Subaru Crew: Official SOA Presence (aka Patti)

fibber2

I also got them from TireRack two years ago. I bought 8 identical tires (Dunlop M2's) in size 225/60-HR16, 4 on Fox-5 alloys for the OB, 4 on steel wheels w/covers for our Ody van, mounted, balanced, delivered, for $1540 (?). The alloys were about $105 each and look sharp, the steels/covers ran about $60.

Yes, expensive and not absolutely essential, but they sure make a huge difference in the handling of each vehicle. Put it in perspective - what is the true cost of even a minor accident that could otherwise be avoided?

Steve

ateixeira

Hey, where's Patti? Haven't seen her around as much lately. I hope they didn't toss her in the dungeon again! LOL

Come back Patti, we miss you!

-juice

sduford

The problem is that people justify all-season tires in terms of traction, that is wrong in my mind.

You should look at them in terms of SAFETY. And to me, safety has no price. As long as I live in the snowbelt, I will always have the best snow and ice tires that I can find.

This means I can also have no-compromise summer tires if I want to. Maximum safety all year round.

The tires are the single biggest safety factor on a car. I'm always amazed how people compromise on them all the time. Even on dry pavement, all-season tires lose a lot of their traction in cold weather.

Sly

ateixeira

I'd counter by saying when you put snow tires on, you're sacrificing grip in the early and late part of the season. That can and does compromise safety at the handling extremes.

It's safer if you mount snow tires every time there is snow, then unmount them the next day when it melts. Repeat for every storm.

But that's not practical. So you *will* sacrifice grip on dry roads for much of the winter, and that compromises safety somewhat.

-juice

sduford

But that "compromise" is nothing like finding yourself on icy roads without the proper tires!!!

There is at least an order of magnitude in difference here. Also, you forget that most summer and all-season tires become very hard in cold weather and they have compromised grip even on dry roads. All-season tires NEVER give you optimal grip, they are a compromise all year round. Unless you live in an area that only gets snow occasionalyl, all-season tires are BAD! I firmly believe there would be a whole lot less accidents in the winter if everybody was driving on good winter tires. Every time there is a bit of snow or ice, we get dozens of accidents around town, most of which caused by people with bad tires.

Also, with winter tires you know that they have somewhat less grip then your summer tires on dry warm pavement, so you adjust your driving consequently and minimize any negative impact. But if you get caught by a patch of black ice, or some freezing rain or a blizzard, if you don't have the right tires you are at much greater risk. The best you can do is to match the tires to the season.

I would also argue that my Michelin X-Ice are very close to the RE-92 in dry grip, probably better in cold dry conditions, and definitely better on wet pavement.

Sly.

robr2

I'd counter by saying when you put snow tires on, you're sacrificing grip in the early and late part of the season. That can and does compromise safety at the handling extremes.

Handling extremes and Honda Odyssey are mutually exclusive!!

Seriously, why Sly says is true. You modify your driving style to the equipment you have. I could make an argument that since we drive at 9/10ths so infrequently, we should just change to performance tires for those days we will be driving like that.

hilbert

Larry thanks for the detailed information.
$50 seems really cheap for tires. If I put the details of OBXT in Tirerack, it shows me tires which are $139 per tire. Perhaps if I go down the list there are some worth $50. But then are they good? Why are they so cheap?

ateixeira

Here in DC those occasions are pretty rare. They usually treat the streets before I wake up, even.

So for the most part you're dealing with half melted slush and snow that accumulates between plows.

I'm sure needs vary greatly by region, but here in DC snow tires are often overkill. We've had years where we had only dustings, with accumulations totalling ZERO inches.

All seasons are actually pretty good in those conditions. Not every tire is the same, but in CR's tests some all season do actually perform well in dry and wet conditions (the Falken Ziex 512 for instance).

you adjust your driving consequently

100% correct, but I'd say the same about all-seasons in the snow.

The Blowtenzas set the bar pretty low. Compare to a top rated tire like the Ziex 512.

Odyssey: you got me. LOL

-juice

hammerhead

We get so many freeze/thaw cycles here, particularly in the early & late stages of winter, that the roads ice up on a regular basis. My 'summer' tires are not good on ice, thus I switch. Makes the drives up (and down) the ski hill roads much less of a pucker factor.

Cheers!
Paul

robr2

juice - for you dedicated snows don't make sense. Even for us in Boston, we could get by without them. But for the wife and kids, it's worth a few bucks IMHO.

