Mazda 6 to an Outback?

I live on a hill outside of Fairbanks Alaska on a dirt road. I bought a 2014 Mazda 6 about 4 months before we moved out there and while it's fine when it's dry, the 6 isn't great in the snow. Even with studded snow tires. Especially when the snow is deep. I'm tired of having no traction at intersections and tired of getting stuck in my driveway.

Enter the Subaru option. Local dealer had a certified 2012 Outback 2.5i premium with 32k miles, blizzaks, and... a 6spd manual! A major reason why I bought the 6 is it's a family car with a stick shift and fun to drive. We have a new baby and are planning on at least one more. I think the outback has more room than the 6, and my wife agrees.

Will I hate the Outback in the summer by comparison? Am I ready to be a wagon person? Am j just swapping a not quite boring midsize sedan or a lifted boring wagon? Should I or shouldn't I?

The right tool for the job.
Do it.

I would but then again, I am on Subaru #4.

Sigh, I hate to say this (as i don't really like subarus) but for you, living where you do, with kids on the horizon. Do it. Get the Outback, it really is what you need in the snow and being a stick shift it'll be fine in the summer as well.

I'm not a huge fan of Subarus, but in this case, I agree it's the right car for you.

I will mirror the sentiments of those who have posted already. The Subi is the right tool for the job and the stick with that engine is a decent combo. Besides with a kiddo coming the wagon will certainly tick some boxes you never thought of.

Our 2011 2.5i Premium has been wonderful. But I wouldn't want to drive it every day. It's a perfect family car--plenty of space for rear facing seats, good cargo space in the back, good mpg (thought he CVT is a little better than the manual), reliable as gravity. I've even towed an 18' boat with it. With a cargo box on the roof it's got more than enough room for a family of four to do a long camping or ski trip. We've got 57k on ours, and have not had to do anything other than oil changes, and at 56k, new tires. I don't mind driving it, but it's not super fun. Not that my standards of super fun are too high, my 2015 Accord more than satisfies my hooning requirements these days.

You won't regret the purchase based on what you wrote.

Note: I love Subarus. I've had a 2002 WRX, 1995 Legacy L wagon (which was replaced by the current Outback), and 2005 Legacy GT wagon. If Subaru offered a manual transmission in the current Legacy, I would own one instead of my Accord. But shifting gears was a must have for me in a dad sedan.

The only better option may be a Forester.

Don't be afraid to put some aluminum skidplates on the Outback if they are available. They can help you sleigh over some deeper snow, and offer actual protection as well.

Yup. Do it. The snow hooning alone will make up for the less entertaining normal conditions driving.

PeterAK wrote: Our 2011 2.5i Premium has been wonderful. But I wouldn't want to drive it every day. It's a perfect family car--plenty of space for rear facing seats, good cargo space in the back, good mpg (thought he CVT is a little better than the manual), reliable as gravity. I've even towed an 18' boat with it. With a cargo box on the roof it's got more than enough room for a family of four to do a long camping or ski trip. We've got 57k on ours, and have not had to do anything other than oil changes, and at 56k, new tires. I don't mind driving it, but it's not super fun. Not that my standards of super fun are too high, my 2015 Accord more than satisfies my hooning requirements these days. You won't regret the purchase based on what you wrote. Note: I love Subarus. I've had a 2002 WRX, 1995 Legacy L wagon (which was replaced by the current Outback), and 2005 Legacy GT wagon. If Subaru offered a manual transmission in the current Legacy, I would own one instead of my Accord. But shifting gears was a must have for me in a dad sedan.

If the current Legacy's were available in a stick shift, I wouldn't have bought the Mazda6. C'est la vie and I agree, if I have to drive a dad car I need a manual transmission.

The other thing pushing me at the Outback is the non-availability of non-german midsize cars with manual transmissions that drive all four wheels and get decent gas mileage that aren't WRX's. Basically it's the Jeep Patriot or Renegade, or base model Imprezas, none of which really excite me. I can't stand the current Forester either.

