Help Me Choose a New non-SUV Family Car
Thread Starter
VIP Member
iTrader: (9)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,665
From: No So Co
Car Info: '00 BRP RS Sedan / '04 PSM FXT (RIP)
The back is pretty roomy... at least as roomy as the 05-06 Outbacks we were looking at. That being said, I still wish they moved the back seat back a bit at the expense of a little cargo room. Its ridiculous how much stuff you can fit back there! Then if you put the seats down, its basically a truck bed 
-Brian
Thread Starter
VIP Member
iTrader: (9)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,665
From: No So Co
Car Info: '00 BRP RS Sedan / '04 PSM FXT (RIP)
These are EXACTLY the things I was looking for in this car and while the Volvo may not be perfect, it seemed to fit our needs better than anything else in that price range. Note that the new Outbacks were out of our price range, so I can't really compare to those.
-- Ed
-- Ed
-Brian
Thread Starter
VIP Member
iTrader: (9)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,665
From: No So Co
Car Info: '00 BRP RS Sedan / '04 PSM FXT (RIP)
Registered User
iTrader: (25)
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,325
From: san francisco
Car Info: 2008 Forester XT 5spd
Not sure if the new Audi A4 Avants were mentioned. B8 chassis' are bigger bodies than previous (I think) . MPG is rated at 21city/29hwy on a 2.0turbo with AWD. Obviously AWD!
Last edited by adizon; May 20, 2011 at 10:25 AM.
VIP Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,074
From: BAIC Wagon Clique
Car Info: '02 WRB WRX Wagon
Nice looking.
Thread Starter
VIP Member
iTrader: (9)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,665
From: No So Co
Car Info: '00 BRP RS Sedan / '04 PSM FXT (RIP)
-Brian
Registered User
iTrader: (25)
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,325
From: san francisco
Car Info: 2008 Forester XT 5spd
Well for the money it seems like your 1st impressions of the 2011 Outback is the best deal for you. AWD, Reliable, decent looking, and very reasonable to maintain (cost wise). As for the plastic-ness, you'll get over it.
I have a WRX and my wife is on her 2nd Outback (we got a newer, for us, 2006 from a 2000. Although I'd prefer a Legacy Wagon GT also, the Outback platform has grown on me. I've learned to love it for it's functionality and comfort. Having the ground clearance is nice, and it handles well enough.
Good luck Brian.
I have a WRX and my wife is on her 2nd Outback (we got a newer, for us, 2006 from a 2000. Although I'd prefer a Legacy Wagon GT also, the Outback platform has grown on me. I've learned to love it for it's functionality and comfort. Having the ground clearance is nice, and it handles well enough.
Good luck Brian.
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 201
From: Palo Alto
Car Info: 2004 Silver WRX Wagon
I've thought about it, but it'd have to be a couple of year old Audi and I'm not sure I want something German that would be so close to the end of the warranty period. I LOVE Audi wagons though and even considered a relatively low mileage 2002 S6 Avant, but the maintenance costs are keeping me from pulling that trigger. Does anyone here have any experience with recent Audis?
-Brian
-Brian
i-Club Sympathizer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,165
From: Mazda NAO
Car Info: 1969 BMW R75/5 & Work Whip
Get the Volvo, dammit!
Thread Starter
VIP Member
iTrader: (9)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,665
From: No So Co
Car Info: '00 BRP RS Sedan / '04 PSM FXT (RIP)
I hate to admit it, but I've also started looking at used AWD Toyota Sienna minivans 
Does anyone have any experience with these beasts?
-Brian
Does anyone have any experience with these beasts?-Brian
VIP Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 15,425
From: Under your bed, in your closet, and in your head
Car Info: Corvette Z51
Thread Starter
VIP Member
iTrader: (9)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,665
From: No So Co
Car Info: '00 BRP RS Sedan / '04 PSM FXT (RIP)
Not particularly. That's just too close to the Outback without the benefits of Subarus AWD. Besides, if I'm going to get a Camry wagon that's not quite as functional as an actual wagon I might as well look at the extremely functional/utilitarian minivan.
