Martinjmpr

Just wondering what folks have towed with their Subarus. My brother ('02 Impreza TS) and I ('99 OBW) are interested in towing with our cars. We both have automatics. What experiences have people had? I'm not sure what my brother wants to tow, or how far, but as for me, I'd like to be able to tow a lightweight single motorcycle trailer with a 500lb motorcycle on it (total weight would probably be less than 1000 lbs.) Would this be too much of a strain on a '99 OBW if it was done over long distance (> 1000 miles)?

Generally, extended warranties are not worth the price, unless you expect major trouble, and if you expect major trouble, why buy the car in the first place? I made the mistake of getting an extended warranty on my last new purchase, and never will again. At least some aftermarket EWs will rebate all or part of your purchase price if you never use it. Not only an incentive to buy the warranty, but an incentive to maintain your car very well, too! One final point on extended warranties: Remember that Subaru has a 60k powertrain warranty, so if your head gasket blows before 60k, it's covered by the factory warranty - no need for an extended one. Still, I wouldn't be offended or shocked at the "tricks" the salesman used. Of course the sales staff is going to try and make a buck where they can. I have had very genial experiences buying cars, but don't ever forget: It's war. You vs. the dealer. The dealer isn't going to look out for your best interest, and you are under no moral obligation to look out for his. If you do your homework and don't let yourself get pressured, you'll be fine. It sounds like that's what happened anyway: He tried to pressure you, you didn't give in, so it ends there. BTW, I bought my '99 OBW at the Daniels Chevrolet in Colorado Springs (on top of the hill behind Heuberger), and for the first two months (when I was at Ft Carson), I took it to Heuberger for oil changes and service. I was very impressed with their service reps and their facilities. When I get back from overseas, I'll be in the Denver area, but I have yet to find a Subaru dealer I'm as comfortable with, so I'll probably drive down to Heuberger for oil changes and any other maintenance. Services are quick, inexpensive, and the staff is very professional and courteous. One of the things that impressed me about Heuberger was that when I brought my used, 4-year old OBW in for service, they ran the VIN number and told me what warranty coverage still applied. I think this shows real concern for the customer. Unless I have a particularly bad experience there when I get back, I imagine I'll be shopping for my next Subaru at Heuberger.

The OBWs usually also have some additional bells and whistles that may or may not be nice. Since I live in Wyoming, the extra ground clearance is enough by itself. Does the regular Legacy have the Weather Band Radio? I always thought that was very cool, although not worth $1000 by itself, obviously. Heated seats are nice, but I could never tell if the heated mirrors or wipers actually did anything. The other difference might be the LSD. I know the OBW has it, not sure about the Legacy, although I'm sure the Turbo comes with LSD. From a purely aesthetic viewpoint, I think the new OBW is gorgeous, as was the '96-'99 "bubbletop" model. Obviously, tastes on those matters are purely personal.

Just wondering if it is possible to (temporarily) remove the bottom cushion of the back seat with simple hand tools. I want to be able to sleep in my OBW, and I'm fairly tall (6'1"), so the 4-5" depth of the back seat, when folded against the back of the front seats, takes up some much needed space. I'm planning for my next-summer Alaksa Highway trip, and if I could sleep in the OBW easily, then it would make for much easier "camping" arrangements. Also wondering what kind of experiences people have had with car-top boxes (rocket boxes and the like.) I was thinking of getting a medium-sized one (not one of the long ones) to carry stuff in on my trip, but I'm worried about the effect it may have on gas mileage, as well as not wanting to make the car too top-heavy. How well do they work? How does it affect handling, particularly in high winds?

Got pictures?

Okay, one of the people who posted on the topic of the '05 OBW was disappointed that it didn't come with a built-in satellite navigation system. One of the advantages, though, of having a hand-held unit is that you can take the unit with you to another vehicle, and you can walk/run/bike/hike with the GPS unit, too, which you obviously can't do with a car-mounted unit. So I got to thinking: What if the GPS/Satellite Nav unit was modular, and could "pop out" of the dashboard for off-vehicle (or other-vehicle) use? Basically a "docking station" concept for GPS. To get even fancier, the "docking station" in the car could have a module with all the US maps (or whatever country) permanently stored in it, while the hand-held unit could be programmed to hold just the maps that the user needs at that particular time and place. The docking station could also be connected to an external antenna on top of the car and maybe even a larger LCD screen for easier visibility. What do you think? Too quirky/expensive? Considering that Subaru markets its Outbacks as "SUV Alternatives" to people who are involved in outdoor sports activities, I think it would fit right in with their intended customer base.

