2005 OBXT 5MT alternative?

[Michael Aos]

I bought a 2005 Outback XT Limited with the 5MT back in October. CARFAX says I'm the 4th owner.

It's at around 104,500mi, so the big 105K is right around the corner.

Had the banjo-bolt replaced, and HID low-beams & fog lamps installed. Front ball-joints replaced and an alignment. The rear sway-bar bushings are worn-out. The windshield needs to be replace too.

Had been thinking I would drive this car forever, but then I drove my wife's 2013 Acura RDX AWD up to MN and back. 16 days and ~2500mi.

Now that I'm driving the OBXT again, it doesn't seem nearly as great as it used to. Rattles and noises all over the place. Harsh suspension. Peaky, unforgiving powerband.

It's got me thinking maybe I should be driving something else, but I'm really not sure what. Any suggestions?

I really like the concept of a smallish, wagon / CUV, with decent acceleration.

Off the top of my head, I'm thinking maybe a 2007 or so Lexus RX 350, or maybe a 2009-2010 Outhack H6. I used to think I wanted a WRX wagon, but now I'm not so sure.

Anything out there that I might be overlooking?

Another option I've kind of toyed with is to get my wife a new Honda Accord / Acura TL, and just drive her hand-me-down RDX.

[rasterman]

Go check out the ZDX. They get looks, and they drive nicely on pavement.

I don't consider their AWD to be half as good as Subaru, but the rest of the car is awesome compared to most Subarus.

[John E Davies]

Originally Posted by rasterman

Go check out the ZDX. They get looks, and they drive nicely on pavement.

I don't consider their AWD to be half as good as Subaru, but the rest of the car is awesome compared to most Subarus.

The Acura SH-AWD active torque system is VERY high tech and better than Subaru's systems, except perhaps for the WRX STI with it's adjustable center differential bias.

SH-AWD adds greatly to the sporty feel on twisty dry roads - the car corners as if it were on rails with no under- or over-steer - and it is _supremely_ capable in nasty weather with proper winter tires - not performance All Seasons.

I have a 2010 TL SH-AWD and also a Gen 3 OB XT Ltd, both wearing the same snow tires, both with TC and Stability Control. I would pick the OB when the snow was deep and rutted to avoid dragging the air dam and undercarriage, but I would pick the TL any other time.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/20...tech-hands-on/

If Acura were to put this system and a more powerful motor in their beautiful TSX Sport Wagon, I wouldn't own any Subaru.....

The TL is a wonderful car and my wife and I actually like the look. I don't care for the ZDX styling and height, but these cars are very satisfying and comfy, low maintenance and uber reliable, and that jewel-like 3.7 V6 is smooth, torquey and has a very nice kick when the VVT comes in above 4500 rpm. I opened up my air box with some small holes and there is a delightful intake moan as the revs rise - very sexy!

If you want a manual transmission, the TL SH-AWD may work for you. It has an excellent six speed and the cars don't sell well. In 2011 we found a like new car with just 7000 miles on it and paid $34K out the door, taxes and everything. No way would we have considered paying $43K for a new one.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...rch=true&Log=0

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

[Michael Aos]

Originally Posted by rasterman

Go check out the ZDX.

(Waaaay) too expensive, and not really the "wagon" format I had in mind.

[ScoobyRu]

BMW 328xi wagon? My brother bought a used 328i sedan for a reasonable price. If you're scared of a wrench though, don't do it. BMW charges quite the pretty penny for their service centers.

Of course, the cheapest option is to get your Outback back into shape. Also, realize that you can't always have the latest and greatest.

[rasterman]

Anything to the new Passat wagon? I like the new shape, haven't been up close to one yet though.

[Michael Aos]

I've been watching previous seasons of Top Gear UK on Netflix.

I guess that, combined with driving my wife's RDX exclusively for a couple weeks on that road-trip, just got me thinking maybe I'm missing out on something.

It also seems like this used 2005 OBXT Limited has been kind of a money-pit fixing stuff the previous owner never bothered to. And at 104.5K miles, the expensive 105K service is coming up fast.

From "the grass is always greener" perspective, the maintenance-free Lexus RX 350 was starting to look pretty appealing.

I was expecting replies along the lines of the Volkswagon Golf GTI, Mazda Speed3, Hyundai Veloster, Mazda CX-5, Hundai Tucson / Santa Fe.

With that said, I saw an awfully nice STI today, but the new ones are more than I want to spend and the used WRX's I've found seem pretty beat up.

[rasterman]

Originally Posted by Michael Aos

I was expecting replies along the lines of the Volkswagon Golf GTI, Mazda Speed3, Hyundai Veloster, Mazda CX-5, Hundai Tucson / Santa Fe.

While I like several of the cars in this list, I would never think of any of them if someone asked about a "fun small wagon or SUV"

Possible exceptions for the Mazda 5 & the Tucson- possible because they're the right shape but I didn't think either was fun.

[gls]

For $3K you could fix your bushings and windshield, change your water pump, timing and other belts, detail it, upgrade your stereo to something as nice as the Acura (lots of closeouts on Focal and Polk speakers this time of year), and install some dynamat to cut the noise and fix the rattles, and upgrade to some nicer tires.

And you'd still have cheap insurance and little further depreciation, and peace of mind from having a beater.

Of course, the new Accords are really comfortable and very safe, plus get close to 40mpg highway. The EX-L model might as well be an Acura. The '14 forester comes out in spring. Finally the '14 Mazda 6 might make in wagon form to the US. The diesel model looks most interesting (summer) - will probably get over 50mpg highway and have a 6 speed manual available too.

[Michael Aos]

Originally Posted by st3mpy

the cheapest option is to get your Outback back into shape.

Yeah, that's probably what I'm going to wind up doing.

It's really not a bad car. I think I'll be happier with it once I get the windshield replaced & windows tinted.

It just lost some of it's charm after spending ~$1500 to have the front rotors and brakes replaced, front ball-joiints replaced, front spindle replaced, alignment, and HID's. Then probably another $1K easy for the 105K very soon.