Test drove an '07 OBW today, a few questions:

[StuntmanMike]

Ok, so I finally test drove an OBW today. It wasn't the one I actually set out to drive, that onewas sold, but I had found another dealer nearby that also had one, so that was my back up test drive.

It was an '07 2.5i A4. 65K miles, pearl white with tan cloth, heated seats, power drivers seat, aftermarket remote start. It was wearing what looked to be nearly brand new Michelins, and had both manuals and all the mats. Also the cargo shelf was in it's home under the hatch in the rear floor.

Other than a small chip in the rear liftgate under the wiper and a chip I noticed on one of the rear door edges, the paint was very good, no scuffs on the bumpers or rock chips on the hood. Interior was also very clean, obviously never smoked in, and very few spots on the tan carpets. All the little doors for storage and what not worked perfectly. Ialso like how the rear seats fold perfectly flat w/out needing to mess with the headrests.

They're asking 13.5K for it, and mentioned multiple times at how low they've priced it, and what a good deal it is, blah blah blah.

I dunno, while I realize it IS a good price as far as these go, it just seems high for a almost 6 year old car. Plus, while this particular car is certainly nice, while driving it, it just didn't feel like a "nice car".

It drove okay, the 2.5 seems fine off the line, and the steering felt tight. It seemed like it was most comfortable at 60mph on the highway, I had to dip into the gas a little more and make a conscious effort to get it to 70. My other car makes literally twice the hp and torque, so pretty much anything I drive is going to be slower, but I never thought "omg this is slow". It's perfectly adequate. I also didn't have any issues with the 4speed, on paper it looks antiqueted, but it's perfectly functional. I find the sport shift feature a little laughable though, I don't see where that would be needed.

Things I didn't like:

It felt small inside. I first sat in the passenger seat, and thought the legroom was a little tight. Much to my surprise, the seat was already most of the way back. I got a few more inches out of it, and still thought the front legroom was a little less than ideal for my 5'9 height. With the seat in that position, my knees were hitting the front seatback when I sat in the rear to see how that was.

Driver's side legroom was better for some reason, and I was able to sit behind that seat with no knee contact.

I didn't think the seats were especially comfy, you seem to sit ON them rather than IN them. Imessed with the power seat a bit, but never found a good driving postion. Theseats actually felt like they were just small. And I'm not a big guy....5'9, 165lbs...very average build.

The center console armrest is way too low. I was trying to figure out what to do with my right arm, as I usually keep my left on the wheel.

It felt light and a little tinny. Not a sh!tbox....but close.

(I wonder if I'm just used to American cars? This is the first Japanese car I've ever driven, maybe this is just how they are??)

It rode a little bit firmer than I'd have thought, which is okay, but it seemed to skitter a bit over larger bumps, such as sunken manhole covers or sewer grates.

QUESTIONS: While riding a bit firm, Ialso noticed it seemed to "float" a bit in the rear, specifically when I hit a dip in the road at 40mph. It seemed to damp it fine, but maybe the rebound control is lacking, which caused the float. It only did it for a second then settled down. Is this normal, or a sign of rear shock (or struts?) needing to be replaced.

I looked under it to see if I could see any oil or coolant leaks, and noticed two bolts partially unthreaded from what looked like the exhaust manifolds. They're evenly spaced from the center of the car, I'm wondering if a skid plate of some sort should be there? This one had no front skid, I could see all the engine and tranny bits from underneath. Is it missing something?

When accelerating briskly from a stop with the wheels turned somewhat sharply, but not on full lock, I could feel some...well I won't call it a vibration, but I definitely felt feedback of some sort from the drivetrain.

Ever take a tight turn under moderate power (esp in the wet or on sand) in a RWD car with a limited slip diff? You can feel the rear tires chatter a bit. It felt like that.

Is that normal?

So I was up front with the salesman, and told him I wasn't planning on buying that day, just doing research on used cars and the OB was on my list. So of course the sales manager came out after the test drive to talk to me. It wasn't bad, he only put a little pressure on me as far as "what will make you buy this car today". He could tell I wasn't in love with it, because he mentioned that since it's over 60K, it's passed its "2nd depreciation threshold", and that I could drive it for 15 or 20k and trade it and not lose any money on it. (yeah right, I should have him give me it in writing that he'll do that in two year!)

He also mentioned being able to find anything else I wanted at auction if I wasn't interested in the Subaru. They just want to sell me a car, not necessarily the Subaru. He also mentioned the Venza, but I told him I'm not afan of Toyota (and this was a Toyota dealer btw, haha).

Maybe if they can work on that price, but since they seem very proud of it already, I don't know how much leeway there is. Or maybe they'll give me a grand or 1200 for my Jeep. That would sweeten the deal.

Oh, almost forgot...here's the car:

Used 2007 Subaru Legacy 4dr H4 AT Outback Basic For Sale Near Providence | RI Used Toyota Dealer 4S4BP61C077340911

I will say it looks gorgeous in that pearl white color, and I'm totally seeing it with black wheels and dark rear tint.

Thanks for answers to my questions, and any feedback in general.

