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Subaru Legacy/Outback

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    nematodenematode Member Posts: 448
    Our cargo cover is quiet too. We have a 2k OB Ltd that getting close to 35k miles.

    Make sure that both sides are fully clamped down and the holding pins that on springs fully release. Ours makes noise only when one side is not fully clamped in.
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    paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    How often do you drive with it retracted? I keep mine extended 95% of the time.

    -mike
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    jay_24jay_24 Member Posts: 536
    After seeing the above one year report, I got motivated to write one too.

    Gas Mileage: ranges from 25 to 27. I've noticed the coldest mornings affect it the most. Thats when I get the 25mpg. The warmer longer trips easily get into the 27+ range.
    Comfort: Great if your the driver. I'm 6'4" and find the drivers seat comfortable. The passanger seat just can't adjust the same without the power seat. My wide is 5'2" and thinks the passanger seat is just fine.
    Power: Good. Of course more would be better. I'm looking to tow a camper this summer. Might have to use the van instead. Good acceleration on the highway makes it easy to pass.
    AWD: Well I'm in northern Wisconsin and we had a sissy winter this year. The few times it did snow, it was great. Still looking forward to a big dumping of snow.
    Overall: good room for a family of four to make road trips to Grandma and Grandpa's house. I'm considering a second Subaru when its time to replace the van. 18,000 trouble free miles.

    -jay
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    jay_24jay_24 Member Posts: 536
    Forgot to mention the cargo cover. I removed mine and it sits in the garage. I flip the seats down fairly often and then its just in the way. I have to get my ice fishing tent, auger, and poles in the back. Something you southern folks don't worry about. Still a good foot or more of ice yet this year...

    --jay
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    rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Do you ever drive your Subie out on the frozen lakes to go fishing?

    Bob
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    armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    As a psychologist I just can't let this go by without comment. In post #4854 you wrote: "My wide is 5'2" and thinks the passanger seat is just fine." You might be in trouble if you "wide" reads this. Divorces have been caused by less.
    ;~)

    Ross
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    jay_24jay_24 Member Posts: 536
    No I haven't drive on the lakes with the sube. Too new.... My old s-15 Jimmy made the trip many times. I also wait for about 20" of ice myself. some guys are crazy and drive on less than 10".

    Ross,
    Yes. I might be in the dog house for a week. better watch those tpyos :o
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    paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I've taken my Rodeo out, but not the Trooper, it's been to warm the past 2 winters :(

    -mike
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    canadianclcanadiancl Member Posts: 1,078
    Ahem
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    canadianclcanadiancl Member Posts: 1,078
    I've gone back about 180 posts and there's not much being said about the OB H6. Is this the wrong thread? I'm trying to get an idea if the H6 is worth the (substantially) more dough over the base OB or even the Ltd. as I have read somewhere that the difference in acceleration is not proportionate to the difference in hp.

    Also, I've read somewhere someone commented that the OB hood is awfully heavy to lift. Does it not come with gas struts, even on the H6 models?
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    armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    You may want to check the "Subaru Outback VDC (Station Wagon Board)" thread.

    Ross
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    mikenkmikenk Member Posts: 281
    As Ross said, most of the discussion on the H6 (Bean and VDC) are on the other thread. I really can't judge between the H4 OB and the VDC, since I was comparing the VDC with the Passat, Volvo XC, and the Audi A6. From my perspective, the VDC was a bargain and still think so after 15K miles.

    The car is extremely quiet (extra insulation)even under hard acceleration; the H6 seems to have the power where I want it most (passing / high speed cuising). It is really a great highway car, and the McIntosh stereo is worth much of the extra bucks to me. Being primarily my wife's car, the VDC system is worth it to her for her peace of mind. The bottom line:it seems like the value of the H6 depends on what you value in a car.

    Mike
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    ffsteveffsteve Member Posts: 243
    For the most part, an H6 OB (Bean or VDC) is still an Outback. I read, and contribute, to this board because it is the most active. I think most here will monitor both threads anyway.

