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Comments
Thanks very much for the information!
SDE
Am another one of the "CRV or Outback" shoppers. Will actually be internet price quoting for both, and will decide after getting quotes back.
Question...the 2.5i doesn't have my preferred color (the red), and I don't have the budget to upgrade to the XT. So I'm trying to decide between the Atlantic Blue/Granite Gray Opal vs. Willow Green Opal/Moss Green Metallic exterior colors.
To my fellow 2005 Subie OB shoppers and owners...have you found the OB to cost about the same across color types, or is the blue traditionally more popular and thereby more expensive?
Thanks,
sb
I don't think there are any price premiums related to color. The cars are in pretty good supply these days. You will get the best deal by being flexible on color and trying to find a car on the lot with the equipment you are looking for.
Personally, I like the blue better.
Good luck with your shopping! These are two very different vehicles (especially the way they drive and handle), so I think your decision should be based on more than price!
Craig
The three tires I have in mind are:
BFGoodrich Traction T/A
Bridgstone G009
Goodyear Assurance TripleTred
Tire Rack rate all fairly high. One customer complained about the Traction T/A cupping rather quickly on his Subie.
The Goodyear is the most expensive but highest treadlife(80k). Bridgestone is the cheapest but lowest treadlife(50k). All rated high in snow traction which is good for Wisconsin/Minnesota.
Whats the best choice?
Does a T vs H speed rating mean much?
--Jay
So I would not down grade.
-juice
My auto dim rear viewl mirror was replaced a month ago...never worked right...and the replacement does not work very well either.
My 30K service is due; my dealer wants $475 to do it. I have never replaced brake fluid at 30k before (US autos).
I sure like my Beaner in winter, but I am getting down with all this stuff right now...I am thinking of trading it off this weekend.
Please tell me something to change my mind!
Thanks,
jon
I know the feeling about trucks and rocks -- I have lost 3-4 windshields this way. In fact, I got a nice divot in my 02 Bean's windshield when it was two weeks old!! The best you can do is avoid trucks, stay back a huge distance, or pass them quickly. Oh, and get the company name and license plate -- I had two windshields replaced by trucking companies.
What's the problem with the mirror?? Maybe it was not hooked up right?? Mine have always worked well.
I traded my 02 Bean for an 05 XT in July. I love the new XT, especially the engine and the handling (big improvement over the previous generation). The interior is great too. All that said, I miss my old Bean a lot! It was comfortable and easy to live with, and the previous generation H6 was a gem. I cringe every time I get a dent or scratch on the new XT, but the Bean was broken in and I didn't baby it so much.
If you are cringing about rock chips on your 03 Bean, think of how bad it would hurt on a new car!
My advice would be to stick with the Bean. At least wait a few days until your emotions cool off!
CRaig
Thanks,
David
Craig
That's good to know! Now I feel a bit better about the purchase, as I don't have to go out and buy another set of snows (and wheels). I'll probably get 2 weeks on the stock wheels before it's time to change over up here in the tundra.
While I've got your attention, what's the concensus on if and when to switch to synthetic oil in the XT.
Thanks,
David
Craig
We will be shopping for one soon (our well-worn one is falling apart, bolt by bolt), and it would be much easier if we could transport it ourselves vs. paying for delivery.
Sales rep at Subaru says the Outback can carry up to a 4'h box. But it does have a more curved end than the Forester or some of its more European wagon siblings...which might require tying-down the hatch vs. the door shutting completely?
So I wanted to ask those out there with experience. Is the Outback couch-compatible, or no?
Thanks,
sb
sb: roof rack is always there. I dunno if it would fit inside, maybe sticking out the back with the hatch open.
-juice
--jay
If you have the store wrap the couch up well with some stretch-wrap and have two-to-four people to load it up and down, it should sit up there quite nicely without the risk of doing any damage to your shiny new car. It might garner you some glances, but it sure is more economical! ;-D
-juice
On a seperate occasion I put a double-dresser drawer up there, all pine wood, 21" deep too (i.e. bigger than standard). In the box.
-juice
I have a pickup, and if I needed to use it, I would. But, when I make double the mileage in my Outback, what's the point of using the pickup for a small load just to be conventional? It gets enough wear & tear.
If 'blue' were hauling a full-size refrigerator, I'd say rent the U-Haul or pay the delivery fee.
Or the $50 delivery. In fact if I was going to pay, I'd pay to have it delivered because they will install the new one and remove the old appliance.
But if I can do it myself and save $50 each appliance I get, great. I've done so maybe 4-5 times already (unfortunate with home appliances lately).
-juice
For hauling such things up on the roof, do you have crossbars on your Outbacks, or is it ok with just the factory-installed roof rails?
-sb
Mark
On base Legacy and Impreza models you can get cross bars as an accessory.
Roof racks are very versatile. Once you own one it's hard to give it up.
-juice
I love my new Outback XT wagon and when I reached 3,000 miles last week I put Mobil 1 synthetic oil in. I had the work performed at a Walmart quick lub but gave them a Subaru oil filter and gasket I purchased at my dealer. The cost was only $32 vs. $17 for regular oil. So I figured what the heck. If you love you car then treat it like gold.
Bob
A roof rack without crossbars is not particularly useful (except as an easy way to attach a set of crossbars); especially if it doesn't have protective strips upon which to place the cargo because you'll just rub all the paint off your roof if you use it like many of us do!
Anything to watch out for or pay special attention to on delivery or in the first few hundred miles?
David
Just follow the break-in recommendations in the owner's manual for a good start. Other than that, I don't qualify to offer any other advice - I haven't bought a *new* car since my first Subaru in 1978!
Cheers!
Paul
Subaru deleted both since.
-juice
Some vehicles on lots near me don't have one or both of these features, but the part & labor cost to add them seems high. Is it worth it (e.g., for the electric hook-up for the rear view mirror/compass), or can it be done solo? Or should I instead only seek out vehicles with it pre-installed?
I think that's my last question! Thanks, all, for your input and support. This is nervewrecking for me, being my first new car purchase!
-sb
P.S. juice, did you see my email?
I think the wiring for the mirror is up in the headliner, pre-wired sort of. Most Subaru stuff is (like the subwoofers).
Arm rest extension should be cake. I bet it's just a couple of bolts.
If you struggle with either come by on a weekend and I'll help you install them. My Forester has about 20 accessories installed on it.
-juice
Craig
As a question what is the recommended method to assure the wheel nuts are not over torqued? Some places want to use torquesticks ??
Bob
I have heard favorable comments about both tires. The 950 will definitely give you better handling, but will be a tad noisier and ride a bit harder than the Turanza. The Turanza will give you a cushy and quiet ride, but handling will not be as good as the 950. So I guess you can choose based on what's more important to you -- handling or comfort.
Craig
Tires are NOT noisy to me.
Very good in the rain and at high speed (at least up to 80- mph! :-)
Handling/traction in snow is good - not great (I have dedicated snow tires, so for me the *standard* fir "great" is much higher)
Wear after the first 5,000 miles is very good compared to OE RE92's.
Matt
-juice
I'd go aftermarket, honestly. Wait for a special where they quote an installed price, then let them worry about it.
-juice
If they used a harness adapter to install the Sony deck (highly likely) then the sub should plug into it just fine. I ran the Subaru sub with an Alpine deck in my WRX and it sounded good.
Craig
But maybe buy locally so you could return it just in case it doesn't work.
-juice
-juice