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
I am having the exact same issue you described. I will be having the dealership investigate why the fm stereo sounds muffled but the cd 's sound good.
Did you get any updates what might be causing this issue? Thanks
Careful, CR is highly critical of the Forester's climate control. Blows me away that Subaru never improved it from the 2nd to 3rd generation Foresters. CR is happy with the Outback's.
I had an 03 Forester with auto climate and it was hyperactive. I now have a 10 Outback 3.6R Ltd and the dual-zone climate control is top notch.
Of note is that it doesn't blow for long (or at all) on the highest fan setting, so it stays relatively quiet even when first warming up or cooling down. In the Forester, it would blow at full fan speed for 20+ minutes on the hottest days.
If you can afford it, definitely get the LTD.
But it's off the radar anyway. I had two minor fender benders in the last 5 years. 38 years driving with no problems, but just had these two small accidents. My insurance said the "had" to drop me. So with my legacy coming off lease next weekend, and having just been told by the insurance company last week. I'm under gun to find something else to drive.
Here's the real kick. I spoke with an insurance agent today for a quote in case I wanted to buy out my 07 legacy wagon. I also asked about a used 03 outback. The quotes for both cars came out to this (I suggest you sit down...I had to).
Just over 10,000.00 a year. 840 a month with 1700 down.
Even the 03 gets that.
Another agent had quoted 5500 which now seems like a bargain.
I feel this is punitive and unfair. It's one thing to double someone's coverage but to quadruple it is just ludicrous. I have to have a way to get to work that's reliable and at those rates, I'll have to take on a second job, just to pay for the :"privilege" of driving. I'll be working for my car, and those companies.
I'm stunned and no sure how to proceed with very little time left. I have gone slightly over the allowed mileage, so I'll get hit with about 1.5 grand for that. There goes any savings on getting an older car compared with a newer one.
cdndriver
If it makes you feel better, expect it to cost under $200, not the $500+ you guessed. My wife cracked her Honda Pilot mirror 3 times on our garage and it is a retractable AND heated mirror and it was like $180.
Replacement is an easy DIY job. Pop off the plastic trim cover from the inside (I just did it now with my fingers -- no tools required, it just pops out with moderate force) and you will see two screws and a wiring harness (for the heat and power mirror). Pull out the harness, unscrew the screws and the mirror will pull right off from the outside.
10 minute job, tops. Don't let your dealer charge you for the install -- just buy the mirror from the parts counter.
Regarding the nav equalizer -- it's a little confusing at first, but easy once you understand the cryptic terms (agree the manual stinks). It's a 4-band parametric equalizer (Google that), which is actually pretty nice.
With each of the 4 bands, you can pick the center frequency for (essentially) the subwoofer, bass, midrange, and treble. Then for the Q value and dB, think of a tent with a pole in the center: The Q value is the spread (how wide the tent is) and the dB is the boost (how high the center pole goes up).
So if you set the bass at 120 Hz, and set it to +3db, it will boost 3 dB at 120 Hz and taper off to both sides. Q value of 1 will taper off twice as slowly as a Q of .5, IIRC meaning that (in this example) 60 Hz will be boosted more at Q of 1 than it would at .5. (Sorry if these numbers don't match the choices, I'm doing it out of my head.)
Hope this helps!
Elliot
I understand exactly what you are saying about auto climate control because I've experienced cars where they were constantly changing temps, fan speeds, air outlets, and it never was stable and comfortable. I have a Cad DTS where it works very well 90% of the time, but in the summer it sometimes over cools during early evening or cloudy conditions. Haven't needed AC in Subaru yet.
The cruise works perfect and keeps speed constant.
This is our first of 5 Subaru's (OB or legacy) where we went to the leather and the deluxe features. We like it. I actually don't care as much for the new smooth fabric as the softer felt type material that was used on older OBs.
The gas mileage of this vehicle averages 21.8 mpg in ordinary mixed highway and city driving. The highest mileage I have ever seen is 25 on the highway. Definitely not a great feature, but the awd makes up for it. When all is said and done, I love the car, but just wish that somebody at Subaru would look into some of those irritating features that I have pointed out. Well, that's my short review for what it's worth.
Bob
Do you like the routes it picks? Same way you'd usually go?
How are the maps? Are they Navteq (if so what version)?
Does the screen refresh quickly?
Does the backup cam work well in dark areas?
Fully agree about the side mirrors, BTW. I called that one early on, and knew it would happen to someone here. If our 02 Legacy had not had them we'd have broken it off at least once.
Interesting...I observed the opposite. :confuse:
The Tribeca I tested did not ask, but my Garmins do. Where to, Address, and the first thing they ask is the state (then city, then street #, then street name).
Is this just something you do once, i.e. select your region or something?
You have a good weekend, too. I just found out the Federal government here in DC closed tomorrow, so I have the day off. YIPPEEE! :shades:
http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=209308#post209308
I hope I'm not breaking forum rules linking to another site here... I actually tried to due my due diligence and read the forum rules to see if we're allowed to do this now, but after clicking around for a few minutes I couldn't find them.
Elliot
Bob
As a long time EE I fully understand the need for documentation detail and the frustrations that result when it is commonly lacking. My thanks to Elliot for taking the time to document it correctly, as it does take time to do anything correctly. Lip service is cheap.
