Ask the Car People.SM


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 52 of 131

#503 of 1296 Re: What about CVT transmission? [serge_france] by lprasad

Oct 09, 2009 (11:11 pm)

Replying to: serge_france (Oct 09, 2009 12:41 pm)
Hi Serge, I recently bought a 2.5i premium Outback with CVT. Having never owned a Subaru or a CVT before, I was a bit apprehensive. But I bought it based on Subaru's reputation for sturdy cars, safety, and, of course their famous AWD. I was also very impressed with the quality of the test drives I took. I also drove a 2009 Outback (at the insistence of the dealer) first. While the 2009 drove great, I felt the 2010 was more refined, quieter, and noticeably more comfortable. The CVT is very smooth and peppy, I think. I'm surprised at how quickly and easily it went from dead stop to 40 mph at traffic signals, leaving many other vehicles behind. I don't quite understand some comments that complain about it being sluggish. I've never had problems so far in response or passing other vehicles on the freeway. In fact, without the familiar cue of the jerks from conventional automatics, it is easy to speed without noticing. I live in a mountainous region and I don't see any hesitation with the Outback in negotiating slopes or curves. The handling is excellent, both while cornering and on rough terrain, with the undulations remarkably muted by the suspension. My favorite part is the mileage. I am currently getting 26.1 miles per gallon in slow, stop-and-go city conditions although the car is still in its break-in period! That is amazing considering its size and the AWD. he only thing so far is that at low speeds (<50 mph) the CVT has a characteristic windy howl that does not bother me but noticeable. It goes away at about over 60 mph. Otherwise, it is a very quiet car. I also like the eco gauge very much. Many commented that they'd rather have a temperature gauge and that they thought the eco-gauge was useless. I have found that it has taught me to drive far more efficiently than I used to before. It is a great way to learn how to get most out of the car and ease off on wasteful acceleration without compromising on speed! I'm having a blast with it. Although this is subjective and not exhaustive, I hope it helps a tad bit. Good luck. Lax

#504 of 1296 non-Nav iPod itegration ("Media Hub") ? by tee_el_cee

Oct 10, 2009 (6:20 am)

Can anyone describe how the "Media Hub" works with iPods?
 
Is it just a fancy aux jack (are you still mashing buttons on the iPod)?
Or can you control the iPod from the steering wheel or head unit?
What aspects, specifically?
 
Is anything from the iPod displayed on the head unit?
 
Thanks,
tlc

#505 of 1296 Re: non-Nav iPod itegration ("Media Hub") ? [tee_el_cee] by tee_el_cee

Oct 10, 2009 (7:24 am)

Replying to: tee_el_cee (Oct 10, 2009 6:20 am)
I should have googled first.
 
Info, video, faq, user and installation manuals are available here:
http://www.subaru.com/engineering/electronics-audio/media-hub.html
 
tlc

#506 of 1296 Nice post lprasad by 204meca

Oct 10, 2009 (11:12 am)

Good observations, thanks for sharing them. It is amazing how varied the posts are about the performance of the OB w CVT. Many love it others pan it. There is so much diversity of impressions of power & acceleration. Looking at the Edmunds reviews by new OB owners several indicate they had XTs (one Forester & 1 OB) previously & yet are pleased with the performance of the NA 2.5 CVT. I am rather surprised to see quotes like this: 'Living in the Rockies at 9100' I was looking for a replacement for my '06 Outback XT. I wanted enough power to accelerate uphill at altitude and the supposed improved fuel economy and use of regular fuel were certainly an appeal. So I drove the 2.5i w/ CVT and found it to be almost as powerful as the turbo and when using the paddle shifters, quite fun to drive. I've now owned it for a month and am mostly satisfied w/ a few exceptions."
 
 I guess that shows us how subjective our seat of the pants perceptions are. While the actual track numbers are not that impressive (as reported by Edmunds & CR) apparently most people are satisfied if not positively enthused with the get up & go of their OB CVT combo.
 
I am itching to place my order for one -- I just need to see a report from someone who has towed 1,500 lbs or more & is satisfied with the way the CVT tows,
 
Please is there not someone out there Subaru-land able to tell us about their towing experience with the OB CVT???

