You seem to really like that Outback. I've heard many say Suby is the new Saab, and there are many parallels on paper. I'm guessing you've got a stick?

We had considered Suby as our possible #2 (vs 9-5) if we were going to get another car. We did extended test drives (3000 miles, 1 month vacation rentals, lots of highway) of both 08 Legacy + 09 Forester (couldn't get Outback per se). I really wanted to like them. As hard as I tried I couldn't. My wife hated them too (especially the Forster - she drove it for an hour + refused to drive it after that, and she is generally very tolerant re cars). Suffice it to say, Audi + Volvo just moved way up on our list.

Fit + finish is good, engine design looks good (weight low), nice AWD... but seats + ergonomics were poor, and worse still, the 4 speed automatic transmission was horrible (bad gear ratios) + the 2.3L has no low end torque (like most Asian cars). Both cars were awful to drive on the highway and got terrible fuel economy (crap tranny + awd). Now, the 5 speed should be better + 2010 Legacy will have a CVT which may keep it in the torque band + improve fuel economy, but the existing slushbox models didn't do it for me at all. I've heard Suby fans say the same.

FWIW, I recently did the same drive in a 2004 9-5 arc and got more than 10mpg better fuel economy than either subaru with 100x the comfort + 100x the driving enjoyment + performance (so much less effort to pass on the highway). In short, the 9-5 is effortless... a dream on the highway! If half the Suby drivers test drove back to back with a 9-5, this thread (and all other threads about the impending demise of saab) wouldn't exist! Imho, most Suby fans are Suby fans because they haven't driven a Saab.

I'm not trying to detract from your experience - I'm genuinely happy to hear someone has made that transition + is happy with it - just trying to relay my differing experience... ie, just my opinion... ymmv...

James...

posted by 67.158.7...

• If not a SAAB, then.....what?, 9-3 Talladega, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:54:23
  • Buick (+), vvk, Wed, 2 Dec 2009 08:19:31
  • NOT a GM product..., Henri L, Wed, 2 Dec 2009 08:14:36
  • Then I'll get a TurboX on the cheap, AdamB , Wed, 2 Dec 2009 08:13:12
  • If SAAB goes belly up..., Alex, Tue, 1 Dec 2009 17:00:34
  • I'm already shopping CPO Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series..., Sebastian, Tue, 1 Dec 2009 12:08:16
  • Two wheels but my 9-5 stays, BrianG, Tue, 1 Dec 2009 09:48:34
    • I don't get it..., No Snaab, Thu, 3 Dec 2009 07:12:02
      • Comfort, speed, and safety, BrianG, Mon, 7 Dec 2009 08:25:31
  • Keeping my 9-5 Aero wgn, just bought a BMW 335d, Paul H, Tue, 1 Dec 2009 09:35:18
    • Re: Keeping my 9-5 Aero wgn, just bought a BMW 335d, B Millar , Tue, 1 Dec 2009 09:40:08
      • Rented an Alfa 159d in Italy - smitten, Bill Homer , Tue, 1 Dec 2009 11:14:03
        • Turbo diesels are great, even ordinary ones, Noel, Wed, 2 Dec 2009 07:54:02
        • blows me away n/m, JohnA , Tue, 1 Dec 2009 19:41:36
  • SAAB...."I don't want to go on the cart"., RobsSaab, Tue, 1 Dec 2009 07:06:50
  • Re: If not a SAAB, then.....what?, coggs, Tue, 1 Dec 2009 05:54:04
  • Jaguar XF, houstonsaabs, Tue, 1 Dec 2009 04:09:18
  • 3 series BMW or Mini Cooper S, eric, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:44:56
  • Hate to say it but ...., DivrDon , Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:45:57
  • Chevy Volt Electrons are the future.. n/m, Steve, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:08:38
  • Why are we picking out our next cars post-SAAB?!?, turrbo , Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:45:50
    • Boring - this thread happens every week, so boring..., Scott Paterson , Tue, 1 Dec 2009 10:48:25
      • BIll Homer has the best post on the thread though, JohnA , Wed, 2 Dec 2009 06:45:11
    • Re: Why are we picking out our next cars post-SAAB?!?, rico567, Tue, 1 Dec 2009 06:39:55
  • something from zee Deutschland, Trev, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:29:30
  • Not Audi, but an MB and a Porsche, dw, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:21:03
  • Re: If not a SAAB, then.....what?, AeroLady, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:52:17
    • Sounds a lot like a, No Snaab, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:36:25
      • Regarding Subaru..., PGAero , Tue, 1 Dec 2009 11:40:07
        • Re: Regarding Subaru..., No Snaab, Tue, 1 Dec 2009 18:54:46
          • Re: Regarding Subaru..., PGAero , Wed, 2 Dec 2009 14:11:20
            • Re: Regarding Subaru..., No Snaab, Wed, 2 Dec 2009 17:59:07
              • Re: Regarding Subaru..., PGAero , Thu, 3 Dec 2009 09:31:26
                • Let me know, No Snaab, Thu, 3 Dec 2009 18:54:29
      • different experience with Subaru, James, Tue, 1 Dec 2009 05:18:25 <-- Viewing This Message
        • Re: different experience with Subaru, No Snaab, Tue, 1 Dec 2009 07:19:48
          • Re: different experience with Subaru, James, Tue, 1 Dec 2009 09:15:42
    • Re: If not a SAAB, then.....what?, AeroLady, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:09:38
  • alfa romeo 159 sportwagon, don_young , Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:56:58
  • Re: Volvo or Mercedes-Benz..., Dano in Texas , Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:54:17
  • Peter Egan mobile..., Mike Lynch , Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:53:39
    • Sportsmobile - 4wd Vans's, Trev, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:35:58
  • CPO Mercedes wagon, JMF, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:44:29
  • Re: If not a SAAB, then.....what?, Lawrence, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:38:34
  • IDK -- my 9-7 lease is up in January - BMW? Acura?, Pete Saab 9-7 9-3, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:04:59
    • Have you seen the XC60?, B Millar , Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:08:43
  • Subaru Outback n/m, sonique, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:13:35
    • Re: Subaru Outback n/m, rico567, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:16:24
      • Used to be true, No Snaab, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:22:59
  • Audi, B Millar , Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:11:14
  • Depends on which car we're replacing., Noel, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:02:34

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