The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

hey everyone,ok so looking at upgrading the Impreza eventually and I have a GT forester which i love but to heavy on fuel for work 80K eachway,so either thinking non turbo foz or outback,never had a outback so just wondering opinions prob be about a 04-07 model buy time i get one.Thoughts?Fuel economy etc?

04-07 model outback is beautiful you wont regret it. Arguably one of the best model subarus ever made

id go for the 3.0l R spec. They 3.0l averages about 10l/100km, but on highway cruising dad get his down to 7l/100km

alex

Forester has better clearance and is better off the road. Outback has a lot more room on the interior and in the back.
My Gen 3 has a SOHC 2.5 and gets 8.6L/100km country driving and anywhere from 9 to 10.5L/100km city (depends on my mood). have had it down under 8 on highways at 100kph without AC.
Not sure if the H6 gets better economy. Everyone I've talked to with one says they get about 11 to 12L/100km and are shocked at my 8.6 figure...

I chose the Outback as I needed enough space to sleep in it.

forester will handle more like a road car then a foz. due to been basically a liberty. and the outback arguable looks better and does have a nicer interior

thunder039 wrote:forester will handle more like a road car then a foz. due to been basically a liberty. and the outback arguable looks better and does have a nicer interior

Outback is a Liberty with a lift, Forester is an Impreza with a lift & different panels but everything underneath is interchangeable, even the dash boards from memory.

At the end of the day I'd go for the Outback.

thunder039 wrote:forester will handle more like a road car then a foz. due to been basically a liberty. and the outback arguable looks better and does have a nicer interior

Ok, so either someone was very tired when they posted this or they were rushed

Really it depends on what you're going to use the vehicle for. The outback will have more space over the foz, the foz will have a higher ground clearance and a higher viewing position. Comfort wise I don't think there's any down fall in either vehicle.

For commuting fuel consumption will be the thing to be looking at between the two models - this I don't know figures for but if you're just after the economical runner you probably won't have any poke for those times you're after some "spirited" driving

Try driving a couple and see what you think between the two

Cheers

Bennie

Whats your budget?

Last weekI picked up a late 2009 Dark Grey Forester X 80,000 for $18100

I'd love keep to see some stats on the ground clearance of both. I don't think a foz is much taller than an outback if at all.

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

El_Freddo wrote:Ok, so either someone was very tired when they posted this or they were rushed

i was very tired :P just got back from camping for a few days so wasnt really thinking straight.

Bungers wrote:Whats your budget?

Last weekI picked up a late 2009 Dark Grey Forester X 80,000 for $18100

very true. you can pick up cheap 4th gen outbacks aswell as 2nd gen foresters

Alex wrote:I'd love keep to see some stats on the ground clearance of both. I don't think a foz is much taller than an outback if at all.

there is only a slight difference but the foresters shorter wheelbase makes it better offroad.

if you get the outback you have the option of the 3.0 with 5sp auto!

Thanks guys yeah heading toward a outback,and budget will be somewhere about $12000.Ground clearance isnt a big thing dont do offroading just need to get through some floodways from time to time,but apparently in Qld new laws will see a raod shut at point 2 :/ had the impreza through point 4 and it survived ,anyways have to be auto and kid friendly plus plan on towing a camper from time to time so im thinking outback,guna test drive one these days lol

Alex wrote:I'd love keep to see some stats on the ground clearance of both. I don't think a foz is much taller than an outback if at all.

A Foz does have more ground clearance but the big thing is the outbacks overhanging bumpers. Anyone driving a standard OB will expect a fair bit of damage to them! The Foz (depending on year) has exc approach & departure angles.

thunder039 wrote:i was very tired :P just got back from camping for a few days so wasnt really thinking straight.

Lol

GTFOZZY wrote:Thanks guys yeah heading toward a outback,and budget will be somewhere about $12000.Ground clearance isnt a big thing dont do offroading just need to get through some floodways from time to time,but apparently in Qld new laws will see a raod shut at point 2 :/ had the impreza through point 4 and it survived ,anyways have to be auto and kid friendly plus plan on towing a camper from time to time so im thinking outback,guna test drive one these days lol

The Outback is more kid/towing friendly. My sister has a Gen 3 (I think) OB & done lots kms towing a Jayco with 2 young kids no prob

I'd strongly suggest getting electronic brakes for towing.

Anyway, as Bennie said, just test drive a few till you get an idea of what you want, it does sound like an Outback would be more suitable though.

nachaluva wrote:A Foz does have more ground clearance but the big thing is the outbacks overhanging bumpers. Anyone driving a standard OB will expect a fair bit of damage to them! The Foz (depending on year) has exc approach & departure angles.

I can attest to this with extreme certaintity

By all reports the H6 can be driven around town with very little use of the right foot and is good on the fuel, but get's pretty thirsty when driven with enthusiasm + loaded.

My 2.5 outback usually get's around 10 no matter what I do with it due to the bull bar and humungous roof racks. Best I've managed is 9l/100km when it was stock and the worst was 16l/100km (a very full car pulling a very heavy trailer very quickly up mountians). Just spent a month tripping around tassie with 2 passengers and a very full car, 110kmh on all the main roads and a lot of time in the hills and don't recall going below 10L or over 11L to the 100km.

The H6 gen 3 outbacks are nice, although the later models with the 3L R-spec is even better

My 01 Outback has 200mm of ground clearance under the sill, the 03 Forester has 250mm. But the big advantage of the Forester is the better approach and departure angles, because of the shorter front and rear bumpers

My mum is trying to decide between a Foz or Outback in the sub $10k area.

The Outback is much better finished off inside, like soft plastics/vinyl on the dash and more sound deadening, it has climate control and a much better stereo system. The suspension is soft for a comfortable ride.

The Forester on the other hand is a bit more utilitarian with its higher ride height, firmer suspension and basic interior. The higher driving position in the Forester is a plus, (especially for my mrs who is only 5ft 5 and it has arm rests too.

In saying that, in owning both models, I'm quite happy to drive either car. The Forester is a little quicker in acceleration, which I put down to being 100kg lighter, but the Outback is my choice for a long distance trip

Cool

3rd Gen Outback compared to 1st Gen foz, the ground clearances are just about identical, the foz has a touch more under the sump i think but thats about it.

Approach, departure angle and articulation is where the outback falls behind, but to be honest the outback is just as capable as a forester for sand work.

On road the outback corners better a lot less roll and more ride comfort. The outback is slightly better interiored, much better stereo but. More space in the outback is a given.

Looks wise is personal preference.

So basicly go the forester for the absolute best offroading performance a subaru can offer or an outback for more road oriented use, but still capable offroad.

Davidov wrote:
So basicly go the forester for the absolute best offroading performance a subaru can offer or an outback for more road oriented use, but still capable offroad.

sums it up well

Davidov wrote: So basicly go the forester for the absolute best offroading performance a subaru can offer or an outback for more road oriented use, but still capable offroad.

Exactly right, esp if you give the OB a lift then theres not much between them offroad either