Looking to replace my 2004 Acura TL with an SUV and am looking strongly at either a used 2018 BMW X5 with 35k miles or a 2021 Outback XT touring. Main detractor for the BMW is maintenance costs (I buy for the long term)...any thoughts/suggestions to help in my decision would be appreciated!
2021 Outback Touring XT or used BMW X5
Strkfitron15
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I have owned 3 X5's and now I own a 4th-gen Outback with a stickshift. The Outback is so, so, so, sooooooo much more reliable and cheaper to run.
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I purchased a pre-certified X3 with M upgrade, rather than an Outback in 2018. As soon as my 3 yr CPO expires, I will trade in my X3 for a new Outback Toruing XT. I travel on remote roads in the mountainous western USA and interior British Columbia. The lack of a real spare tire is a deal breaker. If I lived in a suburban setting near a BMW Dealer, run-flat tires would not be as much of an issue. In addition, the low ground clearance is a minor annoyance parking in snow >12”. Subaru also provides way better AWD traction compared to BMW. I really enjoy driving my X3, but for my lifestyle, the Outback is a better choice. FYI, my local BMW dealer and service shop is outstanding.
Edit: my BMW CPO expires in June 2021 - suggestions purchase a 2021 or order a 2022 model. I live near Seattle, WA
Edit: my BMW CPO expires in June 2021 - suggestions purchase a 2021 or order a 2022 model. I live near Seattle, WA
Even living somewhat near a dealer, I can tell you that not having a spare is a major, major hassle. I would NEVER again buy a car which didn't have at least a donut spare. I used to own a 2013 X5 and at 2 in the morning on the highway, a tire blew. I guess the car was supposed to have run-flats, but for some reason mine did not. I had to call AAA and get towed 50 miles to a dealer, then stay in a Motel 6 next door overnight, finally getting back on the road mid-AM the next day. What a huge, huge pain that could have been obviated by simply having a spare onboard.
An Outback doesn't have the flash of an X5 but all in all it's just a better mousetrap. Way better gas mileage, uses regular gas, and I was able to find one with a stickshift. The one thing I miss is that my X5 had a really burly factory tow hitch -- the ones I've seen for the Outback are by contrast pretty wimpy!
An Outback doesn't have the flash of an X5 but all in all it's just a better mousetrap. Way better gas mileage, uses regular gas, and I was able to find one with a stickshift. The one thing I miss is that my X5 had a really burly factory tow hitch -- the ones I've seen for the Outback are by contrast pretty wimpy!
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I've had my share of high performance European cars (Audis, Volvos, Saabs and VWs). All of them were fun to drive, but maintenance costs were significantly higher than on my several Japanese and Korean vehicles.
A fellow who maintains my wife German-made sewing machine summed it up well. The European machines are elegant but require more frequent scheduled maintenance and replacement parts cost more than do the equivalent Japanese-made machines. I think the analogy with cars is pretty good. JMO
A fellow who maintains my wife German-made sewing machine summed it up well. The European machines are elegant but require more frequent scheduled maintenance and replacement parts cost more than do the equivalent Japanese-made machines. I think the analogy with cars is pretty good. JMO
23 Ascent Premium & 20 Outback Premium; former 19 Outback Premium, 85 GL Wagon, 87 GL-10 Wagon
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With the changes coming I’d definitely get the 22.
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Two questions. How will the 22 OB Touring XT models compare with 21 and I have never purchased a new car from the dealer before the model is shipped to the lot. I assume that I can pre-order color and options, et al.
2022 details are not written in stone but an improved generation of Subaru Eyesight is a possibility, and each year into a generation of vehicles you get all of the running production change/improvements, plus the later model year gets a bit better resale value. Then again the earlier model year may have greater discounts up front.
It's not clear that you can pre-order a 2022 yet, but when you can, yes you can specify color and any options in available package combinations.
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With pre-order, are we stuck with MSRP, or is there a possibility for negotiations? I had always purchased a car off FP the lot, so the dealer had some flexibility with price.
You are not stuck with MSRP - I got a great deal on a pre-order in 2005 but it's all up to the dealer and they could refuse to discount only as a tactic to eliminate existing inventory. Shop around! Some dealers may seem independent but are part of a large auto group and they have pricing strategies coordinated within their group.
If you have money to burn for maintenance go for the X5!!! Way faster, comfortable and cooler car than any Outback, but a lot less reliable. You gotta pay to play.
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Plus, the X5 has run flat tires. Wait until you are 100 miles from a BMW dealer with a flat.
Trust me, don't do it! I have owned 3 6-cyl X5s and even if you ignore maintenance costs (which are huge), they leave you stranded wayyyy too often. I had several very long-distance tows over the years.
Additionally, modern BMWs also have lost a lot of their specialness ... the first generation of X5s had real personality but the current ones are a shadow of their former selves.
When my most recent X5 looked to be in for huge dollars soon (after owning many BMWs, you just know!!), I sold it. I bought an Outback because my wife has one and loves it. I thought it would be fun to get a stickshift in mine and indeed it is ... I would have bought a new one if you could get a manual but the most recent and lowest mileage one I could find was a 2013. And of course I had to settle for a 2.5 but it's not nearly as underpowered as you'd think from reading these forums. It's sooooooooooooooooo much more reliable that the X5. I don't like being flashy and the Outback is very low key. Takes regular gas, unlike the X5, and gets great mileage unlike the X5. Mine even has the Katzkin leather seats so it's certainly not a hardship to drive it.
From reading these forums, you'd think that Subarus were unreliable and really crude to own and drive. Not in the least! It's needlessly flashy and cringeworthy to drive a BMW these days ... they are so doggone ugly now!
Additionally, modern BMWs also have lost a lot of their specialness ... the first generation of X5s had real personality but the current ones are a shadow of their former selves.
When my most recent X5 looked to be in for huge dollars soon (after owning many BMWs, you just know!!), I sold it. I bought an Outback because my wife has one and loves it. I thought it would be fun to get a stickshift in mine and indeed it is ... I would have bought a new one if you could get a manual but the most recent and lowest mileage one I could find was a 2013. And of course I had to settle for a 2.5 but it's not nearly as underpowered as you'd think from reading these forums. It's sooooooooooooooooo much more reliable that the X5. I don't like being flashy and the Outback is very low key. Takes regular gas, unlike the X5, and gets great mileage unlike the X5. Mine even has the Katzkin leather seats so it's certainly not a hardship to drive it.
From reading these forums, you'd think that Subarus were unreliable and really crude to own and drive. Not in the least! It's needlessly flashy and cringeworthy to drive a BMW these days ... they are so doggone ugly now!
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Soon, I will trade-in my BMW X3 and purchase a new OB Touring XT. The BMW red flags are - run flat tires, relatively low ground clearance, and high maintenance costs.
There is one other red flag that proved disastrous for me: X5s have -->electric water pumps<--!!!!! When they go without warning, you're absolutely, uttertly, 100 percent screwed. Ask me how I know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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