    I have a Bean, and love the smoothness and pickup of the engine. But then the H4 is nice too, and many others here use the same adjectives - smooth and powerful. The only question then is how much? How much smooth and powerful do you want, for how much money? :)

    The hood on the Bean is heavy, and doesn't have gas shocks, it has a strut to hold it open. After having my 12 yr-old Toyota hood close on my head after the shocks got tired, I think I prefer the strut! (But a hood with gas shocks sure looks cool, and when they work the shocks are neat.)

    Steve
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    canadianclcanadiancl Member Posts: 1,078
    Somewhat off-topic, but I would have thought those struts last a lifetime since you wouldn't be opening the hood every day, and the ones for the hatch, which get used several times a day, still last for years.
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    seayakkerseayakker Member Posts: 57
    Hmmm guess I should be checking out the VDC thread more often.

    I opted to spend the extra $$ for the H6, since I carry a lot of heavy equipment up & down the Bay Area hills & I really noticed the difference between the 4 & the 6 on the nice, steep hill I used to test drive everything.

    That said, I am delighted with all of the other bells & whistles now that I gotten used to them. I had no idea one could love a steering wheel as much as I love the MOMA! & the quiet, smooth ride is a pleasure. The heated leather seats I could care less about, frankly. the all weather package is nice, but it's really the overall ride, the solid feeling, that extra bit of power, and did I mention the steering wheel? that make it all worth it. My second choice was a Base model, but right now I'm delighted that I opted for the Bean.
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    fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    I only test drove a Legacy L and base OB, because I didn't want to take a chance on falling in love with the V6. From what I read here, it is not a matter of the V6 not performing in proportion to its power output, but rather a matter of the V6, as packaged, being maybe out of proportion with its price. If I could have had a V6 option for $1k or so without all of the other stuff, I would be driving a V6. Not that the total package might not be worth it to many people, it is just that I could not afford it. For me, this is a commuter car - 11 miles of back roads between home and work. Again, I originally went shopping for a Legacy L - an "economy" AWD wagon.

    Steve
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    fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    For some reason, Toyota puts hood prop rods on most US models, but substitutes gas struts in other markets. I once considered purchasing a retrofit kit, but never followed thru.

    Does anybody know if such a kit is available for the hood on current OB/Legacy models? Maybe see struts on someones car at a rally?

    Steve
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    paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Subaru doesn't make V6 models of anything.

    H6 is the only option :)

    -mike
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    paulsgtpaulsgt Member Posts: 30
    I originally wanted a GT wagon (A GT Limited H-6 wagon would be AWSOME!). When I finally convinced my wife to go look with me, she said drive them all and decide which one you like better. I drove the GT, then a Manual Trans Outback (base model) then the LL Bean (H6). There was no turning back. We were a Honda/Acura family for many (?) years. The level of 'refinement' of the H6 Outback over the H4 Outback is significant. I've owned a lot of cars in my days (and test driven many more) but that Subaru H6 engine is probably the smoothest engine I've encountered and we owned (2) 1999 Honda V6s (Odyssey and Accord Coupe). Everyone is right in saying that the difference in power alone does not justify the extra $$$. It is noticable but it's really the refinement of the car that sets it apart. Now I'll pick a few nits...

    They REALLY should have steering wheel mounted radio controls and Homelink (tm) transmitter oh, and put some lighting in the driver's side arm rest for heavens sake! None of those switches are lit (except the drivers window). Wife is not happy with gas mileage but otherwise the car is GREAT!!! I'd do it again.

    FWIW,

    Paul Sergeant
    01 Subaru Outback LL Bean Wintergreen (15,000 miles in 7-months)
    97 Ford Ranger 4-banger
    93 Saturn SL2
    65 Corvair Monza Convertible
    61 Pontiac Tempest Safari Wagon.
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    rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    You have a rather interesting garage, to say the least... ;)

    That Tempest, IIRC, had a 4-banger which was really just a Pontiac V8, with one bank of cylinders lopped off; and had a rear transaxle too. Is the Monza a turbo, or non-turbo?

