Which Outback should I purchase, the '05 4-cyl or the '01 6-cyl?

[nashrock]

Hello...
I'm looking to buy my first Outback. I've wanted one for quite some time, and there are two that I'm looking at in particular. One is an '05 4-cylinder, and the other is an '01 6-cylinder. Both vehicles are comparably priced, the 6 has about 30K more miles. The 6 features more amenities as well (leather, roof, etc).

While I've not done a TON of research, it seems from what I have gathered that the 6 is a better engine than the 4. What input/feedback do you Subaru/Outback veterans have on the subject?

Thanks,
nashrock

[grossgary]

I prefer H6's. No engine issues over the past 10+ years, no timing belt maintenance ($400 - $700 maintenance on the 4 cylinders, H6 has a chain), and seemingly few headgasket issues which plague the 4 cylinders.

The H6's have two common issues, both of which are 15 minute fixes and easy/cheap to repair. TPS (erratic shifting), just replace it.

The other is the serpentine pulley bearings - plan on replacing both as soon as you get it. $10 in bearings and do it yourself or just replace the pulleys for $10-$20 each that already have new bearings in them. thread and part numbers and details are stickied in a thread on this forum.

Easily make 200,000 miles with only spark plugs and tensioner bearings maintenance.

Everything else being equal I can't see a reason to get the 4 cylinder unless gas mileage or novelty/newer model is a compelling factor. Neither of which matter at all to me, but it does to some folks so only you can make that decision.

[bradze]

get the 6

[mark211]

H6... by far.

[rasterman]

The 05 looks better, has more modern safety features and 30k less miles. I don't think that's enough of an offset vs. the better engine and upgraded trim of the '01. Get the older car if you want fewer hassles or surprise bills.

[nipper]

What kind of driving will you be doing. I recentl;y went through this myself and i picked the 05 due to better city gas mileage. I am very happy I did, i like the 05 Ltd better then the 2002 i was looking at.

[nipper]

One MAJOR downside to the 2005, if it has the climate control dual zone you are very limited (read almost none) as far as stereo choices. I had to upgrade to a 2009 radio to get an aftermarket bluetooth/ipod interface to work.

[grossgary]

Good point rasterman, depending on how you operate you may or may not pay attention to mileage. If you trade cars in at a certain mileage, like 100,000, which many people do, like many of my friends and relatives. Many people won't drive a car past 200,000 miles. If you're like that, then you should pay attention and crunch some numbers - like if you're only going to own the car 3 - 5 years, how much per year..etc.

If you can tolerate higher mileages then 30,000 miles doesn't much inform the purchase because you operate differently. I drive the vehicle until there's a compelling reason to move on, which is up to me to decide and I have the capacity to do that on an individual basis which mileage doesn't dictate at all. I plan on roughly 300,000 miles and plan maintenance accordingly...30,000 is such a drop in the bucket and I save so much money on the front end buying Subaru's at %50 or less of their value that I couldn't care less about 30,000 miles.

Other folks will fall between those two ends of the spectrum and a wise and informed purchaser would take that into account as rasterman brings up.

Originally Posted by rasterman

has more modern safety features

H6 only came in LL Bean and VDC models in 2001 - so it has side impact air bags and dual stage front bags, and may have the VDC system.

[nashrock]

I greatly appreciate everyone's input. I actually like the '01 look better than the '05... maybe strange, but true.

Most of my driving is highway. I've put well over 40K miles on my current car in the last year. The better mileage is obviously appealing on the 4, but I'd rather spend a little more in gas in gradual trickles than a lot more in engine repairs in one shot (or more). Looks/sounds like the 6 is by far a better motor than the 4, which is what I've heard previously.

Again, thank you all for your input. I really appreciate it, and I look forward to joining the ranks of the Outback owners!

nashrock

[grossgary]

The 6 does okay and can get 27 even 28 if you keep the speedometer to 55 or 60...but who can do that? It decreases much quicker and we just got 21 mpg on our current 1,000 mile holiday travels when you're doing 75 mph. But that's on our 200,000+ mile wagon which seems far pickier for some reasons. Our H6 sedan does a few mpg better for some reason.