Used 2003 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
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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
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- Base WagonMSRP: $3,999298 mi away
- Base WagonMSRP: $8,495308 mi away
- Base Wagon w/Premium Audio SystemMSRP: $1,999317 mi away
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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).
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Heavy, numb, and compromised.
Daniel, 08/21/2021
2003 Subaru Outback Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 3 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.
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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.