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Subaru Impreza Outback Sport & TS
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Comments
Stephen
-juice
I was somewhat disappointed with the P5. Apparently it's mostly show and no go. Not enough passing power on the highway. The steering wheel was too small for my liking. The steering was too tight for me as well. Nice otherwise.
Next stop, Pontiac in Wantagh, NY. "You need an appointment for a test drive with the Vibe" Guess where they can go jump into. I guess it doesn't matter anyway because the engine is probably too weak, the steering wheel is too close to the dash (I am not going to drive with my arms stretched out) and last but not least, the mirrors do not fold (I'm tired of bumping into my mirrors in the garage or having them broken off). And I could do without the hoaky dash. Otherwise I really like the Vibe with it's great plastic covered cargo area and it's unpainted bumpers that will not scratch.
Last stop.. Subaru in Hicksville. OBS, auto. This car has a real engine. There is a little lull in acceleration, but better than the Mazda. The car "feels" sturdier as well. The steering wheel was the right size, and steering felt right and the car rode nicely. The seat material which I previously thought ugly maybe not so bad after all. I like this car the most even though I wish MPG was better and no side airbags.
I will wait till June to see if they will offer side airbags and to see the new Forester as well. I also noticed on the Japan website that the Impreza has a sunroof (maybe in 2003?)!
Also, why don't they offer reasonable financing for this car... don't they want me to buy it?
How about trying your own bank or credit union??
Just a curious thought... :-)
Stephen
I''m weighing the P5 and Outback Sport also. My bottom line: I like the performance of the Subaru and the interior of the Mazda.
I'm leaning toward P5 because for me, the interior of the Outback Sport is pretty awful. Not the seats or materials, but the cupholder situation is ridiculous, the steering wheel has a rail-thin and hard feel to it (it's also too big) and to top it all off the stock stereo is absolutely awful. I know you can replace as soon as you buy, but if I get the Mazda I won't even have to.
One bonus of Outback though: For most insurers they have lower rates, even though the engine is more powerful.
And if a car runs out of fire after 40 mph... what good are the low profile tires, ground effects... etc? Why should I spend $18,000 on a car that lacks power when I already have a paid- for car (SL2) that gets 35 mpg and has better pick-up? I want something as good as or better than what I have.
Stephen
-mike
I joined about seven months ago because my big bank was eating me alive with fees and I never got the feeling they care about my account like I do with the CU.
But still, the 2.9 and 3.9 offers by some companies is great if you can qualify.
BTW, grrrrrrrr. Now y'all have me rethinking my Protege5 decision.
1) Wrong Wheel Drive
2) Needs more OOOmph.
-mike
-mike
My Credit Union offers 6.9% up to 5 years. Check yours out.
I like the P5 and the OBS. The P5 is styled nicely and is fun, but I wished for more power (MP3 has 140hp, P5 has just 130hp) and AWD. At least there isn't much torque steer.
-juice
The test drive was a waste of time for me. When I brought my car home it took me a while to get used to it because it felt so different from everything else I had driven (old cars). Now it's such a pleasure.
Subaru's warranty is longer and it has AWD and more power. The P5 is cuter and has rear disc brakes. Pick your preference.
-juice
Note that in the BTCC AWD was banned for being an unfair advantage - on dry pavement!
-juice
A few nights ago I was driving along and the Gas Gauge suddenly read empty and the low gas warning light went on even though I know that I had plenty of gas.
After a little while the gas gauge corrected itself and read 3/4 full. This morning I turned on the car and once again the gas gauge reads empty and the warning light was on but this time the
CHECK ENGINE light was on also. Once again I know I have gas in the car.
I called my dealer and he said he has heard others customers talking about this same problem and that something is too sensitive on my car.
I always make sure my gas cap is on tight--I even make sure it clicks twice when I close it.
They said I could continue to drive the car with the CHECK ENGINE light on ( I need the car for work). They said I should bring it in on Tuesday and they will check it out.
Has anyone else experienced this problem? Thanks MOD7
They said that a Mazda dealer traded it in for a demo WRX to sell as a used car. :-)
-Dennis
Meanwhile, I suggest you use the trip odometer to measure miles between fill ups. You can probably go 300 miles without running out of gas.
Keep us posted.
-juice
Stephen
If you're not a performance nut, IMO, the OBS is the better choice. It's much cheaper (to buy and insure), and you get more "functional" items as standard (roof rack cross rails, rear bumper step pad, rear cargo tray, ambient temp gauge). Also, the OBS engine is more "load-friendly" because of its more linear powerband. Finally, it also runs on regular gas.
Bob
-juice
http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=118475&highlight=mirror+windnoise
http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42965&highlight=mirror+windnoise
A suggested solution:
"Fold the mirror in and put some weather stripping along the fold.
Once you unfold it, the stripping should disrupt the wind flow and windnoise. Making it all better."
Stephen
The real difference the OBS brings is slightly more off road capability, more resilient paint on the lower body (at the cost of having two tone), the words "Outback Sport" on the side (a serious non selling point according to my wife) and the outside thermometer thingy. Its a "Fun Outdoor Lifestyle" car which is fine. We all need a bit of that.
The WRX adds a turbo, better brakes, better handling, better AWD system, better audio system, side air bags, better seats, better interior appointments, (no two tone paint or embarassing words) and remote locking is standard. These are all useful when driving. In wagon form it has the same utility as the OBS minus the rear floor mat and cross rails (~$200).
