Time for new pads on the front of my 95 Legacy Outback Wagon. What upgraded pads should I get for better braking? The car only goes 500 miles/month, so I can handle something that wear's calipers more than OEM pads. I'm in a cool, damp, but salt free climate, so the pads have to work as soon as I hit the peddle, without any warmup time. Appreciate your thoughts, gang.

My 2 cents: I really like PBR (a.k.a. Repco, Axxis) Metal Masters. I personally think they are better than oem. They feel to me that they provide better braking (shorter distances), less prone to fade, and better pedal feel. I live in a mountainous area and they definately do better on long descents.

My 2 cents: I really like PBR (a.k.a. Repco, Axxis) . . . . .

Thanks for the input. How are they when cold, such as in the first stop of the day? (Fade's not an issue for me, as I don't go fast and rarely are on long downhills, unfortunately.)

on my 2nd set of Ceramic Pads... I've got the Parts Plus Ceramics on it now. They are a little noiser than the NAPA Ceramix that I had before. The Ceramix lasted about 60k. The OEM's lasted 23k. I've got an 01 OBW...

I too would recomend ceramics.I just put some on my wifes Jeep Liberty and they are great.Also I have used ceramics front and rear on a friend of mines legacy.Carquest brand seems to do well as far as long life and very quiet with not as much brake dust.Also the braking power is substancially better.Another brand that is good is pepboys brand : Prostop ceramic pad.I have had plenty of luck with those as I maintain a fleet of different vehicles.Good luck.

There are no problems when they are cold. The first stop of the day, they are a little bit noisier than stock, but after the first stop, the noise is gone.