Talk me out of getting rid of my 3.6

[MoleMan]

7 hours ago, BoozeRS05 said:

Damnit. I was heavily shopping for a 3.6R Legacy late last year, looked at 7-8 of them in my area, but they were all abused or neglected.

Ended up with a 16mpg FJ Cruiser, which I love and entirely different vehicle, but would have really enjoyed a 3.6R I bet too.

The FJ is a beast.  Bombproof engine.  As far as the 3.6s for sale they seem to come in waves.  We generally have five or so Leggys for sale with the 3.6 on my area.  More Outbacks then Leggys for sale though.  All the 3.6s in my area are generally off lease one owner.  Mine was as well.  FJs are harder to find then a 3.6 in my area.  Tacomas sell as soon as they hit the lot.

Funny thing about the FJ it it really did not sell well.  I cam across a owner last year while grabbing a oil filter for the Lexus at the Toyota dealer. He had 44k on the truck.  I have also seen over 250k on an FJ.

But you made a good decision. Both vehicles are great.

[MoleMan]

11 hours ago, XT-sub said:

Ours only turn red when in manual mode.

I’ve never been able to fathom out why the US spec gen6 Legacy 3.6 & gen5 Outback 3.6 didn’t get SiDrive.

The driving options SiDrive gives is great, especially S# mode when spirited driving on winding mountain roads.

I will agree. 

The WRX did however.  

And US Spec EZ30s did not come with a manual.  Would have been perfect if they did.

My 3.0 has Cusco front and rear sways, a Cusco Strut bract, and Whiteline Endlinks.  I always drive it in Sport Sharp.  But it's kinda slow compared to other cars now these days.  And I am always on winding mountain roads.

[silverton]

I have a theory that if they made the six cylinder cars with a manual option, they wouldn't have sold many if any STi's.

[MoleMan]

36 minutes ago, silverton said:

I have a theory that if they made the six cylinder cars with a manual option, they wouldn't have sold many if any STi's.

That's funny you said that.  So many six cylinder cars that should have a manual did not.  Take the G37 for an example.  However Acura did make a TL with a six speed.  Really rare. Another one is the Honda Accord V6 Coupe/Sedan with a six speed. Again very rare.

I do think the WRX would have still outsold a manual 3.6.  I asked a GM of a dealer one day why they did not make a manual. He told me it's because 1 out of 100 buyers would want one.  He's right.  Take my Lexus that car would be perfect with a six speed manual.  Close to 500 HP and N/A V8.  Sadly of I want a manual I would have to get a Scat Pack Challenger which are a dime a dozen in my area.

 

 

[Max Capacity]

On 3/19/2025 at 6:00 PM, MoleMan said:

 

The one thing you hit is the CVT.  Compared to my other cars including the Tesla that has a CVT I have no issues on the highway with the CVT but on City streets the car just responds like it's waking up from a nap.  I am in a lot of rentals that have CVTs from week to week and they don't feel as bad as the 3.6 granted different cars drive different.

As far as the battery drain issue. Fuse has been pulled. But once again car is just not driven.  

I changed the battery last weekend and have my wife driving it 100 miles a day to her job. So it has not given any issues yet.

One huge factor is my area is in the winter we can get as cold as -30 at night so once again any car would have battery drain if unused.

So, you say the 3.6 and CVT are sluggish ? Mine is not. I also don't have any battery issues, in my 18 3.6R Outback. I actually enjoy the feel of the car more than our 24XT.

 

I don't understand why your car is "sluggish".  Mine has not had any issues sitting overnight at the ski house in VT in the cold. I did put a larger battery in it, after she left the map light on overnight back in June 2022. You can find it in the battery thread over on the outback forum.

https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/gen5-replacing-the-original-battery-with-better.391217/page-116?post_id=6534208#post-6534208

 

 

[MoleMan]

9 hours ago, Max Capacity said:

So, you say the 3.6 and CVT are sluggish ? Mine is not. I also don't have any battery issues, in my 18 3.6R Outback. I actually enjoy the feel of the car more than our 24XT.

