1996 Subaru Outback Reviews - Page 2 of 3

Alternator has been replaced twice; otherwise nothing has gone wrong.

Great car and perfect for my needs.

I am massage therapist and this car has made my life easy. With great ground clearance and amazing cargo space, I can easily fit a massage table and a portable massage chair in this car. It is very reliable. I used to own a 1997 Ford Taurus GL.

I loved that car but it cost me a fortune to maintain.

This car is just amazing. It starts right up, and has great features like heated mirrors and seats. I just wished it had more pick up.

Head gasket issues seams redundant at this point. Typical scenario, thought we would buy a reliable, safe auto for our 17 yr old daughter. Less than 5 months after purchase we are stuck with a tax write off. Oh well, live and learn. $2500 for a new engine... no thanks.

Did not own it long enough to enjoy.

Head gasket went at 200,000km.

O2 Sensors Went at 190,000km.

Alternator went at 195,000km.

I am on my third Starter.

I bought the car brand new from the dealer 12 years ago. I bought it because I don't want to climb up and down my jeep anymore. I also moved from California to Vancouver, and I don't really have a good use for a convertible anymore.

During the last 12 years, We did lots of things together and survived a few snow storm and lots of slippery road. I just gas up the car and go. The interior was roomy for my family and our luggages.

It is not a bad car and I haven't had problem with her until later part of 2007. Now that the head gasket needs to be replaced and I probably will get it fixed and sell her off to another person.

Bought car with probably 137,00 miles.

After less than 6 months, we started having problems with it stalling out and acting up. At approx. 139,000 the head gasket blew.

Spent $3500 on used engine with 75,000 miles on it from a 1998 Outback because we liked the car so much. A week later the car died again because the head gasket had blown on that engine too.

At the same time, the instrument panel stopped functioning completely and needed to be replaced ($200).

Two days after getting it back from that, the car again started acting funny so we took it in to find out the alternator had died ($300).

Since we bought the car, it has spent almost 2 months in the shop and repairs have cost more than the car is worth. This isn't counting small routine things like belts and tires.

Too bad. We really liked the way this car handles and it's the perfect size... not too big and not too small. Not clunky like most wagons. Great grip on road. Fun.

Falls apart constantly and flimsy on inside though. Runs loud.

When we were in shop for our 2nd head gasket, there was another Outback in for its head gasket too. Don't bother.