Subaru Owner for the Second Time

[Goobr]

But not for much longer me thinks.

Hey folks,
Newbie here to your forum but not a newbie to forums. I come with hat in hand hoping to learn some things from you all.

Long story short, lost job a few years ago, out of work for almost 2 years and my old 2001 Outback kept me on the road looking for work. Old job hired me back, got money saved up and bought a 2014 Forester last year. Turns out, I hate that darn CVT transmission. I gave it 10 months to get used to and I still hate it. So, a few weeks ago I started looking again. Ran up on a 2013 Explorer Sport, drove it, loved it but dang it was expensive for 23k miles. Base price new 2014 was only 3k more.

Called my company's auto fleet manager and he put me on to our fleet salesman (Ford). Mr. x.. and I looked for 3 weeks to find what I wanted, went through XLTs and Limiteds like stuff through a goose. He found it today and not too far away. I hope he can make the dealer trade okay,,, waiting on tenter hooks.

Anyway, needless to say I've been scouring your web forum and it looks pretty cool to me. Lots of tech posts, I likey. Hope I fit in here as I'm an old motorcycle junkie/gearhead/racer. Too many broken bones over the years and I need my excitement on 4 wheels these days, no, not a hopped up wheelchair if I can help it.

Take care,
Goob

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! What was wrong with the ECVT? This is the first time that I've ever heard a complaint about an ECVT (other than the internal drive belt breaking).

 

[Goobr]

Thank you for the welcome Brooklyn.


From what I've found, Subaru uses a "chain" belt drive, not toothed like one would think. I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not, but it feels like a snow mobile to me, or centrifugal clutch on an old go-cart if you will. Changes in ambient temperature make a huge difference in how this thing shifts. Not that I'll be racing a 2.5 liter boxer but I never know when it's going to shift. Um,,, it doesn't actually shift. Step on the accelerator at a moderate amount and the rpm's jump to about 3.5 k and stay there as you are gaining speed (sheaves changing diameter) , sometimes. It's not consistent.

Maybe I should have opted for a manual transmission, that's what I had in the old Outback. I digress.

Goob

 

[BrooklynBay]

The two advantages to the ECVT are that it shifts smoothly, and it saves gas since the engine doesn't have to over rev to change gears. I've never driven a vehicle with this transmission but I once knew somebody with an old Subaru Justy. Which engine does your's have? Do you feel it changing ratios while hill climbing or is it just as smooth?

 

[Goobr]

The two advantages to the ECVT are that it shifts smoothly, and it saves gas since the engine doesn't have to over rev to change gears. I've never driven a vehicle with this transmission but I once knew somebody with an old Subaru Justy. Which engine does your's have? Do you feel it changing ratios while hill climbing or is it just as smooth?

I'm sorry I'm late getting back to you Brooklyn,,, gotta work more hours to afford this thing. Supposed to get it this evening!

I have the NA 2.5L H4. I like the engine, it's the same displacement as my 2001 Outback albeit quite a bit more smooth. I am attributing my dislike of the CVT to me being an old phart and like to feel the shift. My 2001 had a 5-spd manual and I loved it but after moving to Central Florida, so much traffic, "Richard" head drivers, I spent more time on the clutch than driving. Ala new Subie with an automatic. When I test drove the CVT, I thought it felt weird but figured I'd get used to it pretty quick, well, I haven't in almost 11 mos ownership. Yes, it does "shift" smoothly but does so very differently when ambient temp outside is below about 70°F from when it's a 95°F day in Tampa traffic.

City/Hwy mileage is running around 28.5 to 29. The display on the console is pretty spot on as I keep records with a notepad and calculator also. I'm not heavy footed but every once in a while.

Now, I'm hoping to get somewhere in the neighborhood of 18mpg combined driving with the new Explorer Sport. We will see.