Not really. I mean, yes, those three brands are all nicer and more expensive across the board, no one would disagree, but there's price and category overlaps in the lower trim models.
Also, use cases? Both Subaru and the above mentioned manufactures make cars for many different use cases. You can go rock crawling in a modded Lexus LX or you can be a total granny and drive an SC 430. You can go rock crawling in a Mercedes G Wagon or you can be a total loser and drive a base model A class—all while thinking it's way better than the cheaper Toyotas and Subarus.
2021 G 550 SUV Starting at MSRP $131,750
How that that compare to any Subaru?
It doesn't. Subaru customers are not buying Mercedes and Mercedes customers are not buying Subaru.
There is zero overlap of these two brands and their customers.
Good job cherry picking. Base level A class is ~$35,000, fanciest Subaru I can find is the top trim Ascent at $45,000, this about goes for the other luxury brands mentioned as well. Yes, no one who wants a G wagon is also looking at an Outback. But someone looking at a Mercedes GL with 4Matic might as well look at a Subaru or Toyota—you'd be a fool not to consider it. I'm not trying to say Subaru is better than BMW, Lexus, or Mercedes. I'd take a Lexus LX any day over any Subaru, I just can't afford it. But your argument that there's zero overlap between the brands and customers is asinine.
I live in the mountains too. Subarus are all-wheel drive family cars available at a much better value than a truck or an Audi. When a luxury car like a Lexus or BMW drive buy it's hard not to think what dopes the drivers are for living in the mountains and owning a car that won't function for several months of the year.
An Outback costs just as much as a Lexus. The Lexus is a year round awd and has an indestructible Toyota v6 in it whereas the old Subaru had problems with gaskets, the new ones have problems with a cvt transmission. The awd system is very good, but a cheaper family car with decent awd systems would be the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4
Some of LRC finest Karens representing well here and admitting they own Subarus. They were admitted Karens based on previous posts on other topics. I'm glad they own it.
An Outback costs just as much as a Lexus. The Lexus is a year round awd and has an indestructible Toyota v6 in it whereas the old Subaru had problems with gaskets, the new ones have problems with a cvt transmission. The awd system is very good, but a cheaper family car with decent awd systems would be the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4
Not really. Most Lexus are beyond $50,000 which is more or less the most you can spend on a Subaru.
Do they perform? I mean, the boosted ones can be boosted until the cows come home. Non-boosted 4 cylinders are honestly a tad sluggish.
This made me laugh. A tad sluggish is an understatement. I have a 2012 Subaru Outback 4 cylinder with paddle shifters. I downshift and... the engine gets louder! Sure, it accelerates, but it takes its own sweet time about it.
Before you buy an early model Subaru, make sure the head gaskets have been replaced with aftermarket metal head gaskets. You can tell because they're silver and they jut out about a sixteenth of an inch all around the head.
In my city, there's a guy who recycles old Subarus. He'll pull parts out of his junkyard of old Subarus and get a junker Subaru running again. I've never seen this for another car brand.
In my city, there's a guy who recycles old Subarus. He'll pull parts out of his junkyard of old Subarus and get a junker Subaru running again. I've never seen this for another car brand.
Subarus have a nice fan crowd because they run for a long time 200,000 miles is normal and 300,000 happens quit often as well.
Of course Subaru is a tiny niche brand for mostly outdoorsy types or areas with some nasty ice/snow.
I totally get that a lot of people don't understand the brand.
2011 outback that blew up its transmission at 160K miles. already had a head gasket job done. This era of subaru is not reliable after ~100K miles, but there aren't many other options for an AWD, reasonable ground clearance and approach angles comfortable car in that price range.
I need my car to get me from point A to point B. I don't care about "boosted" or being surrounded by luxury. I view it as purely utilitarian and when I get somewhere as cheaply as I possibly can without driving a piece of crap.
2011 outback that blew up its transmission at 160K miles. already had a head gasket job done. This era of subaru is not reliable after ~100K miles, but there aren't many other options for an AWD, reasonable ground clearance and approach angles comfortable car in that price range.
I got a Subaru because I wanted a Subaru. Was that wrong? Am I required to get objectively the greatest or greatest value car?
My previous Subaru was going great over 200k miles never having had any engine or transmission work done when the twins came along and I traded it in on a minivan. Got another Subaru when the older kids left the house. Don't think I'll keep the newer one (2017 Outback) that long. If I get 100k out of it with no trouble I'll be good. With the freaky market I could get more for it now than what I paid for it a couple years ago, but then I'd have to buy something else that is selling real high.
Sold my '03 Honda Pilot last summer after 310k rode-hard and put away wet non-highway miles never having had any engine work or trouble ever.
btw, I'm a frumpy, conservative, professional guy. In spite of the Subaru image, there are plenty of us who drive Subarus.
we have 2017 and 2019 subarus in our household, and neither has dropped a spot of oil. They run like a dream and are awesome in crappy weather. Bonus of the outback is that I can drive it to races and sleep in the back.
I guarantee I'd still be driving my '01 Forester if it weren't for being hit by a drunk driver and totaling it my freshman year of college with four people (myself included in the car). Spun out, went over a median, hit at an estimated speed of 97 mph by an F-250. No injuries. Was fine to race my first collegiate 8k two days later.
If it were any other car, someone would have been killed or at least seriously injured. The commercials are true. I refuse to buy any other car than an SUV, but Subbies are astronomical aftermarket, for good reason.
Well anyone using the word Subbies definitely proves OP's position. And the guy with the LL Bean option on his "Subbie", are you still living in the 90's?
Got in the habit of saying subbie ironically and it unfortunately stuck. I hate myself too it's okay
Just saw this tweet, and thought of this tread: "An observation about cycling in America after 18 years of doing it: Every pickup driver wants to kill you and every Subaru driver is willing to drive through a field to give you as much room as possible." -Brad Culp@bbculp
May apply to runners too, but a kindly opinion of Subaru drivers
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