1988RedT2 wrote:
irish44j wrote:
1988RedT2 wrote:
I wouldn't wish Subaru's third-world ergonomics on anyone.
what is third-world about them? They're not a BMW or Lexus inside, but apart from some interior rattles on most subies, the seats/dash/gauges/console/etc are pretty much like a Ford, Honda, Toyota, etc. I think my WRX seats are considerably MORE comfortable than the ones in our 08 4Runner.
Granted, my experience with them is limited, but I briefly owned an '01 Outback wagon in '03 and it was hands down the worst car I've ever owned. Most cars, you get into, get situated, move the seat, adjust the mirrors, and off you go. From the first time I sat in the Subaru, it was like WTF is this? Nothing feels right. The seats? Blech! And what the heck is up with that clutch pedal? The whole car felt like it was engineered in the Congo. I hope they've improved since then, but frankly, there are dozens of makes out there that I'd consider before looking at another Subaru.
odd....I have no experience with the earlier outbacks, so who knows. I think the fact that Subaru sales have skyrocketed in the last few years probably speaks to the fact that they've improved alot since 01. The WRX community knows well how well subaru listens to consumer demands (and acts quickly) - see the 08 WRX vs 09 WRX as the prime example. Major changes after the first year of a new body style says alot. IDK, everything in the WRX feels right to me....seats, pedal placement, steering column/wheel size (all adjustable, btw), dash control location, etc. My previous cars were a Maxima, Accord, and Integra - all known to be ergonomically good cars and popular, and the WRX kills them all in most of those categories, except maybe the preponderance of hard plastic in the subie, which is more for weight savings than anything else and therefore worth it in my book, but does result in a "cheap" look and some rattles (which I've fixed all of in mine).
I'm still not a huge fan of the boxer engine (prefer a V or I), but the rest of the car is well-built IMO. I've been in the new Legacy GT and it is VERY nice inside (though hideous outside).
So just saying to you, you might want to swing by a dealer and drive a new subaru, just for the hell of it...maybe more has changed than you think.
btw, I also used to drive a 1989 (IIRC) DL wagon. And yeah, its ergonomics sucked, as did pretty much everything else about it. Slow, ill-handling, uncomfortable, lousy brakes, lousy interior, lousy gauges, and ugly. But bulletproof. ALOT has changed.
