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All-New 2010 Legacy/Outback

1296 messages,  Last post on Sep 21, 2012 at 8:25 AM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Subaru Forester, Car Buying, Car Comparisons, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 44 of 130

#428 of 1296 My Issues with the 2010 Subaru Outback by kateernie

Sep 15, 2009 (11:41 am)

1. My biggest issue is the "privacy" glass. It was a grey, rainy day when I test drove the vehicle and I could barely see out the back window. It's also gotten smaller compared to my 2006 Outback. Anyone seated in the reat seats who might want to read can forget doing it with the windows closed. There's no light. What a totally dumb idea. A real deal breaker.
2. My currently Outback has a Subaru-installed sunroof. It closes automatically when I turn off the motor-as it should. I was offered a test drive of the 2010 until it was discovered that the prior test driver didn't close the sun/moonroof and it had rained inside the car. It's ridiculous to have a roof window that doesn't close automatically. I can guarantee it will be left open many times when drivers exit quickly.
3. Ah yes, the elimination of the folding side mirrors. As you all have said, another totally dumb idea. No new Outback for me this year!
 
I can only hope to hold on to my current car until there's an appropriate model available from someone in the future! ">

#429 of 1296 Re: My Issues with the 2010 Subaru Outback [kateernie] by ateixeira

Sep 15, 2009 (1:41 pm)

Replying to: kateernie (Sep 15, 2009 11:41 am)
Are there map lights in the 2nd row?
 
Was your moonroof dealer-installed? I had one like that - you could program it to close automatically, but it was not factory OE.

#430 of 1296 OEM Continental ContiPro Contact tires - likes, dislikes, swapouts by eps105

Sep 18, 2009 (12:21 pm)

Having been disappointed with my previous Subarus' OEM tires, I was intent this time around to research the OEM's on the 2010 Outback and consider swapping them out at delivery while new (hopefully for a credit).
 
Researching the Continental ContiPro Contacts on TireRack.com and other places, it seems that it is a rather mediocre Grand Touring All Season tire. There's actually an eclectic mix of people that love them and others that hate them, and conflicting road tests that put them at #2 with the other rating them dead last.
 
So I'm on the fence as to whether they really are OK tires. So I'd like to get some feedback from current owners on the following:
 
1) How do you like the Contis? Are they quiet? How about on concrete highways or on wet roads? Nicely muted or lots of whooshing?
 
2) What about the handling and the road feel? Do they make the Outback fun to drive or is it just an appliance now? I've read in many reviews that the Outback has numb on-center feel. I wonder if it's the tires.
 
3) Has anyone replaced them upon delivery or even after a few hundred miles due to dissatisfaction? What did you replace them with? How much of an improvement did you notice? (I saw the one thread where the owner replaced with the Goodyear TripleTred, but they've been consistently rated as noisy, so I'm avoiding that.)
 
Thanks!
 
Elliot

#431 of 1296 Subaru navigation system -- tips, tricks, lockout override by eps105

Sep 18, 2009 (12:22 pm)

I'm anxiously awaiting the delivery of my new 2010 Outback 3.6R with nav, and it is set to arrive around the beginning of October. While I have obsessively researched it for many months, it seems that I overestimated some of the capabilities of the nav system.
 
While I knew that it does not have a 3D view, I was disappointed to find out it does it offer text-to-speech for street names. And while I knew it locked out some functions while driving, I am learning that it locks out almost everything (supposedly even changing playlists from an iPod). And even worse, I understand it even locks out some of the functions of the voice activation.
 
So here are my questions...
 
1) Can any current owners who are using the system provide a review of the system? Likes and dislikes? Tips and tricks? Pro/con comparisons to handhelds like Garmin?
 
2) Please expound on what is locked out when driving. To what extent can you program it using the voice activation while driving? Does it understand free text like addresses and street names or does it just have a fixed vocabulary? Can you do things like change albums for music on a USB stick while driving? Does it show album art?
 
3) Has anyone found a source or technique for hacking or unlocking the lockouts while driving? There are many stores on the Internet that sell plug-and-play harnesses for doing just this, but I haven't found anything for the Outback?Legacy. I recently contacted www.CoastalEtech.com who specializes in Toyota overrides and others, and they said they have no current plans to support Subaru but could in the future. I understand that the Subaru software is very similar to Toyota's, so I'm hopefully something will come out soon.
 
Thanks!
 
Elliot

#432 of 1296 Re: Subaru navigation system -- tips, tricks, lockout override [eps105] by ssminton

Sep 18, 2009 (1:43 pm)

Replying to: eps105 (Sep 18, 2009 12:22 pm)
Elliot... you have provided some great insights while I have been researching the 2010 Outback, and I greatly appreciate your assistance! I hear your concerns with the Nav... we have spent time debating this before and is one of the major reasons that I have made the decision to purchase a 2010 Volvo V50 R Design over the 2010 Outback 3.6R. Below are a few more reasons for my decision...
 
