Test drove an Outback today

I posted in an earlier post that I was looking into the Outback. It seems like a nice car. I stopped by Carmax on the way home and test drove a 2001 2.5L. Nice car however....... does anyone else think it's a bit underpowered? It just didn't seen to have a lot of get up and go. Maybe it's just me. Maybe I expect too much. Just makes me wonder how it'll do on hills while loaded.

Any thoughts or experiences??

TIA.

Reply to
coustanis
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It doesn't have the pickup of, say, Mazda 626 or the VW New Beetle-- I suppose that's due to the OUtback being a pretty darned heavy all wheel drive car with a pretty heavy and robust AWD system.

It has no problems on hills and highway though even with 4 peeps in teh vehicle and camping goodies in the car top carrier. It just is a bit of a dog off the line.

Great car though, I can't imagine having anything else for the cargo capacity and non-SUV form factor I was lookin for.

Best Regards,

-- Todd H.

2001 Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5L H-4 Chicago, Illinois USA
Reply to
Todd H.

Don't be afraid to drive it aggressively. Work it hard and it will move.

Reply to
Jim Stewart

I agree it's not the winner when the light turns green, but it runs circles around my not-so-old SUV in the mountains with a load of furniture and the family. There has been much discussion as to whether or not the H6 engine helps. While some say it makes all the difference, others say it's not worth the additional expense. I bet it isn't the top criteria for most Subaru buyers.

-Bill Radio

Reply to
Bill Radio

I own an 02 OBW wagon with the 2.5L and a 5 speed. Drove both the auto and the stick. No comparison IMO.

The 5 speed version has adequate power while the auto seemed to me to be underpowered.

I also own an Altima 3.5SE 5 speed and it has very good power and acceleration. But the Sube is amuch better car overall, especially with regard to fit, finish, shifter feel, handling, etc etc.

The Nissan's VQ35 engine makes up for a lot of shortfalls in my opinion, and it also gets better gas mileage overall. My better half drives the OBW while I am stuck with the Nissan.

I didn't consider the H6 outback because of its cost and not being available with MT.

Just my 2¢

Reply to
Roy Shroyer

That's a good point. I drove an 01 OBW stick, and it did seem quite a bit more responsive for some reason. But around here anyway, I wouldn't go with anything but an automatic. Had manaual trannys up till I moved to Chicagoland. :-)

-- Todd H.

2001 Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5L H-4 Chicago, Illinois USA
Reply to
Todd H.

I haven't driven an H6, but was told overall a 2.5 with a stick and an H6 with an auto are pretty comparable. Does that sound like a fair assessment?

Rick

Reply to
Rick Courtright

My 2000 Outback 2.5 auto has plenty of power. Sure its not the fastest car off the line, but then I'm not a race car driver. I drive it in the hills of Vermont as well as Massachusetts and it is just fine. Goes from 60 to 80 in blink on the interstate. Just fine thank you.

Reply to
JDC

The new 3.0R Outback 5 speed tiptronic is a blaster. It'll outrun a

2.5i manual big time. If you can afford the extra, go the new 3.0R. The 3.0R was tested (with two on board and a full tank of fuel) at 0-100kmh (0-62mph) at 7.6sec and the 1/4 mile or 0-400m at 15.6 sec.
Reply to
Lance B

it has a lot more power than a neon and better gas milage. underpowered? i dont think so. noooooooooobody catches me in snow noooooobody

Reply to
Are You Experienced

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