Drove my new Outback home today, feels weird

[mamamia]

I bought this car on Monday and left it at the dealership and brought the car home today, coming from Honda Accord I4, this car really feels sluggish and tight in the steering and acceleration. ALso would like to know what are the pre-cautions I need to take for first few thousand miles.

[Latigo]

Are those not things that should crop up in a test drive?? This isn't a CTS-V wagon or Magnum SRT8.

The good book says to not go over 4000rpm for the first thousand miles. I had my first oil service done around 2500 miles.

[fun2drive]

Also help us help you tell us what OB you have, which engine, which options.
I agree that the test drive or drives should have been long enough to allow you to get a feel for what is to come...

[mamamia]

2.5i CVT premium. I test drove it in the city. Not sure if its about getting used to the higher ride and new car and the CVT.

[Turbofire]

Having just got one myself, I think you'll find the cvt takes a little getting used to. It felt like a traditional automatic with a high stall converter at first. Also with any new car there seems to be a "driver break in period", you are hyper sensitive to all the little nuances even if it's just because your old car was worn out.

Careful not to change out the factory oil too soon, it usually has special additives in it.

Originally Posted by Latigo

This isn't a CTS-V wagon or Magnum SRT8.

Because those cars perform exactly like the 4 cyl Accord he was comparing it to. ???

[rstickle]

The CVT does take some getting used to if you haven't driven one before. A whole different feel from the "normal" automatics.

[jogosub]

Comparing to Honda (Civic or Accord with miles on them) it will feel sluggish! You will get used to it, like previously mentioned, CVT is a whole different "animal"!

[AO River]

Mamamia, welcome to the forum and congratulations on your purchase.From the Accord to the Outback, you're looking at an extra 500+ lbs, an AWD system and ultimately a very different vehicle. Hopefully the OB fits your needs beyond power and acceleration as those really aren't it's primary features. Give it some time, and hopefully you'll come to enjoy it.

As far as initial break in, as Latigo said the Owner's Manual suggests staying below 4k RPM for the first 1,000 miles. Also, avoid staying at a constant RPM for a long duration (e.g., cruise control on a flat stretch of highway). Other than that, enjoy the ride :-)

[SeanU]

Originally Posted by mamamia

I bought this car on Monday and left it at the dealership and brought the car home today, coming from Honda Accord I4, this car really feels sluggish and tight in the steering and acceleration. ALso would like to know what are the pre-cautions I need to take for first few thousand miles.

I also noticed the tight steering feel when I first drove my 13. Im only at 1100 miles at this point, but it seems to have lightened up a bit. Maybe it's just the from-the-factory tight parts breaking in... or maybe I'm just getting used to it. As for the acceleration, You have to press your foot down pretty far to tell the CVT computer to kick it up a notch, otherwise it seems to stay in gas-miser mode. Also, as others have mentioned, the CVT experience is weird until you get used to it. There is a disconnect between the sound the engine is making and the acceleration that is very different from the rev-shift-rev-shift of a regular automatic trans.

[vr4Legacy]

I can only second what's been said.

The CVT "feels" more sluggish because you don't get that high rev, kick down a gear feeling when you floor it. It just maintains and consistent rpm and changes the gear ratio to get you going. If you need the kick back feeling, tap it down a gear or two.

As sluggish as the car may feel, I've had a few 4 cyl cars play with me at stop lights and I've never had one pull away from me. They may have a little jump when they floor it, but the OB just pulls straight ahead.

Coming from someone who prefers a MT over and AT, I think the CVT is 10x better than any EAT I've driven. It finally does what an AT should, keeps the car moving without feeling the gears shift.

Welcome to the forum and enjoy your OB. Once you own it for a few months and use it for what it's intended, your old car will be no comparison