Subaru Crew Cafe

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  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Surprising, I thought they had signed Colin already. Oh well.

    I wonder if Honda is getting into too many unrelated businesses, spreading themselves too thin. They're only ranked #10 automaker in the world, something like that.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Interesting. Several auto companies that used to make plane engines, but not too many that are going the other way.

    Ken
  • twrxtwrx Member Posts: 647
    Hey that is a hallmark of Honda. I'm sure there were those in the late '60s who said that a motorcycle company would never make it in the car business. Remember Honda has no desire to be bought by any of the US automakers. To that end the deal to make engines for Saturn is part of the plan. Now if they could only put that jet engine in my car.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    It's just a natural extension for them as they are one of the finest engine manufacturers in the world. They make engines for cars, Indy and F1 racing, motorcycles/ATV's, power equipment, personal watercraft, and large boats. The have vertically integrated to produce everything listed above except large boats. Since their engines are used on the ground and in the water - why not in the sky?

    Leaping into building airplanes though might be a stretch IMHO.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I noticed SOC has yet to update their site with the Baja turbo. I wonder if there will be an '04 Canadian Baja? Maybe they're going to wait and see how the Baja turbo does in the USA before committing to any future Bajas?

    Bob
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Doesn't Honda have a better return on their engines and engine technology than on their autos?

    Greg
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Could be. Porsche was the most profitable car manufacturer, and look at their volumes. Honda competes in price-sensitive markets.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    This a neat site! Lots of info on the upcoming Dakar rally and the Nissan entry. It runs from Jan.1 - Jan 18, and will be shown on the Speed Channel.

    The graphic of the racer allows you to click on either "rally car" or "road car" to compare how the rally racer differs from the street counterpart. The racer actually has the engine placed almost in the center of the vehicle, between the driver and the co-driver.

    http://www.nissan-dakar.com/EN/RACE/DAKAR2004/MACHINE/2003/index.- - - - - html

    I'd love to see Subaru enter the Dakar!

    Bob
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    Wow, I am spoiled by the amazingly good natured, even tempered demeanor of all our Crew/Cafe members. You can just feel the difference in tenor elsewhere. I ventured into one of the other discussions and all the sudden, it's like my neighborhood yahoo group.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    There are a few other forums here that I lurk in, and it's not too much fun...

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    This time VW's race-ready Touareg (sort of, at least it shares the VW logo with its street counterpart).

    http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publish/iaa_03/article_495.shtml

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Interested?

    http://subaru.com.au/news/?newsid=11888

    Bob
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    but I'm as old as Colin McCrae. :(
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    Chevy's new tagline.

    http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/chev19_20031219.htm
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    So Nissan puts the racing block lower and farther back ... like every Subaru!

    Bob: check out the steelies on that Touareg! Must be a base European model.

    Chevy's tag line is just ridiculous. The Cobalt and the new minivans are slight evolutions of current models, breaking no new ground. Where is the Revolution in those?

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Yes, I noticed that. I'm actually a big fan of steelies on SUVs and trucks. There's nothing that says "work" or "purpose-built" better than steelies. I think there's nothing sillier looking than to see a Hummer H1 with bright polished alloys.

    Bob
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Steelies on actual work trucks and SUVs makes complete sense. I don't see where the Touareg fits in that group (certainly not in the image conscious U.S.)

    -Frank P.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You mean 22" rims with spinners? LOL

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I can see it easily being used in the Mid-East, Africa, Australia and other areas like that.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Think of the cost of 17" alloys. You could probably knock a grand off the price with steelies alone.

    I think for utility-focused vehicles alloys are far less important than they are for, say, sports cars, especially lighter ones.

    -juice

    PS My dad's UN-spec fleet came exclusively with steel rims - Land Cruiser, Discovery, etc.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Keep in mind the Touareg is a "world vehicle," so outside the so-called civilized markets (USA, etc.) steelie-equipped Touaregs might be the rule, rather than the exception.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    PS My dad's UN-spec fleet came exclusively with steel rims - Land Cruiser, Discovery, etc

    International VW Touareg web sites might show the vehicle with alloys, but I bet those used in fleet operations come with steelies.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I wish they'd change the rules so that staff of international organizations could order from that UN catalog. Imagine getting a diesel Land Cruiser with a 5 speed manual and steelies for about $25k delivered.

