Subaru Outback (2003 - 2009) 2.0D R Outback 5d Owner Review

My outback was my third Subaru (bought with full dealer/specialist service history at 73,000 miles) Previously owned a Forester and Impreza Wagon so I'm aware of Subaru quirks and their special way of doing things. Went for their diesel but wish I had stayed with a petrol. For: Comfy (if at time a little bouncy ride) HUGE luggage capacity Gear ratios relaxing and well spaced, doesn't feel like it needed a 6th IMHO. Cruised at 70mph at same rpm as my old Audi A4 in 6th. Diesel engine flexible and pulls strongly especially when overtaking in 4th and 5th with decent fuel economy (43-45 combined in real world). Fantastic in the snow Steering still has good feedback and weighted well. Xenon headlights superb Against: Sadly a catalogue of reliability problems, made worse by the cost and availability of parts on this age of Subaru. Found many suppliers had no part availability for aftermarket CV joints, etc. So you may be stuck between main dealer prices and second hand. - at least one injector started to fail causing diesel pooling in cylinder and therefore smoke on start up and heavy smoke on acceleration. Also an intermittent miss-fire causing engine vibration at idle. To remedy this, estimate of over £3k as engine needed to come out to swap injectors!! - Issue with clutch and DMF (as with so many other 2.0D boxer engines) appear to be made out of old biscuit tins. - Part of the fuel system had corroded badly and leaked, totally inaccessible to get at it had to drop the rear diff and fuel tank HUGE job to get to a very small part. Part wasn't available to purchase new had to buy used. - Check for corrosion with a fine tooth comb! Mine started to corrode badly to the rear of the car and lower door cills. Couldn't believe how quickly the under components started to rust compared to my G/F's 14 year old VW polo which was still rust free! Shame, promising vehicle but engine and reliability issues just not up to the great Subaru owning experiences from my past.