| Model year | 2003 |
| Year of manufacture | 2002 |
| First year of ownership | 2003 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2008 |
| Engine and transmission | Manual |
| Most recent distance | 78000 miles |
| Previous car | Ford Explorer |
Summary:
Not sure now
Faults:
Head gasket "oozing" at 78,000 miles. reported by mechanic to be driveable for now.
General Comments:
Overall have enjoyed driving the car and have been unaware of some of the issues with it until I started researching my problem.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 27th October, 2008
| Model year | 2003 |
| Year of manufacture | 2003 |
| First year of ownership | 2005 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2008 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.5 H4 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 1 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 4 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 2 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 2 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
3.2 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 40000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 77000 miles |
| Previous car | Subaru Outback |
Summary:
Stupid problems, huge price tag
Faults:
I previously owned a 1998 Subaru Outback Limited station wagon, and around 80000 miles I had three of four wheel bearings go bad, and there was a tear in the driver's side drive axle CV boot, and the head gaskets leaked coolant into the oil.
What a surprise, I now own a 2003 Subaru Outback Limited station wagon and at 75000 miles I have had both front wheel bearings go bad, at 77000 miles a tear in the passenger side drive axle CV boot, and I am now waiting for the head gaskets to go. SUBARU SUCKS!!!
General Comments:
I hate Subaru. I have a GMC 1500 4x4 work truck that is a fleet vehicle for the company that I work for, and the other employees and myself run these vehicles hard and they hold up really well.
I am definitely going back to buying American, GMC.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 26th April, 2008
| Year of manufacture | 2003 |
| First year of ownership | 2004 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | Manual |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 6 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 9 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
8.2 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 30 miles |
| Most recent distance | 15000 miles |
| Previous car | Toyota Celica |
Summary:
Great car
Faults:
No problems yet.
General Comments:
A great car so far. Seems to be very well built. Handling is excellent, especially in the rain. Everything just feels tight and well constructed.
Only bad thing would be the power going up a grade -- 4 cylinder is a little weak. Fine on flat ground, though. Manual transmission is quick and responsive.
Road noise is average -- nature of the windows not being set in window frames.
Very versatile with the fold down seats.
Would buy same model next time.
Wish MPG was a little better. Come on Subaru -- get the hybrid going.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 18th April, 2005
I am surprised you find your 2.5 5speed sluggish on Hills. I have a 04 Outback Ltd with this power train, and find it extremely powerful for a four cylinder - with out realizing it on a trip the the hills in West Virgina, I was flying up a long grade a 90 mph, and not pushing the motor. Slowed down nicely too - My only complaint is that it is so smooth and has so much low end torque that I do not realize the speed until I look down. Keep the RPM in the 2500-3000 range, and it pulls hills better than my 5.7 liter van with a 3:42 rear gear for trailer towing.
My previous Malibu v-6 would have been ready to blow up in the hills at 90 mph.
| Model year | 2003 |
| Year of manufacture | 2002 |
| First year of ownership | 2002 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.5 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 4 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 2 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
5.6 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 28 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 40000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Honda Civic |
Summary:
Very good car, will continue to buy Subaru products
Faults:
Plastic cap on windshield fluid tank in the engine bay broke off.
Front window got scratched by defective buffers for the frame-less windows - the dealer replaced them and removed the scratches under warranty.
Sound system speakers are awful and need replacing for even the casual listener.
Accelerator pedal makes a creaking noise when pressed - dealer could not fix.
Internal plastics on B-pillar scratch easily.
Wind-noise from passengers side.
Very sluggish engine. The car is very underpowered.
Fuel economy is not that great.
An immobilizer and security system did not come standard on this car. I had to pay extra for a dealer-installed option.
Leather seats are somewhat slippery.
General Comments:
All Wheel Drive system is perfect.
Engine is loud and rattles which is unexpected in a car of this size and price.
Handles very nicely in winter on snow and rain.
Two sunroofs are a nice feature.
Almost everything in the Limited version is standard, which means that you do not buy expensive accessories later on.
Subaru reliability and exclusivity and low price makes this a good car to own by families. This car is what a Volvo used to be 20 years ago.
Jacking system for spare tire is one of the best and easiest systems I have used in terms of vehicle stability.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 9th April, 2005
You mentioned the quality and reliability is similar to Volvo of the 80s. Couldn't agree more. I've got a Volvo 245 with 250,000 miles and it's fine. It's as if the car could care less about the whole aging process. A friend has a 2001 Outback and I'm always blown away when we take it to the mountains.
Update by the original poster:
The car has 130,000 km on it. So far, nothing much else has gone wrong.
1. The outside mirror "triangles" paintwork wore off - I quickly replaced it under warranty just shy of two months.
2. The seat belt buckle place holder broke off - no safety issue, but nevertheless it is now requiring duct tape to prevent the buckle from sliding to the floor when not buckled up.
3. The OEM roof rack seized up - replaced under warranty.
4. The rear long light cluster cracked in the centre with resultant leakage of water into the light cluster. This costs $500 to replace + labour. Apparently this happens to more than just my car.
5. There is a very small leak of oil which I have not been able to pinpoint yet.
Luckily the gaskets did not blow (so far), although at one service interval I was informed there was a small leak and it was replaced.