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Subaru Legacy/Outback 2005+

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

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

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




Your Community Leaders are ateixeira and rsholland.

Messages Page 314 of 1084

#3130 of 10833 New Subarus by georgek

Jul 23, 2004 (10:45 am)

Yesterday we test drove GT Ltds with manual and auto gearboxes, and an Outback GT. Pleasant to drive (especially the GTs) but found them very cramped, especially driver and passenger legroom. My last Subaru - a 1994 Legacy - seemed roomier.
 
 Our current cars are a 2000 Passat wagon and a 2002 Volvo XC70. Both seem much roomier in the front and rear seats. The Legacy & Outback seemed more comparable to a Jetta than a Passat in legroom.
 
Has anyone had any luck modifying the seat tracks to increase front seat legroom?

#3131 of 10833 Re: rear view mirror placement - HELP! [ash13] by bolbo

Jul 23, 2004 (11:08 am)

Replying to: ash13 (Jul 23, 2004 9:36 am)
Thanks to all three for your replies. This mirror appears to be glued onto the windshield. I'm not sure 'pushing' it upward would do any good. I mentioned my observation to the dealership salesman and asked if there was a solution. He said that he was rather certain that 'their' service department would not touch it, but couldn't speak for other establishments.
 
He admitted that he noticed the lowness when he first got in the cars but that it doesn't hinder during the ride. Time will tell, I suppose, if/when I take one out. He attributed it to Subaru/other foreign manufacturer's preference of placement for rear visibility.
 
Even the non-auto dimming seemed potentially problematic (yes, could be a deal killer when the time comes months from now). It saves a 1/2" - 3/4" on the bottom but still seems inordinantly conspicuous (just wanted to use those words together). And, the manual flip tab is stupidly long by an extra 1/2" inch or so as compared to my altima. It just sticks out unnecessarily so (Subaru...are you listening?).
 
The question now is, if this was a true deal-killer for me, would there be any way of having either model (auto, or non-auto) placed up an inch or so? Who would be likely to do it and does anyone think I'd have a chance in hell of having a factory ordered one to be adjusted as such? Finally, I know there are after-market ones (auto and non). The auto ones require wiring which, maybe, the existing wires word work. I don't know. Anyhoo, not all auto dimmers are as tall as Subaru's. One manufacturer repeatedly says to be very careful when removing the OE from the glass...so as not to break it. Soooo....
 
I suppose these things can be removed and perhaps repositioned...the question is would anyone do it...and at what risk? Thanks again in advance for additional input.
 
Oh, and again, any additional input on the A pillars seeming rather 'close' to the driver? Does one miss the spaciousness/view when they start in a slightly better front viewing car?

#3132 of 10833 ash13 and the mirror by grove4

Jul 23, 2004 (11:32 am)

Have you tried lowering the auto seat?Thats what I did b/c I'm 6ft3 and after my wife drives it and I get in it is a problem.I like the seat lower anyway b/c it brings the wheel up higher than the adjustment for it will go.These japanese engineers forget that americans are bigger than they are.

#3133 of 10833 Re: Beauty and sales [timo1745] by aaykay

Jul 23, 2004 (11:36 am)

Replying to: timo1745 (Jul 23, 2004 9:08 am)
Curiously, Subaru charges more for the extended warranty, when it comes to their Turbo equipped cars. I wonder why. The H6 may be more expensive but when it comes to ext.warr., you will be charged less than the 2.5T.

#3134 of 10833 Radar detectors by jim1969

Jul 23, 2004 (12:52 pm)

Has anyone hard-wired a radar detector yet in a 2005 Legacy? If so, how did you wire it in?

#3135 of 10833 Clock problem by jim1969

Jul 23, 2004 (1:23 pm)

No matter what I do my clock is off. Even if I set the time to a tone from a radio station it still is about 20 seconds. There is no "sound" button anymore like on my wife's 2002 Forester which zeros the seconds. Any way to get the effect of the "sound" button?

#3136 of 10833 Re: rear view mirror placement - HELP! [bolbo] by rsorganize

Jul 23, 2004 (2:44 pm)

Replying to: bolbo (Jul 23, 2004 11:08 am)
Have had my 3.0/VDC wagon for nearly a month and +2500 miles. Am 6' (and shrinking, as I age). IMHO, the mirror doesn't reduce visbility at all. I agree with those who have commented on the indviduality of driving positions, but on multiple long drives and around town, visibilty has been fine.
 