I forgot these things are rated for towing, something like 2000 pounds right?

Part of my drive to work

And some enabling from my friend Dominic

After having to garage my Transit Connect any time it snowed last winter and use the wife's 2013 Legacy, I traded the TC for a 2015 Outback. And I love it so far!

Interesting point on the cargo space compared to the TC: Height of course is much lower; Width is the same; Length with the seats folded is 6" longer to my surprise. Plus by sliding the passenger seat forward and reclining the back I can put 10' boards in and still close the hatch.

Outback and your dilemma go together like laurel and hardy!! Yes!

It's unanimous. Yes do it!

The deed has been done, so long Mazda hello Subaru.

One of the last of its kind... 6spd manual with a few luxuries like heated seats and heated mirrors!

I think you made the right choice.

Hal wrote: After having to garage my Transit Connect any time it snowed last winter and use the wife's 2013 Legacy, I traded the TC for a 2015 Outback. And I love it so far! Interesting point on the cargo space compared to the TC: Height of course is much lower; Width is the same; Length with the seats folded is 6" longer to my surprise. Plus by sliding the passenger seat forward and reclining the back I can put 10' boards in and still close the hatch.

Are TC's not good in the snow?

I admit I haven't owned a lot of cars. I tend to buy new and keep forever. However, back in the days around the arrival of my first born child, I went through a few in search of the ideal family hauler. One of the stops on that journey was a 2001 Subaru Outback, just a few years old at the time, with around 50k on the clock. Had the 2.5 engine, and much to my delight, a manual shift. This was going to be alright!

What a disappointment! Hands down the worst car I have ever owned. An absolute turd at any speed. No joy in rowing your own gears, as the engine was gutless at any RPM. It's the only car that's ever surprised me with tire squeal during a routine right-hand sweeper at very normal speed. A wallowing pig in terms of handling, it's only saving grace was interstate cruising that was strangely reminiscent of a '76 Olds Cutlass I owned a LONG time ago.

I don't recall what all it needed in the eleven or so months that I toughed it out and drove the thing, but head gaskets were done. The clutch had some kind of weird "judder" issue, that the dealer said was normal, but if I wanted it fixed, they could do it for just under $2000. The car really soured me on Subaru, if you haven't noticed.

Maybe they've got the bugs worked out by now, but I'd be really sure before I sold a sweet ride like the Mazda and got a Subaru. Maybe get an Audi A4 Avant quattro? Maybe something a little "truckier?" SUV? Anything but a Subaru!

Edit: Sorry I didn't get to you in time! Best of luck!

1988RedT2 wrote: I admit I haven't owned a lot of cars. I tend to buy new and keep forever. However, back in the days around the arrival of my first born child, I went through a few in search of the ideal family hauler. One of the stops on that journey was a 2001 Subaru Outback, just a few years old at the time, with around 50k on the clock. Had the 2.5 engine, and much to my delight, a manual shift. This was going to be alright! What a disappointment! Hands down the worst car I have ever owned. An absolute turd at any speed. No joy in rowing your own gears, as the engine was gutless at any RPM. It's the only car that's ever surprised me with tire squeal during a routine right-hand sweeper at very normal speed. A wallowing pig in terms of handling, it's only saving grace was interstate cruising that was strangely reminiscent of a '76 Olds Cutlass I owned a LONG time ago. I don't recall what all it needed in the eleven or so months that I toughed it out and drove the thing, but head gaskets were done. The clutch had some kind of weird "judder" issue, that the dealer said was normal, but if I wanted it fixed, they could do it for just under $2000. The car really soured me on Subaru, if you haven't noticed. Maybe they've got the bugs worked out by now, but I'd be really sure before I sold a sweet ride like the Mazda and got a Subaru. Maybe get an Audi A4 Avant quattro? Maybe something a little "truckier?" SUV? Anything but a Subaru! Edit: Sorry I didn't get to you in time! Best of luck!

