OT: Compact SUV recommendations?
- Thread starter CornerTavern
- Start date
Yeah I wouldn't swear off CRVs based on that. They're very different cars now.
Just the words Continuously Variable Transmission explain it well enough that I can imagine it sucks.
I work closely with two guys that had Suburu's and both needed engine rebuilds due to oil problems, both were denied warranty work . No thanks.
Now they can fight to get their money back
http://jalopnik.com/subaru-settles-lawsuit-over-oil-burning-cars-1752805682
Now they can fight to get their money back
http://jalopnik.com/subaru-settles-lawsuit-over-oil-burning-cars-1752805682
My first experience with a CVT was about 5 years ago. Guy backed into my Saab and the local Enterprise store gave me a Dodge Caliber while my car was being repaired.
I genuinely thought it was broken. They drive EXACTLY like an older manual transmission with a blown clutch - you step on the gas and the engine RPMs shoot up with no immediate impact on acceleration. Then, gradually, the "gear" ratios change so that the vehicle speed catches up to the engine speed.
They're so utterly objectionable that, in recent years, manufacturers have taken to programming "steps" into the variability function so as to emulate regular gears.
When the new thing annoys people so much that you have to change its behavior and make it like the old thing, you have just flown the technological white flag.
Gotcha.
I asked only because "denied warranty coverage" in both the JDM and VAG worlds often means "I modded my car, some shit blew up and now they won't pay for it." lol
It's a shame that Subaru is being difficult on the issue. Audi's (and Volkswagen's) 2nd generation 2.0T had an oil consumption issue. I found out about it because my wife's A4 was going through a quart every 1200 miles or so. When I took it in, they did a consumption test, called me on the phone and said "we're gonna need the car for a few days, you're getting a new engine."
Mentioned before I have an Outback for work that has never let me down. I would buy another one if I need to.
Been thru a lot with it. Keeping it long enough so when my son turns 17 next year he has a car I feel he is ok in.
Did you look at the Forrester?
Been thru a lot with it. Keeping it long enough so when my son turns 17 next year he has a car I feel he is ok in.
Did you look at the Forrester?
"In any world where human beings made their choices on even remotely rational grounds, the CVT would be standard equipment on every car that had "going fast" as part of its mission statement. "
Road and Track
CVT take some getting used to. Its boring train like acceleration is uncarlike, but then again few would probably like a modern train that accelerated like it had a manual transmission. They use software to make artificial steps at some cost to efficiency, kind of like putting a pooper scooper on a Model T.
Road and Track
CVT take some getting used to. Its boring train like acceleration is uncarlike, but then again few would probably like a modern train that accelerated like it had a manual transmission. They use software to make artificial steps at some cost to efficiency, kind of like putting a pooper scooper on a Model T.
Trains are direct-drive. The comparison is not accurate. A Tesla is comparable to a train. A car with a CVT is not.
It works like a 10 speed where a computer is working the front and rear derailers with the idea of optimizing torque.
I've never had any issues with the CVT in my 2010 Outback, and it's always felt very responsive. If I do need to "drop down a gear" to get extra power to pass someone (which I rarely need), I can always use the paddle shifter to lock it into a lower gear until I get to the speed I want. I think I've used the paddle shifters less than a dozen times in 6 years.
The comparison was made to the feel of constant acceleration, not the mechanics. You get used to it, and after a while, people will expect it.
This would explain why Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Audi are using CVTs in their high-end performance cars.
Oh wait...
They're using DSGs.
It's a stupid quote from the least of the car magazines. Don't stake your argument on it.
if you dont want the square look you can get the equinox. Same car, different style.
Just bought our second Outback with Eyesight. I can't praise the Outback enough for its ride and handling. Eyesight adds adaptive cruise control and many other safety features such as pre-collision braking, cross-traffic alerts while backing up etc. No car scores higher for safety in tests by the Insurance Institue for Highway Safety and no car that I know of handles better in the snow.
The Forester has similar safety scores, about the same cargo space but a bit rougher ride. The Forester, though, is several thousand less. If you go the Forester route wait for July when the 17 model is available. The 17 will get the newest version of Eyesight which is already on the Outback.
The Forester has similar safety scores, about the same cargo space but a bit rougher ride. The Forester, though, is several thousand less. If you go the Forester route wait for July when the 17 model is available. The 17 will get the newest version of Eyesight which is already on the Outback.
Subarus do have one additional thing to recommend them - they're great for picking up chicks.
Ya know... if you're a chick.**
**Not that there's anything wrong with that
Ya know... if you're a chick.**
**Not that there's anything wrong with that
The paddle shifters are really kinda useless. The only times I've ever used them were to get an acceleration boost by dropping the CVT down to a lower simulated "gear". They are apparently there for their manual setting, where you could use the shifters to simulate manually moving through the gears, if you wanted to.
Really, though, we're big fans of the newer model Outback (we're too tall to fit in the older model). We wish Subaru had a vehicle with a third row (which is apparently on the way in 2018, but my 2001 Saturn isn't going to make it that far).
