sparky11

It's nothing that $2,000.00 worth of suspension mods won't fix, or so it appears. And then what else? This generation has some serious flaws and it is too bad.

Almost new continentals when purchased. Tire pressure could have been off at that time--don't remember. Always checking it though as it seems to be the most sensitive car I've ever seen to pressure variation. Broken belts not likely but still possible. Feels like a suspension problem more than anything else which is a shame given that 67,000 miles isn't that much for these cars, it doesn't give one the same safe and secure feeling like the previous models did. The more I live with it the more I don't like it. Yes it is scary fast for a production car, has a beautiful interior and good looks, but safe?--Not so much. I personally don't like the factory tire/wheel size for the outback --snow plows instead of snow biters. Don't like its snow manners at all so we use the old Brighton wagon for most winter driving. If I keep the OBXT I will have to get a winter tire/wheel package.

Has anyone ever tried to see if that low speed "sway" on ice would ever rear its ugly head at higher speeds in the dry? I have 2005 OBXT automatic wagon with 67,000 miles on the clock. Bought used an owned about 1 1/2 years. She starts that side to side motion at about 90 mph, very gentle but becomes down right violently uncontrollable and oscillates side to side so bad that it wants to throw itself off the road by 130 mph. This is on flat level dry asphalt. Now nobody drives this fast but the point is I have never had ANY other car exhibit the kind of behavior, old or new, that this thing did. Never tried to duplicate it as it was so bad and warned my wife not to exceed 80 mph on the highway no matter what. Any one else ever see this happen? I realize that it is NOT a GT but that is not a safe behavior to exhibit no matter what.

I UPGRADED my 97 Brighton wagon to 15" Forester wheels that I got used, with 195 / 60 - 15 tires and the difference in handling was significantly better and no change in ride comfort. Put good snow tires on the 14's. Gives you a good and cheap winter/summer set. 60's aren't that great in the snow.