VOTE- Subaru Outback or Subaru Forester?

86,775

Asked by Mark Oct 13, 2015 at 01:10 PM about the 2010 Subaru Outback

Question type: General

Which one of these cars is more reliable?  The Outback is built here in
Lafayette,  Indiana,  while the Forrester is built in Japan.     For all the oil
burning issues,   I've read and heard about more problems with the Forrester,  
but,  you may have heard differently.   The Forrester got the new FB series
engine a couple of years ahead of the  Outback,  so, this could be the reason.   
And,  from what I hear its mostly affecting manual-transmission vehicles.

10 Answers

My 2015 Forester was built in Japan is a piece of junk. The replacement engine was also made in Japan and it had a bad rear main seal.

48,660

Initially Japanese production was more reliable, but in the past decades Lafayette seems a bit better. More important is comparison of the MODELS, not the factory. Given that Toyota owns a chunk there's pressure to cost-cut materials (especially metallurgy), so we'll see how the rust curves end up in the future.

48,660

Initially Japanese production was more reliable, but in the past decades Lafayette seems a bit better. More important is comparison of the MODELS, not the factory. Given that Toyota owns a chunk there's pressure to cost-cut materials (especially metallurgy), so we'll see how the rust curves end up in the future. Now that Toyoburu ruined the OB redesign in '10 there isn't that much diff between the relatively mediocre handling of both the For and the OB. (PS Next time you go to Europe rent a new Legacy non-turbo Wagon and see what Subaru can REALLY do if unhampered by North American marketing.)

1 people found this helpful.
86,775

It's not uncommon for car manufacturers to collaborate, see this attachment below. Actually, I wouldn't say that Subaru Outbacks are ruined as you put it, the sales trajectory of these cars has been growing consistently over time. And, I think it's great credit to the hard working folks in Lafayette, Indiana that they are building better cars than Japan. The Subaru Outback and Legacy are both built in Lafayette, Indiana.

48,660

Mark, again: you do NOT have the historical experience of driving the prior models to make an objective analysis. YES, Subaru sales are expanding, but that's because newer markets are being found for crossover (in both senses of the word) purchasers who haven't a clue what a fine handling sport wagon handles like. To an SUV, truck, or sloppy sedan driver a new Subaru Outback or Forester seems fine. To anyone who's owned An Audi Avant, 3 series wagon, or '01-'09 Subaru Leg or OB Wagon the serious compromises are obvious.

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Outback

Looking for a Used Outback in your area?

CarGurus has 827 nationwide Outback listings starting at $1,995.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Mark Weiner
    Reputation
    33,490
  • #2
    TheSubaruGuruBoston
    Reputation
    28,650
  • #3
    Keith Cahalan
    Reputation
    3,380
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Subaru Forester
26 Great Deals out of 1,027 listings starting at $2,000
Used Toyota RAV4
91 Great Deals out of 2,055 listings starting at $3,499
Used Honda CR-V
90 Great Deals out of 3,817 listings starting at $1,995
Used Toyota 4Runner
13 Great Deals out of 337 listings starting at $9,900
Used Subaru Legacy
5 Great Deals out of 159 listings starting at $4,999
Used Subaru Impreza
19 Great Deals out of 458 listings starting at $3,999
Used Toyota Highlander
31 Great Deals out of 718 listings starting at $2,495
Used Toyota Camry
49 Great Deals out of 940 listings starting at $2,212
Used Honda Pilot
47 Great Deals out of 1,226 listings starting at $2,133
Used Toyota Tacoma
54 Great Deals out of 1,033 listings starting at $8,708
Used Ford F-150
299 Great Deals out of 15,725 listings starting at $1,712

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.