Possible new purchase - Outback 15-18, things to look for?

[stevet180]

Hi all, looking at buying an outback, have been looking at cars aged 2015-18 with 50-100k on. Is there anything I should be looking for when viewing these cars, any particular areas that are prone to rust etc? Anything that should have been done as part of the service routine?
I won't go near a VAG DSG engine of this age because of issues with the DSG boxes, can I presume the Subaru CVT system is more robust and will last a lot longer with proper servicing?
Thanks.

[Lexicos]

Can’t comment about the pre-facelift model (ours is post facelift ie 2018, although from the same generation and I don’t think there are very major mechanical differences) - but for us it has so far been a great purchase and I’m really pleased with it.

Petrol, average 35.5mpg over the last few thousand miles, the CVT is absolutely fine (feels perfectly brisk in town; and I quite enjoy rural B roads in the sport mode, though it’s obviously a different type of car from previous MX-5 and 911), has a real go-anywhere feel including in the recent floods (though wading depth less than the overall robustness might give the impression of, apparently about 18 inches). Loads of boot and interior space. No problems at all with ours except battery needing replacement after running right down with an interior light having been (twice!) left on overnight.

[Konan]

stevet180 said:

I won't go near a VAG DSG engine of this age because of issues with the DSG boxes, can I presume the Subaru CVT system is more robust and will last a lot longer with proper servicing?
Thanks.

I've not heard any CVT horror stories on these newer ones. About the most critical you can be is that they cut power to protect themselves in serious off road conditions. Not sure how many people in the UK take their Outbacks out rock crawling though...

[Guybrush]

My experience of the CVT is that it's reliable, very quiet and overall well behaved in all modes (i.e. normal, sport and sport +).

[AndrewT1275]

Until 4 weeks ago I'd have agreed with the above posts about the CVT being reliable. However my 2016, which I've had from new and serviced to schedule by Subaru, has just shat its transmission.

It slips then grabs repeatedly under acceleration so shakes and judders spectacularly. Apparently the 2015/16 ones are the worst and there must be a reason why Subaru have extended the CVT warranty to 10 years for this known issue.

Try getting them to honour that though as you get passed from one dept to another. So I currently have a 7 year old pile of scrap sat on the driveway..........

[loskie]

Anyone mentioned road tax? Check how much that is.

[rovermorris999]

I have a 2018 Forester XT, presumably the same gearbox. The fluid is 'for life' according to Subaru UK and the same in the US. Interestingly Subaru Japan and Subaru Canada recommend changing the fluid at 35k miles. As I'm going to keep it until it goes bang I had it changed and will continue to do so. Might be worth considering.

[Konan]

Manufactures always do down the 'sealed for life' route with things (hi there, Mercedes) and it probably is for the first owner that has no interest beyond 100,000 miles.

The fluid is relatively expensive but not prohibitive. Just change it.

[HelenT]

loskie said:

Anyone mentioned road tax? Check how much that is.

£180 for our 2018 petrol

[loskie]

That's good. Some of the older Foresters (post 2006?) are in the £500 bracket or were a few years back

[AndrewT1275]

rovermorris999 said:

I have a 2018 Forester XT, presumably the same gearbox. The fluid is 'for life' according to Subaru UK and the same in the US. Interestingly Subaru Japan and Subaru Canada recommend changing the fluid at 35k miles. As I'm going to keep it until it goes bang I had it changed and will continue to do so. Might be worth considering.

Couple of issues with that.

Firstly, mine destroyed itself after less than 35,000 miles so that wouldn't have helped.

Secondly, changing the fluid against Subaru's recommendation would certainly void the warranty should the gearbox still break. Although, given Subaru's reluctance to make any effort to help with my gearbox problem when I followed their maintenance schedule to the letter, this point may not be so relevant.