The downside of owning an Outback [Archive]

Bullseye

Mar 5th, 2008, 08:41 AM

Everyone at works knows I have it, and so they expect me to come in on days like this! :razz:

Everyone with inferior cars has a good excuse to stay home for a snow day, but here I am at work.

While I'm on the topic of Subaru's, my brother told me a funny story the other day...he lives in Squamish, BC, and is big into ski-touring. He took his 4X4 pick up to a snow covered logging road recently, throws his chains on, and goes to the top to ski. He gets there, and there's a couple Outback's parked at the top! He says, 'How the hell did they get up here???'.

He's ready to convert now, I think.

3weddings

Mar 5th, 2008, 08:44 AM

LMAO....., that would have gotten him thinking!
I peeked at them at the car show but they really don't have the room for the 3 weddings :(.

The only reason my hubby almost stayed home was because of a train derailment. Meanie me sent him onto the Milton line in his sturdy, snow tire attired Benz.

artemm

Mar 5th, 2008, 09:54 AM

hightech

Mar 5th, 2008, 09:59 AM

A set of Michelin X-Ice or Nokian Hakka 5's on my 02 Camry V6 is just fine in any weather. The only limitation for me is ground clearance. Mind you, if there is more then 6 inches on the road, who in their right mind is gonna be driving in it? :D

What I find is that people don't really know how to drive in winter weather. With my Automatic, I shift between first and second gear, and the traction/confidence you feel in weather like this is incredible. Ask anyone who drives a manual car about using gears to drive, and they will tell you the difference it makes driving with lots of torque.

Bullseye

Mar 5th, 2008, 10:10 AM

Oh plz, I'd be surprised if ANY car on the road was unable to make it to its destination... albeit slowly. Traffic is your worst enemy in TO during weather like this.

My Echo wouldn't have made it out of my street this morning. I know firsthand, I've been stuck on my street with it before.

deep

Mar 5th, 2008, 10:16 AM

My Echo wouldn't have made it out of my street this morning. I know firsthand, I've been stuck on my street with it before.
He did say any CAR...does an Echo qualify?

Bullseye

Mar 5th, 2008, 10:31 AM

He did say any CAR...does an Echo qualify?

That's true, most 'cars' require gas stops fairly frequently. With my Echo, I usually can't even remember when I last put gas in it. Was it last month, or the month before? ;)

mr_raider

Mar 5th, 2008, 10:48 AM

Mind you, if there is more then 6 inches on the road, who in their right mind is gonna be driving in it? :D

People in the rest of Canada :cheesygri

BartBandy

Mar 5th, 2008, 10:52 AM

I made out fine in my TSX with snows today. But if I had the choice of driving an Outback with snows, I would have taken it in a heartbeat.

We have an X-Trail as our AWD, all-weather vehicle. If the roads to ski country are closed, we find other roads. ;)

Topher

Mar 5th, 2008, 10:57 AM

Oh plz, I'd be surprised if ANY car on the road was unable to make it to its destination... albeit slowly. Traffic is your worst enemy in TO during weather like this.

+! Mississauga to Scarborough this morning, only took an extra 20-30 minutes.

The_Professor

Mar 5th, 2008, 11:27 AM

thephenom

Mar 5th, 2008, 11:41 AM

It'd probably be really fun driving a 4WD in a parking lot, but going to work today wasn't all that bad, gives me an excuse to sleep in to avoid the traffic. :D

Snow is nothing to be scared of, but the OTHER people on the road who can't drive in snow is what we should be all scared of.

GunnerX

Mar 5th, 2008, 11:45 AM

I've never had an AWD/4WD vehicle, but my last three cars (FWD) have all been equipped with snow tires and I've never gotten stuck nor had a scary moment.

I think people place too much importance on AWD as opposed to learning to drive properly and according to weather conditions.

I have a 1990 Honda Accord, 2006 Acura TL and now a 2008 Subaru Impreza. All of them have snow tires and the Impreza is way beyond the two in winter driving. I have never been stuck with the Accord in winter and it's only a few inches off the ground as I have it majorly lowered. I have never been stuck with the TL either.

