Subaru -- OutBack or OuterSuburbs

[Coyotte]

Bought my first Subaru a new 2008 Outback 2.5i Auto during Oct 2008 and have covered just over 15000 km towing either a Camper or 16ft Trailer Sailer the vast majority of the time over everything from freeways to firetrails under all conditions bar snow /ice all with out any sign of mechanical failure.

there is no doubt that the engineering behind the vehicle is second to none.

BUT one the basis of it's name "OUTBACK" one would presume that it was quite capable as a general purpose tourer .

this I find is far from the truth --- whilst the concept is great the body design is deplorable for this purpose .

1: Subaru recommend that no front protection be fitted ( ie bullbar) and on a auto with a fitted towpack this is near impossible

2: Under the bonnet is that crammed that how would you fit a dual battery setup under there ?

3: Why the swept back windscreen in a country like Ozz where you need protection from the Sun ?

4: Max roof load 100kg

5: Why a sloping tailgate ? --- it only cuts down on storeage area

6 : But worst of all -- the Spare Tire buried under anything you load into the rear with no provision for rear mounting .

So what are Subaru saying here --- do not venture where you may run into livestock or widlife --- forget about putting a decent load on the roof --- if you load the boot up for God sake do not go anywhere you could get a flat tire


All I can say a wonderful concept destroyed by the body stylists .

just my thoughts
Coyotte

 

[Kevin]

1. If we listened to Subaru we wouldn't take our vehicles offroad at all

2. People have - with very compact gel batteries

3. Agree - but it's great in heavy rain / snow. (the radiant heat used to annoy me in my Outback)

4. Stiffer springs! But, yes, best to keep the weight down on the roof of any vehicle.

5. Yes, that too annoyed me

6. Ditto

Remember, it's a Liberty / Legacy wagon after all, not a Landcruiser! :iconwink:

 

[benwarn]

hmmm, and remember its a Japanese designed car right. Some of the stuff subaru says is to cover their buts. like frontal protection/tranny cooler. A front bar weighs 30kgish, taking an extra person weighs more, i dont think it'll be a problem! Roof loading, i've had 200kg on my roof before many a time.

I guess you need to remember that they make a car that they see will fit most buyers best. like, if you wanna take a 200 series cruiser 4wding, why give it IFS? Because the majority of people drive it round town. same thing really

 

[eden]

1. who cares what they recommend.we've had e'm for years. works well
2.I've got a dual battery setup. do a search for pics and info
3. get a tint if your not happy. i don't find it that bad. i'm a tradesman with heaps of tools. when i go away i need a trailer but so doe's my mate. he's got one less kid than me.
4. ivé got a roof basketwhich i reckon ivé exeeded 100k and yeah i bought stiffer springs. but so did every offroader i know. everything you buy these days you have to "accessorize"????
5. yeah it could be bigger???
6. look, no Subaru was built for a 4WD challanenge. we drive our subies for the challenege. they are a well built little bruiser that handle heaps. we mod them and take them beyond their means, and they handle more than anyone can emagine. anyone in and around Sydney is more than welcome to come on a trip with me, Mr T, Rally, Kevin, Anyone in the area on any trip we do. you'll see what these little bugger's can do with the right person behind the wheel

 

[chickenlover]

1. who cares what they recommend.we've had e'm for years. works well
2.I've got a dual battery setup. do a search for pics and info
3. get a tint if your not happy. i don't find it that bad. i'm a tradesman with heaps of tools. when i go away i need a trailer but so doe's my mate. he's got one less kid than me.
4. ivé got a roof basketwhich i reckon ivé exeeded 100k and yeah i bought stiffer springs. but so did every offroader i know. everything you buy these days you have to "accessorize"????
5. yeah it could be bigger???
6. look, no Subaru was built for a 4WD challanenge. we drive our subies for the challenege. they are a well built little bruiser that handle heaps. we mod them and take them beyond their means, and they handle more than anyone can emagine. anyone in and around Sydney is more than welcome to come on a trip with me, Mr T, Rally, Kevin, Anyone in the area on any trip we do. you'll see what these little bugger's can do with the right person behind the wheel

1 -what he said
2 - plenty of room
3 - what he sad! I like it...its what makes it a subaru - especially if you compare the styling to the early subies... otherwise we might as well all drive volvos
4 - 100kg is conservative - and how much crap do you really want to load up there!? Yeah stiffer springs here too...lovely!!
5 - like it!! plenty of room there too
6 - put it on the roof then! If you get a flat its supposed to be a pain in the arse - gotta be easier than having to move the spare to get to the esky

Subaru are trying to run a busniess - thats why the original Subaxtreme and others popped up. they are a fantastically enginered car, but everything can do with improvements to suit your needs...

7 - stop your winging and give it hell...she will love it!!
8 - if you buy a car because of what its called - dont go into any ...well any other manufactures car yard then...

 

[Cluster Fock]

There is definately room in the engine bay for a second battery if you're creative. Remove all the silencer crap on the air intake. It's a waste of space and you may even get a few more HP out of it with better airflow

 

[mr turbo]

1: I know of a lot of Outbacks (both auto & man) that have had bullbars fitted (including tranny coolers) for years & had no problems. :iconwink:

2: Yes, under the bonnet it's crammed tight, but so are most cars (of any brand) these days. But as Kevin says, with smaller gel batteries, it can be done. Hey Eden :biggrin:

3: I'll admit thats a b!tch, but you could always have it tinted.

