Used 2001 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews

LOVE MY CAR

I bought this brand new and wouldn't trade it for the world. I now have 175,000 on it and going strong. Few minor repairs like o2 sensor and knock sensor, but great car... July 2017 update... still love my car.. still going strong... SUBARU best in the world.

204,000 miles and going strong!

I suppose that every car is different, some have problems, but my 2001 L.L. Bean Outback has been as good as it gets. Almost no repairs except routine maintenance which I observe religiously. Runs like new. I keep trying to persuade myself to get a new car but when I get in and drive it, I just don't see why. I bought it for $22,000 when it was one year old with 25,000 miles on it so someone really used it but didn't hurt it. Must have been a lease car. It is so well made; the fit and finish are outstanding. I'm afraid to buy a new car! Update with 215,000 miles. Still love the car but it's beginning to show its age. There was rust around the moon roofs that I spent $1,500 fixing and it's perfect...amazing. The rubber boots around the axels (something like that) had to be replaced twice, now, in the past 15 years. I think a motor mount is going to need replacement. The leather driver's seat has cracked and replacement material is not available. The motor is perfect and burns no oil, whatsoever. Still reluctant to get a new car.

Subaru Wins

I Love my Subaru Outback. I bought it at an auto auction for $1250. due to the last owners beliefs about changing their oil I now have about $3000 all together in the vehicle including purchase price. I do my own labor as I'm slightly mechanically inclined and have a new rear sub frame, complete 3m undercoat to stop rust, and a new 85,000 miles used engine. The 2001 Subaru outback is exceptionally easy to work on by ANYONE. just buy the service manual at any auto parts store and you can do anything on your vehicle. All the sensors that do go bad are located on top of the engine block, easy. At 213k the tired old engine still pushed my outback to 122mph. The Subaru 2.5 has plenty of power.

Gets the job done

I bought my outback with 73K on it, It now has 140K. It is our grocery getter child transporter. Does great in the snow. I can get about 26-28 mpg city/Hwy. It does leak oil, i fear may be the dreaded Subaru head gasket. Thought it went out about 5K ago but it was the water pump. Shop said heads were fine. Interior is nice I do have leather package but not the limited. good comfort for long trips. I would buy another with out question. Only other issues are some electrical in steering column that makes turn signal sound for no reason, cruise control stopped working and horn no longer works. Also have to replace 4 tires at a time due to AWD.

Hi Miler Bargan Mover

OK, So I wanted ONE car to replace my three: MR2, Miata, & F250 4x4... Was looking at many options in the Small SUV market including the Forester [like driving in a fish bowl and under powered w/o Turbo] and with a very limited budget [darned economy] I was very lucky to find mine [priced low because it had 169k miles on the clock] 1. The power is 'very adequate' even surprising at times. The trade-off is a few MPG and having to buy Premium fuel, but annually for me this only amounts to $150, and no Timing Belt worries or Head Gasket problems with the H6! 2. It handles better than an SUV, but no MR2. 3. I've moved a ton of bricks [with trailer] about as much as the F250 could w/ trailer.

Love my Subaru!

Bought my Outback H6 3.0 used with about 143000 K and it now has 158,000 on it with no signs of slowing down. the ride is very comfortable especially for long drives, and outside noise is non bothersome. While the car does have a raised suspension and a good ride, it still handles very well, so much so that I was keeping up pace with STI's and Porsches on the famed mulholland drive in Malibu. If this exact car was available for sale new today, I would buy it in a heart beat.

Costly to maintain

Apparently all of those who told me to buy a Subaru because "you'll never have any problems" never owned a 2001 Outback. Granted, I did buy it when it was 4years old and had 100K miles on the clock, but it was fun to drive and looked great. The check engine light has been on more that it's been off: O2 sensors, catalytic converter, knock sensor have all been replaced and yet the light is still on. Brakes seem to wear out quickly and then there were the head gaskets to be replaced. This one has needed more expensive maintenance than any of the other cars I've owned. But it's still fun to drive and the driver's seat is even more comfortable now that my wallet isn't as fat.