However, after driving the Impreza, it was a totally different experience. I think to fully understand how AWD behaves in snow, you really do have to drive one. I too used to say that all you need is 2WD but that has changed after driving the Impreza. I just feel a lot more safer driving it in the winter. It can accelerate quicker, stop faster and take turns easier.

No matter how you drive properly, there's a lot of people out there that don't. It's nice to know that you will be able to react better when such a situation occurs.

wherelse

Mar 5th, 2008, 11:54 AM

AWD does have its place when driving in the winter and in bad conditions. Though the one thing that always hurt was the gas mileage. The best I could ever get with my 98 Legacy Brighton was 10L/100km and that was even with 80/20 highway/city.
I sold it and bought a Honda Fit and am now getting an average of 6.5L/100km which is a nice change because I do a lot of driving.

Both cars were equipped with winter tires and the Subaru did have better acceleration, but I must say that the Fit has the better stopping distance. I think the weight difference does play a major factor in stopping. And well stopping is more important then going :)

krazykrazz

Mar 5th, 2008, 12:23 PM

This is my first snow storm being able to drive a 4WD vehicle (Honda Pilot). Is it ever nice not worrying about getting stuck, etc.

For sure I would have had issues with the parking lot here in my Civic.

pupazzo

Mar 5th, 2008, 12:43 PM

You forgot that Outback's are also ugly as sin lol

gilboman

Mar 5th, 2008, 12:56 PM

I have a 1990 Honda Accord, 2006 Acura TL and now a 2008 Subaru Impreza. All of them have snow tires and the Impreza is way beyond the two in winter driving. I have never been stuck with the Accord in winter and it's only a few inches off the ground as I have it majorly lowered. I have never been stuck with the TL either.

However, after driving the Impreza, it was a totally different experience. I think to fully understand how AWD behaves in snow, you really do have to drive one. I too used to say that all you need is 2WD but that has changed after driving the Impreza. I just feel a lot more safer driving it in the winter. It can accelerate quicker, stop faster and take turns easier.

No matter how you drive properly, there's a lot of people out there that don't. It's nice to know that you will be able to react better when such a situation occurs.

how does AWD make you stop faster? do you put it in reverse and step on the gas:o

GunnerX

Mar 5th, 2008, 01:01 PM

how does AWD make you stop faster? do you put it in reverse and step on the gas:o

That's MY experience with those 3 cars. It could be just the Impreza but it stops on a dime.

Bullseye

Mar 5th, 2008, 01:03 PM

This is my first snow storm being able to drive a 4WD vehicle (Honda Pilot). Is it ever nice not worrying about getting stuck, etc.

Funny, I saw a Pilot in the ditch on Burloak dr.

The key with AWD is that you still have to drive carefully. It does not imbue you with super driving powers that allow you to safely drive faster than everyone else. No one seems to get this, as I'm always seeing SUV's and AWD's flying at high speeds on snow covered roads. I like to give them a friendly 'Beep Beep!' as I pass them later when they are in the ditch.

krazykrazz

Mar 5th, 2008, 01:06 PM

Funny, I saw a Pilot in the ditch on Burloak dr.

Maybe it was the entry 2WD model?

Or just a bad driver. :)

The_Professor

Mar 5th, 2008, 01:09 PM

However, after driving the Impreza, it was a totally different experience. I think to fully understand how AWD behaves in snow, you really do have to drive one. I too used to say that all you need is 2WD but that has changed after driving the Impreza. I just feel a lot more safer driving it in the winter. It can accelerate quicker, stop faster and take turns easier.

I've driven my fair share of 4wd/AWD cars and I'll agree that they are different, but a fwd with snow tires is in no way inferior or dangerous. It will ultimately come down to who is behind the wheel.

mart242

Mar 5th, 2008, 01:13 PM

I've driven my fair share of 4wd/AWD cars and I'll agree that they are different, but a fwd with snow tires is in no way inferior or dangerous. It will ultimately come down to who is behind the wheel.

