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All-New 2010 Legacy/Outback

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

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

Messages Page 73 of 130

#716 of 1296 Non-retractable side mirror Legacy 2010 by philly58

Dec 18, 2009 (7:24 pm)

Well, it happened! Not paying enough attention, I brushed my side mirror on my 2010 Legacy 3.6 R against the garage wall on my way in to park and --boom--it cracked! So now I'm going to have to buy another mirror. My last Subaru--a 2004 had a retractable side mirror, but they seem to have cheaped out on this one. Just another comment--I love the car, but the equalizer function in the Harmon-Kardon audio system is impossible to figure out except by a expert sound engineer and the manual is totally useless giving no info on this. As a matter of fact the entire manual dealing with the NAV system and audio is practically useless, as if the person putting it together was in a rush to finish it. Just venting--really irritated about the side mirror which is probably going to cost a good five or six hundred bucks out of pocket!

#717 of 1296 vented by cdndriver

Dec 18, 2009 (8:07 pm)

That's one of the reasons I didn't get the Outback. I think they cheaped out on things like that.
But it's off the radar anyway. I had two minor fender benders in the last 5 years. 38 years driving with no problems, but just had these two small accidents. My insurance said the "had" to drop me. So with my legacy coming off lease next weekend, and having just been told by the insurance company last week. I'm under gun to find something else to drive.
Here's the real kick. I spoke with an insurance agent today for a quote in case I wanted to buy out my 07 legacy wagon. I also asked about a used 03 outback. The quotes for both cars came out to this (I suggest you sit down...I had to).
Just over 10,000.00 a year. 840 a month with 1700 down.
Even the 03 gets that.
Another agent had quoted 5500 which now seems like a bargain.
I feel this is punitive and unfair. It's one thing to double someone's coverage but to quadruple it is just ludicrous. I have to have a way to get to work that's reliable and at those rates, I'll have to take on a second job, just to pay for the :"privilege" of driving. I'll be working for my car, and those companies.
I'm stunned and no sure how to proceed with very little time left. I have gone slightly over the allowed mileage, so I'll get hit with about 1.5 grand for that. There goes any savings on getting an older car compared with a newer one.
cdndriver

#718 of 1296 Re: Non-retractable side mirror Legacy 2010 [philly58] by eps105

Dec 18, 2009 (8:08 pm)

Replying to: philly58 (Dec 18, 2009 7:24 pm)
Sorry about your mirror. You'll have to let us know how much it cost and how hard it was to change.
 
If it makes you feel better, expect it to cost under $200, not the $500+ you guessed. My wife cracked her Honda Pilot mirror 3 times on our garage and it is a retractable AND heated mirror and it was like $180.
 
Replacement is an easy DIY job. Pop off the plastic trim cover from the inside (I just did it now with my fingers -- no tools required, it just pops out with moderate force) and you will see two screws and a wiring harness (for the heat and power mirror). Pull out the harness, unscrew the screws and the mirror will pull right off from the outside.
 
10 minute job, tops. Don't let your dealer charge you for the install -- just buy the mirror from the parts counter.
 
Regarding the nav equalizer -- it's a little confusing at first, but easy once you understand the cryptic terms (agree the manual stinks). It's a 4-band parametric equalizer (Google that), which is actually pretty nice.
 
With each of the 4 bands, you can pick the center frequency for (essentially) the subwoofer, bass, midrange, and treble. Then for the Q value and dB, think of a tent with a pole in the center: The Q value is the spread (how wide the tent is) and the dB is the boost (how high the center pole goes up).
 
So if you set the bass at 120 Hz, and set it to +3db, it will boost 3 dB at 120 Hz and taper off to both sides. Q value of 1 will taper off twice as slowly as a Q of .5, IIRC meaning that (in this example) 60 Hz will be boosted more at Q of 1 than it would at .5. (Sorry if these numbers don't match the choices, I'm doing it out of my head.)
 
Hope this helps!
 
Elliot

#719 of 1296 Re: Non-retractable side mirror Legacy 2010 [eps105] by philly58

Dec 18, 2009 (8:31 pm)

Replying to: eps105 (Dec 18, 2009 8:08 pm)
Thanks, fellows, feeling better already what with your helpful comments. Was actually sitting outside in the car trying to figure out the equalizer function, then, in frustration, closed the manual and drove into the garage--no mirror! I'm almost laughing now! Will be back this weekend with a good summary of my experience with the car over the past three months. Night all and thanks!

#720 of 1296 Re: vented [cdndriver] by philly58

Dec 18, 2009 (8:41 pm)

Replying to: cdndriver (Dec 18, 2009 8:07 pm)
Oh just before I hit the sack I have to comment on this insurance thing. It's awful what they're allowed to do--practically the same thing happened to me a few years back. They insure you until you use it, then they drop you. It's really unfair. I would say make a complaint to the State Insurance Commission--they might be able to help you. You have my sympathy--my little mirror problem is nothing compared to yours. Good luck and good night.

