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Subaru Outback VDC

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#5 of 2084 by ateixeira Dec 13, 2000 (5:50 pm)
Andy: if you feel that the traction and stability control are a bit overkill, take a gander at the LL Bean model. I've seen them in the low $28k range, with freight included. 8.8s is not remarkable, but the pricier 4Motion C&D tested took 9.4s in the same test. Also, while the 4Motion is rated for 17/24 mpg, the H6 gets 20/27, and considering both burn premium that can really add up. The Soob is really the only reliable AWD wagon you can get. VWs aren't quite there yet. Neither is Audi. Volvo XC's are notoriously problematic. Also, the 2001 Passat is around the corner, and it'll get no more power but 150 extra pounds to carry around. That means the Soobs advantage will only get bigger. Other alternatives? Get the H4 and supercharge it. Plenty of shops in Cali. Also look at a 5 speed manual Legacy GT, and a Forester S Premium while you're at it. All are fine, reliable cars. -juice
#6 of 2084 Andy - re: juice's comments by yellowbikedon Dec 13, 2000 (10:03 pm)
Andy, The LL Bean model is very much worth looking into as an alternative to the VDC model based upon your comments. I drive one and find it thoroughly enjoyable so far. As for gas mileage, I filled the tank for the second time this afternoon. Recorded 19.96 mpg. Conditions were mixed travel and temperatures ranging from low 20s to single digits. This was .5 mpg better than first fillup. We have had snow in the midwest for several days now and, OBVIOUSLY, no difficulty! If I can share any LL Bean thoughts with you, feel free to e-mail me at <yellowbikedoncompuserve.com>. Don
#7 of 2084 VDC Info by vdcguy Dec 29, 2000 (3:49 pm)
I took delivery of my VDC a week ago. Like many people interested in these cars (like Andy), I could find no one who could give me an honest impression from an owner's perspective. I'll be glad to share any thoughts with those who are interested. I wrung my hands for weeks comparing the Passat, XC, and A4.   My initial thoughts/recommendations are:   If you are interested in a status car - DON'T buy an Outback VDC! I've owned 3 Audi Quattro's, a Volvo Turbo, etc. and I've never before stood back and said "damn, that doesn't LOOK like $30k!" If you want your $30k+ car to get admiring glances or envious stares, I suggest you look at one of the fine European offerings in this niche. If you are looking at versatility and foul-weather capability, the Outback may be for you   If you are interested in high speed, seat-of-the-pants acceleration, or high-speed canyon runs, DON'T buy an Outback VDC - you will be disappointed! The car was designed for balance, not speed, and to that end I must say I'm very impressed with what Subaru has done. The car has handled very well on any road surface or situation (and it's been through a lot already!), but it's not going to have the feel of an Audi or VW. Then again, given the Wilderness tires and 8" of ground clearance, this is to be expected. Of course, you performance guys (hey, my other car is a sports car ) want a manual tranny anyway, so go on to the Audi/VW posts!   If you interested in the L.L Bean, do yourself a favor and at least take a look at the VDC. The difference is not just "traction control and a fancy stereo". The VDC system has a rear power bias, so those of you who like the feel of a rear-driver might appreciate the feel of the VDC over the LLB. Also, the VDC has much better sound insulation - you can't tell on a 5-mile test drive, but if you keep one overnight, you'll hear the difference. And of course, it's hard to argue that it's not cool to have a car that knows when you hit something like "black ice" (possibly before you do), tells you about it, and instantly tries to correct any dangerous car movement caused by the situation.   All in all, I'd say the Subaru VDC (status-appeal aside) stacks up very well against the other cars from Europe. Sure, the seats aren't quite as nice as in the Volvo, and you can't get Xeon headlights like on the Audi, but the cost of ownership on the Subie will certainly be lower, and the VDC (IMHO) is the best "foul-weather" vehicle of the bunch with the most all-around versatility.   VDC Guy
#8 of 2084 VDC first impression by 4fun Dec 29, 2000 (7:55 pm)
What a sweet engine, all the way above 6000 rpm, and possibly too quiet for sport driving. The auto trans and AWD waste quite a bit of power, so the engine mostly enhances luxury. The saleman said they are trying to qualify a more powerful variable valve timing version.   Stability/Dynamics control is a luxury in itself, though technological rather than materialistic. Porsche decided to use viscous coupling in their Carrera 4(AWD) as the basis of their stability management(PSM). I wonder if the two companies are sharing technology (boxer engine H6 & viscous coupling AWD, SUV, ... Subaru roadster?), since Porsche owns part of Fuji Heavy Industries (parent of Subaru)   My wife wants to dump our 2K Odyssey EX for the VDC, but I also thought it would be a better deal at $26K same as the Ody, only if our three kids can ride in the VDC back seat, in peace. I am still waiting to the new Impreza WRX arriving in March.
