Used 2003 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
Used Outback for sale
Best car I ever owned in 50 years
panda, 04/01/2006
2003 Subaru Outback H6-3.0 AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Solid road car. Great engine, quiet, very good handling, brakes and steering wheel response. Great road shock absorption. Transmission very smooth. The car is tight at the shoulders and could be a little wider. The steering wheel needs to be adjusted higher to clear my knees.
Heavy, numb, and compromised.
Daniel, 08/21/2021
2003 Subaru Outback Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
There is a lot to love about the Outback. It has a really nice, two-tone interior with heated seats standard. There is enough space to sleep in it. And the handling is very nicely balanced. And they are cheap and everywhere. BUT. Its slow. This is the most heavy generation of the Outback (the 2nd generation). Thats very important to understanding why people say it has slow acceleration. I have an automatic 2.5L. There are only four gears in the auto, like a lot of early 2000's cars, and its not enough. The transmission will shift from 2nd to 3rd at 40mph, and you wind up at 2,000 rpm and unable to keep accelerating, especially if you're going uphill at all, because the horsepower doesn't peak until 4,000rpm, and there isn't enough power from the 2.5L to accelerate all 3,900 pounds. To get the proper acceleration out of it, I use the shifter to hold 2nd and 3rd gear until 4,500 rpm. My dad actually handed me down this car because he got tired of the lackluster acceleration. Most people are afraid to rev their cars that much, so I think a lot of folks would find it unpleasant to drive their cars like this. And you shouldn't really have to, but its to compensate for the design. The EJ25 is a great motor...in a car that is 1,000 pounds lighter. If I could sum up this car in one word, it would be "numb". I think Subaru designed this car to be "luxurious" in it's driving feel in a way that would appeal to older drivers. The result is a smooth ride and a very solid and planted feel, spacious cabin and quiet drivetrain, but the acceleration and hill climbing ability is really lacking. Subaru cut corners by taking their base motor and putting it in their heavvyest, biggest model. It should have had two versions of a 6 cylinder, or turbo standard, with better programming on the transmission. Also, it needs mid-grade gas... but still feels low on power. Then there is the offroad ability. It doesn't have much. The height raises the center of gravity and affects the handling, while giving you barely any more offroad ability. It's better for getting to trail heads and in the snow, but personally I like sitting closer to the ground. The seating position inside the car is quite high too. When I first got it I had a hard time getting used to how low the top of the windsheild was on the inside. I am 5'10". All in all, I'd opt for the 3rd generation Outback and pass on the 2nd if you really want an Outback.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2003 Subaru Outback for sale near you
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- VDC SedanMSRP: $5,687644 mi away
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No Subarus in the future for me
TG, 06/27/2010
2003 Subaru Outback AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
Within 48K I have lost my AC, redone the Brakes, lost the radio, small plastic hooks and knobs break off easily and finally the Head Gasket failed. Bad Subaru! the HGs have been failing on these cars since 1976 (my 1st Subaru) after many misleading discussions with Sales/mechanics we decided to give them another chance. FAIL. don't buy a Subaru w/o looking up their reviews/complaints first.For a car with this many features you would not think that this CRITICAL part would be so consistently overlooked.
Reliable
Sorin, 07/18/2009
2003 Subaru Outback H6-3.0 AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
I bought it brand new and now I have 140.000 on it. Drives like the first day. Have not had ANY engine/transmission problems. Wasted money on extended warranty. Did oil change myself, fuel filter only changed a couple a times, transmission fluid drained twice, Serp belt went at 100K. Changed spark plugs (major pain, buried deep) at 100K, looked like new. VERY reliable in all kinds of weather. Cons: wind noise (only if you want to drive above 80, and then I guess it's a good thing, it keeps you alert). Not enough leg room. Those who think a 6 cylinder will accelerate faster forget about it, it doesn't, because it's heavier. It is friendly, though, once you get to know it.
WHAT A MONEY PIT!! TOO BAD :(
mom0f3, 01/26/2011
2003 Subaru Outback AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
Beautiful car, roomy enough for transporting my children. Paint job is still brilliant and the car looks newer than it is. I really considered buying a newer outback, however at 70,000 miles, one thing has broken after another. First the wiper hose, then the wiper motor, head gaskets replaced, water pump and now the transmission is shot. I have put 3K into the car in the past 6 months. Thank goodness the transmission is still under warranty. I just wonder what is next to go. Too bad because I really liked driving my outback.