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Comments
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I traded in a 2003 Impreza outback sport that also made the same noise, very loudly. It didn't start to make this noise until a few years old though, and I didn't expect the brand new car to start having problems.
Did you take it to the dealer - What did your dealer say?
Turning the whole system off, waiting, then turning it back on cured the problem that time. Hopefully it was a one-time glitch.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
That is odd though. Noone else has reported an issue like that on the current Impreza/WRX/OBS/Forester platform.
No other electrical symptoms at all? Does the battery struggle to start the car?
No repeats since then, it has worked just right every other time I have turned it on.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
At least, you can sometimes get your car to shift by pressing the gas - my Impreza doesn't always respond to the gas pedal! Four or five times now, I've depressed the accelerator to - nothing. The car continues at the same speed it was going for a few seconds before deciding whether or not it wants to go faster. :lemon:
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Work with the dealer, they've helped Forester owners with similar complaints.
I'm considering getting a 5 door manual Impreza , either 2.5i, 2.5i Premium or Outback Sport. Just trying to see how they are different. Can i live with base model or there is something great i would be missing?
Also, if I put third party alloy wheels on the base 2.5i , would that convert it to 2.5i Premium?
Thanks in advance.
Greg
The OBS has the AWP I believe, so in cold climates, I'd want it.
anyone has experience with exterior heated mirrors? My previous car had heated seats - i used to flip it on in the summer to get my g/f uncomfortable. :P That was the only thing it was good for.
also, think Outback sport suspension is different from base models. Is that true?
The 10-speaker stereo is so much better than the crappy base Subaru stereo, there just aren't words to describe it. But you could also visit a reputable aftermarket car stereo installer....
I am not the type to ever opt for frippery like heated seats, but they came as part of the deal on my Outback Sport, and after my first really cold morning, I would never be without them now. As mentioned above, the heated mirrors can be very useful too, and I don't find it a big deal that I have to leave the rear defroster on to get the mirrors cleared.
Subaru SAYS that the Outback Sport has "heavy-duty raised suspension", but I have never really believed it. It has like 0.4 inches more ground clearance than the other Imprezas, and I bet that is because of the 17" rims. All the non-WRX Imprezas need a rear sway bar IMO, and none of them have one. The Sport has a somewhat less squishy ride than the Premium and the base Impreza because of the lower profile tires.
I am one of the last people out there who prefers the two-tone paint of the Sport, and that with the factory 17s that I really like convinced me to go with that trim instead of the Premium. But don't discount that AWP in the Outback Sport - the heated seats and mirrors are a definite bonus.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
In warmer weather, this is not a problem. It is when the temperature drops to cold, such as perhaps 10F and lower (which is most of the many months of winter here), that it is annoying. Having the rear defroster on only serves to create large amounts of ice on the rear window and obscure the rearward view. This phenomenon is a result of blowing snow coming up behind the car, melting briefly on the glass, and then freezing. The wiper is useless to correct it and the glass must be scraped off periodically.
In the past, the mirrors had their own switch (a discreet little button on the dash) which was far more practical.
I myself don't really like two-tone paint of the Outback Sport and that is something a dealer was trying to sell to me. If anything, I'd go with Obsidian Black, but that's a matter of personal preference. You are saying you like OM 17s wheels - how does it corner on those?
Also, Impreza is one of the heaviest cars in it's class. Any comments on this? how does it handle? I had a test drive but they don't really let you "test" it.
Sol
You will never want for grip though - you just might be slightly uncomfortable with how far the car is canted over, and you have to watch it when it wags back as you straighten out. For anything less than manic (like my driving!) you will be fine, and it has a way smoother ride than any of the other compacts. You could also install a rear sway, and then I think it would have an almost perfect balance between ride and handling.
Yes, it's heavier than other compacts, because of the AWD. If you don't need or really want AWD, there are better handlers on the market which will also go a bit easier on gas. But they will generally cost more than $20K, and the higher Impreza trims can be had for significantly under $20K. And Impreza is the only real CAR available under $20K. Everything else in that price range is just a plastic appliance.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I finally realized what my problem was - part of me wants more performance and handling and I'd rather had a lighter car giving up AWD. The other part of me wants it to be very safe as my g/f will be driving it as well. I still have to teach her how to drive stick (told her that automatic transmission is not even offered by Subaru )
I'm leaning towards 2.5i Premium - should be ok w/o AWP as i live in tri state area. I only hit snowstorms occasionally when going on skiing trips.
BTW, the dimming rearview mirror is a must - guys, make yourself a Christmas gift. It worth so much more than CD changer there are no words to describe it.
