Used 2003 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
Used Outback for sale
A Lesson Learned The Hard Way
machineryman, 07/29/2013
updated 09/27/2013
2003 Subaru Outback AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
12 of 16 people found this review helpful
I bought my Outback two years ago with 115,000 miles on it. In over 200 cars that I've owned I've never owned an Outback, but everyone that I talked to that had one loved it. This car ranks as one of the 3 worst cars that I've owned. It's the only car that I've owned that would break just sitting in the driveway. It's been a real money pit. With the chronic head gasket problems I'm surprised that anyone buys these. I sure wish that I had researched it before I bought. This was definately an expensive lesson learned the hard way.
Guess I got the lemon
Jane, 10/31/2009
2003 Subaru Outback H6-3.0 AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
14 of 19 people found this review helpful
Immediately post-purchase, I noticed the car hesitated on acceleration & had slow & clunky gear shifting. I was told that was just "the boxer engine"?! The car chews thru the brakes - been replaced & repaired every year. Wind noise has been a constant irritation & I can't read stereo settings on bright days due to glare. Today, I was told that the head gasket is blown and the brake pads are gone again. In spite of having routine maintenance, this 6 year old car has had a long history of expensive repair, gets poor mileage & requires more expensive gas. I would never buy another Subaru but from others' revus, clearly I'm in the minority?! Must have been the lemon?!
2003 Subaru Outback for sale near you
Showing 2 of 2 listings
- L.L. Bean Edition WagonMSRP: $7,933764 mi away
- L.L. Bean Edition WagonMSRP: $5,9992,532 mi away
13 years old and going strong
Mike Fisher, 03/27/2016
2003 Subaru Outback AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Audio System (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
Really does great on bad roads and steering control is excellent. Visibility is also excellent. Like all Subaru Outback's, excellent storage space very good seating space. With current estimated value about $4000, this car's average annual depreciation is little more than $1000 per year --- pretty remarkable. Only downside is that it has never been "great" in going uphill in the mountains (underpowered a bit).
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Wife loves it
Leo, 08/16/2010
2003 Subaru Outback VDC AWD 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Purchased used 1 yr old. 120K miles on the car so far. Never had mechanical problems. Wife loves it. Replaced McIntosh head unit after warranty ran out with aftermarket radio (First time replaced under warranty). Auto transmission jerks when downshifts from 2 to 1 gear at stoplight. Dealer inspected, no issues found. Average 25 MPG mixed driving. Replacing front brake pads every 20K miles. Wind noise is annoying after 65MPH even with replaced window seals. Needs more luxury features for $30K vehicle. It was my second Subaru after I loved WRX but probably will not be buying again. Better choices available for the money.
A word of warning...
abgra, 03/29/2012
2003 Subaru Outback AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Audio System (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I LOVED this car when I first got it. I live in Montana, so the AWD and heated seats were perfect. However, I quickly realized this car is was a lemon. I poured thousands into this car before I finally traded it in for a Civic, only to find out the dealership forked out $3000 to fix the head gasket, water pump, timing belt (that was only a year old), air conditioner, and front brakes that I replaced a year before as well. A local Subaru mechanic said that there is a factory defect in these and he rebuilds about three a week. If you insist on buying this car, make sure you have a Subaru specialist go over the engine with a fine-tooth comb.