Expedition Master I
- 5,079
- First Name
- Drew
- Last Name
- Hawley
- Member #
-
1537
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- WRBZ674
- Service Branch
- USN veteran
Subaru’s definitely have their limitations out of the box @OrTrek but to me it’s all part of the fun. I’ve always enjoyed doing things a little different haha. Admittedly there are some things I just can’t alter or correct. Low range would be great but I’ve gotten by without it. Locking diffs would also be great but I’m fortunate and the 5th gen Outback has X mode which is now an option on the Crosstrek. X mode, like everything else, has its limitations but I can honestly say it’s impressed myself and others on many occasions. Approach angle is a bastard haha. It’s the penance all newer vehicles pay for mpg and there are unfortunately only a few solutions. Lift, cut, or custom. I occasionally still think about a custom bumper but I’ve been content with what I gained through my lift and I won’t hesitate to abuse my bumper guard haha.
At the end of the day I could easily just buy a Jeep or something like it but what would I be giving up? I daily drive it and still get 23-25 mpg as it sits. It’s still quiet, comfortable, and rides great. It’s a lot easier to load things on the roof and that’s not the only benefit of a low roofline. With over a foot of clearance under my Outback I can still park in my garage with everything I normally keep on the roof. It has many redeeming qualities and I could keep going but I’m sure you get my point. It’s a compromise which means it’s a good fit for a lot of people but not all.
At the end of the day I could easily just buy a Jeep or something like it but what would I be giving up? I daily drive it and still get 23-25 mpg as it sits. It’s still quiet, comfortable, and rides great. It’s a lot easier to load things on the roof and that’s not the only benefit of a low roofline. With over a foot of clearance under my Outback I can still park in my garage with everything I normally keep on the roof. It has many redeeming qualities and I could keep going but I’m sure you get my point. It’s a compromise which means it’s a good fit for a lot of people but not all.