SBT

Think it may be the updated headlights with the SAP's blacked out look as well. Really like this color.

And, fortunately, shouldn't need to replace the struts for at least another 40K miles or so.

2014 3.6R limited with SAP and 69K, carbide gray metallic with saddle brown interior (this color combo has really grown on me). Has more bits and bobs than I've ever seen in one Outback; there's Navigation, Sirius XM, Sunroof, Eyesight (and all the associated bits), Memory Seats, Rear Seat 110V power, New Michelin Defender Tires, and a ton that I can't recall.

All maintenance up-to-date, and performed with OEM parts and Subaru fluids. Perfect maintenance - which I would expect from the Master Tech owner.

Banks are closed Monday due to President's Day, so will pick it up on Tuesday, if schedules hold.

Set of 2012 Legacy GT 18" wheel will replace these.

More pics to follow when it's dry outside and I can get it fully detailed.

I agree with laz. The CVT's "shift points" are really just electronic logic that pre-position the pulleys at incremental points in their opening and closing compression routines.

In that way, it mimics shifts, but to be truly efficient, the transmission should just be allowed to ebb and flow within the entire high-low-high range that the CVT operates.

The last true Subaru automatics were the 2014 Legacy/Outback/Tribeca 5EAT versions

Yeah I had to guess on the year. It was the OBS with the squarish headlights like my 06 Baja has. I forgot the Legacy got a few facelifts that the Baja didn't. But yeah, thanks, it was a lucky find. The guy at the junkyard said they were gonna sell the OBS but then realized it needed timing belt/water pump etc and they decided to just put it in the u-pull-it yard. $38 per seat, no matter if leather, cloth, heated, auto, anything. I lucked out getting to the car before someone ripped apart the engine and left an oily crankshaft or rusty exhaust piping on the seats like on 99% of the other cars in the yard. Took em home, cleaned and polished the leather, cleaned out the hair and dust from the rails, sanded and sprayed rust converter black primer on the parts of the rails that were facing the doors and got rusty over time... And well you know the rest

FWIW - 06 Baja is built on the 2nd Gen (2000-2004) Outback (Legacy) platform which would explain why these look like 2000-2004 era Legacy seats.

Baja production ran from July 2002 – April 2006

Yeah - I think the mid-model refresh was when they executed all of the updates, and tried them out in prep for the launch of the 2015+ BS/BNs

Do like the flat handle in the bolsters, to fold the rears seats, or to recline them to make it more occupant comfortable.

Looking at the LCAs on the 10-12s there is an additional hard mount piece above the LCA on the 2013+...think you may even have pointed this out in your replacement DIY.

I'd like to have a ready source of replacement struts/shocks available, that move more toward the performance side, versus, the simple, stock, compliance-prone versions.

Not sure if there's a Bilstein setup available, but I know what they did for Subenwagen, so I'm confident they'd do equally well on a 4th Gen (2010+) OB.

CRC SL3640 product data sheet IC you missed it:

http://api.crcindustries.com/auto-services/get-pds/SL3640

Nice find. Those look like 00-04ish seats though. 05+ are much more bolstered IIRC.

Looking for something similar for my 98 BD GT, which is manual all the way, with no seat heaters nor electrical adjustability.

If you recall there was a lot of negative feedback about the 2010-12 BM/BR chassis handling, ride and steering wobbliness; all combined to create a safety of flight issue, that needed attention stat!

So, for 2013+ Subaru reengineered the BM/BR with an upgraded chassis and suspension.

All models get improved ride, handling and steering due to upgraded body structure with stiffer front strut mounting points and rear frame rails, upgraded suspension that includes a larger rear sway bar, slightly stiffer rear springs and bushings, and upgraded steering. The result is a more responsive car with improved handling and steering and less body sway.

And driving a stock 2011, back to back with a 2013, the dynamic changes are immediately apparent.

Yeah I agree with that! I really don't like the styling of 2010-2014, stretched headlights suck. I prefer the 2015+ look, but CVT took over :-/

5th Gen styling looks better on the OBs than the Leggys, IMHO, and the upgraded suspension bits on the 2013-2014 and other less-known improvements all combine to make the OB more palatable. Thus my search for the right 2013-2014.

Bummer... I sure something will turn up. You could always buy my OBXT

I've actually been looking at a few OBXTs, and OB 3.0R. Finding the 08-09 with 5EAT OBXTs with 100 miles is difficult.

Almost picked up a 110K 2008 OBXT, but waved off when mileage turned out to be "True Mileage Unknown".

Aww shucks! I presume you are trying to avoid the 15+ because of CVT's right?

Yes, the 2008-14 upgraded 5EAT is a nice blend of 45/55 bias, rev-matching, paddle shifters and towing goodness, that I don't want to consider the 2015+ 3.6Rs.

Will be looking at a 2013 OB 3.6R Limited with Special Appearance Pkg tomorrow. Slightly more on cost, but great maintenance track record, less mileage, and all the bells and whistles, including the Saddle Brown Interior, navigation, sunroof, SAP mirrors with turn indicators, push-button start, 110V electric outlet, and front and rear under-bumper protection; basically everything except Eyesight.

BTW - does anyone have the Aha audio package? If so, how do you like it?

Mike I PDF'd your thread info and pics, and included a KSTech delete parts link. I also added a few Flinkly-provided bits as well.

I also took the liberty of adding it to your first post as an attachment. Please advise if it needs anything, or you want to add anything to it.

Thanks again for the perfect write-up and the supporting info pics.

It's a brand new model, and there's a lot to like about this newest generation Legacy platform. Newest Legacy XT will incorporate the new 2.4T engine, and mark the return of a forced induction motor to the Legacy platform.

Press Release here

Driving Videoe here

Cliff Notes for some Edits

After a rather protracted search for a 2013-2014 Outback 3.6R, we have purchased a beautiful 2014 Carbide Grey Metallic OB 3.6R Limited with Special Appearance Package.

Bought this from MrSubaru1387 who is a bonafide Subaru Guru (check out his YouTube Channel0, and could not be happier.

We had previously put in an offer on a 2013 OB 3.6R Limited with a perfect maintenance record, and a chassis that looks like it just rolled off the assembly line, but that was not to be.

The search continued with several other OB 3.6Rs and 1 2.5i Limiteds, but those are not worth mentioning as they didn't pass the SBT scan.

BTW - Let me know what you all are finding for replacement or upgraded struts/shocks for these? And how is the front LCAs holding up over time?

Good to hear.

I need to figure out how to do a repeatable replacement of that carrier bearing and offer that as a service.

I am actually still eyeing at a Tribeca right now . A little lift and a little tune to smooth out response would do wonders..

How do you think the tribeca would have fared in that test?

Having watched a Tribeca in similar circumstances, without TC, it did really well. Key is winter tires. ASes, and it's a fool's errand. The 3.6 delivery is linear and has more available, off-throttle, IMHO, than the 2.4T, but it's a very competent snow mobile.

I'm still looking for a 3.0R/3.6R Outback (2008-09 to 2014) for my wife, which has essentially the same drivetrain as the Tribeca.