Finished in the wonderfully period combination of Dark Green Mica over Granite Grey Opal, with an exceptionally well-preserved Ivory leather interior complemented by contrasting grey wood trim, this 2004 Subaru Outback 3.0 RN has covered a notably modest 86,000 miles from new.
At its heart sits Subaru’s superb naturally aspirated 3.0-litre flat-six, driving all four wheels through the marque’s renowned permanent four-wheel-drive system. Smooth, eager and wonderfully characterful, its boxer configuration even lends it a touch of Porsche 911 about the way it goes about its business – albeit with considerably more room for dogs, guns and luggage.
The condition is particularly impressive, with the Ivory leather interior remaining quite remarkable for its age and everything functioning exactly as it should. Specification includes the superb panoramic glass sunroof, while some £3,000 has recently been spent bringing the car up to standard, together with a brand-new set of Bridgestone tyres.
A substantial history file accompanies the car, containing its original literature, full service history with supporting invoices and both keys.
On the road it is quite simply a wonderful thing – quick, comfortable, beautifully engineered and immensely capable. Perhaps the ultimate shooting-season companion: discreet, spacious and, when the going gets properly muddy, rather more likely to reach the peg than many a modern two-and-a-half-tonne Range Rover.
With just 86,000 miles, excellent provenance and unusually fine presentation, this is a charming and increasingly uncommon example of one of Subaru’s very best.
