles) but not widespread. Get one with a full service history and
either very low Kms or just after its 100,000Km service (the most
expensive one). Cheers