Why You Don’t Want A Used Subaru Outback; Check Out Resale Values

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Consumers looking to buy a used all-wheel-drive Subaru Outback SUV may want to reconsider. Check out the Outback’s resale value.

If you are thinking of purchasing a used Subaru Outback to save money, you might want to reconsider. Subaru of America, Inc. announced the 2019 Outback won Kelley Blue Book’s 2019 Best Resale Value in its respective category. The 2019 Outback SUV has secured multiple segment wins over the Kelley Blue Book Best Resale Value Awards’ 17-year history, and the Outback SUV/Crossover has now earned its fourth win in the Best Mid-Size SUV/Crossover (2-Row) segment.

What does it mean for urban consumers?

The annual Kelley Blue Book 2019 Best Resale Value Awards honor the vehicles that are expected to retain the highest percentage of their original price after a conventional three-year period and also after five years of ownership. It’s better for urban SUV and crossover buyers to purchase a new 2019 Subaru Outback than it is to buy used. You won’t get enough of a discount if you do buy a previously owned model.

So if you are considering buying a Subaru Outback, it may be better to buy a new 2019 model. If you’ve tried to purchase a previously owned Outback, you know this is true. The value of a used Outback is just a few thousand dollars less than a new one. This is especially true if you live in the Northeast, Rocky Mountain or Pacific Northwest where the brand is popular.

According to KBB, the 2019 Subaru Outback resale value at 36 months is 59.0 percent and at 60 months: 45.2 percent. The 2019 Dodge Durango is the second place finisher with a 53.8 percent resale value at 36 months and 41.0 percent at 60 months. The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee comes in third with a resale value at 36 months: 51.8 percent and at 60 months: 41.0 percent.

New Outback deals

If you’re looking at purchasing a new 2019 Subaru Outback, Subaru of America is offering some good purchase and lease deals right now. They are offering zero percent financing for 63 months with a monthly payment of $15.87 per $1000 borrowed on all Outbacks. There’s no down payment required, and the offer is good now through January 31, 2019. If you are looking at leasing, you can get a 36-month lease for $269/Month on a new 2019 Outback 2.5i with $1,983 due at lease signing and $0 security deposit. The offer is also good through January 31, 2019.

These latest KBB accolades for Subaru tells consumers, that many Subaru vehicles retain their value better than other automakers. The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek and Legacy also won Kelley Blue Book’s 2019 Best Resale Value in their respective categories and Forester came in 3rd place with a resale value at 36 months: 59.4 percent, and at 60 months: 42.4 percent. Subaru’s overall vehicle lineup will incur less depreciation than most other mainstream brand's cars.

Subaru’s stable of all-wheel-drive vehicles has been popular with loyal owners for decades. Now they are gaining popularity with a new-generation of urban-adventurers who use the vehicles for weekend excursions to the mountains for hiking, biking, fishing, camping, and skiing. The 2019 Subaru Outback’s, go-anywhere attitude, versatility, and utility is what's keeping the vehicle’s value particularly high when it comes time to sell.

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Photo credit: Subaru

Submitted by DougT (not verified) on January 29, 2019 - 8:35PM

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Here I thought the article would point out the head gasket issues of prior generations of Outbacks that Subaru never owned up to. If you aren't careful your used Subaru could cost you thousands in repairs soon after you buy it.

I personally know that Subaru is one of most dependable cars you can buy. I had a 1994 Subaru legacy outback it never broke down. Ever. It was such a great car that when I bought my new Subaru I traded it in. So stop spreading lies you are a total fraud

Opinion and experience of others are not entitled to fraud. Go research what’s up with the 2000’s Subaru and you will find the truth. If your Subaru VIM is an American made, you will be surprised. Conversely the best AWD I still own is a true American made Jeep in the 90’s.

Write back the next time you had to replace the headlamp or when your new Subaru stalled on road with faulty fuel gauge; and among recalls and little things you had to go back and forth to your dealer service with.

Just the stupid little things don’t add up to any justifiable resell value. They don’t make cars like it used to.

You had a 1994 Subaru. You think that Subaru had no problems between 1994 and 2019 because your car from 25 years ago was so good to you?
I had a 2005 Outback, and it was not as dependable as everyone wants to believe.

Submitted by Gotsu (not verified) on January 30, 2019 - 12:51AM

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For cars that have dozens of recalls and more on the pipeline, especially Japanese cars manufactured in the US. How does Subaru keep getting top reselling value? Did I mention the stupid oil consumption defects all over and the impossible headlamp replacement? People want to take my 2013 Subaru Outback, come on!

All manufacturers have recalls and a lot more as of late (historically Subaru is at the bottom for total recalls. It’s mainly from all the new technology and the fact that safety tests are becoming way more stringent.

Submitted by David G (not verified) on January 30, 2019 - 11:24AM

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Have had two Outbacks, good experience, however, this article reads like a well placed Subaru advertisement to sell new product...dealers certainly won't agree with these numbers on a trade...

Submitted by Loren Douglas (not verified) on August 20, 2019 - 6:45PM

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I purchased a used Outback with 187k miles on it from a private party for my son. Had my dealer inspect it. I drove it hard through the desert and over 1000 additional miles. Took it in to a dealer in Denver for stalling issues. After $1400 worth of repairs, we got it back and within two weeks it was dead. The hose to the radiator came off. Dealer claimed they never got near the hose. Want an additional $4400 to replace the engine. I don’t buy the hype about long lasting cars and great customer service any more.

I never trust dealers. I bought a used 2015 Outback with just 27K miles. Nothing wrong with the car other than Subaru's crappy battery which I replaced. Love this car. Dealer gave me est. for upcoming repairs for $500. Took it to an auto shop and they said no, not needed. I think you got screwed by a dealer.

Submitted by Brad (not verified) on December 9, 2019 - 12:22PM

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Subaru overall is not as good as Toyota but it does ok. Yes there were several years where head gaskets were a problem and then came the CVT transmissions. I personally had a 2011 Outback and after 100,000 miles the CVT transmission was noisy and started doing strange things at random like jerky starts and stops. It managed to go to 140,000 unpleasant miles before I parted with it but I never towed anything or went off-road. Don’t buy a used Subaru post 2009 Outback or post 2013 Forester and expect to get 250,000 miles out of it like days of old. The transmission will be the first thing to go to the tune of $7,000. I ended up buying a 2012 Forester with 36,000 miles on it because it has the proven 4EAT transmission. The fuel mileage is not as good but I should be able to get 200,000 miles out of it.

Submitted by David John Harasym (not verified) on February 8, 2020 - 12:01AM

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Well where can I start. I bought a brand new 2008 Outback. It was the worst car in my 50 years of driving. Suspension problems, the notorious head gaskets and ice on inside of the car. Head lights burning out every 30,000 miles. After spending $12,000 in repairs beyond regular maintance I traded the car in for a Buick Encore AWD. I am on my third Encore. The Buick is so much better. I have had zero problems with all three Encore s. I do can't believe how Subaru gets all these high ratings. They have a hell of marketing Dept. They're using cute dogs to sell a dog of car.

My Buick Encore was great too! Had it 6 years and it ran great. Loved Art Moran Buick in Southfield. Now have an 2019 Outback. Five months - so far so good!