Subaru Liberty GTI Premium or Passat?

[Swallowtail]

At the end of the day a boxer engine 6 is just a very wide angle V6...

[Gti Dave]

I have to agree that the Passat is an awesome drive particularly the CC V6. Had a good intro to the car and took it for a test drive and I must say, I'm sold. The curves on the dash and the brown/cinnamon coloured leather reminded me of my E46 Beamer coupe and brought back wonderful memories but this time, the Passat CC trumps my old beamer by miles. If I had the permission to buy from my queen, I'd have handed it over and would most likely be driving it today.

Subaru on the other hand seemed quite bland but still have yet to look at it in real life. Seen the old model and got bored very quickly. New one, I'd have to see b4 I make any judgements.

EVO's and mitsubishi lancers etc in general have extremely horrible plastic interiors like as though they don't give a damn.

Just waiting now for the golf-r to be launched before I finally decide on which car to get. Wifey originally wanted a Tig a few months ago but recently changed her mind.

[theplanner]

At the end of the day a boxer engine 6 is just a very wide angle V6...

Boxer engines are horizontally opposed which is what gives them the excellent low centre of gravity that the V6's or inline 6's can't match. Your statement is like saying bimmer's 6's is also a V6 except a bit straighter.

Sorry, not trying to prove any statements here except there are distinct differences.

[Swallowtail]

Boxer engines are horizontally opposed which is what gives them the excellent low centre of gravity that the V6's or inline 6's can't match. Your statement is like saying bimmer's 6's is also a V6 except a bit straighter.

Sorry, not trying to prove any statements here except there are distinct differences.

I know exactly what a boxer engine is - but thanks for sharing. I am sure everyone here is now that much the wiser...

[Pana]

The things that put me off the Liberty (outgoing model and new model) and made me head toward the Passat were

- Styling of the new model (old model looked better)
- Rear seat room of the old model (quite tight for a mid size)
- the cheap feeling plastics they use in the interior (not to be confused with poor build quality cos Subies build quality is phenomenal!)
- VR6 sounds better and quicker than the H6

I love Subies but I sit in my mates GT, then I sit in the R36 and I just prefer being in the VW over the subaru - can't put my finger on why, but I just do. I hope thats not just me turning into a Eurosnob because Jap cars are still fantastic.

[Leagle]

The things that put me off the Liberty (outgoing model and new model) and made me head toward the Passat were

- Styling of the new model (old model looked better)
- Rear seat room of the old model (quite tight for a mid size)
- the cheap feeling plastics they use in the interior (not to be confused with poor build quality cos Subies build quality is phenomenal!)
- VR6 sounds better and quicker than the H6

I love Subies but I sit in my mates GT, then I sit in the R36 and I just prefer being in the VW over the subaru - can't put my finger on why, but I just do. I hope thats not just me turning into a Eurosnob because Jap cars are still fantastic.

Eurosnob!!! Nah just kidding. Having owned heaps of Euro and Jap cars I can see the merits of both. Having said that I am probably a bit of a Eurojap snob as I seem to shun aussie cars. Not intentionally though. I looked at the Calais V and Ford G6ET and tried to love them. But - appalling resale aside - I know I would get a car without the reliability of a Jap car OR the class/ambience of a Euro car.

Actually one of the things I like about the VW brand is that its still not a Merc nor a bimmer and hence (I hope) not as pretentious. Then again, the new CC that I have on order still exudes all class. Having checked out and compared the Liberty GT, I could not go past the ugly vs beauty factor.

When Subaru decides to do nice looking cars, they may win us over again.

[Luminary]

The R36 is my first proper European car. And the most expensive car Ive owned but it's an awesome experience. I think it does make you a little smug. The sleeper power it has is pretty nice. You also realize how many lesser cars the roads are filled with. Never used to really be aware of that before.

Can only imagine how smug owners of even more expensive and powerful cars must feel.

I'm half kdding here but the R36 is an awesome ride. Still haven't gotten over it and don't think I will for a while.