1. The Outback has lost its "fun to drive" element with the new design. I actually received a 2009 Legacy 4-cyl as a rental car last weekend... I found it a much better experience than the CVT and averaged 31MPG. I guess I just don't like the engine revving of the new 4-cyl.
2. Although the Subaru, even the 3.6R, is a lower cost vehicle than my current Acura MDX, The mileage does not really improve much. I am concerned that gas will eventually head back up and want my next car to be "fuel efficient".
3. Subaru continues to be behind in its technology offering... no keyless drive (available on Toyota, Nissan, etc... not just luxury brands), poorly functioning Nav, integrated media, etc.
4. Front seat support & comfort... I just prefer the offering of the luxury brands in this area. As I age, this becomes of greater importance.
5. Resale value... as the gap between the bottom and upper end of the Subaru range continues to increase, I worry about resale of the 3.6R Limited. Back in 2007, I only saw average return on my '05 Outback 3.0 VDC, which is one of the reasons that I went back to the Acura.
 
Don't get me wrong, the Subaru Outback is a great VALUE. I am just looking for some additional capabilities and am willing to pay for them. Back in 2004, when I purchased my 2005 Outback 3.0R VDC, Subaru and the European Sportwagons really offered a similar product, with the Subaru costing thousands less. Now the product offering and ammenities have split significantly. Clearly Subaru is out of the business of "playing" on the edge of the luxury sportwagon market.
 
A comment on the Volvo Nav System... Volvo has done a nice job working with Garmin to develop a dealer installed portable Nav system. The Volvo Garmin Nuvi installs to a permanent bracket to the center channel speaker grill on the dash. It uses the car's electrical system for power and an installed antenna and drive sensor for better reception and dead-reckoning capabilities. This is one of Garmins top of the line models. Volvo has tested this product and installation for viewing safety and ergonomics and even includes Garmin Traffic and Weather Service for the life of the GPS. This Volvo Garmin Nuvi GPS costs about $850 installed. About $300 more than the same true portable model and $1500 less than the Volvo factory installed option, which is not as advanced as other manufacturers. If you purchase a separte charger and mount, the Volvo Garmin Nuvi device can also be portable. Volvo may have hit the mark with this product concept, blancing the "installed" positives of factory and costs/flexibility of portable. Perhaps Subaru will develop such a concept sometime.
 
Anyway, I am still a Subaru owner at heart and really wanted the chance to own another Subie. Not to fear though... I am a high-mileage driver and replace cars every 2-3 years. Hopefully next time, Subaru will have caught up with the masses with technological options and will offer a diesel in the US market.
 
Enjoy your new Subaru!

#433 of 1296 Re: OEM Continental ContiPro Contact tires - likes, dislikes, swapouts [eps105] by m6user

Sep 18, 2009 (3:00 pm)

Replying to: eps105 (Sep 18, 2009 12:21 pm)
I know what you mean about tirerack. It seems that every time I've researched a tire it is nearly 50/50. Some people hate a tire, others love it. I'm not real sure what all that time and effort reading all the tire reviews ending up doing for me. Not much help for you.....just a comment.

#434 of 1296 Re: Subaru navigation system -- tips, tricks, lockout override [ssminton] by eps105

Sep 18, 2009 (4:38 pm)

Replying to: ssminton (Sep 18, 2009 1:43 pm)
ssminton, Interesting story and a nice tangent... although I was hoping to get my questions answered, not be told why I shouldn't have bought it in the first place. LOL

#435 of 1296 Re: Subaru navigation system -- tips, tricks, lockout override [eps105] by xwesx

Sep 18, 2009 (5:23 pm)

Replying to: eps105 (Sep 18, 2009 4:38 pm)
Too bad, Elliot. Muahahahahahaha!

#436 of 1296 Re: Outback vs. V50 R Design by seabrook7039

Sep 18, 2009 (8:10 pm)

Replying to: ssminton (Sep 18, 2009 1:43 pm)
The Volvo V50 R Design is interesting, especially for me since a manual AWD in premium trim is said to be available for 2010. But I when searched the mid-Atlantic area I found plenty of V50s but only a few V50 R Design automatics and no manuals. Additionally the MSRP for automatics in premium trim is $38K. With the limited selection you're left with little room to bargain. And to really match up to the Outback with regards to interior space you'll need to step up to the V70 which loses your AWD capability. For myself I'm currently considering an offer for a loaded Outback 2010 manual for $26.5K plus TTL. It may not be as sweet as a V50 R Design but it fits the bill.
 
"... I have made the decision to purchase a 2010 Volvo V50 R Design over the 2010 Outback 3.6R. ..."

#437 of 1296 Re: OEM Continental ContiPro Contact tires - likes, dislikes, swapouts [m6user] by bigdadi118

Sep 19, 2009 (6:14 am)

Replying to: m6user (Sep 18, 2009 3:00 pm)
From tirerack - I found the Outback owners give best ratings to General Altmax HP ... check it out.

Messages Page 44 of 130

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