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Comments
-Colin
Oh yes and you could program a TV remote to open the car since it had IR remote keyless entry.
TWRX
Perhaps most of the kids total them before four years!
Jim
Craig
It does hurt approach/departure angles, though, so your theory about adjustable suspensions being more common could still be valid.
Shorter life cycles would make sense on higher-end cars where the market is more competitive. For instance, the Outback Sport is in a price segment where noone has really broken through with anything to make it seem old.
The Outback VDC, on the other hand, is close enough to some Mercedes models that will have 7 speed transmissions, while it makes do with a measly 4 cogs. So it would benefit from quicker innovation, at least.
Even the new Golf will get 6 speeds. Still, it's well above the price range of the Outback Sport, and will overlap with the WRX.
Craig: I'll have to look at mine, maybe remove the current visor. It's definitely changed substantially from stock, the entire headliner is tucked in at the top of the windshield, IIRC.
-juice
Most new cars now use 5 years. The problem is, the longer the product life cycle, the more important it is that the new product be an absolute knockout. If it's just a nice makeover of the earlier product (like the current Legacy), it's going to get old very fast, and the last 2 - 3 years of that product cycle will seem like an eternity (again, like the current Legacy).
The current Honda Odyssey is just such a vehicle. It was so good when it was introduced, that it could withstand a 6-year cycle. Now, however, the new Sienna has surpassed it, but it had a great run, for sure.
Bob
For instance, the new trend is to now offer 72 month loans, because 60 month loans are not enough anymore. If the life cycle of a car is supposedly only 4 years, then you'll still be paying for your car for 2 more years.
I guess my real gripe is how difficult it is to work on your own car. Plastic parts everywhere which easily break and cost a small fortune and are never in stock at the dealer, which is the only place to get them. Dang! Just make things out of aluminum instead of plastic for longer life!
But, I guess it's not in the car companies' best interests to do so--the'd rather sell you a new car for a 6-year loan when your 'old' one has some problems with it that you're still paying off for 2 more years. Progess Hmmph!
Eric (given to ranting these days)
No mention of Subaru. Hee hee...
Bob
And then you'll be taking out 8 year loans!! :-)
-juice
But as I said, I think DIY car mechanics are a dying breed these days, as more and more people just don't want to bother with it. So I don't really expect anything to change.
Eric
Bob
Prices for the 2004 Nissan Titan King Cab models are:
·Titan King Cab XE 4x2 $22,400
·Titan King Cab SE 4x2 $24,400
·Titan King Cab LE 4x2 $28,800
·Titan King Cab XE 4x4 $25,500
·Titan King Cab SE 4x4 $27,500
·Titan King Cab LE 4x4 $31,900
Prices for the 2004 Nissan Titan Crew Cab models are:
·Titan Crew Cab XE 4x2 $25,100
·Titan Crew Cab SE 4x2 $26,700
·Titan Crew Cab LE 4x2 $31,100
·Titan Crew Cab XE 4x4 $28,200
·Titan Crew Cab SE 4x4 $29,800
·Titan Crew Cab LE 4x4 $34,200
Note: Minor equipment may vary. MSRPs exclude tax, title, destination and handling.
Few of my friends know how to work on their cars and fewer still are willing to these days.
-c
For everything else, I will do it myself until I'm too old or dead!
Craig
I offered to teach my sister and brother. Even they have busy college schedules, and would rather watch Anime in their spare time.
-juice
-mike
So Colin, how you likin' that 330 loaner? Coupe or sedan? PP?
-juice
Cheers Pat.
Premium Package and Performance Package. This one is either Performance or Sport Package... I'll check right now as I'm about to leave work and I'll post my impressions from home later.
-c
Ed has kept a dirty little secret he revealed in the chat. Loosh joked it was because he was ashamed, LOL. I'll let him fill the rest of you in...
-juice
My wife bought a Honda Pilot EX (no leather, DVD or satnav) the day before Thanksgiving. She couldn't ask for a much better dealer experience. After locating one with the colors and options she wanted in a local dealer's inventory online, she called them and haggled on price. The salesman actually drove the Pilot to our house for her to examine, since she was supposed to be resting with the baby having been born just 6 days previous. It was still in plastic and yet to be prepped. She looked it over, liked it, did the deal in our living room. The dealer prepped it and she picked it up on Black Friday.
She got a good deal on price, on her trade-in (a '91 Accord with 188K miles) and all dealer-installed options at cost.
I haven't driven her Pilot yet, but I did test drive one with her several months ago. I'm sure it will be competent for her needs and as our big cargo hauler, but it is nowhere near as entertaining to drive as my Forester.
Like Mrs. juice and some others here, she felt Subaru did not build anything large enough for her needs. She has been impressed with the treatment Patti and SoA have given me but, frankly, she has not been impressed with the service my two local suburban Philadelphia dealers have given me. Further, she has not been impressed with the three rear wheel bearing failures and failed head gasket I've had on the Forester in only 60K miles of ownership, not to mention the poor quality paint and windshield glass.
