lancer425 Posted September 19, 2017 Report Share Posted September 19, 2017 I have recently been thinking about getting a 4wd of some kind again, i have been managing quite well with a Renault Kangoo van this past few months since i sold my Land rover 110. I just want a 4wd car or small 4x4 , and i have come accros a Subaru Outback diesel a 2009 with 156K miles on it at a farm sale its been sat a couple of months and is dirty but it seems to run fine at the viewing and i am thinking of having a try for it and asking here for any experience the PW fraternity might have on these cars good or bad. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted September 19, 2017 Report Share Posted September 19, 2017 The only problem round here is they are the travellers car of choice, seem to go anywhere judging by where the tyre tracks on our ground show... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodie Posted September 20, 2017 Report Share Posted September 20, 2017 I bought a pre registered diesel Forester and thought it excellent. The boxer diesel seems a good engine and economical. The only downside is Subaru dealer prices are horrendous and pattern parts are very limited. I had a rear shock leak. They would not replace a pair under warranty and I was told parts and labour for the one shock was around £800! When the other side started leaking just out of 3 year warranty, and with no pattern part for self leveling, I took advantage of the good resale value and sold it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancer425 Posted September 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2017 HMM very thought provoking brodie. not some thing i had considered regarding the self levelling aspect, and i suppose there will be many other parts if needed unavailable after market. I do like the idea of the boxer diesel and do not think this car will be very expensive , so i might still have a try for it. There must be subaru breakers around and i saw a used 2009 on ebay not running for under a grand so buying a donor car for parts cpould be an option it would not be the first time i have done that with obscure cars in the past. What sort of MPG are we talking Brodie .? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodie Posted September 20, 2017 Report Share Posted September 20, 2017 Averaged high near 50mpg in mixed driving. If I stayed mid 60s on motorways it would return around 60mpg. You're probably better off with an older car for pattern parts than I was with a 2013 plus the greater chance of finding something in the breakers. Good luck whatever you decide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancer425 Posted September 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2017 Thanks And the MPG looks in line with what i want , i will give it a try see if i can get it .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PERCE Posted September 20, 2017 Report Share Posted September 20, 2017 http://www.pedders.co.uk/info-subaru-forester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandspider Posted September 21, 2017 Report Share Posted September 21, 2017 I seem to remember reading of crankshaft (I think) failures on the diesel Subarus? The petrols have a better rep from my days as a Subaru (petrol) owner... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted September 21, 2017 Report Share Posted September 21, 2017 As above pedders, you can get after market parts for them. Plenty of independent specialists around too. I have ran a Forester 2.0 XT for a few years and I'm selling it soon as I wanted something bigger and bought a XC90 But very very good 4x4 system on them and really comfy to drive. Only problem with the boxer diesels was crankshafts cracking but if this one has the miles on it's fine they tended to go a lot earlier mileage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancer425 Posted September 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2017 Thanks for the replies i am going to try for it they sound ideal for what i need good on road with good ecconomy for the trips to scotland Wildfowling and deer stalking, more comfortable and faster than the van which as served its purpose well and suprised me with its practicality I need a car now and this one will be good enough for the tracks and forestry i dont be extreme terain i think it will be good. . The lad at the farm who started it for us said they had a forester before this and felt the forester was a better workhorse for trailers and such with the more traditional 4x4 system, where as the outback was AWD and higher geared for trailers. We have the wifes Land cruiser for the horse box i only want it for shooting most of the time it will be me and the dog the biggest trailer it is ever likely to tow is a 6foot trailer i have for sand and rubish moving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodie Posted September 22, 2017 Report Share Posted September 22, 2017 I understood all Subaru's had the same AWD drive system. Being a relatively small volume manufacturer they carry a lot for parts over between models - check out how many models use the same dash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancer425 Posted September 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2017 I imagine you are right i was a little confused by his description but he seemed adament the outback was higher geared for trailer work, non of this really bothers me but i like to have a basic knowledge of the car and other model subarus just out of interest, i know its a little longer than a forester and wider guessing it could be differences in the ratios themselves rather than gearbox they apear to run a 5EAT box in the 2009 changed in the 2010 model year, not much diesel info i could find. . Some other specs here http://www.northursalia.com/techdocs/trannychart/trannychart.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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