I'm coming off a '99 Volvo XC and, I suppose, in some ways the Subie might feel a bit more 'cramped'. But, really, I think it's more a matter of different designs and ergonomics. The Volvo seats seem a bit wider, especially without the side-support on the seat bottoms, and seem somehwat higher placed, creating the feeling - if not the reality - of more space. I'm a big guy (200 lbs.) and drive with my legs rather splayed out - but, I don't feel cramped, at all. Mostly, I'm still breaking in the seat, looking forward to the seat bottom expanding as it 'learns' my butt and driving positions. But, I can't imagine most people not fitting comfortably in these vehicles. Now, some might prefer the fit of other cars, but the design/layout of the '05 OBs should work for nearly everyone. And, the overall driving experience really is superb.
 
In fact, I like the placement of the hand-brake, for example, for resting my leg. I remember test-driving Audi A4s, last year, and feeling really cramped; I thought the console was rather high right up to the radio and limited my ability to move my legs around on longer drives...and, the seats seemed way too small/narrow. Beautifully designed car, incredibly appealing in so many ways...but, too small, for me. The '05 VDC, by comparison, feels just right. The cockpit dimensions envelope the driver in a way that enhances the driving experience - quick, responsive cars should 'wrap' around the driver, rather than open spaces like vans, SUV's and cars like the Lexus 400s. Seems right on, design-wise/conceptually, to someone my size.
 
Just want to report that: at +2500 miles, the VDC wagon has been great. I am constantly impressed by the speed/quickness, handling and comparative quiet of the ride. Not a single problem, yet - everything seems to fit fine and work fine; the whole package working in sync, as it was designed to do. Couldn't be happier.
 
Peace.

#3137 of 10833 Moving rear view mirror by kmclean

Jul 23, 2004 (2:58 pm)

Bolbo -
 
You can move the "button" that the mirror is attached to. In fact, many folks who've lived in truly hot locations (I spent 6 years in south Texas) have had the experience of getting into their car and finding the mirror lying on the floor. The sun had fried the glue attaching the mirror button to the windshield.
 
In the case of a new car, you'll need to supply the heat and some mechanical pressure. First, remove the mirror from the button (it probably has a set screw - or similar - holding it in place). Next, have someone (like your wife?) fire up their hair dryer and apply heat from the outside of the windshield. I'm not sure where you're located, but this time of year I'm going to assume that the hair dryer heat won't represent glass-cracking thermal stress. If you're concerned, ease into the heat by using lower settings on the dryer and/or time and distance to get to full heat. Be sure to mark (with tape or whatever) the new location where you think you'll want to put the button.
 
Use a fairly benign prying tool (perhaps a small putty spreader) to slowly pry the button off the windshield (so, yes, this is a two-person process - the "heater" on the outside and the "pryer" on the inside). Be patient - this could take a few minutes or more. Oh - also note the orientation of the button before you pry it off so that you know how to remount it.
 
Once it's off, you can use a mirror mounting kit (sold for a couple of dollars at most auto parts stores) to remount that sucker where you want it. You can clean up any residual adhesive from the original location with something like paint thinner or fingernail polish remover (acetone).
 
Good luck. I hope some others who've performed this will chime in with their suggestions and experiences.
 
Ken in (unbelievably hot - upper 90s!) Seattle
(Help - no air conditioning in houses out here!)

#3138 of 10833 by dudleyr

Jul 23, 2004 (6:26 pm)

Or take it to a windshield repair place - they do it all the time when they put in new windshields. Probably won't even cost $20. My mirror came off once, and they just put it back for me for free. Good public relations for them so you come back when you get a stone chip or a cracked windshield. These guys are much better with glass than car dealers as they deal with it every day.

#3139 of 10833 by ssminton

Jul 23, 2004 (7:37 pm)

Picked up my VDC tonight in Champagne Gold Opal! I was very impressed on the ride home tonight how much better the car handles uneven pavement and cornering than my Honda Pilot. My only warning to new owners... watch the door locks. They are counter-intuitive on their movement.

Messages Page 314 of 1084

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