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Subaru Outback VDC
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Are there any other known issues with the new H6? I actually violated one of my cardinal rules in buying a car in the first production year of a major power train change, but the H6 is soooo smooth I couldn't help myself. The 6.9% SOA financing clinched it for me. Would love to hear how others are doing with the their H6's.
-juice
Tara
insert title here
Likes:
*Overall, it's a wonderful car. I love the ride, engine, interior comfort and the sure-footed traction of the WAD (finally tested in the recent, much-needed, rain in Settle...). Certainly the quietest interior of cars that I have owned. Great steering wheel - very comfortable. Don't have a good feel for gas mileage yet, but it has to better than the Rodeo we traded in...
Dislikes - all minor and liveable:
*The Macintosh stereo is fantastic except for two things, both minor:
1. The tweeters are a bit bright when I'm by myself, likely a result the high mounting position, but tames down perfectly with the wife in the passenger seat
2. The imaging could really benefit from the addition of a center speaker in the dash - does wonders for the 2 different cars I've had with them (a factory dose on our '95 Millennia and a do-it-myself install on an '88 Integral).
*The transmission seems a little soft. Almost seems like the torque converter could use some higher viscosity fluid to provide a more direct connection from the engine to cranny.
*Sure wish the front sunroof could slide back.
*Boy, it's sure tough keeping a black car looking clean...
I have enjoyed reading everyone's posts for the last couple of weeks and plan on being a regular from now on.
-Craig from Seattle
They can't change the gearing because they still have to have a CAFE of 27.5 mpg, and they were borderline even before the H6 came out.
Craig: drop in on the Subaru Crew topics under Owners Clubs, which are more active. Also, join us Thursday eves for our weekly live chat. Those are usually quite active.
-juice
- The 2002 VDC will be out in August.
- In addition to the wagon, the sedan will come out around the same time.
- There will be about a 1% ($300) higher cost.
- There will be no "significant" changes to the wagon.
- They are willing to talk VDC wagon (2001) at invoice! (South central Pennsylvania)
Was wondering what kind of engine oil people were putting into their VDC's, and what the experiences have been. For my first oil change, I put in Mobil 1 5w-30 synthetic oil. I don't want to start the synthetic vs. dino oil debate here, but I'm interested to see if anyone else is using synthetic oil in their VDC.
http://www.edmunds.com/chat/subaruchat.html
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
If you can do it yourself, it's pretty cheap just for pads. If not, it'll run about $140 for both axles with labor. Seems like a small price for happiness with a $30k car.
Call the Subaru 800 number and complain loudly. Tell them you are a near-luxury buyer and expect that level of service.
My brakes do not squeek, but my dad's do. Even then, only first thing in the morning. He has a 2001 Outback Limited, while mine's a Forester.
-juice
I was told by one of the techs that they have seen lots of these brakes and their only solution was to buy some special pads but I'm not willing to do that after spending so much on a "top of the line" Subaru. May have to bite the bullet since the noise is VERY irritating.
-juice
Warren
It probably does add a tad to the noise level on windy days, but the roof rack is probably noisier IMHO. Not sure about the fading issue. I usually take off the deflector when I wash and/or wax. Which reminds me, if it'd get a bit warmer out here, it's time for a spring wax coat!
-Brian
Come on Subaru, fix the problems! And while you are at it give us HID lights, an intermittent wiper on the rear window of the wagon, and better low end torque/5th gear. Then you'd rate *****
1 - It has a SMOOTH/QUIET engine that is great fun to drive! It blows the doors off most everybody on the road (including Passats & dimmers). Nobody seems to expect this kind of performance. Now I have to admit I use the Non-Tiptronic automatic in a "Manual Manner" (easy to do with the gated tranny) and as long as it is above 3K RPMs it will move with the best of them. Yes, a manual would be nice, but after driving 50-60K per year, I admit to some times being lazy. The auto is nice when I don't want to work, but I can work it when I want to!!!
