small suv good in snow

[WoodCore]

Turned in my 2013 Outback 3.6R in June this year and upgraded to a 2016, 3.6R w/Eyesight, sweet ride!!!!!

The car has good horsepower and torque, great ground clearance, Subaru traction and technology that really works! Eyesight system is simply amazing!

 

[thetrailboss]

Turned in my 2013 Outback 3.6R in June this year and upgraded to a 2016, 3.6R w/Eyesight, sweet ride!!!!!

The car has good horsepower and torque, great ground clearance, Subaru traction and technology that really works! Eyesight system is simply amazing!

Heard that the Eyesight System was improved over the last two years.

We're thinking the 2.5. Miss our 3.6 Limited, but prefer better MPG and lower price point for now. Love our 2015 Highlander. Retiring my 2008 Civic.


Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone

 

[BenedictGomez]

And this is why people don't like TPMS systems as they are today. Epic Fail!!! TPMS systems should be all architected to the same standard. They should self learn, on any vehicle, no "tool" or device should be needed. Mount em and go. There is absolutely no technological reason why they can't.

Agreed, and when I see things like this, the cynic in me assumes it's done for money.

With each passing year it seems like simple things on cars are unnecessarily complicated in such a manner that it drives people into the dealerships to pay for something that they normally could do for themselves. Placing easily changeable items (spark plugs, air filter, etc...) in illogically difficult to access areas is one example.

 

[yeggous]

Heard that the Eyesight System was improved over the last two years.

We're thinking the 2.5. Miss our 3.6 Limited, but prefer better MPG and lower price point for now. Love our 2015 Highlander. Retiring my 2008 Civic.


Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone

The 2.5 seems like the obvious choice considering fuel and mileage costs. Trim level is a hard call and really a function of the budget. EyeSight has been a continuous, gradual update process. The high end Outbacks now come with a heated steering wheel, which sounds like a must-have feature if you ask me.

The Outback has just average fuel economy and reliability. It's standout feature is rear cargo depth without having to get a 3-row SUV. It is the most affordable AWD wagon. It's safety record is excellent.

 

[deadheadskier]

Most people don't want to do their own work. I had a couple of VWs in the 90s I used to change my spark plugs on my own every 10K miles as it was recommended at that time. My current Mazda I had them changed for the first time at 100K miles. Won't need to have it done again until 200K miles. Cost me $100. Given how long the plugs last nowadays, I'm really not that broken up about them being located where they're difficult to change without special tools.

 

[yeggous]

Most people don't want to do their own work. I had a couple of VWs in the 90s I used to change my spark plugs on my own every 10K miles as it was recommended at that time. My current Mazda I had them changed for the first time at 100K miles. Won't need to have it done again until 200K miles. Cost me $100. Given how long the plugs last nowadays, I'm really not that broken up about them being located where they're difficult to change without special tools.

Same deal here on my Santa Fe. Three of the plugs are easy but other three require removing the intake manifold. Plug replacement became a multi-day project when my mechanic discovered the manifold gaskets needed to be replaced (and ordered). The gaskets are cheap but annoying. All in was about $100 total, and I'll never have to do it again.


Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone mobile app

 

[Smellytele]

On our traverse it is impossible to change out a headlight without taking apart the frontend. WTF!

 

[cdskier]

On our traverse it is impossible to change out a headlight without taking apart the frontend. WTF!

Now crap like that pisses me off. There's no reason to make things that can be easily done by a normal person that complicated. The owners manual for my Avalanche says to take it to the dealer for headlight replacement. Luckily there are plenty of youtube videos showing how to do it. You still have to take apart way more than you should to get at them. My hand was just small enough to squeeze into the space behind the passenger headlight to do it with only having to loosen it a bit without having to take too much apart.

 

[SIKSKIER]

On our traverse it is impossible to change out a headlight without taking apart the frontend. WTF!

