Used 2003 Subaru Outback Wagon Consumer Reviews
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Love it
Bean Owner, 04/06/2005
2003 Subaru Outback L.L. Bean Edition AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Wonderful vehicle, great clearance, handling, braking, etc. Sound system with a sub is great, no need to purchase high end replacement speakers. Heats up fast in the cold weather. AWD can't be beat. Gas mileage is more like 20-22 mpg. No way you can get 26 mpg like stated by Subaru. All around a great buy worth every cent. You'd pay 10k more for anything comparable. Love it
Nice car
Dutch , 03/15/2003
2003 Subaru Outback AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Audio System (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My first Subaru , and I am impressed. Nice smooth ride, good milage. Got the leather seats etc. paid $ 25925. 4 cyl provides plenty of power.
2003 Subaru Outback for sale near you
Showing 3 of 27 listings
- Base WagonMSRP: $8,950474 mi away
- Base Wagon w/Premium Audio SystemMSRP: $2,800679 mi away
- Base WagonMSRP: $8,495728 mi away
See all 27 listings
Subaru Stalls
John Sauer, 11/29/2005
2003 Subaru Outback VDC AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Almost from the day I took my Subaru home I have had problems. The car has poor and erratic idle, loses power while driving and stalls. Subaru (several dealerships) has attempted repairs, replacing MANY parts, over the three years I have had this car. Each time the problems resurface. Low idle, power loss, stalling at stops. I am past my 36,000 warranty and Subaru has committed to honor the warranty for existing problems, but that is little consolation as I have to continue living with a $32,000 car that I do not trust. On more than one occasion I was almost stranded on long trips with wife and baby.
Made for Minnesota
car lover, 01/21/2007
2003 Subaru Outback AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have test driven this car many times and when I finally moved north I bought a certified used one. I don't drive off road, so I just love this car so much that I'm going to buy a new one, the Legacy Wagon which is set up a little more for street driving. I used to have a Mercedes C230 Sport, and this car drives just like that. Can't wait for the new one, but at 43,000 miles, heated seats, and all the comforts I need, I can wait happily for a fair price before making the change. Kind of a cargo hauling-sports car- family-suv and more all purpose comfort car without the SUV pickup truck mileage. I get 25- 29mpg. I'll miss it, but not much has changed with the new ones.
VDC good enough?
RACCAR, 04/01/2003
2003 Subaru Outback VDC AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I really love this car. A 2001 VDC wagon. Handles to well in all weather. I tried to get it stuck in snow this winter. Couldnt. Great at high speeds. The VDC works better than the reviews suggest. However, my wife wants me to find another car. She cant get comfortable in the leather seats. I agree. They are hard as rock, and a car upholsterer says he cant improve it. Dealer said its the only real flaw with the car. We take long week end trips, and this really is an issue.
The perfect family wagon
alinki, 05/05/2003
2003 Subaru Outback L.L. Bean Edition AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I love this car. It has everthing you need.
They don't build them like they used to!
l43, 05/09/2003
2003 Subaru Outback Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The new Subbie has some nice features (heated mirrors and wipers, built in CD changer), but the quality of my new Outback Limited is not up to the level of previous Subarus. The car is very noisy (wind & road noise) and has less power on hills than my old '92 which still runs like a champ. Also the body cladding is becoming a very high maintenance item. While paint quality has never been a Subaru high point, the cladding on the Outback is a real pain. Rather that using a color impregnated plastic, Subaru paints the plastic body panels with a paint (water color?) which is not at all durable.
grrrreat
owen, 05/10/2003
2003 Subaru Outback VDC AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I love this wagon,every thing about it is great.Quick and responsive,quiet and comfortable with a wonderful sound system to boot.Plenty of cargo room for almost everything you may have to carry including the dog.I would reccomend it to anyone
A Fantasic Car
alinki, 05/12/2003
2003 Subaru Outback VDC AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car has everything . It is one fine auto.
An honest car
walkman, 03/07/2008
2003 Subaru Outback AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is a totally honest car, anything essential is generously equipped in the base modal. Those not found, they are bells and whistles. The roof rail has 4 bars (most others just have 2 bars, you will know the difference when you carry a bag or mattress on top). My wife feels fully confident and safe in it. Very stable on all kinds of road, no matter in snow, sleet, icy or wet. We enjoyed engine's humming sound on the high way when passing big trucks with speed well over 70mph. Thoughtful console design,leaving ample space for all the odds and ends. Downside is battery leak in the 3rd year. In its 5th year there is some wind noise developing at driver side.
Great, with a lot of wind noise
Rideabout, 03/19/2003
2003 Subaru Outback Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
2003 Outback limited: - Smooth engine and ride feeling. - Good handling. - Overall good interior design with the exception of the bulky dash which stands out towards the driver. - Gearbox sound less painfull and less stressed under any accelleration than the previous model. - Wind noise is a big irritaion from the side mirrors a roof rack especially for a vehicle of this price range.