I'll apologize in advance if this is a dumb question, but do you have both key fobs? B/c if you have both and one works, the other doesn't, could be the problem is with the key fob and not with the keyless entry system per se?

Jeg: Do you have any pictures of your lifted OBW? The little one on your icon isn't too easy to see. I'd like to see what a lifted '95-'99 OBW looks like. Also, did you then go to bigger tires, too? If so, what size?

I've seen two photos on Edmunds, one has a scoop and the other doesn't. I'm assuming the scoop is on the turbo version? Also read something interesting in C&D, that somehow Subaru got the Outback Wagon classified as a truck for emissions standards and/or CAFE purposes. Something about ground clearance and approach/departure angles. In any case, I'm glad they changed the "door stop/Wedge" look of the 2000-2004 models. When it's time to trade in my '99 (probably in 2006), I'll be glad to get one of the new ones.

I realize you may have already bought the changer, but if it is anything like the one in my '99 OBW, my recommendation is: Don't. My changer is a POS. Skips when there is even the slightest bit of dust on the CD, some CDs it won't play at all, and the changer was apparently never sold in the US, so the only way you can get a replacement cassette is to buy one from Subaru for about $50. (BTW, this may be why you can't find the cable you need. The only place I've ever been able to see replacement cassettes for this particular changer is on the German E-bay.) Mine is a Panasonic, can't remember the model number and I'm not in the US where my car is, so I can't check. If there is a way to add a different CD changer, you'd be much better off doing that. Maybe a changer from a newer Subaru? As for me, I'd like to replace the whole head unit, except that I love the Weather band radio.

There is at least one company in Australia (where Subarus are used much more as true off-road vehicles) that sells suspension lift kits for later model Outbacks and Foresters. I can't remember the name or the URL, but someone on here knows it. There are some very cool pictures of lifted Outbacks and Foresters with big skid plates and brush guards on the site. Don't know if they sell their parts in the US, but I'd trust them before I'd trust a home-grown body lift.

Blitz: The technology you're talking about can easily be disabled by lining the inside of your car with aluminum foil. If I buy an '05, can I borrow some from you, or do you need it all for hats?

Heh heh. It started last year when my Brother was looking for a new car. He wanted a small, economical car with ABS, and he didn't want to spend a bunch of money. I was driving a Ford Ranger at the time, but had been seriously looking at Subarus for a couple of years. Anyway, he said he was thinking of getting a Saturn , because they were offering some kind of 0% financing, and I suggested he look at some wagons (he does a lot of outdoors stuff and often has to carry a lot of things) by other manufacturers, like the Mazda Protege 5 and the Toyota Matrix. After a few weeks, he said he drove Matrix/Pontiac Vibe (same car), but there were some things he didn't care for, and the prices weren't that good except for stripped-down models. So, then I suggested Subaru (which he had always dismissed in the past, saying "they're too expensive"). He started doing some internet research, and before I knew it, he called me up and said he was planning on getting an Impreza TS wagon, and brand new '02. Well, my brother Bruce got his Impreza, and about a month later, I got called to Active Duty and went overseas. When I came back in April, I had all that combat pay burning a hole in my pocket, so I quickly traded my Ranger in for a '99 OBW. Then, earlier this month, my Mother had said that she was looking for a new car and of course Bruce and I both suggested she look at Subaru. I just got a call from her, she got an '04 Impreza TS wagon. I wonder how many other people in my family will fall victim to the "Subaru Cult"? Even my Brother-in-law, who is a former Subaru owner, admired my Outback and said he had considered getting one, but decided on an Explorer instead (I'll bet when gas prices were pushing $2/gallon he was regretting that decision!) I think we're rapidly getting to the point where every 5th or 6th car you see out in Colorado is a Subaru!

I don't know what a P119 is, but I have the same problem on the factory radio for my '99 OBW. It goes off, and I have to tap the front of the display to get it to come back on. I'm sure pretty soon it will just stay off. I actually posted this question a few months ago but never got any response. I' ve got to get an oil change this week, and I'll ask at the Subaru dealer in town if they can replace this light. I'll let you know what they say. BTW, my radio is the factory AM/FM/WB/Cassette with the controls for the 6-CD changer under the passenger seat. Don't know if yours is the same one.

