Thread: 3.0 or 3.6 Outbacks

The new generation CVT's have improved out of sight compared to the earlier versions - but they are still mushy unimpressive things in regard to driving 'feel'. I just hate how they can feel lurchy in stop start traffic or surgey going over undulating terrain especially in cruise control - seems like the cruise control takes an age to slow down after going over one crest, then ages to power back up then tries to Apollo 18 you over the next crest to completely die and not power up at all up the next hill...

Have you looked at something like the outlander 4wd? Just a query as the outlander is similar size and weight to the outback, maybe slightly less clearance but not much in it. A fair bit easier on the wallet I'd say though...

Originally Posted by No.3

Have you looked at something like the outlander 4wd? Just a query as the outlander is similar size and weight to the outback, maybe slightly less clearance but not much in it. A fair bit easier on the wallet I'd say though...

Yeah I did but preferred the Xtrail to the mitsi outlander, the back load space is pretty small in an outlander. Main worry is the wife borrowing what I get next and giving the Xtrail back. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and get something tank like

Ironman have just released a suspension lift kit (shocks and springs) for the Outback which looks very interesting.
In saying that, my brother's CVT lasted all of 60,000 ks...and quit.
Last week I drove a Nissan loan car (2023, 11,99k CVT)...it felt like driving a manual box with a slipping clutch!
I believe I am correct in saying that we have yet to see a current model double cab ute with a CVT, which probably says a lot!

Yeah, some of those Nissan CVT's feel quite special.

I think the CVT in utes will come, the current generation of CVT is a vast improvement over the first ones in both feel and reliability - and if you think about where we've got to on auto boxes about 10 years ago most people swore black to blue that they'd never have a ute that wasn't manual...

nissan cvt the belt "pushes" the pulley not "pulls" it. this can cause the belt to flex, then it starts delaminating itself.
it cost nissan millions in recalls and warranty claims.
now they tell you cvt is to maximise the economy by making sure the rpm is maximum efficiency, end of the day its just cheaper to make a belt drive than helical cut gears.
also torque is the killer of belts so diesel motors and high weight towing is a killer.

i currently run a 3.0 legacy with 5 speed auto, if i could buy this car in manual i wouldnt hesitate to buy it.

Yeah, apparently auto boxes are cheaper to make than manuals as well - based on a per numbers thing when you are only fitting one type of transmission not two or three. I saw some figures that the entire fleet of cars in NZ has less than 18% manuals now, and in three years time it's expected to be almost single figures. Having said that, the same writer put forward the opinion that EV's with manual transmissions are 'few and far between'. I don't know of one that exists - the driveline does not suit a clutch as the instant torque of electric eats the lining straight off!

Originally Posted by No.3

Yeah, apparently auto boxes are cheaper to make than manuals as well - based on a per numbers thing when you are only fitting one type of transmission not two or three. I saw some figures that the entire fleet of cars in NZ has less than 18% manuals now, and in three years time it's expected to be almost single figures. Having said that, the same writer put forward the opinion that EV's with manual transmissions are 'few and far between'. I don't know of one that exists - the driveline does not suit a clutch as the instant torque of electric eats the lining straight off!

EV's are horrid, tesla doubly so

Originally Posted by gonetropo

EV's are horrid, tesla doubly so

Tesla yeah, fairly ordinary all round. EV's do have a place though, e.g. underground where exhaust fumes suck.

i have a toy rav 4, had it up to monument, mt studholme, takapari rd, not a serious 4x4 but with care and intelligence it goes to where i need to go.