[VWWMF]

Boxer engines are horizontally opposed which is what gives them the excellent low centre of gravity that the V6's or inline 6's can't match. Your statement is like saying bimmer's 6's is also a V6 except a bit straighter.

Sorry, not trying to prove any statements here except there are distinct differences.

VW created ‘boxer’ or horizontally opposed engines back in 50's, old beetles came with horizontally opposed air cooled engines so its old school stuff maybe borrowed from VW anyway . not to mention the inheriting problems such as higher engine oil consumption goes with the design .

[tryingavw]

VW created ‘boxer’ or horizontally opposed engines back in 50's, old beetles came with horizontally opposed air cooled engines so its old school stuff maybe borrowed from VW anyway . not to mention the inheriting problems such as higher engine oil consumption goes with the design .

porsche still seem pretty happy with the idea?

[SteveA]

R 36wagon or Subaru Liberty GT premium ?

Hi Guys, going to see the VW dealer tomorrow for a deal/deposit on Blue or black R 36 Wagon with Dynaudio,satnav,Ipod interface and bluetooth, I have also looked at the Liberty GT and it was good value for money although the salesman was just not interested unless I bought it on the spot. Just need to ask what is the reliability of the VW R36, this will mostly be my daily drive and I really need the reliability, is it much more expensive in terms of servicing, not worried about fuel costs as that can be managed, I have had, a HSV R8 and also have a Pajero 4wd which I am keeping, a 2000 model V6 petrol, never missed a beat, so any advice would be very appreciated, I have done a lot of looking over the past 3 months and in the Value/performance/specifications list I must favour the R 36 over HSV, FPV, AUDI, many thanks steve

[Rocket36]

Mate I went from a VE HSV Clubsport R8 (six speed manual) to the VW Passat R36 and there is no comparing... There R36 is the better car in EVERY way (except you lose the V8 exhaust note obviously). The only thing not standard is a basic phone call only bluetooth but that's a small price to pay when you consider the rest of the car.


Reliable, refined, top quality... In my opinion there is no better value for money performance/luxury saloon available from Germany.

Oh, and if you've had a HSV servicing will be cheaper on the R36.

Go the R36. The best car I've ever owned without question. And the seats... MY GOD!!! Find me a car under $70k with seats that are anywhere near as good and I'll be amazed!

[Jayse]

Hi Guys, going to see the VW dealer tomorrow for a deal/deposit on Blue or black R 36 Wagon with Dynaudio,satnav,Ipod interface and bluetooth, I have also looked at the Liberty GT and it was good value for money although the salesman was just not interested unless I bought it on the spot. Just need to ask what is the reliability of the VW R36, this will mostly be my daily drive and I really need the reliability, is it much more expensive in terms of servicing, not worried about fuel costs as that can be managed, I have had, a HSV R8 and also have a Pajero 4wd which I am keeping, a 2000 model V6 petrol, never missed a beat, so any advice would be very appreciated, I have done a lot of looking over the past 3 months and in the Value/performance/specifications list I must favour the R 36 over HSV, FPV, AUDI, many thanks steve

Hey SteveA,

The car is amazing and very reliable to boot!
My first service (15,000kms) cost $414.55
I would think again about the blutooth...which one are you getting?
I tossed around with the 335i & A4 3.0TDI but the .:R36 was such a better deal overall!


Cheers,

Jayse.

[Jayse]

Find me a car under $70k with seats that are anywhere near as good and I'll be amazed!

Prepare to be amazed Rocket!!

[Rocket36]

Prepare to be amazed Rocket!!

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!

[Lance B]

I think you will find on the whole the Japanese build quality is better than the Germans. I know my Subarus build quality is better than my VW's. The Lexus build quality flogs the BMWs, Mercedes and Audis from what myself and others have observed.

I think the build quality thing is sort of right but what I have found is that whilst the fit and finish and general reliability factor of my previous Subarus (and Japanese cars in general) is better, the long term robustness of the VW seems better and feels stronger. Whether this pans out in real life we shall have toi wait and see.