Don't buy this car

Bought this car new. Now have 118,000 miles and it needs its 3rd head gasket. First went at 36,000 miles, 2nd at 83,000 miles. In cold weather (10 degrees or less) gas lines at fuel pump condense, allowing fuel to vaporize into the engine compartment. Smells like you are riding in the gas tank. If I could have afforded to dump this car earlier I would have. Lots of other smaller problems. Seems to go through tires very quickly.

2001 Outback

The Outback was our first "new" car, and we can certainly afford anything. This car has been completely troublefree, aside from the cupholder in the back seat that my kids stepped on (and broke). There is a lingering concern regarding head gaskets with the 2.5 engine. We have had no trouble at all. I do not know what incidence exists for these engines. We have a Subaru fanatic nearby who will change both sides for about $1500. Would I buy again? You bet - in fact, we're shopping right now for a Forester for her, so that I can start driving the '01 Outback - my '91 Loyale has 209k on it, and running fine but a bit of an embarrassment in this neighborhood.

LL Bean Outback

I love my LL Bean Outback. It's 2 toned which makes it look like a small SUV. The 6 cylinders give me plenty of get up and go. It has and excellently smooth ride and gets fairly good mileage on the highway, not quite as good in city driving. It has loads of room to pack and haul things. I would buy a new one today but Subarus last forever. At 50,000 miles all I needed was fluids checked and an oil change.

Head gasket on 4cyl.

I'm surprised that the last review is so old. At just under 100,000 miles, my head gasket blew. This appears to be a design flaw. I think Subaru should reimburse me $2400.

I've loved this car from the word GO!

I bought this Subaru in '05 with just over 50,000 miles on it. I LOVED it so much. It rallied in the snow, I never got stuck while living in Utah winters. I did have to replace the tie rods and cv joint but that is understandable having 127,000 miles on it. I love the way the car rides and feels substantial on the road without being luggy. The gas mileage was around 20-24. The head gaskets did seep oil and the check engine light had a mind of its own but the car ran like a champ! I am a Subaru fan for life-this was my third one. I sold this car a week ago to buy a newer one and I am very much regretting that choice because I miss it! Great for towing, camping and hauling all of sorts.

LL Bean Bust

We've had problems with the brakes over and over again. The car only has 39,000 mi. and it has been in for brakes three times and a very weird noise in the rear differential. They would not repair the differential stating that it was "normal" but several mechanics we consulted agreed that it is far from a normal sound. Very unsettling...

No Lemonade from this Lemon

We bought a brand new 2001 Subaru Outback for reliability. It is anything but reliable. At around 75,000 miles it required a $2000 Catalytic Converter, at 120,000 it required a head gasket and head rebuild, at 125,00 the transmission took a dump, and now, it has had a wire short out in the dash which melted all of the wires. It's done at 135,000 miles. I will never buy another Subaru product again. We were told by many that this would be a reliable vehicle when we bought it brand new. But, within the first two years we received a recall notice that the head gasket was badly designed. They didn't replace it, they simply poured in "Subaru fluid" (basically Stopleak) to "enhance the head gasket's reliability. This is the crap we used to use when we were teenagers, drove beaters, and didn't want to pay to fix a leaky radiator. Of course, even with their amazingly lame solution to their f-up, the head gasket went out. Then the transmission. After we had already bought a $2000 catalytic converter at only 75K miles, we put another $4000 into this car for the head rebuild and a used transmission, and got another a measly 10,000 more miles out of it before the electrical caught on fire. When my wife insisted on a Subaru Outback back in 2000, I gave in. I bought a Honda Civic a year or two before for myself. It is still going strong after nearly 20 tears with no repairs except for an a/c compressor at 120,000 miles. The 1987 Honda Accord I owned before I bought my 2000 Honda Civic ran trouble free for 310,000 miles but got totaled by a hit and run driver. If it hadn't been hit, I speculate it would still be running strong today. I was asked to update this review. So here is the update. It is and always will be the worst car I have ever owned.

