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Comments
Krzys
v/r
Fig.
It is intesity of the gauges lighting. 1 is the lowest and 9 or 10 the highest, if I am not mistaken.
Krzys
I can't tell you how many people have asked this over on the legacygt website and interpreted the "ILL" to mean their car is sick!
CRaig
The WRX model still carries it's own rally-sport appeal that keeps it popular despite the age. It's actually a bargain in base model form (but I think the leather-equipped high end models are too expensive for that class of car -- better off with a Legacy GT for the same price).
BTW, $199/month lease is OK, but you can get Civics for lower payments.
In the early 90s, Subaru tried to compete with Honda/Toyota/Nissan by offering many models. It almost ruined the company. SInce then they have focused on their niche market and their core competancies. It seems to be a better approach for a small company rather than trying to compete on volume. They cater to a smaller crowd, but it is very loyal to the brand.
Craig
I am actually in the tacoma 05 board, thanks for the help.
fig.
-juice
It seems I looked at everything out there from A4s, to the G35x to the CRV. In the end it was the Subaru that had what I wanted: Safety (esp. with the 06 side improvements), a usable back seat (this disqualified the Audi) [I wondered a lot about this - and to hopefully be helpful, the back seat is GREAT. My mother had an 04 Forester and the seat there is much tigher with a car seat in it - my daughter has pleanty of room in the 06 OB), reliability (this was the Audi's second disqualification, it's VW genetics - we had a 2002 Passat that was great for 6mo. and then just fell apart), and price - (much better dealer interaction, I could never get an actual quote from dealers of the Audi, Infiniti... .)
I test drove the L.L.Bean and it was wonderful. I was actually using it as a proxy for the VDC. The cost was just going to be a little more than I wanted. I decided to take an beautiful light blue with taupe leather 2.5i Limited auto for a drive - WOW. I really liked it. I thought the power was very good and ride was very nice. The interior was just beautiful (no audio on the steering wheel)but same wood appearance trim as on the Bean and VDC (sans the real wood steering wheel bit). I purchased it later that afternoon. (I should note that I visited two Subie dealers in western New England - the second in Chicopee gave me THOUSANDS more for my Civic Hybrid trade-in and played fewer games than the first one I went to. The Chicopee dealer even pointed out that I hadn't included an auto trans in my Kelly BB print out and added five hundred more - that established a good relationship right there).
NOW THE QUESTION -
I have some concerns after months of reading about the tires. I have researched this (including reading the msgs on tires here) and have come down to:
Goodyear Assuarance TripleTred: CR rates no. 1 in their Nov. O5 tire review (disqualified the Bridgestone touring on the basis of that same CR review). Some complaints about balance issue and hard ride at tirerack site.
Michelin Pilot A/S: no CR info, just Tire Rack reviews and the like, which haven't been that helpful. Some comments on noise at tirerack - but is is less than OEM 17s on OB?
If there are folks who have put these on, I'd love to hear how they are working out for you - how the ride and noise is, esp. relative to the OEMs as that's my apples-to-apples baseline.
Thanks much!
Theo
For what it is worth, I have an '05 Outback Limited. Discarded the Bridgestone Potenza's after only 1,500 kms. because of the lousy ride qualities. Switched to Bridgestone Turanza LS-H tires and could not be happier. The car handles amd rides like a totally different car.
Doug
Yes, the speed rating for your tire is really a proxy for it's sidewall stiffness. By going to a lower speed rating, even if you don't intend on driving at the max listed speed, you are changing a variable in how the car was designed to drive.
Ken
I also live in WMass - in Franklin Co. For winter driving, I use Dunlop Wintersports. Great tires.
Best area deal on the Turanzas was at Rucki's in Holyoke. $155 each. Ask for Alex.
Anyone tried the tripletreds? It's really the recent Consumer Reports review that's piqued the interest. The rating system they use is: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor
They rate the Goodyears as:
Dry Braking: Excellent
Wet Braking: Excellent
Handling: Very Good
Hydroplaining: Very Good
Rolling Resistance: Very Good
Snow Traction: Very Good
Ice Braking: Fair
Ride: Very Good
Noise: Excellent
Tread Wear: Good
The Turanza LS-T (not H or V) is also reviewed:
Dry Braking: Very Good
Wet Braking: Very Good
Handling: Good
Hydorplaining: Very Good
Rolling Resistance: Fair
Snow Traction: Fair
Ice Braking: Fair
Ride: Good
Noise: Good
Treadlife: Excellent
The TS-V may perform very differntly, I realize.
Well, I suppose the Potenzas will work fine while I try to figure all of this out. Thanks for all of the feedback.
Theo
I would also echo the recommendation for Turanza LS-V tires. These will be going on my 05 OB XT (17" wheel/tire) as soon as the stock Potenzas wear out.
Craig
The summer tires i don't know for sure if all Subarus get the same. I will check this and get back to you.
