Short version: We both got the correct car for our needs
My friend, Wayne, and I bought our Outbacks within about 6 weeks of each other and here is our opinion. We both are in our 50’s and live in Central Minnesota.
Wayne had a Ford Focus which was written off in January after an accident in snow. He decided that he wanted a slightly larger, safe car with 4wd or AWD. However, since his daily commute is about 50 miles each way, comfort and fuel economy were of high importance for him. The larger SUVs and trucks were not economic, while the smaller SUVs and cross-overs were not large enough. The Subaru Outback and Forester fell right in his sweet-spot. After driving both, he decided on the Outback 2.5i Premium. He would have bought the base model but decided to go for the heated seats.
I had a Dodge Durango with a huge V-8 that was getting uneconomic to repair. I work out of a home office and my daily commute is walking down two sets of stairs to my basement. We have a boat and the last mile or so to our favorite lake is unpaved so can be muddy when wet. We have bikes, a canoe and also go camping. We used to live in Colorado and still go back often to the Rocky Mountain National Park and the high country. After the Durango, gas mileage was relatively unimportant to use; comfort, space and ability to tow our 2,100lb boat and trailer is important. I chose the 3.6R Limited with ES and Nav.
Wayne and I have driven each other’s cars. He likes the smoothness of the H6. Eyesight and Nav was a “nice” feature but totally an unnecessary expense for him. For his high mileage daily commute, Wayne needs more than the 25 mpg that I get. On his car, he regularly gets around 32mpg.
Even though both cars have the same towing capacity, I just felt that the H6 would be more relaxed. Could I have bought the 4-cyl instead? Yes! It is cheaper and more economic. However, I am fortunate enough to be able to afford to pay the extra and since a large percent of my driving is highway, the gas mileage figure was less important.
I fully expect to keep this car for another 15-20 years – note, my Durango was 18 before I traded it. So paying for the extra “toys” was worth it for me. Wayne on the other hand needs a commuter work horse and at around 30,000+ miles per year will probably keep his for around 5 years at most.
Why didn’t I choose the Touring trim instead? I already have a roof rack for the canoe that conveniently fit on the standard roof rails. With the Touring, I’d have to pay extra for adapters or buy a whole new system. But the real reason is because my wife didn’t like the color options in the Touring trim. HWHL! :grin2:
My friend, Wayne, and I bought our Outbacks within about 6 weeks of each other and here is our opinion. We both are in our 50’s and live in Central Minnesota.
Wayne had a Ford Focus which was written off in January after an accident in snow. He decided that he wanted a slightly larger, safe car with 4wd or AWD. However, since his daily commute is about 50 miles each way, comfort and fuel economy were of high importance for him. The larger SUVs and trucks were not economic, while the smaller SUVs and cross-overs were not large enough. The Subaru Outback and Forester fell right in his sweet-spot. After driving both, he decided on the Outback 2.5i Premium. He would have bought the base model but decided to go for the heated seats.
I had a Dodge Durango with a huge V-8 that was getting uneconomic to repair. I work out of a home office and my daily commute is walking down two sets of stairs to my basement. We have a boat and the last mile or so to our favorite lake is unpaved so can be muddy when wet. We have bikes, a canoe and also go camping. We used to live in Colorado and still go back often to the Rocky Mountain National Park and the high country. After the Durango, gas mileage was relatively unimportant to use; comfort, space and ability to tow our 2,100lb boat and trailer is important. I chose the 3.6R Limited with ES and Nav.
Wayne and I have driven each other’s cars. He likes the smoothness of the H6. Eyesight and Nav was a “nice” feature but totally an unnecessary expense for him. For his high mileage daily commute, Wayne needs more than the 25 mpg that I get. On his car, he regularly gets around 32mpg.
Even though both cars have the same towing capacity, I just felt that the H6 would be more relaxed. Could I have bought the 4-cyl instead? Yes! It is cheaper and more economic. However, I am fortunate enough to be able to afford to pay the extra and since a large percent of my driving is highway, the gas mileage figure was less important.
I fully expect to keep this car for another 15-20 years – note, my Durango was 18 before I traded it. So paying for the extra “toys” was worth it for me. Wayne on the other hand needs a commuter work horse and at around 30,000+ miles per year will probably keep his for around 5 years at most.
Why didn’t I choose the Touring trim instead? I already have a roof rack for the canoe that conveniently fit on the standard roof rails. With the Touring, I’d have to pay extra for adapters or buy a whole new system. But the real reason is because my wife didn’t like the color options in the Touring trim. HWHL! :grin2:
