College going male's view: Hope you heard my CD on the radio. Lucky for you Tower Records is selling my Simple Thoughts online. Unlucky for me, I have to explain all the engine options for the Subaru. First, there is the base engine that is a 2.5 liter opposed four-cylinder boxter engine. It sits lower in the chassis than more normal four-cylinder engines giving the Subarus a little handling edge. The standard engine makes about 165
horsepower. The XT engine is essentially the same motor but with a turbocharger and intercooler on it. This is a brisk performer making both 250 horsepower and foot-pounds of torque. The next engine is the 3.0-liter that has six cylinders and also is a boxter in the alighnment of its pistons. It too makes 250 horsepower, but only about 220 foot-pounds of torque. You can get a five speed manual transmissions with the 2.5-liter engines, but the larger engine is standard with a five-speed automatic. I highly recommend the automatic. Even when equipped with the shift-kit, the linkage on the Subaru tends to bind when you shift quickly. If you order the standard engine and the automatic transmission you are going to find that the acceleration ends pretty much at 4500 rpm and labors when heavily loaded as the 3400 pounder just does not have the ponies to push it up hills with aplomb. If you pay the extra for the turbocharged engine you need not fear any hill, or mountain, for that matter.
I really like the Subaru. Outside of the fact that it needs premium fuel if you get the turbocharged engine, it is just about perfect for the real world and the XT would be my choice with an automatic. It has enough room for five and their luggage. Some magazines have gotten it to go to 60 mph in under six seconds. However, in my world what really counts is the ability to blend with traffic, have enough power to avoid problems, and be invisible to those with radar guns. The wagon pleases on all accounts. I know that some of my compadres are going to laugh at the boxy shape and the fact that it is a wagon, but they can't see the inner beauty of this car for all seasons. My only wish for improvement would be for a firmer suspension and a much better stereo.
Young working woman's view: The sedan and wagon are much more attractive than the previous models. They are exceptionally easy to get in and out of and park as easily as most rear wheel drive vehicles. The steering is too light for my tastes and the interior is too foreboding. I dropped my black sunglasses and couldn't find them on the floor the interior was so dark. Although I am not overly tall, if you adjust the seat up you are going to find yourself a little short on headroom. You might consider leaving the moon roof option off your list if you are above average in height. Speaking of which, the moon roof is huge. If you plan to buy trees and bring them home this moonroof is just the ticket.
Braking takes a while to get just right. At first the brakes feel too juicy, but when you get serious they stop real well. The Outback can take curves with very little body lean and I would bet it could stay right with a BMW wagon even though it costs half as much. I made note that the suspension on the Subaru does a swell job of nullifying the impact of smaller road irregularities and bumps, but large imperfections and significant potholes are sternly felt at speed.
Inside I could not help but love the gay gauges that did their little dance every time you switched on the ignition. Better still, there were easy to read in bright light. The seats were comfortable and easy to get in and out of when wearing a skirt. The rear hatch opens and closes easier than any car I have tested. The low liftover height means you don't have to get your outfit dirty on the rear bumper when loading your bargains. There is a standard cargo cover and a below-floor storage bin for even more utility. The Subaru's frameless side windows created more wind noise than more conventional glass units, but overall it was a fairly sublime ride.
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I really like the Subaru. Outside of the fact that it needs premium fuel if you get the turbocharged engine, it is just about perfect for the real world and the XT would be my choice with an automatic. It has enough room for five and their luggage. Some magazines have gotten it to go to 60 mph in under six seconds. However, in my world what really counts is the ability to blend with traffic, have enough power to avoid problems, and be invisible to those with radar guns. The wagon pleases on all accounts. I know that some of my compadres are going to laugh at the boxy shape and the fact that it is a wagon, but they can't see the inner beauty of this car for all seasons. My only wish for improvement would be for a firmer suspension and a much better stereo.
Young working woman's view: The sedan and wagon are much more attractive than the previous models. They are exceptionally easy to get in and out of and park as easily as most rear wheel drive vehicles. The steering is too light for my tastes and the interior is too foreboding. I dropped my black sunglasses and couldn't find them on the floor the interior was so dark. Although I am not overly tall, if you adjust the seat up you are going to find yourself a little short on headroom. You might consider leaving the moon roof option off your list if you are above average in height. Speaking of which, the moon roof is huge. If you plan to buy trees and bring them home this moonroof is just the ticket.
Braking takes a while to get just right. At first the brakes feel too juicy, but when you get serious they stop real well. The Outback can take curves with very little body lean and I would bet it could stay right with a BMW wagon even though it costs half as much. I made note that the suspension on the Subaru does a swell job of nullifying the impact of smaller road irregularities and bumps, but large imperfections and significant potholes are sternly felt at speed.
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