VDC Question for the Subaru techs

Darksied-X · #1 10-15-2003, 05:28 PM

Well, me and the wife got looking at Outbacks for sale, and we found a really good deal on a '01 VDC. It has 39K miles and they're asking $22K for it. I think we have them at about $18K with our POS Oldslomobile as trade-in .What I was wondering is if there is any problems or issues with the VDC that I should know about before we buy it?

Thanks.

svxsubaru1 · #2 10-15-2003, 05:53 PM

The VDC outback with the h6 in seems to be having great reliblity. No major flaws so far, but with only a couple years on the new engine the 3 liter some say its to early to tell if there was a design problems like there was with the 2.5 liter. I think if there was a major flaw in the enginearing of the AWD or the engine it would of started showing up by now. So far the only complaint I have heard about the h6 outbacks in genral is how the trannie shifts, it suposibley is set more toward comfort than performance, but in genral every person ive talked to like the car alot.

LarryIII · #3 10-15-2003, 06:01 PM

I agree. I have heard nothing bad about the new H6 or the VDC system.

Ask your question on Yahoo Groups, Subaru Outback Headquarters.

We have a '97 2.5L, 4EAT Outback wagon. We have had no real problems with it. My only problem is the Outbak is sooo slow, especially after driving the SVX.

Good Luck

#4 10-15-2003, 06:22 PM

my dads got a 2002 Outback VDC and has 80,000 on it with absolutley (bad speller) no problems. Everything is great. He loves it. I previously had his "old" 98 Outback Limited and it had about 150,000 miles on it with no problems other then when i used to take the commercials litterally and go offroading with it. I had just gotten my license.
-Bryan

Darksied-X · #5 10-15-2003, 06:26 PM

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the info! And I already posted on the OB HQ, thanks Larry!

As for as the tranny shift, the car is for my wife, and she doesn't need performance, she has a hard enough time driving as is.

Besides, thats what the SVX is for.

And yeah, I noticed it was a little slow to get up and go under normal acceleration. But once I got it on a back road and matted it, she took off like a true H6 Subie should!

Darksied-X · #6 10-15-2003, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bthomas
my dads got a 2002 Outback VDC and has 80,000 on it with absolutley (bad speller) no problems. Everything is great. He loves it. I previously had his "old" 98 Outback Limited and it had about 150,000 miles on it with no problems other then when i used to take the commercials litterally and go offroading with it. I had just gotten my license.
-Bryan

Yeah, this thing is NOT going off road, ever. A campground with a dirt road will probably be the closest it ever gets.

I'm gonna try to take care of my off-roadin' fix next summer/fall with Subaru #5, an '86-'87 Brat with a 3"-4" lift and a turbo engine.

That one's gotta wait 'til after I'm done playin' with the SVX, though.

svxcess · #7 10-16-2003, 08:07 AM

What I was most impressed with was the performance and handling; literally blew my socks off. This car is about 500 pounds heavier than the old Legacy 2.5 GT and is 3" taller with most of that being due to increased ground clearance. However, with the VDC (vehicle Dynamics Control) engaged I drove it around steep curves at speeds I wouldn't even dream of attempting in the SVX!

With VDC engaged, the power split is 55% rear and 45% front and handles completely different from the SVX. I believe this is how all AWD should be split. Even has the "bright" function for instrument illumination (incorporated into the dash)

#8 10-16-2003, 08:58 AM

The only trouble we see with them is if one of the wheels loses contact with the ground. This causes all sorts of error codes and flashing lights. Keep it on the ground and you'll be fine.

Mike

Darksied-X · #9 10-16-2003, 05:20 PM

Well, here's the update on the VDC situation:

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...threadid=13813

Thank you all for your help!

#10 10-18-2003, 10:58 AM

The only thing I have noticed on the VDC vehicles is a bad steering angle sensor. We've done 3 in the past few months, all on cars still under warranty. The good news is that the sensor can be purchased separately. Up until recently you had to purchase the whole steering roll connector to get a new sensor. This will come in handy if the sensor fails out of warranty.

Dave

svxsubaru1 · #11 10-19-2003, 03:32 PM

I thougt the VCD was able to transfer power to any wheel, whats the point if you cant lift a wheel going offroad with out causing problems?