-Brian
-Brian
iClub Silver Vendor
iTrader: (12)
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,228
From: 631 Railroad Ave. Fairfield, CA
Car Info: A Laptop
-- Ed
I was in the same boat. Didn't want an SUV. Wanted a big wagon with decent rear seating space and trunk. Also preferred to have AWD.
I did a lot of test driving in September 2010 (all cars were new - dealer's parking lot). My candidates were:
Toyota Venza
Volvo V70/XC70
Saab 9-3 AWD Combi (raised version similar to XC70 or Outback).
Acura RDX
Mazda CX-7
2010 -2011 Outback
Accord Crosstour
After the initial test drive I left only Outback, RDX and CX-7.
I really liked the front seats of XC70 (didn't test drove V70 as it's not available as AWD) but there were few things that just killed it for me and the main one was the rear seating room. It's about the same size as the previous Outback which is small for big adults. Also 3.2L NA engine was too weak for this car and the turbo one was too much in cost.
I ended up buying an 2011 Outback 3.6R and really like it! Lot's of space at the rear, nice seats, great interior and material quality! Yeah, I'd prefer to have it lower. I may do it in the future or leave it as is. Yeah, suspension feels soft but at the same time it takes corners pretty decently for the car like that. So, give it a try! It may not be the best looking vehicle outside but it definitely doesn't look cheap.
And the turning radius... Well it's about the same as my 09 STI and noticeably smaller than our old Nissan Maxima (MY2000).
And my second choice would probably be an RDX. I didn't expect that I will like this Acura (I'm not a Honda/Acura fan) but I did! But it's suspension is too firm! It's unnaturally firm for the car like that. Acura probably wanted the driver to feel like he/her is in the sportscar which it's definitely not. My wife even told me that my STI is probably softer than this Acura (it's not but those were her words!).
I did a lot of test driving in September 2010 (all cars were new - dealer's parking lot). My candidates were:
Toyota Venza
Volvo V70/XC70
Saab 9-3 AWD Combi (raised version similar to XC70 or Outback).
Acura RDX
Mazda CX-7
2010 -2011 Outback
Accord Crosstour
After the initial test drive I left only Outback, RDX and CX-7.
I really liked the front seats of XC70 (didn't test drove V70 as it's not available as AWD) but there were few things that just killed it for me and the main one was the rear seating room. It's about the same size as the previous Outback which is small for big adults. Also 3.2L NA engine was too weak for this car and the turbo one was too much in cost.
I ended up buying an 2011 Outback 3.6R and really like it! Lot's of space at the rear, nice seats, great interior and material quality! Yeah, I'd prefer to have it lower. I may do it in the future or leave it as is. Yeah, suspension feels soft but at the same time it takes corners pretty decently for the car like that. So, give it a try! It may not be the best looking vehicle outside but it definitely doesn't look cheap.
And the turning radius... Well it's about the same as my 09 STI and noticeably smaller than our old Nissan Maxima (MY2000).
And my second choice would probably be an RDX. I didn't expect that I will like this Acura (I'm not a Honda/Acura fan) but I did! But it's suspension is too firm! It's unnaturally firm for the car like that. Acura probably wanted the driver to feel like he/her is in the sportscar which it's definitely not. My wife even told me that my STI is probably softer than this Acura (it's not but those were her words!
).
Thread Starter
VIP Member
iTrader: (9)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,665
From: No So Co
Car Info: '00 BRP RS Sedan / '04 PSM FXT (RIP)
Exactly the kind of info/advice I've been looking for. The rear seat room has pretty much ruled out the Volvo. I couldn't believe how short the turning radius is on the Outback compared to the other vehicles mentioned in here. I think if there was a relatively easy option to lower the Outback I'd have jumped on that already.
-Brian
-Brian