The Subaru Thread (Sponsored by AmazingCo, Inc.)

[Dr_Flash_Amazing]

OK, Subaru persons. In light of the other car thread being about half Sub', the Doctor is starting an all-Subaru thread.

 

Do any of you other folks experience some annoying acceleration lag, especially starting from a stop? Love the car, but it seems to be a little testy at low speeds.

[iain]

I'd say the Legacy L, at least, is underpowered in every department. No experience with the Outback's larger engine. The ground clearance on the L is unacceptable for mountain use IMHO.

[Greg_W]

I had a 2000 before I got the 2003 and I can't remember any accel. lag. I am probably not a good judge as I am used to a V-8 w/loads of power to spare. My main bitch is that the steering system is not stiff enough; meaning that I think it is all power, not power assist. I can't really feel the road like I can in my Chevy; it seems to oversteer. Gotta give props on the new H-6 engine; it rocks.

[Dr_Flash_Amazing]

Interesting. DFA has found the Legacy to be excellent at highway speeds, with plenty of passing power, and enough oomph to stay in 5th gear over the mountains. But damned if the low speeds aren't a bitch. Especially stop and go traffic; it just seems to have sort of a touchy accelerator which also happens to lag at starts, leading to a lot of lurchy crap. It's honestly been kind of a challenge to drive gracefully at low speeds, and the Doctor has driven nothing but manuals since he got his permit. Strange.

 

Greg, DFA is nothing but envious of the H-6 Outback. Saw one on the way to lunch today, and was jealous.

[allthumbs]

Get the WRX. No lag there.

[Dr_Flash_Amazing]

Unless you're a sawed-off midget, you can't sleep in the back of a WRX. Insurmountable drawback. Anyway, doesn't the new Legacy GT have a 2.5l engine also?

[iain]

maybe, but then you're dragging a wagon around. the wrx is a fine-looking automobile if that's your game. legacy gt has leather-covered shifter!

[allison]

My GL has annoying accelerator sluggishness when it is cold. When it is warmed up, it's not bad at all.

 

Before I got my Sub I had a sportscar and a motorcycle, so there's pretty much nothing that would make a station wagon feel right, in terms of acceleration and handling. Had to grow up and get practical.

[STORER]

All Legacy GTs have the 2.5 engine. Get the Impreza 2.5 RS if the smaller size isn't a problem. The RS is good looking, fast in the hands of a good driver and the insurance isn't high like the WRX.

 

Steve

[erik]

outside of having no muffler......mine rocks....i have taken it everywhere i have taken my chevy pu

 

power assisted- pfft

 

automatics- double pfft

[snoboy]

quote:

---

Originally posted by allison:

My GL has annoying accelerator sluggishness when it is cold. When it is warmed up, it's not bad at all.

---

My 87 GL wagon is a pig when it's cold, but when it warms up, then not so bad.

 

Go to your local parts dealer and ask about getting a K&N (or the equivalent)air filter. It lets more air through, and I find my car goes about 10% further on a tank of gas, and has more get-up-n-go. About CDN$75, but it pays off in gas, and the filter is reusable for the life of your car and beyond probably...

[Jim]

My '98 outback is not a bad car but my '69 VW van has higher ground clearance and sleeps more. No heat for those ski trips however.

[allison]

Nice, thanks for the tip. I've been looking for a sneaky trick to improve gas mileage!

[Necronomicon]

87' with broken temp gauge pissed coolant out petcock for draining radiator, due to faulty o- ring ($0.10), needs new head gasket (>$700), will give hand-jobs (m/f) for pocket change.

[iain]

bad thing about the VW van - engine in back means accelerator cable along base to front means frozen cable in winter! Our bus cable froze on the way to the Wallowas and had to constantly reach down and pull the accelerator back up to slow down. annoying to say the least