2001 Outback

I am a long time Subaru owner and my current Outback is the fifth I have owned. Its overall performance and reliability are excellent. The styling is excellent as well. Based upon my experience with this model I most likely will buy another Subaru when I am ready to trade this one in. My only real complaint is with the transmission. It is solid and reliable, but it is rather clunky. By that, I mean it does not always shift smoothly and I often feel it slightly hesitate and "clunk" rather gracelessly into gear. I don't think this rough shifting fortells a more serious problem.

One Very Happy Subaru Owner

This is my second Subaru. I purchased this one at 112K miles, currently over 160K and other than front brakes & tires, I haven't spent a dime!! Every tank of fuel exceeds 25 MPG, it has yet to burn one drop of oil, and even they are shocked!!! Subaru's have outstanding reliability and economy. They don't take abuse well. For example if someone is a rookie at driving a clutch, could you wear one out at 88K? Yes, easily. That's not a knock on Subaru, that's the driver. Buy a Subaru, you won't regret it.

snow job

I was totally "snowed" by Subaru and others who have owned Subaru's. "Oh, they're so reliable I have 2 of them". "They're bullet-proof". So I bought a new 2001 Outback sedan for the "reliability" and the AWD for snowy weather. At just over 50,000 miles, one head gasket blew and while testing the system, they found the second one ready to go and had to replace it too. The repairman told me I wouldn't have the problem again when I told him I would not buy another if this was going to be a problem every 50,000 miles. Now at 120,000 miles, the head gaskets have once again gone out. This will be the third set of gaskets for something "bullet-proof" and "extremely reliable".

Best Sport Utility Ever!

I researched for about a year before I made my purchase. I am now and always will be a Subaru owner. I try and sell people I know and don't know on these cars. I've never had any major problems. This car has the best fuel economy, it's comfy, it's luxurious. I drove it in Washington in the snow every winter without getting stuck once ... I'm a snowboarder! Now I'm in Atlanta and it drives so wonderfully in the pouring rain. I feel very confident that my car and I will make it through just about anything.

Head gaskets

I also had the head gaskets problem. Only when I bought my car in (at 102K) the dealership did not want to repair them on their cost because they would only do so for cars below 100K. This while my car had been in the dealership at 97K and they found nothing. I find it a bit fishy they only found it after the 100K had passed. For me no Subaru anymore, although they drive great, don't expect to get much further above 100K without significant repairs.

Too expensive to maintain

This car handles well, is fun to drive, and I feel it is safe to drive with the family aboard. But after three, yes THREE radiator replacements, 2 head gaskets and several costly sensor replacements, I'm ready to be rid of this car. It has a computer "sensor" for seemingly everything, and I've had to replace them all more than once, and of course, these sensors are never in easy-to-reach places in the engine compartment, so every time, I've been totally reamed in the wallet. I just had the catalytic converter replaced as well, and like the other repairs for this car, it was very expensive. Seriously, I owned a Toyota for 10 years, and spent less than 1/4 the cost of repairs to it.

My Outback

Although this car was chosen by my wife, I can say I really enjoy driving it.. It really shines when the road is slick.. Two winters have proven it's the car to have when the going gets slippery.. Mileage on long trips is has been in the 27MPG range when crusing at highway speeds.. The only drawbacks have been the placement of some controls, especially the seat heat switchs.. They are frequently turned on when you set some down between the seats.. All in all when it comes time to replace this vehicle we will get another Suberu...

Expensive Major Repairs

Hidden recalls of clutch and head gaskets. (Done on warranty.) Second clutch and flywheel replacement after only another 30,000 miles. Independent mechanic thinks the clutch flywheel fittings and housing are not meant for this engine. Catalytic converter needed replacement. Oxygen sensor and idle needed replacement. Brake rotors needed work early on. Front bushing replacements. Maybe I just got a lemon.

