Interesting. Mine is Indiana.

 

Mines from Indiana as well.

Toyota has been having the same problem. All the Toyota lots around my area are still bare from the C4C.

My dad reticently ordered a Tacoma. They are normally also built in Indiana, but because their stock are so low, his truck is coming in from Japan.

 

I think that if we find the Japan-built models are either better build quality or have some interesting trim features not found on Indiana-built models, there is going to be a small riot of 10 OB owners at SOA

Really, so far, overall build quality is on par with anything I have seen from Toyota or Honda. The tire issues aside, the only interior bit that is strange are the dashboard speaker grilles...but I removed them, hand-bent them, and re-installed with a much cleaner finish.

Look - this isn't a $40K+ (US) car. If you want to compare this to an A6 Avant, 330xi wagon, C-class wagon, Volvo, VW, etc., I really feel like you are comparing apples-to-oranges. Those cars are more than $10+ more a piece. But if you have ever owned one (or more, like myself) you know that these cars spend a lifetime at the repair shop and cost huge amounts of cash to keep on the road.

I'll take my slightly ill-fitting speaker grilles and tire issues (which I'm sure will be solved) over the years of major struggles that I have had with the other manufacturers listed above. Any VW owners on this forum will certainly agree!

 

Some of it probably depends on if they are using the same quality systems, procedures, specs, training, assembly line equipment, etc. at the different build plants. I haven't seen any posts that would indicate anything about the Indiana built vehicles having any build quality problems vs. Impreza's or Japanese assembled vehicles.

 

If they are doing this, this is very recent and I'd bet that they Japan supply isn't even here yet or just starting to arrive, as evidenced by the JF Legacy DonD saw.

I had a Japanese built Outback Sport and two Foresters before my new U.S. built Outback, and I've been over (and under) the whole car with a fine tooth comb and I can't find one single flaw, defect, or fit-and-finish issue anywhere on the car. Better put together than any of my 3 previous Japanese-produced Subies.

Besides, the engine and transmission and many other parts are already built in Japan, then shipped and assembled in the U.S. So it's like 1/3 Japanese anyway.

I for one feel good about finally buying a car built in the U.S. and wouldn't feel any need to go out of my way to get one from Japan.

 

japan vs indiana built Outbacks

Hi, Folks...This blog reminds me of our bad experience with our 01 Indiana built OB wagon as described elsewhere. Since that lousy experience a few years ago we have periodically looked at and driven several Subie models thru the years.
We liked best a rare 08 Legacy 5-speed manual wagon 2.5. Was already sold but they let us take it out after being disappointed by an 08 ob wagon driven earlier in the day. That car was snappy and handled alot more like our 03 Civic Si than the wallowy-handling 08 OB.
Drove and thought of buying an earlier wrx hatch, but cockpit room didn't match Si's. Rented an 08 Impreza in Toronto last year for a week, much bigger front interior than old impreza but automatic is seriously lacking.
So....will probably wait for next years' Suby models to see what is offered. Outback is still at top of our list for a 30k car if we feel a need to augment or replace our Si, which is still driving fine, even tho it has 138K on it.
Bottom line in reference to this blog's theme is that quality is definitely improved along with sophistication across the Suby line. Darrell.

 

Don, if I may make a suggestion, I think it would be best if the thread title was changed to something along the lines of "Japanese made 2010 Outbacks now sold in North America" or something to that effect. Its a well known fact that North American Outbacks are from the SIA plant in Lafayette, Indiana and that Outbacks sold elsewhere come from Japan. The content of this thread only pertains to the fact that Japanese built Outbacks are now available in America. I just don't want to see the discussion be derailed by members who just want to post that there from somewhere in North America and their Outback is from Indiana or that they're from Europe, etc and their Outback is from Japan, which would be obvious otherwise.

This thread should pertain to people who have seen or even bought a Japanese made 2010 Outback in North America as well as information that relates

 

Don, if I may make a suggestion, I think it would be best if the thread title was changed to something along the lines of "Japanese made 2010 Outbacks now sold in North America" or something to that effect. Its a well known fact that North American Outbacks are from the SIA plant in Lafayette, Indiana and that Outbacks sold elsewhere come from Japan. The content of this thread only pertains to the fact that Japanese built Outbacks are now available in America. I just don't want to see the discussion be derailed by members who just want to post that there from somewhere in North America and their Outback is from Indiana or that they're from Europe, etc and their Outback is from Japan, which would be obvious otherwise.

This thread should pertain to people who have seen or even bought a Japanese made 2010 Outback in North America as well as information that relates

Myllari, I was just pointing out an article I read regarding Subarus plan on increasing there US inventories. I really don't think all Outback owners in North America know that there cars were built in Indiana. Car nuts like us know but, if you took a poll of OB owners asking them where there cars were built I really don't think to many will respond by saying Lafayette, Indiana. I am sure you will get all kinds of answers like Japan? Canada? Mexico? and on and on. Feel free to change the title of this thread

 

FWIW I had a 92 japanese built legacy LS wagon and a 92 US built legacy L sedan. I had one recall on the Japanese one and a stupid pneumatic suspension system which cost me big bucks to fix and the US built sedan had no recalls and went to 90K and 10 years before the alternator and a cranskshaft sensor gave out.

