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Subaru Legacy/Outback 2005+

10833 messages,  Last post on Feb 26, 2013 at 5:40 AM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru, Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Sedan, Wagon




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Messages Page 146 of 1084

#1446 of 10833 Saw 2005 OB and Legacy by nowakj66

May 15, 2004 (7:29 pm)

I sat in a 2005 Subaru Outback today! I was running errands and swung by the dealer, I was surprised to see them!
 
They have about 5 - all basic, non turbo models. The new interior is GREAT. As nice as my 2003 Honda Accord, maybe even up to a low end Acura sedan like the TSX.
 
Even the base models had 4 stage heated seats, firm bucket seats and classy interior materials. Quality grains and a nice headliner, unlike cheap Nissan. Real metal or convincing plood (plastic wood). This is the best interior by far of any subie. Our LL Bean has a great interior now but the wrx and forester are a little weak in the interior dept in my opinion.
 
Size wise, the Forester is bigger in front. These have plenty of room in the driver's seat, more than our OB LL Bean. Passenger front seat is small though, not much improvement there. Comfy but not stretch your legs comfy for me. If it's a stick, I'd always be in the driver’s seat anyway!
 
Stylistically, I like the subtlety of the legacy. Little things like the roof rails are low profile. I also like that the cars are offered in monochrome colors. I also like that tires are raised black letter, not white letter.
 
Looking forward to an XT or GT turbo test drive!

#1447 of 10833 Re: Thinking Of Buying A 2005 Legacy Wagon [A Bit Long] [j3studio #1428] by j3studio

May 16, 2004 (1:39 pm)

Replying to: j3studio (May 14, 2004 8:23 am)
Thanks everybody for the feedback! One more question (for now) ...does anybody have any good pictures of what Regal Blue Pearl looks like?

#1448 of 10833 Turbo Legacy & Outback - is ltd edition worth $2500? by nowakj66

May 16, 2004 (6:54 pm)

Looking at the specs, limited editons of the Outback XT and Legacy GT seem to add $2500. For this you get leather power seats and dual sunroofs. That seems high for what you are getting. Am I missing something?

#1449 of 10833 2005 Outbacks by aveski

May 16, 2004 (8:53 pm)

I looked at some at a dealers today. Very nice, but for what I just paid for my 2004 Outback I'll have to content with that for the next few years. I'll send a report on my Outback soon.

#1450 of 10833 I drove the new Outback yesterday in Seatte! by bookemdano

May 16, 2004 (9:52 pm)

Hi,
 
I just joined Edmunds and this is my first post. So, if I make a posting boo boo, I hope you'll understand.
 
Yesterday, I drove a new Outback at Carter Subaru in Seattle, WA. I took some pics; here's a link to my gallery. Just click the gallery to enter:
 
http://www.pbase.com/danclark/subaru_outback
 
It was a base model Outback with the non-turbo four. My current car is a 2002 Audi A4 (6Sp, 3.0) so that's my basis of comparison.
 
My impressions:
 
In general, I liked it. Since I'd never driven one and since it had the base tires, wheels and suspension, I didn't push it, but I thought handling was quite good. The steering was VERY precise. And the turning circle was very short.
 
I drove on I5 at about 70-75 MPH. If you've been on I5 in Seattle, you know that it has ruts and is fairly rough. The straight-line stability was top-notch! Much more stable than my Audi. And it is actually quieter at freeway speeds than my Audi. (I didn't expect that.)
 
They also had a Legacy wagon. I liked the looks of the Outback MUCH better. the Outback had a more muscular appearance. More "heft", I guess. Very nice looking - front, back and sides. The Outback wheels are very attractive. The pics I've seen before don't do them justice. I hope my pic does.
 
The ride was quite supple. Of course it had the soft, base tires. I'm looking forward to testing the XT to check the ride (and handling).
 
Overall, I thought the quality was quite good. Fit and finish was very good. Material quality wasn't quite as good as my Audi, but pretty close in most areas. Of course the Audi costs about 20% more, so it should be a bit better.
 
With one exception, I'm happy with the quality. The exception is the seats. I found the seats in the base model to be a little uncomfortable in the upper back area. And the fit and finish of the leather seats in the Limited model weren't as good as I'd like to see. The seams were OK, but some weren't straight. Since I have a back problem, I'm picky about the seats. I'm hoping that the XT seats will be better.
 
