Looks just like the 2001 that I own. And you are right, they have no guts going up hill. Issue with the 3.6R is even worse gas mileage but less reliability and higher maintenance from what I hear. So not a no brainer at all to choose the 3.6R.Definitely one of the best ski/outdoor enthusiast cars ever made. I'm in a 1st gen Tacoma now which I love but I very much miss my Outback.
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The one problem is that a good number of them get the dreaded head gasket leak and if the engine somehow overheats due to coolant leak they don't survive it well due to use of aluminum in the block.
@Philpug is right, the car is a lot different starting in 2010. Much more SUV like. Also auto transmission is now CVT, which helps fuel economy but is controversial as far as life of the transmission.