3.6R tranny question

8171 Views 36 Replies 25 Participants Last post by N8thesk8, Dec 10, 2012

LLBEANSUBIE

Discussion Starter · Oct 20, 2012

I own a 2012 3.6R automatic with less than 5K on her. While the engine seems smooth enough, what I do NOT like is how the tranny downshifts.:28:
I find that in city traffic upon downshifting automatically, the tranny just seems to clunk a lot. Is this normal?

I would think that a Subaru costing upwards of 36K would shift smooth as butter. To me it's very annoying. I've owned seven subies over the years and by far this is the most I ever paid for a new car. I am just not sure it was worth it. Anyone else experience this?
Also, this car is terrible in cross winds on interstate. Pretty scary moving from one land to half way in the other one all on its own. My little Mini Cooper cuts the wind with no problem and actually is easier to drive and maintain your driving lane better than the subie. Hmmm....

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rico567

· #36 · Dec 9, 2012

LLBEANSUBIE said:
It seems that my tranny just "hits" hard when coming up to a redlight as some here have mentioned. Under harder acceleration it also seems you need to be in that "sweet" spot of engine revs or something. Regardless, like one forum member said, a car north of 35K case, which was my case, should shift smoothly. I think the engine is great however. I am taking it back to the dealer for a check up even though it has less than 5K miles.

Tires are nitrogen filled and are at proper inflation. I do NOT like the crosswinds pushing me around though. I'll look into that 19MM sway bar!

On a side note: don't you think a car costing over 35K would have a wood trimmed steering wheel? I mean all the upscale cars have them i.e. Lexus, MBenz, Infinity etc. Heck, even Buicks have them. I bought this car for the exta power b/c I drive interstate to work every day and WV has its share of hills to go up. I'm just disappointed it doesn't shift like I think it should. Once to dealer, I'll report back the findings.

I'm in no position to judge the transmission issue, since I don't (at present) own a Subaru.

The crosswind reactions are perfectly predictable, given the Subaru's height and profile. This is not a particularly ærodynamic vehicle, nor was it designed as such. It's a utility somewhere between a wagon and a SUV. Comparing it to your Mini Cooper is like comparing the ærodynamics of a tennis shoe to a barn door.

We're currently driving a vehicle that had a sticker of $41K (in 2004!), and doesn't have a wood-trimmed steering wheel. (2004 SAAB 9-5 Arc Wagon, the dash looks like wood, but I doubt that it ever saw a tree) No SAAB has ever had a wood-trimmed steering wheel. The cars you mention all cost, for the most part, significantly more than a Subaru.

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