I like the OBS alot and, but for the WRX, I would have bought one. The reason I chose (rationalized) the WRX is that I spend 98% of my time on reasonable roads and I can enjoy the Turbo anytime I drive. I love the idea of the extra off road capbility of the OBS but it would only be valuable to me 2% or less of the time I drive and then it would only be marginally better than the WRX.
Now is the turbo alone really worth the extra? Of course not! No one needs to go 0 to 60 in < 6 seconds or buy premium gas but that's not the point. It's a blast!
On the performance nut thing, I definately wasn't one before I bought the WRX (17 years driving a Honda civic - the same one! - now there's value) but the WRX is rotting my brain. So be warned! If you get one you might become slightly crazed too! That alone might be the best reason to stick with the OBS!
Personally I wouldn't buy either car with an automatic but then I'm biased. Best thing to do is get someone to teach your wife to drive a manual assuming that is her only objection. Say you'd like her to learn as your bithday present. My wife learned when we got the Civic and loved it.
Assuming that is not an option, I haven't read a bad word from any WRX owners that bought the auto. They all seem to love it. So I would base my decision on maximizing the fun/utility you are going to get from the car rather than the transmission alone.
Other factors are that the turbo will wear out sooner and be more expensive to fix that the OBS which makes the OBS a far more sensible choice.
Tim
-mike
Again, if performance is not at the top of your *wants* list, the OBS is in many ways a better choice, IMO—especially for the money.
Bob
Here's one thought I have regarding WRX vs. OBS: you can do with the OBS what some old school Rally Sport owners have been doing with their 2.5 liter engines: add a turbo with the money you save on the difference between the two cars. The beauty in this is that you have both low end and high end power.
I'm toying with doing this at some point, especially if there's a way to do it without a hood scoop, just in order to make it look completely stock.
You can take off the sticky letters on the side, which I will do as soon as I can coax up a free afternoon.
The rear bumper step guard is nice to have. I talked to a WRX owner at a club meet the other day who is getting one for her WRX wagon to protect it since her dogs get in and out of the back end.
It's also nice to just buy regular gas especially now when gas prices are going way up again.
However I did ride in a WRX and they are undoubtedly a little rocket!
I agree the OBS would probably tow better, especially with the auto gear box, but neither is exactly the ideal car for towing, especially long distances. If you tow alot I'd look elsewhere. If you need to occasionally tow something small across town or to a local lake I'm sure either car will do it fine. I am considering getting a tow bar for mine since I have a small sailing dingy. It would just be more sensible to put it on our Camry station wagon....but I want to drive the WRX....sickness.
Tim
PS: Performance doesn't have to "top of your list" you just have to like the idea enough to pay extra. Rationalise the cost because of the side air bags. Very sensible.
Rick
Page 16, posted 4/11
http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=136817
Stephen :-)
So why did I get a WRX? I wanted to own the most outrageous car on the road and I still needed a wagon. Also I like my tunes on the road so the disc changer was a selling point. So were the side airbags, rear discs, momo wheel, sport seats and lsd. I optioned on the rear bumper pad and cargo tray for less than $100. I don't miss roof crossbars, never used them on my Forester. The thing I miss the most from a Forester/OBS is the rear power outlet. My ideal WRX wagon would have that and a sunroof added.
Oh yes, did I mention how cool the hood scoop for the intercooler looks? hehe
I think that the major point is money though. There is a $5k difference. The OBS with the larger engine and larger wheels compared to last generation should be a major improvment from the last generation. For $18k where can you get a wagon with that kind of acceleration and handling? If you don't have $24K for a WRX and cost of gas, insurance and licensing is a problem then don't pass the OBS for another brand of wagon.
TWRX
In theory, the "heavy duty suspension" vs the "sport tuned suspension" also contibutes though it hard to judge the difference from afar.
The thicker lower body paint is another factor as is the more practical interior fabric. The WRX fabric seems a bit high maintenance being embroidered and a lint trap. There's a lot of lint off road I hear:)
The OBS is definatly not a true offroad vehicle but it is definately a bit more rugged than the WRX imo. Maybe I'm just suckered by the marketing.
Tim
To those concerned:
BTW, crossbars are available for the WRX wagon at the dealer or any place that sells Yahama products since this is who makes them for Subaru. I ended up getting a much better locking set of crossbars from Yahama for almost the same price as the dealer was asking. :-)
A lot of the after market stuff fits the OE rails but the round ones (or square if you get Thule) are definitely more versatile.
Tim
PS: Us WRX folks should probably sneak off to our own thread now you've let the cat out of the bag about the marketing thing:)
Ed
One speculation about the automatic. I hear its "adaptive" which seems like a problem if you have two drivers with differnt styles. I'm a bit dubious about the whole thing. The WRX auto drivers here seem fairly rabid that its great but then WRX drivers seem to be in love with their cars. Any OBS/TS drivers care to comment?
Tim
Open question to any one who can help. My TS (in Canada) comes without the roof rails. I am considering getting them added (not the cross-bars - just the rails). I seem to recall some talk of wind noise from the rails? or cross-bars? Can anyone clarify for me please, before I go do it. Thanks.
Rick
Stephen
I haven't noticed any wind noise from my rails and OE cross rails on my WRX so I think you'll be ok.
I've only heard of the problems like that with the yakima/thule cross bars and it is, apparently, fixable.
Tim