    Bob
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    armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    You are right about the Tempest. My father stuck me with one of those pigs as "my" first car. It even used a V8 distributor cap! It was slow, couldn't handle at all, was very heavy for it's size and got about 14 mpg US. I gave it back when I got my first MG Magnette.

    Ross
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    oregonboyoregonboy Member Posts: 1,650
    In 1965, the turbo option was only available on the Corvair Corsa model. I had a red '65 turbo coupe during the early 70s. I believe that the 140hp engine is generally regarded as being more desirable.

    -james
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    fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Slip of the fingers, lots on the mind.... V6, H6, I6, what ever it takes.....

    Steve
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    fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Very nice garage indeed!

    My problem was complicated by having to also replace Beths minivan this year. Between the Odyssey and the Outback, I am down $50k - a lot of dough for us mere mortals.

    I was also struck by your 15k miles in 7 months. I just rolled 4k at a week shy of 6 months. So how much luxury do I deserve???

    Steve
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    rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    shared the rear transaxle with the rear-engined Corvair, IIRC.

    Bob
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    rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    was your Canadian Tempest different from the USA Tempest? I remember that Canadian Pontiacs (in general) sort of combined Chevy parts too. There was also a Canadian Ford (Meteor) and Mercury (Monarch), and Ford trucks were sold as Mercury trucks. I believe that Dodge and Plymouth also had Canada-specific models.

    I think by the mid-70s, these Canadian-specific models had disappeared.

    Bob
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    armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    No, the Tempest was a US model. I was living in Buffalo NY at the time. It was the vehicle which started me on a life long dislike of GM cars. I only owned one other, a new Citation in 1981, and it was even worse.

    Ross
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    rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
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    storytellerstoryteller Member Posts: 476
    oregonboy: Sorry, but your memory isn't right. There was a 1965 Corvair Monza Spyder. I think that word "Spyder" was meant to say it had a sting in its tail in the form of a turbo. Anyway, that was my first car, a white convertible, and I remember it well.
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    99gs99gs Member Posts: 109
    What are the odds of this? I had a white Corvair convertible which was a spyder with the 150 HP supercharged? engine. It was the 1962 version, a really nice vehicle. Jack
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    armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    Ross
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    rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Spyders are ragtops. It was a common term used on Italian roadsters; Alfas and Fiats come to mind...

    Bob
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    oclvframeoclvframe Member Posts: 121
    I too was totally blown away by the smoothness of the Bean H6 when I test drove it. It is the only car that I tested that even came close to (maybe even better) than the Acura MDX...which is what I really wanted, but could not afford. I also come from having owned may Hondas (still have an Odyssey as family people mover).

    In my first year of ownership, my odometer reads just over 23Kmi. I change the oil per the recommended service limit. So far I have also replaced all the air filters (cabin and engine). My avg mileage using premium is 23mpg. I drive 80mi back and forth to work every day plus occasional 75-100mi round trips to the mountains on weekends for a mountain bike or road bike ride. Last summer I did a solo round trip non-stop drive to Miami from Atlanta (9.5hrs each way). The 6 CD changer was great as well as the driver's seat.

    I have no real nits other than I echo Paul's in regards to the lack of steering wheel mtd sound control and homelink. I hate the tires and cannot waite till they are worn enough for me to justify trashing them.

    I would recommend an H6 over the H4 any day. I would also have to think real hard about trading to a GT if they ever stick the H6 in it.

    BTW, Steve (fibber2): 11 miles to work on backroads!...Heck you don't need a car, a nice commuter bike would be perfect for that short a commute....Oh, what I would do to live that close to work...hmmm.

    -r
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    ffsteveffsteve Member Posts: 243
    I love my Subie, but I loved my Corvair for much longer - 22 years! The Subie is going on 9 months.


    Mine was a 1963 Monza Spyder (turbo) Convertible. At times I also owned a 65 2-door Monza and a 61 Lakewood station wagon. It's amazing how many people have Corvairs in their backgrounds.


