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Comments
Glad to hear you're enjoying the new XT!
-Ian
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
-KarenM-
kmartin Jun 29, 2004 8:15pm
MT vs auto, the debate will never end. I've long been a supporter of the manual, but two kids and 10 hours of traffic last Thanksgiving made me a little more open minded.
Here's the thing - with a small 4 cylinder, an automatic often robs all the fun. Turn on the A/C and it can be even slow.
Subaru's engines are torquey and actually handle a slushbox a little better than most. The base 2.5i model has more torque than a Honda S2000, for instance.
The WRX has a small displacement engine, off boost it's your basic economy car, docile and efficient. But it does lag more with the auto.
Thing is, the 2.5T is a gem of an engine, torque is there much sooner, lots more of it, too. It mates up very nicely to the auto.
Add to that the fact that the auto for the GT now has 5 ratios. And Sportshift. And better adaptive shifts. Even gas mileage!
The trade-off is much smaller than it used to be. You have enough torque that it's still fun, so you sacrifice little for the convenience in bumper to bumper traffic with 2 crying kids in the back seat.
If you're buying, say, a Toyota Echo, a manual is a must-have. The auto robs what little torque there is and fuel mileage tanks compared to the manual. But that's not the case with the new Subies.
Just my opinion.
-juice
I agree subie boxers are torquey, but it seems like it comes in only at 3k rpm. IMO tuning the flat four and six for more low end torque would have greatly improved driveability. The turbos accomplish this to some extent, but they could also do it across the board.
My theory is it's all about marketing. When people hear that X car makes 250 hp and Y car makes 210 hp, they immediately conclude that car X is better. Though it may be in 0-60, it may not be in around town utility. So they end up buying car X even though car Y may better fit their needs.
Eric
A 300 hp GT would give audi s4's, m3's and other serious sport sedans and sportscars a run for their money.
I'd like to see AVCS address the exact issue you're mentioning. The H6 gets it, and it certainly adequate. I'd like to see the 2.5l get it, though.
By the way, the new Drive makes a mistake when they imply that all the Legacy engines get AVCS, only the turbo and the H6 do.
Another mistake - AVCS only acts on the intake valves, I believe, the article says it acts on both intake and exhaust valves.
-juice
I've said from the beginning that leaving AVCS off the base model was a mistake.
I've read something confusing on the need-desire site I think. It says that the GT/XT gets AVCS explained as variable valve timing and lift, and the H-6 gets AVCS and something called AVLS. Am i missing something here?
Anyway I'd like to see subaru play with the valve controls a bit for a concept car and make a jake brake/exhaust brake for one of their vehicles--maybe the baja--just for kicks. It might give it the ooh factor like carrying a 4X8 piece of plywood that says "I mean business!"
Eric
AVLS = active valve lift system?
No swampy, smooth on the brakes on the oval. In fact they mostly would just lift off the throttle.
On the infield track I did brake hard at the end of the straight away - actually scrubbed off a bit too much speed. The GT has serious anchors and the tires to put down the stopping power, IMO.
-juice
"The trade-off is much smaller than it used to be."
Exactly.
Ken
A peppy and efficient five-speed was a no-brainer.
Now the 5EAT is peppy and efficient...
-juice
2005 Subaru Legacy
2005 Subaru Outback
Thanks!
Come on down off that fence! It's not going to be the same without you owning the same Subaru as I. I need my partner to start the Project Legacy GT Wagon STi. ;-)
Ken
Bob
Honestly if one of my cars blew up right now I think I'd be stuck with just one car for a while, at least.
-juice
Greg
We'll have to start talking about non-turbo lag. LOL
-juice
You'll also get TMV pricing which will give you an idea of what folks are actually paying in your area.
Wow, I'm starting to sound like a Town Hall Host!
Ken
-juice
-juice
Another tidbit as I saw this question asked earlier, the dealer said that normally they get another $300 back from Subaru for selling a car on the VIP program. So they were making about as much on me as if I had gone through the VIP program.
-juice
Is she a dancer? Hee Hee
-mike
Here's a link to their info about this package:
http://cobbtuning.com/forester/power-s.html#stage1
I think their Legacy GT reflash and exhaust should easily get you upwards of 300 hp maybe more (their claiming 280 for the Forester XT Stage 2 package).
BTW, I just got my oil changed at 1177 miles. The service advisor looked at me a bit funny and tried to explain that having the oil changed after the first 1000 miles was out dated advice and that new cars don't need this done. Maybe he's right, but I feel it's better to be safe than sorry. Besides, I won't have to pay for any more oil changes as they offer a program of free oil changes for life with a new car purchase. ;-)
Cheers!
-Ian
It is better safe than sorry. I will probably be changing the oil at 1000 miles myself.
Ken
I thought I read somewhere that overly frequent oil changes on a new engine could slow down the bedding in process ? I think that practice stopped when new engines shedded metal fragments into the oil.
I am interested to hear you appear to have the same stutter/hesitation problem as me, I intend to wait until the 1000 miles run in period has passed and then take a visit to the dealer - has anyone else noticed this ? Patti any news/advice
Pete
In case anyone in New England was wondering, Subaru of New England is owned by the Boch "Automile" family. In 1999, Boch's Subaru distribution firm was sued by several Subaru dealers, claiming the cars it provided were padded with unwanted options to boost profits at their expense. The company and Boch disputed the allegations. The suit, filed at U.S. District Court in Concord, N.H., has yet to go to trial.
Steve in Denver
-mike
A little odd but there are at least 3 readers here with similar problems
Pete
Craig
The car is actually equipped a little better than a loaded Legacy GT Ltd, and that really astounds me for the price difference. And there are some features on the TSX you just can't get on the GT (HIDs, folding rear seat, stability control). I was thinking it was about a $2K difference between the GT and the TSX, but it's more like $4-5K when you take everything into account. For someone like my wife, who will benefit from stability control but not miss AWD, that $4-5K is a big factor (she also won't miss the extra 50HP from the GT).
The good news is that I put down the sizeable deposit on the TSX using my Subaru MasterCard, so it will earn points for my eventual OB XT or Leg GT wagon purchase!!
One other interesting note: this TSX is the first car I have driven with HID headlights. I was shocked by how sharp the cutoff pattern is -- there's actually a visible horizontal line out in the distance in the front/side views where the beam ends. That will take some getting used to. Otherwise, the HIDs do a great job.
Craig
Stability control v. AWD AWD is better IMHO v. the best 2wd stability control.
-mike
Don't know if that helps any or not, but I'll continue to pay extra close attention to the car's acceleration and shifting behavior...I'll continue to watch the board here, too-Great resource!
Steve
Don't know if that helps any or not, but I'll continue to pay extra close attention to the car's acceleration and shifting behavior...I'll continue to watch the board here, too-Great resource!
Steve