Exactly. An idiot that doesn't know how to drive is still an idiot who can't drive no matter what car he's in. I know a guy that does winter rallies with a RWD BMW. Never gets stuck and can keep up with the Subarus. It's all about the driver.

new_vr

Mar 5th, 2008, 01:15 PM

I've driven my fair share of 4wd/AWD cars and I'll agree that they are different, but a fwd with snow tires is in no way inferior or dangerous. It will ultimately come down to who is behind the wheel.
I agree.. AWD means you can go twice as far in the ditch. It does help, but it leads to overconfident drivers.
My stats this year for cars in the ditch: 3 pickups, 4 SUV's, 4 regular cars and 1 legacy and 1 a4. Obviously too small of a sample space to mean anything, but I still find it interesting.

ac328

Mar 5th, 2008, 01:18 PM

I've driven my fair share of 4wd/AWD cars and I'll agree that they are different, but a fwd with snow tires is in no way inferior or dangerous. It will ultimately come down to who is behind the wheel.

Ever tried getting up an icy hill on a FWD car with snow tires? I have, and in that scenario it is inferior to AWD.

Buddy of mine here in Calgary has an Odyssey and lives on a sloping street. I accelerated up the hill no prob in my previous car, a BMW X3, he was slipping around like crazy.

And I have also tried it in a RWD car, that was just painful starting from a stop up a hill. No traction whatsoever.

Agree with you that skill is very important factor (No. 1), but AWD is superior in many situations.

nornet

Mar 5th, 2008, 02:11 PM

You forgot that Outback's are also ugly as sin lol

I've got one and tend to agree with you but I didn't buy it for looks.

thelefteyeguy

Mar 5th, 2008, 03:03 PM

me too...for $28K CDN taxes in (well equipped with Leather)...I could care less if it's slightly less than attractive.

It was definitely fun this morning...ie passing cars this morning with ease

i was the only one in this morning on time...others made excuses lol

Ebola

Mar 5th, 2008, 03:36 PM

He did say any CAR...does an Echo qualify?

No.

Capt.

Mar 5th, 2008, 03:58 PM

I love the heavy snow days, except when I have to get to work in the morning. Just switch on the 4wd and rip through the big snow piles. Switch off the 4wd and go sideways around corners. It's surprisingly fun.

gilboman

Mar 5th, 2008, 04:43 PM

Ever tried getting up an icy hill on a FWD car with snow tires? I have, and in that scenario it is inferior to AWD.

Buddy of mine here in Calgary has an Odyssey and lives on a sloping street. I accelerated up the hill no prob in my previous car, a BMW X3, he was slipping around like crazy.

And I have also tried it in a RWD car, that was just painful starting from a stop up a hill. No traction whatsoever.

Agree with you that skill is very important factor (No. 1), but AWD is superior in many situations.

are you assuming the awd has winter tires as well? and we all know the important thing is the FWD with winter tires can STOP going up or down the hill, whereas any car even with AWD won't be as fortunante and enjoy the ability to stop without it:D

gilboman

Mar 5th, 2008, 04:43 PM

That's MY experience with those 3 cars. It could be just the Impreza but it stops on a dime.

good..because AWD has NOTHING to do with the ability to stop faster;)

if anything, it adds to the stopping distance. e.g. a car avilable with AWD or without, the model without awd will be able to stop faster since there is less weight...LOL..of course, this is an extreme example. but the point is AWD doesnt help to stop faster in the snow.

gerbil

Mar 5th, 2008, 04:46 PM

i was the only one in this morning on time...others made excuses lol

as much as i'd like to be on your side, this might create some more questions, now everybody in your department would be expecting that you'll be on time - don't matter what the condition is .. rain, shine, storm, hail, snow .... remember, this are the same people you'll be sharing the lunch room, break and not to mentioned a possible promotion or position ...

think about it ...

yyz2hkg

Mar 5th, 2008, 05:23 PM

I think the only downside to the Outback IMO is the back end fishtails even at slow speeds when accelerated ever so slightly.:cheesygri

bionicbadger

Mar 5th, 2008, 06:09 PM

Subaru is great, people actually use them:
http://i2.tinypic.com/35jbgpj.jpg

ES_Revenge

Mar 5th, 2008, 07:26 PM

Switch off the 4wd and go sideways around corners. It's surprisingly fun.
Hey you can do that in an Impreza just by jumping on the throttle, LOL.

