So my wife's car needs changing and we need something that is a station wagon to fit the kids stuff, dogs etc.

What does BAIC think of the outback?

I have about 15-18K to spend so any advice on cars appreciated.

 

Get an 05-07 Legacy GT Wagon.

 

Whats the appeal of the Outback.....not saying its a bad car or anything (its nice)...but why would you choose an Outback over a Forester? Does the Outback have more space inside?

I would choose Forester.

 

The outback has a lot larger cargo area and seems more rugged/less easily scratched up.

This is for the wife and son so I don't need a turbo engine and the impreza wagon is too small.

I just don't want to go down the SUV/Minivan route...I hate those things.

 

In terms of wagons, do you need AWD? If you don't need a turbo/AWD, you have a few more choices. There's the Mazda6 and Passat wagons; both will have better gas mileage and interiors than the Outback.

 

Congrats Glen. When did you guys find out?

 

Hmmm...I thought they had roughly the same specs for trunk space, just that the Forester was slightly "taller" while the space in the Outback was slightly "longer". Of course, that was back for the 07's and I don't know how the specs may have changed if you're looking new.

Again, if you're not thinking Subaru, the CRV EX AWD has 35.7 cubic feet storage vs. Outback 33.5 cu ft. Strangely, the CRV has a 5-spd auto, but gets lower hwy mpg (26) than the Outback (28 mpg).

Food for thought. Both of these choices are very HIGHLY rated for safety, if that's a hot button for you (precious cargo).

my $0.02.

Cheston

edit: I see that the 07 Forester offers 28 cu feet storage, Outback wins out with 33 cu ft.

 

Thanks, boy is due on haloween.

 

Nice. I guess we'll have you until the end of the season.

 

my pops picked up an 06 outback xt for 19 recently. Fricken awesome condition, with 11k on it. Literally looks brand new and was WAY nicer than another we looked at with only 16k.

Its a fun car. +1 for its higher ground clearance than forester!

 

get a forester. tons of trunk room. dogs. cats. kids. ej255 long block motors. it can hall it all!

 

That'd probably be the way I'd go too, although the non-turbo these days is sounding better and better (87 octane FTW)

 

forester's are sexy imo