2001 OutBack

Really have nothing to complain about except the fact I had to replace the catalytic converter at 90,000 which was expensive! I have had many vehicles with many more miles and NEVER had to replace a converter. just be warned if you buy one you're in for a expensive replacement part as this seems to be common.

Was a great deer hunter

We got the outback limited with 115000 miles on it. The only items I replaced were the wires and an alternator which was very simple to replace. The one thing that drove me nuts was the seat heater buttons. I was always turning them on, bad placement. I lost the car when a deer ran in front of me. I was going 75 mph and the car stayed straight as an arrow. The car was totaled by the insurance co. My wife and I did not get even a scratch. So we bought another 2001 outback with 68k on it. I hope to get 250000 k on this one. I still have to put up with that seat heater button.

The Short and Tall of Driving a Subaru Outback

I am almost 5'2" and my husband is 6'6". We both fit fine as driver and passenger - a big challenge to find something that works for both of us. I only wish this vehicle had seat memory (a button to push to say it's me or him). The only drawback to this car design inside is between seat and center console is a black hole of lost things. I saw something I can buy to block that slot so I won't have to get a stick, a hairbrush, or whatever, to reach between there and retrieve keys, money, and pens. It's like a magnet for dropping things into there. Currently, I see a french fry and an M&M, and for the life of me, cannot get it out! We bought this car used (2001) and took it to the NC mountains, where it drove around sharp mountain curves like a champ, hanging on tight and not making the passengers feel like they're going to be thrown out. Our other car is a 2001 GMC Jimmy 4WD, which is a tough old car, but you have to nearly come to a stop to turn a corner and it's a big time gas hog.

Is it time to give up?

Purchased this 6 cyl. used at 60,000 miles; it now has 125,000. The engine is so much better- smoother - than in my previous 4 cyl Outback. I had hoped to run it to 150,000 or so-- it depends on how much ongoing repairs cost. An ongoing maintenance issue is that the brake discs- esp. front- have worn out fast and the rotors warp -- somewhere I heard that they were undersized for the weight/size of the engine. This year I have to replace the muffler and a rusted out rear suspension piece - pricey repairs that I hope keep it on the road another year or two. I've been able to go almost anywhere, in any weather, on rough roads or the highway-- it's been a fine car.

Leaking oil but hasnt let me down (yet!)

Bought my car at 139,000. Pretty much right after it was delivered to me I found out it had an oil leak. I found out its leaking from multiple places and a mechanic won't even touch it out of fear that I'll complain that they didn't fix it correctly the first time. The check engine light has since come on I've gotten oil changes every 3000 miles and the check engine light has been on for about 12 thousand miles now. It still runs! I'm not gonna fix the oil leaks or the check engine light. 155,000 miles on it now. Still running like a champ tho I'm a little worried. I still love it!

JUMP START a Subaru and destroy the VDC

The battery went down on our top of the line Subaru with VDC. It was jump started by Subaru Road Service. The warning lights remained on after it was jumped. Waited for our 1/22/04 appointment with dealer. At first service said we were warranty "lucky" because the VDC computer part cost $1,200. It was replaced. Car not returned as promised. More parts needed. It's now 1/29/04. Again car not returned as promised. Negotiated 4 days Hyundai rental for previously plan trip. Service now says repair not covered under warranty because of "outside influence". Western regional manager concurred. Filed with the State. Car sent to other dealer. Returned 2/14/04.

These cars are getting old, but if you're handy...