 

I don't understand why your car is "sluggish".  Mine has not had any issues sitting overnight at the ski house in VT in the cold. I did put a larger battery in it, after she left the map light on overnight back in June 2022. You can find it in the battery thread over on the outback forum.

https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/gen5-replacing-the-original-battery-with-better.391217/page-116?post_id=6534208#post-6534208

 

 

On the highway it's fine and I don't feel like it has a CVT and it responds excellent.  On City streets compared to a normal trans the car feels as it's asleep and then suddenly wakes up. Its more evident in the summer when temps are above 90 That's just a CVT and I feel the same issues in rentals I am in regardless of manufacturer. Where I live is much colder then Vermont and much higher in elevation(I am at 7800 ft). However that has no bearing on things.  Nothing to do with the battery at all.  Think it's my driving style.

It could just be the way I am driving. I drive like I am driving Ms Daisy half the time so I am being very ginger on the pedal.  Maybe I should put a bit more foot in it and see what happens.  It could just be the computer and my driving style.

 

[silverton]

I know I've mentioned it, but have you taken your car to the dealer for control module updates yet?  My car was boring before, and now actually seems to listen to the throttle pedal.  It seriously felt like it added 50hp or more.  I've taken a few coworkers for a ride, one of which has a modifed LGT and said "whoa, this thing feels like it has 300hp" and there is this WHEIRD burst of torque on "shifts" where it pushes you in to the seat which I don't recall happening preupdate.

[Max Capacity]

4 hours ago, silverton said:

I know I've mentioned it, but have you taken your car to the dealer for control module updates yet?  My car was boring before, and now actually seems to listen to the throttle pedal.  It seriously felt like it added 50hp or more.  I've taken a few coworkers for a ride, one of which has a modifed LGT and said "whoa, this thing feels like it has 300hp" and there is this WHEIRD burst of torque on "shifts" where it pushes you in to the seat which I don't recall happening preupdate.

I'll add, even coming from my 4th Gen cars which made good HP, the 3.6 is not a big let-down.  Granted it doesn't break the front tires loose near full boost, but I know what HP feels like.

[MoleMan]

14 hours ago, silverton said:

I know I've mentioned it, but have you taken your car to the dealer for control module updates yet?  My car was boring before, and now actually seems to listen to the throttle pedal.  It seriously felt like it added 50hp or more.  I've taken a few coworkers for a ride, one of which has a modifed LGT and said "whoa, this thing feels like it has 300hp" and there is this WHEIRD burst of torque on "shifts" where it pushes you in to the seat which I don't recall happening preupdate.

I have that happen on the highway. The car drives like a car should.  It's just feels like another econobox on the street. Nearest dealer is over 200 miles away.  I have called them since I got it from them. According to the service manager all updates have been completed.  It's a 256 HP car so I really do not expect any woomph to it honestly.  I gave the car to my kid to drive for the next few months.  I'll take it back once her Audis clutch is replaced.  The car is 95 percent driven on the highway at 80-90 MPH when I drive it for two to three hundred miles at a time.  So maybe the issue is the ECU never has learned City driving.

It's a good car overall.  I would rate it a step down from my EZ30 but the 6th gen is just so much more luxury.

 

Thank you for you thoughts.

[MoleMan]

9 hours ago, Max Capacity said:

I'll add, even coming from my 4th Gen cars which made good HP, the 3.6 is not a big let-down.  Granted it doesn't break the front tires loose near full boost, but I know what HP feels like.

I once drove in a modded WRX where the guy was running 30 pounds of boost.  That was fun.  Not as fun as a buddy that had a Monster Miata.  Now that car was insane and scary all at the same time.  

But agreed.  The 3.6 is not a let down at all.  But I will say it is buttery smooth.  I think the 3.6 is nicer driving then my GS350 honestly.  And it's dead quiet.

[silverton]

9 hours ago, MoleMan said:

Nearest dealer is over 200 miles away. .... The car is 95 percent driven on the highway at 80-90 MPH when I drive it for two to three hundred miles at a time. 

Sounds like going to the dealer is just another tuesday then?

It's just feels like another econobox on the street.

I've been trying to tell you how to fix it. Please stop complaining about something when the fix has been given to you many times.

Edited March 26 by silverton

[MoleMan]

4 hours ago, silverton said:

Sounds like going to the dealer is just another tuesday then?

It's just feels like another econobox on the street.

I've been trying to tell you how to fix it. Please stop complaining about something when the fix has been given to you many times.

The updates have all been done. According to the selling dealer and two additional Subaru dealers in Salt Lake. I even called two dealers in Denver and they both said the same thing.

To me the car drives like any other CVT powered vehicle I have been in.  The old Maxima I had with the CVT was the same way on City streets.  On the highway no issues and the car drives the way a car should drive with this much power. 