Elliot
Service Bulletin #11-94-09
Pages: 1
Bulletin Description: This is to announce that ECM reprogramming files are now available to rectify a "delay" feeling after depressing the gas pedal. The usual customer description is a "hesitation". It is most noticeable when attempting to accelerate after a slow "rolling stop" (very slow speed / not quite fully stopped), and sometimes may be accompanied by a harsh shift as the transmission shifts at the same time of acceleration.
kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
Well, I can come up with one of them, and I wouldn't call it uncommon.
I have a Sienna with VSC, and it can't make it up my driveway if there's more than a few inches of snow. The VSC is hyper-active and retards any momentum I have. The long wheelbase doesn't help - more weight transfer so the front axle has no traction at all.
Turn it off and I can make it up, with a bit of drama and tirespin.
Our Forester laughs at the same amount of snow.
And before the Ody guys start saying Honda's system is better, my son's buddy got stuck going home after we went sledding. The next day his mom asked if I could pick him up - in the Forester. :shades:
i love the subaru and with the added room i think its awesome, front seats were to cramped before. i like the subaru awd very much
and for anyone that says awd is not needed i think your just jealous you dont have it, because the added feel to the road and security is awesome. unless i move to florida i would not own a car without it
:surprise:
However, if it works for you be happy.
Sometimes you need to know when to turn off stability control, traction control, and even AWD. Most people don't encounter conditions where they cannot move at all without AWD (though some do). And then some who can get moving erroneously believe they have extra traction on ice to also turn and stop. So many of the vehicles I see in the ditches during truly bad weather are 4WD/AWD. Thirty percent of the driving population is genetically programmed to be unable to become one with their vehicle. No amount of experience or instruction will make them skilled drivers.
that's an adverse selection issue: people with 4wd/awd are more likely to brave the weather and get themselves stuck.
with awd, you are paying (in the form of fuel consumption, complexity and reliability) for a feature that you rarely use. so depending on your driving habit, it may or may not be worth it.
I had lived without awd for years in the snow belt and now I live in a place where no amount of electronic gadgets would get a 2wd car out of my driveway with the slightest amount of snow.
Whether driving FWD, AWD or 4WD, I am less concerned about the conditions than I am with the bozos on the road. Appropriate speed and following distance are skills so few seem to understand.
A hypothetical question I ask my kids: A road-rage speeding maniac riding your rear bumper before blasting past you and flipping you off as you drive safely for the snow/ice conditions, wrecks a mile later. Do you stop and help?
statistics is nothing more than a collection of anecdotes.
"Do you stop and help?"
if you are a nice person, yes.
if you care about the long term evolution of human genes, no.
That is precisely why my Miata stays parked. It's been buried in 2 feet of snow since last Saturday, and will remain there a few more days.
My wife's kinda tired of me borrowing her Forester, though.
Your Miata is not indoors? I hope it forgives you.
Speaking of the joys of manual accessories, the auto-dim rearview mirror on my 2003 Forester died a few weeks ago. Its' front and rear pieces appear to have separated as I got into the car, and I watched as an amoeba-like blur spread over the mirror, effectively disabling it. Was a bit disappointed to see that I couldn't buy a manual, flip-style RVM but only a replacement auto-dimmer. That, and an increasing whine in the transmission, along with CR's bad report on 2003 Forester's engine repairs, are combining, with the federal sales tax credit that expires on 12-31, to drive me to buying an OB or Forester by then. But, I'm also looking at other cars, as I must say I'm a bit disappointed that my Forester has developed these problems after only 85K miles. But, I'm open to suggestions, so have at me! And a Merry Christmas to All!
You don't have "his & her" Subarus?
We tried the Tribeca, more than once. Even had a loaner for a full week. Loved it, don't get me wrong, but it has less cargo space behind the 1st row than my Sienna has behind the 2nd row (with 5 adult-sized seats). Much less (99 cubic feet to 70 something IIRC).
I had to "take one for the team" in that regard. While I liked the Tribeca more, the van simply met the needs of the family a lot better. It also cost less.
Your Miata is not indoors?
Another case of me being unselfish, I suppose. We have a car port for 2 vehicles, so the Forester and the Sienna are there. The logic is simple - we can load the kids without anyone getting wet. If it's raining I usually don't take the Miata anyway (summer tires).
That said, maybe I should get a cover for it? I finally cleared it out of the snow yesterday, so it was stuck for 6 days!
It must have killed you to see all that snow piled on the top while hardtops were under cover...How did the Miata soft-top handle all the snow weight?
So fortunately no issues with a soft, flexible top under lots of weight from 2 feet of snow. The old one may have torn. :sick:
I would love to be able to stream the internet radio stations I listen to via my cell phone, but don't know if I want to go for the extra $$ for the Nav system. The 2010 Toyota Venza doesn't require the Nav to do this. I'm basically looking at both of these vehicles.
Thanks!
Not all cell phones work with that system. A Motorola V3 does but a Moto Q does not. You may wish to check on compatibility of your phone.
Well ... GM is a former part-owner of Subaru (FHI).
Unless they changed the Fusion lineup, you can't get AWD with the I4. Requiring a V6 to get AWD "kills the deal" for me.