- the 3's shifter is worse
- the 3's steering has less feedback
- it's FWD, the worst possible configuration
- resale and service are worse
- the 3 has had several systemic complaints in the last few years, and who knows if they have all been addressed by Mazda. Of those, one - weak A/C - would really bug me, enough to be a deal-breaker. My sister has a 3 in which the compressor already seized, before 60K miles, causing the belt to burn which started a minor underhood fire. Both before and after the compressor replacement I found/find her A/C to be very weak - on a hot summer's day in LA, you might as well just open the windows, you will sweat less.
Having said all that, if I had had to pay the full $21K on the sticker of my Outback Sport, I would definitely have been choosing between an SI or a GTI for the same money, and Subaru would have been off my list. But for some fun and the AWD for snow trips (of which I do many) at $18K, the OBS was it for me.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Me, if a moonroof could have been included in my car for only $500 more, I would have jumped at it.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
So you sort of pay *not* to get a moonroof and heated seats/mirrors/wiper de-icer.
Get it.
On these cold mornings lately, the light has been illuminating briefly when I first start the car in the morning, then going out about a minute after it would normally go out. Not sure what that means, but I think I am going to have to check if it monitors the spare too.
Had a chance to have four full-size adults in the car this weekend, and I am now officially uncomfortable with how soft the rear suspension is. At freeway speed, the rear end was bottoming out over gentle dips in the pavement. Plus when the rear end would come up over a rise, it would go flying up higher than I am comfortable with too. There just wasn't enough control in the struts back there. But then I was out on an extensive piece of rutted dirt road today, and the soft suspension and lack of sway kept me from getting my back fillings knocked out. So I just don't know what to think....I want it to be able to do both well!
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Thank you
GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE UNDECIDED PEOPLE OUT THERE!
Funny when a Hyundai costs MORE than a Subaru, eh? :confuse:
I don't think my next car will be a subaru, however, as I want to get something more fuel efficient. I will probably get a TDI Jetta Wagon or whatever new is out at that time. Subaru has a diesel in Europe and I do hope they bring it to the US as that would be very appealing to me.
Subaru offers more bang, VW offers more comfort in the mid 20s (WRX vs. GTI).
The lowest price I found for the Outback Sport is 18,623 with:
Auto-Dimming Mirror/Compass w/Homelink
Bumper Cover
Center Armrest Ext - Ivory
Popular Equipment Group 3B
Security System Shock Sensor.
The 2.5i Premium with Special Edition Package is 17,661 and comes with:
• All Weather Package
• Cargo Tray - Ivory
• Fog Lights
• Power Moonroof
• Special Edition Package
Not sure which is the better deal. Both way below invoice.
I also think the AWP and moonroof will do the same for the SE.
The bottom line is do you like the two-tone of the Sport?
Both are good deals. People pay that sort of money for lesser cars every day.
I have gone 3000 miles in 3 weeks (I'm in sales) and the ride is great. Not stiff like my BMW, the seats are great. Could use a bit more power is my main complaint.
My 09 is "ok" now have 31k on the vehicle in 14 months. It's just too much of a "rattle trap" but otherwise fine.
Daughter just turned 19 & wanted to get something "safe and reliable" so yesterday pulled the trigger on 09 Impreza premium with 10k for $15750. I hope I did the right thing -- spent some time looking & couldn't get a better deal elsewhere. What cinched the deal was $2000 for trade in of 1997 Isuzu Oasis. It ran good but didn't look too great but I was not thrilled with the prospects of having to sell it on my own. Besides, got the advantage of another $125 sales tax advantage as I traded it in.
I expect the Impreza should be as reliable as my Forester has been, hoping that the mpg will be a little better than my Forester. Since day one, I have kept good track of mpg on Forester and have averaged close to 25 mpg, The trip computer on the Forester a little too optomistic, that shows about 1 mpg higher.
Any comments from anyone on price I paid, as well as comments on the vehicle itself?
I am just turning over 10K in mine, and contemplating getting the short shifter and the rear sway from the WRX installed in my OBS when I go for the oil change + tire rotation.
I have no idea why Subaru continues to insist on putting 4-foot-tall truck shifters in these cars, but it sure does slow down shifting. As for the rear sway, the thing just about lifts a front wheel, it keels over so hard when you are at 70 mph+ and go around a curve on the highway. The super soft rear end makes for a comfy highway ride, I'm sure, but it just compromises handling too much for my tastes. It's like there's nothing holding the back of the car up except handfuls of marshmallows.
I wonder how much the dealer will want for those additions.....
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)