As much as I enjoy the practicality, size and fun-to-drive factor of my car, I can't say as I blame her. She has had better experience with the reliability of her Honda than I have with my Subaru.
That said, I know the weak spots in my Forester have been improved in the latest generation and I still have the XT at the head of my list when the time comes to replace my car.
Ed
Also has the cold weather package, had to try out the crazy little pop-out/retractable headlight washers. Bi-xenon headlights are tasty.
Engine performance is potent even when saddled with the automatic due to it being a 5spd auto, and the interesting throttle-by-wire tuning. The accelerator is firm, but only depressing it maybe 3/8" results in strong acceleration; I think BMW did this on purpose to make mundanes believe the car is faster than it truly is. But trust me, once you bury the throttle it's really not as fast as my M3. The performance below 3,000 RPM however, where I'm sure this engine is tuned and double VANOS sure doesn't hurt, is all over my M3. After 4,000 RPM though forget it. It's not that this 330i is weak, it's just that one of them gets to 6500 eventually and the other sings to 7000 with authority.
Steering is firm, which I like, but still road-numb which I hate. All the E46s are like this, although the early ones did have more power steering boost and people really hated the light steering combined with bad road feel after the legendary steering feel the E36 had.
Room is reasonable but as Juice said in another topic, the 3 series is a little small so the back seat passengers better hope the front ones aren't too long of leg. It's better than the E36 though, in particular with regard to rear seat headroom.
Handling is good but not as good as it should be considering the somewhat abrupt ride quality. This model doesn't have the sport package but it does have some (ugly) many-spoked 17" wheels with 205/50-17 Goodyear Eagle GA all-seasons. Worst tire evAR as original equipment for a 3 series! They suck, bad.
Harmon Kardon sound system is good but simply not that potent. I think the 3er's small size limits the rear speakers to 6.5" or less, and these days with integrated amps standard that's just not much bass punch. It sounds good, but not "WOW" by any means. (Mind you-- I have a heinously expensive home stereo and a few thousand in carfi gear sitting in a closet waiting for the right car and motivation.)
All in all, according to Edmunds about $43,000 MSRP of bimmer is sitting in my garage with all of 3900 miles on the odo. Would I pay that? NO WAY. But money aside, it's an extremely well done car and I do see why they're selling tons of them.
-Colin
My wife enjoys driving, but I think at this point she's ready to throw in the towel and get something big for trips, so long as her daily driver is fun. She'd probably love a Pilot, thing is, neither of us wants to be the one stuck with the big vehicle as our primary car.
I may lose that battle. I have the Miata as a 2nd car. She commutes in her Legacy and doesn't need any more space for day-to-day stuff. That means the Forester is really the best candidate to be replaced with something bigger. Plus it's older than the Legacy.
If she likes the 7 seater, we may actually trade in her Legacy, dunno. I kind of doubt she will, her tastes run very conservative. We'll see.
Then there's the possibility of the new Legacy, or an XT for me for now, then the 7 seater for her later. But that's pricey.
So I'm firmly, surely, On The Fence.
Colin: how are the cup holders? ;-)
We drove a 325i automatic with that light steering. Didn't like it much at all, if you recall.
Eagle GA tires? Aren't those silent touring tires? On a 330? What a mis-match. $43k is scary. Should be 5k less than that at least.
-juice
anyway yes the tires are really lame. hehe
don't you have just two kids juice? why the insistence on a 7 passenger vehicle?
-c
-Dave
2 kids and a nanny, plus a lap dog.
I'd be fine with a wide-body 5 seater, that could comfortably seat 3 in the rear. The baby seat is huge, the booster a little smaller, but still it's a squeeze between the two.
But let's face it - right now every Subie in the lineup falls short of even being truly mid-sized. I love the way compacts drive, don't get me wrong. The new Legacy may actually cut it, I'm not sure.
Another thing - the kids some times car pool. We give rides to other kids in the school, so the parents can take turns. Our nanny does not drive, unfortunately. So that means we could benefit from being able to carry 4 kids at times.
-juice
So my preference is to rent a full-size van for trips, it'll surely cost less in the long run.
-juice
Our MPV is 2" shorter than the new Accord. For anyone who appreciates mid-size and needs the occasional extra seats, it's a great value.
Come on, Subaru, get that 7-seater to market! (But please don't build us a bus.)
-brianV
When I was a kid, no one had 7 passenger vehicles and we got along fine.
-Colin
We actually drove the XL7, that is the most narrow/long vehicle I've ever driven. Proportions are way off. The 3rd row also has zero legroom. It felt tippy and claustrophobic to me.
It needs to be wider, MPV or Pilot sized in both width and leg room. I'm not asking for a behemoth, just a practical size, and I think those are about right.
Bob wants it to be even bigger. My fear is any bigger than that and it'll be a gas hog and handle like one.
