Need to pick a new car (1 Viewer)

[Polish Hammer]

Company car is up for a refresh and I narrowed it down to two choices. Ford Taurus SEL with the 4 cyl Ecotec (turbo) engine or the Subaru Outback with the 2.5L engine with CVT. Similar trim packages between them.

I live in PA so the AWD of the Outback is appealing, especially with the winter we are having. We (family of 4, two young boys ages 6 and 8) occasionally go car camping so there is that, too. But the Taurus has more space overall and more power. I drive long stretches (2+ hours) a fair bit so it is probably more comfortable for those. Has a big trunk, but obviously a bit less than the wagon of the Outback.

Any experiences with these cars or feedback?

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Have you driven the CVT? some people seem to like it ok and other people hate it (not specific to Subaru in general).

 

[Lutherman2112]

Company car is up for a refresh and I narrowed it down to two choices. Ford Taurus SEL with the 4 cyl Ecotec (turbo) engine or the Subaru Outback with the 2.5L engine with CVT. Similar trim packages between them.

I live in PA so the AWD of the Outback is appealing, especially with the winter we are having. We (family of 4, two young boys ages 6 and 8) occasionally go car camping so there is that, too. But the Taurus has more space overall and more power. I drive long stretches (2+ hours) a fair bit so it is probably more comfortable for those. Has a big trunk, but obviously a bit less than the wagon of the Outback.

Any experiences with these cars or feedback?

AWD Subarus do not get the best mileage/gallon.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Also looks like you can get the Taurus SEL with AWD if you want. But outside of Audi, nobody is in Subaru's class for handling in bad weather.

 

[Polish Hammer]

Gas/maintenance costs are a non-factor. Can't get AWD on the Taurus. My options are limited to what I listed. If I could get the AWD Taurus it would be a done deal.

I think I need to test drive the Outback.

 

[PinkydaPimp]

Do you have the option to buy the company car after a certain amount of time? They used to allow us to do so at a past company and you many folks would be able to sell it and make a decent profit. something to consider.

 

[Polish Hammer]

With the old fleet administration company, we did have that option. Not sure if we would with this group. If we did...which car would you go with?

 

[simey]

My friends have had an outback for about three years now, and they love it. I went on a road trip with them last weekend in it, and it's very comfortable to ride in. It has plenty of leg room, and the seats are comfortable in the front and back. They have a kid and a big standard poodle, and they travel in it often. There is plenty of storage space in the back, but when they are going on a week vacation, and they have tons of stuff they are bringing, they use a hard cargo carrier on top to store extra stuff. They call it the turtle.

 

[Lutherman2112]

Gas/maintenance costs are a non-factor. Can't get AWD on the Taurus. My options are limited to what I listed. If I could get the AWD Taurus it would be a done deal.

I think I need to test drive the Outback.

Mileage is my biggest beef with Subarus. Wife has Tribeca, I got Forester, son had outback sedan. First Subaru was a 1994 legacy wagon I purchased in 1996. I had a sales job that kept me in the road 3 weeks out of 4 in North and Central PA and most of WV. That wagon got me through a lot of snow.

Turned it over to my son until repairs needed began adding up. Sold the wagon Fall 2012 for $500...had 234,000 miles on it.

 

[igbomb]

The 2.0L Ecoboost engine is immensely popular. Good power with great low end torque. Very fun engine.