(copied from my post on nasioc)

Pics: http://community.webshots.com/album/144542676FpLRKI

So aparently the 05 Outbacks are showing up now in California, monday or tuesday basically every dealership in my area got some in so today we went to check them out

Basically there were only base model 2.5's in white gold or the other funky colors, and one that was a 2.5 Limited in silver and another that was the new blue/green color and also a base model.

The bad news: I did discover that they ALL have the PZEV motor that was an optional model here in California for the 04's. Thats the one I drove too, with an auto tranny. OMG, it totally sucked! I was very disapointed, even the sport shift didnt help... I dont think having 4 people in the car helped either, BUT the tranny shifted like garbage, so I went and drove my mothers 2000 GT limited to be sure, and yes it is faster than the 05 I drove, much faster and shifted far better too. Theres no way i'd get one unless it was an XT.

The good news: The interior is absolutely fantastic. Definatly Acura quality. I was VERY impresed. Loved the steering wheel too The beige interior is nice, the grey cloth was even better. I cant wait to see the GT's though
The handling was surprizingly good! Even with the base model outback, there was basically no body roll along with a very smooth ride. I took it hard around some corners with 4 people in the car and it just tucked right in and went, I was very impressed. Handles better by FAR than the previous gen models.

The looks, im not sure about. Its an outback all right, dont care for the rear lights now though, but the font is nice. I dont know about the body cladding still...

Very good car, but I think my parents are now 100% on getting a Forester XT, since the Outback XT or Legacy wagon GT's are up around 29k with the auto tranny, while we can get an XT right now for $24k. The interior on the XT isnt a huge let down either compaired to the new legacies, its almost as good, but ya the handling wont be there but thats fine.


Anyway for some other news, the RS pro is a screaming deal!!! Its under $20k, has the WRX seats, STI steering wheel, the new better HP 2.5l engine, STI foglight covers among other things, and that nice new interior. I was blown away, I would definatly get an RS Pro Wagon right now if I could


I took pics of the CA PZEV engine and exhaust, they are in the pics folder at the top of the page... Its a VERY different setup. Probably the same block, but as you can see the intake manifold is totally different even from the new ones, with aparently TWO air filter elements, and the exhaust has THREE cats along with a very odd box... Crazy stuff.

 

RE: RS PRO

Thats the same steering wheel thats in the 05 WRX's, the cloth doesn't look like its high quality, and don't all RS's ahve those fog lamp covers?

The sticker doesn't say "pro" on it either....where does is specify that this is not just a regular RS?

 

brown interior??? : puke:

 

Eerrr riiiight...... im talking about the dash. It doesnt look black. tia

 

The center painted part of the dash is a painted gunmetal look. The brown on the dash to the left of the steering wheel is just a reflection fromt he floor mat.

TIA ;-)
-Chris

 

That sticker is from the Wagon. I didnt get a shot of the sedan sticker cause it was torn up in pieces

Also note that the wagon, a normal RS, doesnt have the WRX seats or STi foglight covers.

That steering wheel is in the Legacy too, its a quality piece, I really liked it

 

Was that "Acura quailty" interior line supposed to imply uber bad ***???

 

It was meant to imply that its more up to snuff with higher end JDM brand cars. Im sure you will think about the same thing when you sit in one. Its got that extra niceness that makes you say "ooh" but its not like its a high end european car.