-juice
I think the Volvo XC90 is about the same length as the Pilot, but it has a longer wheelbase.
Bob
-juice
Jon
Hell when I was a kid we could not even afford a car, and when we could it was Morris minors or Mini's.
Most of Europe has astronomical gas prices and they still get along fine with small cars.
When did the line between luxury and necessity get so blurred and where will it end.
Cheers Pat.
Craig
I had a 91 4 door sedan and a 93 EX wagon both superb vehicles, in contrast a friend had a 97 Accord and had the engine rebuilt once, and then replaced in the first 8,000 Kilometres, and the trans replaced at 21,000 kilometres.
Cheers Pat.
Caught another interesting program on pbs. It was Bill Moyers interviewing Franklin "Chuck" Spinney, the former Defense Department insider who has made it hi life work to question the accountability of the Pentagon. He's retired now but has a website titled "Defense and the Nation Interest" www.d-n-i.net. Talk about fleecing the American people.
I know how you all feel about getting political here in this car forum but I was so outraged that I feel the need to share what I learned. Sorry to offend. Then again maybe I'm not so sorry. I think we all need to be offended once in a while. ;-)
-Ian
My 3 growing kids, booster seats, other people's kids (and all their stuff!) as well as aging parents that can't wiggle into or out of smaller cars factored into our last purchase decision. The OB is plenty big for me, but if I'm picking up the crew from school, it takes some logistical tinkering. Pilot's a nice size, as is the Escape/Tribute, but at least for the moment, not big enough for us. I can see Mrs. Ed's POV.
Cheers!
Paul
Jon
On my looong flight over to Taiwan, I was reading through a bunch of magazines and came across an interesting article in Fortune about VW. The article pointed out how VW is trying to hit the premium luxury market with it's Touareg and Phaeton with mixed results. It pointed out how it's necessary for a non-luxury car brand to establish a reliability track record first before it can venture upwards. The Jetta and Golf have been giving VW a poor track record in recent years.
While it's not targeting anywhere near the Phaeton level nor is it suffering from dismal reliability, the article did make me reflect on Subaru's push for premium models. Other Japanese makes that have been successful all have had strong reliability records and even rebranded their vehicles. I wonder if Subaru can pull it off?
Ken
my M3 has two problems:
1) hesitation while accelerating less than full throttle. also (and I believe it is related), if it idles for a while it will generate a check engine light. this goes out quickly once driving again and no MIL has ever been lit while driving, even when the hesitation is fierce.
2) throttle has been sticking shut. better than open of course, but very annoying when you have to blip fairly hard to unstick it before leaving a stoplight.
took it in thursday and got the aforementioned 330i.
they called me thursday afternoon and said #1 was a misfire code, but they needed more time to properly diagnose. suspected perhaps wiring, and I've had a few little gremlins so I hoped so too, but it could be other things like a bad knock sensor and whatnot. they said #2 was stiction, but unfortunately it was not lube-able. the problem is fairly rare but when it occurs it's a non-serviceable item inside the throttle body. I was obviously hoping for something simple like greasing the pedal or throttle body linkage.
so anyway, I approve up to a few hours' billable time to investigate the misfire better.
friday morning they call again and have figured out the cause of the misfire. it's a faulty computer and the part is $1000 or so. oy. I get some assurances that this really is the problem (I'll break my foot off in someone's rear if they are wrong!) and tell them to order the computer. I also tell them to skip the throttle body, as a new one is $600.
I did a little searching on the web and didn't find anything of use on the throttle body yet. after the hesitation is fixed, my plan is to take the TB off and put it in a non-petroleum solvent bath for a week or so to see if that loosens things up. if that fails, a used TB is my next option. third would be having this one rebuilt by a tuner, a slight overbore and mods being done as the excuse to just rebuild the whole thing and fix the sticking. I don't really care if the mods have zero effect...
however, one counterbalance to this latest bit of routine wallet vacuuming is that I got a significant raise at work. I've been under market value for a while and they finally saw the light and brought me into the realm of reasonable. I'd thought of leaving here if nothing came through this time, and they did come through. that's good because I can't really leave right away since my sister has decided to move in with me.
still-- I think I'll be eating lunchmeat sandwiches and ramen for a while to feel better about my burning credit card.
-c
Cheers Pat.
In the 18 months and 18 thousand miles of ownership, excluding only gas, I've put at least $3000 into the M3 before this latest round of joy.
I should've kept my Impreza, I loved that car and could have easily stuffed a used 2.5L SOHC in it myself, for a lot less. (It had a serious overheating problem, let's say for argument's sake the whole motor was a loss.) It was 'good enough' given how much of my leisure time I spend on motorcycles.
-Colin
Cheers Pat.
That makes more sense now. I don't check the OT topic over at NASIOC.
Well, just a few more months and you can move back to Subedom! :-)
Ken
They are beautiful cars.
Jim