The Odyssey isn't that bad of a handler especially with the summer tires.

dcm61

They usually treat the streets before I wake up

Of course the streets are treated before noon! ;-)

DaveM

ateixeira

zzzz

What? :-)

-juice

fibber2

It is now 2 years old, but check Nov '02 Consumer Reports for their last test of winter tires. From the chart you can pick out the best tire for you based on the compromises between dry, wet, snow, ice handling (and of course price).

Steve

fibber2

as we have turned this into "TIRES CENTRAL".

subaru_team

You can call 1-800-932-0636. That's the number for the Added Security sales dept. If you provide the VIN, they can look it up to see if it has processed. If it has and you just haven't received the contract yet, ask the dealer to call 1-800-SUBARU3. They will be able to confirm the coverage via the system. They can then do the maintenance and enter the claim without the coupon. You can just send them the coupon once you get it in the mail. If any of these folks has a question on this, you can direct them to see me and I'll explain how to get things processed to them.

Sorry for the delay. With the promotional maintenance agreements that were sent out, they got a bit swamped.

Patti

subaru_team

Sorry I haven't been posting much. I've been learning my new job at Subaru. I had a really short window to learn a lot and it's been a fun challenge.

I'll be on the chat tonight. I may be late or have to leave early, but I'll be there at some point.

Thanks for your patience!

Patti

fbkord

Well, The short block on my 2002 forester was replaced under warranty. The assembly of the piston housing was incorrect. SOA has agreed to give me an extended warranty to six years, 100000 miles. I appreciate everyone's hard work. Although, I believe a car with only 20000 miles shouldn't have this kind of issues.
Thanks.

fibber2

I think we would all agree - new cars really shouldn't require that kind of attention. But unfortunately, cars are machines designed and built by men, and we are imperfect.... However, what makes or breaks any relationship is how the vendor deals with the problem. I am glad to hear that with some assistance by Patti and SoA, the problem was resolved to your satisfaction.

Steve

ateixeira

Sweet, a fix plus a long warranty?

Gosh, I hope I have those "problems". ;-)

-juice

subaru_team

I've been keeping tabs on you all!! I hope everyone is healthy (er??) and you are all in my prayers. Brenda - how wonderful that a young man can lean on you - and that you have us to lean on (even though some of us might not be saying so publicly).

 

I miss you all very much! I feel like I'm not visiting with family or something. But please know - you are all in my prayers and my hopes to each of you for a wonderful, magical, memorable holiday and an incredible 2005!

 

Take a moment or two to notice the magic, okay?

 

Love,

 

Patti

ladywclass

did someone see a post???? I don't think so ...

 

happy holidays to the 'holiday spirit' ...

 

Brenda

njswamplands

rsholland

Not me. I didn't see anything. Anybody else see anything?

 

Bob

hondafriek

Happy holidays to the friendly ghost, and we hope for more visits.

 

  Cheersa Pat.

c_hunter

Nice to hear from you Patti!! Thanks for stopping in and Happy Holidays to your family too! Hope you're enjoying the new job.

 

Craig

dcm61

I tawt I taw a Putti post. ;-)

 

It's nice to "hear" from you again.

 

Enjoy the holidays on the east side of the river.

 

DaveM

mattm1

I've got a 1997 Outback, and had a blown head gasket at 97,000 miles. Now at 151,000 miles, I took it in for service and was told that it is starting to go again. I know that there have been many head gasket issues with the 2.5L engines. Is there anything that SOA does for customers such as myself for my vehicle? I know of others that got SOA to cover some costs for models older than 1999, but my attempts after the first gasket blew were fruitless. Any advice is appreciated.

 

Thanks :-)

dcm61

The official SOA participation in this dicussion has been put on hold for the time being, so your best bet is to call 1-800-SUBARU-3 and explain your situation.

 

Good Luck!

 

DaveM

rob_m

Patti, I am sure each of us thinks about you every day.

 

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.

 

Don't forget that Thursday is chat night, maybe you can visit for a while. Rob M.

bat1161

To "the party that shall remain nameless" -

 

Have a great Holiday season, and enjoy everything.

 

Mark

alpha01

who may be observing Holidays this week and next, please have a happy and safe celebrations!.

 

Best,

 

Joe

 

ps_ I didnt see anything, but it was nice to hear from you as well, Patti, thank you so much for dropping by (or not). Take care!

tickman

There was an article about the Edmunds forums, and it pointed out that SOA maintained a presence on the forum. They mention Patti several times...

stever

Here's the link (unless there's another story for Winter?):

 

Subaru Drive Magazine

 

Check out the Top of the World article too; I wouldn't call the Dempster portion treacherous but I drove it in the summer.

