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Car help NS!- subaru outback vs. honda element
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Okay okay, now before everyone responds "GET A SUBARU OUTBACK YOU NOOOOB!" let me explain my case. My dad and I are looking at both of these cars. (He wants a smaller car...I will need one soon, so we're splitting the cost for now...yadada). So to make this easy, I'll just compare the two cars I'm looking at as far as year/make/mileage/price goes.
2004 Subaru Outback-
113,900 Miles
mpg~19
H6 3.0 6 cylinder transmission
2004 Honda Element ex AWD-
120,000 miles
$7900
mpg~20
not sure on transmission (one of the reasons I'm making this thread)
Alright so that's what I'm looking at as of now. I want something that will last a while...and honestly (once again I know everybody is going to tell me subaru will last me forever) I'm confident in the Honda also. The car will be used to getting to the ski hill mostly, getting to work yadada. Needs to handle in snow very well because I plan on taking it on long trips (ex. VT, im in NY) or even longer road trips cross country when I'm older (again I want to use this car for awhile). I'm a lanky freakin dude...6'3''. I sat in a forrester before and it was a little tight...just cause my legs are so damn long. I have a feeling a element might be a little more roomy. Also looking to be able to sleep in my car if I have to...so it's gotta be big enough for that. I know Honda parts are a little cheaper for a car to replace...little more expensive/a pain to repair suby's.
Well...that's all I can think of for now. I'm just looking for some advice from people who know what they're talking about...or own one of these cars.
Thanks NS!
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how much is the subie?
and i personally like the element, all the seats fold down in a neat way and it has the cool synthetic interior thats spill resistant and whatnot. though my freinds mom has one and he hates it, but its probably because he's bias towards trucks and anti rice etc..
there both going to last you a while but im willing to bet the subaru would last longer. but thats all on how you drive it.
and honda's are more expensive to repair? i would have guessed it would be teh other way around
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my best friend had a honda element SC and it sucked balls in the snow. It was only 2 wheel though.
I would go for the outback. Honda Element is a pretty not so great car. And no way you would be able to sleep in it, my friend and I couldn't even fit in laying down and we are both 6 feet tall. We had to pop the trunk just to lay down.
Subies are good cars. just do your research and make sure your not getting a lemon
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Shit I knew i forgot something....the Suby is $8,250
And I've heard subaru's are more expensive to repair/replace parts.
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well its not so much a question of which will last longer.. as it is a question of your own personal preference.
mpg is almost the same..
test drive them and see which one you like better
i'm wondering what you meant by 6 cylinder transmission by the way.. haha did you mean 6 speed transmission (dont think they have that in the 04 h6 subys..) or did you mean 6 cylinder automatic transmission?
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I have experience with both cars. I have a 98 outback, my mom had a 94 before me. My step mom has an element and so does my friend. The element is much roomier for people. Much less room for cargo. The outback still has plenty of room. I'm 6'1 and don't feel cramped at all. My subaru is exponentially better in snow. Could be I have a very nice set of tires or I haven't driven the element enough but I feel way more comfortable in my car than the element. Her car also spends quite a bit of time in the shop.
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i don't get what you mean by "exponentially." do you mean that your subaru is better over time?
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meaning the subaru is way fucking better
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no, I think he means exceptionally. exponentially doesn't really make sense there.
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Wait, you're srsly considering buying a car with 120,000 miles on it for $8,000+
jesus
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At that price, I would pass on both.
My wife and I just bought an '03 Outback (2.5L auto with cold weather package) for $8700 with only 53k on the odometer.
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My sis's car is a subaru outback and its really nice
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def the outback. its longer so you can sleep in it, rapes the element in snow, and doesnt looks like its made of block legos.
outback, done deal.
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Exponentially. Exponent. 10^x is higher than 10. Hard to really give something a number of how many times better it is but lets just say the subaru is exponentially better.
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ah alright, I see now haha. it makes sense.
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the 3.0L H6 Subaru engine is not very good at all.
You are better off with a 2.5L H4 (and manual transmission if you guys can handle it)
It's more responsive, and you will get better mileage.
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elements are gay get the outback
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honestly, have a mechanic check both to see if the right shit has been changed, 100,000+ miles is alot if your buying a car
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i didnt read anything besides your title but get the subby. i have a 1998 legacy and its fucking awesome. the parts are a bit more expensive but ive barely had any problems with mine
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I'm honestly not that worried about getting a suby with 100,000+ on it (one owner). And thats kinda the way all the prices are now on craigslist in the NY area anyways, for a 2004.
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both good cars, id get the element. it has some cool features like a drain int eh floor and is probably bigger than the outback. also the H6 is a fairly expensive engine to repair parts on from what ive heard. and hondas are plentyful, and cheap, (if you need to replace the engine or something big and need a parts car) where as the 3.0 subys are fairly uncommon.
but with either car you cant go too wrong.
also manual is a must, autos are boring to drive, and manuals can be controlled easier in the snow( 2nd gear starts ect...)
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Unfortunately it can't be a manual. Like I said this is my dad's decision too since we're splitting the cost/car and he want's my mom to be able to drive the car if she needs to. And my mom can't drive a manual car because well...shes a woman.
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Price-wise... Don't dare offer to pay asking price. With the economy the way it is right now, you can get the same car for way less. The '03 Outback with 53k on it was listed for $12,000 at a used dealer. We paid $8,700 after taxes and trading in a busted '98 Jeep which they gave us WAY more for than they should've to sell the Subaru.
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i just went through the same debate with these two cars. i went with the subie because it was a lot cheaper, but the first thing that happened when i got it was that it had to go into the shop for transmission work. granted mine is a 2000 (although i also bought it with 113K), but the guy said that most subarus need major transmission work around 100K miles to replace a bunch of seals and shit. i don't know if this is true for the 04 as well, but you may want to learn more about that. realistically, i think you'll like either car though. the element is a sweet ride, and hondas are super reliable. if you look at the consumer report ratings on these two cars, the element beats the shit out of the outback.
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i own an outback and i would say, get one!
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Yeah I would for suree talk down the price, I'm just getting sort of an idea right now. Most of the cars on craigslist are just being sold by their owners...so idk if that will make it easier to talk down the price, or not.
Thanks for all the advice guys keep it coming.
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keep in mind he's lookin at the 6 cylinder so that'll increase the price significantly because I think that only comes with leather seats and the like. still, 100K is a lot of miles. I would look for a 2.5i with lower miles on it. i just bought a new 09 2.5i with the cash for clunkers deal. with a manual transmission it is plenty powerful its really fun to drive. the 04-09 models are essentially the same minus traction control is standard on the 09 I believe. Either way i'd recommend the outback.
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this and im assuming the subi will be more fun to drive
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