Howdy all. Car was stolen on NY Day and AAMI have just written it off yesterday. Looking for a new wagon. Settled down to a decision between the New Subaru Outback Diesel and the new Mazda 6 Diesel. Need a wagon to make it easy to fit in all my windsurfing and surfing stuff in on longer trips. Prefer diesel as I do a lot of hwy k's so in gear acceleration as well as economy is important.
Both cars drive very well from my test drives yesterday. First diesels I have driven and I love the chubby torque. Just wondering if any of you punters own one of these vehicles and care to share you experiences, looking for negatives you have experienced in your ownership, you know, any issues mechanically you have come across, but positives are welcomed too.
For anyone interested in a diesel wagon I have noted my basic observations below:
Subaru Outback
Pros 
AWD and a bit higher off the ground so sandy tracks are ok
Bolted together well and feels super sturdy when driving
Economy similar to the Mazda even though it is AWD
Rides well on bigger tyres but suspension is still tight so corners well, but is a good ride over busted tar and potholed dirt tracks etc
Cons 
Heavier clutch and notchy gearshift
New shape at the front is damn FKN UGLY (in my opinion anyway)....may effect resale when better shape comes out (seen the new sketches for the potential imprezza, they look amazing!!! put that face on the outback please)
Mazda 6 Diesel
Pros
Looks smooth and 100% prettier than the Subbie
much lighter clutch and smooth 6 speeder
Cheaper than Subbie
corners well, just like a smaller sedan
Cons
Ride is hasher on the lower profile tyres and tighter suspension
Engine a tad more powerful (kw+Nm) than the subbie, but it is bigger too, really cant feel that much difference in power when driving though
doesnt feel as well bolted together as the outback (harsh vibrations, more wind and tyre noise)
Thanks in advance for any feedback on the cars
Cheers
Adam
Hi,
I was going through the same process last year and at the end it was between the Outback and Mazda 6 (2009 models - not diesels) so this might not be 100% relevant.
On paper they look very similar, I read some reviews/direct comparisons on the net (looks like lot of people are choosing between these two vehicles) and most said they are both very good and the only real difference is the AWD capabiity of Subi and whether you to intend to take it off road or not.
I ended up buying Outback and I'm glad I did so, higher ground clearance, corners really well ,the fuel economy is little higher than I expected but overall I'm pretty happy.
I agree that the look of new Outback is not as nice as the previous.
hope this helps
Apart from the looks one of he biggest differences is the seat split, Outback has the short split on the passenger side which is a bummer. Mazda on the driver side.
I have the 04 Outback and have been very happy. I can stick plenty of windsurf gear in it and go most places in comfort.
Hi, I got the new outback diesel, pros, unbelievable economy hwy mode around 6 and town less than 7 l/100k. cons, it has a closed diesel particulate filter as do all new diesels and some people have had problems, mine gets a little jerky for about 30 seconds about once a week when it does some type of burn off to clear the dpf.
I looked at the mazda too and it's dpf requires some type of additional chemical and if this runs low then the car goes into safe/slow mode if you run out car turns off
Just another suggestion from left field (maybe). Skoda Octavia wagon. Mechanically all vw or Audi , great TDi engine, huge boot, great price.
My drive a Audi A4, son Subaru,give me the sub any day. awd + bigger motor and drives nice and tight,btw mine is plated 2010 his 2006 go figure.both wagons 
Select to expand quoteDont **** with the Mazda get thesubaru diesel. Thee engine is magic and the outback ain't such A bad wagon to boot
te]AJEaster said...
Howdy all. Car was stolen on NY Day and AAMI have just written it off yesterday. Looking for a new wagon. Settled down to a decision between the New Subaru Outback Diesel and the new Mazda 6 Diesel. Need a wagon to make it easy to fit in all my windsurfing and surfing stuff in on longer trips. Prefer diesel as I do a lot of hwy k's so in gear acceleration as well as economy is important.
Both cars drive very well from my test drives yesterday. First diesels I have driven and I love the chubby torque. Just wondering if any of you punters own one of these vehicles and care to share you experiences, looking for negatives you have experienced in your ownership, you know, any issues mechanically you have come across, but positives are welcomed too.