Begin of an love affair
Wolfgang, 01/14/2003
2003 Subaru Outback L.L. Bean Edition AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I had a high expectations in this car, coming from a SUV having driven before a 325ix wagon which was just too small. I have considered teh A4 wagon, but the value of the Bean Outback was just not to beat. Car is within 5,000 miles the second time in for repair for some minor electronics problems. Love the 4x4 handling, the build quality and the versatility for everyday use. The car does not feel like 212 horses, more like 150 below 4,000rpm, Subaru has to work on that. Fuel economy does not reach factory promises and stays around 20-22mpg. Otherwise I would feel comfortable to recommend this car as everyday 4x4 around-town-zipper.
Love the new car smell!
squid1975, 05/27/2003
2003 Subaru Outback AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Great new car. We test drove all the AWD vehicles we could find under $22k. The Subaru was the best. We got a great deal, too. It was the loss leader, so keep your eyes open and you can find one under $19k. Ground clearance and traction are both pretty good. Gas mileage is better than expected for an AWD. HP is fine; just remember you're driving a wagon.
Begin of an love affair
wolfgang, 01/14/2003
2003 Subaru Outback L.L. Bean Edition AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I had a high expectations in this car, coming from a SUV having driven before a 325ix wagon which was just too small. I have considered teh A4 wagon, but the value of the Bean Outback was just not to beat. Car is within 5,000 miles the second time in for repair for some minor electronics problems. Love the 4x4 handling, the build quality and the versatility for everyday use. The car does not feel like 212 horses, more like 150 below 4,000rpm, Subaru has to work on that. Fuel economy does not reach factory promises and stays around 20-22mpg. Otherwise I would feel comfortable to recommend this car as everyday 4x4 around-town-zipper.
good suv alternative
adhong, 05/21/2003
2003 Subaru Outback Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
handles great thanks to awd...does everything you would need an suv for with more comfort. ive had mine for about 4 months, and ive been really happy with it so far. service and sales have been great.
50 hp more & $5k less it'd be the best
daveB, 01/23/2003
2003 Subaru Outback VDC AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
3rd subaru for me and everyone a winner. for solid reliable transport with tons of comfort and convenience features you can't go wrong. I paid $31K for my VDC wgn and happily did so even though it was too much for a subie. still i knew what subarus are all about & i was getting a 6 cyl, VDC, 2 sunroofs and the macintosh stereo plus heated seats etc etc..A Volvo XC/Audi Allroad for way less but now the A4 and Passat wgn are all over it for price hence my title. Turbo this motor and we'd have a world beating winner.
I LOVED my Outback!!!!
Kt, 06/05/2003
2003 Subaru Outback Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I loved my Outback so much. I bought it even though it broke the bank, but it had all the features I could ever want on it. I drove this car in 18" of snow and did not get stuck AT ALL!!!!
Second-time Subaru Owner
laura, 10/04/2002
2003 Subaru Outback L.L. Bean Edition AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car is great. Our first Subaru had 137,000 miles without any major problems before we decided it was time to let go. The Outback's interior and exterior design is stylish and high- quality. In comparision to my husband's SUV, as well as other cars we test drove, the ride is extremely comfortable.
16 years on and still going strong
jag, 11/27/2019
2003 Subaru Outback AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My Outback is 16 1/2 years old now, but still only has 97,000 miles on it. I've had to make 3 repairs on it so far. The first was a CV joint failure, and something was leaking around the spark plug. The last one was an exhaust sensor that went up. All totaled, probably $600 in repairs. This really isn't mechanical, but I had to replace the stereo speakers last year too. The only persistent annoying problem is that my left headlight goes out on about an annual basis. Something obviously isn't right there. Bottom line, I've been very pleased with the car, and body-wise, it still looks great!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
OMG OMG Giddy I am
BURU CUBBY, 05/25/2009
2003 Subaru Outback L.L. Bean Edition AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Got this 02/09. I can only say OMG! Never had a Subaru before... I got 2 independent mechanics I keep, they said GET IT. It's a steal!! Had 79986 on it, 1 owner, is fave color green, it's got things I didn't think a car would dare have. I need it for the Chicago winters!! I'm in luuuvv!! I can NEVER drive an American made car again. Love passing by storefronts with windows & seeing it. I'm still in awe. The dual sunroofs are the bomb!! From what I hear these things just don't break down. I need that security driving alone a lot. The salesman thought I was gonna pass out from jumping around when he showed it to me (0: My Buru is all I could ever ask for. Everything is a perfect 10!!
Solid and Fun
subie, 09/01/2002
2003 Subaru Outback L.L. Bean Edition AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
After 5 months of ownership the car already has 12500 miles. Love it. The car is quick to heat up on the cold mornings and faster to cool on the hot sunny days. I thought the MPG would be less than 27 highway, 21 city, but the 3.0 engine is definitely the way to go. Test drove everything from sedans to minivans and found the LL Bean to be the right choice for space, power, safety and fun. I know the reviews talk about the wind noise, but between the Passet, Camery, Sienna, Odessy, Saturn Vue and L series and BMW 3 series, I feel the Subura Outback LL Bean is the quietest on and off the road.
woo-woo my subaru!
thegreatswamp, 09/30/2003
2003 Subaru Outback AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
this is a great car to drive,,, really fast (85 mph without any noises, etc),handles great and 25 mpg. i haven't gotten that in 8 years - traded in a 96 blazer. lots of room too. i can't wait for the snow to start falling. lots of tie-downs in the rear; that's a nice feature.