I am looking to buy used gen 5 Outback (or CPO). 4 cylinder engine. I would be switching from a full-size V8 SUV with upgraded suspension, proper 4×4 system but with abysmal mileage (15mpg). I do some soft off-roading which consists mostly of fire roads and some easier class IV roads in NY/VT/NH states. Nothing crazy though. No rock crawling, going thru 1 foot or deeper water pools or tight forest roads. The plan is to install skid plates, AT tires and maybe a small 1″ lift with stiffer springs so it doesn’t sag when loaded. There is going to be roof rack with solar panel (transfer from my current vehicle) for the refrigerator and I will need a 2″ receiver for my bike rack (the one that mounts bikes vertically). Not all is mounted on the car all the time.
I hope Outback will be able to handle those requirements.
With that said, are there any issues I should be aware of? I just joined but did tons of reading thru the posts. I know there may be some wobble after the lift, CVT may need drain and refill depending on car’s mileage, that the 4-cylinder engine may be a bit underpowered in the mountains when car is fully loaded, CV axles may click during turns, etc. Any other advice you guys can give me?
One more question: Would it be better to avoid the EyeSight and try to get a car without the extra driver assistance options? None of my current cars have it and when I rented few cars with the newer technologies, I got rather annoyed by them then finding them useful.
