Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Thursday March 28, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
NASIOC
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC Subaru Models > Outback Forum

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-04-2012, 09:07 AM   #1
SpeedShift
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 35495
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Chicago
Vehicle:
2015 STi

Default just test drove 2013 2.5i 6mt, & it's pathetically slow!

Every gear is tall. They eliminated the e-brake handle and replaced it with a button. i thought the car would be zippy being a manual and with six gears. I felt like i was drivinh a boxed work truck instead. Why even offer a manual like this?

I am so dissapointed. Subaru lost its way. The xt model should be offered with stick shift.
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
SpeedShift is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 08-06-2012, 10:54 AM   #2
schweezly
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 187013
Join Date: Aug 2008
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Buffalo Grove, IL
Vehicle:
2013 ST

Default

E brake switched in 2010, and they don't offer an XT model anymore (IIRC).

I like the OB for what it is, but would not buy a manual one of this gen.
schweezly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2012, 09:41 PM   #3
sir_wagon
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 71549
Join Date: Sep 2004
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Anywhere but on Facebook.
Default

How was the handling once you got it moving?
sir_wagon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2012, 09:45 PM   #4
SpeedShift
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 35495
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Chicago
Vehicle:
2015 STi

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sir_wagon View Post
How was the handling once you got it moving?
it was surprising. the handling was quite stiff. i prefer a softer ride on a family vehicle in general. but what was ackward to me was that it was a fairly stiff ride and severly under-powered at the same time. it almost wanted to be sporty but without any pep to the acceleration. i would not mind the stiffened suspension if it had some power with the manual transmission.
SpeedShift is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2012, 09:45 AM   #5
Ying
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 166490
Join Date: Dec 2007
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Vehicle:
2011 WRX
WRB

Default

I just bought my wife a 2013 2.5 CVT Outback and will attest that it doesn't have the greatest pick up in the world. Fortunately I have my WRX to take care of that problem and I don't necessarily need my wife breaking land speed records anyway. Still driveable in my opinion. If it was my car, I would have a different opinion of that but for what it's worth it'll still merge nicely into swiftly moving traffic.

Other notes:

The CVT transmission is interesting to get used to. Seems like it's unnecessarily revving at 3K RPMs sometimes when I feel it should be up a gear but I guess that's just the nature of the beast. I'll probably end up driving in the manual mode if I ever drive it just to at least have some fun in what's a pretty boring car in my personal opinion.

Suspension is noticeably stiffened from past Outbacks I've been in but still forgiving. I agree with SpeedShift that the suspension was more "sport tuned" than what the rest of the car has to offer but it is nice for cornering. A lot less roll than I would have expected from such a large car. Not real bouncy and takes bumps well.

I guess I'm just happy she's got a car with a lot of nice comfort features. She's not the best driver in the world so the reverse camera in the rear view mirror is a welcomed option. Lots of room for road trips with our 70lb dog.

In hindsight, I wish I would have at least taken the 3.6 for a drive to see what that felt like. My wife doesn't need that though so it didn't even cross my mind at the time.
Ying is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2012, 12:52 AM   #6
Imprezzedwitsubies
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 216116
Join Date: Jul 2009
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Riverview, FL
Vehicle:
2014 Impreza Limited
Crimson Red Pearl

Default

What were you expecting? It's an N/A 2.5 H4 with 175hp that has to move a 4,000+ vehicle the size of the last generation Ford Explorer? Just because it was a six speed wasn't going to make it faster...
Imprezzedwitsubies is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2012, 02:05 PM   #7
SpeedShift
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 35495
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Chicago
Vehicle:
2015 STi

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Imprezzedwitsubies View Post
What were you expecting? It's an N/A 2.5 H4 with 175hp that has to move a 4,000+ vehicle the size of the last generation Ford Explorer? Just because it was a six speed wasn't going to make it faster...
it only weighs 3,400 pounds. about the same as my wife's 03 legacy automatic. i was expecting short gears from 1-3 to get it through the rpm band quickly but instead it was taking it's time climbing the rpm's. the engine was quite loud as well thanks to the switch from a belt to a timing chain.
SpeedShift is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2012, 06:33 PM   #8
Imprezzedwitsubies
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 216116
Join Date: Jul 2009
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Riverview, FL
Vehicle:
2014 Impreza Limited
Crimson Red Pearl

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SpeedShift View Post
it only weighs 3,400 pounds. about the same as my wife's 03 legacy automatic. i was expecting short gears from 1-3 to get it through the rpm band quickly but instead it was taking it's time climbing the rpm's. the engine was quite loud as well thanks to the switch from a belt to a timing chain.
I've driven a CVT one and it was slow too, but it got awesome mileage so that's probably got something to do with it. It could be geared more towards MPG's than being fun to drive
Imprezzedwitsubies is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2012, 07:10 PM   #9
SpeedShift
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 35495
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Chicago
Vehicle:
2015 STi

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Imprezzedwitsubies View Post
I've driven a CVT one and it was slow too, but it got awesome mileage so that's probably got something to do with it. It could be geared more towards MPG's than being fun to drive
i am sure. but it improves mpg by what, 1 mpg? not worth it imo. but whatever. i think subaru is out of touch right now. i traded the 03 legacy and went with a jetta sportwagen turbo diesel 6mt. really pained me to leave subaru.
SpeedShift is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2012, 08:08 AM   #10
Ying
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 166490
Join Date: Dec 2007
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Vehicle:
2011 WRX
WRB