These cars are starting to be classics and are somewhat complex for their day. I bought my 2001 VDC with the H6 engine to replace a gas guzzling GMC pickup that I use for adventure travel and getting to my camper, which requires offroad capability to get to. I saw videos on Youtube of these Outbacks doing some incredible things offroad so I decided to take a chance. My impressions: It has great road driving dynamics and the interior is much nicer than you would expect. The sound system is more than powerful for a stock system. Storage space is great and the seats roll forward and fold flat. You can sleep in the back for camping if needed. There's nice bins below the floor and above the spare tire- a nice touch. The engine's power is adequate under normal driving with the transmission keeping the revs down to heep fuel economy up. When pushed, it will make good power in the upper rev range. Being a flat six engine, it's near vibration free. So when I purchased mine earlier this gear with 65000 miles it still needed some mechanical love. Since it was used in the north some underbody corrosion has made the job harder as well. Having said that, I'm able to do the work myself and had to address the CV axles in the front (torn boots), front bearings, knuckles (were rusted), new calipers (rusted), rotors, and steering tie rods. These repairs would have been very expensive in a shop, but I was able to do it myself for just the cost of the parts and my time. The shocks were blown as well and abrupt bumps would cause a bottom out. So after 17 years with the OEM struts this is to be expected. Taking it offroad showed loss of paint on the front bumper from minor stream crossings so when I did the struts, I added a 1" lift suspension lift using strut spacers. So at this point I have it sorted out with maintenance and new parts. My benefit is a more comfortable and efficient ride than my old truck with better passenger comfort and interior storage. The roof rack helps too with a cargo carrier. I lost my heavy towing capacity, but that's OK. As a side bonus the Outback fits in my garage as well. At this point I have a slight oil leak from a valve cover gasket, but otherwise works like a new car after some love was shown to it. And comparing the Outback to any of my other trucks past and present, the offroad ability through deep sand is the most effortless of any of them. Subaru's are just that good and makes the work totally worth it for this level of capability combined with efficiency.

2001 Outback -lots of time in shop

Started off with a burning smell, at purchase (new). Months later, found an oil leak, but no help from dealer. Have gotten regular service w/ trusted mechanic. Head gaskets replaced. Front light replaced - out of order w/in a month. Problems with rotors - smoothed many times, replaced more than we'd like. Sigh. This car has not been worth the hassle and we won't buy another Subaru.

Solid Wagon

Bought it new. Extras include premium sound, heated seats, heated mirors and heated windshield. Manual transmission does well even with Seattle's steep hills. No problems that weren't covered by the warranty. I plan to keep it for many years to come. My only majior complaint is that the air conditioning isn't cool enough. There are only vents in the front seats so my passengers and dogs bake in the back or we freeze in front to keep them cool.

Head Gaskets Replaced - 100% Warranty

My '01 Legacy Outback Sedan was just diagnosed with leaking head gaskets when I had the oil changed. The car has 87k miles and is almost 9 yrs old. So I took it to my Subaru dealer in San Rafael, CA. They confirmed the head gasket problem, called Subaru headquarters, who agreed to a 100% parts and labor to install new head gaskets!! While they had the engine out they installed a timing belt ($84) and 2 drive belts ($35). I am ecstatic that they would warranty my 9-year old Subaru. Way to go! And it only took 3-1/2 days to fix.

Money Pit -

Bought it brand spanking new. At 80K we had to replace the catalytic convertor - $2,000. At 115K, we had to replace the head gasket - $2,000. At 125K the transmission took a dump. Because a new or rebuilt was over $3000, we opted for a used transmission and went ahead and did the CV joints at the same time since having the transmission out is a good time replace them - another $1700 total. Then, at 130K, we had an electrical fire underneath the dash. It turns out that the "weather package" - which runs on a 30 amp circuit - decided to go whaka-do and start a fire. Mechanic says it is sending excess amperage through the circuit. In doing so it melted the wiring harness. You would expect the fuse to blow but it didn't....why not? In the space of 6 years we spent $8,700 on this car. We bought a Subaru because of all of the talk about reliability. Bull-hockey. This car was a money pit and is now a useless hunk of metal. Buy a Subaru? NEVER AGAIN!

