Little help regarding Gen 4/5 Liberty's

Chuke · Post by **Chuke** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 6:49 pm

Couldnt find a model specific section on the site so i'll have to ask here.
Been looking to downsize from a V8 Commodore to something just a little better on fuel and insurance and I've always like the Liberty's.
I'd love to get my arse into in a GT wagon if funds permit but from a quick look around, insurance companies are still applying a "turbo premium" even though a stock V6 Commie has more power...
To get to my questions, how well do the 2.0R (121kw?) Liberty's drive compared to the 2.5 (125-127kw) Liberty's, well in the manuals? From what Ive seen on Carsales, they seem to both get to 100km/h in the same amount of time. Only thing I can see is that the 2.5's would be a more relaxed drive due to having more torques.
Also are there any issues in general I should be looking for in the wagons?
Theres a 2.5 Gen 5 Wagon for sale near me at a dealer, so ill poke my head in and see if the let me take it for a test drive.

thunder039 · Post by **thunder039** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 7:04 pm

the 2.5 is a much better motor all round wouldn't bother with the 2.0

and welcome to the forum

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 9:02 pm

Chuke wrote:Theres a 2.5 Gen 5 Wagon for sale near me at a dealer, so ill poke my head in and see if the let me take it for a test drive.

I'd definitely jump at the opportunity to drive one while you're still collecting info etc.

As for the model specific questions, I'm not up on these models - AFAIK there's no rusting issues that you need to look out for so from me I'd say to be vigilant about the usual - crash repair evidence (even though there are some places that do awesome work, there's still those dodgy ones out there!), maintenance history, signs of a flogging - worn floor covering under the driver's feet vs km on the clock. That sounds stupid but it works if the previous owner didn't have floor mats (feet moving slightly through heavy cornering etc wearing the floor cover), even then these would show wear as the mat slides across the floor covering if they're a typical mat.

All the best looking for your new ride. I'm an old holden boy at heart, but now I'm also an "old" subaru boy too

Cheers

Bennie

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 3:38 am

I personally like the turbo models but they do take a bit more looking after. I have just had a 2007 2.5 GT Liberty in the workshop recently and it had blown a turbo. From what I've experianced by talking to Subaru and MRT, is that the 07 model (first 2.5 GT Liberty) was proned to problems. So I'd stick to the 2.0 if you want the turbo model. As for the 2.5 NA model, then these engines are known for head gasket issues, even though these are the SOHC models (which aren't as bad as the DOHC model for this issue) they still have have head gasket issues if they get a little warm. I also like the interior better in the GT model.

Chuke · Post by **Chuke** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 6:17 pm

Thanks for the input guys (and girls?), much appreciated.

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 6:24 pm

Chuke wrote:Thanks for the input guys ( and girls? ), much appreciated.

I didn't realise Toonga had responded yet? but at least you've covered your bases if she does

Let us know how the new purchase goes.. hope you get a Subie

Davidov · Post by **Davidov** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 6:58 pm

Have you considered a h6 lib/outback? Have some decent poke to
them and are a very luxury car.

Imo you would regret going anything less powerful than a h6 after being used to a v8. Otherwise you might end up like someone i know who went from a v6 holden ute 6sp manual to a 5sp greatwall x240 2.4l petrol. You dont want to buy a car you might end up regretting.

taza · Post by **taza** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 9:09 pm

Do NOT get the 2.0l Most gutless piece of crap ever and you will regret it! (been then and done that) I'm pretty sure the 2.0l only has 92kw or 110kw depending on version.
The 2.5l motor on the other hand is a very nice engine and has surprising poke for a 4 cylinder.
A gen 4 lib in the 2.5 is your best bet if your not wanting turbo. With the GT, altough it has less power than a v6 commodore it is much quicker due to weighing 400+kg less. It too has AWD which is good in the wet (no fun in the dry unless you have a wrx).

The H6 3.0l in the Outback isn't bad either, has a good amount of poke but you can only get it in auto and it drinks quite abit of fuel(similar to v6 commodore). The 6 cylinder H6 isn't available in the Liberty's, only the 2.0 and 2.5 turbo variant aswell as n/a's.

I'd say go test drive a heap and see what you think. If you do look at a 2.0l though atleast you will get under 9l to the 100km no matter how hard you drive it.

thunder039 · Post by **thunder039** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 8:53 am

[quote="taza"]The 6 cylinder H6 isn't available in the Liberty's, only the 2.0 and 2.5 turbo variant aswell as n/a's.