    I'd tint the windows, buy 22" spreewheels, and put a for sale sign with a price tag of $45 grand, LOL.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    also come with vinyl (or cloth) seats and rubber floor covering too.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Seats were vinyl, but there was carpeting underneath the standard rubber floor mats.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Really? That's surprising. Probably the HD indoor-outdoor type.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I guess they have to cover the sheet metal somehow. It's just the basic stuff from any econobox. I'm sure the Lexus LX470 gets thicker stuff with a wool blend.

    -juice
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    What's funny is they probably do spend about $5 grand more to produce an LX470, but just look at those profit margins! Toyota breaks even on the UN-spec Land Cruisers, base price is $22k (rest is delivery and insurance)!

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Hummer pickup has midgate like the Avalanche.

    http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_062725

    http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_062724

    This I like, and it will be an '06 model! It reminds me of the early '50s-era Suburban/panel van. This is the styling direction I would like to see Chevy truck follow for future vehicles.

    http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_062778

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    http://www.wieck.com/public/*wieck_search?ws4d_nav=true&operator=and&source=wik&source=wka&source=wkt&Page=1&search_criteria=Honda&mssgbox=Pass+cursor+over+thumbnail+to+view+caption+in+this+box...
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    The Hummer has put a serious dent in the image of Jeep. It's hard to believe that Jeep hasn't responded to the Hummer.

    Actually they have: The Jeep Rescue concept, which will be shown at the Detroit show.

    http://www.rockcrawler.com/features/newsshorts/03november/jeep_re- - scue.asp

    http://www.onetomany.com/jeepnews/content.asp?i=593

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That's unique, notice it's not full width. There are small windows on either side. I bet it's 4' wide though, for that plywood.

    The swing out spare saves space, but probably weighs a ton. Also, would it stay like that if you're carrying a long load? I smell compromise!

    HHR looks cool. Nesbitt designed it, the PT Cruiser guy. GM hired him away from Chrysler.

    That Jeep actually looks cool. Half Dakar concept, half Hummer, especially the rectangular short windows. Approach and departure are almost vertical angles.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    http://www.wieck.com/public/*wieck_search?ws4d_nav=true&opera- tor=and&source=wik&source=wka&source=wkt&Page=1&a- mp;search_criteria=SUT
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    *yawn* :-) :p
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    LOL Loosh!

    So that's the H2 SUT. The H3 SUT will be in Detroit.

    Note how the switchback is not full width. There are small windows on either side. I bet it's just over 4' wide for plywood.

    Lesson for the Baja to learn. You need 48", or don't even bother making it open.

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Anyone here into prosumer home printing? My wife's most generous boss bought us a top of the line Epson 2200 printer, but I'm wondering if we could get by with something a little less. While I like the pigment-based inks, I don't make large format prints so I'm wondering if I the Epson 1280 or the upcoming R800 would be better suited for our needs.

    Also, anyone here have experience with the Canons? I've heard that they are FAST and are a good value.

    Ken
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Ken I have an Epson 3000 color inkjet printer, which I really don't use a whole lot. Most of my layouts are shown via PDFs these days. So, for the most part, the Epson sits unused.

    What I've found, and other graphic designers who have this same printer have confirmed, is that the printer is relatively cheap to buy, but the paper and ink are expensive. I don't know if that holds true for other Epson printers, however.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    we hear a lot of comments about the new look that Subaru is about to embark on, as well as the Bangled BMWs, and certainly the Aztek... But very little has been said about the new-look Audis, with their new mega-grille, or the new $.5 million Mercedes/McLaren SLR, which I think is hideous looking, especially from the front.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    is still RWD! You'd think they would offer the AWD found in the GMC Denali/Caddy Escalade.

    http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosinsider/0312/21/b01-14363.htm

    Still think the new turbo Legacy wagon (or Outback H-6) would make for an ideal police car.

