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Subaru Impreza Outback Sport & TS
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After driving my friends around a little bit, they all think that the GanzFlow makes the coolest sound ever. When you're inside of the car while accelerating quickly, it makes the car sound (and feel) like a #!@*$?* monster. It's really awesome. I also like how it only makes the sound when I accelerate fast. I really dislike those stupid people that buy special exhausts that just make their car sound cool.
Zach: I agree with you also about the Ganzflow and the sound at wide open throttle. It makes you feel baaaad when that thing starts to growl... WAAAAAAaaaaahhhhh......
I'll try to get photos up today. I should have some of the OBS because I was right behind him and took some photos of the trails.
AWD rocks!
-juice
PS The narrow Outback Sport actually carried an advantage over the wider vehicles that were scratching up against tree branches and such.
Photo #13 shows Dennis in his Outback Sport, which was awesome in the sand. The non-SUVs actually ran at a quicker pace on the easier trails, rally-style.
His more narrow cabin and light weight were advantages, and his is the 2.2l.
The Forester was able to shine in the water crossing (#16) and in deeper ruts (#32).
Be sure to check them out.
-juice
The Rules:
1.No running reds
2.Don't kill anyone
3.Try not to flip your car or run into anything
4.All other rules of common sense apply
It was actually incredibly scary, because it was about 9:00 at night, and there were still a bunch of cars on the road and people walking around and getting into and out of parked cars on the side of the street. Before I say any more, I just want you to know that Andy is a pretty crazy kid, so I was worried to get too close to his car in fear that he'd cut me off (or someone else around us) or try anything too stupid.
We were really flying around curves, weaving in and out of other cars, and I was afraid we'd either hit another car or a cop would see us and pull us over. Fortunately, neither of those things happened.
Bottom line is I whooped his pathetic Mazda butt. If it weren't for a red light I got stuck at, I would have beat him by over a minute (it ended up fairly close, cause he caught me while I was waiting at the red). Shifting through those gears with the throttle wide open felt sooo good. After the race, he said to me "man, your car takes turns like the road's still straight." I laughed. I was killing him on those curves. I love my Suby. After Andy admitted defeat, we both vowed not to race again for at least a couple months, because it's waaaay too dangerous (and very foolish).
By the way, we made the 10 minute drive in under 5. That's including the time we were stopped at reds. It was craaaazy.
Seriously, why not enroll in auto cross to get it out of your system? Or better yet, rally cross to push the AWD to its full extent.
-juice
The Rules:
1.No running reds
2.Don't kill anyone
3.Try not to flip your car or run into anything
4.All other rules of common sense apply
It was actually incredibly scary, because it was about 9:00 at night, and there were still a bunch of cars on the road and people walking around and getting into and out of parked cars on the side of the street. Before I say any more, I just want you to know that Andy is a pretty crazy kid, so I was worried to get too close to his car in fear that he'd cut me off (or someone else around us) or try anything too stupid.
We were really flying around curves, weaving in and out of other cars, and I was afraid we'd either hit another car or a cop would see us and pull us over. Fortunately, neither of those things happened.
Bottom line is I whooped his pathetic Mazda butt. If it weren't for a red light I got stuck at, I would have beat him by over a minute (it ended up fairly close, cause he caught me while I was waiting at the red). Shifting through those gears with the throttle wide open felt sooo good. After the race, he said to me "man, your car takes turns like the road's still straight." I laughed. I was killing him on those curves. I love my Suby. After Andy admitted defeat, we both vowed not to race again for at least a couple months, because it's waaaay too dangerous (and very foolish).
By the way, we made the 10 minute drive in under 5. That's including the time we were stopped at reds. It was craaaazy.
chill: Dang, dude, take a chill pill. If it was scary, it was risky. AWD is not invincible and lots of folks have rolled their cars and wrecked them because they get over-confident. I'm with Juice--get info about autocross, you'd really have a chance to push your car and stay safe.
Brekke---come on, girl, still waiting, and now I'm starting to worry why you're not responding. Let us know please, drop a line....
