: George,
: I have considered a used Outback for the same reason, it is lower
: and the rack has a wider span from front to back. The 21"
: span front to back on the new outback isn't much for holding a
: 17.5' boat. One of the few advantages I have in my line of work
: is that I can get a new car for about the same price as a car
: with 25,000 miles on it so I am having a hard time convincing
: myself to buy used.

Lucky you!

I find I'm usually paying as much for a car with 25,000 miles on it, as most folk pay for a new car..... what's wrong with that picture? :-)

When I bought the Thule racks for my Legacy, I found the intended distance between front/back left a lot to be desired - and there was obviously more 'track' left on the cars fore/aft mounting brackets. The Thules were set up to only allow so much travel on the 'legs' that lock into the cars track. After talking with a rep from Thule, I asked -'why'? He had no explanation, but noted that my plan, to grind a bit of the restriction out of the horizontal bars travel (the part that locks into the track) was what he'd done with his Thules - also voiding the warranty. I did, it worked fine, and I get about three feet of separation, front to rear. Works fine, btw.