Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I liked the ones where the opposing ski teams got stuck, and the US Ski Team blew by ... until the Swedish women's team got stuck. "Howdy m'am".

    Remember those? The current ads are OK, though, let's just not bring up the bunny again. ;-)

    -juice
  • cptpltcptplt Member Posts: 1,075
    just back from 2 weeks visiting the Queen, just kidding though the state apartments at Buck Palace are truely worth the admission price but they are only open a few weeks a year and we managed to get the timing right this year! Just make sure you reserve a ticket and don't just show up.

    Actually helping the better half and in laws sort through her stuff she's had stored in their house since we got married almost 15 years ago. So does anyone else want to keep their high school math notes?? Between sorting that stuff out and avoiding the rats in the garden shed things have certainly changed in the UK since I studied and then worked there in the 70s and 80s. You could never get anyone to deliver a washing machine on a Sunday back then! Heck, most stores were closed, except the Indian corner grocery stores who were all Jewish at the weekend or the Chinese take aways which were the only ones able to sell fish and chips on Sunday! Or the local council picking up trash on a holiday - heck , my local BFI doesn't even pick up on regular days regularly, let alone holidays! Holy cow, no wonder Schroeder is asking Blair to advise on how to fix Germanys economy!

    Ok so where is the Subie connection you ask, well, I happened to stumble on the the maintenance facility for the main west London Sube dealer just a few blocks from the Safeways I was always being sent to for various errands every few hours of every day.Though the only time I ever had time to actually try get there was always after they closed! Not many WRXs but nearly all seemed to have some strange non Subaru wheel with no identification on them. Anyone have a clue what they may be?
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
  • cptpltcptplt Member Posts: 1,075
    all the ones I have seen in the States or mags or websites have prodrive on them, these were anonymous and were of a design unlike any of the more popular prodrives I know of anyway.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Remember we played "name that rim" when I took pics of Da Big Meet last year? 3 out of the 8 aftermarket rims were Prodrive, and no two were the same model and color.

    Edmunds did a comparo of crossovers, and included the Rendezvous, the Highlander, and the Outback VDC. I think they should have added the Volvo XC while they were at it, too.

    Any now, the VDC took a close 2nd, but actually won every single performance test, plus it was the cheapest. So if price/performance are priorities, it got a perfect score.

    They were very critical of the tranny, and also thought it was a little smaller than the others. But in fairness, the others compete in a higher price class. You can get a VDC for a street price of $28k, a Highlander Limited will cost at least $5 grand more with the same equipment.

    Also, they deducted points for not having multiple 12 volt outlets, even though there are two (one in the cargo hold). 2002 models didn't have a CD changer, but 2003s do, so that would score higher in content. They also made mistakes on peak torque (at 4400rpm, not 6000!).

    Yet another mistake - they said no roadside assistance, but you get 3 years I believe. Right?

    Still, not a bad review. A 5 speed auto plus that CD changer may have been enough to win it all despite the value pricing.

    -juice
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    I believe all new Scooby's get 3/36 on r.a.

    -Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, 'cause my wife got it on her Legacy L, I'm sure the VDC has it.

    -juice
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    I doubt I'll use mine though. Since we have AAA+, we get towing up to 100 miles away. Roadside Assistance is to the nearest Subaru Dealer.

    -Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I think Subaru's is also 100 miles, to the nearest dealer, something like that.

    -juice
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 0
    The majority of the reviewers' complaints centered around the unlively performance from the engine and automatic transmission. If you look at the excelleration, speed, and times in the Specifications and Performance link, though, the VDC Outback won in every category. "Feel" is subjective, but the numbers are not. Clearly the VDC is the fastest vehicle in that group (and it had the best braking numbers).

    Also, since when did Subaru reduce their powertrain warranty to 36,000 miles?

    Ty
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Ty- 36k is for roadside assistance, powertrain is still 5/60.

    -Frank P.
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    :)

    Greg
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I bet the H6 is so refined and hushed that the speeds is obtains are deceiving. But that's a bit unfair - they're knocking it for being luxury-oriented, which I'm sure is intentional.

    I felt sort of the same way about the E500 we tested last week, to a greater extent. It is quite fast but doesn't push you back into your seat like, say, a WRX.