[rasterman]

Floaty feeling is the classic symptom description for worn out rear struts. 65k miles seems a tad early for that but I'd believe it.

For reasons I've never researched or understood, the drivers' seat goes back further than the passenger seat in these cars. It's just built that way. I feel cramped in the pass seat of my own.

Chatter in a tight turn could be a sign of torque bind. Driving lock-to-lock figure eights on dry pavement should not produce weird sounds. However, sometimes an ATF change is all that is needed to fix this. Many threads about it here.

There was a popular option to fix the center console armrest- it was a replacement lid with a telescopic thingy to let you "raise the roof" for arm comfort. A weird way to solve the problem, but it works. Standard equipment on limiteds.

No skid plates, but there are a few heat shields, and they can rattle an amazing ruckus in the right circumstances. Many people just remove them, grass fires be damned.

[Saint J VT]

I see I was typing this as rasterman was making his post.

That car appears nearly identical to our 2005 OBW, however our colors are not the same.

It sounds as if the rear struts may be gone, I have found with the OEM struts that they have a "baby-carriage" feeling from day one and zero miles. If those are the OEM struts, I find it very difficult to believe that they are still "good."

I have found that nearly every car I have owned, the OEM shocks and struts are typically shot after about one to two years and about 20K to 30K miles.

I think that price seems high, given the miles and the fact that it may need all new struts and who knows what else, once they replace the struts!

[StuntmanMike]

Thanks for the info.

Ok, so it needs rear struts. I wish I had mentioned that on the test drive, but it's easy enough to verify later on if need be.

The LTD console sounds great. I was talking to my brother, he just picked up an '11 Jetta Sportwagen today, and his center console telescopes up too.

(the car I actually wanted to look at today was an '06 LTD, I had posted it in my other thread. A year older, but I think a better value than this one)

I'll look up torque bind, and if I drive it again, I'll be sure to do some figure 8's.

I'll put tranny fluid change on the list of things they would need to do, along with rear struts (I understand the '04 struts are the way to go?)

I feel cramped in the pass seat of my Firebird, but if I get a 4 door, I'd kind of like all 4 of my passengers to be comfortable. Crazy thought, right? LOL


EDIT: Thanks for the info, Saint J, I feel the price is high as well. I would be more comfortable paying 11-12k for it.

[rasterman]

Originally Posted by StuntmanMike

...along with rear struts (I understand the '04 struts are the way to go?)

The KYB GR2 part for 2000-2004 is a great way to go. Can't speak for any other brand. Tiny gain in ride height, but it's a direct bolt-up. I never actually noticed the extra height, but it has been measured by other members of this board.

[StuntmanMike]

Kind of funny that KYB is the way to go on these cars. On my other car, my '00 Firebird, in that world KYB is referred to as "Keeps You Bouncing" because the GR2's for that car are comlete shite. I can attest to this, as I installed a set of rear KYB's that were worse than the 100k stockers that I took off. Shortly after I bit the bullet and paid 200 each for rear Koni's, which did the trick. The rear is planted and no more floaty feeling.

To be honest, I'm pretty bummed at my driving impressions of the OB. I was expecting to be wowed by, but intsead it's just kind of "meh".

I still see the car as suiting my needs, but now more as a beater than a 'nice' car.

[rasterman]

Originally Posted by StuntmanMike

Kind of funny that KYB is the way to go on these cars. On my other car, my '00 Firebird, in that world KYB is referred to as "Keeps You Bouncing" because the GR2's for that car are comlete shite. I can attest to this, as I installed a set of rear KYB's that were worse than the 100k stockers that I took off. Shortly after I bit the bullet and paid 200 each for rear Koni's, which did the trick. The rear is planted and no more floaty feeling.

To be honest, I'm pretty bummed at my driving impressions of the OB. I was expecting to be wowed by, but intsead it's just kind of "meh".

I still see the car as suiting my needs, but now more as a beater than a 'nice' car.

Just goes to show you that a certain brand name doesn't guarantee anything. The last car I owned with a Bilstein suspension was a VW van. Not exactly known for their handling.

If you want wow, you could at least meet them halfway and try a 6 cyl or turbo with the limited package.

Sounds like you need to take a few more test drives, and not just in Subarus.

[modifier]

I think I would be looking for a different car. As you stated you were expecting a knock of your socks feel ride from the Outback but they are not what they seem. We have one that just turned 60,000 and these are high maintanence, lots of issues car. If we had to do it over again we would not buy it again. The 05 to 09 year cars also experience the famous Ghost Walking issues which ours has. Run far away from this car. Thats just the way I feel about the Outback, sorry.

[avk]

If handling really is such a priority, consider a Legacy wagon instead.

[BlueCorn]

Originally Posted by modifier

I think I would be looking for a different car. As you stated you were expecting a knock of your socks feel ride from the Outback but they are not what they seem. We have one that just turned 60,000 and these are high maintanence, lots of issues car. If we had to do it over again we would not buy it again. The 05 to 09 year cars also experience the famous Ghost Walking issues which ours has. Run far away from this car. Thats just the way I feel about the Outback, sorry.

You know this is an "Outback" forum, right?

:lol:


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