OK so I was planning on a new Outback after the winter, but SWMBO's '03 3.0 LL Bean didn't make it. I think the persistent oil leak became a deluge, among other things, which then became a catastrophic failure of the motivating facilities the other day. It was the third time in two years we have had to tow the car and my wife has been stuck. Safe, but still stuck. So, we accelerated our plans.
I have been reading about the newer Outbacks and ultimately was looking for a 2 - 3 year old 3.6. I thought it was the best buy with a good depreciation hit but still relatively low miles. I have also noticed the number of available 3.6's decrease over the last year. Out of four dealerships, one had none, one had one but the owner's wife was driving it and they wouldn't have it until Saturday, one had one but was the farthest away, and the last had one 2015 and one 2014 with 10K miles. We went to the last dealership and drove the 2015 and 2014 3.6, as well as a 2.5 for comparison's sake. The HP difference is 170 for the 4 vs. 256 for the 6.
The price difference between the new 2015 and the used 2014 was negligible. Once the 2.5 is optioned out to match the features standard in the 3.6, its pretty close, too. I voted for the 3.6, and SWMBO didn't care about the engine but was concerned about mileage, but we went with the 3.6 because it had a cool color (Lapis Blue) and the wheels are cool and the interior is improved (this one is black and tan) over the earlier models, plus heated rear seats and a host of other features that are not crucial but are still nice.
Not my car but looks the same:
Anyway, I drove it to work today for the first and likely last time. SWMBO rented a base Charger for the rest of the weekend. Pretty nice car as well.
This Outback though is huge inside, and much wider than our previous '03.
