Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see May lease deals!
Options
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 bought my '99 Legacy GT Limited 25th Ann. new and never regretted it. The LL Bean has impressed me much more!
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
I can personally recommend Natick Subaru here in Mass, but not sure where fedupobowner2 is located.
Matt
Matt
DaveM
What part of the country are you in? If you got a new '03 Beaner for just over 25K, I'm joining Costco now! Then I'm buying a Subaru!
- Lou
-juice
Thanks!
Cheers!
Paul
It's not an original equipment replacement though. Usual auction disclaimers too!
Lots of junkyards are on the net now and they ship. Try a net search for "auto salvage."
Steve, Host
Greg
Greg
1) How is the gas mileage? I saw someone was claiming only getting 22 in highway. If that's the case, I will have to think again since I can get 29/30 on my old 91 mitsubishi galant.
2) How is the noise in the carbin? My wife and I testdrove the Accord and we were not impressed. How is Subaru compared to Accord?
I was thinking to buy an Accord and even about to sign the paper. But I really want to try something else. Maybe this is an old topic for everybody. But this is gonna be my first new car, please advise. Thanks.
Ralph
Keep in mind that the boxer 4 cylinder that is in the Subaru's is a different animal compared to the Honda 4 cylinder. Boxer engines typically have a 'growl' to them.
Some have found that the crossbars on the Outback roof rack can be a bit noisy. Simply removing the crossbars when not in use seems to remedy it. If you were to opt for the top of the line VDC model, it has additional soundproofing materials in it due to the sound system.
My advice is to take an Outback out for a spin and see for yourself.
-Brian
- AWD drivetrain (extra components and more drivetrain loss reduces gas milage)
- Larger displacement engine
- Stiffer and more crash-worthy chassis
Cabin noise is average for a vehicle of it's class. Keep in mind that wagons will transmit more noise into the cabin since there is no separation from the cargo area. Also, tire selection also has a big impact on cabin noise. The tires on the OB were selected to address it's light off-road capability. You could improve the noise by going with tires that had less agressive tread patterns.
Ken
My parents have the 2000 car now, and no question, it's quieter and more isolated than their Accord (98 model I think). Cruises much better on the highway too. Can't say how it would compare to the new Accords however, but Hondas have never been that quiet in my opinion.
The LL Bean model has the additional sound proofing Brian mentioned for the VDC. Compared to the base model Outback and the Accord, it is like a bank vault. When I first drove an LL Bean back to back with a Lexus RX-300 and Acura MDX, it was the quietest of the bunch in my opinion (SUVs are notoriously noisy).
I agree, take off the rack crossbars when not in use, it makes a big difference, especially if you get an Outback with the moon roofs.
As someone who works in acoustics, I have to tell you that noise is extremely subjective. What annoys one person may hardly even bother another. So you really need to try out the cars for yourself. Get them up to 70mph and see what you think.
Craig
My Legacy sedan (5 spd) gets a very consistent 24 mpg in mixed driving and 28 - 29 mpg in pure highway (about 70 mph) to tahoe and back.
Fuel economy on the 2003 Legacy L/Special Edition is rated better with the automatic 22 city/29 hwy compared to the manual 21/27! (This info from the Spring 2003 issue of Drive magazine.) It might be the same situation with the Outback.
Good luck in your search,
Jim
News from NY:
2004 Outbacks get chrome badges instead of gold, IMO they look better, more subtle. The wheels on the LL Bean there were the all-silver ones from the Baja, too, so the two-tone wheels may be a thing of the past.
The L/SE is replaced by an L 35th Ann. Edition. It's the same, but adds a power front seat that looks a lot like the 2002 GT's seat, i.e. velour-like cloth. Nice.
-juice
I testdrove the subaru today. More questions:
1) It looks like the security kit is an option and the dealer said they will charge parts as well as labor if I choose this option. Any alternatives? Does this kit include the engine immobilizer? Can I get the alarm and immobilizer installed somewhere else?
2) I want to get the upgrade speakers. Can I purchase somewhere else and install them by myself?
I know dealers make big profits on add-ons. I can leave without the speakers, but really want a good security system.
Thanks.
-juice
DaveM
DaveM
--
Juice, Lucien: I would not call door panel removal on the 00-03 Legacy models to be trivial. I pulled a panel off when I first got my LL Bean, and there were quite a few tricks involved (if you want to do it right and keep from breaking pieces). That experience made life a lot easier when I put aftermarket speakers in my new WRX -- the door panel design is very similar. Not hard, but like I said, requires a few tricks and some careful gorilla techniques. I took pictures and documented the Legacy procedure; if anyone needs it, let me know.
