2007 3.0 Outback - what type of auto?

2007 3.0 Outback - what type of auto?

Author
Discussion

Pillskii

Original Poster:

129 posts

159 months

Saturday 15th May 2021
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A close neighbour of mine is selling his 3.0 Outback, 2007 facelift model with 115k miles. Reasonable condition and I’ve had a test drive and it rides very nicely. Zero history but at the price (£2k) I’m very tempted...

Now I know nothing about autos. The seller claims it has a CVT gearbox, and from a relatively short test drive it feels like what I’ve read a CVT feels like. However upon doing some research there’s no mention of the 2007 facelift 3.0 coming with a CVT (all looks like 5 speed autos). Does anyone know how this could be possible? Could it be a very early import (i.e from new as it was registered in the UK in 2007). It has paddles and 5 selectable gears, but from what I’ve read about CVTs this is not unusual and they are essentially artificial “gears”.

Your help is much appreciated.



MDMA .

9,215 posts

108 months

Saturday 15th May 2021
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It will be the 5eat auto box with SI-Drive. 2007 makes it a 3rd gen Outback. The 4th gen model came out in 2009 and that had a 3.6 engine (aswel as smaller engines). The box will feel a little lazy in Intelligent mode, but try it in Sport or Sport plus.

Smint

1,996 posts

42 months

Monday 17th May 2021
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Whilst a very decent car, and i'm sure you know this already but remember 3.0 litre Outbacks and 2.5 turbo Foresters of similar age all go into the highest VED banding, which if i recall correctly is getting dangerously close to £600 this year.

MDMA .

9,215 posts

108 months

Monday 17th May 2021
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Smint said:
Whilst a very decent car, and i'm sure you know this already but remember 3.0 litre Outbacks and 2.5 turbo Foresters of similar age all go into the highest VED banding, which if i recall correctly is getting dangerously close to £600 this year.
Not if it's an import wink

Pillskii

Original Poster:

129 posts

159 months

Tuesday 18th May 2021
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It turns out it is the 5 speed auto, I’m just not used to automatics so had no idea how it should “feel”. Great in traffic still feels sluggish on the open road but I’m sure I’ll get used to how to drive it.

Anyways, at £1.8k a deal was struck and she’s mine. 115k miles 2007 plate facelift. Drove it around 20 miles today to work and back and I’m chuffed with it. Lovely smooth engine and the suspension feels nice and tight with no knocks or creaks. It’s grubby inside and with the cream interior it looks even worse so this weekend will be focused on giving it a deep clean.


MDMA .

9,215 posts

108 months

Wednesday 19th May 2021
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Looks good for the money. You can try a TCU reset of the box and it will re-learn your driving style. Well worth a flush also if not been done for years. Do a sump dump, new fluid, then repeat every few months until you've done about 9 litres. That's if you don't want to do a complete flush of the system.

vxr2010

2,597 posts

166 months

Wednesday 19th May 2021
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Nice car , a good work horse , tax is 565£ or so , chain rather than cam belt i believe , if it was me i would do all fluids and full service so you start from afresh

Pillskii

Original Poster:

129 posts

159 months

Wednesday 19th May 2021
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Got it booked in at Hypertech in Falkirk for just that smile They seem to come highly recommended in Subaru circles.

The tax is a sore one but I've gone for the direct debit route to make it feel a little less painful than £585 ion one whack!


Scooobydont

404 posts

201 months

Thursday 20th May 2021
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Congrats on the new purchase. Hypertech are very good, mines in there next week for a service.

Scooobydont

404 posts

201 months

Sunday 30th May 2021
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How did you get on at Hypertech?

Mines serviced and good to go for awhile again smile.