Subarus of today are light years better than years ago. I have had 6 (all purchased new) starting with a 1999 up through the latest WRX. Simply no comparison. I feel your pain though. A bad experience can kill your joy forever on a brand.

92dxman wrote:

Hal wrote: After having to garage my Transit Connect any time it snowed last winter and use the wife's 2013 Legacy, I traded the TC for a 2015 Outback. And I love it so far!

Are TC's not good in the snow?

The 1st generation Transit Connects have a non-defeatable traction control. If a wheel starts to spin it applies the brakes to that wheel to transfer drive to the other wheel. If that wheel starts to spin it applies the brakes to that wheel also.

I had Conti DWS's on it (same as on wife's Legacy). It was fine on the roads which were usually in fairly good condition. But parking lots were a different story. If the lot hadn't been cleared before a bunch of cars ran over it and packed the snow down I would have problems. If the lot had any slope to it when I started to move a wheel would start to spin (4.xx final drive may have been a contributing factor). Next thing I know is I have the gas pedal 1/2 way to the floor and it is not even trying to move because the brakes are locked down.

Only way around it was to pull the fuse which also disabled the ABS which I did not want to do. Been driving since 1959 and lived at the edge of the mountains in SW PA until I graduated from college. And the Transit Connect is the worst vehicle in snow I have ever had.

I'll chime in as I had a 2011 Outback with 6 speed manual for 2 years (Mazda 6 was one of the car on the list)

First the good:

The stock pedal spacing is such that you can heal and tow downshift.

It's quiet inside (I love Mazda but sound deadening isnt a strong point)

It rides nice. I routinely make parts runs to SoCal from Vegas and the 7-8 hour round trip is much nicer than my Protege was.

The handling is good for a tall tippy long thing; Last year at a track day I stuck a couple of students in the car for a couple of sighting laps and in a downhill decreasing radius corner (that I entered a bit fast for for a wagon) it was a simple case of trail the brakes, quick opposite lock back on the throttle and on your way. The DSM nanny kicked in just as I finished unwinding the opposite lock, the guys on Outback.org show how to wire a simple modification to work around it. It will also throttle steer through double apex corners. I also helped set up on a stage rally last year and it could be hustled on gravel.

The steering beyond the first 10-15 degrees has very good feed back (I'll get to the issue shortly)

I manage 27 mpg on a 50/50 city highway commute.

It's tackles sand washes and dirt roads very well.

The Bad:

The steering just off center; in order to combat the steering shake issues from the earlier cars Subaru has a lot of preload in the rack, so an inch either side of straight ahead the steering doesn't self center well. Outback.org as a thread on how to back off the preload and get the self centering back.

The shifting is not really a problem but the car is equipped with a damper/dash pot on the clutch pedal. If you are like me and rev match on up shifts it has a tendency to make your timing off. This can be removed and subbed with a set up form a WRX.

On dry pavement beefier sway bars would make it more fun.

The lack of a 100% Nanny defeat button is annoying (again there is a fix)

It's geared rather tall if you want to get aggressive off road.

The Subaru accessories while fitting well are pricey, if you are buying stuff like hitches bite the bullet and get the Subaru ones as they are better than the none size fits all. Did I mention they are pricey.

The touchy feely commercials and all the non car people who own them.

Overall I like mine a lot and even though I could jump in my very sporty Protege for short errands I end up taking the Outback. Our 22yr old son drives a Miata as a daily and even he said it drives nice. Do note I have the Formula 500 and Datsun I vintage race for my hooligan fun, if I didn't perhaps I'd be less fond of the car OR I'd lower the car 2" and fit meaty sway bars and dampers.

Tom

Off topic, but did you ever update your house building thread?

Maybe? It's been finished and we've been in for over a year now.