Motor Trend: More Kudos for Outback!

[Somerset Max]

Overall, I agree with the MT article, but I do have two comments:

While some of their staffers might have felt that the 4-cylinder engine was "adequate", I really wish that they had test-driven a 6-cylinder model also, for comparison purposes. Those of us who opted for the six know what an incredible rush of acceleration it provides in situations such as expressway entrance ramps. I am frequently doing 75-80 mph by the end of the ramp, and this ability provides a great safety edge when the driver of an 18-wheeler decides that he doesn't want to let you merge.

Also, the "technical expertise" of at least one of their staffers is...lacking.
As evidence, I present the following quotation: "a majority of the time you don't need the V-6 around town".

V-6? In a Subaru?
I think that most 15 year old boys know that Subaru uses H-type engines exclusively--at least in the models sold in the US.
Just how much does that guy actually know about cars?

[tibug]

Originally Posted by Somerset Max

Overall, I agree with the MT article, but I do have two comments:

While some of their staffers might have felt that the 4-cylinder engine was "adequate", I really wish that they had test-driven a 6-cylinder model also, for comparison purposes. Those of us who opted for the six know what an incredible rush of acceleration it provides in situations such as expressway entrance ramps. I am frequently doing 75-80 mph by the end of the ramp, and this ability provides a great safety edge when the driver of an 18-wheeler decides that he doesn't want to let you merge.

The only car that I've really driven with significantly more power than my 2003 4 cylinder Outback is my dad's Silverado, which, of course, is a completely different beast. Other vehicles I've driven include a 1993 Subaru Legacy, a 2000 Toyota Camry 4-cyl. So, I'm pretty used to anemic engines. That said, while I'm sure that the 6 cylinder Outbacks are more pleasant to drive, I've never been in a situation that I felt my Outback was underpowered, as many people complain about. Maybe if I lived in an area where short entry ramps were the norm, I would beg for more grunt, but I don't.

Originally Posted by Somerset Max

Also, the "technical expertise" of at least one of their staffers is...lacking.
As evidence, I present the following quotation: "a majority of the time you don't need the V-6 around town".

V-6? In a Subaru?
I think that most 15 year old boys know that Subaru uses H-type engines exclusively--at least in the models sold in the US.
Just how much does that guy actually know about cars?

Hahahaha, true.

[6SPEED]

Originally Posted by the evil twin

Uh.... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is that?!? Considering what they paid for the air filter, did the technician just wipe off the pedal?
Really, what is it?

Actually I was impressed they used 7500 mile interval in service, futher disparaging the 3k that all shops seem to promote!

As far as "brake cleaning", this is another of my personal peeves about repair shops, (not just dealers). This consists of them somehow removing rust and dirt from rotors, calipers and pads. IMHO a totally unnecessary job just to increase their income and not to better service the car. Right up there with changing "headlight fluid"

[fatabbot]

Originally Posted by tibug

I'm pretty used to anemic engines. I've never been in a situation that I felt my Outback was underpowered, as many people complain about.

+1

I guess maybe I'm an all or nothing type person. The H6 Outbacks are nowhere near what I consider to be fast, so I don't find them worth the extra dough. 0-60 in 7.5 seconds and over a 15 second 1/4 mile isn't exhilarating to me. I'll take the gas mileage and the availability of a real transmission (3 pedals ). I'm sure the H6 feels quite quick to some folks, though. If only the OB didn't handle like a whale in a lazy river, driving one fast might actually be fun.

[AltaBrig]

Originally Posted by the evil twin

Uh.... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is that?!? Considering what they paid for the air filter, did the technician just wipe off the pedal?
Really, what is it?

A can of brakeKlean sprayed on the rotors? Maybe they removed the tires first (but that probably would have been extra.) Used 1 whole can sprayed through the rims - 1/4 can per rotor/caliper. Premium service.

IMO dealer service is for warranty work only.

[AltaBrig]

Originally Posted by Somerset Max

Overall, I agree with the MT article, but I do have two comments:

While some of their staffers might have felt that the 4-cylinder engine was "adequate", I really wish that they had test-driven a 6-cylinder model also, for comparison purposes. Those of us who opted for the six know what an incredible rush of acceleration it provides in situations such as expressway entrance ramps. I am frequently doing 75-80 mph by the end of the ramp, and this ability provides a great safety edge when the driver of an 18-wheeler decides that he doesn't want to let you merge.

Also, the "technical expertise" of at least one of their staffers is...lacking.
As evidence, I present the following quotation: "a majority of the time you don't need the V-6 around town".

V-6? In a Subaru?
I think that most 15 year old boys know that Subaru uses H-type engines exclusively--at least in the models sold in the US.
Just how much does that guy actually know about cars?

If you want halfway decent automotive reporting go to C&D or R&T. IMO motor trend journalism functions as industry shill. C&D and R&T journalism is more informative and objective in my opinion, though all auto rags shill at somepoint which is fine. The C&D comparos can be pretty decent. I take all the CR, C&D, R&T, and especially MT with a grain or two of salt. Calling a boxer a V-6 in an industry marketing mag is pretty dumb.