Outback 2.0D on winter roads

[bradze]

Originally Posted by ScottyNorq

Diesel only available in crappy cars? BMW 335d, BMW X5 , MB GL350, VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI, hopefully Mazda Cx-5 diesel next year. 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel, Porsche Cayenne, VW Toureg, Audi Q7, Audi A3, Q5 diesel next year. There are plenty of cool diesels here, they are just expensive

sorry, cars i would never want to own. which also seems like a bunch of crap to me. so i guess i dont need to apologize. well, i should have just said "unreliable" and also "overpriced"

[awd-gg]

Originally Posted by unsub1

Had my TDI Sportwagen over 4 years with no extra maintenance. Had a TDI Golf for 2 years before I got my OB with no extra maintenance. LOVE those 2 cars. My wagon is badass. But whatever.

This video is so awesome.

You said had... why only 4 and 2 yrs? Has bumper to bumper warranty expiration has anything to do with your decision to NOT keep the 2 VWs?
Just curious!

[unsub1]

The 2009 Sportwagen is going strong. It's been coast to coast and down many a dirt road many times. We decided about 12 miles out on a dirt road in May that owning almost identical cars wasn't as versatile as having 2 wagons with opposite strengths, so I did a trade and only had to pay in $4k to get my Outback. Man I miss that Golf though!

Sorry for the hijack, everybody.

Originally Posted by awd-gg

You said had... why only 4 and 2 yrs? Has bumper to bumper warranty expiration has anything to do with your decision to NOT keep the 2 VWs?
Just curious!

[jogosub]

Originally Posted by tob

Thanks, the Nokians are very good winter tires. A nice winter to you as well.
Why is the diesel not available in Canada? I 've heard that the cat system is not approved in California and thus not in the US, but in Canada?

From what I hear, it's not the CAT issue; my sources are telling me that Subaru does not have a proper automatic transmission to match the diesel and related torque. All they have it is the manual tranny - some diesel cars are assembled in Indiana but all of them (diesels) are exported. Since most US drivers prefer automatic transmission, it does not make economic sense to sell those in the US or Canada.
Perhaps if and when Subaru will start assembling them in an empty Trolhattan (Saab) factory (so far just rumours) we may see those Saab engineers come up with a matching automatic transmission...LOL

[tob]

Originally Posted by jogosub

From what I hear, it's not the CAT issue; my sources are telling me that Subaru does not have a proper automatic transmission to match the diesel and related torque. All they have it is the manual tranny - some diesel cars are assembled in Indiana but all of them (diesels) are exported. Since most US drivers prefer automatic transmission, it does not make economic sense to sell those in the US or Canada.
Perhaps if and when Subaru will start assembling them in an empty Trolhattan (Saab) factory (so far just rumours) we may see those Saab engineers come up with a matching automatic transmission...LOL

Well, in that case I can tell you there are rumors of a stronger CVT that will match the diesel and will go on sale this spring here in Scandinavia. The facelifted OB you have in the US has not come to market here, but may be the CVT diesel will be offerred when we get the facelifted OB in early sommer this year. Nothing is officially announced yet, so we will have to wait and see.
If the rumors are true, you'll probably get the same configuration offered to the US market.
Outbacks from the SAAB factory in Trollhättan are rebuilds for CNG propulsion.
All Subarus sold in the European market are made in Japan.

[scoobydoo2]

Originally Posted by bradze

sorry, cars i would never want to own. which also seems like a bunch of crap to me. so i guess i dont need to apologize. well, i should have just said "unreliable" and also "overpriced"

...naw...no need to split hairs over that. I am the same way with North American made cars. When I was a kid growing up in the '70's the majority of North American cars were crap and my dad drove German cars that were really well made in comparison. That opinion has stuck with me ever since and I have never owned a North American made car (yes...i know that subaru is built in Indiana, VW in Tennessee, etc)...ever.

[unsub1]

Hecho en Mexico!!!

Originally Posted by scoobydoo2

...naw...no need to split hairs over that. I am the same way with North American made cars. When I was a kid growing up in the '70's the majority of North American cars were crap and my dad drove German cars that were really well made in comparison. That opinion has stuck with me ever since and I have never owned a North American made car (yes...i know that subaru is built in Indiana, VW in Tennessee, etc)...ever.

[bradze]

as much as i've always hated american cars, ive owned a few. a ford focus, jeep grand cherokee and a cadillac. all designed very well, but no where near the reliability of japanese cars. i had an audi for a short period, that put a bad taste in my mouth. now ill only buy subarus and subaru, honda, toyota, or nissan are the only car companies i can recommend to friends.

[awd-gg]

Originally Posted by bradze

now ill only buy subarus and subaru, honda, toyota, or nissan are the only car companies i can recommend to friends.

can't say much abt SUbaru as this is my first subie.... (less than 3 yrs ownership)... My previous 2 cars are Hondas.(17 yrs btw the 2 cars....only 1 O2 sensor went bad ($250 repair bill).... So, this subie have tough act to follow to impress me.... My Biggest nightmare is European Made....(FIAT...total junk.)
2nd biggest headache was a diesel car back in the 80's.....
3rd biggest headache...BMW 6 series (and that is NOT even my daily driver!)

so, diesel and European made don;t score high on my reliability scale!!!!
again, YMMV!

[jogosub]

Tob - your info is probably more "up-to-date" than mine - you are in that market.
What will they assemble in Saab's factory in Finland (where they were assembling the convertibles)?
I also hear that they will assemble all electric vehicles in Trollhattan, once the real estate issue is resolved with stubborn GMAC who still owns the old assembly plant there.