You caught my attention here as I just bought a GMC Arcadia which is basically the same vehicle.I attached a video that shows how to change just the bulb by removing just the inner fender cowling around the wheel.It goes on to show how to change out the whole light assembly by taking apart a bunch of the frontend which looks like what our talking about.FWIW.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhqddvtRuXQ

 

[MEtoVTSkier]

Yeah, the headlights on the GMCs are a joke, the pickups are just as bad. Used to be you pulled a couple pins and lifted the headlight assembly up and swapped the bulb. Now it's a major production...

 

[yeggous]

Yeah, the headlights on the GMCs are a joke, the pickups are just as bad. Used to be you pulled a couple pins and lifted the headlight assembly up and swapped the bulb. Now it's a major production...

This is really an outdated issue. Good news is that the new LED lamps should outlast the truck.


Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone mobile app

 

[dlague]

My mechanic is saying that the newer cars are requiring specialized tools that are crazy expensive or are proprietary to dealerships.

Now that really passes me off.

Sent from my SM-G930P using AlpineZone mobile app

 

[BenedictGomez]

On our traverse it is impossible to change out a headlight without taking apart the frontend. WTF!

Another great example.

 

[Tin]

Another great winter driving tip....

 

[Hawkshot99]

Another great winter driving tip....

Does brand matter?

Sent from my SM-G930F using AlpineZone mobile app

 

[thetrailboss]

Decision made. 2017 2.5 Limited.




Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone

 

[prsboogie]

Very nice!


Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone

 

[VTKilarney]

Decision made. 2017 2.5 Limited.



Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone

Neither engine in the Subaru is compelling, but I just couldn't live in mountain country with the 2.5. 0-60 in 9.6 seconds is a very tough pill to swallow.

From Edmunds:
"The standard, four-cylinder Outback 2.5i has enough power for safe highway merging, but load it up with people and gear and it feels overwhelmed, especially if you're driving at high elevation. Around town, the jumpy responsiveness of the gas pedal and the spongy brake pedal also make the 2.5i harder to drive smoothly than it should be. The six-cylinder provides more punch, and if you frequently load up the car or live in a mountainous area, you're going to want this larger engine. Its fuel economy penalty isn't that bad, especially if you go easy on the throttle."

But these are personal decisions, and you no doubt believed that the $350 or so saved per year on gas was worth the performance penalty. There isn't a right or wrong answer - just what works best for you. That's why they have different models.

Congratulations the new purchase! It's an upgrade from the Civic, for sure.

 

[thetrailboss]

Very nice!


Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone

Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone

 

[thetrailboss]

Neither engine in the Subaru is compelling, but I just couldn't live in mountain country with the 2.5. 0-60 in 9.6 seconds is a very tough pill to swallow.

From Edmunds:
"The standard, four-cylinder Outback 2.5i has enough power for safe highway merging, but load it up with people and gear and it feels overwhelmed, especially if you're driving at high elevation. Around town, the jumpy responsiveness of the gas pedal and the spongy brake pedal also make the 2.5i harder to drive smoothly than it should be. The six-cylinder provides more punch, and if you frequently load up the car or live in a mountainous area, you're going to want this larger engine. Its fuel economy penalty isn't that bad, especially if you go easy on the throttle."

But these are personal decisions, and you no doubt believed that the $350 or so saved per year on gas was worth the performance penalty. There isn't a right or wrong answer - just what works best for you. That's why they have different models.

Congratulations the new purchase! It's an upgrade from the Civic, for sure.

So I see our resident naysayer is back and trying to deliver a zinger. #winning :roll:

If you had read my posts you would have seen that this was to replace the smaller car in our household. We have a new Toyota Highlander that has plenty of power and is the main vehicle we use when we go up for skiing and traveling with multiple folks. We needed a fuel efficient smaller crossover ideally for me mainly. We decided to go from a Crosstrek to an Outback because we actually owned a 3.6 for 5 years and loved it. That was our "big" vehicle then. The 3.6 in this trim is about $6,000 more in cost and does not get as good of mileage. So the price difference was a bit more than we'd like. Someday we may return to the 3.6 but the 2.5, which I did research on and drove, was fine and the EyeSight features were really great.

It's too bad that you just cannot be happy for someone instead of trying to shit on them all the time. You should get help for your issues.