Manual Trans vs. Automatic

[Princeli]

Originally Posted by 5outbacks4jon

Lisa - you're almost as awesome as my wife, although no one can be. She loves manuals as well but was willing to do a CVT given the distractions children can provide. I'm on my 4th Outback with manual transmission. I don't know that they necessarily handle better but do like the precise control I have especially on snow covered roads. This is one of the things that sets Subaru apart from everyone else. Name a competitor that gives you all wheel drive, utility, heated seats, and a manual transmission all from the factory

Haha, thanks.... ? I tried the CVT and have to admit it was fun.. (Impreza wagon) but no can do. I am a control freak maybe... tried breaking with my left foot to keep it occupied, but it is just not what I want. I have three kids -- two are grown so I don't think I can be converted. My mom is 87 and drives an A6 with MT still!

[jp1203]

While the 4EAT is bulletproof, I agree that it's sluggish. I always wonder what my H6 would do with an MT or even a 5EAT. I think I lose a lot of the potential of that engine through the transmission.

[VTOutbackXT]

Princeli- I have a 2006 Outback XT Ltd for sale with 80K miles, manual transmission, fully loaded. It's a great car, but I'm in the market for something larger. Here's an ad I posted for it: '06 Subaru Outback XT Ltd. Let me know if you're still in the market and interested- I know how hard these are to find. It took me over a year to find this car.

[pander7696]

Sounds to me like it's time to move on. If you want a car that handles you really should be looking at a WRX or STI. I had an Outback and it was great, but it's not trying to be something that it's not. It's a big AWD wagon, comfortable ride, good power (I had the 6 cylinder in mine, so it had great power!) and great in various road conditions.
But you are talking about loving to drive, and handling. That screams WRX! - Go take one for a test drive. It's not a small useless sports car either. It has pretty good space in the back in the hatch configuration, and if you drop the seats you can really carry a lot.
I traded my Outback in for a WRX a year ago, and I've been in love with it from day one. If you are looking for a true drivers car, that's the one to beat.

[coolboarder69]

Honestly at this point I'd be willing to bet that any 3rd gen with stock suspension is going to feel really floaty, the suspension just wears out very quickly. Mine was pretty shot at 60k. Stock suspension in 3rd gens are crap IMO. I replaced the stock struts with the kyb excel-g's and also did the rear springs with the rallitek overloads, handles so much better and eliminated the float for me. Just a thought if you reall want the car and don't mind making a few suspension upgrades.

[pvalchev]

I'll add one more vote for upgrading the stock suspension if you get a third gen. Stiffer kyb struts and the rallitek overload springs... I put them on mine at 60k miles and the car was transformed to be way more awesome (and fixed the ghostwalking issue) - now I'm at 90k miles and loving it.

And yes, get the manual 2.5i. Took me 8-9 months to find mine, but I refuse automatics and it sounds like you are similar, so it's worth waiting.

[5outbacks4jon]

God bless your mom, that is great! Hope I'm still driving stick at that age, that is if they still have it.

[Princeli]

Thanks for all the comments!

I know, a WRX would be awesome, but I've had a bunch of super fast cars with stiff sport suspension and am now fine to have a slightly cushier ride. I like the idea of KYB's in the 3rd gen, will probably do something like that!

I'm going to drive 4 hours to see a LTD with 107K. They swear it's mint, and are replacing the timing belt for me.... I'm sure I'll have to upgrade the struts in a bit, but will be a good excuse to improve the ride a bit!

I'll let you know how it works out --

The XT, btw, is really nice, I'm just trying to stick with a regular LTD w/out turbo. Silly, I know, but I'm leaning a bit more towards the practical, while still remaining fun enough, this time around!

Thanks everybody! ;-)

[ipa]

Originally Posted by Princeli

I'm going to drive 4 hours to see a LTD with 107K. They swear it's mint, and are replacing the timing belt for me....

Sounds like a good deal to me, just make sure they are doing the tensioner, idlers, water pump and seals while they are in there.

[subiesailor]

Originally Posted by Princeli

Thanks for all the comments!

I know, a WRX would be awesome, but I've had a bunch of super fast cars with stiff sport suspension and am now fine to have a slightly cushier ride. I like the idea of KYB's in the 3rd gen, will probably do something like that!

I'm going to drive 4 hours to see a LTD with 107K. They swear it's mint, and are replacing the timing belt for me.... I'm sure I'll have to upgrade the struts in a bit, but will be a good excuse to improve the ride a bit!

I'll let you know how it works out --

The XT, btw, is really nice, I'm just trying to stick with a regular LTD w/out turbo. Silly, I know, but I'm leaning a bit more towards the practical, while still remaining fun enough, this time around!

Thanks everybody! ;-)

Sounds to me like your a good candidate for a Legacy with a hitch and a small utility trailer parked in the side yard for those trips you need to haul stuff