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Comments
Frank
Still, 55 series is a lot taller than 45s. It might be too big in diameter to fit.
Mazda6 MPS will come as a sedan only. Mazda's site said 274 hp, but you can't ever believe them, they have routinely over-stated HP.
The good: HIDs, 18" rims, VSC, and 4 power up/down windows, plus the 6 speed.
The bad: no full-time AWD, 100/0 default power split and only up to 50/50, side mirrors still don't break away plus no turn signals in them. 2.3l might feel weaker off boost.
Still, competition improves the breed. I think it'll give the Legacy GT a run, but can't hope to match a Legacy STi.
-juice
I think the brakes are fine, and are more than up to the task of reigning in the speed and acceleration I experience on my XT. The brakes are definitely better than the ones on my 02 Outback, for sure.
Get the XT if you are looking for a sports wagon flair with rip-snorting acceleration, and can live with the characteristics of a turbo engine. I feel like the XT was made just for me, it's like the Outback I have been looking for all my life!
The VDC's H6 engine will be a lot more relaxed and easier to live with than the H4 turbo. The H6 is also more refined than the H4. As much as I love the new H4 turbo engine, it definitely sounds a lot less refined than the H6 in my 02 Outback.
And of course, you get a few more luxury touches with the VDC and stability control.
I still think a test drive ought to help you decide, since the cars have a very different character. See which one you bond with more!
Craig
This afternoon my wife and I went to the local Subaru dealer looking for a small car for her. When we got there, they had a monotone champagne Outback XT 5MT, and the salesman caught me drooling all over it while my wife was checking out the Imprezzas. I told him the car was exactly what I wanted but I couldn't buy one until the spring because of my lease.
Well he offered to buy back my lease and we ended up walking out of there the proud owners of not one , but two brand new 2005 Subarus! An Imprezza RS 5MT and an Outback XT Limited 5MT.
I'm taking delivery next Tuesday, my wife gets hers in about 3 weeks. I can't wait!
Craig
Rosanne
My wife was quite impressed with the interior of the XT.
Does anyone know of a good place to find high quality Outback pictures?
http://members.cox.net/craig.hunter/103-0320_IMG-01.jpg
One of these days, I'd like to take a similar pic of my new 05.
If you take your own pic, you get the benefit of looking at your own car, in a place you like!
Craig
Keep the H-6 reviews coming: I'll wager that the H-6 will be combined with a navigation system here to make a new premium model. The question is when. Next spring something may be needed to spike sales.
Juice,
The XT may sell better than the Bean and VDC primarily because of price. Subaru like VW is not yet (or ever?) a premium brand. My W8 Passat is an example of a failed up-market push. The W8 wagon at $39k is a near equivalent to an A6 Avant V8 at $56k.......but nobody cares!
http://media.subaru.com/
- Select the model type and then look for the image downloads
http://www.subaru.co.jp/square/gallery/kabegami/legacy/index.html
- Sized for desktop backgrounds
Ken
Thank you all so much. Very interesting and informative forum.
Garrett
Bob - you are right - the H6 Outback tyres here are 215/55x17.
My judgment suggests that it looks like a 225/55x17 would fit - but I couldn't guarantee it. There are a few millimetres to spare between the tyre tread and the tyre well (you would need an extra 5.5mm to make up for the increased profile, right?), plus about 10-20mm to spare between the cover that goes over the top of the well and the tyre itself.
It would probably be extremely tight. I wish I could be more accurate, but I wouldn't want to put you wrong.
- Aussie Outback
We had 225 sized tires here on the last generation Outback too, only they were (all) on 16" rims. A 225/60x16 would not fit in the spare tire well. I'm hoping they corrected that on the current model.
Only when someone here tries to fit one will we know for sure.
Bob
I agree about the tires, too noisy.
CRaig
Was it a problem to convince your dealer to make the swap? Or did you have to buy the Michelins?
Brief update on driving/ownership experience: nearly 10,000 miles (3 months!)...still a great pleasure to drive...quick, responsive, comfortable. Except drivers' seat. My biggest concern at purchase - besides VDC vs. XT Ltd. - was what felt like a narrow seat bottom, with the side supports. (Used to drive a Volvo.) No matter how much I move around, side supports dig into my legs. Just got a tempurpedic seat cushion that seems to do the trick, although it does lift me into a pretty high driving position. Other than that - great!
Mechanical/design/build problems: lights on stereo disappeared for 20 minutes - only once; drivers window goes down with an occasional 'rattle'; protruding 'hook' - holding the drivers' floor mat in place (what were they thinking!!??) - has broken off. That's it. Not much, really.
Also, no longer able to automatically get to this site. Now, I have to sign in each time. Anyone know why? How to avoid repeated sign-ins? Clicking 'remember on this computer' doesn't seem to work.
Peace.
So where do you guys ski?? I went to college in Springfield MA. In addition to hitting Vermont frequently (Sugarbush was my favorite), I skied a lot at Brodie Mtn (apparently closed for skiing?), ocassionally at Jiminy Peak, and actually had a Phys-Ed ski class at Mt. Tom (also closed I hear). I think I probably had some of the best skiing of my life at Brodie -- we'd get in a ton of runs there. They had a $10 Monday twilight deal that was perfect for us poor college students. Looking back, I must have spent all my money on lift tickets in those 4 years....
Craig
It is a beautiful car and rides well. It was built in April.
Here are my issues:
With 150 miles on it, the brake pads are scraping as I slow down. The rotors are getting grooved. It's like there is dirt stuck between the pads and rotors. I guess I have to bring it in.
