2000 Subaru Outback review from North America

Very small leak from transmission pan gasket (automatic) discovered at 80K miles. Dealer quoted under $100 for parts/labor.

Rear cup holders broke (poor location if you have kids), and seem cheaply made. Subaru should consider switching the placement of the rear cup holders and ash tray.

Gas mileage when first purchased was terrible (13-18 mixed driving).

Subaru Outback Wagon.

Only had it a little over a year and LOVE IT.

Subaru's AWD is amazing in everything you throw at it. During the winter of '03-'04, we got a lot of snow (over 1 ft on roads), and it was really a sight to discover that while we were safely driving (warm and comfortable) anywhere we wanted to go, nearly every block had at least one car stuck or sliding including four wheel drive trucks. That entire winter, our Subaru only lost traction one time (on solid ICE), and this was because we were riding on all-season tires and not winter tires/studs. As a matter of fact, I even took the Subie up a nearby grade (not yet plowed) and had no problems at all.

The 4-channel ABS is awesome on all road conditions. My wife actually was put into a situation where the Subie had the right side tires on loose gravel and the left side tires on pavement. She hit the brakes and (drumroll)...she went straight. No pulling or jerking, and no sliding. Just %100 control of the car, the way it should be.

And as far as the gas mileage? When we bought the Outback from our Local Subaru dealership, the original owner purchased it new in California and later moved to my neck of the woods (Klickitat County, WA). Lets just say that California gas choked our Subaru of gas mileage. After a half dozen or so tanks of good 'ol Texaco/Shell fuel, we now get consistent numbers of 25+ which includes freeway, city, and relatively steep grades or mountain passes.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. It came with everything except leather and a sunroof. The Original owner really knew what she wanted. And BOB STONE FREEWAY in The Dalles gave us a great deal with a purchase price of $13,500.

To sum it up?

We LOVE our Subaru Outback, our local Subaru dealership, and will surely purchase another Subie in the future.