It was enough to make an XT6 stall, though he went over it faster than anyone. He got water sucked into his intake - it was a mess. We pulled the spark plugs, cranked the engine, and it spit out water!
Once it dried up we reinstalled the plugs and she actually started up. The exhaust had plenty of H2O, but it ran! Did you see the photo of us bailing water out of his interior? It was soaked!
He went the fastest, by far. I crossed next, slowly, though everyone was calling me a wimp. We came around to that spot later in the PM, and I had to redeem myself, so I crossed at a quicker speed. Still nothing crazy like the XT6 - I wanted to get home without a tune-up, thanks!
The RS crossed slowly, but a BRAT crossed with a big splash. It was pretty wild.
The XT6 got stuck in the water, and another time in some really deep sand. He got sideways and almost slid right off the trail!
The BRAT got stuck in a couple of mud pits, but he redeemed himself and got across later on. I was really impressed with that little BRAT.
Even the big Monty with mud tires got stuck a couple of times. The Isuzu Troopers did a good job towing people out of trouble.
I have to say, the Isuzu boys were cool. They never looked down on AWD (vs. 4WD) and made us feel welcome on the trails.
The BRAT, the old hatchback, and the RS drove ahead of us many times, and at a faster pace. They were having fun rallying, sort of.
-juice
The XT6 stalled while still in the water, so it had time to seep in. Plenty of time.
Does the OBS have a bottom cover for the engine like the Forester and Outback? My concern would be to keep the intake dry.
Bottom line was the Outback Sport in our group kept up with the best of them.
-juice
So, you just sloshed right thru? Interesting.
We just looked thru all the photos. Looks like alot of fun. And it appears you did do more driving than digging!!
On the last trip an Isuzu Trooper sucked water into the intake, stalled, and bent a piston rod (water doesn't compress like air). So it's not just ground clearance. An RS made it across fine, though he went slowly and didn't make such a splash.
-juice
Us: where are we?
Towing Guy: Yer in Somerset County, PA!
Me: Somerset, hmm, somerset, hmm, why is that so familiar?
TG: Plane crash! Good luck getting a room or a car rental!
ME: D'oh! Say, is there any type of car you tow more than others?
TG: We tow a lot of Fords!
THat ganzflow sounds more and more tempting...But I want to upgrade the rear sway bar first.
I did *not* like being a passenger for 11 days! (But being a pedestrian was worse. Hee.)
Some drivetrain whine is to be expected, but a click? Hmm.
-juice
Just one short click-type sound, immediately after shifting as I'm letting up the clutch, possibly only when first starting out or after turning on the ignition. At first I mistook it for my tires running over small road debris. It sounds like it's coming from the rear center of the car.
I will mention it to my dealer.
-juice
-juice
I would like to be able to tow a small (under 1500lbs total wt) pop up camper. Any experience with this would be appreciated.
That's about the limit I would recommend. Just keep the camper empty, and put the gear inside the vehicle, evenly spread out. Keep in mind braking distances are longer, too.
-juice
I know there is some issue with airbags mis-firing (recall in the past earlier model year... bumping the tow hooks fires the airbag) so maybe this is not an option...
Anyone...
-mike
mike@iace.com
Check you owner's manual. I'm sure that info's in there.
Bob
I just looked him up. His user name on the club is Alan Rod. Not sure if it's his real name. He's a British Subie mechanic, very nice chap, works at the Subie dealership near me.
just want to let you know that ramon is still alive and kicking. I've been quiet of late. but am still reading up all those wonderful OBS posts!
I do have something that has been bothering me though- sometimes (very rarely though) when I'm at a stop sign or a red light, I'll push in the clutch and then shift into first. As I shift, I can hear and feel a grinding sound. I don't feel any real resistance to me putting it in gear, it goes in fine, it just makes a real bad sound, and it doesn't feel good. Only going into first from a dead stop. I'd say it happens once ever 10 or 15 drives, so it's not a common occurrence. I can't figure out why it happens- I definitely push in the clutch all the way. Have you ever noticed this?
