Used 2002 Subaru Outback Wagon Consumer Reviews
Used Outback for sale
VDC - Very Dynamic Car
WRXSTi, 06/30/2003
2002 Subaru Outback VDC AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This is my 7th Subaru, and by far the best made and engineered of all of them. No rattles, squeaks, grinding, smoking as of 32000 miles. The VDC is all about the motor, VERY smooth throughout rev range, boxer H6 like a "Porcha", tranmission well matched and downshifts without hesitation. Tip- take the spring on the muffler bypass and reverse it, it allows full flow of exhaust and gives you the distinct pleasure of hearing the engine note at all throttle settings, plus increases the MPG and acceleration.
Reliability of McIntosh Stereo
jcborgeson, 06/25/2003
2002 Subaru Outback VDC AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This is my first Subaru. Great highway cruiser, very quiet. I am puzzled by the reviews that complain of wind noise. Its quieter than my Jag XJR. I've measured with a sound meter to confirm. Reliability is good with 20,400 miles. Service has been excellent. The one problem has been the McIntosh stereo. We are on our third, waiting for the fourth. The system sounds great but reliability is awful. I've been told that it is really a Clarion head with McIntosh trim. On the plus side, the AWD system is superb, far better than the Volvo XC70 it replaces. I have been pretty amazed at the slop, ice and snow this car can move through safely.
2002 Subaru Outback for sale near you
Showing 3 of 3 listings
- Base WagonMSRP: $5,999650 mi away
- Base WagonMSRP: $2,500884 mi away
- Base WagonMSRP: $3,7771,461 mi away
Avoid this model
Ridergirl, 06/26/2009
2002 Subaru Outback AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
My previous car was a Nissan Pathfinder which I finally retired at 308,000 miles. I bought this as a Subaru certified, used, at 60,000 miles, hoping I would get the same performance. Not so. The engine had to be replaced at 90,000, the clutch went at 110,000, as did the entire transmission. Check engine light comes on regularly just like an old friend. The fuel smell inside the car in the cold weather is awful. Wind noise is terrible, and the seats are uncomfortable for long drives, with limited leg room if you are taller than 5'7. Junky plastic parts. This car has cost me $11,000 over the purchase price so far. CS at corporate & dealer rude. Shame on Suby for this sub standard machine.
never again!!!!
trish, 01/08/2016
2002 Subaru Outback AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
12 of 18 people found this review helpful
Bought 2002 suburu outback limited used from original owner. Had it checked by my mechanic and everything was looked good. 140k miles for $5800. Nice looking car too. Ran great for a few months (2 to be exact). It has been a money sucker non stop for the past 2 years! first was something with the Manifold gasket and oxygen sensor $1150 later. The next big one was an oil leak under the head gasket with some "other things" needing fixing $3100 later. A few little things in between that cost couple of hundred $$. Latest was a break down on the highway with a "fried alternator" and a few months after that steering didnt feel right and my temp guage needle was bouncing from normal to HOT. Turns out coolant leak from the radiator. However, I never saw fluid under the car but the mechanic tells me it is leaking somewhere in the car and going where it shoud not be. Was hesistant to even fix it and told me I should just buy a new car. He did an affordable "patch job" for me for $500 as apposed to fixing the problem for $2000 plus as I NEED my car. I bought this car only because I heard they handle extremely well in the snow and this is quite true--- she does But it STOPS right there! This used car has cost me $10,000 within 2 years. This car is a NIGHTMARE but i need to get about and new car not an option now. I want to cry! :( STAY AWAY FROM SUBURU!!!!!
- Performance
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great car until it hit 100k miles
bartemaeus, 05/28/2009
2002 Subaru Outback L.L. Bean Edition AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
7 of 10 people found this review helpful
Up until the 100k mark, the car was flawless. But after that it went downhill. The transmission leaked and cost $2k to fix, the belt broke at least twice, belt pulleys had to be replaced twice, and the A/C compressor died. That was the final straw and we traded it in. I had hoped I would get a few more thousand miles out of the car. It was still a great car to drive, smooth on the highway, and never got stuck in snow.