I think the only downside to the Outback IMO is the back end fishtails even at slow speeds when accelerated ever so slightly.:cheesygri
Yep, that's what I'm saying...

Subaru is great, people actually use them:
http://i2.tinypic.com/35jbgpj.jpg
Wow that's crazy, is that real or is that from an ad? Hard to believe someone would go that nuts with an STi!

new_vr

Mar 5th, 2008, 07:56 PM

Subaru is great, people actually use them:
http://i2.tinypic.com/35jbgpj.jpg
It's funny...up here it's pretty much the opposite

JAC

Mar 5th, 2008, 07:59 PM

I have a Mitsubishi Endeavor AWD for a couple days. I was so disappointed in how little snow we got last night. :(

SubieDo

Mar 5th, 2008, 08:20 PM

This is my 3rd winter with my AWD Legacy. Regardless whether you drive a FWD, RWD or AWD/4WD, nothing can replace COMMON SENSE. You can only cheat the laws of physics only so far before it catches up to you in an unpleasant way.

cluless

Mar 5th, 2008, 08:48 PM

:twisted:

my car..

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/3018/my01gc8vo1.gif

and how I drive my car on snow days like this morning on my way in to the GO station :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWTF24979D8

artemm

Mar 5th, 2008, 11:39 PM

:twisted:

my car..

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/3018/my01gc8vo1.gif

The hazards are on... is it broken down? :razz:

urameatball

Mar 6th, 2008, 08:16 AM

Subaru is great, people actually use them:
http://i2.tinypic.com/35jbgpj.jpg

well, if you've done any offroading, that only happens when you're slow and following someone else.
The fast guys never accumulate dirt in the front end like that. :P

Bazooka Joe

Mar 6th, 2008, 08:18 AM

As a manual Impreza owner, I can never go back to a FWD car again (or an automatic). The only thing I wish is I had the better approach and departure angles (and clearance) of the outback.

I don't know if it's changed, but when I was shopping the Outback had 2" more clearance than the forrester, crv and a rav4 - take that mini-suvs! :D

Starkicker

Mar 6th, 2008, 09:02 AM

That's true, most 'cars' require gas stops fairly frequently. With my Echo, I usually can't even remember when I last put gas in it. Was it last month, or the month before? ;)

Well...you'll obviously save on gas if you don't use your car...erm Echo ;)

joey3k

Mar 6th, 2008, 10:33 AM

gilboman

Mar 6th, 2008, 11:02 AM

Professor >>> It's like switching from dial up internet to high speed- you can just NEVER go back once you've had an opportunity to drive AWD during winter :cheesygri

true...assuming you have winter tires on both. but if i had to make a choice between AWD with all seasons or FWD with winter. FWD with winter everytime.

thelefteyeguy

Mar 6th, 2008, 11:09 AM

as much as i'd like to be on your side, this might create some more questions, now everybody in your department would be expecting that you'll be on time - don't matter what the condition is .. rain, shine, storm, hail, snow .... remember, this are the same people you'll be sharing the lunch room, break and not to mentioned a possible promotion or position ...

think about it ...

lol coming in on time has little to do with job performance :D

performance of employees in most modern companies work on meeting goals...our managers care little about coming to work on time...in fact you can work from home.

(this does not apply if you work in CSR ie. jobs that require you to be physically available to customers)

My clients are internal employees...if I get my reports, etc to them on time...they could care less if I was at home or in the office :D

btw..our company does not set meetings at the first thing in the morning...

bionicbadger

Mar 6th, 2008, 11:10 AM

It's funny...up here it's pretty much the opposite
Here in Edmonton I see dozens of big raised pick-ups everyday and you can tell they have never gone off road.

nornet

Mar 15th, 2008, 05:51 PM

With the number of posts in other forums about Subaru windshield cracks, I'm surprised it hasn't been brought up yet. While I don't have a crack, I do have excessive pitting after only 16K. My last car had only slightly more pitting when I sold it at 190k. Don't know if subies have soft glass or what.