#721 of 1296 Re: 2010 2.5 Limited Climate Control & Cruise Question [norcalmike1] by surrfurtom

Dec 19, 2009 (10:17 am)

Replying to: norcalmike1 (Dec 13, 2009 10:26 pm)
We have 1K miles on a 2010 OB Ltd with 2.5 CVT Nav, SR etc. Our auto climate control works perfectly. It has been set on 70 since new for both sides and it has been perfect so far in the cold weather without adjustment.
 
I understand exactly what you are saying about auto climate control because I've experienced cars where they were constantly changing temps, fan speeds, air outlets, and it never was stable and comfortable. I have a Cad DTS where it works very well 90% of the time, but in the summer it sometimes over cools during early evening or cloudy conditions. Haven't needed AC in Subaru yet.
 
The cruise works perfect and keeps speed constant.
 
This is our first of 5 Subaru's (OB or legacy) where we went to the leather and the deluxe features. We like it. I actually don't care as much for the new smooth fabric as the softer felt type material that was used on older OBs.

#722 of 1296 Re: Installing after-market Sirius radio [journo] by surrfurtom

Dec 19, 2009 (10:33 am)

Replying to: journo (Dec 02, 2009 9:16 pm)
imho Subaru wants too much money (over $500 installed) for their integrated Sirius tuner, at least with the Nav. As an after market purchase from Subaru I've been told both that you get 3 months free subscription and also that you get nothing. That seems really high to buy these OEM satellite units when the satellite radio cos subsidize the after market units. Also these satellite companies are not that financially strong and there is no guarantee they won't go bankrupt. They'll be facing competition from internet radio and cell phone cos.

#723 of 1296 When the weather outside is frightful, my OB is delightful! by sweetsoul

Dec 19, 2009 (11:36 am)

We are currently getting hammered with snow here in the northeast and well I couldn't resist the chance to take my new 2010 Outback out to play. Wow! Am I impressed! by far the best handling car in the snow I have ever driven. So I didn't go too far...just up the side of a mountain and down again in approx 5 inches of unpaved snow. It chewed right up the steep egress and down again with out flinching once. I also made some sharp turns and aside from the crunching sounds of the high snow under us I would have sworn we were out for a sunday drive. Man I love this car! I have to admit it handles better than my burly Xterra in 4wd ever did, and that is saying a lot

#724 of 1296 Re: When the weather outside is frightful, my OB is delightful! [sweetsoul] by ateixeira

Dec 19, 2009 (12:01 pm)

Replying to: sweetsoul (Dec 19, 2009 11:36 am)
Took my wife 2 hours to drive from Baltimore to DC last night, but she made it safely in her Forester. Wish I'd been with her since I have more experience driving in the snow, but I couldn't make it, and she was OK.

#725 of 1296 Brief Review of 2010 3.6R Legacy With Nav. by philly58

Dec 19, 2009 (5:35 pm)

Just want to summarize my three months experience with my 3.6R. First of all, I really love the driveability of the vehicle. Its handling and road feel is so much better than a Lexus e333 I had, and is on a par with a 99 BMW540I that I have as a summer car. I find the controls and instrumentation to be very good with the exception of the paddle wheels for manual shifting that I find to be just a gimmick. Far better that they would have put that money into retractable side view mirrors (the mirrors don't have this feature and I just broke one last night pulling into my narrow garage.) I also definitely don't like the location of and functioning of the auxillary brake. It's on a little panel and it is counterintuitive to apply it. Moreover, it is in a group of other buttons that one might mistakenly push, including the hillholder and the remote trunk opener. I truly dislike this kind of brake, particularly at night when it is lost amongst the other buttons. The seating in the car is fine (I'm 6'2, 215lbs) and I feel very comfortable in it, even driving long distances. The sound system (I have the upgraded Harmon-Kardon with the Nav Package) is just outstanding. I frequently will sit in the car to listen to a concert's end. On the other hand, expect to spend a whole afternoon at least learning how to use it because the manual is practically useless (the radio has a Dolby Logic system and its use is not even mentioned in the manual). Ditto the Nav system and the built in DVD player. It's obvious that these systems were developed at the same time as the vehicle was being developed and by different groups of people. The NAv manual and audio manual seem to have been done by a team of computer geeks separate and distinct from those who were developing the actual controls in the vehicle, so there is actually very little mention of actually how you get the system to do tasks. It is extremely frustrating that one has to work so hard to make these great features actually perform as they are supposed to.
 
The gas mileage of this vehicle averages 21.8 mpg in ordinary mixed highway and city driving. The highest mileage I have ever seen is 25 on the highway. Definitely not a great feature, but the awd makes up for it. When all is said and done, I love the car, but just wish that somebody at Subaru would look into some of those irritating features that I have pointed out. Well, that's my short review for what it's worth.

Messages Page 73 of 130

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