About ten days ago i totalled my much loved 2000 Forester 5 spd(story available on the Forester thread, if you're interested, under Hard Luck story). Fortunately, I escaped unscathed.
I've read the last 200 posts or so on this lively thread, and thought I'd ask you this question.
I'm trying to decide between replacing the Forester with itself, or with an OBS. There are various minor differences between the cars: the Forester comes with a full size spare, the OBS does not. The Forester's arial is now in the windshield, the OBS arial is not. The OBS comes standard with the CD player and the Forester does not. Beyond these small things, it's a question of taste, I think. The Forester is definitely roomier. I like the Forester's height, but then again, in thinking about my accident it worries me (I lost control of the steering when bumped from the side on the freeway), and perhaps the OBS is safer because it rides a little lower?
Any current thoughts on comparing the two are greatly appreciated. Oh - I drive a 5 spd.
Rachel
If you liked the Forester before, go for it again.
-Brian
I haven't posted in a while, but have enjoyed keeping up with the board and continuing to learn more about various obs-related stuff.
Just wanted to say I'm another who has noticed the click in the back. My experience has been the same as others who have posted... it doesn't happen often, and there doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason to it. It's has always been when I'm shifting out of first... one click... doesn't seem to be hurting anything, except to make a new obs owner wonder what the heck that click is! I've noticed it happening less... I have about 2,800 miles... could it be something wearing in, or just that I've gotten used to driving and shifting a new/different vehicle?
As for the Forester vs. OBS... I made that move a couple months ago now. The Forester was a terrific car--no complaints whatsoever. For me, it was just a matter of wanting something a little sportier. Yes, there are a few differences in options, but that wasn't enough to sway me one way or the other. Just liked the look of the OBS better. Although it is a bit smaller, it isn't a terrible sacrifice space-wise. I actually thought I would feel cramped and notice the space thing more, but I and my few passengers have been very comfortable, and I've still been able to schlep around my bike and whatever other gear with no problem.
Whichever you choose, enjoy and have fun!
Kim
chill - So far I have not had that grinding noise that you described, but I only have about 1800 klicks.
Rachel: glad to hear you are OK.
There would be trade-offs. The Outback Sport is smaller and more nimble, but it's lighter weight also means it would likely get tossed around more.
Both are safe, so I'd let other criteria determine which one you choose. Get the OBS is you have no kids, one dog, pack lightly and drive hard. Get the Forester if you have 1-2 kids and haul big boxes home often.
Both are fun.
-juice
twrx
I'm leaning towards the OBS and I can't really say why. I think it's that I've had the Forester, loved it, and am ready to experience something else. I like the somewhat more nimble drive of the OBS, although I'll miss the slightly higher ride and the lumbar support of the F. The new OBS with its 2.5 liter engine and today's particularly negotiable price, including CD player, is just too tempting....
Will let you know what actually transpires.
oh - The Click! - I also am quite familiar with that clunk that I used to hear mostly going from 1st into 2nd on my Forester. Doesn't it have something to do with the design/differential in the boxer engine? At first I thought the engine was backfiring....but the dealer's mechanic said this is an aspect of the engine's sensitivity and that shifting must be very smooth and slow. Guess those of us who clunk our 5 speeds have to keep practicing!
Thanks again -
Rachel
Right, subymamma?
Zack: are the inside of the windows clean?
All current Soobs have a bracket from B-pillar to B-pillar across the roof, except the Forester S Premium because of the moonroof. I've seen Subies that suffered severe collisions, and nothing aft of that B-pillar was damaged, so kids in the back seat would be completely unharmed. I've also seen a Forester in Australia that rolled over (he was off road, non-stock suspension) and none of the glass even broke. They rolled it back over and there was sheet metal damage and the rack was broken up, but the structure held up amazingly well.
-juice
Stephen
-juice
Stephen
-mike
Lisa from the other parts place said she only had a sway bar for the previous gen. Imprezas.
TWRX (Bruce)
Stephen