ok i want a cold air intake, but am not to excited about spending 200+ dollars on one.

what would you need to make one yourself for a subaru outback?

If you haven't done anything to the exhaust, don't waste your time with an intake.

so what would you recommend doing first to the car?

Exhaust upgrade so the engine can breathe out better.

so what kind of system? like a cat back, or a dual or something?

Cat back isn't a bad idea. Do some research. You may have to look at a custom system though.

http://www.speedyperformanceparts.com/borla_su_outback_exhaust-system_z.html

what about that, its a little expensive but it seems like one of the bset things out there