New car in the family
 

Well, my mother's 2001 volvo v70 T5 blew out a camshaft seal a few weeks ago. Rather than fix this lifelong lemon, we finally broke down and sold it to a volvo shop. A week later, we lined up and bought a brand new 2011 Subaru Outback 3.6R limited. One of only 3 Green outbacks left in california due to the shortage of parts coming out of Japan.

I convinced her to buy it, subarus are always very reliable (er, with one exception....:rolleyes:) and this one was at a better price than any of the other cars we considered (TSX sport wagon, hail damaged V70R sport wagon, Hyunda Elantra Touring).

It may not be the best looking vehicle out there, but the interior is excellent, it is very competent on the road, and the 3.6H6 engine is a BEAST! (and runs on regular gas)

This thing is seriously fast, good in the corners, and stops on a dime. This ought to be a good, reliable car for the next 10-20 years. certainly better than that swedish piece of crap we used to own...

On a related note, I'm looking to close a deal on a 96 Volvo 850....

pics

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...6/DVC00199.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...6/DVC00202.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...6/DVC00203.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...6/DVC00204.jpg

Re: New car in the family
 

Nice. A local dealer just sold a legacy 3.6r premium out from under me. Bastards.

Re: New car in the family
 

they're very popular right now. Unless you had put money down on it, they can sell it whenever they like.

Re: New car in the family
 

makes a Chevy Avalanche looks like a vintage Ferrari! :lol:

Re: New car in the family
 

I like them, at first I didn't, but after seeing them around for a bit, they really started to grow on me. I am not crazy about the grille but overall I think this version of the Outback is a homerun.

Re: New car in the family
 

Welcome to the outback club. You'll find a good amount of information on subaruoutback.org if you aren't already over there.

First mod you -must- spend the whopping $73 on a19mm sti rear sway bar kit (includes bushings). These things are just about dangerous to drive with the stock 16mm bar.
https://www.subaruonlineparts.com/pr...oducts_id=1267

Link to the 2010+ forum
http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/...-2010-present/

Sway bar mod install thread
http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/...-tutorial.html

Re: New car in the family
 

you like your swaybars - you told me to change the FXT's right away. :D

i never did, though - my wife drives too slow to bother changing it.

Re: New car in the family
 

I haven't looked closely at one yet but I actually really like the looks of them. It reminds me of the 97 Outback when it was released. Bold.

The only good things out of Sweden:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_931gr8XgT7...football-girl-

Re: New car in the family
 

I found this information on the web:

"EZ36D: 3629CC DOHC, 260ps (191 kW) @6000rpm, 335Nm@4400rpm. Bore 92mm, Stroke 91mm. Compression 10.5:1. Found in the 2010-current Legacy, Outback and 2008-current Tribeca. The EZ36D incorporates possibly the only implementation of an asymmetrical connecting rod in a modern application. The offset connecting rod was designed to allow additional displacement from the same exterior dimensions."

Anyone know what the benefits/issues are with asymmetric connecting rods?

What is the cutoff typically for compression ratios where one can switch over to regular gas? My Tribeca is 10.8 or 10.7 and needs premium. And how high can one go before racing fuel is needed? Can you run 11.8 on premium gas?

Re: New car in the family
 

Love this!

Re: New car in the family
 

We have the late 2010 Outback Limited 2.5 in Azurlite Blue with the same ivory interior. Very quiet and comfortable ride. Replacement vehicle for the 2009 Forester she "thought" she wanted , but hated.

The car is just shy of 78,000 miles in just over a year on the road. Already halfway through the second set of OEM tires and have already replaced the brakes all around.

My wife loves this car and we have had NO problems at all. The 2.5 engine with the CVT is more than adequate as a commuting vehicle. Driven about 250 miles a day X 5 days a week. Two separate non-stop trips to Maine and back. The average MPG is between 28.5-30mpg on regular gas.

Only additions were the OEM body side moldings and the chrome rear hatch trim. The only differences between the 2020 and 2011 is that the 2010 does not have folding outside mirrors.


At the rate the mileage is accumulating, we would never expect to get much for it when she wants to get another one. Decided we would keep it as an emergency third car or for just hauling stuff around. Saves extra wear and tear on the SVX.

.

Re: New car in the family
 

You guys are harsh. Subaru finally has a wagon with some room in it. Also, I've owned 8 Volvo's with rock solid reliability (lousy plastics on earlier models), each to over 200K miles. The old turbo 4 and still current straight 6 being the best. Be careful of the 850, some complicated electronics. My Volvo mechanic/friend convinced me to pass on that model.
Gene

Re: New car in the family
 

I can't seem to find any car I'm interested in. Last Saturday, I was at a dealer test driving a 2.5i 6mt I was waiting for and realized I would be disappointed with it in the long run. They had the 3.6R equipped with my minimum requirements at a broker's office. So the plan was retrieve the car and submit my financing on Monday. I finally got a call back on Wednesday and when I made plans to come see it on Friday, they told me it was already sold. I think they are just yanking my chain.