also FWIW I have a friend who works at SIA on the assembly line and she says the Toyota inspectors - they are making camrys there also since Toyota bought part of FHI - will let defects on cars off the line which the subaru inspectors would not. I also heard this from a subaru dealer before but I blew it off as salesmanship hype, but having had it confirmed now by someone who actually works there I guess its not

 

Myllari, I was just pointing out an article I read regarding Subarus plan on increasing there US inventories. I really don't think all Outback owners in North America know that there cars were built in Indiana. Car nuts like us know but, if you took a poll of OB owners asking them where there cars were built I really don't think to many will respond by saying Lafayette, Indiana. I am sure you will get all kinds of answers like Japan? Canada? Mexico? and on and on. Feel free to change the title of this thread

I understand, I hope I wasn't coming off as being harsh. Its just that I saw a few members post that their Outbacks were built in Lafayette which would clearly be the case for the majority of owners. Seeing as you've posted this new revelation has come about regarding Japanese imported Outbacks are now being sold in North America, I would think that it would be more pertinent for people who have seen or purchased an import to post that and any thoughts or information in direct relation.

My posts are not meant to lambast anyone in this thread, I'd just prefer that we stick to the unique subject at hand rather than the obvious well-known facts

 

Mines from Iniana too.
Also, do you guys have a sticker said "build in indiana" on the rear passenger window?

 

Thanks Myllari I understand. I was out tonight looking at Outbacks with a friend. She is just in the looking stage for now. The dealer we were at had five new OBs. Two of them were Japanese cars and the other three were US built. Both the imported ones were manuals. I wonder if we on the West Coast will see more Japanese built OBs and Legacys.

 

do you guys have a sticker said "build in indiana" on the rear passenger window?

Not any more!

Don't get me wrong - I'm very pleased our car was built here in the USA. I just really hate stickers.

 

The bit that intrigues me is whether the Japanese built cars have self levelling shocks or US standards. The previous two generations were like that, OR is it just right hand drives that get the self levellers?
PS - my first Subaru, a Legacy Classic 2.0l, was American built and absolutely bomb proof. If it didn't drag on the floor when loaded I'd have kept it . . . . . loved the manual hi/lo box and the speed you could carry into corners

 

I wonder if we on the West Coast will see more Japanese built OBs and Legacys.

I would assume that only those on or near the west coast will recieve Japanese built Outbacks. I would be very surprised to see any shipped east of the Rockies. Considering the cost to import these vehicles which would be in excess of that which Subaru already imports (Imprezas, etc), I wouldn't think Subaru would want to take on additional freight costs. These Japanese built Outbacks are only here to suppliment that which Lafayette cannot produce to keep up with demand.

I know the dealers in my area are selling Outbacks like crazy, I check the inventory of all local lots every other day or so and I've yet to see many Outbacks that stay on the lot more than 2 weeks after arrival. In fact if anyone was unaware of this, Subaru has implemented a new system on their brand dealer websites where they show what is being shipped to the dealers. I've yet to see any Outbacks with Japanese VINs come to my area, this is probably the best way to track any Japanese built Outbacks coming to your local dealers

 

Myllari, I was just pointing out an article I read regarding Subarus plan on increasing there US inventories. I really don't think all Outback owners in North America know that there cars were built in Indiana. Car nuts like us know but, if you took a poll of OB owners asking them where there cars were built I really don't think to many will respond by saying Lafayette, Indiana. I am sure you will get all kinds of answers like Japan? Canada? Mexico? and on and on. Feel free to change the title of this thread

Interesting, Mine has a window sticker on it stating Built in the USA.

 

This is an interesting thread. I've been watching it to see if it pans out.

I have searched fairly thoroughly among cars available or in transit in the West, and have not yet seen a single VIN that corresponds to a Japanese production Subaru Outback wagon. I wonder where these cars are? They are not listed on dealer inventories anywhere in CA, OR, UT, AZ, CO or WA that I could find. Maybe the dealer inventory system on the internet is not yet set up for the VINs.

Has anyone really, for sure, seen one? The VIN should have a 'J' as the first character (unless I'm mistaken) and will not have the usual Lafayette, Indiana reference on the Monroney label.

Edit: Don't forget, they all say Japan for most major components so that's not an indicator. The 'J' code on the VIN and the labeling is usually the only way to tell for sure.

 

This is an interesting thread. I've been watching it to see if it pans out.

I have searched fairly thoroughly among cars available or in transit in the West, and have not yet seen a single VIN that corresponds to a Japanese production Subaru Outback wagon. I wonder where these cars are? They are not listed on dealer inventories anywhere in CA, OR, UT, AZ, CO or WA that I could find. Maybe the dealer inventory system on the internet is not yet set up for the VINs.

Has anyone really, for sure, seen one? The VIN should have a 'J' as the first character (unless I'm mistaken) and will not have the usual Lafayette, Indiana reference on the Monroney label.

Edit: Don't forget, they all say Japan for most major components so that's not an indicator. The 'J' code on the VIN and the labeling is usually the only way to tell for sure.

I have seen two Oubacks and one Legacy so far. The VINs started with the letter 'J' The manufactures label on the drivers side door jam also said Made in Japan. I don't know how many of these cars we will see as the majority of Oubacks/Lecacys will come from Indiana. We on the West Coast could see more of the imported cars. Subaru has a large port of entry in Portland OR. The window sticker on news cars will also tell you the final assembly plant the vehicle was built in. You can also see where the engine and transmissions were built.