Considering Outback or Forester BUT...

[7enderbender]

Hi there,

 

I'm new here. I've always been partial to Japanese cars and been through a string of Toyotas and Hondas in my life. Current vehicles are a Toyota Sienna and a 2002 Forester that I inserted a few years ago with low mileage and from a dry climate with basically no corrosion. It's my commuter car and I also use it for hauling music gear and bikes when the Sienna is tied up otherwise or schedules don't line up for my wife and me.

 

I'm pretty sure the Subaru may still have some life in it and hey, it's free except for the occasional rather minor repair so far. It's not the most comfortable ride for somebody who is 6'2" since - as so often these days in the US - the seats don't go back far enough really. But overall it's a fun drive, love the all wheel drive here in New England, and extra bonus, it has a manual transmission. Bunch of stuff gave in, such as the moonroof (don't like those things for that reason), radio (swapped it out for another CD radio), cruise control (no need for that either). All good.

 

However, the time will come when I'll need to replace it. Looked at the Jeep Grand Cherokee (nice styling, enough space in front and back). Have a Ford Explorer on my list. Toyota Highlander. BUT: went to the local Subaru place to check out the Forester and Outback - and was positively surprised that the Forester has more space now in front AND manual transmission still!

 

So there is certainly a viable option to cover my almost-perfect-car-needs (perfect for day to day use that is...): space, all wheel, manual transmission, CD player (!), enough space for my bikes and guitar rigs, leather seats and a few niceifications available. No 6 cylinder though.

 

Which brings me to the Outback: overall the nicer and better equipped car - I was surprised to learn that since on the road it looks like the smaller, more basic car compared to the Forester. But no manual transmission any longer - which on a car like this makes absolutely no sense to me.

 

So with that in mind: what are my options? What was the latest US model Outback that is still available with manual transmission and the 6 cyl engine? And how about buying new from Canada where it seems to be sold still in the 2017 model? Must be possible somehow since I had a used Canadian Toyota before that I bought in the US (found that out later when figuring out the DLR settings).

 

 

 

 

[Numbchux]

Subaru hasn't bolted a manual transmission behind a 6-cylinder since the XT6 (1988-'91). No Outback ever came with that combination....

 

 

2015 was the last year for a conventional Auto and the 6-cyl, since then it's all been CVTs

Edited March 14, 2017 by Numbchux

[GeneralDisorder]

The CVT is a much better transmission than the manual. At this stage of the game manual transmissions are worse on fuel economy, maintenance, and longevity. Their only purpose is for people who enjoy shifting for no actual benefit other than perception of sportiness or misconceptions about economy, etc. Truth is the CVT with a 16 year old driver will beat you in the 1/4 mile every time and do it while getting better MPG and last twice as long. No clutch to wear out, no syncros to grind.... etc.

 

GD

[idosubaru]

What they said.  No H6 MT outbacks. 

 

Only thing I miss about MT's is being able to pop the clutch, that's a nifty trick when needed.

 

For fun....Image and novelty are big players in the biking and music world sometimes so you might need an MT.

As a musician maybe this could be a litmus test:
If you insist on floor wedges - stick with manual transmissions. 

If you've embraced in ear monitors - the CVT switch should be fairly easy. 

 

LOL

[7enderbender]

What they said. No H6 MT outbacks.

 

Only thing I miss about MT's is being able to pop the clutch, that's a nifty trick when needed.

 

For fun....Image and novelty are big players in the biking and music world sometimes so you might need an MT.

As a musician maybe this could be a litmus test:

If you insist on floor wedges - stick with manual transmissions.

If you've embraced in ear monitors - the CVT switch should be fairly easy.

 

LOL

Thanks everyone for clarifying the 6cyl/manual, err, non-option. Gee, even the 3series BMW wagon isn't a 6cyl any longer. And thanks for a good laugh about the wedges. So true.

 

I know I'm weird with a lot of stuff. There are things where I happily adopt 21st century technology - and others where I go ewww.

 

Often it's the combination of new and latest gadget that I'm drawn to. I have no issue playing 1950s guitars through the latest and greatest digital gear - just to go into big and heavy tube amps from there. And, yeah, I prefer wedges over the hassle of in-ears. So maybe that's my cue right there.

 

With manual to me it's not the "sportiness" - im actually a very passive, non-aggressive driver. It's about control and safety. The Subi came out of the icy driveway this morning with zero issues. The Toyota is still stuck - and I attribute some of that to the dumb automatic and its computer (Toyota does a horrible job with the transmission in my opionion as this must be the least responsive car ever despite its 250 hp).

 

So, long story short I'm not clear where to go from here. It might be a tricked out Forester or maybe a used/Canadian Outback. Maybe I'll go for the BMW or Audi wagon if I can source one with stick. Or a Jeep. Same issue with the new bike: may actually have to bring one from Europe to get what I want.