fellas, enlighten me on this vehicle please
looking to downgrade. currently have a 08 MDX and looking for something "smaller" that
a. more fuel efficient
b. lowers my monthly
c. roomy enough for 4 (have baby # on the way in October and a 1.5 yr old now)

looking for something in the 25k ball park if there are any other suggestions

man.... im getting old

 

My dad has a 2011 Outback and my brother has a 1995. They are both very good cars -- reliable, good in the snow, solid handling. At $25k you'd probably be looking at a 2010+ 2.5 or a pre-2009. I haven't driven the 2010 2.5, but I have to imagine it's dog-slow. The same engine as in my '08 Impreza, but with a lot more weight to haul around. It does get 24mpg combined per the EPA, which is pretty good for a an AWD car of its size. I actually like the look of the 2009 and earliers better, and you can get the sweet 2.5XT model. But obviously an older platform and IMO they don't ride as nice, and are a little smaller which can be good or bad depending on if you like the smaller footprint or want more space.

If you could find a 2010+ with the 3.6 they have really good pickup, though MPG drops to 20. Hopefully the new DIT motor will make it's way over here, that thing is sweet.

 

Thanks for the info dude.
most likely going the CPO route so those pre 2009 might be out of the picture.
hows the auto trans? should i be looking for the 6mt only?
i've only driven a 03 WRX and was quite satisfied with the overall feel of it.

 

The 6 AT in my dad's 2011 3.6 Outback is pretty nice. Good spread on the gears and very quick to shift down. But I think the 2010+ 2.5 only comes with a CVT, and I haven't driven that one. I've only driven one CVT car (not a Subaru) and it was horrendous, so I'm definitely biased against the 2.5/CVT combo but you should probably try it out yourself. If you do end up looking at older Outbacks, the 4 speed auto in our '08 Impreza is terrible. I believe the pre-2009 auto Outbacks used the same tranny, so I would definitely go with the stick over the 4-speed auto.

 

2012 outback starts at 23,xxx :thinking: