2001 HO 3.0 outbacks

[LPXLTT]

So after driving 4000 miles with my "new" WRX (2003, 80k miles), she is in the shop. Whenever I am on a hill and try to back up it, it pops right out. The same thing happens when I put a little gas to it. So I was trying to back out of a friends drive way (its about 30 or so slope) and I just couldn't. Kept popping out. So what I had to do was hold it in reverse. I guess this was a bad idea, because about half way up it just started grinding really bad until I got on flat ground. I was not able to put it into first easy and ever gear now grinds. So shes in the shop, hopefully getting a new set of gears/ whatever else is wrong with it fixed as I type this.

Anyways, to the point of the post. My rental car is a 3.0 Outback. Let me just say that if it had a 5 speed option, it would be the car I drive. The thing has a great power band. The first thing that I did with it was go some dirt roads. Then I took it down a trail that I used to take my Jeep down. Awesome ride, plus good handling. The rental has 180k on it, and it was still driving like new. I would love to see the engine in something more sporty. If they had a turbo on it, I'm pretty sure it would be able to blow the doors off of anything out there. The only thing I don't like on the car is the fact that the engine bay is REALLY tight. I thought the WRX was bad, but there is no room to do anything.

I figured I would share my opinion of the car. Sorry if this is a repost, but I looked and didn't see anything.

[me_jimmy]

how was the understeer? im wanting to put the 3.0 into an impreza

[Draco-REX]

There are a couple turbo'd H6s in Imprezas out there. They make stupid amounts of power. Granted a lot of work has to be done custom to do that, but they probably make around 450hp with a mild tune, and it just goes up from there. And you think the 2.5 H4 is streetable off-boost, I hear these things are great around town. Big turbos aren't a problem since they're fine off-boost for city driving.

[LPXLTT]

A couple more things to note on the 3.0s.

It is still a full size outback, so under steer is bad when its wet out. Not so much on dirt. However, on dirt, the traction control kicks in a lot. So you can notice a power sag so the wheels can regain grip. This may be the tires though.

Gas consumption is pretty bad too. You really should just drive it VERY mild to get the 21 they claim. I am averaging 13. But I was also bringing it up to 5.5-6k before manually shifting into the next gear.

Overall its a nice car, it has everything. Duel moon roofs, heated everything, leather. It rides like a cadi. However, for the WRX/STI people in here, you can't feel the road as much. You feel a lack of control with the auto trans, and the "floating" feeling you get with the suspension. Granted this is a car with 150k on it, so it probably needs springs/struts.

And lastly an update on my car. The reverse gear blew out on me, so now I have to wait until Monday to get a person out to the dealership so they can tell me if its covered or not under the warranty. If they claim that it is abuse of the car that broke it, what should I do to fight it? I have put 4000 miles on, and maybe .5 of that was using the reverse gear. I don't think I will have a problem, but it is something that I noticed while rereading my agreement.

I hope this is helpful at least in some way (the part about the 3.0 not my personal problems) and let me know if you put that engine into your impreza. I can only imagine how fun that car would me on the street.

[me_jimmy]

i dont know how i missed your reply, anyway, im working on getting a wagon fro the project to balance the extra 2 cyl and whatnot it should help some anyway