2003 Subaru Outback Anniversary Edition 3.0 litre 6 cylinder gas from North America

Summary:

Excellent vehicle for all conditions

Faults:

Driver's window sticking when new. Fixed at the dealer the first time.

Replaced rear sway bar links at 160,000 km.

Regular expected repairs = belt, headlamps, tires, brakes.

That's all folks!

General Comments:

Excellent all weather vehicle. I bought it new and would still be driving it today, except I now need something to pull a boat.

The Anniversary Edition is a basic Outback, but with the 6 cylinder engine, solid Titanium paint, leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter. Only 300 in this trim package, Canada only (30 years).

Very safe, reliable and comfortable. Good on all roads and all conditions.

Needs premium fuel.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd November, 2013

2003 Subaru Outback AWP 2.5 from North America

Summary:

The most reliable car I've owned

Faults:

Replaced the left far trailing arm bushing at 78,869 miles ($296.00).

Replace right axle, boot torn at 84,160 miles ($407.95).

All dealer serviced.

General Comments:

I bought it used, trading in a 2002 Impreza Outback Sport. Since, I have bought and traded other cars, but kept this one. It has cost me very little to maintain over the years.

I live in the Boston area and drive 60 miles round trip to work. I have a 2009 Impreza Premium sedan that I use for a daily driver. I don't like it as much as the wagon.

The '03 Outback has been a reliable car, and is still on the original battery at 9 years old. I've owned a Dodge, numerous Toyotas, a Ford Contour (not good), a Hyundai Sonata V6, a Saturn SL1 (really not good) and 5 Subarus.

I know the 1997 model year suffered from head gasket issues, but my '03 continues to be a great car.

Other than listed, it has been oil changes and rear brakes at 87k. I can't complain.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th May, 2012

2003 Subaru Outback H6 3.0L from North America

Summary:

Worst car I have owned, very disappointing

Faults:

The transmission had to be rebuilt when I bought it.

AC did not work, had to be repaired.

Front windows had constant wind noise. Dealer said this is a design flaw that cannot be fixed. I figured out a way with house window seal foam.

Gas mileage decreased in winter 2-3 mpg, dealer said that was normal.

Speedometer is off 4-5 mph, cannot be reset, dealer said Subaru builds them + or - 4 mph

Transmission blew fluid out after driving with cruise on at 80 mph for a 100 miles. Don't know what caused this.

Cruise control quit working. Fixed this by replacing all parts. Subaru dealers only have a meter to test this.

Front differential burned out at 135,000.

I have spent almost $5,000 in repairs in less than 2 years.

General Comments:

I have spent almost $5,000 in repairs in less than 2 years. So would highly recommend not purchasing an H6.

The HVAC controls are quirky. When you turn the defrost on, the AC turns on - the dealer said that was normal, you have to turn the AC off or it will blow out cold air. Took me a while to figure out how to get defrost and heat on at the same time.

The outside temperature does not always stay on after you push that button, it will reset to inside temp.

Performance is not great, very slow to respond.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st January, 2011

26th May 2012, 10:54

Keep in mind you bought it with 90,000 miles on it - Did you know the history of the vehicle (bought it from someone you knew), or did you buy it from a dealer?

Unfortunately cars are machines, and machines do break; some break more often than others, and sometimes it is from the way they were (or weren't maintained) and how they were driven.

While with today's cars, 90,000 miles isn't extremely high mileage, it is enough for things to start wearing out, especially if the vehicle had been mistreated or not maintained before you purchased it.

IMO your complaint about the speedo being off 4 or 5 miles an hour is just trivial, as in 40 years of driving, I've yet to drive a vehicle that is spot-on - and I honestly don't know what you expect the dealer to do about that.

26th Jun 2016, 07:01

Very well put also, different people have different driving habits.