Check it out. I guess my concern about the roll bars preventing a cap from being fitted was unfounded. http://www.4are.com/product/baja/ Now that it seems to have this versatility, I might consider a Baja for my next vehicle. For those too lazy to click, here's the photo:

On a 99 OBW, Auto, I get between 24-27 in town and 28-30 on the highway. If you get an AWD version, I don't think there's much mileage difference between the auto and the 5 speed, because of the way the AWD works.

There is so much cool stuff, vehicle wise, that is not available in the US. Pretty sure this is primarily due to the stranglehold that our domestic auto makers have on Congress. Probably nothing you can do about it, but it's too bad that things like the Toyota Troop Carriers (FJ-75 series), Nissan Patrol, and other great vehicles are simply not available here b/c it would be too expensive for the manufacturers to bring them up to US safety and emission standards (not that I've ever heard of massive deaths caused by people riding in Euro-spec vehicles that don't have the same safety features as US vehicles...). Plus, even if they DID bring them to the US, they would then face stiff competition from domestic manufacturers who would enjoy a significant "home field advantage." I believe this is why Subaru won't offer the d/r vehicles here. They are not trying to sell vehicles to "off roaders" (their advertising to the contrary notwithstanding), they are trying to sell vehicles to suburban commuters and soccer moms, for whom a d/r tranny would be a waste of money. Sux, but there it is. Oh, and don't even get me started on the fact that everywhere else in the world you can get an SUV with a 2.5l Turbo Diesel that runs forever and gets great mileage. :banghead:

Apples and oranges, IMO. As for the quality of Korean autos, they are trying to undercut the Japanese so they only sell the cheap ones in the USA. Korea is where Japan was in about the early '70's, but Korea has the benefit of watching Japan's example. I think the future will see an explosion in both the quality and quantity of Korean products. In business terms, the ROKs are "Hungry", and their economy is booming, one of the best in Asia. They also make a lot of cool SUVs that they don't sell in the US.

Your OBS may still be under warranty for engine/drivetrain. The engine/drivetrain warranty is 60k/5 years, so I'd see if you could get the dealer to do it before you start messing around with it.

I'd be more worried about what the extra weight does to your handling, and what effect the extended approach angle has on off-roading. Granted, the Forester has pretty respectable approach/departure angles, but the ones on the Legacy OBW just flat out suck, and putting a bar on the front would make it even worse, I would think

Okay, this is annoying but not critical: Sometimes the backlight on the radio doesn't light up like it should. If I tap a couple of times on the face of the radio where the display is, it usually comes back on. But, my fear is that I have an LED or light going bad and sooner or later it's going to go off and not come back on at all. So, my question is, can the bulbs or LEDs in the radio be replaced easily? I'm not a mechanic and I'd rather not try to pull the radio out myself. The manual is of absolutely no help b/c it doesn't even list my radio in it! The vehicle in question is a 99 OBW, "Rocky Mountain Edition" (which I think included an upgraded audio package.) The stereo is an AM/FM/WB with cassette and it also controls a 6-CD changer under the seat. Everything is (or appears to be) factory original, and I don't know if the CD-changer controller is a separate part from the radio/cassette or not (they look like a single unit.) The manual only lists information for the AM/FM/Cassette and the combination cassette/single CD (in-dash) player. Thanks for any help. I'm not particularly blown away by the audio system, but I'm not interested in replacing it at this time, either.

Here in the US? You may be. I live in Subaru Central (Colorado/Wyoming) and I haven't seen one!

Somebody here on the forum posted a link to an Australian company that made all sorts of products for late model Subarus, including brush guards and 'roo bars of various types, lift kits, etc. Sorry, can't remember the exact post or the name of the company. Could be cheaper than having one fabricated.

I think it's actually 1995-99. Seems like Subaru has been pretty consistent with 5-year changes in the body style. The only change I'm aware of for '97 was the addition of the hood scoop. Otherwise I believe the 95 and 96 models are identical.

Looks like it's finally time for me to get new tires, what with our first snow coming in a week or so (I hope.) So I'm wondering, how many of you have put slightly larger tires on your OBWs, and was it a good idea? I'm not thinking of anything huge, just going from the stock 205/70R15s to a 215/70. By my calculations that's only 10mm wider overall and about 1/2" greater diameter. What I don't know is if there is some peculiarity of the Subaru that this might affect (extremely close tolerances or something.) Anyone done it? And would you do it again? Oh, and I almost forgot the trivia question: Was the 2nd generation Legacy ('95-'99) ever available in the US as a FWD-only car? What year did Subaru go to all-AWD?