#9 of 2084 VDC Info by vdcguy Dec 30, 2000 (5:39 am)
I took delivery of my VDC a week ago. Like many people interested in these cars (like Andy), I could find no one who could give me an honest impression from an owner's perspective. I'll be glad to share any thoughts with those who are interested. I wrung my hands for weeks comparing the Passat, XC, and A4.   My initial thoughts/recommendations are:   If you are interested in a status car - DON'T buy an Outback VDC! I've owned 3 Audi Quattro's, a Volvo Turbo, etc. and I've never before stood back and said "damn, that doesn't LOOK like $30k!" If you want your $30k+ car to get admiring glances or envious stares, I suggest you look at one of the fine European offerings in this niche. If you are looking at versatility and foul-weather capability, the Outback may be for you   If you are interested in high speed, seat-of-the-pants acceleration, or high-speed canyon runs, DON'T buy an Outback VDC - you will be disappointed! The car was designed for balance, not speed, and to that end I must say I'm very impressed with what Subaru has done. The car has handled very well on any road surface or situation (and it's been through a lot already!), but it's not going to have the feel of an Audi or VW. Then again, given the Wilderness tires and 8" of ground clearance, this is to be expected. Of course, you performance guys (hey, my other car is a sports car ) want a manual tranny anyway, so go on to the Audi/VW posts!   If you interested in the L.L Bean, do yourself a favor and at least take a look at the VDC. The difference is not just "traction control and a fancy stereo". The VDC system has a rear power bias, so those of you who like the feel of a rear-driver might appreciate the feel of the VDC over the LLB. Also, the VDC has much better sound insulation - you can't tell on a 5-mile test drive, but if you keep one overnight, you'll hear the difference. And of course, it's hard to argue that it's not cool to have a car that knows when you hit something like "black ice" (possibly before you do), tells you about it, and instantly tries to correct any dangerous car movement caused by the situation.   All in all, I'd say the Subaru VDC (status-appeal aside) stacks up very well against the other cars from Europe. Sure, the seats aren't quite as nice as in the Volvo, and you can't get Xeon headlights like on the Audi, but the cost of ownership on the Subie will certainly be lower, and the VDC (IMHO) is the best "foul-weather" vehicle of the bunch with the most all-around versatility.   VDC Guy
#10 of 2084 VDC impressions by countrymousepa Dec 30, 2000 (5:12 pm)
We researched the 2K OB for weeks and decided to wait to test drive the VDC. The day one arrived at the dealer we test drove it. Once we drove it the difference was obvious. The pick-up was far better in the 6H not to mention the quiet ride and the sound system. Several people had called about holding a white VDC and that just happened to be the color we drove and liked. The dealer was hard pressed to come down in price because "he could sell the white one for sticker price many times over". We said fine we would go to a dealer in the next town and get a winestone. Boy did he drop the price! We spent just under $31K. He wanted nearly $33K with the upgrades.   The thing that surprised me the most is when after the papers were signed the dealer said "oh by the way it takes 92 grade gas" I hadn't counted on that with the price of gas the way it is! I am getting about 20.5 mph right now. I've had it a month and have about 1500 miles on it. Lots of Christmas shopping! Another thing that I'm not happy with is the back seat is not wide enough for 3 adults. I can take my 3 children as long as they don't grow too big! Everything else is wonderful. I am especially loving the heated seats in this weather! And the interior stays warm much longer than our other cars even after we have been out of it for a couple of hours. Go figure!   We live in an area that it is important to be able to get over a "mountain" to get to work no matter what the weather. Our first ice storm found many cars stuck spinning their tires while I was able to easily move around them. I felt so safe in the VDC that I had no question that the car would get me home safely.
#11 of 2084 vdcguy by rsholland Jan 02, 2001 (10:26 am)
Well put!   I've driven an LL Bean and a VDC, and I have to agree with your comments. I've posted my comments on these two vehicles in several areas, and I have to admit, I was somewhat disappointed in the performance of the vehicle at first. But given the role that this vehicle assumes, it makes sense from Subaru's standpoint to offer it as such.   Still wish for a 5-speed tip-tronic tranny though.   Bob
#12 of 2084 16 week wait for VDC by tshadle Jan 05, 2001 (7:06 am)
Good morning, I ordered a VDC back in Sept. from a dealer in S. PA. The options I picked were the mirror, the alarm and the air filtration (same as the Bean). Also the spoiler, gate bar, trailer hitch and diff. protector. I was told the car would be in around Thanksgiving. The holidays came and went and no news, not even a phone call. I was getting ready to go through the hassle of comparison shopping the other dealers in the area. After reading some of the posts here I decided to contact the salesman (who is the owner of the dealership). He said "I didn't forget about you." He said he has yet to get a VDC on his lot and that getting a VDC from the factory with options on it was like pulling teeth. He mentioned the trailer hitch in particular. I had seen only one VDC on the lot closest to us. I drove by again last night and it was gone. I know they are hard to get. So, he said he would get the VDC in as soon as possible and put the options I chose on at the dealership. He said it would be there in another two to four weeks, five weeks tops, which would put my wait around 16 weeks or more. I'm still not sure if I should just wait or start the whole comparison shop thing again for new vehicle plus trade-in. I guess then I'll have to wait another 6 to 8 instead of 4 to 5 plus pay more money. This pisses me off! Tom S.
#13 of 2084 Seeking advice on VDC brakes by mishkin Jan 12, 2001 (2:30 pm)
Hello all,   Thanks in large part to the many positive comments posted on this and related boards, my wife and I took delivery of a DC late December. Like others here, we went through the agonizing Volvo/Passat/DC-Bean debate, and even though many DC features are overkill for us right now (we live in Southern California!), we decided on the DC. So far, it has been a real pleasure to drive, the audio system is waaay better than what we have at home, and in every respect is a step up from the twelve year old Mazda 323.   Only one hint of trouble - when we back out of the driveway first thing in the morning, the rear brakes make this ghastly screeching sound. This is not heard at any other time while in motion and braking. We took it to the dealer who insisted that this was "normal breaking in" and "all all-wheel drive vehicles have this problem". I ask you wise folk out there - should we be worried, or are these just jitters of the newly awed? Thanks in advance.
#14 of 2084 by ateixeira Jan 17, 2001 (7:43 am)
The discs will get rusty if you park for more than a day or two, and the sound could have been the pads cleaning that layer off. I took a two week vacation and all three of our cars had rust on the discs.   If it only happens after you park for several days, I'd say it's fine. If it happens even after you've only been parked for a few hours, I'd have it checked out.   -juice

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