I am really not comparing this car to a high power vehicle.  This car is not that and will never be that.  If I was to compare it to my wifes V8 S4 the 3.6 is almost a joke in every category except for the AWD. But again it's not designed to compare to an S4 at all.

As mentioned the car has not been driven much. So the computer probably has not learned driving habits.  My daughter has been commuting to Jackson  daily so maybe I will take a drive on Sat and see if anything has changed.  She is not exactly a slow poke when driving.

All in all as mentioned  the car is a good car. It's just been sitting for four years without much use.

 

Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions.

 

[Max Capacity]

Agree, the car is very good at what it does. Yes, it's not a S4. In fact, my son traded his 21' S4 in so his wife could get her Jeep Grand Cherokee, he is now left driving the 21' BMW X5... 

I have adjusted to the 3.6 Outback being what it is. But I have yet, to "feel the need" to take it to WOT, it has 52,400 miles. The car has plenty of power, it has been my ski car going to VT weekly the past two seasons. So it has been pushed a little at highway speeds to get ahead of someone else...

Let us know what you think of it when your daughter allows you to drive her car...;)  LOL

[nadracer]

On 3/26/2025 at 1:58 PM, MoleMan said:

 

All in all as mentioned  the car is a good car. It's just been sitting for four years without much use.

 

Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions.

 

For me that says it all. Any car sitting unused is bad for the car. Also it sounds like you've moved on anyway. The 3.6R with the CVT is great and it needs to be driven or seals deteriorate from lack of lubrication from use. Better to send it down the road to someone who needs a car or can appreciate the Subaru specialness of it.

Edited May 28 by nadracer

[MoleMan]

21 hours ago, nadracer said:

For me that says it all. Any car sitting unused is bad for the car. Also it sounds like you've moved on anyway. The 3.6R with the CVT is great and it needs to be driven or seals deteriorate from lack of lubrication from use. Better to send it down the road to someone who needs a car or can appreciate the Subaru specialness of it.

Oh it's still here.  

I was letting my 18 year old drive it.  I agree with you it is a wonderful vehicle but at least for me I find my 4ths gens better in weather especially snow.  Now can it hold a candle to my wife's manual S4 probably not. But she won't let me touch that car lol.

I just came off a 700 mile trip to Elko, NV and back to Wyoming where we live.  I drove my GS 350 and honestly I wish I would have had the Leggy with the radar cruise control.  

But it's a good car. And agreed. Anything sitting long can damage seals etc..

 

Thank you for your thoughts.

[MoleMan]

On 3/26/2025 at 12:55 PM, Max Capacity said:

Agree, the car is very good at what it does. Yes, it's not a S4. In fact, my son traded his 21' S4 in so his wife could get her Jeep Grand Cherokee, he is now left driving the 21' BMW X5... 

I have adjusted to the 3.6 Outback being what it is. But I have yet, to "feel the need" to take it to WOT, it has 52,400 miles. The car has plenty of power, it has been my ski car going to VT weekly the past two seasons. So it has been pushed a little at highway speeds to get ahead of someone else...

Let us know what you think of it when your daughter allows you to drive her car...;)  LOL

Only downfall to the V8 S4 is the timing chain tensioner.  Someone at Audi decided to make it out of cheap plastic and while not ally not an issue you have to pull the motor to replace a $150 dollar part.  Thankfully we did for cheap. that as a family friend is an Audi mechanic.

I generally drive in a 8th gen Civic coupe with over 200k on it.  Since I have long driving distances.  It's an EX but still bare bones.

I just had a Grand Cherokee as a rental when I was in Houston working for a few weeks. I liked it but found the suspension harsh.  Maybe it's because it had bigger wheels with lower profile tires.  It was not a 4x4 and it was a V6 but it got the job done driving with the crazys from Houston to Galveston daily. I also had an X7 as a rental as a rental and honestly I was a great vehicle with the XDrive in the snow.

He really with the Leggy of I am driving on I-80 I set the cruise at 75 and just drive.  If a semi gets In Front of me the car slows due to eyesight and radar cruise.  I do like the fact when the truck moves out of the way how the acceleration feels back from 65 to 75 it's quicker then I would think.  My issue is just driving around on City streets sometimes the car goes what I am napping don't bother me lol.  But that is just a CVT for you.

And the Daughter and her BF have gotten the Civic itch and bought a 8Th Gen K20 Si.  I just hope they don't do muffler delete and a test pipe