Gen 2 vs Gen 3 liberty

nicklib · Post by **nicklib** » Mon May 18, 2009 9:53 pm

Hi

Just wondering if someone can tell me the pros and cons in terms of offroad ability between the gen 2 liberty/outback and the gen 3 liberty/outback. I own a 95 liberty with outback struts and king springs and do a lot of beach driving and its been the best suby ive owned for sure. I havent seen a lot of lifted 3rd gen libs/outbacks and wondered if that had anything to do with the different rear suspension setup? Are they not as well suited to suspension lift due to smaller swing arms giving less wheel travel etc?

Its a while away but im trying to decide between an early 2000 model GT forester or a gen 3 liberty for my next buy. Both cars will do the job im sure with a few suspension modifications but is there a reason you dont see a lot of modified 3rd gen libs on the beach

Thanks

Bumpty · Post by **Bumpty** » Mon May 18, 2009 10:14 pm

I'm going to have a stab in the dark here, but I think a major factor in why you don't see many lifted gen 3s is because, simply, they are a newer car. Maybe in a few years time you will see more of them lifted and beaten around the bush/sand.

nicklib · Post by **nicklib** » Mon May 18, 2009 10:31 pm

I thought that might be the case but there are quite a lot of late model foresters on the beach, people dont seem scared of getting them dirty. i guess they are marketed as being more of an offroad model in comparison to the liberty's.
Than again with a name like 'outback' you think people who dont know subys would assume it could/would go anywhere. I think with the right person behind the wheel a suby will go almost anywhere but a lot of people with limited offroad experience would bog it on the first access track. The lack of clearance and low gearing can make them unforgiving at times but all the more fun in my experience!

seagull · Post by **seagull** » Mon May 18, 2009 11:52 pm

I would go the nissan patrol option , heaps more room and beeter wheel travel

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Tue May 19, 2009 1:05 am

seagull wrote:I would go the nissan patrol option , heaps more room and beeter wheel travel

lol Neil - you should post this nugget of advice up on all offroad subaru forums so maybe they will all realise your wisdom. Why did you do up that metallic blue Liberty for offroad then.

I agree with the newer car notion. Most people start modding cars when they get abit older. Most mods usually decrease the value of a car so it's only worth doing once the car has dropped most of it's value. You don't want to over-capitalise really.

Phizinza · Post by **Phizinza** » Tue May 19, 2009 4:26 pm

seagull wrote:I would go the nissan patrol option , heaps more room and beeter wheel travel

Some people don't need that much offroad ability and prefer to keep at least some onroad comfort and characteristics.

riksta · Post by **riksta** » Tue May 19, 2009 8:52 pm

well guys I have a lifted Gen 3 Lib and we take it up the beach with a camper trailer on the back.

I think you may be right that when the gen 3 is a bit older you will see a lot more of them lifted and on the beach.

up till now mine has been very good on the beach and thats with a auto in it.

Rik.

nicklib · Post by **nicklib** » Tue May 19, 2009 9:56 pm

Definately no patrol for me...Great if your crossing the Simpson Desert in flood but for the other 99% of the time they're to big and heavy to drive around. They lack a bit of character i reckon and are overkill for most of the beaches you find around South East QLD.
Thanks for the feedback Ricsta, your lifted lib is exactly what i had in mind. How do you think it would go with just a suspension lift? Ive had a body lift kit in a Brumby and an L series before but found i havent needed it in the Liberty as the bigger struts, springs and 16" rims seem to do the job.

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Wed May 20, 2009 1:17 am

seagull wrote:I would go the nissan patrol option , heaps more room and beeter wheel travel

Ignore him, he got a boner a couple of weeks ago when he took my WRX off road & kept saying he wanted one.................TOSSER!!!!!!

seagull · Post by **seagull** » Wed May 20, 2009 1:31 am

No Andrew , I dont have to as you are doing a far better job at shooting your self in the foot when it comes to statements on the web.

Nick, 70 % of the time my liberty did what it had to just dont get carried away with a big lift kit as its not required. Check Toms wrx out easy mods with in the current laws.

seagull · Post by **seagull** » Wed May 20, 2009 1:37 am

d_generate wrote:Ignore him, he got a boner a couple of weeks ago when he took my WRX off road & kept saying he wanted one.................TOSSER!!!!!!

It made you happy me saying that.

But really Tom , IMO your wrx would be the best subaru based machine I have driven and seen assembled to date. You have keeped with stock subaru parts to do the lift. Nothing has been fabricated out side of forester lift blocks that can be purchased off subaru. duel range box required still !

Phizinza · Post by **Phizinza** » Wed May 20, 2009 10:53 am

I've been around Patrols on sand with my Brumby... Subies kick ass on sand compared.

Whoops, did I inadvertently start something.....

riksta · Post by **riksta** » Wed May 20, 2009 8:19 pm

Hay Nicklib, I don't know how it would go with just a suspension lift.

I put a 2" lift kit in to start with and had planed to put some outback struts and king springs in later, but befor I got that far we went up the beach on a club trip with just the lift kit and stock wheels and tyres(16" rims & 205/16/50), wel we got up there ok on low tide but we were draging the bottem of the car all the way and that was befor we had a camper.

Since then I have put in the struts and springs in and got some 15" rims and put 205/70/15 on them and its been very good in the sand since, and not to bad off road, the ride is now a bit harder the befor, but hay, something has to go to be better off road.

As a car go's, I think the Gen 3 is a much nicer car to drive then a Gen 2.

Rik.

daza · Post by **daza** » Thu May 21, 2009 12:23 pm

I was on that trip with Rik, I had the Forrie struts and springs, and 27x8.50x14 Super Trippers on the Impreza.
I had a much easier time in the soft sand than Rik, i reckon the larger tyres make the most difference in sand.
Get out there and try it! just take some recovery gear and ideally another Suby, just in case!

-

Daza.

Bumpty · Post by **Bumpty** » Thu May 21, 2009 6:56 pm

The lib at the shoreline is a pretty cool shot!