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Outback questions...

14 messages,  Last post on Jun 13, 2012 at 12:41 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

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

Messages Page 2 of 2

#4 of 14 Re: Outback questions... [dcm61] by ksayers

Jun 12, 2012 (7:33 am)

Replying to: dcm61 (Jun 11, 2012 10:40 am)
Previous posts have offered the opinion that the Forester 2.5 has "adequate" power, albeit, noisy when pushed. Assuming no engine changes from the Forester to the "new" engine for the Outback, any opinions on how the 2.5 will handle a slighly heavier vehicle with with more bulk to push around?
 
I can understand leveraging one engine to two vehicles but Subaru appears to be touting the "new Boxer" as some sort of new design revelation when, it appears, it's the Forester engine. That's not necessarily bad. However, if I have driven the Forester, it appears I should not be expecting any significant change from the 2012 to the 2013 Outback model when driving a 2013 Outback.
 
Subaru notes (for 2013) the increase in torque across a lower RPM range with the "new" 4. Is this marketing hype or are their tangible engine changes that are actually noticable to the driver?

#5 of 14 Re: Outback questions... [ksayers] by ateixeira

Jun 12, 2012 (12:03 pm)

Replying to: ksayers (Jun 12, 2012 7:33 am)
CVT should offset the extra weight, so they should perform similarly.
 
Timing chain is a nice change, that plus no coolant flows through the head gaskets so no leaks. Top it off (literally) with an easy access top-mount oil filter, and it will be easy to live with.
 
My sister priced a timing belt/water pump change, and the dealer wants $1200. YIKES.
 
So a timing chain would be nice.

#6 of 14 Re: Outback questions... [ateixeira] by ksayers

Jun 12, 2012 (2:14 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jun 12, 2012 12:03 pm)
Again... is the timing chain only a change for the Outback and NOT for the Forester as the Forester has a timing chain and has had a timing chain since... 2011? Read: the new engine for the Outback is the same as the engine used in the Forester for the last 2 years?
 
There just seems to be a lot of hoopla about a timing chain and revised torque curve. But... what this really appears to be is "take 4 cylinder engine from Forester, put it in an Outback" with a little bit of ignition and fuel change variation that happens every year, year after year, again and again. Is this really... a substantive change or just marketing hype?
 
I like the horsepower of the 6 and the fuel economy of the 4. No surprise. Subaru seems to be saying that the two are now "closer" to each other performance wise since there is a timing chain and torque adjust? Really? awwwwwwww... come on. I am sitting here ready to buy a 2013 Outback and the engine choice has me scratching my head. Sure... go drive both when they come out but I can't test drive both in the Sierras. I wish I could rent each one for a week. Then you throw in the CVT and how it does or doesn't perform or feel with each. Too many variables. If the 4 is 98+% similar in actual customer use to last years 4, fine, I go with the 6. But.... I dunno... must be thinking sloooowly today as I missed something...

#7 of 14 Re: Outback questions... [ksayers] by xwesx

Jun 12, 2012 (6:02 pm)

Replying to: ksayers (Jun 12, 2012 2:14 pm)
For the Outback, yes, this is a substantial change because it used the EJ25 engine in the 2012 and prior model years.
 
They're using the FB25 block, so it is the same block as in the Forester. Is that a problem? No. The Forester and Outback shared the same engine for twelve years until the Forester started using the FB25 as a mid-cycle refresh in 2011 and neither are, or have ever been, underpowered.

#8 of 14 Re: Outback questions... [ksayers] by ateixeira

Jun 13, 2012 (6:32 am)

Replying to: ksayers (Jun 12, 2012 2:14 pm)
I was hoping for DI and more power, maybe the 200 that Hyundai's 4 banger makes, but oh well.
 
The head redesign is a big deal because of all the gasket issues Subaru had in the past. This exorcises that ghost. I don't think Subaru has been hyping the engine at all - we have, because we recall the gasket failures.
 
You seek a dramatic improvement but I don't think you'll find it. It will be adequate, but not fast.

#9 of 14 Re: Outback questions... [ateixeira] by ksayers

Jun 13, 2012 (11:07 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jun 13, 2012 6:32 am)
If it's more reliable, that's a "good thing". Adequate is also sufficient. I didn't expect "fast" out of the 4 banger. When I get above 7000 feet the power of any engine drops significantly, therefore, knowing if it has enough grunt power for that situation is a key item. Thanks for the reply !!

#10 of 14 Re: Outback questions... [ksayers] by ateixeira

Jun 13, 2012 (11:11 am)

Replying to: ksayers (Jun 13, 2012 11:07 am)
You need a turbo! At altitude they lose much less power.
 
Too bad the Legacy GT is sedan only.

#11 of 14 Re: Outback questions... [ateixeira] by xwesx

Jun 13, 2012 (12:02 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jun 13, 2012 11:11 am)
...and discontinued for '13, from what I hear?

#12 of 14 Re: Outback questions... [xwesx] by ateixeira

Jun 13, 2012 (12:10 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Jun 13, 2012 12:02 pm)
Yeah? Bummer.
 
I guess the new WRX will sort of fill that role, in their eyes.

#13 of 14 Re: Outback questions... [ateixeira] by xwesx

Jun 13, 2012 (12:18 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jun 13, 2012 12:10 pm)
It's like Bob said previously, though, we all complain about it, but did we buy one?
 
I'm torn for my next vehicle. I was leaning very heavily to a MT Fiesta, but now am reconsidering a bit. Things don't look promising for a North American Fiesta ST, which I would really like (depending on the pricing). I don't plan to buy until next spring (~ a year from now), so maybe other options will open up.
 
I plan to keep this next one for a long time, as will we keep our Forester, so I'm going to buy exactly what I want, not what I have to settle with. To that end, I actually haven't ruled out the WRX yet, even though the FE is less than desirable. It has other qualities that are worth considering....

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