    I won't claim to have the last word here, but the Spyder was an added moniker to the Corvair Monza line signifying the turbo engine on the 62-64 models. These were advertised at 150HP.


    In 1964, the engine was enlarged from 145 cubic inches to 164 cubes. Turbo models were still called Spyders and were still listed at 150HP. In 1965, the Spyder name was dropped in favor of the Corsa model and the advertised horsepower jumped to 180. Corsa also offered a non-turbo 140hp variant. The Corsa was dropped after 1966.


    I remember reading of early 1965 turbo models still retaining the Spyder name, but very quickly they were all named Corsas.


    More details are available from http://www.corvair.com/chistory.html published by Clark's Corvair Parts, still a leading supplier of Corvair parts.


    The Tempest model was one of the first production cars offered with a supercharger, in 1962. Indeed the transaxle was in the rear, as was the battery, but I never heard that the transaxle was shared with the Corvair.


    I know that this is terribly off-topic for our Outback forum, please forgive me.


    Steve (now an Outback owner!)

    Flat-6 (H6) Engines Forever!

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    rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    is that they both have boxer engines. One of my favorite Covairs was that delightfully weird pickup with the folding side ramp. Because of the rear engine, it had a strange and awkward shape to the pickup box.

    Bob
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    storytellerstoryteller Member Posts: 476
    So my old ragtop turned my head down the path that led me to Subaru? Cool. Let's just hope my Subie has a better ending than the Spyder, which shorted and burned up in a truly spectacular way. Flames the height of my parents' second story windows!
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    fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Robert (oclvframe),

    Unfortunately, the season is too short here for commuter motorcycling. I did think about it some years back, though. It is a great commute. A mix of backroads and 3.5 miles on the Taconic Parkway. Three traffic lights & 1 stop sign.

    Steve
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    hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    You sure were scraping the bottom of the bucket when you bought a Citation, they were the worlds worst piece of scrap bar none.

    Cheers Pat.
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    armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    True, but there were extenuating circumstances including the fact that it was Motor Trend's "Car of the Year" (I know, I know - a sure give away) and I was a relatively *young* fool at the time. Now that I'm an older one, I would never make such a mistake again. Besides, there were a lot of really awful cars produced that I didn't buy.
    ;~)

    Ross
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    ffsteveffsteve Member Posts: 243
    Well, not that kind, the old fashioned HOT kind!

    Too bad about the Spyder Barbecue. Mine flamed too, but in a less spectacular, although at the time no less shocking, manner. Did you know the defroster was helped along with a couple of heater elements? I was driving along one night, turned on the defroster, and was rewarded a short time later with flames rising from the ducts at the base of the windshield. They weren't very big, but just seeing them light up the dash at night just about did me in. Nearly wrecked the car trying to reach under the dash and beat on the ductwork (the only thing I could think of at the time) until they went out, leaving a couple of plumes of smoke in their wake. Had to open the window to clear the inside of the car. I guess dust and debris collected on the elements over the years until they lit up.

    Next day I had to clean the soot from the inside of the windshield, just like a glass chimney on a candle holder.

    Man, do I love my modern Subaru!

    Steve
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    hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    I have a confession to make, I bought a K car which was about as bad as the Citation, and wonder of wonders it was also Motor Trends car of the year.

    But I did learn never ever will I buy a Chrysler again.

    Cheers Pat.
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    david55838david55838 Member Posts: 55
    I've got you all beat (unfortunately). I had a 1971 Chevy Vega!

    David
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    subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    1977 Chevy Nova
    1984 Plymouth Voyager (also a 'car of the year' recipient)

    The Nova had the 250ci straight 6 cylinder. They were notorious for leaking oil from the sides of the block - and mine was no exception. Frame was rusted almost all the way through - the floor even had a hole in it! A beater, nothing more, nothing less.

    The Voyager was the first year they came out. 2.6L 4 cylinder made by Mitsubishi. Thing would run like cr*p in the rain or anytime it was moist outside. Basically replaced the cap & rotor monthly. Left me stranded once, my dad once too.

