lockwor
07-14-2004, 12:31 PM
Hey Folks,
Hopefully there are some Subaru buffs out there that can give me a few pointers on what's available and what I might be able to ask Subaru to do to improve my satisfaction with my car. It is a 2002 Legacy GT with a 5 speed manual transmission.
I like my car for the most part. My main complaint is with what I call a spongy drive train. In lower gears at lower RPMs it basically feels like there is a weak, rubbery connection between the wheels on the payment and the engine pushing them. From a stop the car will kind of pulse and hesitate until it gets to say 20 MPH or so. It has more to do with the momentum of the car and if the engine is engaged or not then the speed actually being traveled. Another situation where this 'spongy' activity is annoying is when using cruise control going down a hill. The engine is engaged and disengaged frequently to control the speed of the car and the ride is shaky. I'm a cruse control using freak, but with the jerky behavior I have second thoughts about turning it on.
I think this is definitely an issue with the car and not the driver. I have driven a number of other cars (including an Acura Integra GSR, BMW 325xi, Honda Accord, and Audi A4) with manual transmissions and not had this problem.
Any pointers on parts that are available (without violating the warrantee and preferably dealer installed) or how to communicate with the local Subaru technicians would be great. I personally think the transmission mount being soft causes is the root of the problem but I'm not sure there are any other options nor do I have an easy time talking the local dealer into replacing it.
Thanks!
Hopefully there are some Subaru buffs out there that can give me a few pointers on what's available and what I might be able to ask Subaru to do to improve my satisfaction with my car. It is a 2002 Legacy GT with a 5 speed manual transmission.
I like my car for the most part. My main complaint is with what I call a spongy drive train. In lower gears at lower RPMs it basically feels like there is a weak, rubbery connection between the wheels on the payment and the engine pushing them. From a stop the car will kind of pulse and hesitate until it gets to say 20 MPH or so. It has more to do with the momentum of the car and if the engine is engaged or not then the speed actually being traveled. Another situation where this 'spongy' activity is annoying is when using cruise control going down a hill. The engine is engaged and disengaged frequently to control the speed of the car and the ride is shaky. I'm a cruse control using freak, but with the jerky behavior I have second thoughts about turning it on.
I think this is definitely an issue with the car and not the driver. I have driven a number of other cars (including an Acura Integra GSR, BMW 325xi, Honda Accord, and Audi A4) with manual transmissions and not had this problem.
Any pointers on parts that are available (without violating the warrantee and preferably dealer installed) or how to communicate with the local Subaru technicians would be great. I personally think the transmission mount being soft causes is the root of the problem but I'm not sure there are any other options nor do I have an easy time talking the local dealer into replacing it.
Thanks!