Back roads with an Outback

The fourth-generation Subaru Outback, especially the 3.6R, is a beaut on a dirt road, says Morne Lombard.

My wife, Shirley, and I started looking for a vehicle in 2012 to take on dirt roads – coincidentally the year my Subaru Outback was first registered. I mostly ride motorcycles, and thus Shirley would use the car more than I would. Because she’s quite short of stature, we never really considered a second hand Prado, Fortuner or double cab.

At that point, I even considered a Renault Duster, but I also heard good things about Subaru. My friends suggested, however, that I choose the Outback over the Forester. My mechanic specifically recommended the Outback 3.0 because that model’s H6 engine is considered to be the most reliable of all Subaru’s engines, plus it has a timing chain rather than a belt that wears out faster.

It took several years to find the perfect Outback because they’re relatively scarce. Every time I thought I had right one, I either lost the bid or my call was just too late.

In 2017, I decided to broaden my search for the ideal engine by also considering the newer – and hopefully improved – 3.6 model, although I was reluctant because of their higher fuel consumption.

Then, in July 2019, I came across two 3.6s at the same time – one in Gauteng and the other in the Cape. I asked a friend who lives in Jo’burg to test drive the one near him while I checked out the one down here in the Cape. We compared our findings and I chose the Outback from the Cape.

The Lombards recently did a flower tour which included Sutherland, Williston, Fraserburg, Calvinia, Garies, Hondeklip Bay and Van Rynsdorp. Morne jokes that his dad had a hard time keeping up in his Audi Q3.

Inside and future plans

Considering its age, I’m impressed with the high level of technology inside the Outback. It’s also spacious and has more legroom than the Duster I considered – even a Fortuner has less legroom, especially at the rear.

Shirley, our daughter, Anika, and I often take our dogs, Lyla and Tjoppie (an Africanis and a Jack Russell) with us on holiday. Then there isn’t enough space for all our luggage and so I’m considering fitting a Thule roof box. I also want to have a tarpaulin cut to protect the luggage compartment from damage by the dogs’ nails and get a cargo net to separate Anika and our animals.

And lastly, I want to install a 12 V power outlet in the luggage space so we can take a fridge/freezer when we go camping.

Power delivery

The 3.6 engine is nice and strong and it’s never a struggle overtaking slow traffic on a long hill – when it’s legal, of course.

I sometimes get seduced by the gas pedal and then I step on it a bit too enthusiastically. In the city, for example, I never get less than 12,8 l/100 km – sometimes it soars to 14.8 l/100 km – and the best consumption to date has been on the long road when I got 10.2 l/100 km.

I wanted to replace the standard tyres with BFGoodrich Advantage T/A Sport, but the agents apparently do not import the right size for my Outback. That’s why I decided on Continental’s all-terrain tyres and I’m pleased with the results. I don’t slide on wet tar or dirt, and they have a nice profile and aggressive tread which gives my Outback attitude.

Speaking of attitude: we went to see the flowers in the Namaqua National Park and had to take the sandy road in the coastal part of the park, among other things. People warned me the Outback wouldn’t make it, but I breezed through effortlessly on the sand. You should have seen the looks on the faces of the guys who drive hard-core off-roaders when they saw me.

I have to admit that my Outback’s belly scraped a bit on the high central ridge, and I understand why some owners lift the suspension by 50 mm for better ground clearance, but that’s not important to me and I would rather replace the plastic belly plate with a stronger aluminium one.

Tjoppie and Lyla ride in the luggage compartment, but they’ll have to move over soon to make room for the fridge/freezer.

Wear and tear

No vehicle is perfect and I’ve had some issues with my Outback. Shortly after I bought it, it went into limp mode. My local Subaru dealer’s test was too superficial and they referred me to a Bosch agency whose comprehensive test showed the culprit was the fuel tank sensor.

When I bought it, I also had the rear shock absorbers replaced at a reasonable price with KYB high-performance shock absorbers.

After hitching a trailer that was admittedly way too heavy, a high-tensile bolt broke in a rear strut. Subaru didn’t have stock and they had to order a replacement from Japan. It’s now four months later and I’m still waiting for that bolt! In the meantime, I had a weaker grade-8 high-tensile bolt fitted to see me through until the prescribed grade-10 bolt eventually arrives.

Subaru Outback

The tech is impressive considering the car’s age. The elctronic hand brake and starter button is something associated with far newer cars. The audio systen can even play mp3 files..

Should I buy second hand?

Yes, but remember that Subaru does not stock all parts. Some dealers, like mine, give poor after sales service, but I must mention that not all Subaru dealers are as bad. Be prepared to support an independent Subaru mechanic, though. Fortunately, there are Subaru internet forums that will recommend a good mechanic near you.

But otherwise I am very happy with my Outback and I would recommend anyone to buy one second hand. Their resale value is quite poor and you can get a lot of car for relatively little money. I was able to drive down the price of my 2012 model to R173 000. I believe brand new ones cost almost half a million rand just eight years ago.

I have such confidence in my Outback after the few issues were ironed out that we’ll soon be driving up to Etosha– Tjoppie and Lyla will have to stay with my parents in Port Elizabeth – and from there to the Kgalagadi.

My Outback moves my soul. Every time I get in, I want to drive somewhere far away, like the time we drove to the Tankwa farm stall in the Karoo for a braai – a return trip of almost 400 km – all because I love driving my Outback.

Subaru Outback