#507 of 1296 what choice by cdndriver

Oct 12, 2009 (9:19 am)

I've had two legacy wagons, both the touring edition. My current 07 comes up off lease in December. I was not happy to see that they've dropped the Legacy wagon at all! When I complained to a customer service rep who called about my lease coming up she kept telling me to just drive the new redesigned legacy, that I'd love the changes! Yeah, I said, and where do I put my dog? silence..."is it a very big dog?" was her answer. Then she said I should try the new Outback, I'd love that, too. I said that when offered the Outback and the Legacy wagon, I'd chosen the legacy for a reason. But now, subaru has taken away my car of choice. I don't want the sedan, no matter how nice it is, and I took the wagon because I didn't like the extra plastic and the extra cost of the Outback. Now it's Outback or a different carmaker.
I also don't get their marketing on the PZEV. If someone wants to be environmentally conscious, Subaru only lets you do it on the base model. Why didn't they just make the whole line PZEV and choose what options you will. THAT would show a commitment to the environment, but instead, because the PZEV costs them a bit more, they put it on the car that has no options.
I'm not happy with Subaru right now...I've got two months to figure out what to do and what to get next.
cdndriver

#508 of 1296 Re: what choice [cdndriver] by xwesx

Oct 12, 2009 (9:48 am)

Replying to: cdndriver (Oct 12, 2009 9:19 am)
I'm confused about your comment on the PZEV; is that a phenomenon in the Canadian market? PZEV is available across the line, US-spec anyway....

#509 of 1296 Re: what choice [xwesx] by jtny1

Oct 12, 2009 (10:43 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Oct 12, 2009 9:48 am)
well if you need awd then your choices are very limited
i understand being upset about the wagon being discontinued but if you need a wagon then get a forester or an outback
here int he states we can get the cvt engine on any legacy or outback unless you get the 6cly or turbo i think
go drive a new chevy equinox with thier 4 banger its nice roomy and when your done i bet youll come back to subaru
i did

#510 of 1296 Re: what choice [cdndriver] by gjksn

Oct 12, 2009 (1:28 pm)

Replying to: cdndriver (Oct 12, 2009 9:19 am)
I couldn't agree more and was recently lamenting this fact here. I've also had two Legacy wagons and bought them because they were station wagons and not SUVs or crossovers. I don't have the end of a lease coming up, but I'm always thinking about my next car. A Legacy wagon wouldn't require a second thought, but the Forester and Outback will be a harder sell for me. Good luck with your decision.

#511 of 1296 Re: 2010 Outback Navigation System [eps105] by vehiculus

Oct 12, 2009 (3:27 pm)

Replying to: eps105 (Sep 02, 2009 6:55 pm)
hi,
 
i am about to pull the triggers on an 2010 outback. my wife and i test drove it last weekend. we felt the 3.6 drove a bit more aggressively. it was 'funner' to drive.
 
i don't like that the sunroof is so small. and i don't like that the mirrors don't fold in. but neither of those are deal breakers.
 
that said, what can you tell me about the navigation? is there any way around the grayed out functions while driving? or are you really able to control everything with voice commands? also, are there traffic updates? does it work thought the satellite radio? is the navigation satellite based or is it dvd based? do we need to get updates? or will it update itself?
 
i know those are a lot of questions, but i am unable to find the answers and the dealers seem to know less that i do. thanks.

#512 of 1296 Re: what choice [jtny1] by cdndriver

Oct 12, 2009 (3:51 pm)

Replying to: jtny1 (Oct 12, 2009 10:43 am)
Hi,
Here in Canada, to my understanding, the PZEV is only available on the base model of the legacy, or outback, so if you want any options: no PZEV. Most people up here don't have any idea about it, or what it is, while I would think they'd have commercials blowing their horn about it. It's a great idea.
So I would have two or three years on a lease with no PZEV.
I also don't understand the tiny sun roof! What gives with these steps backwards! Mirrors that fold, turn signals on mirrors (both great safety ideas) small sunroofs,
and then there's the cost. The Outback was more than the Legacy wagon, so if I want a wagon the choice is more expensive for something I'm not really wild about with fewer things than I had before.
The Forrester is much different for me. Just grab the door handle: it slides and rattles, it's loose. Grab the back seat, it's also loose. Not even a cargo cover for the base one; again, it's a safety thing, you can't conceal anything back there unless you buy the cover. That's cheap! Make people pay for things they used to get, but tell them the cars are cheaper.
It's like the old joke about the guy who goes to the farmer and says he wants a wagon, and the farmer says, "ok, that'll be 100.00." The city guy says 'OK'. The farmer then says, "do you want wheels with it?" "Oh yeah, I'd better get some of those, How much?" "50.00." "OK", he says. "Each." says the farmer, and so on.
 
I still think they need to work on the back seat, too: ventilation, heated back seat, etc. Where did the cup holders go from the center?
cdndriver.
I'll have a closer look this week. The wiring harness blew on the steering column, so the airbag light is on. I spent three hours there while they looked for the problem and the sales guy didn't even show my through the cars. He did try to sell me an 09 Outback though, for 32,000 cash....

Messages Page 52 of 131

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement