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Comments
-juice
Greg
Greg
Not sure about the tranny but I would not touch a Ford CD4E or any dervative of it.
-juice
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards
It is a looker though. I do have to say, however, I'm getting a bit tired of all these new cars using "jeweled" tailights; first Lexus, then the Altima, and now the Mazda.
Bob
They're using names like MP3, Protoge5, so I can see why they'd change it. The 626 name had little value (as did 323 and 929 when those were dropped).
I like the tail lights. They're trying to attract 18-25 year olds with those, even younger than me.
Also, note that the Toyota Matrix had them on the concept, but it looks like at least the base models on the production cars will not have them. Now that I'm used to the look, the Matrix with the red/yellow taillight set looks boring.
-juice
Regardless of Mazda's logic for the name change, I think it will cause confusion for some customers. The last thing you want to do (in marketing) is confuse the target audience.
Bob
Glad your still reading the posts. Since you hadn't posted in a while I wasn't sure if you'd be aware of the good news. Results with the reprogrammed ecu so far have been great. My engine no longer sounds like a poor man's cement mixer.
Perhaps Patti could help out and post timing of availability and the process to follow for receiving the revised program.
Specific to gas mileage my 2000 OB consistently gets between 21 & 24 around town and 27 & 29 on trips. If the trip is unusual where there is no stopping and I hold a steady cruise controlled speed of 70 I'll achieve 30 mpg. My local driving however is not heavy city driving in a large urban area such as Phila or NYC.
Vince
I don't think Protege5 owners think they have an in-line 5 cylinder. Also, a RAV4 with 2WD should then be called a RAV2, no?
I agree it can be a bit confusing, though. And Six was Blossom's buddy on that TV show. ;-)
-juice
Theo in Colorado
1) 4 tanks of 94 octane
2) fuel injector cleaner (twice over 10k miles)
3) tune-up
On the MP3/5 topic: I have not driven the MP5. On the other hand, the MP3 is 2 options (ABS, cruise) and 50hp away from a great car. The chassis is just fantastic and the balance (for a FWD) car is as good as the Prelude. They have managed to dial out much of the under steer....I like that. Dont know about at the limit of cornering as I not get to beat on the car. I also dont think the chassis could take much more than 180-200hp before torque steer would rear its ugly head. Currently, everything about that cars dynamics were simply excellent (other than the lack of power). Ofcourse, there are design elements that I dont like about it but that does not take away from the driving experience for me. If I was looking for a budget sports car....it makes the short list. I would even go as far as saying its more fun than a Miata....but not by much. However, I got the ES instead of the MP3 for 1 main reason:
Cost/finance rates. I'm a sucker for cars I can pay for completely in 2 years and it was selling over MSRP when I was looking. I'm still saving for my S4 Avant.
The WRX is still the king of the mountain and nothing short of $35k can touch it in terms of driving fun for the dollar. BUT I can see the potential in the MP3. Hopefully an MPS version is on the way.
I tow a 1000 lb pop-up tent trailer and find that manouvering at low speeds requires the clutch to be slipped quite a bit. My driveway is steep and the clutch must be slipped all the way up as there is insufficient engine speed to pull it otherwise. Backing the trailer uphill is another example. On the level it isn't so bad as one can disengage the clutch completely without rolling the wrong way. These manouvers generate a very powerful, unpleasant and lingering "burning clutch" smell that I have never experienced with any of my many manual trans cars over the last 35 years. Not even when my two girls learned to do hill starts during driving lessons.
There is no indication of clutch slippage under other conditions so I believe this is a "feature" of the clutch. But a lower gear would help.
I haven't checked my rpm in 5th but it does not seem excessive to me. And my gas mileage is pretty good.
More fun than a Miata? I drove a P5, and that wasn't even close! If you ever come to the DC area, I'll have to take you for a spin.
-juice
As to the tail lights; I'm used to it. I just think it's another example of how Japanese automakers keep ripping one another off, as far as styling is concerned. The result being the oft-heard comment that "all Japanese cars look alike." At least Subaru is trying to develop a look that is unique in and of itself. They're not always successful, but at least they're trying.
Bob
I don't give Lexus credit for the jeweled tail light idea, they were quite popular as aftermarket add-ons for quite a while.
-juice
Bob
-mike
Turning 3500 rpm at 65 mph almost sounds like a manual in 4th gear. Could the needle or numbers on the tach be misaligned? What is the indicated idle speed?
Road & Track magazine listed 2550 rpm @ 60 mph for the 2000 OB Ltd wagon w/4 spd auto trans.
Who knows I could be wrong, but the moment I heard that name (Mazda 6), the first thing that popped into my mind was 6 cylinders. Maybe others will feel differently.
Bob
Nobody here's abandoned Subarus. So occasionally the topic drifts a bit. No harm done. Eventually we get back to Subarus. Always have in the past...
Bob
My suggestion is you skim over the topics you don't want to read! People can go off topic now and then and you can't stop it. So chill.
Bob
Greg
I've decided on an Outback but all dealers in area (Spokane, Washington) add $2,000-3,000 to the MSRP and are unwilling to negotiate from invoice up. Can anyone recommend a dealer who prices at invoice plus $$$ anywhere out west.
Thanks for any help, Joe
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards
-Dave
It was/would have been a warranty/no cost repair.
There's probably someplace you can check for TSB's regarding this issue.
Cheers!
Paul
Just try to keep the vehicle clean, and wash the undercarriage whenever you wash the rest of the car.
Wax the insides of the wheels so ice won't stick, and you're all set for winter.
-juice
There are a limited number of affected vehicles. It goes by the production information on the alternator. If you want it checked, call your dealer with the VIN and they can look it up. If it is within the VIN range, they can inspect it (at no charge) to see if it was one of the underperforming units. If it is, it will be replaced at no cost to you. If not, the check up was free anyway??
Thanks!
Patti
Thanks and let us know if you have any problems!
Patti
Should I get snow itres and mount them on 15" wheels and continue with my Wilderness another year or so, or just get good all-weather tires (I like the Yokohama Aegis LS4, have them on my wife's AWD Caravan, and they are great in all weather. I'm thinking 15" for snows, as the wheelwells on the OB's pack with snow really quickly, not much room for the 16" tires. I don't really know how much good life I have on the Wildys and have never liked their traction in the snow.
Waddya think, folks?
Vince
--'rocco
Goose: Don't worry so much about OT stuff we are all well rounded car buffs here, we need not turn this into a strict forum. We could get really off-topic if you'd like!
-mike
We have it on our '01 Forester. It consists of: heated seats, heated outside mirrors, heated windshield wiper deicer, and a limited slip rear differential.
It's a nice package to have. I'm glad we've got it.
Bob
No LSD on the VDC model.
Keith
I am not replacing the Outback currently at 36k with absolutely no problems and running great.
Thanks,
Jerry
Thanks for the info on the weather package - sounds like it has exactly the features I'm looking for and worth the difference in price. Funny Edmunds didn't get this right.
-mike
I purchased a set of Aegis tires for my wife's Camry based on a Consumer Reports article. While I expected them to be somewhat noisier because of their wet surface gripping capability they are really loud. What's your experience been with them?
Vince
Jim- Not a problem. I think you'll be happy with a Subie. Most everybody here is.
Bob
Greg
Steve