the_eleven

Sounds like it will come down to a test drive for the XT. The 5EAT with VTD sounds like the transmission I want; have driven sticks my whole life and although I love the control, in stop & go traffic, and snowy roads, I have become a convert to AT. But the only way to get this is to buy the turbo...:-( How reliable is this setup?

Am about to pull the trigger on a new Outback. Am trying to decide between the MT and AT version of the 2.5XT. Which one will do better in snow & ice? Would the choice be the same with the base engine?