Looking to buy a new SUV

[kiriyaaoi]

On 4/5/2024 at 6:11 PM, Gwbarm said:

I know what you mean i was just getting used to the bells and whistles on the 11 year old one and now i have one that beeps when i take my eyes off the road and turns off the car at a red light along with helping me steer and stop, all these safety features are going to cause me to wreck just trying to figure out what the car is trying to do.

To be honest I don't understand the trouble people have with auto start stop. Maybe the VW and Stellantis versions are just better, but the start stop on a previous Jetta and my current Taos is excellent. It starts fast and smooth, and is quick to restart with just a hint of steering input, or just slightly raising pressure on the brake pedal without fully removing it.  The fam's 22 Grand Cherokee L V6 is similar, I have no complaints with either. The only ESS I remember not liking was a rental Ford Escape from like 2016, it would shut off power steering when stopped. If that is the case, then I can see how people get annoyed. But in general once you figure out how your specific ESS system works it's a breeze and you don't even have to think about it.  I do personally disable lane keep assist though in 99% of cases, don't like it.

[kiriyaaoi]

I think you made a god decision on the outback, though personally I'd have looked at the Tiguan/Atlas, those have real 8 speed Aisin transmissions still, though Subaru has made big strides with their newer chain-based CVTs. Just remember to change the fluid regularly. Most CVT failures are because people never change the fluid, and they do NOT tolerate poor maintenance, at all.

[Gwbarm]

I have been very impressed with it so far, handles really well, plenty of power on the base engine, i was a little concerned about that from reviews, still getting used to the sounds of the boxer engine or maybe its the 4 cylinder, never owned a 4, most of mine are V8 and the V6 in the jeep.

I mainly got it for my wife she drives about 75 miles a day and we thought the extra gas milege would be a plus.

She picked one out at the dealer and i talked him into letting her test drive it by herself, nervous with other people in the car, so he kept me for collateral, she took it on a 20 mile test drive, got back and said i like it this will work, shes more critical than i am, First car iv ever bought that i didnt drive. 

[Gwbarm]

Just read your post #31, i did like the Atlas, Tiguan not so much, i would have looked at it closer but my wife wasnt interested in VW. I could have swayed her into it , but i was not that interested in a 4 cylinder in a vehicle that large, but they are all going in that direction, as far as the turbo charger, i dont think they are as durable as a NA engine, may be wrong. i didnt really want that The start stop feature on the outback seems to work good, im just not used to it, i can see how it would come in handy on bumper to bumper traffic in large citys. Im kind of old school i drive 20 yr old cars and i think they are fancy, all i need is a steering wheel and a shift lever and im good to go.

[Gwbarm]

Outback Update: We have had this 2024 Subaru Outback for a few months now, and i will have to say i am extremely impressed. It is so smoothe on acceleration and the standard engine has plenty of power for me and im used to driving V8s, maybe i expect less than most people, that was a big complaint with the standard engine, i dont really run an engine hard. It is very nice to look down and see 28 MPG around town, better than sticker rating, havent got the 32 on highway, usually 30 to 31, but i have trouble keeping it below 80, it just kind of sneaks up there, so probably if i watched that closer or used the cruise control it would get the 32. Plus we have onlu put about 3000 miles on it so far. 

The interior is very impressive, i got the Limited package so it has the leather seats, they are camel colored with black trimm and adds a good contrat to the black dash. There were a lot of complaints about the leather being cheap and not holding up, so far good, but it is perforated leather and i can see how that wouldnt be as strong as full leather, like the jeep has, which is still perfect after 11 years, never were the most comfortable seats but they held up well, all the different makes we looked at had the same perforated leather, never did see one with full leather like you used to get, maybe the Lincolns, Mercedes and some of the other $100,000 plus vehicles that is an option.

[Huapakechi]

The Subaru is a favorite of the mail route delivery people up here, and they drive 'em until the doors fall off.  I'm glad to hear that the brand has not fallen to the quality rot that comes with success.

[Gwbarm]

Thats good to hear that, if mail carriers are using them great reliability. Our mail carriers still use the same old mail trucks that replaced the DJ5 Jeeps, they must be super reliable, i dont even know what make they are.

[Huapakechi]

You refer to the 2WD right hand drive AMC jeep?  They can't handle the roads and the climate up here.

[Gwbarm]

Dont see very many of those right hand drive Jeeps down here any more, they were all replaced in 1986 by the Grumman LLV, made for the US Postal Service, they have had a long run probably will be replaced by something electric. 

[Huapakechi]

You know more about this than I do.  Only idiots would use electrics up here.  Temps of -40 kills 'em quick.

[Gwbarm]

I was just making a judgement based on US Governments push for more battery powered cars, but that is a very good point how well do they work in cold weather, maybe they have a built in heater, i know very little about them. 

[Huapakechi]

The performance and range drop  precipitously when the weather is below freezing.  Ya can't even charge 'em when it gets below zero.  Using the heater and defroster drains the battery even faster.

They are a spendy status symbol toy that is both delicate and impractical, almost as bad as steam powered vehicles when the winter turns cold.  Leave 'em outside and they freeze solid.

[quadmaniac]

On 7/18/2024 at 11:11 PM, Gwbarm said:

Outback Update: We have had this 2024 Subaru Outback for a few months now, and i will have to say i am extremely impressed.

Subarus are very reliable from a mechanical standpoint. Good purchase!

[Gwbarm]

Thanks!