I struggled with which forum to post this in and what title to give it. Ultimately, I think the Subaru Legacy just put a lot of Jeeps to shame...And as a Subaru Legacy owner, I take a little pride in it. I think my ride with 3 LSDs and a turbo is somewhat better suited from a drivetrain point of view than that Legacy, with a 3.6 L H6 and open front and rear differentials. Then again even a performance clutch in a manual transmission would be gone after the whole experience.
Volvos are the situational-awareness-challenged yuppie vehicle of choice. i.e. folks who don't know what a mirror is for other than make-up, have no idea why the left lane is not a good place to try hypermiling, and prefer to cross no fewer than 5 lanes of heavy traffic [minus blinkers, or the wrong blinker] to get to their exits.
Subarus are for folks who need a decent, reliable, non-gas hog, vehicle to deal with terrain and conditions with moderate cargo space for hauling "stuff"
A few drivers have difficulty distinguishing four wheel drive from four wheel stop, but the vehicle is stout enough to handle a tow strap.
Really? Try doing an image search for 2008 Subaru. Pretty much every model for that year was good looking. I agree that the one in video is ugly (2010-2014 gen) but the current Legacy and the 05-09 gen are good looking in my opinion.
I've been a Subaru fan since the 1970's. Yes, they are "uniquely" styled. However, they are well engineered, reliable, affordable to buy and affordable to maintain. The current AWD system used almost thinks for itself. My wife current drives a Subaru Legacy 2.5i Limited. It is much more reliable than the Volvo XC70 she had previous to it. She is looking to trade for a new Audi Q5. I'm pushing for a new Subaru Outback. We'll see out that goes!
Meh. My Jeep still looks better inside and out and is more comfortable. I've never liked Subarus, they're just so ugly and boring, aside from STI STD or whatever.
Co-worker and boss has one, both purchased this past year. Blah. So Boring.
Co-Worker really likes my Jeep. He said he can't have a "nice" car living in the city.
I find the current Legacy blah blah boring as well. Mine, however, is anything between 2500 and 7000 rpm, mostly in 2nd or 3rd.
Later Edit:
Here's a 2008 photo of the car on the Tail of the Dragon. I wish I had the front LSD when I last went there...
But I digress. I married the girl that puked in my car on the Tail of the Dragon and I wasn't even trying...
Many people on this thread think that America is the whole world....why is World Series of baseball called World Series? Shouldn't US teams be competing with other baseball leagues around the world for the title?
Gentlemen, I have a lot of respect for the Subaru...they are very dependable and capable vehicles. Its the shaming Jeeps is the part that I don't understand.
This the forum for the WK2 Grand Cherokee. The Jeep video was for the Cherokee.
Having said that, the Subaru didn't go over any terrain that any all wheel drive vehicle should struggle with. Further, when the video starts out noting that it was a "slightly modified" Subaru, it automatically loses credibility.
Any Jeep will do that kind or terrain and worse straight off the lot, bone stock right down to the low resistance on/off road tires and standard suspension. You don't even have to step up to the off road package.
In contrast, the terrain the Cherokee was on was far more challenging.
Having said that, the Subaru didn't go over any terrain that any all wheel drive vehicle should struggle with. Further, when the video starts out noting that it was a "slightly modified" Subaru, it automatically loses credibility.
I strongly encourage you look up video comparisons between Subaru AWD and that of other competitors, especially FWD based ones, and especially videos that show the cars with 1) one or more wheels lifted off the ground; 2) one or more wheels with less traction than the others; 3) or cars stopping on an incline and then attempting to resume forward progress.
Yes, the Subaru was modified for ground clearance and approach angle. Fair allegation, the vehicle was not stock. Compares favorably though with "slightly modified" Jeep Wranglers. None of us valiant Jeep owners commenting in this thread would follow the Subaru in HI range and dropped in Park or Sport modes. When did you last drive on slick rock and lifted wheels off the ground?
The subbi put on a good show. I like things that are different, and someone taking a newer stockish subbi to Moab is indeed different, so, good for you.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and while I am not a fan of subbi styling I have heard people say they don't like the current Grand Cherokee... my feelings are not hurt... they probably drive a subbi or Prius... .
I'm not sure what you intent was posting that it embarrasses Jeep, but, I'm certain if you are honest with yourself you will admit you know better. They are 2 different vehicles engineered to provide different services to their owners. I have a high suspicion that the 2 are not seriously cross shopped by knowledgeable people.
The Jeep will always haul more, tow more and be more capable off road then the subbi, and the subbi will always be more affordable, get better mpg and fit in smaller garages/parking spots.
I'm not a subbi hater, when I was younger I lusted over the Legacy wagon (not outback, long before that was born) and have always respected the WRX STI and really like the BRX or whatever its called. Real neat cars. Simply, Jeep better suits my needs... subbi does not make a vehicle that compares, and, you'll not find me on a subbi site posting a vid of how much groceries I can load up or how perfectly a Starbucks coffee fits my cupholder or how if I coast downhill I get get 99mpg.
The subbi put on a good show. I like things that are different, and someone taking a newer stockish subbi to Moab is indeed different, so, good for you.