looking at impreza outbacks as well

I go camping a lot and would love to have a fast, AWD to climb up the mountain roads

Exactly. 
Every other car I've owned has had that one sweet spot: A comfortable sitting position that was good at least three hours of driving.  The 9-2x doesn't have a comfortable sitting position.  Period.  I drive 9 miles to work every day, and I have to shift my position about twenty times each way.

While the Impreza is a reliable platform, I feel that it is maintenance intensive.  You have to be on top of your game to get the long term reliability out of it.  As mentioned above, oil checks are paramount with the Subaru designed boxer.

I'm the same size as you (6'2" 205), and while I don't consider the car uncomfortable, it isn't comfortable either.  Seats could use some lumbar support, and are going to be narrow if you're a 'soft' 200. 

As for reliability, the youngest are now 6+ years old, and the large majority are pushing six digit mileage.  No cars in that range are going to be 'drive and forget'; oil needs to be checked, and occasional little things will break (I replaced a thermostat about a year ago).  That being said, I think they are reasonable if you keep aware of what your car is telling you.

And yeah, get an Aero (with a stick).  I think prices are close enough between the two trim levels now that unless you realllllllly don't need the power and want the few extra mpg that there isn't really an excuse not to get the turbo.

I actually think my Aero is one of the more comfortable cars I've driven. I'm 5'11", relatively svelte, and drive with the seat all the way back. It is great. My husband, 6'2" ~180 dislikes driving it for long periods, but is fine with being a passenger. I've driven it all over the place, across the country several times, on a three week 6,000 mile trip and never had a problem. Obviously YMMV.

As far as reliability my car just turned 90k and has nary an issue except for the normal maintenance type things (brakes, accessory belt, a/c tinkering).

I  my  and plan on driving it until it gives up the ghost.

Anne wrote:

I actually think my Aero is one of the more comfortable cars I've driven. I'm 5'11", relatively svelte, and drive with the seat all the way back. It is great. My husband, 6'2" ~180 dislikes driving it for long periods, but is fine with being a passenger. I've driven it all over the place, across the country several times, on a three week 6,000 mile trip and never had a problem. Obviously YMMV.

As far as reliability my car just turned 90k and has nary an issue except for the normal maintenance type things (brakes, accessory belt, a/c tinkering).

I  my  and plan on driving it until it gives up the ghost.

I am with Anne, I like my Linear I drove with it to almost everywhere I visit here. Not across country yet, but at least +12hours commutes I like my seats and I am 6'2" 215lbs.
The only thing I don't like about them that the cloth seats are hard to clean (maybe I do it wrong) and they start to wear quickly. I wished we had the seat covers from an 2004 to 05 WRX seat.
Most of the time I have the 2nd row flat for bikes, snowboards, another things I haul in my trunk and the car is enough for me. I never had any big issue with it, I changed my timing belt, waterpump 5k miles ago. I did it with a friend, I got all my informations here and from alldatadiy.com.

You can learn a lot about the car and that you will be able to maintain and fix almost everything on your own unless you really can't work with your hands.
I test drove at an 2011 Golf TDI, but it's smaller and I wouldn't touch it if I had to maintain it.

Sure the Linear is not the fastest but that doesn't matter to me I am originally from Germany and I have driven several cars before and the Linear to me is fast enough here.
The Aero would bring me into to much trouble (speeding tickets etc.).

I am very happy with my Linear, I am not looking into selling it. I essentially get me a new car but I will try keep it the Linear.
I really like how it looks and still like it as much as the first day I got it.

My Saabaru has been fantastic with regard to reliability.

-B- wrote:

Can anyone confirm if the sport seats, like the STi seats, from a WRX are more or less comfortable? Seems they'd be more comfortable by design. I'm 6' 210 and the longest I've done so far is a few hours or so and I don't have any complaints. It's nothing like the BMW's, but certainly not infinitely worse than most comparable cars I've owned.

Because of oil usage or some other reason?

more so than other reasons, but certainly previous care and design are factors. I've owned a lot of cars and feel this car has good balance meeting multiple needs.

I've sat in racing seats and all before and they are usually a little more comfortable. However, do keep in mind, their main purpose is not comfort.

I like the 92x seats. I just wish the damn armrest, even with the extended armrest, was bigger to lean over on.

Dunno what everyone is talking about, I think the seats are really good.   
I've taken my Saabaru on a couple 500+ mile trips, and never felt uncomfortable...

In my experience, the discomfort comes from the left side thigh bolstering.  This wears out over time due to the driver sliding over it to get in and out of the vehicle.  This exposes the metal support underneath and will dig into your leg.  Took about 80k miles for mine to wear out. 

I have had 2004 WRX, 2005 WRX, and 2005  Saabaru seats.  They're all pretty much the same in terms of comfort and structure. 


If reliability is important get the linear.  They are "very good" according to consumers reports.  The Aero is only average or even less than avarage.   Goes with the territory of turbocharging.  I think most people here would rather sacrifice a little reliablity for a little driving fun.

Edit: my weight has fluctuated +/- 10lbs since owning the car.  The bolsters do get a little tight at the high end of my range.

Last edited by limequat (2012-06-20 09:07:20)

I do not slide out of my seat to exit my vehicle.  I make a conscious effort to step up and over the side bolters in my car, and friends cars.

I sit with some knee splay, so mine is pretty well wrecked.  The car sits so low, I don't think I do much of any sliding, compared to say a full size truck or van.
Maybe I'll replace it for some like-new seat comfort. Which will still be uncomfortable 

I think the seat are meh, longest I have been in them 8 hours, and couldn't wait to get out.  As for shorter 3-4 hour trips they are fine.   I am only 5'9"  170lbs.

bentmettle wrote:

iamchris wrote:

bentmettle wrote:

I sit with some knee splay, so mine is pretty well wrecked.  The car sits so low, I don't think I do much of any sliding, compared to say a full size truck or van.
Maybe I'll replace it for some like-new seat comfort. Which will still be uncomfortable 

Do you have to waddle when you walk?

It's a wobble more than waddle.

I've had knee surgery. It doesn't like some positions for very long.

I was complimenting your testicles.