I have since written to SOA conent of which is below.
Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru Plaza P.O. Box 6000 Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000 Attn: Customer/Dealer Services
October 6, 2005
Dear Sirs,
Reference: 05 Legacy GT Wagon
This is my third new Subaru but will definitely be my last. The service advisor has informed me categorically that this model "is not designed for downshifting", and that the Owner Manual points that out also. I cannot find reference to that. What am I supposed to do if the traffic slows and then picks up again, (Stop and change into 1st and start over?)
If that statement is really true and represents the manufacturer's viewpoint then it should be
clearly marked on a sticker and in all advertising. Why anyone would want to buy a car which was not designed for downshifting is beyond me. If it is simply the dealer's opinion based on that assumption from a large number of consumer complaints then Subaru should issue a recall and refund the purchase price under the lemon laws.
I had been having a problem downshifting from 5 to 4 regardless of rev matching and double clutching etc., once or twice a day. The problem improved immensely when I removed the
original carpet which when installed along with a rubber mat over it precluded the clutch being depressed to the last 1/8" or so. I had the same setup on my WRX and never once had the problem. Since removing that mat I have not had an occasion where it absolutely will not shift but I have several where it has been notchy and difficult, and it is still only from
5-4.
The car now has 3000 miles.
Another problem which I referred to the dealer was the fact that the remote door opener often needed 20 pushes and walking around the car, and, as these newer cars do not even have door key locks the driver has no option but to keep walking and pointing until getting it just right. On the other hand, in some situations I can unlock the doors from 100' away. The service advisor explained that it was building interference. I can understand that if the building was between the car and the key, but not from 1' away with nothing in between. I have owned American cars and never had a similar problem. Again he tells me that there is nothing that can be done to rectify that problem. That being the case why did Subaru eliminate the door locks? To keep walking and clicking in 110 weather is no fun and it's probably worse in rainy places too.
This situation is not acceptable.
Yours truly