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Used 2004 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
95 reviews
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4.63 out of 5 stars

Buy an '04, not newer body style

Happy, 10/04/2007
2004 Subaru Outback H6-3.0 AWD 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
16 of 18 people found this review helpful

If you're shopping for a used Subaru, buy an '04. Very dependable car, no trouble. Mine has more than 100K miles and getting 27 mpg. According to a local Subaru mechanic, '04 is the best year for Subarus. Run from the '05s. See my review for our '05 Outback XT under title "Money Pit". It's hard to believe the cars are from the same manufacturer. The '04 has been a perfect car and the '05 was a horribly expensive nightmare. We're keeping the '04 and plan to put another 100K miles on it.

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5 out of 5 stars

I love my Subaru

SMILLW, 01/30/2007
2004 Subaru Outback H6-3.0 VDC AWD 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful

This can is great for all situations. I drive in the city, and have taken it on the highway too. Its ride is smooth and the handling is great. The best test of this car is winter weather and it handles like a dream. That AWD really works.

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3.38 out of 5 stars

Good for snow, but thirsty and noisy

Raj, 04/27/2010
2004 Subaru Outback AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

This is a fairly spacious little wagon that works well for our family of four and dog. The car shines in the snow, which we've had plenty of the last two winters. The reliability has not been so impressive - frozen calipers, broken primary pulley - and the clutch is pitifully heavy. The engine is torquey but thirsty - lots of sub-20 mpg tanks around town this winter. During the summer, I dream of selling the thing, but it's effectiveness in the snow keeps it in the family (for now).

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Great Car

John, 07/12/2007
2004 Subaru Outback Limited AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful

This is a great car. We wanted a car that was a little different from what most people are driving and felt we succeeded. We've had it dealer maintained and haven't had to do anything other than routine maintenance. We just finished a cross country trip in it and it was comfortable and smooth. Averaged 28-29 mpg on the trip.

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5 out of 5 stars

4th Subaru

Booru, 03/10/2004
2004 Subaru Outback H6-3.0 L.L. Bean Edition AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

I have owned 4 Subarus starting with a '84 GL Wagon. I have loved every. I looked at other SUV's and at the Outback VDC. Couldn't justify (to myself) the extra cost of the VDC vs. benefits. Liked the LL Bean from the first moment I saw it and sat in it. Agile in city, country, beach, and mountain driving. The H6 has impressive power pared with the smooth transmission makes for a terrific combination.

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