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Im really amazed at the no-compromise balance between ride and accurate, bordering agressive, handling. The Legacy simply commands the road. Its tough keeping revs significantly below redline, espeically with SportShift feature, simply because the engine revs so smoothly and fairly quickly. Ours feels stronger (Im sure its all in my head, lol) than the Legacy 2.5i that I test drove in late May, and the power available is more than adequate for everyday needs. If anyone decides to test this configuration, Id put the 0-60 right at the 9 second mark, fine given the decent fuel economy. My parents are totally enamored of the vehicle, as well (good, since this is actually my dads car), and we all share very high regard for the ergonomics and materials appearence and quality of the interior. The car frekin rocks!
BUT
There is definitely an issue with the rear defogger. Any time it is activated, the stereo loses reception, almost completely. All static, no music. Very uncool. If anyone has had a similar experience, please advise. Might there be a TSB? We have other cars with rear window glass embedded antennae, and this has not been an issue. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Still, overall, no regrets. This car is awesome, and the Regal Blue is a PHENOMENAL color. (Atlantic was the original plan, but after seeing one side by side with the Black and the Regal, there was no contest).
Happy motoring!
~alpha
movedor: The 2.5 turbo is a torque monster with a very broad and flat range. However, getting a car rolling with just the clutch is do-able even with smaller engines. I used to do that with my 98 Forester all the time in bumper to bumper traffic.
Yes, I know. But the way I learned to drive, it was a old car with 60hp, which always required gas just to get moving. That became a habit. When I test drove the XT, I thought of not giving any gas just to see if it would work.
ateixeira wrote:
movedor: check out an XT that isn't a limited, and just get an aftermarket stereo for a couple hundred bucks. You'd only be giving up the memory seat. Nobody's perfect!
Thanks for the suggestion, but I think with an aftermarket stereo the console wouldn't look good anymore. MP3 is just a nice to have to me, now memory seats are a must for me. As you pointed out, manual seats are quicker to adjust than power seats. I was expecting that at $29K a good car would have memory seats.
As a 'car guy', I'm embarrassed to ask this, but does the new 2.5L turbo motor have a timing chain, or a timing belt?
Also, does anyone run synthetic motor oil in their new '05 Legacy GT or OBXT? Any recommendations of brand and weight?
Many thanks!
Tim G
'05 OBXT Ltd (taking delivery at end-of-month)
I just bought a 05 legacy GT turbo auto sedan and I have read where some reviewers complained about the auto shifting too frequently etc., but they wrote that this problem can be solved by leaving the auto in sport shift mode. My questions to all you very knowledgeable people is, Can I leave the transmission shift in sport mode all the time? And if i do, can i use the shift buttons on the steering wheel to shift through the gears or will that put me back in normal driving mode. And what are the good or bad points about doing this. I am picking up the car Monday,Aug.16. Thanks for your anticipated input.
Doug
I would leave it in the normal "Drive" mode until you get a better feeling for how this transmission operates. Experiment with "Sport," "Manual" and the normal "Drive" modes, and see which works best for various driving conditions, and which you prefer.
Bob
Does any one else who has the mats experience the same issue? THANKS!
Leaving it in Sport mode has no ill effects other than less fuel mileage as Bob pointed out.
I find that I do most of my driving in normal as my transmission has adapted to my particular driving habits. I like the fact that in normal mode I can use the steering wheel buttons to momentarily downshift and it automatically goes back.
Ken
couple of ?s - my service dept wasn't very helpful. the car came with factory crossbars on the roof rack, do i have to buy the round crossbars to use the bike racks? can i still use the sunroof with bike rack installed?
also, anyone have any experience with the pet divider for the back? seems pretty expensive, is it custom for the OB or just a generic unit you adjust?
Thanks
Mike
You can certainly run synthetic oil. I may do this myself, however it is about 3-4 times more expensive than regular oil. I like Mobil-1, and used it in my WRX. As for the viscosity, use the chart in the owner's manual to decide. I will stick to 5W-30 in my OB XT because the temperature range covers me if I go skiing in cold weather. Last year, I hit -12F weather in Snowshoe West Virginia with my old Outback! That would have been too cold for 10W-30.
Craig
The main benefit to me is that it holds 1st gear a little longer and is more responsive about downshifting. If driven "sanely" the sport mode feels a lot crisper than normal mode but is perfectly acceptable for everyday driving. In my mind, this should be the default behavior for the 5EAT!!
If you do use the shift buttons while in sport mode, the transmission goes into manual mode. However you can get back to sport mode by flicking the lever right and left again. Actually, it's more like a tap than a flick!
