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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 62 of 130

#609 of 1296 rack FAIL by bkaiser1

Oct 30, 2009 (8:52 am)

I'd consider myself a pretty regular user of the roof racks on all of my cars over the years -- my garage looks like a Yakima warehouse sometimes. Anyways, carrying bikes, tandem kayaks, cargo boxes, etc. has always been priority with my car purchases, and from the looks of it, the 2010 Outback rack is just pathetic. Not only is there WAY too much plastic up there, the [non-adjustable] crossbar spread of less than 2 feet is just silly for carrying anything bigger than a couple of bikes.
 
 My 2001 Outback and 2004 WRX wagon both had simple, elegant side rails with easily removed crossbars that your could configure any way needed to handle the load. The best part was how easily you simply unbolted the bars with all the accessories in place and stored it, leaving a clean, uncluttered roof. That's just not possible with the 2010 Outback design, and it just looks SO bulky and plasticy too boot.
 
The aftermarket solution (link above) certainly looks like it SHOULD have come from the factory, but at an additional $1000 it's a pretty steep modification. I'm a huge fan of Subarus, but this latest design is a big FAIL in my opinion.
 
Brian

#610 of 1296 Re: Factory roof rack replaced with tracks. [tee_el_cee] by xwesx

Oct 30, 2009 (11:31 am)

Replying to: tee_el_cee (Oct 29, 2009 5:40 pm)
Thanks for the link! That was a great read.
 
I fully agree with you Brian. That new rack was change for the sake of change rather than improvement.

#611 of 1296 Re: rack FAIL [bkaiser1] by ateixeira

Nov 03, 2009 (2:13 pm)

Replying to: bkaiser1 (Oct 30, 2009 8:52 am)
Hey Brian.
 
I thought the spread was actually 30"?
 
October sales are out - Outback outsold the Forester for the first time in years. Both are way up, though.

#612 of 1296 Re: rack FAIL [ateixeira] by rschleicher

Nov 03, 2009 (7:06 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Nov 03, 2009 2:13 pm)
I think the front-to-back spacing between the stock cross-bars when they are in the cross-position is 30".
 
But, for people who want to mount their own crossbars (and leave the stock rack in its "stowed" position), the exposed length of the stowed bars is only about 21" or so. (This is if you were wanting to mount your own cross bars to the stowed bars, using them as the rails.)
 
If you look at the design of the stock 2010 rails, they could have positioned the rails such that they were farther apart than 30" in the crossed position. I don't know why the designers thought that a 30" spacing was optimal.

#613 of 1296 Re: rack FAIL [rschleicher] by xwesx

Nov 03, 2009 (7:26 pm)

Replying to: rschleicher (Nov 03, 2009 7:06 pm)
I suspect it is because, when stowed, the 30" spacing allows the "rails" to appear symmetrical. If they had wider spacing when deployed, one bar would be located further toward the back of one rail while the other would be located further forward. Now, we wouldn't want the rails looking awkward, would we?

#614 of 1296 Re: rack FAIL [xwesx] by rschleicher

Nov 04, 2009 (7:02 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Nov 03, 2009 7:26 pm)
xwesx,
 
Yes, I think you're right. In order to have the start and end points of the two rails line up, the geometry of the pivoting racks leads to a 30" front to back spacing.
 
On the other hand, since only part of the stowed rail is exposed/visible from the side, you'd hardly notice if the end points were staggered a bit to increase the rail spacing.
 
Who knows, maybe they were also worried about having them too far apart for some purposes....

#615 of 1296 Re: rack FAIL [ateixeira] by bkaiser1

Nov 05, 2009 (8:38 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Nov 03, 2009 2:13 pm)
You're right -- the f/r spread is 30". I misread the part of the article that referred to the "spread" as being 21" -- he meant width there.
 
From the article:
"Bad news now–the crossbar spread for the above options are an almost pointless 21″–less than you will need for boards or boats over 8′, and too narrow for any cargo baskets or boxes."
 
Still, even with a 30" spread, I think this rack is a major step back for Subaru, and a major eyesore on an otherwise appealing car. What's more, this big plastic rack HAS to cost them more to make than the old rails, which were more practical.
 
Brian

#616 of 1296 Re: rack FAIL [bkaiser1] by ateixeira

Nov 05, 2009 (10:02 am)

Replying to: bkaiser1 (Nov 05, 2009 8:38 am)
Thanks for clarifying.
 
There's always the Forester.

#617 of 1296 Re: rack FAIL [ateixeira] by cdndriver

Nov 06, 2009 (8:24 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Nov 05, 2009 10:02 am)
I was in for my last service on my 07 Legacy wagon. It comes off lease soon. I had a good look at the OB. I think what they did to offset the costs of making it bigger, wider, higher, etc. was to cheapen things like the mirrors, heat settings for the seats, and other things: the tiny sunroof, and so on. Though I kind of like the dash, I am not impressed with the rest of it. I even spotted a paint run on the mirror.
One of the service guys told me they had a seminar with company reps and after driving them for an hour, they had a big meeting. He said the service guys blasted the reps about the things we've been talking about. And they really hated the electronic E-brake. (apparently, if your battery dies, you have to stick some lever under the car to release the brake). That sounds safe!
Anyway, I was looking at the Forester. To equip it close to what my wagon has, I'd need the Touring package, which brings the cost above what my Legacy was when I leased it. Around: 30 grand.
I'm not sure if I'll do it.
I'm also looking at the Volvo V50, and the Saab 9-3 wagon, though they're more, and really hard to find here. GM Canada isn't bringing any more in since they're selling the division.(which doesn't particularly inspire confidence).
so I'm not sure what to do. I asked about finding an 090 Legacy wagon, but the guy said there aren't many and they wouldn't lease one anyway.
so it's back to the research.....
cdndriver...
I think Subie really burned a lot of people on this one.

#618 of 1296 Real world experience with 2010 OB 3.6R Limited? by britgeezer

Nov 07, 2009 (8:53 pm)

If we can get past comments about the roof rack ... What is the real world experience with this car/wagon/ SUV?
 
We recently had the chance to drive one, together with many competing products, with the intent to replace our Jeep Cherokee Limited (4.7v8) and were very impressed.
 
We have had bad experience with other high end intelligent AWD systems (FX-45) and this vehicle seemed a good compromise.
 
Any comments out there on owning a 2010 model?
 
OK, if you want a moan; the exterior color, wheel and headlight options are dummer than a 1st year marketing person on their first day might choose, but if we try and and get past that ....
 
What's the vote?
 
Thanks
 
BG

Messages Page 62 of 130

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