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Suby Outback vs Forester

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Dr.Scholl
Posts: 1139 - Karma: 47

 im one of these tommorow and im just lookin for some imput, right now im leanin twards the outback because it drives more like a car rather than an suv

Nov 14 2008 9:26PM
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japollner
Posts: 1699 - Karma: 459
Greetings from a current and past Subaru owner.  In order:

94 Legacy Sport Sedan
95 Legacy
99 Legacy GT Wagon
08 WRX Hatch

Keep in mind that the Outback is based off a car, but will stil handle a differently than the car versions (Legacy for Outback and Impreza for Outback Sport).  The Outback vrsions of the cars are simply lifted 1 inch and are given beefier sway bars to compensate.  You will still find a tad more body roll than with the car versions.  The 2009 Forester is amazing.  I drove one when I went to pick up my WRX and almost told the salesman to change what car I was buying.  It handles very much like the other Subarus, but gives you a tad more clearance and alot more cargo room.

Drive both and see what you like.  I really enjoyed the Forester, but wanted the power of a WRX.
Nov 14 2008 9:42PM
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Dr.Scholl
Posts: 1139 - Karma: 47

thanks, that was very helpful

but since im buyin used im prolly going to go with the outback because i found it in legacy edition

Nov 14 2008 9:47PM
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japollner
Posts: 1699 - Karma: 459
You cant go wrong either way.  Subies are great cars.

Photo of mine when I first got it.
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Nov 14 2008 10:05PM
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laurence^
Posts: 1575 - Karma: 19
IZUZU's FTW
Nov 14 2008 10:10PM
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Mr_W00
Posts: 164 - Karma: 12
dude i would say outback i have/had one. it drove great in snow and was fun everywere. actually it was a little too much fun i was drivin and fucked up my car about an hour ago. it sucks im out a car now, right at the begining of the season
Nov 14 2008 10:11PM
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Bigwoods
Posts: 3116 - Karma: 76

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That'd be dope

Nov 14 2008 10:23PM
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RICK_ROSS
Posts: 6983 - Karma: 3,343
forester, they make some sick lifting kits
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Nov 14 2008 10:36PM
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YT.SKEEZE
Posts: 609 - Karma: 17

I have an outback sport but I used to drive my parents forester and it handles really well, doesn't feel like an SUV at all, plus theres alot more room for skis and such. My outback is still sick but with the seat down for skis it can only hold 2 passengers.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think foresters and outbacks are built on the same chasis so there handling should be pretty similar.

Nov 14 2008 11:08PM
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japollner
Posts: 1699 - Karma: 459
All Subarus are built off the same chassis.  Its alot more cost effective.  But different bodies on the chassis get different suspension mounting points and what not on the unibody side of things.  So while they all handle well, there is a large difference in say a WRX vs. a Tribeca.
Nov 15 2008 8:52AM
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Dylan_
Posts: 9824 - Karma: 1,403
outback
Nov 15 2008 9:06AM
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Dr.Scholl
Posts: 1139 - Karma: 47

sorry to disappoint anyone but i went with the forester because it was only a little bit more expensive and it was newer and in beter shape

but thanks for all the help

Nov 16 2008 12:20AM
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Mooserz
Posts: 2945 - Karma: 32
outbacks are for lesbians
Nov 16 2008 12:45AM
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Dick_Squandel
Posts: 737 - Karma: 10
my parents just bought the brand new forester they are picking it up monday. when i go home for thanksgiving and drive it ill let you know how the new ones are.
Nov 16 2008 2:18AM
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E.Durtschi
Posts: 250 - Karma: 203
I have a 2001 forrester, its such a great car!
Nov 16 2008 4:13AM
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Billek
Posts: 5665 - Karma: 98
My mom has an '09 Forester, and it is a nice car. It seems nice light, so the 4cyl feels closer to a 6cyl if you rev it high. The sunroof is huge, the heated seats hug you, there is just as much space to sit in back as there is up front.

I cant wait to load it up and go skiing with it over Christmas break, cus it sure beats the hell out of my '95 Caravan.
Nov 16 2008 4:36AM
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*rkp*
Posts: 8198 - Karma: 257
word. STI spec'd (or close to) foresters are amazing.
Nov 16 2008 12:37PM
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Tex.
Posts: 1106 - Karma: 124

i have a 2000 subaru outback and love it.

i installed a trailer hitch on it and it tows my 10 foot trailer and sled no problem. handles amazingly in the snow and is pretty good when it comes to fuel efficiency. 

subarus in general though are amazing cars and i have friends that love their foresters just as much as i love my outback.  

Nov 16 2008 12:47PM
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GreenStezz
Posts: 3570 - Karma: 717
outback FO SHO.................



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Nov 16 2008 12:51PM
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smuggsVT
Posts: 2145 - Karma: 19
why not get an audi a4?    foresters are for dykes so i would say go with the outback
Nov 16 2008 1:50PM
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Dr.Scholl
Posts: 1139 - Karma: 47

thats what i got

but new question because i hafta fold down seats to get skis in i want to get a roof rack or a ski box, anyone got some suggestions on those?