 

Steve, Host

rsholland

Steve, the Top of the World article was written by Glenn Wallace. He also had a more detailed write up on that event in "Performance DRIVE," a new publication by SOA, aimed more at Subie gearheads like us.

 

Glenn has his own web site, NewImpreza.com, and is a moderator over at nasioc too. He's a transplanted Aussie who lives in the state of Washington. I think he works in the high-tech industry, but am not certain about that. He's a pretty sharp guy.

 

Here's the link to the full issue:

 

http://www.drive.subaru.com/CurrentIssue.htm

 

Also Paul, aka "Subie Tyke" in the letter's section (Your Turn) is Ed Johnson's kid (lark6). Ed decorated the peddle car for his son.

 

Bob

stever

How sharp can someone be if they want to drive north to the Arctic Ocean this time of year? Even Santa left town last night.

 

:-)

 

Steve, Host

rsholland

The Alcan Rally has a long history and tradition associated with it. And as some once said: "Because it's there," or something to that effect...

 

Besides his STi, he was part of a 3-Subie team that also included a turbo Forester and a turbo Baja. All three cars did well.

 

You can read more about it here:

 

http://www.challengedriving.com/

 

Bob

stever

Bah, I can top that. I drove to Inuvik in a Plymouth Voyager....

 

Nice seeing your helmet head photo in Drive again btw <g>.

 

Steve, Host

rsholland

one of my better photos. NOT...

 

Bob

fibber2

A faint sound in the distance, then she was gone...

 

Hope all is well on your end. Holiday greeting are in the mail to your office (more pixs of kids, etc.).

 

Steve

locke2c

Bob,

 

back in '99 when I first "met" him Glenn Wallace was working for Microsoft, then was part of the split-off to Expedia. I don't know if he's still with Expedia or not.

 

~Colin

p0926

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the mystery visitor!

 

-Frank

maverick1017

I need your opinion and a little guidence.

 

As Pattie and some of you may know I recently had the passenger side header replaced under warranty after some wrangling with the dealership and some much appreciated assistance from SOA. Now the rattling that preceeded the last failure has returned, not even 3K miles since replacement. It is occuring at the same RPM band and I started to notice slow (half a quart per 1K miles) oil lose even though I am using synthetic (M1). I am hesitant to drop it off at a dealer because they would never be able to reproduce the problem in the 5 minute test drives that they do. I don't rev the engine high, or do abrupt takeoffs, the highest I rev the engine is 3.5 - 4K rpm. Is there a bad batch of headers or something? I mean I have never had trouble with the original headers and I would still be on both of them if the original passenger side one didn't loose its spark plug threads. Now it looks like I will be needing a second header in as many years.

 

What do everyone suggest as my next course of action. I really can't afford another catastraphic engine failure and days without a car.

 

Thanks for any inputs!

 

Mike

ateixeira

I would try to re-open the same case number. Call the 800 number and see if they can do that.

 

-juice

kellerc4

I am looking at buying a 2003 Outback wagon, 5spd manual. 39k miles. One owner. Is this car part of the batch that have head gasket concerns, or was it rectified by 03? If corrected, do you still need to use the special coolant additive? Any other things to know about this model year?

Thanks!!!

 

Chuck

locke2c

by model year 2003, the head gasket issue was fixed as well as it's going to be fixed.

 

I wouldn't say that head gaskets are going to suddenly become one of Subaru's strong points, but I wouldn't worry about a 2003 either.

 

...And I had a '99 Impreza RS that I personally replaced the head gaskets on twice. Both of them once, then 12k miles later the left one again.

 

~Colin

subearu

though we don't know if your 2nd replacement would not have happened if they were using the additive back then.

 

-Brian

locke2c

that's just Stop Leak, if your car isn't covered under the program you're more than welcome to buy it off the shelf and put it in on your own...

 

the second replacement was definitely a failed gasket, I have pics of it where you can see the coating on the gasket just came apart.

 

~Colin

c_hunter

I would worry about clutch issues more than the head gasket on an 03. They didn't start using the revised cluthc parts until Jan 03 or so. When was the car built?? If before Jan 03, you should thoroughly check it for signs of clutch judder/chatter in cold damp weather.

 

Craig

jfl

At the Subaru dealer, the additive was only $1.79 out the door.

 

When my mechanic changed the timing belt, he also replaced the tensioner and water pump. But he didn't use the additive when he replaced the antifreeze, so I had to get it from the dealer.

 

Jim

ateixeira

I should put some in my wife's 2002 Legacy. They never sent us a letter. Shouldn't that have fallen in the range of the cars covered by the 8/100 agreement?

 

-juice