Descent, not great

A solid performer in snow and enough backseat room for child seats, the 2 main reasons we bought this. We bought private party, single owner with receipts. The previous owners had to buy head gaskets (80k) and a 5 spd transmission overhaul at 110k; shortly after purchase (at 114k) I had to replace front wheel bearings, and shortly after that the clutch started to chatter (had been replaced at 80k). High wind noise at highway speeds. The car is too heavy and the engine works too hard most of the time. With the exception of excellent traction control, this is a very average car in all other respects. I wish Subie would build small light AWD cars again, that's what they do best.

Midsize WannaB

I bought the larger Outback vs my 1998 Forrester. The interior is NOT midsized. Travel strains my legs. The power seats on the Outback helps some. The brakes on the Outback squeaks and have warped, an unexpected extra expense. I like the dark green, but lack of insulation makes the air conditioner ineffective. The great sound system is muffled by road noise. The 4 cylinder engine is far superior than any US made 4 cylinder, but I would prefer an US AWD 3.8L V6. I swear by AWD, many times avoiding other driver's mistakes. The plasic appearance is a far cry from the interior appointments of US made cars 20-30 years ago. 200,000 mile throw- away car.

Head Gasket again!

My 01 Outback has now had 3 head gasket failures. The first one was at 130K, second time only after 20K miles. I'm now looking for someone to replace head gaskets again. The car now has total of 70K on the 2nd head gasket. The car has 222K total on it now. There must be something I like about it since I keep fixing it, but issues with quality appeared early on. I have owned 2 other Subaru vehicles, but now will consider other AWD for my next Colorado mountain car.

Wonderful as expected

Though I have not owned this car very long, my mother drives a 2000 Outback Wagon that I fell in love with. The extras on the Limited model are very fun and feel solid. The 5-speed manual is smooth, but cruising at 65MPH just a little over 3000 RPMs is higher than my mother's auto. The AWD is amazing. I have never been stuck in any snow or ice. This past winter it climbed a rather steep icy brick hill with ease. A recent road trip put 1500 miles on it without a single grip from the car. I averaged 25MPG with a heavy load. I wish I was able to find an H6 model - the power is only adequate, but I prefer the manual transmission that isn't offered with the 6-cylinder anyway.

I finally found a car, I can trust !!

My daughter wanted to buy my 2001 Subaru. I told her "over my dead body" and I meant it literally. I have had my share of unreliable transportation over the years, one car's transmission even gave up, when we were driving it out of a showroom. When we went looking for a new car (this car was a demo so it was practically new), my husband (who takes care of our finances) almost didn't buy it. The salesman wasn't ready to budge another 100 dollars off. If we would have walked away from this car, I would have been heart broken. It is now 2008 and I think it has been in the garage maybe 4 times. I can depend on it day after day to get me to work, shopping, wherever. I will never take it for granted.

just amazing

THIS CAR I THINK IS THE BEST CAR ON THE ROAD,(APART FROM THE IMPREZA WRX) I DONT THINK IT LOOKS AS GOOD AS THE IMPREZA WRX, THE ONE I DROVE DIDNT HAVE THE GRILL ON THE BONNET WHICH WAS A DISSAPOINTMENT BUT THE POWER IS THERE! ALTHOUGH ITS A BIG CAR IT HANDLES LIKE A TRUE SMALL SPORTS CAR!

Summit County Subaru

This is my third Subaru wagon. It's been very reliable during the 4.5 years I've owned it. The only non-scheduled maintenance item I've had to perform was the replacement of a malfunctioning anti knock sensor. At 70k the engine is not as strong as it was at first, but still runs strong. Both my previous wagons (GL and Loyale) were purchased used at about 90k and driven to 160k. With regular maintenance Subaru wagons will serve you a long time. They get good gas mileage too; 26-28 mpg on my current Outback wagon. There's plenty of space to haul cargo and luggage too. Don't hesitate to buy one!