    So you gas your VDC off the line, smoke the Highlander while using less gas, all while doing so more quietly and hardly trying, and this is the loser?

    -juice
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 0
    Not according to Edmunds. In that review they listed the Powertrain as 36,000 miles. Here's the link (look under Warranty Information):

    http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/comparison/articles/70543/page009.html


    I don't know if that was a typo or if they genuinely believe that. I'm just curious if that factored into their final evaluation of the VDC.


    Ty

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Right below that is the mistake I mentioned. So you caught another one.

    -juice
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Ty- Got it. Edmunds reviewers mean well but I've noticed that it's not unusual for them to be off on a few of the details.

    -Frank P.
  • mrk610mrk610 Member Posts: 378
    Happened again I just get a grey screen . Ohh well maybe next week.

    mike k
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    can't get in. New browser and cable modem. argggh.

    Greg
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I missed it... eating dinner and doing laundry.

    Bummer.

    -Colin
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    was able to get in. But, only 5 minutes left. At least I know it will work next week.

    Greg
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Start dinner...start washing machine(s)...finish fixing dinner.....move laundry to dryer(s)...eat dinner.....remove laundry from dryer(s).....clean kitchen....fold laundry and put away. Wear clothes in morning and start over again.

    Greg
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Woo hoo Friday tomorrow!!! :D
    and all this while I was on a Wednesday holding pattern... must be too many 12 hours work days.

    -Dave
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Remember, it is August....almost September. Labor day weekend (Labour for our Euro/Aussie friends).

    Thought I'd lend a hand.

    Greg
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    sorry I missed the chat. picked up Brookie's latest pictures and was playing around with our new dvd player.

    priorities, lol!

    Have a safe holiday weekend!

    -Brian
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    Ross
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    I'm sending your comments to the editorial side. No guarantees for any changes. ;-)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Great chat. Stevo was cleaning up on the trivia, hope his lotto tickets wins big too.

    Thanks Karen. Maybe they could at least fix the warranty and roadside assistance chart, since those can be misleading. The editor is entitled to his opinions, even if they're wrong. ;-)

    -juice
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    http://www.hgtv.com/HGTV/pac/0,1964,greatfall02_enter,FF.html


    I hereby decrease my odds by spreading the word.


    Good luck, everyone.


    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Just wanted to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday!

    Mark
  • strider98strider98 Member Posts: 89
  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    Well, I've gone & done it again - missed the chat! Good reason this time though... kid needed to talk, so we sat on the steps & did just that... so, I guess I had a chat, but just not here! Boy, 10-year-olds lives are a lot more complicated now than when I was that age!

    Washed the car Wednesday, no rain yet! What's wrong?!

    Have a restful, safe weekend, everyone!

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • jfljfl Member Posts: 1,399
    I washed the car today and my niece is having an outdoor wedding tomorrow!

    Wonder if it would help if we don't take my car?

    Jim
  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    Jim: Leave the clean car at home... 'specially if your lawn needs watering!

    Hide the umbrella... take it, but hide it!

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Hey all! Took the Shinkansen West to Osaka Thursday night and spent 40 hours or so with 'Daughter #4' before heading this morning East to Nagoya / Ichinomiya for 'Daughter #1'. Not as many Subaru's on this part of the island. Quite different from the relative multitude in Tokyo. Daughter #1 is a car buff, so we have had a lot to talk about today. Her friend has a Legacy, so it is the car of choice when she and friends go to the mountains skiing.

    There is a typhoon passing to the West of Japan towards Korea, so the weather has been very wierd. Alternating high winds and rain, then calm and sunshine. Her dad is our tour guide and drives a Nissan Laural (sort of a junior Q45), and it has taken the weather in stride.

    Anyhow, that is the report for tonight.
    Ken: See my post last week about the visit to Subaru Headquarters in Shinjuku.
    Greg: Subaru brochures to touch and read!
    Juice: Decent haiku.

    Good night all and a happy holiday weekend....

    Steve
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Steve,

    I must have missed that post. I had a hectic week and was jumping through messages.

    Anyone know what post number that was? I tried the TH search, but you know how that goes...

