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I have to have something there, though. While the headrest trick will work for my Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, who is 11 years old and will stay in the back if he is told to stay in the back (and contented with staying in the back), the one-year-old Brittany, nicknamed "Pinball," would be all over the place.
So, I will try the "inner tube shims" method on the Subaru gate (when I eventually get the right one!)and hope for the best. It sounds as though the setup for the Forester would be preferable.
--K9Leader
At 25k miles per year, who has time to use a warranty? ;-)
Do you ever turn the engine off? My only concern would be it would expire in 4 short years. See if they offer a 5 year/unlimited mile option, but I think 100k is the max.
The H6 is about smooth power delivery, not brute force. Still, Edmunds' model outran the Highlander, and I think the Pilot too. I guess it's so smooth that it doesn't feel as quick as it is.
-juice
Still, it seems like I can get a leftover 2003 sedan with 5 speed for around $19k...which is amazing for the overall feature content of the car.
The folding seats are just a start. Then look at rear headroom. Wagons feel airier, too, so EPA cubic measurements don't tell the whole story. 4 times the cargo capacity, practically speaking. Roof rack standard. No gooseneck hinges to crush groceries, you get nice struts instead. The door glass is taller so ingress/egress is easier.
Why not get a wagon? Do you not like the dual moonroof setup?
If that's it, wait for a 2005, which gets a single big moonroof.
Wagons, Ho!
-juice
I find that after 50Km/hr (30Mph) it really starts taking off, and all hell breaks loose when you hammer the throttle while cruising on the highway. And this is with the 4 speed.
Yes, as Juice stated, it is more about smoothness and refinement, but if you plan on doing people and cargo hauling, go with the H6.
The AWD system really digs in and grabs on in an emergency situation, and greatly enhances traction in the rain, especially on the highway.
More on power: When experimenting with the FWD fuse (It puts the car in front wheel drive mode), there was plenty of power to spin the front wheels on dry pavement.
The AWD system does a bad job of selling itself. Rarely do I notice wheel slip, unless the road is wet and I am on a hill. It never feels that the system is doing anything, I am always expecting to feel slip then it reacting. Now, when you accellerate hard, more torque is sent to the rear wheels, further limiting slip on the front wheels. This feeling of not having excess power to spin wheels comes from an AWD system that reacts very well.
Again, if you haul people and cargo, or have a lot of hills around, the H6 is a nice way to go.
Just my $5 worth...
Which is the equivalent of 2 cents here in the US. ;-)
DaveM
P.S. The H4 is a hand full in FWD mode; plenty of torque steer and wheel spin.
Later when engine was cold I checked transmission fluid and found it way high above all marks on the dipstick.
At this moment the car has 9000 miles.
Did I get my transmission damaged because of overfill fluid?
Diler checked the fluid level and returned me the car stating "Fluid is at normal level" After I checked (when engine is hot) the level was OK.
Either something is wrong either dealer is lying either I do not understand something.
How tranny suppose to shift under heavy load?
Stan: was the ground level when you checked? I wonder why readings would be inconsistent like that.
-juice
-mike
DaveM
I have noticed that the transmission can shift poorly when on hills (at lower speeds). My LL Bean will mosey 80% up some hills, and then downshift a gear right as I get near the top. Maybe I should be more aggressive on the throttle, I don't know. If I had to do a lot of hill driving, I would probably override the shifter.
As for fluid, park the car on a level surface and check the fluid when cold. I think that's a more reliable measurement. I have seen "hot" measurements be all over the place.
Craig
There were some posts over the last year or so of Outbacks experiencing a barely audible whining noise in the 60-80mph range. My Bean does this, with the whine appearing when on the throttle, but then going away when the throttle is released a bit. Noisy traffic conditions or the radio is typically enough to mask the noise. But load the car with 4 guests, turn off the radio for conversation, and it is very apparent, especially going up a grade on the freeway.
Anyone else experience this still?
Anyone who did, and had it corrected?
I'm contemplating taking it in for service, but am not really sure it's necessary.
Any opinions or experiences?
Steve
"Thunk" is probably just the tighter AT in the subies. It doesn't allow a lot of torque converter slippage, like american ATs. I experience this on both my subie and Isuzu (GM unit interestingly) Transmissions.
-mike
I have an '03 Outback Wagon (Ltd, 4 cyl, 5 spd), and wonder what range the RPM's should be within when cruising in 5th gear on the highway. Sometimes I feel as if it's running too high for the speed I'm going.
For instance, I notice that it typically runs about 3,500-3,800 when my speed is pushing 70-75-80 MPH (in 5th gear, of course)....is this too high? Basically, it's around 70ish that the tach pushes above 3,500 RPM. Maybe it's just that I'm used to other cars, but this seems off.
thanks
I have the same exact noise on my Bean, but it doesn't bother me too much. Just another ringing noise in my head...
Craig
I think only a turbo would fix that...
-juice
Whine - I hear it some mornings also on the Taconic Pky "at speed". Pretending it is not really there.
Rear Seat Whine - got that one also!
Steve
Good Luck
Jim
Gee, the Rear Seat Whine must be a Subaru problem. I have one here in myy Australian Outback as well. The only comfort is tha fact that her brother really enjoys the travel.
We recently resolved the rear seat whine for a time by stopping and telling her to get out of the car. After a moment's contemplaton of the wide open spaces (and distance to nearest town), the whine reduced markedly.
Cheers
Graham
Mine shifts very rough under load. It got it shifting much smoother after dealer reduced ATF level to normal (it was too high).
I've heard changing AT fluid to synthetic helps sometimes.
If anyone has experienced this and got it resolved, please let me know.
Another q: Was AT for H6 got redesigned to sustain more HP from an engine?
-mike
Jon
Larry
It is usually fixed by a quick pull out of traffic and a mommy diving into the back with a bag procured from an airplane trip.
-juice
Fortunately, my current rear seat whiner is of the cast iron stomach variety. She loves bouncy trips in small prop aircraft. It is mommy that is at risk of losing lunch!
A friend of mine offered a solution. Now you may consider it bribery, but it might still be worth a try. Give a quantity of quarters at the beginning of a long trip. You lose one for each 'are we there yet'.
Steve
-juice
I've held it there for 300 miles at a time on a 1200 mile trip. I think its better to do that than light to light driving.
-mike
Craig
If your '96 OB auto has the same gearing as a 2000 auto, you'd be turning close to 3250 at 80 mph.
Jim
Anyway, no idea about the "spare" part... maybe you could sell it to the dealer at an outrageous price...
I dunno
Ciao
4000rpm is nothing. I'll let you take a drive in my Miata, that thing revs seriously high to do any significant speeds.
Watch the temp gauge if you want to, but it's fine.
-juice
I decided to just take it to the dealer, let their service department have a look at it.
Steve
MNSteve - 78 degrees today, 55-60 tomorrow
My brother has a Honda S2000. Talk about screaming rpm's! That thing redlines at like 9500 and sounds like an F1 when you give it a good run through the gears.
Jon
Trunk net (to anchor cargo)in L/SE Sedan
Remote trunk opener
One-touch PW switches on all windows
Lumbar support adjustment in both front seats
One-touch sunroof switch (no stopping 1/2 way please!)
Down-tilting right side mirror (GREAT for parallel parking)
These are not expensive additions and would make the car so much more user-friendly. It is the little things that count.