Ground clearance - still procrastinating. :-)

by **WeeGraeme** » Tue May 08, 2007 4:01 pm

Hi, again.

I'm pretty keen to buy a Subaru. I keep too-ing and fro-ing about which model to get. Just when I think I've decided on a particular model and configuration, I change my mind completely.

I like to go camping periodically. How much real storage space does a Liberty sedan have. I'm wondering about a wagon, and that makes me wonder whether I should get an Outback instead.

What is the ground clearance of the standard wagon like? I rememer having a 1996 Camry and I had to be careful with speed bumps etc.

I don't go camping that often. It might make more sense to get a Liberty sedan and tow a trailer (just a normal trailer).

by **MIB** » Tue May 08, 2007 4:19 pm

I have a sedan and wish I got the wagon...

Liberty has 150mm, Outback has 200mm. I have spec B with Sti lip and don't have any issues with speed humps, I scrape on some driveways but it's easy to avoid. Stock wagon would be OK on good gravel but that's about it, Outback would be better for rougher backroads. You will sacrifice some handling for the clearance though (and shittier tyres).

Get an XT Forester, best of both worlds. Sorry, am I introducing more decisions now :twisted:

by **WeeGraeme** » Tue May 08, 2007 5:02 pm

MIB wrote:
Get an XT Forester, best of both worlds. Sorry, am I introducing more decisions now

Thanks. Don't worry. The Forrester wasn't totally off my list either. :-)

I don't particularly want it as a 4WD, although my understanding is that manual Outbacks have 4WD as well as AWD.

The answer is simple. I just need to win lotto and just get one of each.

:-)

by **gt_dicko** » Tue May 08, 2007 5:14 pm

Is the wheelbase longer on the wagons than it is on the sedans? (too lazy to look it up)
I know that a commodore wagon cannot get in my driveway without scraping badly in the middle (almost to the point that it see-saws on the hump) but the sedans have no problems.
My Lib's a sedan, so I'm not sure if the wagons would have this same problem.

Not that this would really affect what you want to do with the car, just interested

by **netrace** » Tue May 08, 2007 6:12 pm

Is the wheelbase longer on the wagons than it is on the sedans? (too lazy to look it up)

Yeah, wagon is about 55mm longer than sedan

by **Ric** » Tue May 08, 2007 10:43 pm

One other variable, the Outbacks have self levelling rear suspension, the Liberty wagon doesn't...
This can be an issue if you load up the back, or have a trailer which does.

by **WeeGraeme** » Wed May 09, 2007 11:29 am

Ric wrote:One other variable, the Outbacks have self levelling rear suspension, the Liberty wagon doesn't...
This can be an issue if you load up the back, or have a trailer which does.

This is probably dumb question of the week. Is self levelling suspension good? I've never had a vehicle which had it, or known anyone else who does.

by **MIB** » Wed May 09, 2007 1:51 pm

Was good on the Forester, pile it full of people and gear and it adjusts itself to the normal ride height in the rear. It's only a pain if you want lower springs as it'll try to lift the car back up.

Gets the thumbs up from me

by **adam** » Wed May 09, 2007 11:35 pm

my service centre was trying to fix a prob and gave me a forrie XT to drive. frickity'frick that had some zip.... too bad it handled like a shopping trolley. probably why people are droppin' them on their arses at the mo'?
it seemed also(to one used to the stately surrounds of libs)that it was REAALLY LOOUUDD inside.... WHAT'S THAT....I CAN'T HEAR YOU FOR ALL THIS ROAD NOISE? but seriously, if it it didn't have those spark inducing yoko geolandars on it probably would have been much better to drive.
have i made your decision harder or easier?
adam

by **WeeGraeme** » Wed May 09, 2007 11:41 pm

adamgtspecb wrote:have i made your decision harder or easier?
adam

Thanks.

The truth is, I don't know. :-)

I've decided that it's easier to choose a vehicle if you know what type of vehicle (ute, sedan, wagon, 4WD, etc) you want and then have to pick a brand than if you like various model produced by a particular manufacturer.

by **WeeGraeme** » Thu May 10, 2007 12:00 am

Ric wrote:One other variable, the Outbacks have self levelling rear suspension, the Liberty wagon doesn't...
This can be an issue if you load up the back, or have a trailer which does.

I just had a closer look at the Subaru website. Actually, only some of the Outback range have self levelling rear suspension.

by **rxliberty2000** » Thu May 10, 2007 9:29 am

My Lib wagon is lowered on king lows, and our family has a farm down south.

I find it pretty good on gravel tracks, only issue is step hills, where there is a crown in the road, I have to keep to one side.

When my car was standard height, I had no issues what soever.

Was great for heli's in the back paddok too :twisted:

-Mickey

by **MIB** » Thu May 10, 2007 9:30 am

The XT is MUCH louder than the Lib, but then that's what the extra coin pays for. It's a 'big' step up in interior quality between the Impreza platform (Forrie) and the Lib platform.

Those geo's are better off used as swings and put something a bit softer on there, between them and a stiffer rear bar they handle OK. That's as far as I went with mods, I didn't dump mine on its guts, would've bought a WRX instead if that was what I wanted

Ground clearance - still procrastinating. :-)

Ground clearance - still procrastinating. :-)

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