Which Outback should I buy
 

2006 Outback 3.0R LL Bean with Navigation 42,000 miles $15,999
2008 Outback 2.5i Limited 73k miles $14,488
2008 Outback 2.5i Limited 105k miles $13,995 New Head Gaskets, four new struts, water pump, timing belt, all fluids changed, tranny, diffs. All work done by Subaru dealer. I asked why it needed HG and they said the techs spotted some seepage, so they went ahead and did the HG. I thought Subaru solved the HG problem on the 2.5's by 08

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Re: Which Outback should I buy
 

If you believe that, then you've been drinking the Subaru Kool aid for way too long. They never have, nor would have ever fixed it, hence going to an all new engine design that follows in the footsteps of the EZ30.

As to a response, without seeing them in person and checking them over, who knows. No one can anser that question over the interwebs. However, I would be going with the 06 Bean out of the 3 if I were buying blind.

Re: Which Outback should I buy
 

Nate, thanks for your input, I agree with you. THE BEAN!

Re: Which Outback should I buy
 

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http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/w...bootmobile.jpg
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Re: Which Outback should I buy
 

I would get the 2006 as well. Timing chain is loud and you have to rev it to see the 250 horses but it is a good engine from what I can tell. It is the one thing I really like about the Tribeca.

Re: Which Outback should I buy
 

Thanks Tony! When you say loud, how loud we talking, like annoying loud, can you elaborate further. Is this and fuel consumption a factor for not buying an H6 outback. John Im glad you found your hiking boots:p

Re: Which Outback should I buy
 

Yeah, mileage won't be great so that may be a factor to consider. The timing chain is noticable. Whether it is annoying or not will depend on the person.

Re: Which Outback should I buy
 

I recently read that Subaru finally switched to multilayer gaskets, I believe, in 2010. If that is true, it could be reason to believe the problem will be much less frequent.

Re: Which Outback should I buy
 

I checked in with my local Subaru dealer and he is checking out what his multi-dealership (5) franchise has to offer in white.
Other wise I like the one that just had the head gaskets/struts done.

Re: Which Outback should I buy
 

Had my 2010 Outback in for service at 181,000 miles. Passed with flying colors.

The Subaru Mid-Atlantic rep was at Russel was there at the time and I talked to him a bit.

He said that in his territory, NONE of the new generation 2.5 Outbacks have had any sort of overheating issues (head gaskets, water pump, radiator, etc.)

They ran pressure tests on my block and radiator as a complimentary service and said everything was perfect..

I did not like the engine noise in either of my 3.0 VDC Outbacks with the timing chain. Long ago, even Trish noticed that her new 3.0 H-6 engine was noisier than my SVX engine with 50K miles. Not unbearable, but noticable and occasionally annoying. Our new Outback is infinitely quieter.

I agree with svxfiles about the one with the timing belt, head gaskets and struts being done. The L.L. Bean Dan is looking at had a trailer hitch installed before it was sold at 25 miles. The mileage is low for a 2006, but the could have been pulling something with extra loads on the car at lower speeds and for shorter distances.

Much rather have a car with highway miles and regular maintenance.

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Re: Which Outback should I buy
 

Speaking of Stealerships,
(and having worked in dealerships from 1974 to 2006)
I visited a Subaru dealership in Washington PA last Tuesday, spoke to one salesman, one service "professional", and two parts people, and except for the parts people, felt dirty for having spoken to them....

My sister took her 2006 Legacy into a Subaru dealership in Monroeville PA on Thursday for two recalls.
They tell her that because She is two quarts low on oil that She needs a $1700.00 head gasket job!:mad:
She goes home, the oil level is FINE!
They did not add oil...

IT'S A MIRICLE!:eek::rolleyes:
The car was owned by an Honest Subaru dealer and I have personally serviced it since 60,000 miles.

So, why do people hate dealers?!

Re: Which Outback should I buy
 

Tom, I agree with you on the 2.5 version that just had the HG done and other work, but car is not for me, its for the Boss:eek: and as most women don't understand, she wouldn't be thrilled about buying a car with over 100k miles that we have to finance. I figured for 2 grand more and 63k less miles the 3.0 Beaner would be a better deal, and of course she would love the mileage and the amenities. I have never driven a subie 3.0 so I cant relate to the timing chain noise everyone is talking about. We have 3.0 in our 01 Bmw and all I hear is sweet sound of power, and its rated slightly less in HP than the subie 225 versus 250 on the subie.:confused:

Re: Which Outback should I buy
 

The only 3.0 that I've had my hands on was in a Pearl White 2006 Tribeca.
I never noticed the engine being noisey, but the Tribeca is VERY well insulated.
The owner now has a Pearl White 3.6 Tribeca and he says the new engine is worlds better, power and milage.

Re: Which Outback should I buy
 

I really would rather have the 3.0 if it was my money.

Re: Which Outback should I buy
 

Consumer Reports reliability ratings, compiled from subscriber surveys, give the '08 2.5 Outback "much better than average" in the "engine, major [problem]" category. The head gasket issue may persist, but apparently isn't too widespread. Overall, the 4-cylinder Outback 2006-2011 rates "better than average," with the lowest mark being "worse than average" for the '06 "drive system."

dcb