Ranger vs Outback

[myothercarizahearse]

Yes but do you let them drive it ? I sometimes let my wife drive my Ranger.

how do you think I get home from the bar?

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[D Fresh]

Nothing in particular. My only for sure on the try list is to get in line for a 2024 ranger raptor at the manufacturer level (I'm not dealing with the dealership shenanigans).

Outside of that, as I said, I've mulled the idea over for a rally inspired smaller foot print off roader. To do that I'd have to compromise on a few things, just seeing what people have to say.

I'm not worried about storage, I'm sure I'd fabricate something up to fit what I need, especially with something that can come with factory roof bars.

For something like that a Subie would work well. But a Subie will never keep up with a Ranger when the going gets really rough. Although I'd compromise a bit more on size of the build.

If you could find a "hawkeye" WRX wagon, 2006/2007, you could base a nice R3 build (Rapid, Rescue, Rex) off if that.

Mods are much more plentiful for Imprezas than Outbacks. On an Impreza you'd have all sorts of suspension, and power goodies at your disposal, you can literally build whatever you want.

Whereas on an Outback you'd have much fewer options for performance parts, just a lot of racks and stuff. Which we all know you'll be building yourself.

Going back that far will keep you in the manual transmission and limited slip center and rear differential zone.

Honestly if I could find an unmolested low mileage '06/'07 WRX wagon, I'd have a hard time not bringing it home.

 

[Rp930]

If you are stuck in the mountains in Colorado behind a long line of traffic you have a 100% chance of it being a Subaru at the front.

 

[gwhalin]

Had an Outback prior to the Ranger. I found the car super capable and comfortable. I had gone to larger AT tires (Pirelli Scorpions) and a small 1.5” body lift along with some after market skids. Great car but prefer the truck and glad I traded it in. My only beef with it was it was sluggish as all hell.

 

[FourMoreG]

Mod for Mod discussion, what can the Ranger do that the Outback cannot? I want to exclude obvious advantages of a truck like a bed to haul items and/or bigger foot print means more storage capacity.

So off top of my head I imagine;

- less risk of water intrusion when crossing deeper body of water
- better approach and departure


I've often mulled the idea over a smaller foot print vehicle and from what I have read their AWD system is pretty darn capable in all types of muck.

1) Manufacturers USA SALES / SERVICE
*2023 FORD RANGER has Over to two-thousand nine hundred FORD dealers (2900+) in the USA for sales/service, as of Feb 2023.
*2023 SUBURU OUTBACK has six-hundred (600) SUBURU dealers in the USA, as of Feb 2023.

2) MSRP (USA base)
* 2023 FORD RANGER $31,045
* 2023 SUBARU OUTBACK $28,395

Standard engine, standard equipment specs and body choices differ between these two vehicles, along with factory and third-party Optional upgrades. Both Subaru Outback and Ford Ranger vehicles are manufactured in the USA.

I owned an Outback AWD with a manual tranny and had Zero (NO) service issues. I enjoyed driving the Outback, which was Very stable in windy weather, had Excellent interior fit and finish, and was easy to modify for Audio gear upgrades (a Very Quiet interior with little engine or wind noise intrusion). I sold this Outback to buy a new FORD EDGE because I needed a larger interior rear access, which the Edge has. I occasionally need to travel with certain gear, that I prefer to secure inside the vehicle, and that doesn't fare well when exposed to severe weather. I now own both a 2019 Ford Edge ST AWD and a 2021 Ford Ranger Lariat 4WD and enjoy them both, Very Much.

When looking for CAR vehicle purchase, the Outback will be at the top of my list, for consideration.

As previously posted in this thread, I think the Ranger-to-Outback comparison is as apples-to-oranges.

 

[OFC Ranger]

As previously posted in this thread, I think the Ranger-to-Outback comparison is as apples-to-oranges.

I'm not sure why this statement keeps coming up.

It seems a lot of people have forgotten the concept of pros vs cons.

I can objectively make a Ranger vs Bicycle comparison without resorting to the apples vs oranges cop out if I am to be blunt about it.