4: Too much weight on the roof is never a good thing anyway, so it's best to keep it as low as possible weight wise anyway. And yes, I have stiffer, raised springs.
However a lot of people change the suspension set up on their cars these days, whatever make or model it is.

5: Ill admit defeat on that one.

6:Any time you get a flat tyre & have to change it, it's a pain in the butt.
However, you could always get a tyre repair kit, (they range from about $10 upto about $50) That way you can repair the tyre in just a few minutes, without even having to take the wheel off. :biggrin:

6. look, no Subaru was built for a 4WD challanenge. we drive our subies for the challenege. they are a well built little bruiser that handle heaps. we mod them and take them beyond their means, and they handle more than anyone can emagine. anyone in and around Sydney is more than welcome to come on a trip with me, Mr T, Rally, Kevin, Anyone in the area on any trip we do. you'll see what these little bugger's can do with the right person behind the wheel

I'll 2nd that.
And believe you me, there have been many a dropped jaw, suprised look on peoples faces when they have seen what a Subaru can do.:banana:

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[Rally]

I used to take a 2 door Falcon through the outback, so I'd be quite happy to atke an Outback through the outback. If you feel you need a second battery, you can always get one of the power pack jump starter kits. I would never tour the outback in the summer and would recommend against it- in any car. Nor would I want to put anything on the roof. It kills your fuel economy and is very noisy, and makes the car unstable. How many people are you planning on taking with you in the car?

 

[Mr-hilux]

1. When you hit a roo in the outback tell the insurance company what they said.

2. Dont complain i have a hilux and i dont have any room under the bonnet for a second battery. I have to move the air box and relocated the power stering reservouir in order to get one in or put it in the tray.

3. Just tint it.

4. At least you can put wait on your roof, if i put wait on my hilux it may tip over.

5. I have a tray and if it rains just about everthing gets wet or i can spend money to turn it into a wagon but then it's no longer a ute.

6.At least you can get to your spare tyre . My one is under the tray. Try getting to it when your bogged. So you dont like the spare tyre in the boot put roof racks and put it on the roof.


Stop whining and take that subaru for a good play. Take edens offer up you wont regret it for one minute. I had a brumby for 6 years and the only reason i parted with it was that i needed that extra back seat.

 

[RossL]

Suggestion - Just work out what you want to do and the capabilities of the car (AND when your there - consider the current conditions for where you are traveling) if they match up then go for it. The Outback can go a lot further than most people think, if you exercise some degree of care.

I'm on my second 3.0l auto Outback. Previous one towed an early model Modcon c/trailer to Cameron Corner etc, via White Cliffs plus areas in between. With the current (05) one we have taken it through Cameron Corner, Flinders Ranges, Coober Peddy, WhiteCliffs (seem to go that way most years), Oodnadatta Track, Carnarvon George etc, often towing a Kimberley Kamper trailer. Had a guy on the Oonadatta track come up and say he spent $180K+ on his 4wd+trailer and was wondering why when he saw the Sub+trailer. He only wanted to stay on the regular dirt tracks when I asked him.

- my car has a SubX bar and sump guard. Easy to fit yourself (about to take them off and put the original bumper back on as I now use a Navara for more serious off road & towing)
- Second battery, use a jumpstart battery, I added a duel bat. relay plus a power outlet in the back to recharge the jumpstart (sometimes used for fridge at night) and c/trailer batteries
- I find biggest limitation is fuel range when without the c/trailer (has 3 jerry cans) as I do not like to carry fuel inside
- 2nd spare goes on the c/trailer (BTW - most 4WDs have the spare underneath the back, try staying clean when getting that out on a dirt road)

 

[Cluster Fock]

I take it the subx bar wont fit a Fozzy will it? If it did I'd buy it off ya

 

[mr turbo]

G'day RossL & to ORS mate.

I'm on my second 3.0l auto Outback. Previous one towed an early model Modcon c/trailer to Cameron Corner etc, via White Cliffs plus areas in between. With the current (05) one we have taken it through Cameron Corner, Flinders Ranges, Coober Peddy, WhiteCliffs (seem to go that way most years), Oodnadatta Track, Carnarvon George etc, often towing a Kimberley Kamper trailer. Had a guy on the Oonadatta track come up and say he spent $180K+ on his 4wd+trailer and was wondering why when he saw the Sub+trailer. He only wanted to stay on the regular dirt tracks when I asked him.

Glad to see that you are having lots of fun & enjoying your Outback.

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[RossL]

G'day RossL & to ORS mate.



Glad to see that you are having lots of fun & enjoying your Outback.

Regards
Mr Turbo

Thanks Mr Turbo, I've been a long time watcher and member since my first Subaru, then dropped off for a period when the site had troubles.
Daughter has now joined the 'family' with a new Impreza RS & it only lasted 3 months before air suspension went in (still it is not as lethal as her previous little hand built Pulsar with 200+Kw at the front wheels).