Nov 17 2008 7:18PM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
i personally like the roof rack better than the box. and i have a feeling it will improve the mileage, due to aerodynamics. or just throw em in the backseat lol.
Nov 17 2008 7:21PM
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bigolrig
Posts: 572 - Karma: 14
forester ftw.
they are amazing when you do them up right. outbacks are meh, but i would take a forester anyday, especially if its boosted,i forget if all are or just the xt. but out of my subie experience i wouldnt get a outback, their slow and no fun. or find a LGT wagon or a wrx wagon.
Nov 17 2008 7:42PM
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ski_ENDUB
Posts: 2535 - Karma: 86
My sister has an outback, I have a Forester, I'd take a forester, it has higher head room and you can make an 04 look badass. Go with the XT though
Nov 17 2008 8:52PM
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Dr.Scholl
Posts: 1139 - Karma: 47
gotta love that logo
Nov 17 2008 9:05PM
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japollner
Posts: 1699 - Karma: 459
You can get any Subaru in turbo trim now except for the Tribeca.
Nov 20 2008 9:27AM
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PASKIINGSUCKS
Posts: 9097 - Karma: 777
Just shot the tranny on my outback sport 96. It's getting cold out but I think I'm gonna block the thing up and try and drop it myself. I'll be doing some cruising on the nasioc forums in the next few days/weeks :(
Nov 20 2008 9:59AM
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Billek
Posts: 5665 - Karma: 98
Thats the last thing that should break on a Subaru. I assume you didn't get it from a dealership because I believe they have lifetime powertrain.
Nov 20 2008 12:59PM
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skibum193
Posts: 3737 - Karma: 33
How was the Legacy GT? Was it that much faster/fun than the legacy? I have a 98 outback legacy right now and fucking love it, but think the gt would be wayy fun in a 5 spd
Nov 20 2008 1:05PM
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PASKIINGSUCKS
Posts: 9097 - Karma: 777
No I inherited it. You could say it was *fairly used* before I got it. Let's just say it has seen a few days screaming around fields and up and down hills. Also been tossed off the road running from the cops, come the think of it I'm pretty sure the back half of the car is bondo.

So yeah the tranny has been making noise for some time now and finally went last week.

Anyone on here have technical knowledge about a job like removing a trans on an outback???????????














oh here she is:
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Nov 20 2008 1:35PM
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Kyle=
Posts: 35 - Karma: 10
well from 1996 to 2000 they have the exact same motor so they will get the same gas mileage and same tranny so there is no difference there the only difference is that they were built on different frames the forester was built on the impreza frame actually and they just made everything taller. so pretty much its what ever one you like the looks of better i guess. i dont no what they did after like 2002 when they changed the body style im a subaru mechanic and i mainly do work on subies from 1996 till 2001ish
Nov 20 2008 1:38PM
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PASKIINGSUCKS
Posts: 9097 - Karma: 777
WELL FRICKIN HELP A GUY OUT......I got a 96 and need to know how much of a bitch it would be to remove a tranny.

I think I could do it, but i heard from a friend you can pull it out the wheelwell or something??????? How much BS parts like exhaust and shit do I need to get out of the way??? Should I do a clutch while in there????
HHHEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPP
Nov 20 2008 2:16PM
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uni-corn
Posts: 13846 - Karma: 651
For sure do a clutch while you have it out!

It will make it easier on life for  you
Nov 20 2008 2:37PM
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Kyle=
Posts: 35 - Karma: 10
you have to pull the motor which is about hour and a half if you no what your doing and then you have to pull a bunch of the exhaust then pull the axles and then you have to drop the tranny
Nov 21 2008 3:40PM
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Snowcase
Posts: 11456 - Karma: 634
Take this to the subaru cult.

https://newschoolers.com/web/content/viewcult/action/view/id/3600/
Nov 21 2008 3:53PM
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Style+eeze
Posts: 6901 - Karma: 551
my friend sitting next to me in tech class says that you should go for a forester because they are filthier and easier to upgrade... supposedly nobody makes outback parts
Nov 21 2008 4:11PM
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Inbred_Redneck
Posts: 2776 - Karma: 28
pretty much sums it up, thats exactly why I hate working on FWD cars. They are a bitch to work with mechanically. RWD FTW.
Nov 21 2008 6:01PM
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mr_grom
Posts: 708 - Karma: 51

outback is such a sick ski car.  put a ski rack on it and you will be ridin so hood.

Nov 21 2008 6:30PM
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mizzike
Posts: 1386 - Karma: 251
I have an 02 forrester and it is the shit. Drives extremely well in the snow and runs perfectly with 170k miles on it.
Nov 21 2008 6:51PM
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Alkyy
Posts: 2839 - Karma: 149
I love my 98 forester, i dont care if its a lesbo car, i can fit all kinds of shit in it and still gets good gas milage.  I have been mudding upto the axil and gone up crazy mtn back roads with 6 inches of wet snow with good snow tires and was only slipping around when i was trying to.  Deffanatly made the right choice on the forester.  im at 117k and still runs like a champ
Nov 21 2008 6:55PM
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Kyle=
Posts: 35 - Karma: 10
yea true but if your just doing engine mods they have to same motor so it doesn't matter.
Nov 21 2008 8:18PM
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japollner
Posts: 1699 - Karma: 459
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What did someone say about Subarus kicking the most ass ever?

Also, My Legacy GT was an auto...so it sucked.  But it was a fun car and handled alot better than an Outbac would...Lower profile tires and being an inch lower to the ground than an Outback helps alot.  The 5 speed would make it a much more fun car to drive, but it still would not be a scorcher by any means.
Dec 3 2008 2:38PM
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