I am having a hard time adjusting to the hardness of the seats and the far away positioning of the steering wheel.
Has anyone heard of a steering column being altered? They really should have made it telescope.
The passenger seat is too low for tall people and needs height adjustment. I didn't want the turbo so I couldn't get the better seats.
I was also thinking about getting a tempur-pedic cushion....
Also, is it normal for so much wind to be buffeted into the passenger compartment when the side window is open? Opening the back window helps a little sometimes. Will wind deflectors help?
Actually, we have season passes at Berkshire East - 25 minutes from our house. A really nice and challenging small ski area that is reasonably priced and with a more diverse clientele (at least economically)than the more expensive resorts in VT. We DO like Mt. Snow - though much more expensive and very crowded on weekends. My son likes Stowe and Okemo, too. I started skiing in my 50's, so I like the less crowded conditions of Berkshire East, though I like Mt. Snow a lot when it is less crowded. My son has raced at Jiminy (much up-scaled recently) and Brodie. Lot's of nice, smaller ske areas in WMass...with plenty of nice runs and smaller crowds. Great for kids...and old farts like me, too.
Did you go to Springfield College, AIC or WNEC?
Peace
Thanks for your help
Rosanne
Only thing is the seat, for me at least. I'm not particularly wide...maybe it's the way I sit when driving. The XT seat did, in fact, feel a bit wider. Took many test-drives, but never hundreds of miles worth to know for sure.
But, each of our bottoms (and, sitting-while-driving styles) are different, I suppose. I do think, however, that the cushion has made a difference. I got the Tempurpedic bottom cushion, but might get the full bottom-and-back cushion and give the seat-only one to my wife for her Forrester.
Volvo seats are defintely the best, but the Subaru package strikes me as comparable and, over time, should be a significantly better value - fewer and much less costly repairs.
So, total safety and smooth/quick engine might pull you toward the VDC. Smooth/quick H6 (but still safe): LL Bean - better seats, maybe, and nice interior (I also like the LL BEan green willow best of all OB colors). Excitement - go for the XT...seat might be better, too.
Peace.
regards
R
I have a free maintenance coupon for purchases before Sep 30. Email me your address at samiam_68@yahoo.com and I'll drop it in the mail.
Sam
(just bought an XT Limited - pick it up prior to 9/30).
On the other hand, I much prefer the OB. I like the smoother and sportier ride, the handling, the more luxurious trappings. By comparison, I find the Forester ride more harsh. Space-wise, they are probably pretty close. Drive-wise, IMHO they are quite different, though we haven't driven the Forester turbo XT.
If you liked your Volvo and the TL, the OB could well be more appealing. The Forester is more like a SUV - though much smaller, safer and less ostentatious (?!). Someone once told me they thought of the Forester as a 'femme SUV'. My wife and other women friends with Foresters seem to concur.
Good luck. Peace.
I agree about Mt. Snow -- a zoo on weekends, but it's a great mountain. I used to like skiing the Timberside area there.
I went to WNEC, graduated in 91 with a Mech. Eng. degree.
Craig
Many thanks!!!
R
Craig
Hesitation. I too am experiencing a hesitation, but must admit, it doesn't bother me too much. Hopefully, it will disappear with break in as it has for others.
Shock Sensor. Subaru shock sensor for the factory security is $188 + labour in Canada. DEI, which now owns most of the big names in auto security, offers its best shock sensor as an aftermarket add-on. Cost? $100 installed.
Hood/bug Deflector. I negotiated the inclusion of the the deflector installed when I bought my OB XT. Before delivery, the dealer called and said that they will not install it for fear that it may adversely impact air flow into the turbo intake. They said an official notice is out for the Imprezas, nothing official yet for Legacy/OB line. They deducted the value of the deflector from the purchase price. Anyone else hear this?
Today my XT is having Solar Guard metallic tint (charcoal, 22%). Hope to have a two-way auto start, and the shock sensor installed this week.
I also clayed and put 6 coats of polish on this weekend...the car looks amazing. Hope to post some pics soon.
sorry for the long post.
Jay.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48026-2004Sep24.ht- ml
I'm usually not a huge fan of the author's priorities, but IMO he writes well.
Thanks
Sylvain
Sylvain
I have the same problem with the seat in my OBXTLtd. Where did you get the Tempurpedic bottom cushion? How much it?
Thanks.
John
Booyah!
mesh: 1000 lbs shouldn't be a problem at all, even for the base engine. I've hauled more with my '98 Forester.
-juice
This cushion is very nice. But, like everything with the Tempurpedic brand name, it is rather expensive - $125. The full seat cushions - back/bottom - can run $200. Worth it in the large scheme of things; but, there are 'lesser' names that use heavy duty visco-foam, for a lot less money. For example, on ebay, there is a full cushion selling for $24 + s/h (bottom cushion for less, I would imagine). Might be worth a try, before spending $125-200.
So you have a similar problem with the XT Ltd.? Too bad. I thought the seat felt wider in my test drives. Maybe not...
Goo luck.
Peace
John
Just drive them both- unless you spend most of your time towing trailers I wouldn't worry too much about how the car drives with a trailer and decide based on which car you enjoy driving more. ;-)
tom
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
There are two hood deflector styles -- one is specially made for the turbo models.
This is the part for the turbo models (OB XT and Legacy GT): E231SAG200.
For the non-turbo models, get: E231SAG000.
List price is US$69 for both, should be able to get them online for about US$55.
Craig
Craig
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A38952-2004Aug27?languag- e=printer