I'm fairly seriously considering a new vehicle. My little Taco truck has been a rock, but I'm ready for something that will carry more people and pull boats (light ones) better. Besides, the oldest daughter could use a reliable ride, and the Taco fits that bill better than most things she could spend $5K on, so I might do well to just gift it to her.

Anyway, the first thing I considered was a new Tacoma 4x4 V6 double cab. I've never been too fond of short truck beds (really limits what you can haul in them), and when I saw the new (and used) prices on those things, I decided I wasn't going that route. Next up for consideration is a Subaru. They're offering 0% interest on new 2015s, and the new prices weren't as high as I expected, so this one still looks promising. Not being a Subaru aficionado, I don't know wheteher I should go with the Outback or the Forester. For whatever reason, the Outbacks tend to run a couple thousand more.

Anyone have any insight to offer with regard to which one's best for what I want to do? Any recommended dealers?

Thanks!

I'm on my second Outback...best car I've ever owned. Goes anywhere, good mileage, lots of storage, and pulls driftboats and rafts just fine.

I wasn't too stoked when my ex bought the first one, and after driving it a few times I put a hitch on it, and after towing boats with it a few times I was in. When the one I'm on craps out I will get another one.

Outback has a bigger back storage area than the Forester, and when I camp or fish I have a lot of things that are too long to fit in the Forester.

Fish on...

Todd

I bought an Outback a year and a half ago after my Camry gave up the ghost. No issues since I've owned it.
I use it primarily as my work rig and have been pleasantly surprised by the gas mileage.
I drove both the Forester and Outback before pullling the trigger. The Outback was more comfortable in my opinion and I liked the extra space.
I have a Explorer as my main fishing rig, but the Outback has worked well when I've used it for fishing trips. I can load fully rigged 9' 6" fly rods in it without issue.
So far very happy with the rig.
Get a few dealers involved with internet pricing and see what type of deal you can cut.
SF

I had a 2011 Outback. It was the base model 4 cylinder 6 spd. I loved that car. If my left knee wasn't in such sad shape,I'd still be driving it.

They're a very practical vehicle for the NW,and there is a reason they're so popular.

They won't make your dick longer like a driving a jacked up crew cab long bed diesel will though.

I have a 2009 WRX hatchback, I have only needed to change the oil and buy tires.

I love that damn car.

I'm considering buying one because I get tired of my unit hanging in the water while I'm taking a crap.

If driving one of these will make it smaller then I'm all in...................Finally.

I think booster seats for children in the back seat are free.

You'll have to buy one for the driver's seat

Fish on...

Todd

I will just sit on the Obama, Free Tibet, Visualize World Peace, and Rainbow stickers they give you when you buy one.

I have a 2006 V6 Outback and I'll probably buy an updated version when I'm done with this one. It is a very utilitarian vehicle. There are a lot of SUVs that are in a similar class but nearly all will have worse gas mileage, handle worse, and have more mechanical problems in the long run. I'd say the downsides are the lack of ability to tow heavy boats (no problem with rafts, drift boats, or small lake boats), potentially less ground clearance than some SUVs, and having to listen to the "yer a liberal lesbian" jokes from Jay Leno style "comedians".

Im not I on the whole Subaru line but I always thought the "outback" was originally a version of the Subaru Legacy while the Forester seemed more like an Impreza. Maybe it has more to do with the package purchased on a given model but, to me, the Legacy always felt like Subaru's higher end (quieter with a more solid feel) whereas the Forester seems noisier and doesn't have the same feel.

We drive to Seattle a lot and one of the things I have done with my kids is to try to find an outback without a bumper sticker. My favorite car was the one with all the bumper stickers above, along one that summed it all up, "Yes, I do believe in fairies!"

The late model outbacks are rated to tow up to 3000 lbs. That a decent sized boat. As far as ground clearance, short of something like a Wrangler, I don't think you'll find an suv with more than an outback. My 2011 had more ground clearance than a 2011 F350 4x4

Good thing to know about the clearance for the guys looking to trade in their jacked up pick-ups for a Subaru.
They'll have peace of mind knowing their rubber scrot sack hitch ornaments won't be scrapping the ground.

Thanks for the replies. So far, it looks like those who drive Subarus love them; those who don't say they're for sissies and liberals. About par for the course....

I think we've identified a key difference between the Forester and the Outback: towing capicity. Looks like the 4-cyl. Outback can do 2700, while the Forester only goes to 1500. Granted, for the boats I'd be towing, both would probably do it, but it looks like the Outback might enjoy a longer, happier life under the stress.

Time to start pricing Outbacks.

The bumper stickers are so you can find yours at trailheads

There are two kinds of vehicles were I'm from. Trucks and Subaru's. There is a reason for that. Screw the haters and people that stereotype. Bu's kick butt and will handle just about anything you throw at em'.

If I didn't insist on owning a truck, I'd have a Bu.

Fix it? All it looks like it needs is a little air in the tire...

...didn't redhook have a stupidru?

Ride a horse ,you sumbitch @$%^#$!!!!!!!!!

Saddle up.


Flea face it.

You just want to blend in ......................in Olympia...............the carpet munching...........liberal..............ground zero.

Do the Subaru's come with a plastic bag dispenser to pick up dog turds at the landfills leash free dog park?

Yes, it's my fondest wish to be a lesbian liberal. Unfortunately, the dog curbing kit is an expensive upgrade....

All Subaru joking aside, I will keep my eye open for one.

How much are you looking to spend?
New?