We just purchased a Subaru Outback 2011 (highest end model). The manual is terrible in explaining certain things. For instance, #1: step-by-step directions on how to enter a NAME for an address . .... Which screen to enter first, etc. (step- by -step) We went to the dealer and the salesman could not figure it out! #2: How to save the address where you presently are located. #3: How to set up the voice activation step - by- step. When I verbally give a command, it says "not recognized".

I dont know the answer to how to fix it, but its the salesmans JOB to know how to properly operate the vehicle. When I sold cars I knew them inside and out. Unless you otherwise loved the salesman, personally I would rip them apart on the survey saying they didn't know a thing about the car.

Agreed.

 

I worked as a service technician for a few years and would add:

 

Customers need to test and use accessories and the vehicle prior to purchasing it. I find that most in dash factory navigation systems are far inferior to anything after market, are expensive to update, and are harder to use than one from Magellan, Kenwood, etc. Before you drop 500-1000 dollars on an accessory make sure you actually like it, can use it, etc. I'm not picking on you specifically but making a general statement for all car purchasers.

 

We had a customer come in complaining about her Impreza after she never test drove the car, she tried a Legacy sedan and liked it so she bought the cheaper Impreza after finding out her financing wouldn't suit her in the Legacy. She said it was loud, the seats were bad, and the stereo is hard to read and doesnt have the steering wheel controls. Brilliant.

ShawnW,

I agree with you on the difficult factory installed navigation systems. Most are not intuitive at all, unlike the portable units available everywhere.

 

The factory system in my wife's Lexus is about as confusing as it could possibly be, and comes with a manual that is over a half inch thick. We rarely even turn it on, choosing instead to use the portable Garmin unit that usually goes in my Subie. Its a piece of cake to use by comparison!

 

On top of that, the factory installed unit won't let you program it while the car is in gear. Oh, sure, that's to keep the driver from being distracted, but why can't the passenger do the programing? That's how my wife and I do it with the Garmin, she navigates the GPS while I drive.

 

And, yes, there's the $300+ navigation mapping upgrade each year for the factory unit, whereas the portable GPS units can do it for less than a $100, or just over a $100 to buy a new updated GPS unit every 2nd year or so. No contest!