I use the Sport shift on the weekends usually. I only live 2 miles from work with a max speed limit of 30 inbetween. I usually use the Sport automatic do its thing, but I've played around with both the stick and the buttons. Which one I use just depends on the kind of mood I'm in, but I like the buttons best because I don't have to take a hand off the wheel.

 

I use whichever is handy at the time. Sometimes stick, sometimes buttons.

My only real "gripe" with the system is it's very poor downshifting. Unless you keep your foot on the accelerator slightly, downshifting gears is rather violent. The ECU/TCU doesn't "blip" the throttle to Rev match the engine on downshifts. The only "cure" ive found it to left foot brake and keep my right foot on the accelerator slightly. I've tried "heel/toe" braking/blipping, but the location of the pedals makes it damn near impossible for my feet.

 

I rarely drive our 2.5GT but I was just having this conversation with Ian today. I know that he uses Sport frequently, but I didn't think that he used Sport Shift at all. To my surprise, he says that he's been using it more and more... especially when he's putting away Boxtser's on the expressway! I hate automatic transmissions, but I can honestly say that if the 5EAT had been the same price as the manual, I probably would have gone for it. The $1100 upgrade is a little too pricey for me, though.

 

especially when he's putting away Boxtser's on the expressway

That must shrivel a few willies....

 

HAHAHAHA! He called me one Saturday morning to tell me that the Subaru advertising was true... the 2.5GT IS faster than a Boxster. I guess some midlife crisis-er tried to race him out of one of the toll booths coming off of the NYS Thruway. He said the guy's face turned stark WHITE! I haven't really had the pleasure of pitting my 2.5XT against anything worthwile. Soon, I hope

 

When I test drove a 5EAT, I preferred using the shifter instead of the buttons. I think they would have been better off putting audio controls on the steering instead.

As for beating sports car with the OBXT, I did humiliate an RX-8 once. But pavement was a bit wet, so I got a good headstart

 

After so many years of driving MTs, I'm used to a shift, so I'm not using the buttons much. I didn't experience any confusion with up- amd down-shifting in my XT either, so I guess it must have something to do with the types of cars and trucks I owned in the past.
One morning commute last month a guy in an Audi 2.5 turbo was sitting beside me at the red light. After a quick smirk, he took off, not realizing I guess that my OB was an XT. I left him way behind, and there was a real look of surprise on his face at the next stop light.

 

One morning commute last month a guy in an Audi 2.5 turbo....

you mean the 2.7T allroad?

 

You guys are all just postmodern adolescents. I never drive my XT over 30 mph.

 

Here's an update... I FINALLY had a chance to put someone away. Some guy, I think in his 20's, in a Mitsubishi 3000GT tried to block me in the right lane yesterday. A quick down shift to third, my favorite gear btw, and buh BY! Just like the Audi driver, a look of sheer SHOCK at the next light!

 

Sleepers, gotta love them. My 98 is not particularly hot, but it makes moves no one expects from such a white-bread looking car. Most of the OB drivers around here just sort of float along like gnats.

 

Re: Sport Shift....

I'm just wondering, am I the only one who has discovered the "other" sport shift mode?

I was always aware that my '05 OBXT Limited could be sport shifted manually by the shifter or the wheel buttons. However, I just became aware of the Sport Shift mode where you do nothing but move the shifter to the sport shift mode and get the "Sport" in the dash. It turns out that if you leave the buttons and shifter alone, you get aggreesive spaced shifts from 1st through 5th. Just like temporary sport mode from regular auto, the computer holds you in the last gear until you are no longer being aggressive. In addition, the computer keeps the car in a gear closer to the speed your driving for a pre-determined time so that when aggressive driving begins again, the downshift only involves dropping one gear for a much quicker kick. Also, as you deaccelerate, the computer keeps up with downshifts to pace your speed in anticipation for a possible quick acceleration.

The manual only has a one sentence statement and it is very vague. Check it out.

As a result, I find the around town driving in sport mode vs. regular auto is much more pleasurable. Startup from lights are much better. I find I'm always in the right gear to do a quick gett-a-way.

Lets hear from those who have tried this mode. Goods & bads..

Steve Nordahl
Bethlehem, Pa.

 

That's pretty cool, but I bet it does a number on your gas mileage (versus the regular auto mode, that is).

 

Re: Re: Sport Shift....

I'm just wondering, am I the only one who has discovered the "other" sport shift mode?


Lets hear from those who have tried this mode. Goods & bads..

Steve Nordahl
Bethlehem, Pa.