Craig
Craig
On the crossbars: I'm using the Thule system from my Volvo XC. Works fine, though I had to cut the cross bars down a bit, since the car is a little narrower, especially toward the rear. If you have bars from your Blazer - and you plan to cut them down a bit - make sure that you take into account the different width of the roof toward the front and the back.
If you don't have a set that you can transfer, you can buy the Subaru (Yakima, I think) accessories or any other brand that fits the rails - which Thule does. Or, you can probably try adapters to fit on the factory cross bars. Seems like the bars can hold 100+ lbs., so 2-3 bikes shouldn't be a problem.
I have had no problem with the sunroof and the bike rails. In fact, since the roof rails are actually a bit further back than they were on my Volvo, they do not overhang the sunroof on the Subaru as much as they did on the Volvo. No interefernece with the front part of the sunroof at all. And, no interference with the rear liftgate when it is fully open.
Good luck.
Peace.
Bob
Actually, I have found that Sport mode emulates my previous 5MT shifting pattern (upshift between 3-4K rpms) more than Normal mode. When I want to be zipping from stop sign to stop sign, I just leave it in Sport.
Since I've been happy with my milage in Normal (23-24mpg) I've been a little relucant to leave it in Sport too much. Maybe I'll give it a try.
Ken
Little did I know (miss a day at Edmunds.com and you miss a lot) IIHS had already tested a Legacy.
I was euphoric with expectation when, after my test drive, I hit the IIHS website to review the results. I'd earlier heard SOA recalled OBs air curtains but discounted it, assuming it was caught by SOA QC. No idea then it was the IIHS not Subaru who first found this potentially fatal flaw.
I'm disappointed by the IIHS test results. While there's much we do not know, we do know Subaru's failure to meet it's own crash saftey benchmarks (established in 2003 with the Forester) puts in question commitment and/or capacity to deliver on core values of performance, quality and safety.
I'm hoping SOA offers IIHS an OB for testing. An OB with better SABs (as 2nd gen Foresters have) in addition to side curtains. Acknowledge failure and do something about it. Now, not in MY 2006.
I will not buy an OB until it is able to meet or exceed the same safety standards Subaru achieved in the 2003 Forester.
Jake
My question: Can one get Subaru 16" rims for the 2.5 GT Ltd, specifically those that are on the 2.5 Ltd? Would a dealer swap these out?
Normally, one can go down 2 speed ratings without affecting stability. Tirerack.com has "H" rated 215/45 R 17's for < $100 each. Can you go from "Z" to "H", or is that a no-no?
thanks ...
But, I was wondering if it would be possible to go down in width for a set of winter wheels. Anybody try this before?
In my humble opinion, I wouldn't swap out the GT's 17" tires/wheels for a smaller size. Reason being, the GT has larger brakes (which may or may not accommodate a 16" wheel--I don't know), and **I believe** a slightly stiffer suspension than that of the 2.5i Ltd (the GT Ltd also weighs about 100 lbs more than the 2.5i Ltd).
My point is, the GT was designed for a 17" tire/wheel combo to accommodate it's additional horsepower and consequently different handling characteristics than the 2.5i. For anyone who's ever changed down from a WR or ZR-rate tire to an HR (presumably also with a higher aspect ratio, e.g., "taller" sidewall), you'll notice substantially more flex in the tire's sidewall, even during "normal" speeds. Rather than taking my word for it, maybe drive a 2.5i and see if you can feel the difference.
Fyi, there are better tire deals to be had on tirerack.com than what you've posted...for example, I routinely bought Kumho and Sumitomo tires for my '88 M5 (as well as my current and last several BMW 5-series cars) in size 235/45/ZR-17 for at/less than $100 each. Not sure how fast you go through tires, but if you do the math, I think you'll find the difference in cost long-term really doesn't justify dropping a wheel size and truly 'down-grading' your car's handling.
Again--just my $.02. Hope that helps.
Rgds,
Tim G.
I also agree that you probably can't go down because of the size of the Brake rotors. They're bigger in the GT.
Dropping speed rating from H to Z means you have to stay below 130mph ;-). In normal driving I doubt it will affect stability.
tom
deanie- the all caps is blinding! ;-). I tend not to buy first year cars, but because I knew this one has been in production in Japan for a year I would be better off. I'm sure they will fix some of the kinks from this factory in Indiana, but some of us don't have the luxury of waiting (or the patience!)
Anyway, you could lease now and then trade up for a Legacy STi in 3 years. ;-)
I was very glad to be back in my GT after having the loaner for 2 days. The driving experience is night and day! One thing I noticed is that the Bean had Onstar. Is Subaru not offering it anymore? It can be quite useful.
tom
Happy Motoring,
~alpha
I've found that the ride on the stock tires to be fairly comfortable. It's firm, but definetly not punishing. The stock suspension is mildly tuned for a bit more sporty driving. Take a test drive and check it out.