 

[HippoTrucker]

I had to turn around in the Outback in some remote SE Oregon desert adventures, and this is where my interests have evolved - remote, 4wd exploration and camping, in the NW but also the desert SW.

Heh, exploring this same area is what got me to buy my Ranger. In a Subaru some of the rockier SE Oregon roads are doable but one mistake will result in body/underbody damage, and if it rains the mud is beyond anything the Subaru can handle. In my Tremor, I barely have to think, it can handle it all (although the mud can still be treacherous...).

Only thing I wish is that the Ranger had a bigger gas tank, I've had to rely on a jerry can to get back out more than once.

 

[Wes Siler]

Mod for Mod discussion, what can the Ranger do that the Outback cannot? I want to exclude obvious advantages of a truck like a bed to haul items and/or bigger foot print means more storage capacity.

So off top of my head I imagine;

- less risk of water intrusion when crossing deeper body of water
- better approach and departure


I've often mulled the idea over a smaller foot print vehicle and from what I have read their AWD system is pretty darn capable in all types of muck.

Have you thought about a Hyundai Santa Cruz instead of a subie? Better engine and transmission, more traction, truck bed.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Have you thought about a Hyundai Santa Cruz instead of a subie? Better engine and transmission, more traction, truck bed.

I'd be lying if I said anything other than, "Hell no that thing looks like dog shit".

That is the only response I can gave regarding that vehicle.

 

[dtech]

I'd be lying if I said anything other than, "Hell no that thing looks like dog shit".

That is the only response I can gave regarding that vehicle.

you are being too kind , plus that thing has a dct which is about as useful for off roading as a damper on a tailgate. Subie is just a better vehicle.

 

[NTXTremor]

I came here expecting to see something like this rather than a serious discussion of Ranger versus Subarus.

My two cents: If you are looking to go for a "smaller footprint off-roader" I would look at the Crosstrek over the outback. The gap between the Ranger and either would be much greater than the gap between the two.

In fact, the Crosstrek might have advantages over the Outback. The wheelbase and overall length are shorter, and the approach and departure angles look better although I have not seen any actual specs.

Unless you need the extra storage of the Outback, the Crosstrek is shorter, lighter and cheaper. I would think that building one up could be a whole lot of fun as long as you temper your expectations off-road.

Here is a Hyundai vs Outback. The Outback appears to have won.

 

[TXRangerTim]

I came here expecting to see something like this rather than a serious discussion of Ranger versus Subarus.

My two cents: If you are looking to go for a "smaller footprint off-roader" I would look at the Crosstrek over the outback. The gap between the Ranger and either would be much greater than the gap between the two.

In fact, the Crosstrek might have advantages over the Outback. The wheelbase and overall length are shorter, and the approach and departure angles look better although I have not seen any actual specs.

Unless you need the extra storage of the Outback, the Crosstrek is shorter, lighter and cheaper. I would think that building one up could be a whole lot of fun as long as you temper your expectations off-road.

Here is a Hyundai vs Outback. The Outback appears to have won.

Looks like someone went into a meat coma after the lunch special.

 

[dtech]

Looks like someone went into a meat coma after the lunch special.

either that or their arteries instantly clogged after that 2nd helping of bloomin onion.

 

[CB750F]

I have a Subaru.
I love Subaru.
The Subaru would be for light offroad.
My belief, after searching, is their AWD is the best.
Before buying the Ranger I was looking at buying a Crosstrek & having it for a few yrs, then buy the Ranger
when I retire. When my 2007 Escape dies, I'll replace with
a Crosstrek.
But thing can change....

 

[dtech]

What are the 5 Subaru Love Promises?

These different causes are represented by the Subaru Loves branding: Subaru Loves Pets, Subaru Loves the Earth, Subaru Loves Learning, Subaru Loves to Help, and Subaru Loves to Care. Jun 2, 2021

How could one not like (love Subaru) , Their growth in recent years has been impressive and a significant part of that I'd attribute to effective marketing - pet loving, green loving, outdoor and granola loving, the perfect car for lesbians, IIHS safety, etc.

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