    -Brian
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    mrk610mrk610 Member Posts: 378
    My 1st car in highschool was a 75 pontiac astra
    same as the vega what a pos.the car I loved the most was 87 mazda rx7 gxl 275k still ran stong untill it was stolen and drove into the bay .

    mike k
    2002outback wagon sapphire blue
    1996 honda accord coupe beige
    1995 ford ranger black 4cyl
    1990 ford ranger black 4cyl
    1988 ford escort exp
    1986 hyundai excel another pos
    1976 olds cutlass supreme colonial coupe great car
    1975 pontiac astre
    and the beloved 1987 mazda rx7
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    ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Did you know the Citation (X-car) platform was the basis for the Beretta and Corsica? My high school girl friend had a Beretta GT, peppy V6 but otherwise junk.

    My dad had a Vega. It didn't last, I hardly remember it.

    -juice
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    paulsgtpaulsgt Member Posts: 30
    Steve, you straightened everyone out quite nicely as far as Corvair facts. (I've been around them almost since birth and owned 14 different ones). The 65 Convertible I have has been in my possession for 24 years. It is a 110 (2-carb engine) and Powerglide transmission. The Convertible Corvair replaced the station wagon model mid-way through the 1962 model year. Towards the end of the 62 model year (like Steve said) they added the "Spyder" option package to the Corvair Monza line. The Spyder included special instrumentation, and the 150hp turbo-charged engine. "Spyders" were available through 1964 in either coupe or convertible form. In 1965 with the new, completely redesigned body, the turbo charged engine was only available as an option in the "Corsa" model. It was now up to 180 hp! This package was only available in 1965 and 1966. They killed (the high-performance options) them to make way for the new Camaro!
    The 1961 thru 1963 Pontiac Tempest was available with either the 4-cyl (1/2 the Pontiac 389 V-8 - right bank of cylinders lopped off) or the interesting but rare 215ci V-8 (61 and 62 only). In 63 you could get the 4-cyl or the 326 v-8. The Tempest was never avaliable with turbo-charging. However, the Oldsmobile on the same platform (F-85) was available with the "Jetfire" (turbo-charger) option for 1962. Again as Steve stated correctly, the Pontiac (only) utilized a transaxle setup where the transmission was connected to the differential in the rear of the car. A narrow steel shaft (sometimes referred to as the "rope shaft") connected the engine (in front) to the transaxle. The automatic transmission and rear suspension set-up were shared with early model Corvairs but that is where the simiarities end. This layout resulted in 4-wheel independent suspension. The ride quality is supposed to be quite remarkable. The 61 wagon that I have is a 54,000 mile California original (survivor). I find these cars strange/unique. I've not driven the Tempest enough to comment on how they ride or handle. Unique cars peak my interest. Both my 'old' cars contain some very interesting engineering for their time.

    OK, back to Subaru Outback stuff.... It snowed 12" at my house last night. The LL Bean loves that kind of weather.

    Paul in MN.
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    nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Please, please send some of that good, good snow my way. All year, maybe 6"! :(
    I hope El Nino they are talking about will bring a nice snowy winter next year. In the meantime, I'll plant some shrubs, cut grass and sit in the OB wondering what could have been.

    Greg
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    ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    MD has its worst drought in memory. We'll take any precip we can get.

    -juice
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    hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    hehe... another victim of a 71 Vega... mine looked cool... bright red, mag wheels, air shocks... but it had the 40k throw-away engine...

    Traded it ($200) for my first Subaru - a 78 GL coupe!

    Cheers!
    Paul
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    fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Juice, GM got tremendous mileage from the X-car chassis. First (around '82) came the 'shrink' J-car, from which was eventually derived the 'enhanced J' cars (Beretta and Corsica). And in '83 (?) came the stretched A-car line.

    Paul mentioned "the interesting but rare 215ci V-8". IIRC, that was the aluminum block V8 ??? GM found in the budding horsepower wars of the early '60 that there was no interest in tiny (3.5 liter) V8 engines. They sold the rights to Rover Group (England), and that became the mainstay engine for 30 years.

    Steve
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