One oddity that I found was that I liked the Moss Green color combination on the Limited much better than the blue base model that I drove (both are in my image gallery). IMO, it's because the newer Outback looks better with light over dark (Moss Green) versus dark over light (base model). I expected the reverse.
 
Overall, I liked the car a lot. Assuming there aren't any major gotcha's with the XT and the seat is comfortable, I'll be buying an XT w\5AT.
 
Regards,
 
Dan.
 
(Now I hope this posts correctly.)

#1451 of 10833 Re: Saw 2005 OB and Legacy [nowakj66 #1446] by iluvsubaru2

May 17, 2004 (12:06 am)

Replying to: nowakj66 (May 15, 2004 7:29 pm)
Joe,
I was wondering if you found the 2005 OBs you looked at had more headroom than the 2004s. I drive a 2004 Forester and found it's the only Subaru I could fit in with a moonroof. IMHO anyone taller than six feet isn't going to be comfortable in the previous generation OBs with moonroof. I was hoping third generation OB would finally give us six footers a break. Did you compare 2004s with the 2005 OB?
 
Waiting for my dealer's 2005 to see for myself but if if you'd been there and done that I'd be grateful for a reply.
 
Thanks,
Jake

#1452 of 10833 2005 OBs and VDC [re:ace1000 #1440] by iluvsubaru2

May 17, 2004 (1:19 am)

Replying to: ace1000 (May 15, 2004 4:06 pm)
Bob,
I'm with you on the VDC issue. I've driven VDC as well as other yaw controlled vehicles on ice and snow. There is no comparison to those without it. The only exceptions might be for elite drivers: skilled, attentive, very fast reflexes. And lucky. They will need luck to deal with what they can't see, such as the black-ice I test-drove my first OB VDC (very big and empty parking lot). I could not "lose control" as I did one emergency manuever after another. Could not spin-out on the Fish Hook and Double Lane Change manuevers, two common tests that can measure the risk of two vehicle and single vehicle collision.
 
I'm disappointed in Subaru for offering VDC only on top trim OBs. It's a policy that's as indefensible as offering side air bags only on luxury trim lines and let the rest of their customers risk head-injury and death if they get T-boned or rollover. Why should they have to buy moonroofs, leather seats, premium sound systems to buy what is rapidly becoming routine safety equipment?
 
I have owned the first and now own a second generation Forester but I will migrate to other automakers if I find a comparable vehicle that offers electronic stability control.
 
Jake
PS: Those who think AWD is enough understand neither AWD or Electronic Stability Control (all you elite drivers out there excepted:-)

#1453 of 10833 2005 gt turbo sedan by michael2

May 17, 2004 (4:46 am)

i'm fortunate to have a cousin who owns a subaru dealership, so this evening i'll be ordering a 2005 legacy gt limited turbo sedan, by phone, atlantic blue pearl.
 
from what he tells me about it ,it's quite a step up, o-60 in 5.9 seconds. i'll be trading in my 2000 gt limited sedan, wit 77000 completely trouble free miles.
 
i post the deatils of the deal when i have the info.

#1454 of 10833 Re: Saw 2005 OB and Legacy [iluvsubaru2 #1451] by nowakj66

May 17, 2004 (4:58 am)

Replying to: iluvsubaru2 (May 17, 2004 12:06 am)
Jake - the headroom was better BUT I sat in a base outback without moon roof. I will have to try a direct comparison for you.
 
In the legroom department, I would have to say the Forester is still king, though these new OBs are roomier.
 
I have heard it said that manual seats provide a grater range of adjustment than powered ones. There were no Limiteds on hand to test this out, but it has me thinking that a cloth seated GT non-limited, or XT non-limited might be the way to go for tall folks.

#1455 of 10833 Re: 2005 OBs and VDC [iluvsubaru2 #1452] by zoomer1

May 17, 2004 (6:50 am)

Replying to: iluvsubaru2 (May 17, 2004 1:19 am)
You are right on! As one who has been bemoaning the fact that Subaru decided to nickel and dime VDC--on a $25K-$28K car I a am glad to see that even Edmunds said that SOA should have included Stability Control in their cars (at least made it an option)...other publications are following suit with the same lament. Reviews are very positive overall--good to see that. Disappointed about the MPG though. I agree with you that those who think AWD is enough.....don't know better....

Messages Page 146 of 1084

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