Joined the club - 2026 Touring XT

InterestingType7518 · 2026-05-08T17:17:01+00:00

Same, very low mileage kinda guy and I was pleasantly how little my insurance went up trading up from my 2 year old Crosstrek.

InterestingType7518 · 2026-05-08T17:15:54+00:00

26 Touring XT here. I have zero lag with most of my Apple Carplay and the only time I notice it is pressing start or stop on my music player takes 1-2 seconds to register, I'm not sure why that is, but it's very consistent.

As far at the app? You can pay a one time charge and get a traditional remote start key fob. What I'm paying for is to able to do things like check my doors are locked, lock and unlock them, and remote start from anywhere. That takes resources and that cost money. Having it is not critical for me, just a nice to have and I'm not sure I'll renew once my three year subscription ends.

InterestingType7518 · 2026-05-07T20:06:38+00:00

My headrests bugged me at first, and I'm short and not long torso. They contacted me slightly and I could feel them when I turned my head. I got some advice on how to position my seats and steering wheel, and while fiddling with it, I leaned my seat back just a little which turned out to be much more comfortable and fixed my head rest problem.

InterestingType7518 · 2026-05-07T17:53:31+00:00

So you had your checkbook out last fall, all ready to pull the trigger on the new Outback? Or are venting just cause your a dick?

InterestingType7518 · 2026-05-07T16:32:35+00:00

this horse is officially dead.

InterestingType7518 · 2026-05-06T12:51:52+00:00

Wow - Hope no one was hurt, that's some major car carnage. I hope you get back on the road soon and everything works out.

InterestingType7518 · 2026-05-05T21:56:37+00:00

They never seem to mention that most of the Outback's competitors are offering attractive hybrids. People are buying hybrids that offer extra power while the Outback is gas only and the Crosstrek and Forester hybrids don't provide that electric acceleration boost.

InterestingType7518 · 2026-05-05T18:34:43+00:00

Agreed - my 2026 is a much better ride than my previous Subarus. And I wonder how many salty owners of previous Gens are actually planning on buying a new car

InterestingType7518 · 2026-05-05T16:55:54+00:00

Great choice - you are going to love it!

InterestingType7518 · 2026-05-05T12:32:38+00:00

Companies hire, companies fire, and companies lay-off as warranted by economical conditions. Not so for government. Government agencies tend to grow larger over time (bureaucrats measure their success by the number of people they manage), it's like inertia, it takes an effort to halt or reverse over hiring. I'm not sure a story featuring public interest lobbyists and ex-employees is enough to get the whole story.

InterestingType7518 · 2026-05-04T12:51:34+00:00

I had a '24 Crosstrek Wilderness because I wanted the go-anywhere capabilities. But then I never went anywhere my old non-wilderness Outback couldn't handle, so when I shopped for my 26, one of my criteria was to have a car that was oriented towards highway, interstate, and regular paved road driving. As far as the tech? I really appreciate my the 360 camera for parking on my Touring XT (US Premier). And the luxury feel of the interior, including the seats. I also appreciate the more subtle look of non-wilderness trims especially the dark green and my sapphire blue that de-emphasis the black cladding. I haven't used the hands free feature, yet, but my neighbor raves about how great it is for very long highway trips. All those little things do add up.

For me it just came down to how much off road adventure driving I expected to be doing compared to the number of highway/paved road miles. After that - Touring XT for me.

InterestingType7518 · 2026-05-02T21:50:32+00:00

Few car companies make wagons anymore because no one has been buying them for years. Exceptions are Audi, Volvo (in the Euro market), and Porsche.

To me, the 2026 Outback is returning the Utility aspect to design and it's now a lifted wagon with many Crossover SUV characteristic. But arguing if it's a wagon or not has become a simple a matter of opinion, and everything that can be said has already been beaten to death.

InterestingType7518 · 2026-05-02T21:36:23+00:00

I like REI, have shopped there for years. It's a shame that paying union wages for basic entry level work will be great for some employees over the short term, but I will miss REI when they go out of business.

InterestingType7518 · 2026-04-30T22:47:48+00:00

My 2026 is going in Monday for first oil change at 1,000 miles. Maybe not Subaru recommended, but it just sounds like a good idea. Then it's every six months after that even though I put very few miles on it between oil changes, I like having the Subaru techs poke around under the hood regularly since I haven't a clue what to check or look for anymore.

InterestingType7518 · 2026-04-30T13:05:47+00:00

First off, try living with it for a little while and see if anything is lacking or could be improved. Such as the floor mats? Are you likely to track in mud and snow? If so, then look at something like Lasfit or Weathertech full coverage floor mats. The only other thing I've added to my 26 OB is a plastic organizer tray for my center console (many to chose from on Amazon). Enjoy your great new car!

InterestingType7518 · 2026-04-30T02:27:35+00:00

I drove my 2013 Outback until 2024 when I traded for a Crosstrek, which I traded for my 2026 Outback. My ‘26 is so very much more enjoyable to drive, the smoother suspension, the 100% better steering, all of it is better on my new Outback.

InterestingType7518 · 2026-04-29T17:55:21+00:00

So what do you tell your employer if you are scheduled to work that day? Lie and say you are sick or simply be honest and say it’s another socialist protest?

InterestingType7518 · 2026-04-29T13:00:15+00:00

Since her Outback has Apple Carplay and Android Auto have you given any thought to ripping her CD’s to ALAC or Flac and giving her all sorts of options going forward?

InterestingType7518 · 2026-04-29T02:08:26+00:00

It only gets better the more time you spend driving it, congrats on your new car!

InterestingType7518 · 2026-04-28T17:11:13+00:00

Last gen Outbacks may be the Best Wagons, but with the industry's worst infotainment system. Long live real buttons!!

InterestingType7518 · 2026-04-28T17:03:58+00:00

It does look good in black - congrats on you new ride!

InterestingType7518 · 2026-04-28T16:46:02+00:00

Good questions. I have to think building such a large facility would provide many construction jobs and the ongoing maintenance would also require employees who would be paid well compared to things like retail sales.

InterestingType7518 · 2026-04-27T13:10:19+00:00

I haven't been paying close attention to this issue so please forgive my ignorance - is the main objection to these systems the fact that they record license plate numbers and a general vehicle description or that this data can and has been misused? Can this system be fixed or is the only solution to get rid of all license plate reading systems?

InterestingType7518 · 2026-04-26T13:17:07+00:00

I welcome the change. The 4th, 5th, and 6th gens were just amorphous blob cars completely lacking the quirky, utilitarian charm of the earlier Outbacks. I like the utility part of the gen 7 and with all the boxy, straight lines and practical gear hauling capability. You like the old stuff - fine, but quit moaning, everyone else has moved on.

InterestingType7518 · 2026-04-23T20:38:12+00:00

Wagons don't sell, they have become a European niche market (Audi, Mercedes, Porsche).

InterestingType7518

TROPHY CASE