The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

guys,

I am about to realize my dream of owning a subaru, but which model?

Liberty Wagon, Outback or the Forrester.

It needs to be a family car enough to have one kid (in the making) and 2 small dogs and yes the wife. Now for the wife, the transmission needs to be automatic, and she cares about the boot space.

Given this requirement is Outback my answer?
My budget is around 35K so I think that would only get me a very basic auto model on any of the above 3 offerings.

If you know a good dealership to go to in Melbourne please let me know too. I am about to book my test drive on a Forrester.

Would love your thoughts!

pali wrote:guys,

I am about to realize my dream of owning a subaru, but which model?

Liberty Wagon, Outback or the Forrester.

It needs to be a family car enough to have one kid (in the making) and 2 small dogs and yes the wife. Now for the wife, the transmission needs to be automatic, and she cares about the boot space.

Given this requirement is Outback my answer?
My budget is around 35K so I think that would only get me a very basic auto model on any of the above 3 offerings.

If you know a good dealership to go to in Melbourne please let me know too. I am about to book my test drive on a Forrester.

Would love your thoughts!

All good cars

All essentially the same amt of cargo space (Outback and Liberty = same, Forester a little less)...but factor in a cargo barrier and the spacious interior shrinks on all 3.

Take your pram to test

Any would suit your needs - comes down preference

hmmm, buying new?

liberty/outback = sofistication
forester is almost a playful puppy?

hey I think you are on to something there... sofistication...

I want the Forester personally because of the off-road ability. Outback is probably better looking to some people, but I think the Forester is just as nice looking.

Shame there is no diesel auto version... then again if it did it will be way off my budget anyways haha

Probably worth keeping an eye on these. The Tribeca should go for about 26 - 27k

http://www.pickles.com.au/cars/listing/ ... N&x=31&y=7

Liberty and Outback have same boot space in rear. Only difference is the height of both.
If you want to use the Subaru for on road ONLY, get Liberty, if you intend going small off road - get outback - Outback comes with 2.5 litre or 3.0 litre, liberty does not - only 2.0 or 2.5 litre and later models are also 3.0 litre.
Cheers
AP

Personal choice but the outback wins hands down for me the forrestor is just a cheaper budget model! But from what I've heard is avoid the tribecca at all costs!

guys,

I manage to have a longer lunch break and test drove the Forester X. It's brand new with only single digit on the odometer. The drive is smooth, but you couldn't really feel the acceleration.

The interior is okey, love the front of the car, I reckon this car lacks some torque, and not sure it's capable of pulling a trailer and what not.

I think my wife will love this car, but I might find that I need the turbo version. The salesperson is saying there is not much room to move on the price given this is a limited edition. I am quoted ~35K as a drive away price for the base model. What do the forum reckon? I hope to knock off around 2-3K.

Anyways, as always happy to hear other suggestions...

cheers,

Pali

HaHaHa Limited Edition.......................Limited to how many they can build and sell.

that's a good one, can I quote you on that d_generate

cheers,

pali

More than welcome to & I guarantee they can't tell you the exact numbers that will be built, bit like a Franklin Mint Clock.............Limited to the amount of orders they get lol.

I've just had a similar decision to make. Mybudget was 30 - 35/40 at a push and was upgrading from 2002 Outback H6. I considered other brands both new and used. Cars with offroad ability and those without. I couldn't get passed the Subaru's for quality and resale value. So looked at a new Forester (winter edition for 37k with leather seats and alloys) but missed the extra power of the 3 lt 6 cyl H6 and just don't like the Foresters look. It's too upright like an SUV whereas the Outback is more like a car. Couldnt afford a new one so picked up a used 3lt for 30k and it's great for what I need. The extra power can pull a trailer etc and the Si drive is great. You have to ask yourself what you want it for! Practicality or class? My father in law has a Forester, says it all to me...the Outback does everything his does but more power and looks, no contest!

Hi Walrus,

thanks a lot for your exp. The brand new Outback starts at $41K that's well over my budget. I opted for the Forester because of the lower entry point, knowing that I'd probably have to let go on the off road ability etc.

I asked the dealers to give me an offer, they dont seem to budge on the recommender drive away prices at all.

I walked away but said I will be in touch. What else can I do to make them knock off on the price? Is it because of the demand for those things?

What's going on? Help

~pali

Try an autobroker if you are unsure - like this one

This mob have saved my friends $2-3K on their new car purchases, and it is delivered to your door.

Sven

Hi Pali

sounds like you have made your decision. Dont get me wrong the Forester is obviously a great car but it comes down to individual needs and wants. I would have liked a new car with a new car warranty and prefer teh Outback but the new model was far too expensive (I know it starts at 41 but to get the equivalent to the H6 was very expensive) so I'm happy to settle for a 3 year old car that frankly feels new! Where are you located? My local Subaru dealer was shocking to deal with and frankly I hate the fact that I bought from them, but they had the car I wanted! Another dealer close by has a much better rep but they never got the model I wanted! If I met the salesman on a dark night etc etc...so I'd play it hard and look elsewhere. Buying second hand is different. Each car is unique whereas buying new is generally sourcing the option. The car will be the same but the price will vary. I dont know the option Sven suggests but I would call other Subaru dealers and see what they have. Also check drive.com.au and similar because they have ex demo stock. If one suits your wants as in colour and spec etc you could get 2 or 3 grand off the retail price as long as you dont mind 2 or 3 thousand k's on the clock!

Hi Walrus,

I am in Clayton, and I went to the Mentone dealer for a test drive.

I find the mob there a bit snobby... I am thinking maybe I should try the Frankston one... I also noticed that all but the Frankston dealership use the same subaru web site. Could that be why there is little competition hence little reason to drop the price...

Thanks for the suggestion on getting a second hand Outback, I have started looking in that direction as well... and I found this one...

I am wanting to do a stateroad inspection on it and go from there...

I am patient, and I will get there

thanks again,

Pali

thanks sven, yeah I went with private fleet, will let yours know how it is going.