2013 Outback-things that annoy me

[SRC]

I don't need nor do I expect sympathy. We looked at other options. I talked to friends about their experiences with their choices. The Outback still came out on top. That doesn't mean that there isn't room or need of improvement. Of the items on the my gripe list, only two, auto lock and unlock, caught me off guard because I have lived with them so long that it never crossed my mind that a SAP wouldn't offer the option.

As for looking forward to my next car, I love diesel, but I had to settle. There are no affordable diesel 4/all wheel drive available. I could have waited for the GLK 250 (the cheapest offering) but it is more pricey than I will spend (I don't believe in spending a lot of money on cars but I have to balance my desires with my wife's) and it doesn't offer much for cargo space (I cannot even get my dog in the back without dropping the second row).

I settled on the Outback, but then I settled on the TDI (it was not perfect), and my wife's Infiniti and our van and the previous van and so on. There are no cars that would illicit some gripes.

I will reprogram (or have the dealer reprogram) for gripe #1. I will live with gripes #s 2 and 3, they are minor (but silly on a keyless car where the object is to avoid pressing extra buttons). Gripe #4 I will solve, I was well aware of the issue before I bought (I just wish as a wagon, the Outback had wagon like depth in the rear). As for the other moat items, they don't amount to much annoyance.

There is room for improvement and most of it can be done with no additional manufacturing cost.

[Thai]

I must admit...the MOST annoying crap about my car is the lack of auto lock/unlock. In addition, it is almost sad that i cannot use my key to get into my car without first disarming the alarm!! It is as if Subaru hired some cheap aftermarket alarm vendor to install the alarm!! NONE of my current cars have these issues. ****, even my 2002 4runner and 2005 Corolla had none of these issues.

[Sequoia225]

Originally Posted by SRC

(I just wish as a wagon, the Outback had wagon like depth in the rear). .

It used to - or at least seems like it. When I test drove the 2013 - looking at my car (2003) vs the new - it seems as though my old one is deeper in the back. I think they just gave the new one more room in the rear (and maybe front) seat. They seem much roomier in the rear seat section and at least LOOK much shallower in the rear than mine. I havent checked specs so Im not sure if its just an illusion cause I think they are a bit wider in the back than mine is too.


Nothing wrong with expressing your gripes. But I guess being on a board with lots of Outback "fans", it will irritate some. Whatever.

My biggest gripe is that big plate of armor, I mean plastic, on the rear of the front seats. It looks so odd to me compared to my 2003 seats that just have the leather (or vinyl, whatever it is) wrapping around the back. Maybe it just adds too much plastic to an already plastic heavy interior. I dont know but it looks silly to me. I guess if anyone is throwing spears at me from the rear, I am protected.

Im sure when I finally buy, I will LOVE the car, but have other gripes as well. Like no good place to put my aftermarket Garmin.

[Thai]

Originally Posted by Sequoia225

My biggest gripe is that big plate of armor, I mean plastic, on the rear of the front seats. It looks so odd to me compared to my 2003 seats that just have the leather (or vinyl, whatever it is) wrapping around the back. Maybe it just adds too much plastic to an already plastic heavy interior. I dont know but it looks silly to me. I guess if anyone is throwing spears at me from the rear, I am protected.

Im sure when I finally buy, I will LOVE the car, but have other gripes as well. Like no good place to put my aftermarket Garmin.

It's practical. I wonder if there is something structurally important for that to be there since the newer cars have anti-whiplash design.

For me, screw Garmin...i am using my smartphone! Real-time maps.

[jogosub]

I gave up on NAV in my 2013 OB - I did install (hard wired) my good old Garmin Nuvi 1490 with lifetime maps and traffic. Screw i-phones and related apps because it's a distraction not to mention small screen that you can barely read (at my age). My Garmin's wide screen user-friendly unit is the best in my opinion - it's paid for - no need to have data plan with pathetic cellular service and coverage. I hacked into Garmin's text-to-speech program and my Garmin tells me commands like "you should have listened to your mom" instead of "make a u-turn" etc, etc..... teens riding with me in a car have a blast!

[fun2drive]

There are no cars or trucks that are "perfect". I personally like my Outback it is a much better vehicle than I imagined it would be and this from someone who has owned it for only 6 weeks and 3000 miles.
The only gripes I have are the lack of self centering correctable with alignment tweaking the remote start when opening the door it dies.

Pretty small list actually.

Frankly if I was the OP I would sell the thing or trade it and get something that is liked better. Getting stuck once to me isn't jusitification to have AWD. I love diesels too and am disappointed in auto makers for not bringing more into the US as I would love to see an immediate 30% increase in fuel mileage plus a lot more low end torque where it counts.

I have sold a couple vehicles that just didn't work for us rather than be miserable for years and yes we took a financial hit doing it...

[Tom28]

Can't speak to the 2012, but in the 2013 you can un-link the dash clock from the GPS system. Though, in the 2012's you can have the dash display 24h time. Wish I could have that in the 13's. Especially since the sun up/down setup page reads time in 24h format.

I took my first road trip yesterday in my OB and I found the Nav system to be very useful and it just worked. Also, the lane display system is really, really cool.

My Garmin is 5 years old so it doesn't have all the fancy speed warning systems so I don't know what I'm missing. I've learned to trust cruise and my own eyes to check the speed limit signs.

As for diesels - be patient, more are coming. Just read that the Audi Q5 is due out real soon now (tm) with an oil burner.

[JCBERB]

Originally Posted by foxrider68

I'd love to see the millions of eyes rolling for people that have to work on their cars to keep them running and how they feel about someone with a brand new car this whiny. While your complaints are valid I feel no sympathy as you could have bought something else and you're just pouting cause you miss your diesel. You should have kept that car and bought a 3rd rig used with 4x4/awd. No one forced you to buy a new car.

Well it is not a matter of sympathy, there are some minor features that Subaru can add to their vehicles which are deal breakers for some. Thats all... I don't think he is stating Subaru is terrible, he just misses some features he used to have, I am sure he will adjust to it.

[JCBERB]

[QUOTE=Sequoia225;478701

My biggest gripe is that big plate of armor, I mean plastic, on the rear of the front seats. It looks so odd to me compared to my 2003 seats that just have the leather (or vinyl, whatever it is) wrapping around the back. Maybe it just adds too much plastic to an already plastic heavy interior. I dont know but it looks silly to me. I guess if anyone is throwing spears at me from the rear, I am protected. [/QUOTE]

I questioned the seat backs at first, but shortly after buckling up my two-year old and noticing his habits (with feet placement) I was happy the seat backs are plastic.

[digdah]

I have not yet received my car but in the short time I had in one at the dealership I got very frustrated with the sluggish response whenever you would select anything on the Nav. Still I find it strange that one would purchase a vehicle as their primary mode of transportation with so many gripes. As for the Nav I have hopes that that can be improved via a software upgrade. The rest of the bullet points, if I was spending the money, would have had me shopping elsewhere.