Eyesight vs Special Appearance package?

[Steve Palmer]

My first post. Cant decide what 2013 outback to get. Really would like both features but I cant have my cake and eat it too. I dont drive much on the highway. Really like the eyesight technology but if I am understanding correctly it does not help with blind spot merging into other lane issues. So which one would you get. Plan on having car for long time. Kept last car for over 10 years.

Thanks for your time. Steve

[Steve Palmer]

Sorry - my other question is any chance that in 2014 the Outback body will drastically change. Sales people say no but I dont trust them.

[Se7enLC]

Originally Posted by Steve Palmer

Really like the eyesight technology but if I am understanding correctly it does not help with blind spot merging into other lane issues. So which one would you get.

I just got EyeSight and I love it. SAP gives you memory seats and push-button start, and that's about it. Oh, and brown seats. Not that exciting compared to what EyeSight gives you.

You're correct about the blind-spot monitoring. The two cameras face forward and don't have any information about blind spots. When I talk about EyeSight, the FIRST thing people say is 'oh cool, so does it warn you when somebody's in your blind spot??' 'nope'

[OmutaX]

The Eyesight package is hands down the better package for me. After living with it a solid month through crowded street driving and freeway driving it's a godsend. Even when driving empty roads, the lane departure warning is mighty useful if you get a little dozy.

If you're not surrounded by any traffic whatsover, the SAP might be better for you. The SAP package's keyless entry is certainly a nice luxury, but for me I still enjoy actually twisting the key on the ignition (don't get me wrong, I'll take the keyless pushbutton too if available) so it's not a huge loss, but living in the LA/OC area having a traffic-jam aid is HUGE. I will never purchase a car without adaptive cruise control ever again as long as I live in Southern California.

[OmutaX]

Originally Posted by Steve Palmer

Sorry - my other question is any chance that in 2014 the Outback body will drastically change. Sales people say no but I dont trust them.

You probably misread it for the 2014 Forester. The Outback will be around as is for another 2-3 years. But we all can be sure Subaru will spitefully combine Eyesight with memory seats and keyless proximity access as an all in one package for us 2013 adopters.

[astro9476]

My first post also. I just bought a 2013 OB with SAP last weekend. I looked at both the SAP model and a car with the Eyesight package. I initially was leaning towards the eyesight package but after looking at one I felt the camera's on the eyesight package encroached too much around the rear view mirror area. I also read that the adaptive cruise tended to be too aggressive applying the throttle and brake. I don't have any personal experience to validate this so this might not be true. I was drawn to the push button start, memory seats and brown leather interior so I ended up purchasing a OB with SAP. After a week I have no regrets. I love the push button start. I never have to take the key fob out of my pocket. The memory seats are great since my wife and I have completely different seat height needs. I only wish the OB with SAP came in a wider variety of exterior colors. Obviously everyone has their own opinions and personal needs. You can't go wrong with either model.

[digdah]

I picked the SAP over eyesight for the memory seats and push button start. The adaptive cruise in the Eyesight package was appealing however the lane departure and possibly the collision avoidance systems would probably drive me nuts with my style of driving.

Either way the sales numbers don't lie. The combination of offering the public what they want with those 2 packages is hard to ignore.

[imwjl]

I hesitated on the EyeSight but my wife insisted even though it's my car. One more time over 25 years I get to say she was right.

[fun2drive]

I have put 2500 miles on my Outback in the last month and I have Eye Sight. I have not found it to be a nusiance what so ever. One thing it does do that might cause some issues is that if you change lanes without signaling, totally legal to do so by the way in Florida, it beeps at you and flashes a lane departure warning.

I have personally tested Eye Sight to a stop and restart and it works very well. Nothing is perfect a couple times Eye Sight dropped out in very hard rain and directly into sunlight...

[Se7enLC]

Originally Posted by fun2drive

One thing it does do that might cause some issues is that if you change lanes without signaling, totally legal to do so by the way in Florida, it beeps at you and flashes a lane departure warning.

I had no idea that was legal in Florida. That's nuts. I hate when drivers don't signal when changing lanes (and in MA, it's common, despite being illegal). I'd like to see lane departure warnings in more cars to "encourage" drivers to signal. It just makes good sense to tell other drivers what you are doing, I don't understand why people don't use them.

Edit: It's not legal in Florida, anymore. Looks like the law was changed in 2005. Use your turn signals when changing lanes and be safe out there, people!
This site lists the 316.155 law by year, and the "move left or right on the highway" bit was added.
http://archive.flsenate.gov/statutes.../0316.155.html