The only drawback we've really found to the Outback is that you have to replace all four tires when one gets damaged, rather than just two, because of the AWD. And the headlights are real a PITA to replace on the 2010, though somewhat easier on more recent models.
Really, though, we're big fans of the newer model Outback (we're too tall to fit in the older model). We wish Subaru had a vehicle with a third row (which is apparently on the way in 2018, but my 2001 Saturn isn't going to make it that far).
The only drawback we've really found to the Outback is that you have to replace all four tires when one gets damaged, rather than just two, because of the AWD. And the headlights are real a PITA to replace on the 2010, though somewhat easier on more recent models.
I can't think of any reason why this would be true. I've replaced tires in pairs on my Audis more times than I can count.
Per the dealer, and from what I've read online with Subaru forums, replacing just two tires makes the Subaru AWD system grumpy. They say no more than a 1/2 inch circumference difference to avoid damage to the differential - and if you replace just two (or one) and the differential goes, Subaru will not cover it under warranty.
Edit: Was just reading that some places will shave new tires down so that you can just replace two - but that would still not fall under Subaru's warranty if something goes wrong (and the car's still covered by warranty).
There's some interesting stuff at work, here.
It turns out that not all Subaru AWD systems are the same. This isn't unusual - Audi also uses two different systems (Torsen and Haldex) depending upon whether the engine is packaged longitudinally or horizontally. In Subaru's case the determining factor is manual transmission vs. CVT. Cars equipped with manual transmissions use a simple lock-up hydraulic center differential, while the CVT cars have a center diff with an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch pack (similar to Haldex).
I'm not claiming absolute knowledge, here, but I feel very strongly that the electronic diff should be able to account for variations in tire circumference, since the computer would be programmed to know the difference between a constant rotational variation and a "spike" which would suggest wheel slip.
I honestly don't know anything more than what I've read on forums. People have thought they could "get away with" just doing two, only to screw up their differential. And Subaru telling them the warranty only covers differentials if all four tires are replaced at once. They also say not to try to drive on a donut (or even on a full-sized spare) unless it's an absolute emergency, and to always use a flatbed if you need to get towed.
Have only had to do the "all four" replace because of a damaged tire once, thankfully. Was driving across a muddy field (parked in a grassy field, then it rained hard, and it was a sloppy mess when we were getting out), and picked up multiple nails in the same tire - one in the sidewall that was too bad of a hole to plug. Car handled great getting through and out of the mud, but the next morning it was completely flat and wouldn't hold air.
Yeah... I know it's what they tell you. But consider also the fact that tires rarely turn at the same rate. When cornering, or even going around a barely noticeable bend in the road, the tires are all rotating at different speeds. The electronics in the AWD system has to be set up to handle it.
And as mentioned, my car, which is Haldex-based, is almost exactly the same as the Subaru AWD system used on their CVT cars and Audi has zero f*cks to give about replacing tires in pairs.
We're getting better folks. Took to the 2nd page to get to this one. Bravo. We are enlightened.
Funny story...
My brother and his son join us for a game a few years ago. We were in the Yellow Lot when another Outback pulls up next to us and out of it steps the cast of Lilith Fair. My brother looks at them and then looks at me with his hands out and says, "I'm just sayin'." LOL
Really don't know much about it other than what I've read. Doing some Google searches, it seems that Audi's AWD system and Subaru's AWD system (for automatics/CVT) are similar in many ways, but also have their differences. If it were just the dealership or tire centers telling me I had to replace all 4 tires, it'd be one thing... when it's the majority of users on the forums saying the same thing based on their own negative experience, I give it more weight.
Thankfully have only had to do that once, and got them done on sale at Costco.
Just picked up a new GC Overland with all the tech of the Summit for the wife. We both love it, only negative is that it's under powered ~285HP for my liking, they should offer a middle upgrade between std and SRT.
They do. There's a 5.7L V8 available on several of the trim models. The SRT is just a different beast altogether.
I have a 2014 6-speed outback. Love the car but have had the short block replaced twice under warranty because of oil consumption. Latest block is supposed to be the same as the 2016/2017 so hopefully the issue is fixed. I think there's a big difference in Subaru's reaction now vs a few years back to the oil issues and that might have been a result of the class action suit.
I would expect that "constant rotational variation" would translate into excessive wear. Edited to add - on the drive train.
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I had a discussion with the owner of Level 10 transmissions up in sussex county about this. His opinion was any awd or 4wd vehicle should have matching tires to reduce wear. Stated to follow the tire rotation schedule as well to keep tires matched as close as possible as well.
The Q3 sucks balls, and I'm a big Audi fan. It should be discounted immediately.
Given what the OP has mentioned as his current vehicle and likely targets, I think it's unrealistic to suggest 50 large worth of Q5.
I will be picking up my new Cherokee Limited V6 tomorrow. Cherry red was as close to scarlet as I could get. My first new car since I was married 20 years ago, my wife has been getting the new cars, and I have been getting the hand-me-downs. Made sense since I only have a 1.5 min commute to work, but I am sick of driving an old car........