2 - The car handles like a dream. The 55-80 mph passing is great. At 100 mph it is the most stable car I have ever driven (including Mercedes, BMW, Audis, etc.). There is no "torque Steer pull" emanating from the front wheels during hard acceleration. This is do to the 45-55 front-to-rear drive bias. It has a "rear drive" feel to it which I like. It has a solid, rigidity to the vehicle with no shakes or rattles. The long-throw of the suspension enables the car to handle deep pot-holes comfortably yet still giving a sporting feel to the ride. I can make a lane-change or take a curve better than any car I have ever owned. The highway ride is comfortable yet it still gives "road-feedback" to keep you alert and aware you are driving the car.
3 - It gives me a reasonably high ground clearance to exit my high driveway or to clear the speed bumps in the church parking lot without bottoming out. It even allows me to take a curb if I have to. Keep in mind, I don't go off road; I don't have to clear logs, boulders, etc. The height is perfect for my needs without being "tipsy".
4 - I am 6'3", 245 lfs, so interior space is important to me. The inside height for headroom is superb! Leg room is great. Shoulder room could be increased more, but I can live with that as my only negative. I can sit in the back seat with my drivers seat adjusted to me. Now that is saying something.
5 - I have the utility space to handle my sales needs (demo product, etc.) as well as my golf clubs (what salesman doesn't play golf?) and assorted golf accoutrements. And I can still use the vehicle for the occasional "honey-do" run to the nearest Home Depot.
6 - I have been averaging 24 mpg at 75-80 mph on the highway...21 around town. In answer to one posting, I have regularly used synthetic motor oil for the last 6 years with great results. I switched to it at 2000 miles and change it at 10K intervals (with the filter, of course).
7 - Snow is one thing, but my greatest fear is rain. Highway driving in rain seems to be this car's greatest strength. I feel totally in control all the time!!! No hydro-planing, not one skid, not one wheel slip, period. Besides, if it snows that bad, I'm staying home anyway. The VDC is the ultimate adverse weather utility vehicle (AWUV).
8 - The GREATEST IN-CAR STEREO I have ever had. It makes highway driving a genuine pleasure.
I will average 50K miles per year. I can't lease (obviously) therefore after 4-5 year financing, I need a car to last 200-300K before I can replace it. Name me any other vehicle that combines all of MY NEEDS, as listed above, will be reasonably reliable for 300,000 miles, and yet will have manageable maintenance costs that the average mortal man can afford (Volvos are ridiculous; Bimmers/Benzs forget it; Audis are even worse). I think I found one. After 7000 miles in 1.5 months, it appears to be on track.
Note: One negative that I found out regarding the H-6 engine is changing spark plugs (luckily only every 60,000 miles). The engine must be pulled to do this. No do-it-yourself tune-ups (but then I don't do this anyway).
Posted Problems:
1 - I have no brake squeal.
2 - My car starts up easily every time; no bad ECM module.
3 - No surging, or anything else out of the ordinary.
Summary: For my needs, I was left to look at BMW 3 Series wagons (AWD), Volvos Wagons (AWD), Passats 4 Motion wagons, or everybody's standard SUV. Comparably equipped the 1st three were $10,000 more with considerably higher maintenance costs. The SUVs cost a fortune in gas bills for the mileage I drive and are not nearly as reliable. Thus the answer for me was the Subaru OB VDC H-6.
Thanks for listening,
Chuck
I think the 5th cog in the tranny would work wonders for the VDC. Note that in C&Ds recent comparo of sport sedans, ALL competitors had 5 speed autos. It's par for the course in that price range.
Chuck: great to hear about your experience. Can you join us tonight for the Subaru Crew chat? 9pm eastern, follow the link at the top of this topic.
-juice
GAM
It would be cool to see some of our friends get published.