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SpeedShift View Post
i am sure. but it improves mpg by what, 1 mpg? not worth it imo. but whatever. i think subaru is out of touch right now. i traded the 03 legacy and went with a jetta sportwagen turbo diesel 6mt. really pained me to leave subaru.
I don't blame you for going with a TDI though. If I had room in the budget for a second car I'd go turbo diesel as well. There are about 5 in our parking lot at work and they're all getting 45-50 mpg.
Ying is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2012, 06:02 PM   #11
BretAZ
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 320866
Join Date: May 2012
Default

I hope you got a good VW. If you are going to go VW, diesel is the only way to go. I had a 2011 Jetta TDI. Like my Impreza Sport 10x better. Was only getting 37MPG in the jetta. Never hit 40 once in the 6k miles I owned it.
BretAZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2012, 11:35 PM   #12
morey000
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 124531
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Tucson, AZ
Vehicle:
2007 Tribeca
Silver

Default

sorry to hear that it's such a dog. I'm really interested in a more fuel efficient family vehicle than my Tribeca, and was hoping to be able to get by with the smaller engine. There's no other vehicle that has Subie's AWD system.

Kinda' wish they could put BMW's 2.0T in there, or perhaps a diesel or hybrid. the Outback has got the right size chassis and AWD capability. Needs a better power plant.
morey000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2012, 04:47 PM   #13
hcsi99
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 115175
Join Date: May 2006
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Valparaiso, IN.
Vehicle:
2004 Impreza WRX
2012 Outback 3.6R

Default

My wife has a 3.6R and we love it! Well worth the drop in fuel mileage. We went from an 07 Tahoe to this so 25 mpg is big change from 15 mpg. And it doesn't take premium.
hcsi99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-28-2012, 07:51 PM   #14
Imprezzedwitsubies
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 216116
Join Date: Jul 2009
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Riverview, FL
Vehicle:
2014 Impreza Limited
Crimson Red Pearl

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SpeedShift View Post
i am sure. but it improves mpg by what, 1 mpg? not worth it imo. but whatever. i think subaru is out of touch right now. i traded the 03 legacy and went with a jetta sportwagen turbo diesel 6mt. really pained me to leave subaru.
Ahh good choice but we're also talking about cars with different objectives in mind. Obviously you were looking for something more sporty but gets good mileage, a la old Legacy Wagon (Which they don't offer in the current Legacy lineup.). Can't offroad in a Jetta Wagon lol. BUT I will admit I was trying to get an 09' Jetta TDI but couldn't afford it . So the Impreza was the next best choice.

Quote:
Originally Posted by BretAZ View Post
I hope you got a good VW. If you are going to go VW, diesel is the only way to go. I had a 2011 Jetta TDI. Like my Impreza Sport 10x better. Was only getting 37MPG in the jetta. Never hit 40 once in the 6k miles I owned it.
Did you mean 60k or just 6k?? If it was just 6k it takes a little bit for cars to get maximum mileage. I couldn't crack 30mpg in the Impreza until after 15k or so.
Imprezzedwitsubies is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2012, 12:35 PM   #15
wasabean
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 331478
Join Date: Sep 2012
Default

i'm a proud new owner for a 2013 OB 2.5cvt. i'm coming from a 2003 nissan 350z with more hp than i'll ever need. that being said, i think the 2.5 w/ cvt is decent for what it is. it gets going around town, and in my opinion, it isn't too sluggish on the hwy either. i have yet to take this on a long road trip but usually its just me and my gf so 2.5 is all i need for 80% of the time =)

myabe i'll look into finding ways to shed unnecessary when driving around town, such as removing the spare, maybe lighter wheels in the future, what else can i do?
wasabean is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2012, 03:31 PM   #16
DieselOx
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 334906
Join Date: Oct 2012
Default

I have a 2012 Outback, and I wish it had a stiffer '13 suspension. Subaru had to upgrade it to solve the wandering issue: in even a light cross wind, it becomes a bear to keep in the lane on the highway. I'll be changing as much as possible on mine to the '13 spec (springs/shocks, rear sway bar)

I also have a problem with the too tall 1-3 gears, but not enough to do anything about it, I just deal. I was too chicken to get the CVT; I don't want to be on the hook for repairs after 100k miles. When they break, even Subaru has to send them back to Japan to figure out what's wrong (they just put a new one in).

I'll take 30 mpg highway in an AWD 3400lb car with enough room for 3-6 foot adults across the back when I'm driving (6"1).

With a family with 2 almost teenagers, this is the smallest rig we could fit in. I'd much rather be driving a new Impreza wagon, it's way better car all around.

If VW made a TDI Passat wagon for the US, that's what I'd be driving right now. The Jetta is too small, and too dangerous (if the fuel pump grenades, it takes out $8k worth of parts).
DieselOx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2012, 09:34 AM   #17
AspWhtRex
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 29393
Join Date: Nov 2002
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: York, PA
Vehicle:
2015 WRX
wrbp

Default

2010+ oem sti 19mm rear sway bar bolts right in and makes a world of difference, so no need to change everything over to the 13' suspension stuff

I like my 12' outback, not the fastest but didnt buy this car for that purpose, but it has plenty power to drive around town and a ton of room.
AspWhtRex is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:08 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.