Help me decide on my next subaru

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:44 pm

In the not too distant future i will be looking at buying another Subaru.

Chances are it will be either a Gen 3 Outback or Gen 3 Liberty Wagon, but cant decide which.

1. I love the look of the Liberty, but much prefer the ground clearance of the Outback. I don't do much offroading, but i like to have ground clearance.

2. Engines. I want an engine with 4 valves per cylinder, obviously they are better in efficiency and performance. Is this available in the Gen3

Now do i go with a 2.5H4 or a 3.0H6?

The 3L has more power, but uses more fuel.

3. Transmission. Auto or Manual? Personally i prefer a manual cos i don't like the way some autos shift, (biasing most of my auto experience on a 92 Camry) but the girlfriend can only drive an Auto. But auto has the possibility of user controlled torque to the rear with some modifications

4. And then there is what colour to get. I like the dark red/maroon in the liberty, and possibly the green/silver or blue/silver in the Outback

At the moment i am thinking it will be a Green/Silver Outback 3.0L Auto

Opinions most welcome

Matatak · Post by **Matatak** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 3:08 pm

dunno lol.

if i was looking at something of them.

itd probly be a 2.5 Lib wagon white or silver. and itd have to have leather

Thalass · Post by **Thalass** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 3:16 pm

Having seen otherwise identical outback and liberty '99 models (I own the outback, and an old workmate in sydney had a '99 lib wagon), I prefer the outback - but I'm biased.

The only difference that I know of between the two was the ride height, the profile of the tyres, and the plastic bodywork on the outback. The interior, motor, everything else was the same iirc.

The lib might have been better for fuel on the road, being lower and probably a bit more aerodynamic, but I can go more places with the outback. And I can actually squeeze under it without jacking it up to check on things! :P

I don't know about the 3.0L engine, but I've not really had trouble with my 2.5. For personal preference I'd go with a green/silver outback with a 2.5L engine... *laughs*

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 6:15 pm

So does the 2.5 in the Outback have 4 valves per cylinder (im being picky i know)

I still think i will go the 3.0L, it has that extra power over the 2.5L, especially if i'm towing a boat/trailer etc.

D3V1L · Post by **D3V1L** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 6:18 pm

im pretty sure all the modern day ej motors are 4 valves per cylinder

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:13 pm

If I wanted an upgrade from my current 1996 Liberty..

Next one would be Outback... why? because of the clearance and has features in it what I wanted and Ive always liked Outback 2 tone Colours and powered by 2.5 litre. Its possible either I would get 1998 or 1999/2000 Outback - that what I would get, if I do find H6 3.0 Litre in good price then I would get it as well because it would be handy towing a boat.
Cheers
AP

stamp_licker · Post by **stamp_licker** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:39 pm

My wife is loving her Gen3 auto outback.I didn't want a white one but the price was too good.A H6 would be a good option if you were not to worried about a little extra fuel.
My vote is for any model outback.

chriSTIan · Post by **chriSTIan** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:24 pm

I've got a lib wgn RX2.5l,has the foggies and side skirts,lowered 25mm,manual,
love it,was looking for an outback for the same reasons as yourself but i love the handling etc... and i also have a gen1 wgn lifted for offroad purposes.
I have the best of both worlds...

Bumpty · Post by **Bumpty** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 2:50 pm

Currently driving a gen1 lib wag. And if I were looking for a newer car, I'd look at the 2.5 outback. Because as a standard vehicle, I see the outback more offroad friendly... Oh and autos are ok, I love just planting the boot!

And apparently manual drivers are better drivers

... As they are more aware of control etc

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 3:15 pm

D3V1L wrote:im pretty sure all the modern day ej motors are 4 valves per cylinder

Yeah i kinda thought that, but i know that there are some SOCH 2.5 and 3.0 L motors out there. I was just wondering what years they changed over to DOHC in the Outback.

Im guessing a H6 would be the shot, cant use much more fuel than my EA82T is using at the moment. Damn heavy right foot!

Is there much aftermarket support for exhaust headers ect for the H6?

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:30 pm

I'm pretty sure the H6 only comes as an auto...

Teach your girl how to drive a manual, easiest way around the gearbox issue. Personally I love my manual and will always have one around. I've been teaching the missus how to drive manual for almost a year now (very slowly). All she needs is some driving experience and a little more confidence in herself as she can handle the clutch very nicely.

Back on topic, basically: Outback/Lib... both can be lifted, off roaded. Really comes down to personal choice and what your missus likes too (if you want to be driving it all the time get something that she's not quite interested in otherwise you'll be stuck to the L or worse still, the pulsar).

Cheers

Bennie

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:03 pm

Gannon, when you get serious come and test drive my H6 with auto, you'll be in love...

Point · Post by **Point** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:16 pm

the sohc heads have 4 valves too...

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:20 pm

Ben wrote:when you get serious come and test drive my H6 with auto, you'll be in love.

Can i have a drive, even if im not serious?

Point wrote:the sohc heads have 4 valves too..

Thats rather interesting, so is there a performance difference between SOHC and DOHC if they both have the same number of valves?