2013 & 2014 Outback questions. Buying today, hopeful

While a manual for those years is avaiable, your options are somewhat limited depending on the engine & Trim. For example, the 2014 limited 3.6 comes with CVT only.
https://www.cars.com/articles/2013/07/2014-subaru-outback-whats-changed/

That said, while there are those who distain the CVT, it widely used and accepted as a great compromise between manual and regular sushbox. But let's face it, if you stirrinng your gears, you'll prefer manual.

There is also considerable debate over the 2.5 vs 3.6. The 2.5 will will provide you with a 4-5 mpg advantage but significantly less oomph. The vast majority of OBs owners opt for the 2.5 finding it adequate. The choice really depends on your driving needs, style, preference & how fugal you are.

I have had a 2010 & have a 2015 OB with 2.5 CVT. I have driven them from sea level to 5,000 feet, occasionally towing a 2,000 boat. For me the lower initial purchase cost and better mpg trumps my need for speed. Your mileage may vary!

Either way you will be getting a great car, not perfect, but well balanced, highly sought after and rated.See why the Outback isnamed a "Best Buy" 7 years running

Happy shopping. Would love to hear what you choose.

Regardless of engine make sure there is maintenance records and specifically the engine with it's known head gasket issue and class action suit on oil consumption. Or an engine overhaul as documented along with the class action lawsuit against Subaru showing extended warranty. Or I can send you my class action etter from our 2012 Forester we got after we traded it on a 2015 GMC Terrain that was perfect.

danlisahall omitting that is entirely on purpose as a Subaru fanboy!

Subaru Owners Win Compensation And Warranty Boost For Oil-Burning Cars

Subaru Owners Win Compensation And Warranty Boost For Oil-Burning Cars

Disgruntled Subaru Forester, Outback, Legacy, Impreza and Crosstek owners whose cars burned more oil than usual can rest a little easier today. Top Class Actions reports that owners of the defective engines will be reimbursed by Subaru for expenses r

I am caught between these two opinions. What they both say is true and give you a complete picture. You have owned a relatively new Subaru so you probably are aware of the chronic oil consumption issues affecting about 7 to 20 percent of all Subaru models after a few years of ownership.

I own the sedan version of the model you are considering: the 2013 Subaru Legacy 3.6R. So I have the 5 speed automatic transmission. The car is not quite 5 years old and stated consuming oil at 42,000. It now has 75,000 and I religiously add oil every 2000 miles and change the oil every 5000 miles using synthetic oil. This keeps everything well lubricaded and running fine. I have the fully loaded model and nothing else has gone wrong. However, the dealer and Subaru corporate won't do a thing about it saying "many of our cars do that and it is normal." It might be that many do it but it Is definitely not normal which is why a class action lawsuit was brought against them and they settled before a decision was made because they probably knew they were going to lose.

So so is it a reliable brand? Yes. Is it troublefree? No. My extended family has owned 5 Subarus including mine and two burned oil before 100,000 miles. Little else has gone wrong. They are solid cars and if you are willing to watch the oil level, you will be fine for many years. They are great in the snow and that is why we bought one. Best of luck.

" danlisahall omitting that is entirely on purpose as a Subaru fanboy!" Fanboy, yup you bet!

I didn't mention the oil use issue because:

1. The OP already has a Subie & I assume has some degree of potential issues with them.

2. It hasn't been my experience. I've had 3 Subarus (2004 w 90K, 2010 w 50K, & 2015 w 31K) without any oil use issues - never have had to add oil to any of them - even though I have gone as long as 1 year and 10,000 between oil changes. That said my 2015 did have a couple of gaskets replaced under warranty due to a minor leak, but never have had to add oil to any them - which is true of > 90% of owners. The fact that I am a charter member of "Frequent Car Buyers Anonymous" and rarely keep a car beyond 5 years and 60K certainly helps inprove my odds of having serious issues.

3. I knew that I could count on NormT (GM fanboy -- we all have our foibles) & Acura T (whose poor family apparently has really poor Subie Karma) to mention the issue. Despite that, AcuraT properly acknowledges that they are a solid car as long as you check the oil every 2K. Now that is undisputibly good, solid, advice whether one drives a Corolla or Cadillac!

I think you'll be fine putting in oil every few thousand miles. It isn't guaranteed you'll have to do that, so you may be just fine. As long as you check the oil it would probably run for 150k miles without much problems. I suggest the 3.6 engine over the sluggish 2.5. The 3.6 also has less oil problems. I'm in Seattle right now and a lot of people have old Subarus. Whenever I leave California and travel to a city with occasionally poor weather, it seems like half the population drives a late 90s Subaru Outback. If it does burn oil, many examples don't have any problems for a long time into the car's life.

I'd get a Subaru Crosstrek because they have significantly less oil consuption reports and the car is cheaper, but still nice and spacious. The manual transmission will make the car quicker than with the optional CVT.

Don't get the Jeep Cherokee (or any Jeep).

Norm, you are a GM fanboy (calling other people fanboys, now apparently a hypocrite, too!). You're found all over the internet hating Japanese cars and bragging about GM on YouTube, Facebook, Consumer Reports, and many other websites with comments. People that know nothing about cars do know that when you say a Chevy Cruze is better than a Civic because it has a higher avoidance maneuver score, you make no sense at all. This has also happened, for example, when you say a GM SUV gets a better grade at the "moose avoidance test" or braking distance than a Toyota, so the GM SUV is better. Here's my favorite response to one of your wise comments at the bottom of the page.You get A LOT of hate comments, often not responding to them.

Congrats on your new ride. Appreciate the follow up!

I think you are fine with that website. You will have the FB engine as it was made for the car built in Indiana. It really is the same as the rest of the lineup which is built in Japan (I believe the Outback, Legacy, and Accent are built in Indiana but I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong). Best of luck thanks for letting us know the feedback is useful. I stand by what I wrote. like the cars but that concern remains and it can be managed. I whole heartedly agree with Lectrofuel, watch the oil level and they will go about 150k with few issues.

Danlisahall does love Subaru but I have no problem with that. He is honest and admits he does not keep his cars a long time (relatively speaking) so he does not speak from long term experience. I religiously maintain my cars and all have lasted over 100k easily. Some make it to about 200k before I get a new one. I expect my Subaru do the same burning oil along the way.

I did did just buy a Buick Envision so I like that brand as well. Only three months old and I should hit 7000 miles this week. did my first off-roading with it for camping and no issues. There are a lot of cars built today that can easily go 150,000 with no problems, Subaru is one of them.

Yes, the limited model is a nice one and I bought the same. Enjoy it! Should give you years of reliable device and good off-road and snow traction.

I hope you enjoy and have fun with it! We'd love if you could write a review on TrueDelta of how you like the car. A lot of people that are thinking of buying a Subaru come across this site and want opinions from owners. Just if you have time :)