Susie and I were recently in Arizona and we found ourselves near the entrance to Saguaro National Park. There are two sections of Saguaro National Park; we were near the one with an 8-mile driving loop through it. It was an easy one-hour ride with frequent stops for photos.
On these kinds of trips, I love traveling in my Subaru Outback. If it gets hot, I turn on the air conditioning. If it gets cold, I turn on the heater. If it rains, I turn on the windshield wipers. If I want music or news, I turn on the radio. If I don’t know how to get someplace, I turn on the nav system. I can carry as much stuff as I want, even more if I fold down the rear seats. Don’t get me wrong; I like riding my motorcycle and I’ve done some big motorcycle trips. But there’s something to be said about traveling with your wife in a comfortable car. This is the third Subaru I’ve owned, and my next car will be another Subaru.
We stopped in the small visitor center before we left Saguaro National Park, and to my surprise, a new Subaru Wilderness Outback was in the parking lot. It’s a version with different trim, more ground clearance, restyled bumpers (front and rear) for better approach angles, and lower gearing. I like the idea of everything except the lower gearing and the trim. Somehow, the Wilderness styling makes it look cheap (in my opinion) and the lower gearing lowers fuel economy.
I’ve owned three Subies now, starting with a 2006 WRX, a 2013 CrossTrek, and my current Outback. They have all been great automobiles.
So, about this most recent trip: We meandered through Arizona and New Mexico, and our travels included stops at the Tinfiny Ranch, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, and more. Stay tuned; there are more blogs coming your way from this adventure. We had a blast.
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Subaru’s have gotten a bad rap over their head gasket issues and glitchy electronic interfaces, but we had no issues with the six our family’s owned. My dad had a GL 10 wagon in the 80’s that always got him to work in the coal mines. He traded it for a Brat that was very reliable when rust started dissolving the wagon. He traded that for a Toyota pickup just because he was friends with the salesman. He regretted that decision for the time he kept the Toyota. Not that it was a bad vehicle, it just wasn’t the Subaru. My wife and I have had an Outback, a Tribeca, a Forester, and last, a Baja. None were ever in the shop. I’ve moved on since the last Subaru about 15 years ago, and I’m not too keen on the CVT’s they’re using now, but I may revisit them if prices ever regain their sanity.
Thanks for commenting, Alvin.
What concerns me about the CVTs is that Subaru says the fluid NEVER needs to be changed. All you’re supposed to do is check to make sure it’s full.
I’ll have to find out how to check it. I’ve never had an issue with the CVT on either of my Subies that have a CVT.
Tiffany Ranch??? The new salon of that world famous writer Joe Gresh?????? THAT Tiffany ranch??
Tinfiny. Yep. That Tinfiny. When we fire up the Subie, big miles follow.
I visited a similar place just west of Las Vegas. Red Rocks park scenic drive. It’s a one way thirteen mile loop with plenty of places for pictures and hiking trails. There’s a visitor center which, unfortunately, I did not visit. Maybe next time. It’s a great place to go to clear your head of the buzz you get in Vegas.
I’ll check it out on the next Vegas visit.
Thanks, Marcus.
My 1st wife had a Subaru. Early 70’s if I recall. A little shit box. I don’t recall any particular problems with it. Wasn’t very impressive.
That would have been an early one in the US.
As with all States, Arizona gets its bad raps, the heat, the desert, the monsoons. But when you get up close to places like Saguaro National Park, Organ Pipe National Monument, Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and of course, the Grand Canyon, you see the real beauty that the heat, the deserts and monsoons provide. Much as I loved SoCal, I feel much more at home in Arizona.
Keep the blogs coming, Joe and Joe, I enjoy them all.
We will continue to do our best, George. Good to hear from you. Thanks for commenting.
Did the walls of TinFiny hear any rumors about a Baja excursion or were the Joes just pouring coffee and concrete? :)))
Stay tuned, Rob….
I could be wrong but your stock Scubadoo looks like it has a better approach angle. The blue one looks like an air damn front.
Yeah, I thought the same thing. In any event, I’ve never had an issue with approach angles.