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- My rating: 0 stars
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
5.0 stars
"Best car for snow"
Pros: Great features available on ALL Subarus.
Cons: Still no hybrid engine. Otherwise, no negatives.
Summary: If you drive to the mountains, on snow and ice, you need a Subaru. I've owned Subarus for the past 15 years. I ski and drive all over the West, and I've never ever had to put on chains.
Subarus have the best mix of features, driveability, fun, good gas mileage, and plenty of space in the back for cargo, ... all for a reasonable price.
With some other cars, like Ford (for example), you have to upgrade to a more expensive version, spending an extra $2000 just to get a small feature like intermittent wiper blades (which are not available even as an option on their less expensive models). But, Subaru doesn't make you feel cheap. Subaru provides all the features on all their models. The main difference between Subaru models is the size/power of the engine, but even the cheapest Subarus will have intermittent wiper blades.
When I purchased the 2005 Outback, I spent the first week delighting in discovering more and more features that my older Subaru didn't have. Lots of thought went into designing this car. It now has stuff like:
- a trip computer;
- self-dimming rear-view mirror;
- heated seats;
- heated outside mirrors;
- a very accurate thermometer, showing outside temperature (to warn you of freezing temperatures);
- convenient hooks for bags in the cargo compartment;
- fog lights;
- an automatic transmission that can be converted into manual at the flip of a lever;
- hidden space for tools under the cargo floor;
- hidden space to store the cargo space cover under the cargo space floor;
- rear door open upward, providing a little protection from the rain and snow when I am suiting up for skiing in the parking lot (as opposed to the Honda CR-V whose rear door opens sideways).
- ... and much, much more.
Of course, it has anti-lock brakes too, but so did my older Subaru.
This is an excellent car! Now, if only it came with a Hybrid engine!
I have been wanting to buy an American car for the past 15 years, ... but I just can't find any American car that remotely compares to a Subaru. The new Ford Escape Hybrid comes close, but I would have to spend $10,000 more for the Ford (partly becasue of a huge markup Ford dealers are adding on). So, I said "No thanks", and bought another Subaru!
If American cars want to compete, they need to give us a car that is like the Ford Escort station-wagon, but with 4-wheel drive, anti-lock brakes, fog lights, and a bit more cargo space in the back. If it also has good gas-mileage, I might be weaned away from my Subaru.
But, this won't happen any time soon, becasue American car manufacturers won't listen to their customers (I've written to them several times). They prefer building gas guzzling SUVs and pick ups.
Where to buy
2005 Subaru Outback 3.0 R VDC Limited:
$34,220.00
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Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price From Edmunds.com
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$34,220.00 |
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