Has Been Great - Time to Move On

Yes, this car has been wonderful to drive, however I have struggled with the maintenance end of the car/owner relationship. Since my purchase in March, 2003, I have averaged 9 cents/mi in maint costs since this car came 'into the word' - highlighted by a head gasket replacement in 2005 ($2200) (might as well also do the timing belt at the same time!) Also, I am now after increased fuel economy based on my daily commute, thus feel it is time to part ways.

VDC at 4 years

I have owned this car since new. It has given me 66k miles of uninterruped, luxurious service. While unremarkable outside, the interior frequently causes passengers to remark: "This is a Subaru? !" The leather, wood trim and 220 Watt MacIntosh Stereo are all on par with the far more expensive cars my non-snow-belt inhabiting friends drive. The recent addition of Ultra High Performance All Season Michelins has had me fall in love with the car all over again as the handling is improved to GT level and the road noise is drastically reduced. I would change only the control for the dual sunroof and add headlight washer jets to make this car perfect.

It's love, all right!

Useless Sunroofs, Low Power - Good Car

Car rides well, but is certainly underpowered with a 4 cyl. engine, or way overpriced with a 6 cyl. We lease the 2001 Outback Ltd. with ato trans and 4 cyl engine. Dual sunroofs seemed like a fun idea, but in reality they're useless. The one over the front seat is a "pop top" that barely opens, and the power sliding moonroof is over the back seat - useless to driver!

A great car-that has some minor issues.

Added hieght of the Outback is a plus, not as high as an SUV but only slightly lower than a minivan's line-of-sight. Short skirted pistons can sometimes rap when cold but quiet down after warming up to operating temperature in this horizontally opposed 4 cyl. Expect low 20s for local driving MPG. Not bad considering AWD.

Big mistake buying this 2001 Subaru L.L. Bean Edition

Nothing but problems with this car and expensive to fix. I wish I had never seen it for sale just a year ago when we paid $7,000 and have added another $4,000 in repairs. Engine lights, overheating, noises, bearings, misfiring, and on and on. It was over heating and the repair shop installed a new radiator for $500 and then two days later the car over heats and blew out the head gaskets. We're selling this as JUNK, which is what it is. We were always Toyota people but shifted to Subaru when Toyota put profits ahead of customer safety and screwed their customers. Now what do we do?

Expensive repair, lousy mpg

Try 17-19 mpg in mixed driving even on non-ethanol gas which is only 6 months a year around here. I get 25 mpg on an open highway on cruise control on good gas. My experience has been tire blowout at 25K miles, an expensive fuel injector around 30k miles, the cargo area interior cover before 30k miles, the serpentine belt at 40k miles, and the very expensive leaking valve gasket at 50k miles. Altogether, I have experienced higher than usual repair incidence of very expensive repairs, and long before they are due for normal maintenance. There were two recall notices, also.

LL Ban: Amazing Grace

In myfifth moth of ownership, with a 60- mile daily commute. I am 1005pleased with the car. I traded and Explorer Eddie Bauer and my wife has a Saab 9-5 wagon. This car is better than either. The Explorer felt agricultural by comparison, and while the Saab is comparable, it's not worth the extra 10 grand. (Proof: We take the Subie on road trips.) This car is comfortable, good-handling, quiet, and sturdy.

2001 Subaru Outback AWD 6 cylinder

Finally a Subaru with decent power. It's fun to drive, AWD makes it safe and stable in rain or snow, very dependable. Rarely breaks down and very safe crash test results. Needs better drink holders for travel comfort.

Exceeds Expectations!

I have owned a number of new cars including several Suburbans. With kids grown and a move to 'snow country', I bought the OB new and have found it to be the best car I have owned in my life. Any other cars had to be taken back to the dealer within about 2 weeks with a long list of 'fixes'. (Maybe they 'lowered' my expectations for this car ... lol) I looked for several months before buying, and had intended to purchase a small SUV. The OB gave me the best of two worlds - the AWD and the hauling capacity of a small SUV with the comfort and better ride of a nice car.