I have a feeling that I am going to like it, but will run into a major roadblock trying to find an SE 5 speed. I can't really justinfy all the extra $$ to move up to the GT based on what I will use it for (mostly local stuff, plus I have to teach my son to drive on it in 2 years, yikes!).
I'm an overly analytical, compulsive researcher (you know, typical Edmunds lifer), impulse buyer, if that makes sense. Not having a unit close to available makes it real hard to do the impulse part!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
-juice
One thing I have noticed about that tire is that they tend to firm up pretty severly in the cold weather. Until they warm up, they tend to be bouncy (almost like they are out of balance). I noticed this on the Odyssey and it is still apparent on mine. I suspect this has to do with the extremely high treadwear rating (740 I believe). They smooth out after a couple of miles.
I am curious to see how they do in the snow although I won't be using them too much this winter as I have dedicated snows for both our cars.
One thing is for sure, they handle GREAT in the rain. I would recommend them without question.
CRaig
Saw the Legacy I mentioned in the parking lot. I never realized it before (maybe because I hardly ever see them!) but it was really, really sharp. Looked vastly nicer (and smaller) than the Accord next to it. Much more to my tastes. Interior looked sharp too.
I asked my friend how the cloth seats compare to his leather. he said they were comfy, with nice fabric (way nicer than a Camry) that should be durable, but the leather car felt bigger, since it was easier to get in/out (sliding on the leather). Interesting perspective.
I will report back after I get to try the insides, but the back seat looked plenty roomy to me.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Bob
anyway, sat in and drove the 2.5i ltd. I discussed above. Very impressesd with the interior, comfort and driving experience. Surprisingly quiet, and excellent driving dynamics (smooth ride, but firm steering and sharp handling). Interior also seemed pretty upscale, and very well put together.
Yes, a little smaller than the CamCOrd (in/out), but I prefer the tidier outside dimensions, and inside it had plenty of room for me. I'm 6', and easily fit in the back seat behind the driver, and the seat was back farther than I would probably keep it. In any case, more than enough room for my kids.
So, I am sold, especially at the price I would probably end up paying. Lotta car for the money.
Most important, I loved the way it drove (A Camry is a mush pit in comparison), and it is somewhat unique in a sea of bland. Plus, what some might consider a drawback (the size), I consider a plus.
MPG is a little lower than some in the class, but comparable to a Fusion (that I was also considering), but still not bad for a mid size family sedan, especially given the AWD set up.
So, if things go according to my new plan, I will have a Sube for the winter, assuming I can actually find a 5 speed to buy!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Craig
I notice it at -20 or less F.
Craig
As I said, aside from this 'feature', I absolutely love the tire.
Now my question. Resale value will be a factor in which vehicle I buy. On a percentage basis does anyone know if the Outbacks hold their value better than base Legacies, or are all Legacy based vehicles about the same in resale value? I don't want to go cheap only to find out that a higher priced vehicle would have made more sense.
Thanks gang.
Karl
You play the odds, and by far that's what most buyers want. 93% want automatic, and Outback and Forester and #1 and #2 sellers, respectively.
-juice
Get what you want! :-) Tim
One silly complaint on the new rig: the key/fob is/are larger than a lightsaber. I don't think they even fit in my pocket. I need a key holster.
-juice
I don't know if the extra 8-10hp of the newer models will make any difference or not, but I guess I'll have to start driving the various different models and see which one seems to fit the bill.
After thinking about it last night I am not sure I am going to be that worried about resale value on my next car. If I keep it 8 years again it will be an opportune time to pass on to my oldest kid, who would then be 17 at the time. I'm not sure I would want to hand off a turbo however. :confuse:
-juice
But, with college starting in 3.5 years, I don't think I will have much opportunity to upgrade (maybe downgrade though..)
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Can a turbo be easily disconnected/unplugged if I didn't want to pass it on to my kid, or does the computer choke if the turbo dies?
I am wondering from both a safety/responsibility standpoint but also from a long term repair cost standpoint. If I did hand the car down it would have 100K on it and I don't know if turbos start having issues sooner than normally aspirated Subarus.
Would I have preferred to buy an Automatic. Nope. We prefer a manual.
Would I have preferred the turbo. Heck yeah, but we hope to have kids in the near future, and plan to do a few things to our house, so priorities dictated the non-turbo. Also, we average 28-29 MPG. Turbo requires premium fuel, and gets about 5MPG less, EPA.
The non-turbo has decent power, I think. It merges onto the interstate fine. The 2006s have 8 more HP, too.
Bottom line: Value. Happy driving.
-juice
Some turbo cars do require a turbo replacement after many years of service, but that is not a huge deal, really.
The turbo Legacy is quite powerful. A young driver would have a tough time keeping his/her foot out of it. Heck, my nearly 60 year old dad has a tough time keeping his foot out of it.