Outback with Manual Transmission Thoughts?

I have a 2011 Outback with a 6 speed manual  and I like it a lot.

The electric park brake has one nice feature; when you are buckled up you can just take off without having to release it.  The downside is if you battery goes completely flat and you need to move the car, you'll have to crawl underneath it to release the brake.

As for the shifter don't expect Miata like precision; it's not bad but it's also not great. It's also a bit stiff when cold.

The one thing I don't like is the dashpot/damper that's installed on the clutch pedal; this is supposed to cushion the clutch release, it probably does that for the average driver but for an enthusiast it adds a bit of vagueness to the clutch. You can actually remove / replace it with another Subaru part (I think from a WRX) but I just don't find it annoying enough to remove.

The stock pedals are actually close enough that you can heel and toe.

In reply to Nejji :

Welcome to GRM and your first post.  

I wonder...

...would you be planning to add a roof rack to the Subaru?  

I assume we're talking about "new" and not "new to you" but I would say it depends on the year.  My 2001 Outback was easily the least rewarding stick shift car I've ever driven.

I also seem to recall they may be ditching or have ditched the manuals for 20 or 21.

Had a 99, had a problem with 5th gear popout.  Since I had a spare trans in the garage I decided to beat it up and shifted mostly without the clutch for 3 months.  Worked without a hitch, actually was fun to drive that way.  Never did kill the trans, sold it with the spare.  I didn't find it terrible, shorter throw would have been nice though.

I drove a 5 speed subi for a ~50k. In general I really liked the controls on that car. My only gripe was the clutch is a bit soft and short of throw for me. Shifted better than a lot of econoboxes, just not quite crisp going into gear. Way better than the Mazda 3 that my mom bought to replace it though.