Keep in mind that tire "speed" ratings are not just about the speed you travel at. I've heard many misinformed people say, "well, I don't drive faster than 90mph so I only need S-rated tires". The higher the rating, the less sidewall flex and the greater ability of the tire to withstand heat. With lower profile tires, these two characteristics are a must.
With higher ratings, you're getting better performance at all speeds, not just a higher maximum speed.
Ken
While I was tying my lumber to the rack at Lowes, a couple came over and asked me a bunch of questions about the new Outback. They seemed really interested in the car.
Craig
Craig
These links are for those of you still out there lurking and trying to decide whether or not to buy a Subaru: enjoy!
http://members.cox.net/kamartin/2005outbackreviews.html
-KarenM-
BTW, I asked my Subaru serviceperson about synthetic oil, and he didn't recommend it until the engine was broken in- about 10-15K miles. They don't even offer synthetic oil as an option.
tom
Also, has anyone noticed the paint seems very soft? I have a few 'cuts' in my paint, and I'm not sure what they're from- maybe rocks? I am now thinking maybe I should've had a clear bra installed.
Oh well, maybe nextime.
tom
deanie - Please remember that typing in ALL CAPS is construed as SHOUTING in the online world. Thanks in advance for lowering your voice.
I got the all weather mats for my wagon and their about the same size as the carpet ones. I'd take them back as they are likely the wrong ones.
Cheers!
-Ian
Hopefully, I'll be taking delivery of my '05 OBXT Ltd sometime this week, and decided to do some research on the Bridgestones which SoA is using as their OEM tire; the Potenza RE-92. I've had good results in the past with other model Bridgestones (am running Dueler A/T Revo's on my '01 Expedition), but in reading about the RE-92's on tirerack.com, as well as some other online sources, seems these tires are regarded by all as total CRAPPOLA. Does anyone here have any feedback on them? Concerned about wear, as well as handling in wet and snow.
Wasn't planning on driving my new car straight from the dealership to the tire store for some new tires, but I've done it before and I'll do it again if need be.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
TIA,
Tim G.
There are numerous flavors of the RE-92. I have had 3-4 different tires all called RE-92 in the last 5-6 years.
The ones that came on my WRX are the ones everybody complains about -- low TW rating (around 200) and they are poor in snow/rain once they wear down a little. I found the tires to be decent on my WRX, but upgraded to 17" wheels and tires and admittedly did not have the RE-92 for more than 3000 miles.
The RE-92 on my 02 Outback were totally different, and performed great until I traded the car at around 42000 miles. They had a lot of tread left. I believe the TW rating on these was in the high 300 range. No complaints at all.
The RE-92A on the 05 Outback is yet a different flavor. These also have a high treadwear rating (420?). So far I have no complaints other than some humming noise at highway speeds that I am hoping can be fixed by a re-balance (it's not uncommon for Subarus from Indiana to come with poorly balanced tires).
So, you can probably disregard most of what you see on the TireRack because it does not pertain to the tires you are getting. After you live with the car for a few weeks or months, maybe you can decide if you need to upgrade.
Craig
Many thanks for your clarification on the RE-92's. I had no idea there were so many iterations of that model tire, but more importantly--it sounds like I don't need to waste the $$$ to rush out and replace them from the get-go.
Appreciate it!
Rgds,
Tim G.
Bob
Craig
The paint seems okay so far. I do have some very minor spots on my bumper where rocks have hit it and left a tiny irregularity. I attribute that more to the fact that the plastic on the bumper is soft. I wish Subaru would have a lower section of unpainted bumper like many European models do -- it makes sense to me.
Ken
I would rather they made the paint more durable than the gray unpainted look- at least on the GT. It would probably be ok on the OB- kinda like an Audi Allroad.
Jamesmur- my only problem with the Mazdas is that the Engine is from a Ford Taurus. Have you driven a Ford lately? If you have you wouldn't even think of buying one. I thought about the 6 also, it's quite a bit less expensive, but then it doesn't have the AWD. Also the resale is much worse (at least where I live.)
tom
http://motoring.iafrica.com/carsinaction/shootout/291844.htm
It's for a non-USDM Legacy GT, but the comparo is against a BMW and Saab. The second page has an excellent section written about ESP vs. AWD.
Thought you all might find it interesting.
Ken
It's also interesting that this color comes -only- on the base 2.5i and limited at the low end, and the Bean at the high end.
Craig
Owen