/QUOTE]

are you sure about that

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/deta ... rt=default

they indeed are my friend and are a very sporty model, but if your looking for better fuel economy and a car that's quicker then a yaris. then the 2.5 N/A libertys are great even with the auto behind them they still feel sporty and good fuel economy.

also the gen4 liberty's are possibly the best looking cars subaru has made

Post by **TOONGA** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:12 am

RSR 555 wrote:I didn't realise Toonga had responded yet? but at least you've covered your bases if she does

Let us know how the new purchase goes.. hope you get a Subie

Gee you are a warthog aren't you... Im thinking you have been at sea for too long again if I even look remotely like a girl.

Chuke RSR has funny ideas please watch out for him/her/it

and welcome aboard

this is me

this might be how RSR sees me at the moment

or like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... eCyR-ytD5U

TOONGA

Post by **Alex** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 10:27 am

taza wrote:Do NOT get the 2.0l Most gutless piece of crap ever and you will regret it! (been then and done that) I'm pretty sure the 2.0l only has 92kw or 110kw depending on version.

wrong. My 2.0l isnt a super powerhouse but it has MORE than enough power 95% of the time, the 7.5-9l/100km is also pretty nice.

Id buy another without even thinking.

I think you just have some pretty bad luck with cars/motors.

Id be looking at a gen4 3.0R or RB liberty. The RB has bilstein suspension and handles like a brick shithouse but its pretty rough on road. My dad has a RB and doesnt like its roughness too much. The RB comes with black leather and pretty much every feature you can poke a stick at. The R has cream leather and normal suspension, its not as stiff but still out-handles any commodore/falcon boat on the road. Youll get 10-12l/100km from a 3.0 depending on how you drive it.

Try and find a manual too, the 3.0l H6 mated to the 6speed box is abit of a beast on road.

In the gen5 liberties they run a 3.6l H6, i havent had much ecperience with them, but id expect them to be abit more torquier, wouldnt really expect the fuel consumption to go up too drastically.

Hope this helps a little.

alex

Chuke · Post by **Chuke** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 3:29 pm

TOONGA wrote:Gee you are a warthog aren't you... Im thinking you have been at sea for too long again if I even look remotely like a girl.

Chuke RSR has funny ideas please watch out for him/her/it

and welcome aboard

this is me

this might be how RSR sees me at the moment

or like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... eCyR-ytD5U

TOONGA

ahahah, my sides!
Anyway, I was able to take a 2.5lt Gen 5 Heritage wagon for a spin this afternoon and I was quit impressed. Had plenty of room for my 6'7" frame and the motor was nice and torquey. I don't know if its fact I've only really driven auto's for my driving life but I found the clutch to be a prick to work with. It felt as though I was trying to press down on a tennis ball for the last 10mm of travel, it also felt as though thats where the clutch was engaging at. This be normal?

Post by **TOONGA** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 4:22 pm

hmmmm...it will have a hydraulic clutch and if all of the clutching is done at the bottom of the pedal then the clutch is up for replacement. not sure if these buggers have a dual mass or semi mass flywheel as well, which are a pain in the arse.

TOONGA

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 9:44 pm

TOONGA wrote:Gee you are a warthog aren't you... Im thinking you have been at sea for too long again if I even look remotely like a girl.

I don't think a lifetime at sea would make you 'look' like a girl... acting is another thing

TOONGA wrote:this might be how RSR sees me at the moment

This is probably the best picture of you.. looks a bit skinny though

Post by **TOONGA** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 9:47 pm

RSR 555 wrote: This is probably the best picture of you.. looks a bit skinny though

Sicko

TOONGA

Chuke · Post by **Chuke** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 6:24 pm

Another quick question.
To leave me with a greater choice of cars, I'm also considering an Outback.
Other than the fact that the Outback rides higher, what are the main differences between the Liberty and Outback?

Post by **Alex** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 6:53 pm

Chuke wrote:Another quick question.
To leave me with a greater choice of cars, I'm also considering an Outback.
Other than the fact that the Outback rides higher, what are the main differences between the Liberty and Outback?

Very little aside from physical looks. Outbacks are basically a lifted liberty.

Sent from my Motorola RAZR HD

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Fri Nov 30, 2012 10:40 am

We have Gen 4 Liberty, when I was looking around I did look at 2.0 litre as well and didnt like the output of the engine so ended up getting 2.5 with automatic.

Manual would perform better in 2.5 models over automatic but really would like 6 speed automatic behind 2.5 litre.

Generally they're wonderful cars to drive in! Would buy another one If i could.
Cheers
AP