CVT Pros and Cons

[jp1203]

Originally Posted by fatabbot

I don't desire to have an "extra" car to insure, store, maintain, register, etc. So I don't find what's humorous about wanting to have a bit of fun with the practical car I'm forced to own...

To each his own. Adding a bit of spice to a "shoot myself in the head" boring car sounds like a good idea to me.

I think the Outback is one of the best "compromise" types of vehicles out there, hence why I own one. Can't justify a truck/SUV for a daily driver because I don't use the available cargo space often enough and don't off-road every day (gas mileage wouldn't be good and highway trips wouldn't be fun), but I didn't want a "car car" (sedan) that I can't fit large things in if I want to and have to stick to pavement and maintained dirt roads with. Plus, I hate small vehicles and the Outback is just large enough and just high enough to make me happy without it being obnoxious or overkill.

Originally Posted by subiesailor

Nothing our ob does outside of seating space for
the dog is beyond our legacy and the legacy is actually easier to put bikes and stuff on due to the lower roof line. LOL That and even loaded the legacy runs circles around the OB. Sadly the old doberman doesn't find being locked in the trunk of the legacy acceptable LOL

...and ground clearance. The extra amount that the Outback has (even older gens) makes a big difference when going off road, which I do fairly often. Mine has 7.9" and in some places it's just barely enough. Otherwise, I agree.

[2WheelsGood]

Originally Posted by subiesailor

Paddle shifters attached to wheel and rotate around are a fail on any car by the way.

Suuuurrre... like here on this Ferarri. BIG fail!

[Looby]

Originally Posted by mpnret

You are better off with a car for sport and one for practical
stuff rather than trying to put sport where it doesn't exist.

Already got 'em -- plus an old beater (5MT, natch) for when we
have to leave a car at the airport. As fatabbot sez, no need to
shoot yourself in the head (and pay an extra $1000) to make a
"practical" all-weather grocery-getter rival a Camry for boring.

...when will they automate the paddle shifters?

Looby

[subiesailor]

Originally Posted by 2WheelsGood

Suuuurrre... like here on this Ferarri. BIG fail!

No one ever said Ferarri's were good - they are all about the cool factor not exactly about practical or even fast for that matter. LOL Italian Style has never been practical fun to look at and be seen with but not so great to actually personally own ;-) kinda like their women

[2WheelsGood]

Originally Posted by subiesailor

No one ever said Ferarri's were good...

I guess you can fool yourself if you want. But you haven't fooled Ferarri, Mercedes, Infinity, Porsche, BMW, Aston Martin, Saab, Lamborghini, Jaguar, etc. They all use 'em. Oh, and of course, let's not forget the Veyron. What a bunch of failures, eh?

And of course, you could listen to this race car driver talk about how much better they are for racing:
http://videos.howstuffworks.com/webr...ters-video.htm

[Mighty Horse]

2011 Outback - 3.6:
I liked the way the CVT drove but opted for the 3.6 H6. When I step on the gas, I get immediate and strong acceleration. I need that in Jersey where people drive to get where they are going and you better get the F outta their way. The gear box is smooth (although not the ghostlike feel of the CVT.) The deal breaker for me was the sound. When I test drove both, I noticed a louder sound at higher RPMS in the CVT. Almost a high pitched whine when accelerating over 70 MPH. Since I do a good bit of highway driving and have the handsfree HK Bluetooth Audio, I did not want client's to have a hard time hearing me on phone calls. I found the cabin at high speeds to be quieter with the 3.6 and have been happy with it since last March when I took delivery. With gas creeping up I sometimes have a little pump envy as I get about 22-23 highway and 19 around town. However, I like the power and found the CVT less responsive. Did not want the wife accelarating on the on ramp and having any lag. Comes down to driver preference.

[mcbrew]

Originally Posted by 2WheelsGood

I guess you can fool yourself if you want. But you haven't fooled Ferarri, Mercedes, Infinity, Porsche, BMW, Aston Martin, Saab, Lamborghini, Jaguar, etc. They all use 'em. Oh, and of course, let's not forget the Veyron. What a bunch of failures, eh?

And of course, you could listen to this race car driver talk about how much better they are for racing:
HowStuffWorks Videos "Paddle Shifters"

I have driven a Lamborghini. A 2011 Gallardo to be exact. Yes , it has paddle shifters, but they do NOT turn with the steering wheel. They are always in the same place, so you nw where they are when you need to tap one. I wish the OB worked like this, because it is easy to lose track when you are is tight turn, like making a u-turn.

[Bassman]

And the Corvette's (C-6) paddles don't rotate with the steering wheel either.... FWIW.

[awd-gg]

Originally Posted by Bassman

And the Corvette's (C-6) paddles don't rotate with the steering wheel either.... FWIW.

yes, Don't pick on GM....They are usually a few years behind.....

[mpnret]

Originally Posted by Looby

Already got 'em -- plus an old beater (5MT, natch) for when we
have to leave a car at the airport. As fatabbot sez, no need to
shoot yourself in the head (and pay an extra $1000) to make a
"practical" all-weather grocery-getter rival a Camry for boring.

...when will they automate the paddle shifters?

Looby

I guess for me having to shift my boring grocery getter is not worth saving the $1000. Especially since we use it for a lot more than getting groceries. To each his own. You may want to check statistics and see how many Outbacks of each configuration are sold. I bet there are at least 1 or 2 people out there that feel the same as I do.