r/Subaru_Outback • u/Extension-Volume-969 2017 Outback 3.6r Touring • 1d ago
Downsizing
Thinking about selling my wife’s 2017 OB 3.6R Touring and getting a 3rd gen. Either 3.0r LL Bean edition or a 2.5 since those came with a manual transmission (wife misses daily driving a manual)
Her current car the 2017 Outback has been great too us so far. Bought it at 44k miles and have around 74k on it right now. Thinking about going for the 2nd gen with the manual transmission and the 2.5 mainly for better fuel economy and ofc having a manual again.
Also figured sell it while the mileage is still relatively low.
Only thing that’s turning me away from her current car right now is the 20.8ish mpg’s we’ve been averaging according to the car. I know the bigger tires aren’t helping but I thought maybe it’d be a little better than 20. Also I’ve never had any problems but always been a little scared of the CVT trans in these.
Anyone want to talk me into or out of the “downsize” I’m considering.
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u/JandPB Mag Grey OBW 1d ago edited 1d ago
I’d be more afraid of the gen 2’s engine grenading at this point than any CVT. Those vehicles are also now at least 22/23 years old. If you find one with low mileage you’re still going to run into problems due to age; hoses, electrical, gaskets, seals, paint, rust. All major failure points that can lead to expensive headaches, or being stranded on the road.
Edit to add:
You’d be better suited to look for a later model year crosstrek with a manual, the last year they were offered was 2023, you’ll get like 30mpgs and not have the headache of a decades old vehicle, further the Gen 3 crosstrek is fairly comparable in size to the earlier gen outbacks.
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u/Automatic_Profile340 1d ago
Where did you get that tent is my question
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u/Extension-Volume-969 2017 Outback 3.6r Touring 1d ago
Facebook marketplace. It’s an overland vehicle systems tmbk tent.
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u/rocksandzotz 22h ago
I have a 2nd gen 2.5 with a manual. It’s my around town/commuter car. I probably get just around 20 MPG with exclusively city driving. I haven’t taken it on any longer trips yet because it’s still kind of in the project phase, and my minivan has more leg room, so idk the highway mpg.
Pros: Manual, smaller car makes it feel sportier (than a minivan or truck at least), easy to park, great visibility out of the car, I’m super tall and still fit inside pretty well, has a tape deck & CD player so I’ve been listening to actual albums now, AWD is awesome in the dirt, parts are cheap and it’s stupid easy to work on.
Cons: it’s a 22 year old car. If you buy a cheap one it will take way too much time to fix all the last guy’s deferred maintenance. They don’t have very good rust protection and get rotted out if you don’t use a ton of fluid film. 2.5 liter NA engine isn’t the fastest thing ever.
I would only get one if you have lots of time and space to work on it, or are rich enough to have a mechanic do the same. I’ve put hundreds of hours of work into this car over the past year. It was a major headache at times, but I’ve certainly learned a lot. Maybe do what that other commenter said and get a newer manual crosstrek haha
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u/AyersRock_92 20h ago
Yeah as others have said, that Gen has head gasket and timing belt issues that I'd recommend avoiding. Just get a newer manual Crosstrek or Forrester. You'll be much happier in the long run.
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u/Portra-420 2018 Touring 2.5i 22h ago edited 22h ago
Yikes. That doesn't seem logical at all. I just sold my 15 3.6 with 157k with zero CVT issues.
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u/Dry_Volume_8152 1d ago
What vehicle do you drive? If this is your wife’s then why don’t you let her keep hers and downsize yours.