    Ken
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    SO my friend with the Passat went and drove a 2.5TS wagon yesterday without me. Actually, that was probably a good idea in terms of forming his own impressions. Anyway, I think it may have had something to do with the fact that I cut and pasted your argument in favor of the car into an email to him the other day....

    But I digress.....he REALLY liked it. He noted the good power, shifter feel, utility, and handling as all superior to the Pro5, as well as interior materials quality. I told him to keep his steelies and RE92s for winter, and pick up a set of WRX rims which can be had on the internet all day long for around $500. The $1000 the dealer wants gets him a set of 17" P1s or the like. And he already had your info about sunroofs.

    So to make a long story short, he might go for the TS. Decision time is still a ways away and depends on how he feels about the Passat when it returns. I'll bring him on board here if he buys in tho'.
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    What do you think of this Australian Subaru commercial? (unfortunately, it's low resolution) Right click, Save to disk, open with your favorite MPEG viewer.


    http://subaru.com.au/downloads/5437_5696_1011.mpg


    Personally, I like it. The music is soothing.


    Note the addition of "Symmetrical" to the standard tagline, becoming "Symmetrical All Wheel Drive". Since others tout AWD (Jaguar "Stay in the tracks" comes to mind) and AWD is no longer unique to Subaru's models, this distinquishes Subaru's AWD from the pack. Wonder if it matters to the (Australian) consumer.


    Graham, Is this commercial recent?


    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    SOA is doing something similar here. I've noticed, when they refer to their AWD, they point out that the engine is in line (north/south) with the driveshaft. I don't remember if that's the same terminology, but the thinking is the same.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    The '02 Outback brochure refers to the AWD as "Symmetrical All Wheel Drive."

    Bob
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    I just returned from a visit to several southeast Alaskan coastal cities. It's interesting to have seen so many older Subarus and only a few of the more recent models. Lots of Loyales and other (mostly wagon) models from the '80's and early '90's. From what I observed, the aged models are somewhat symptomatic, as Alaskans seem to keep many older vehicles (all types and brands) on the road much longer than we do here in the lower 48.

    Judging by the decibel level, there also appears to be a shortage of exhaust system repair facilities up north.
  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day

    I seem to remember it from fairly recently. I think it is intended as an Awareness/Interest ad, much like the Mercedes "Oh, Lord Won't you Buy me a Mercedes Benz" ad from about ten years ago. Seem to remember this one was aired very carefully avoiding the noisier soap ads slots.

    cheers

    Graham
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Just got back from the Adirondacks, and pulled in 27.5mpg @ 75-85mph on the way home. Not bad for a 4EAT + 3.3l + 230hp + Paisan Driving :)

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Keep the updates coming, Steve. I almost feel like I'm there.

    Loosh: cool, and glad to hear my suggestions helped in some way.

    Even back in '98 when I bought Sandy, the dealers had this cardboard cut-out model showing the symmetry in Subaru's powertrain. I guess now they're talking about it, too.

    paisan: I've driven with you, that's either a miracle or the results of calculations done by an Enron accountant! ;-)

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    We'll see how it works out over the next few tanks on trips. But at 80mph it only cranks 2500rpms so I can see how it might get such milage. The sticker is 27mpg on the highway, so it's not that far off.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Wow, that's actually better than the WRX auto (19/26).

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    17/27 on the sticker, that 4th gear is soooooooooo long that it barely idles at 55mph!

    Also it's nice to have a 17gallon tank :) I'm pretty sure its 17 or 17.5gal :)

    So far so good, gotta order brakes and tires today for it.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Thumbs up on the gas tank. My wife's is just 1 gallon more than mine (16.9 vs. 15.9) but we really notice it. She goes about 30 more miles per tankful.

    -juice
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Just found out that 2 more people in my office bought new Subies in their family. My boss's family bought yesterday a 2003 Forester X. My other co-worker traded in his 99 OB (end-of-lease)for an automatic WRX wagon. That makes the 3rd Subaru in his family, and the 4th person in my office with a Subaru! Now to get them to go the Pine Barrens:-)

    Mark
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Anyone else having problems with the MySubaru website? I logged on just now and found all my service records have disappeared! Mysterious to say the least.

    Mark
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