For anyone interested in a diesel wagon I have noted my basic observations below:
Subaru Outback
Pros
AWD and a bit higher off the ground so sandy tracks are ok
Bolted together well and feels super sturdy when driving
Economy similar to the Mazda even though it is AWD
Rides well on bigger tyres but suspension is still tight so corners well, but is a good ride over busted tar and potholed dirt tracks etc
Cons
Heavier clutch and notchy gearshift
New shape at the front is damn FKN UGLY (in my opinion anyway)....may effect resale when better shape comes out (seen the new sketches for the potential imprezza, they look amazing!!! put that face on the outback please)
Mazda 6 Diesel
Pros
Looks smooth and 100% prettier than the Subbie
much lighter clutch and smooth 6 speeder
Cheaper than Subbie
corners well, just like a smaller sedan
Cons
Ride is hasher on the lower profile tyres and tighter suspension
Engine a tad more powerful (kw+Nm) than the subbie, but it is bigger too, really cant feel that much difference in power when driving though
doesnt feel as well bolted together as the outback (harsh vibrations, more wind and tyre noise)
Thanks in advance for any feedback on the cars
Cheers
Adam
Thanks all for posting your experiences. this thread, along with a lot of research turned up no issues with the Subbie diesel. However, on one forum I came across the DPF on the mazda (as outlined by JediBrad) has had issues - particularly if the vehicle doesnt do many hwy ks on a regular basis - resulting in the vehicle not being able to clear the built up gunk properly, which creates a manual clean job which is great for the dealers service dept.
I loved the Subbie from first drive, just felt more sturdy on the road and a higher quality of construction, wife liked the Mazda better because of the easier clutch gear box combo even though there were rattles in the plastics with the stiffer ride. Wife has read this thread, and also family websites about how good the AWD system is for 'general safety', not just sandy tracks, and now she is back onto the Outback too! Outback here we come, thanks for helping me get it over the line all 
.
Suby every day of the week.
I prefer Forester, with a little more ride height, and the equivalent models are cheaper.
Turbo Forester is cheaper than the Diesel Outback.
169KW v's 110KW. (Turbo Wins)
320NM v's 350NM. (Diesel Wins)
A colleague has what I think is a a new Subaru Liberty. Its one of the most brutish and ugliest cars I've ever seen. If the Outback looks like it then I'd steer away from it.
Dunno what is in the heads of the Subaru styling department. Their cars are getting uglier every year.
Congrats on the car purchase!
Don't let anyone bullcrap on about losing $3,000 when you drive out the driveway.... over 5-8 years, it all balances out in the wash, and you get a NEW CAR, and Full Warranty !!
Oh, Subaru's are mechanically great. Me and my wife drive them. We've done roughly 350,000km in them. The only parts we've needed are Inner CV Joints on my first Subaru, that came from Grandpa, at 300,000km mark (I did 130,000 in that car - '82 Station Wagon). The only other part was a heater thermostat on warranty. (The Wife has gone through a couple of bumper bars via Insurance, but that doesn't count! - and usual spark plugs, oil filters, etc)
Realistically, after 5 years, you are roughly left with "half the value" of the car.
$40,000 car, gets close to $20,000. But $25,000 if you're lucky, low K's etc.
You might do 15,000km x 5 years = 75,000km. You will have saved roughly 4.5-5.0 litres per 100km. Say 3,500 litres x $1.30 = $4,550.
But the Turbo Forester will get you at the lights ever time !! 
Diesel is a pretty good option though.
Oh, they (Subaru) even gave me a new battery once. I (stupidly) left the keys in the ignition one Easter when we went away for a week, and I killed the battery. I actually jumped it, but at the next service, they tested it, and replaced it for free (warranty - no questions asked, and I didn't even mention it, and it was working fine, but must have failed their testing) !
Opps, posted before I saw you bought outback, sorry. I have driven a new outback. It was great, gotta know where the handbrake is though.