-juice
Just passing on what a Subaru tech told me at a "Service Intro Nite" at the dealership. He was a certified Subaru mechanic. He indicated that at 60K miles you did a tuneup and to do this, you had to pull the engine. What "pull the engine" means exactly I don't know. He simply said I couldn't do the tuneup myself. Maybe he wanted to scare me into bringing it back to the dealer for work. In any case, I don't want to do my own tuneups anyway! Any other words of wisdom on this would be helpful.
Chuck
It's difficult to change the plugs on the 4 banger too, just not that difficult.
-juice
Perhaps Patti can clarify the FUD about the plugs. Please?
While your at it, Patti, in the reviews of the new (2002) VDC sedan, mention was made of a 'VDC Off' switch for "deep snow conditions". So is deep snow a problem with the VDC on? If so, will there be a retrofit for us early adopters? Perhaps a software update that does a better job of adapting to those conditions would be a better fix (if indeed there is a problem).
Thanks in advance,
Theo
Personally, I'd rather have the switch than not.
Hope this helps!
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
-juice
Ken
-juice
http://www.edmunds.com/chat/subaruchat.html
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
Just my experience - -
Patti
Thanks,
Theo
Also, does that also turn off the VTD aspect too? The WRX automatics have VTD (but no VDC) and a rearward power bias. Is that what happens here?
Patti- What's the deal here?
Bob
I wonder if the turns and the elevation of the road messed with the VDC logic. But, remember, I was going with the flow of traffic-- not all that fast.
At this point, I'm optimistically hoping it was an isolated incident, induced specifically by Highway 17. (I've driven twice to Tahoe, and I've never seen these lights come on before.) I'll start getting more concerned if problem becomes more readily reproducible.
Has anyone else seen this?
My ABS light went on after driving 100 miles in a downpour. I did what you did: stop the car, turned the engine off then back on, and it disappeared. I thought at the time it might have been wet brakes, or something.
Now a second occurence happened when I was driving 40-50 mph on a moderately curved road, when my VDC actuated, and proceeded to automatically brake the car into the curve. This was not in adverse conditions...or so I thought. Come to find out that I had a drastically low inflated right rear tire (a screw in the tread) that I had not noticed, and the VDC was preventing a skid. I WAS IMPRESSED! I subsequently fixed the tire and everything returned to normal.
Chuck
Thanks for the response. However, to clarify, the lights that came on were not the actuation lights but the warning lights, indicating that ABS and VDC were disabled. They remained disabled for as long as the car was on. Once I power-cycled the car, the lights went off.
Jed
We are considering the Subaru vDC for our second vehicle and I have been tracking this vehicle through the posts here, as well as, reading various searches in the internet and car magazines at Borders. I must say that these posts have been really helpful in assessing this vehicle and helping us make the right decision. So thanks to all participants!
I have test drove the VDC and both my wife and I like the car and feel it would be the right fit for our family. Things that are of concern are as follows;
1. EMC issue?
2. Getting a good deal in Indiana?
3. Whether or not to wait for the 2002 model?
For as far as Number 1 - I understand from previous posts, from Jim325 and others, that this is a on-issue for vehicles manufactured after February of this year. However, how does the lay person verify such information when talking to the dealer?
For Number 2 - Has anyone purchased the VDC, plus options, in the state of Indiana at Invoice or below? If so, could you please provide me with the name and phone number of the dealership/sales person. beck, I would consider buying from surrounding states such as Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, or Kentucky if the deal is right! My mail address is rhabash@msn.com - any dealers interested please don't hesitate to email me.
Number 3 - Can anyone provide any information on the 2002 VDC? Do you guys think it would be better to wait for this vehicle or there isn't much of a difference between the two?
Thank you in advance.
RJH
Patti
Patti
I posted these questions before, so far no response:
When you turn the VDC off, (1) does the VTD also shut off, and, (2) does the front-rear power bias remain 45/55%, or does it revert to the 90/10% power split used on other Outback automatics?
Bob
-juice
Thanks!
Patti
Al