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No... not when there are so many other "interesting" looking cars out there, eh PU?
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Outback is just a Legacy Tourer with raised suspension, self-levelling rear suspension, slightly more equipment and increased price.
I'm not knocking, I've just bought an Outback!
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Spec B. The ride is much better than you'd imagine.
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Nsar - come and try my Outback 3.0Rn. We aren't far away from each other.
I like it because its good over potholes and easy to get into. The Legacy equivalent, is lower, which may be better for handling but hot as good for ease of use.
e-mail me gk (at) longdenandcook.co.uk
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Espada - thanks for that kind offer. I had a really good long test drive on my own in one at Robinsons's in Rochdale, so wouldn't want to put you out.
Out of interest, what kind of MPG are you getting? I find that the computer on my current Legacy is pretty close to reality - about 5% optimistic.
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Hi Nsar
in the last 9,000miles the trip computer is showing an average of 21mpg. This is on probably a minimum of 80% of the suburban roads around Manchester, with the rest being motorway driving. Certainly a pure motorway trip can give me about 30mpg if I'm not too heavy footed and 100% urban driving will get me down to about 18mpg.
I would like to drive a Legacy Sports Tourer, just to see what the lower height makes to the quality of the ride. I would love to get rid of my 17" wheels and replace them with 16" and higher profile tyres.
I think the latest Forester is also a good car, and in reality suits 90% of my driving much better, but mine is supremely comfortable and quiet on the motorway, whereas the Forester is noisier.
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Nsar, I drive Car C - 3.0 on 18" rims and I find the suspension firm but not overly so. Comfort is good around pot holed Surrey and Berkshire roads and on the motorway it is a refined cruiser. I expect it would be the 18" wheel and tyre combo that would be the liability in and out of pot holes with the suspension coping OK. BTW I've averaged 27mpg over 6,000 miles in 8 weeks - it shows low 20's around town.
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Thanks for the comments so far. Does anyone know what the difference in ground clearance is between a normal Legacy Sports Tourer and a Spec B? I'm talking about 55/56 plate models.
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I run an 06 Spec B manual saloon on the standard 18'' and get 29-30mpg on a run, 24-25 local stuff, no sitting in jams though as it's a rural area. It is possible to get less with a bit of enthusiasm! I find the ride very acceptable even over potholes. I can't comment on the tourer though. If you like a bit of enthusiastic driving from time to time get the Spec B, if not I think I'd have the Outback but definitely the H6 3 litre, it's a peach. Chain cam too.
Edited by nick on 04/11/2007 at 19:49
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Just driven from Manchester to London (am here now!). Filled up at the BP on J17 M60 and arrived at MiLs exactly 201 miles later of which 199 were on the motorway. Including a five minute stop at a service station and the Luton contraflow, the journey took 3 hours and 10 minutes. I had the cruise on 74mph for 170 miles and on 90mph for the final 29 on the motorway. Averaged 30.3mpg, but was heading to 30.9 if I stayed at 74mph.
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I have the 2.5L Outback '56 plate. I'm quite satisfied with it. Good performance and ride. 16in tyres, good over cushions. When it is properly run in I'll check the fuel consumption. I have noticed recently, though, that it is using a little oil. At 11,000 miles it isn't expected.
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Hillman - you're north west based - where do you go for servicing?
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My Calirornian friends run an Outback 2.5 XT...a version not available in the UK. Having spent Jan/Feb there for the past 2 years I find its ability on snow awesome...the first couple of backcountry snowshoeing trips I thought we would never get there,(or back again!) but now I just take it for granted. Fantastic piece of kit.
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Being tall I would vote for the Forester Turbo every time. My head hits the roof in all the others!
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A couple of questions:
Am I correct in thinking that the 3.0 Outback is only available in automatic transmission?
And if so - why is that? I would have thought that most 'enthusiastic' drivers would a) prefer manual transmission, and b) prefer the larger engine.
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Yes - auto only in Outback form.
If you want to go more quickly in a Subaru 3.0 estate, buy a Legacy Wagon Spec B which is about 2" lower ride height, has better handling and a manual gearbox I think.
The Outback is designed for more bumpy roads and tracks (not 'off road' or even 'soft road' I reckon) but also gives a softer ride and easier access to and from the cabin.
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The Legacy STi, saloon and estate, is available from Litchfield as an import with 320bhp and has a choice of manual or automatic.
To make an Outback handle, an enthusiast would need to fit a lowering kit so would be better starting from a Legacy estate.
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