--
Rush: Legacy upgraded speakers are actually pretty decent sounding, especially if you have the CD/tape unit that has a decent amount of power. Security system works well too. It does have a starter cutoff. Both of these options are fairly common, so keep looking around until you find a car that comes with them factory installed. You'll be a lot better off than having the dealer do it. Regarding the warranty, don't feel pressured to buy it now -- you can decide right before the factory warranty is up if you want. Personally, I never buy extended warranties on any product; I remember seeing data a few years back that said consumers only benefit from these in about 1% of all cases.
Craig
The Nokians are quite and ride very well. I cautioned the tire dealer about over torquing the wheels and I told him I use 72ft/lbs and he had them done with the torque wrench.
An interesting note. This tire dealer can turn down a tire to reduce its diameter. This is note worthy because if I loose a tire at say 30K miles he can make the new one match the old ones. This has the potential to say a group on tires if one is damaged.
To the person who wants the security system. The Subaru system is not difficult to install.
DaveM
I'm not saying the security system isn't worth doing, necessarily, but realize what the real risk is.
Also, there is at least one guy on this board that has reported a serious problem with his Subaru electrical system cutting out completely. He has a dealer-installed remote starter. It's hard not to think that's the cause of his problems.
Pull that CD out when if/when you install a short shift kit, because half the labor is done.
Thanks, Dave, I'm back at work now but you beat me to it. :-)
twhan: you actually get 4 years or 64k additional miles, but the Subaru Gold also guarantees you a loaner car for service and you get roadside assistance for those 4 years as well.
Plus you get better resale value if you sell in after 6 years, 9 months, and 98k miles. :-)
-juice
Is the 6 cylinder the same? I was looking at the new Outback with the 6 and I like it except for the two-tone paint and that dual sunroof! The roof over the driver doesn't slide back, right? But the one over the back seat does? Hey, nobody's ever in my back seat! I want a front sunroof that goes back. I do lots of driving with the windows up and the sunroof back with my GT Wagon.
yes the OB has a tach. I'm at about 2800 at 70mph with a 01 OB wagan with AT. I believe there is slightly different gearing or is it the tire size?
--jay
Also, the new cloth model H6 does not have the moonroof IIRC. You could do what I did - go aftermarket. I got an ASC Model 750, 17"x30", one peice moonroof that opens all the way. It starts just aft of that bump in the roof.
If you don't like the two-tone, you may want to wait for the 2004s. They get silver badging instead of gold, plus monotone silver wheels (from the current Baja), at least on some models. They just showed one in NY.
-juice
Does anybody know why the Noth American models are set at 2000 pounds?
thanks
-mike
When my OBW was in for a clutch and gearbox transplant several years ago the loaner car was an OBW (2001 MY) with an AT. The AT has a lower ratio - lower rpm's - at a given speed than the MT.
MNSteve - Hurrah! spring is back
OB has larger diameter tires which lowers rpm. But at the same time, 5th gear is shorter than the Legacy.
Automatics have a shorter final drive but a much taller top gear which lowers rpm.
GT manuals have a shorter final drive. Quicker off the line but which raises rpm.
My 5 spd Legacy L also turns 3000 rpm @ 70 mph. As Jay pointed out, an OB auto turns about 2800 rpm at 70 mph. I don't have the rpms for the GT on this computer.
All of these number come from the 2000 Legacy & OB service manual.
Jim
Which means that the OB MT should have the final gearing of the AT and vica-versa. The OBW AT that was the loaner was a slug compared to the 5 spd. All I know is that at the highway speeds I travel at - avg 3500rpm (about 74mph) - the avg. mpg is 23. Of course, during the winter there is a Thule ski box on top and summer finds bike racks attached to the Thule carry bars.
Tomorrow the OBW gets to push the motor home to Nebraska for a motor home club rally. Not going to wash the OBW in hopes it will stay dry for the weekend.
MNSteve
-mike
And putting stuff on top will have a huge effect, too, especially at high speeds. Even removing the cross bars could give you a noticeable increase.
I think for the US they build in a little "gravy", figuring owners will stretch the limits a bit. I would not exceed the UK or Aussie ratings no matter what.
-juice
Dealer says something is wrong with the software and the software has to be sent back to New Jersey to be repaired.
Has anyone out there experienced this problem?
I'd appreciate any feedback.
Bob
-juice