My New Car #2 (2012 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited)

[Climb14er]

For someone like you, I would test drive the 3.6 model. OR check out the new Acura RDX...less sophisticated AWD, decent ground clearance, plenty of power, and fuel economy splits the difference b/w the Subaru 3.6 and 2.5 CVT.

For me, I am able to hit at least 29 mpg on the highway. And I drive a lot on the highway daily.

Was going to post that I did just test drive the 3.6 and found it A LOT more amenable.

Told the sales manager that if the Forester was available in a 2.5 Turbo coupled with a six speed manual... THIS would be my next choice to drive. Unfortunately it does not.

I've always liked Subarus. Bought two for the ex-wife.

Will look at the Acura RDX.

Like I said, don't really want to leave the V8. Maybe the process is telling me to just enjoy the vehicle and pony up for the added fuel.

It's either the latter or paying for a new car! :

 

[rx900]

Congrats on the new BabieS (Car and the Baby hehe). White always looks clean. 55k on your 09 Acura sounds a lot ot me lol. :hiding: My 09 BMW only had 13,600 on the clock when we returned her :driving: hehe.

 

[Thai]

Congrats on the new BabieS (Car and the Baby hehe). White always looks clean. 55k on your 09 Acura sounds a lot ot me lol. :hiding: My 09 BMW only had 13,600 on the clock when we returned her :driving: hehe.

Both my wife and I drive at least 20k miles per year....

 

[Thai]

Just had Subaru detailed my car (for free):

 

[HedgehogOutdoors]

The interior is absolutely beautiful!

 

[Thai]

The interior is absolutely beautiful!

I agree. The ONLY thing that i would change is to substitute the fake wood with fake aluminum trim. I have never been a fan of fake wood.

 

[josh.bunch]

Not me. I like the plastic wood i'm our Subi...only thing I would change is how lightly colored the tan leather is. There is no middle ground. Black or light light light tan.

 

[Thai]

Not me. I like the plastic wood i'm our Subi...only thing I would change is how lightly colored the tan leather is. There is no middle ground. Black or light light light tan.

Hehehe, i love the real aluminum panels in my old BMW M3...it just stands out.

The weird thing is that the black leather looks good on the seats, but on the door panels it looks really bad! The surface of the black leather (grain) on the door panels is rough, while the seat is smooth. Very strange...and very noticeable to me. On the tan leather, it looks consistently smooth everywhere, even though the door panels are vinyl i believe. But, at least, the grain is consistent. Because of this very reason, i got the tan leather!

If you get the chance, then check it out for yourself and see if you see what i am seeing.

 

[Thai]

Pics of the black vs. tan leather grain...notice how the tan leather/vinyl grain is consistent thru out...on the armrest, center console, and seats. In the black interior, the armrest and center console leather/vinyl grain is quite rough as opposed to the seat leather grain. This inconsistency is in EVERY black interior that i saw on the lot.

 

[Thai]

Today, i bought Michelin Defender for my Subaru. The stock tires are still great. But, since my Sienna and Subaru share the same tire size and my Sienna tires are near dead, i made the switch. My Subaru has about 5500 miles on it. Basically, my minivan (Sienna) got my 5500 miles stock Conti ContiProContact, while the new Michelin Defender goes on my Subaru.

A few notes from the drive back (mostly highway, about 15 miles):

1. Road noise is comparable...no major advantage either way. I don't hear a big difference.

2. The stock Conti's are definitely GOOD tires...i feel the bumps more with the Defender. Now that they are on the minivan, i can say for sure that the Conti's are luxurious tires. You hear the small bumps, but you don't feel it. The same canNOT be said about the Defender. This makes sense because the Conti's are "GRAND Touring Tires" while the Defender are "STANDARD Touring Tires."

3. BUT, the Defender is far from being a rough ride. It rides like normal tires. The Conti's just rode ever so slightly more comfy.

4. The "soft" feeling of the Conti's do make you feel like the tires are softer around corners. I am sure that this is all in my head but you get the idea.

Overall, i am very happy. The minivan is now a pretty darn good ride (it was good before) and pretty quiet for long trips. The minivan is our weekend car, mostly for long drives. So, these Conti's should last a long time on the Sienna.

The Outback now has a tire that has a 90k mile warranty and is a quiet tire in itself. And it is a Michelin.

 

[Thai]

Subaru Outback thru the Outback: Road Trip! Subaru Outback Through the Outback - YouTube

 

[Thai]

Subaru AWD videos:

Subaru AWD Uphill Comparison Test - YouTube

Subaru All Wheel Drive Traction Testing - YouTube

Live demonstration of Subaru Forester and Outback's 4x4 symmetrical all wheel drive system - YouTube

Subaru Symmetrical AWD vs. Honda, Toyota, and Volkswagen - YouTube

Subaru Outback beats Ford Kuga and Volvo XC 60 amongst others on wet grass slope - YouTube!

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive Traction Test - YouTube

2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek vs Land Rover Defender - YouTube

New video links added.

 

[Glock_19]

How is the Subi holding up?

I really want to make the jump to an Outback. I just don't need my 4Runner any more and a new car with heated seats and nav sure would be nice. I'm just worried about how that CVT is going to hold up.

 

[javendan]

i have a '12 outback premium w the cold weather package, includes heated seats and some other things

also, my outback is a 6-speed manual.

my only issue is a possible throw out bearing that is goin out.

other than that it's been great.

this is my second subaru. first was an '05 forester 2.5x w a 5-speed manual.

check out Subaru Outback - Subaru Outback Forums and have a peek around!!!

joel

How is the Subi holding up?

I really want to make the jump to an Outback. I just don't need my 4Runner any more and a new car with heated seats and nav sure would be nice. I'm just worried about how that CVT is going to hold up.

 

[Thai]

How is the Subi holding up?

I really want to make the jump to an Outback. I just don't need my 4Runner any more and a new car with heated seats and nav sure would be nice. I'm just worried about how that CVT is going to hold up.

I have just over 15k miles...no issues. If you buy a 2013 Outback, then it has the 2nd gen CVT, which should be reliable. The 1st gen CVT has been reliable. Personally, I would skip Subaru NAVIs...they suck for the most part.