Changes for the 2013 Outback

[lbotta]

Originally Posted by Soob

Remove MPG performance gauge and add a real engine temperature gauge.

Nooo!!!!! I use the MPG performance gauge constantly. It has improved both driving and fuel efficiency. After all, isn't that what we want? Add the temperature gauge too.

[TotallyJaded]

Originally Posted by Looby

Yep, but they also have financial security, health care, and nearly-
free college for the kids (not to mention: pensions, vacations, ....).
That makes it easier to spring for big-ticket items without worrying
so much about finding yourself homeless next month or next year.
Neither wealth nor "freedom" is so easily measured in dollars.

2.0D ... 6-gang ................... € 43,100 .. ($56,030)
2.5i .... 6-gang ................... € 43,100 .. ($56,030)
2.5i .... Lineartronic ............ € 45,100 .. ($58,630)
3.6R ... 5-gang Automatik .... € 50,000 .. ($65,000)

Even if that article you had posted was able to quantify "financial security", it doesn't change the fact that the base model Subaru Outback costs about 40% more than what the average German family makes in a year pre-tax and before any other expenses.

Does. Not. Compute.

Unless you're saying Das Vaterland provides almost-free housing, almost-free food, and almost-free insurance on top of the almost-free college, pensions, vacations, and autographed pictures of David Hasselhoff. (Heilige scheisse!)

[Looby]

Originally Posted by TotallyJaded

Does. Not. Compute.

I spent 33 years working closely on joint projects with a German
sister-division (of a US Fortune 50 company) in Germany. I have
several very good friends/coworkers who are German nationals
and professional peers (BS/MS electrical & mechanical engineers,
chemists, physicists, firmware jocks, etc). The Germans ALL
enjoyed higher standards of living than their American "equals"
who had the same levels of education, the same degrees, same
job requirements, same responsibilities, etc., etc..

Not much difference in raw salaries, but the Germans paid much
higher taxes, and tolerated 2x to 3x higher homebuilding prices.
Nonetheless, they had a decidedly better quality of life than US
working stiffs. Nothing in the USA compares with the pervasive
sense of financial security and PERSONAL FREEDOM enjoyed by
middle class Germans. Ask any expat who chose "the better life."

I'd be retired in Weinland Baden myself if not for US family ties.

"Nicht alles was zählt, kann gezählt werden;
nicht alles was gezählt werden kann, zählt."
-- Berty E.
.

[almeidam3]

Originally Posted by bradze

if the stuff thats on the european outback would be available in north america, id trade in my outback in a second! i want the push button start, rear a/c vents, signaling power folding mirrors, si drive, and memory seats. YOU SUCK SUBARU OF AMERICA! this is the wealthiest nation in the world? i dont understand at all why we get such a spartan version.

I agree completely. I took a look at the Subaru Website in Portugal and the outback there, I would buy in a second... 2.0D with 6MT and clear turn signals, better grill, Si-Drive!!!!!, etc.... The radio even looks a little better with the Nav unit in Europe as well! Sigh.... Shoot, I would settle for a 3.6R with 6MT here in the US.

I don't understand why Subaru of America can't offer those options on a car here while still keeping the lower cost options available. Just make it another model.

[subarusteve]

Originally Posted by almeidam3

I agree completely. I took a look at the Subaru Website in Portugal and the outback there, I would buy in a second... 2.0D with 6MT and clear turn signals, better grill, Si-Drive!!!!!, etc.... The radio even looks a little better with the Nav unit in Europe as well! Sigh.... Shoot, I would settle for a 3.6R with 6MT here in the US.

I don't understand why Subaru of America can't offer those options on a car here while still keeping the lower cost options available. Just make it another model.

Probably because their marketing department says the market for a $50K - $60K Subaru is too small to make the product profitable in the U.S. They are a small, niche player here so they don't have the funds to take a risk like that.

[Pool Runner]

Subaru please get rid of or make all the silver painted hard plastics in the cabin more durable or soft touch surfaces. These trim pieces scratch and or gouge if you breath on them. This week I accidentally dropped my iphone from about 2" from the center console (gear shift surround area) and it put a nice deep black gouge, scratch. The silver part just below the gear selector on CVT cars scratches if you wipe dust that collects on it with a microfiber towel.

[StiOutBack]

Its time that Subaru's OB design team realize that many of the people who drive, (and wish to buy), OB's do enjoy "sport" in a SUV vehicle. We all appreciate the versatility of all Subi's, specially the OB's, but please offer a version that will pump the adrenalin of true car enthusiasts, and who can only afford one vehicle, but want something exhilarating to drive, with awesome looks and performance, one that could establish a whole new trend and niche-call it the performance sports utility (PSU) class. Here is my short wish list for the Subaru OB team to design and offer;
1) Offer a STI package; suspension, interior, wheels, exterior (less is more design), and not necessarily the 300hp motor, but offer a 4cyl gas turbo, or turbo diesel, with 220+ hp.
2) Offer either the forementioned, or even a standard OB but without the ridiculous plastic lower body valence molding, and other non-essential molding, and also offer an all one color paint option.
3) A truly adaptive and versatile roof rack system, pre 2010. At least one that is streamline. (Subi design team, take a lesson from any Apple product line on clean, beautiful designs!)
4) The wrap around front headlights are designed in part for safety, got it, but they are ugly as sin. Drop the wrap around look and design an aggressive face for this model.
I could go one, but it will begin to sound like ranting. In any case, I'm really holding off on buying the current model in part cause it's so ugly, with all it pointless plastic body moulding and poorly designed (and nasty to look at) roof rack. I've considered spending the the 10k more for an MDX. Some of the mentioned suggestions, I believe, would appeal to even more potentially new Subaru buyers, as well as retain some on the fence current Subaru owners.

[OutbackUFO]

Originally Posted by subarusteve

Probably because their marketing department says the market for a $50K - $60K Subaru is too small to make the product profitable in the U.S. They are a small, niche player here so they don't have the funds to take a risk like that.

Their marketing peeps are fools as is evident by FHI mainstreaming their cars to blend in with the rest of the cookie cutter cars on the market. A bit of fantasy would go a long way rather than the East-block gray bland look most cars have these days. Subaru has always stood out from the crowd and that difference was a huge key to their success over the years. The Legacy looks like the Accord and Camry IMHO..

I doubt that an OB will cost that much with some of those options, that are standard in ROW, added to the car. They could at the least OFFER items like self leveling rear suspension, SI Drive and Xenon lights as part of an extra $$ package. SOA does't even OFFER packages like that.

No diesel, No turbo, No STI like package...
Don't get me wrong I like my OB but would have liked it more if certain items would have been, at the very least, an OPTION to choose even if it took a longer time to order and, gasp, would have to wait for..

[Mr.Steve]

I call my salesman from the dealership every 4-5 months asking when a Turbo Outback will be available and he doesn't think it'll ever happen. Granted he's just a salesman, but he goes to all the events and Subaru sponsored outings for their marketing teams so I figure if it's ever on display he'll tell me knowing I want one.

Not really related but I just hope a Turbo model is out in '13 or '14 or whenever for my next one.

[icemilkcoffee]

They need to do something about those ugly unfinished cutouts in the upholstery for the child seat LATCH hooks. It looks like something a backyard hacker would do.