Hi Steve,

I call this the true "Sport" mode, the other I call "manual mode" although really it's only semi-manual. I did a comparison using sport and D on my car, just search for the thread. I agree it lets you cut through traffic better, although it can affect fuel economy without gentle foot on the accelerator.
Cheers,
Karl

 

I like to use the stick if I'm going to shift in sport mode, would have prefered no buttons on that nice MOMO wheel personally. I rarely use sport mode, but it has come in handy on my 1700km trip to get the new car home. Especially when I trapped myself in a lane that ended a short distance after the lights. I've also used the sport shift for some of the short passing lanes on the Alaskan highway. If I know a short lane is coming up and there's a semi to be passed I drop it into 3rd and let the turbo spool up just before the lane starts to avoid any hesitation when I punch it.

On the 4 lane highway north of Edmonton a BMW 320i didn't like being passed by a station wagon. I saw him smirk and shift down as I started to pass at 150km/h, so I floored it and easily walked away from him. At 190km/h on my speedo I saw him slow down and give up.

I am so in love with my new OBXT. I have never owned a vehicle before that I look forward to driving and just go driving for no reason. Already have a ride planned out for tomorrow after work.

 

Does the transmission shift at higher revs when pulled over into Sport mode, but allowed to shift automatically?

It seems to [in my 3.0] but it may just be my imagination. I haven't RTFM lately.

 

Does the transmission shift at higher revs when pulled over into Sport mode, but allowed to shift automatically?

It seems to [in my 3.0] but it may just be my imagination. I haven't RTFM lately.

Yes, it shifts up at higher RPM and also shifts down differently. Makes for a much livelier and responsive feeling.

The sport mode focuses on performance over efficiency I think. Whereas the standard auto setting focuses on efficiency over performance.

I'm still fairly new to my car but I've been playing around with it alot and reading everything I can find about it. So if I'm wrong feel free to "newb" me and I'll be quiet.

 

"The sport mode focuses on performance over efficiency I think. Whereas the standard auto setting focuses on efficiency over performance."

To the best of my knowledge, this is correct.

I use all of the above:
1. Steering wheel buttons on my street. My street is VERY hilly. I will downshift to make it up hills. I find that if I give it more gas, it tends to take off. I also use this to alleivate the "hesitation" on the highway when trying to merge. If I hit this button once or twice, depending on need, I skip the inherent hesitation that us 5EAT owner gripe about.

2. Sport mode. This is usually left for when I'm playing. Enough said, no?

3. "Stick" mode. I have always owned standards, so when I'm stressed, I resort to what I know. I have also found that standard mode works well when stuck in bumper to bumper traffic that is moving very slowly. I find a good gear that allows me to stay at a constant speed, and stay there. If you are going 5-10 miles an hour, leaving the car in say second will alleviate the gas / brake/ gas/ brake routine.

 

Not to jack this thread, but are most of the automatic owners satisfied with their transmission?
I am about to upgrade from a WRX wagon - manual and was leaning towards the auto on the OBXT.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks
Chris

 

Most of the cars that I have owned have been sticks-

No huge regrets with this car.

My only wish is that they shifting was faster. To me the lag from hitting the button/ stick to the car actually shifting is too long when in a spirited drive. I have learned to anticipate the need for shifting, and have gotten used to it.

M

 

Not to jack this thread, but are most of the automatic owners satisfied with their transmission?
I am about to upgrade from a WRX wagon - manual and was leaning towards the auto on the OBXT.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks
Chris

I'm in love with my 5EAT OBXT...I don't miss the manual shifting at all - and it's gonna be a dream in the snow 'n cold here in Iowa. I came from 5 speed manuals and WANTED the AT...couldn't wait.!!
Those that have commented are correct that the AT doesn't shift like a German marque...but who cares -- it's awesome in my mind.

 

Not to jack this thread, but are most of the automatic owners satisfied with their transmission?
I am about to upgrade from a WRX wagon - manual and was leaning towards the auto on the OBXT.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks
Chris

Guy at work just traded manual WRX Sport Wagon for an LGT with 5EAT. He likes it.

I've been shifting the lever to the left for Sport driving, but found I had to shift manually to 2nd in an autocross. Not a big need to shift with the H6.

 

Not to jack this thread, but are most of the automatic owners satisfied with their transmission?
I am about to upgrade from a WRX wagon - manual and was leaning towards the auto on the OBXT.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks
Chris

I had a 3.0R so the OBXT may be a little different, but I hated the transmission, it was the dumbest transmission I've driven in a very very long time. Even in manual mode it is slow and often doesn't do what you want. Avoid avoid!

 

I have an 05 OBXT and the 5EAT is acceptable.

If you want precision shifting you aren't going to get it with the AT.

If you want an auto transmission that does the job and allows you the option to shift now and then, should be fine. Once you get used to how it shifts you can make the most of it as well.