Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
We have two kids and formerly used two tethers, now down to one as Tamsin keeps growing rapidly. In the Outback, I have had no difficulties at all with the tethers but removed the rear head restraints which can obstruct vision. We may need to reinstall one now as Tamsin keeps shooting up (no question that she'll be taller than her mum but wondering now whether she'll beat her 1.8m dad- long legs, broad shoulders and slim - that's the kid, not dad!)
Seat folding is no drama and I do it regularly. I don't even bother to remove the tethers but just sling them to the side of the load area.
My recollection of the Passat is that there is effectively no difference on the child seat attachment front. Both are good.
Cheers
Graham
Phil
I thought about this wiper business, too. I find it rather silly that Subaru flaunts getting a "variable" intermittent wiper at the GT level as a big point in there many upgraded features. COME ON! This is a BASIC safety feature that you get standard on most GM cars and other base level vehicles. I don't consider this as a "luxury" accessory like a sun roof, or leather, or dual climate, etc.. but a basic safety item. It must cost pennies to go from installing an intermittent switch to a variable one, and it's one place where I think subaru drops the ball. I certainly isn't something that I think justifies the steep increase in price from the SE to the GT, and should be standard on ALL levels. That's like saying on the top of the line, you get TWO wipers, not one, or adding a mirror on the right side door as a bonus. Be real...be safe Subaru.
cdndriver
yes, the intermittent wipe feature probably costs them only a few bucks, if you think GM is safe, what do you think about them making ABS optional on their base cars as they have announced?
What would be cool is a speed-dependent intermittent setting. Set it and forget it. Didn't the SVX have that?
cdndriver: remember the base Honda Civic from the late 80s? Vinyl seats, 4 speed manual, and no right-side mirror? The Sentra was the same way. No wonder there were reliable, there were no features on them that could break!
Tether anchors are purely about safety, they have to be sturdy first and foremost. I'd rather have them anchored to a reinforced metal D-pillar frame, then a floppy seat that folds.
The view is only partially blocked, it didn't bother me.
GM used to have ABS, but mostly on lousy braking systems. Subaru's stopping distances are shorter across the board, and they've kept ABS standard while GM cut costs to compete with the Koreans. Seriously.
Having said that, I would like to see Subaru standardize more features. Put 4 disc brakes on every car, no more drums. The lit key ring, too. Vanity mirrors. Shiftronic. Even the AWD systems, use VTD in every model.
-juice
May be even more cost effective for Subaru if they just carry just one type too.
-juice
I just bought my wife a '03 Outback Wagon Limited MSRP $25,600, I paid invoice price $23,400. Only option; dimming mirror w/compass. But what else do you want...? It's fully loaded, even a 6 disc changer with decent sound.
Now...time to adjust those foglights :-)
Greg
Since its started getting cold i've been getting around 19mpg. The best I've ever gotten was 27mpg on a summer driving trip.
I've owned this car for 5 winters now, its always averaged less than 20mpg in the winter. I've gotten as low as 15 mpg when its been really cold in January. I'm in MN so, really cold is -10 to -20 or worse.
Don't get me wrong, this is a great car.... starts every morning no matter the temp and only 1 unscheduled repair, the alternator.
A block heater would cure the 1st, but not the 2nd.
-juice
--jay
-juice
Greg
The battery is by Johnson Controls. It has two raised covers for the filler but no little lip around them to contain spillage. I've never had to top up the battery, but I'm wondering if the dealership might have overfilled it during routine service. If this is not a common problem I might try sucking a little out from each cell.
My batteries have been clean, even up until the OE battery died.
-juice
Sounds like we all need a road trip to Florida to increase our mileage.
Greg
I've long forgotten it by now with our Outback (and MPV). ;-)
-Brian
As for the top of the battery remaining "dirty", you might have an over-charging problem forcing the acid out through the vents - a nasty situation. Regular rinsing might keep this under control, but you might have the charging system checked.
Be careful when rinsing, the restultant wastewater is still acidic and carries a red rust stain that will spot other painted panels in the engine compartment, and outside too! Also stains concrete real good.
Steve
Steve
-juice
-juice
Greg
The Lmtd. was $25550 w/ Dimming Mirror & Compass.
I live in NJ by the way... :-)
- Lou
Mike k
Couldn't pass that one up.
Ron
My opinion - let them ride. In a few days you'll never notice the difference.
Enjoy the holidays, and enjoy your ride. Its not worth the hassle.
Steve
Or, follow Ron's advice and just take 'em off!
-juice
-juice
Any other recommendations while they're in there?
I changed oil, PCV and fuel and air filters recently so don't need these done.
Thanks.
-mike
-juice
I'll probably get cable/Z chains this year just to be covered. Also, if you buy chains, check the return policy. Can you return them if they are unused?
Jim
Mark
I made an honest mistake providing too much info...
I bought the Outback at Flemington Subaru... if you want additional info, like contact name and what not, email me:
bigelm@lycos.com
Hasn't been really cold here ...yet...around 30s...mileage is still around 25 - 26 mpg.
congrats bigelm. great deal and enjoy.
Happy Holidays to all!
Anyway, the bottom line is that there's a LITTLE improvement. They adjusted the clutch to engage a little closer to the floor, so it masks the problem somewhat, but it's not completely gone. It still shudders at times unless I slip the clutch. Very disappointing. I guess I'll reopen my case with SOA after the New Year. Since they told me I'm a bit of a guinea pig in all this, you'd think they (or the dealer) would have followed up with me. Not a peep from either. And no apology from the dealer for messing up the starter.
Meanwhile, got a set of Hakkapelitta 1's for the car. I should be unstoppable if we get any snow!
Anyone else get the fix done yet?
David
Greg