    Bob
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Many of you who know me know I also own a '63 Studebaker Lark (hence my screen name). I'm also the editor of the newsletter for a regional chapter (Delaware Valley) of the international Studebaker Drivers Club. As an editor, I exchange copies of our newletter with editors from other chapters and they do the same.

    On Friday I got a newsletter with an interesting tech tip. Studebakers were/are notorious oil leakers; I've managed to stop most of the ones in my Lark but I still keep a car diaper under it in the garage. Someone has discovered a fix at least for leaks coming from the rocker cover area of Stude V8s and OHV (not flathead) inline sixes. The fix is to use a gasket kit, part number VS-13, available at NAPA stores. The NAPA gaskets are vulcanized to a cupped steel washer, eliminating the need for additional metal washers, and are tapered such that they are self-centering and create a positive seal.

    Why is any of this relevant here? The NAPA gasket kit is designed for the 1.8L flat four found in late '80s-early '90s Subaru DLs, GLs and Loyales.

    Ed
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Bob - read the rest of the sentence after "RWD only" in the article: "...the preferred technology of driving purists". Perhaps not your choice, but it is the choice of the majority of police departments in America. Police officers are trained in handling a RWD vehicle and having to relearn is an expensive and a sometimes futile task.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ken: definintely look at the long-term costs. Look at the cost of the cartridges, availability of generics, and even types of paper recommended. CR said using the same brand of printer and paper generally produced best results.

    The good news? Costco has 100 sheets of Epson photo paper cheap, $20 IIRC. That's what I use. You can print three 4"x6", two 5"x7", or one enlargement (8"x10") per page. So I'd look for an Epson printer if I had the choice today, and ink was not unusually expensive.

    Bob: Audi's new grills is a bit much. I'll give them leeway because otherwise they look great.

    The McLaren Mercedes is hideous, I agree. So it the Ferrari Enzo. Note that I fully expect 90% of people out there to disagree with me, exotics are what they are and people adjust their tastes to whatever looks they come with. Sure, I love the performance (she's got a great personality...), but face it, a Tiburon makes either one look ugly.

    Fleet cars do a lot of miles and require lots of maintenance. RWD layout makes it easy to service, I think that's a big part of the appeal. Cheap to buy, cheap to run, cheap to service.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I don't think re-learning AWD has anything to do with it. I think juice is right, at all boils down to costs -- and old beliefs, which are hard to break. There's no question AWD is better in foul weather than RWD. If you get away from the United States, you'll find plenty of police departments use Subarus.

    Bob
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    "...all boils down to costs." Which is what I said - retraining departments is expensive. I've read many articles pertaining to the attempts to introduce FWD into police forces and it has made few inroads as departments/officers can't/won't learn the dynamics of a FWD vehicle.

    "There's no question AWD is better in foul weather than RWD. If you get away from the United States, you'll find plenty of police departments use Subarus." I don't disagree that AWD is better in foul weather but police departments have many other factors to meet as well. US departments typically want RWD, large, heavy duty so the mfrs that want the business meet the specification - hence the Tahoe RWD. Would a current Sube be rugged enough (or big enough to carry all electronics) to survive the rigors of NYC/Chicago/Boston police service? I don't know.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Local police have stopped using Tahoes because even with 2WD they were too expensive to operate. Most use Crown Vics.

    -juice
  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    Our little community of Eureka, CA is in a battle to keep a Liquified Natural Gas transfer facility from being built in Humboldt Bay. Anyone here from Boston with info on the LNG plant there? It happens to be the only such active plant in North America.

    Thanks and sorry for the OT post but we need help.

    bit
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    My daughter has a good friend in Eureka, CA. He will be visiting his family near Dallas at Christmas, but is then flying to Indiana to visit her a few days just after. (All the connections ...)
  • rangnerrangner Member Posts: 336
    Do you use natural gas? Just a thought, but it seems these days everyone wants to use all products, but they get angry if a factory that produces the products they buy shows up in their backyard.

    Please people...anywhere is somebody's backyard, so give the protesting a rest.

    Eric
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