Subaru Crew Cafe

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Comments

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Colin: sorry 'bout that, at least you weren't hurt, nor was anyone else.

    That's just about what happened to me in my Miata, 'cept I got lucky and caught it. Or it caught itself. I parked it and went tire shopping immediately, but I'm not sure it was just the tires...

    I'm guessing it's a total loss. Front bumper, 1/4 panel, door, rear 1/4, rear bumper, rim, tire, plus any hidden damage? On a Bimmer? Parts cost a fortune.

    That happened to my Escort GT, except I was hit. They totalled it for $3000, I had damage to the same side, but door and front quarter only. Considering you have more than twice as much damage, I think they'll cut you a check and auction it off.

    I was hit, so my insurance was not affected, but it was the most hassle-free way I have ever gotten rid of a car. Hope it works out for you that way (minus the higher premiums for the next 3 years, that is).

    -juice
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Glad you're ok. As for the car - they might repair it. At it's age, the insurance company will dictate aftermarket parts so the cost might not be as bad.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    many of the parts have no aftermarket equivalent. went through this last year when it was struck by older gentleman in a parking lot...

    called in the claim, it's being towed to a preferred body shop.

    -c
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    that Colin McRae is racing in the Paris-to-Dakar Rally! I'd love to see Subaru put forth an entry in this race...

    http://www.colinmcrae.com/

    Colin Commits to Paris-Dakar - 19/11/2003

    British star Colin McRae will contest the 2004 Paris-Dakar endurance event after signing to drive Nissan’s Double Cab 4x4.

    The 1995 World Rally Champion had always said the event was something he would like to participate in and signing to drive for Nissan is a big day in the Scot’s books.

    "It's something I've always wanted to do," said McRae. "I always enjoyed the Safari, especially the old Safaris, an event where you could pace yourself, but it's very much a learning year for me."

    McRae’s co-driver for the event will be Tina Thorner, a veteran of the Paris-Dakar, and his team-mate is four-time winner Ari Vatanen.


    BTW, this will again be on the Speed channel staring tomorrow (Sat. 1/3/04) ~ 9:00 - 9:30 pm.

    Bob
  • goneskiiangoneskiian Member Posts: 381
    Colin - Glad to hear you're ok.

    -Ian
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Test drove one today. Wife had one of those freebie offers, $50 at Sharper Image. I'm sure we'll get a cordless air cleaner/iron/golf putter or something with the gift card.

    Any way, wow, was I underwhelmed. Worst vehicle I have test driven in...ever, maybe? So disappointing it's incredible.

    The seats are spongy, mushy even. No thigh support, cushions too short. There are 20 adjustments yet nothing made me comfortable. At least the Columbia fabric was nice.

    The brake handle is on the passenger side, Duh!

    Worst part was the Quadra Trac II. The 4WD systems whines incessently, I've never heard more driveline noise in my life! It was awful. Whirr-whirr-whirr the entire time. Salesman said it's normal, but goes away when it warms up. Nope. Kept whining the entire time.

    To give you an idea, it's louder than the fuel pump priming up on a Subaru. The entire time.

    Besides that, wind noise is all over the place. The engine groans loudly. NVH control is the worst I've ever seen since a very old Grand Wagoneer I tried in the 80s. You can tell the same people assembled them.

    OK, I gotta say something nice. The High Output V8 is torquey and when you want to hear the engine growl, it does.

    Um, that's about it. The back seat is only marginally roomier than the Forester, and also spongy. The moonroof is so-so, does not reach the back seat. Buttons seemed "sticky", not smooth.

    I bumped my head on the hatch when it was open, so it's not even tall enough. Cargo space is only so-so, and the spare tire cover is held in place by velcro (really).

    At least finish was decent, materials, again, about average.

    Handling was deliberate, tall and tippy but not as bad as the Liberty, I guess it's wider.

    I have never seen a vehicle more overdo for a make over than this one. The sales guy said the new one will get bigger, with 3 rows of seats and get a Hemi option.

    That's not what it needs, frankly. It needs a smooth AWD system, a smoother engine, and much better NVH control, all desperately.

    Honestly? They could not have given me one for free to replace Sandy.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Dodge's new Magnum wagon will be classified as a truck!

    http://waw.wardsauto.com/ar/auto_magnum_classified_truck/index.ht- m

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Oh man, that is sneaky!

    I heard CAFE is trying to close that loophole, there was an article in this week's Automotive News.

    -juice
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Reread the article: it says they expect it to be classified as a truck based on past experience with the PT and minivans.

    It's not a done deal.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    but the thought of this happening, or the possibility of it happening, just blows my mind...

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    but the thought of this happening, or the possibility of it happening, just blows my mind...

    Isn't this car, er, truck(?), supposed to replace the Intrepid?

    Bob
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    But you have to look who is doing the classification. If a major criteria for a vehicle being classified as a truck is the fact that it has removeable seats - well where does the blame lie??

    This vehicle is in a grey area as are all minivans, some Subes, most sport-utettes and a plethora a new vehicles coming out (GST, Pacific, Freestyle). It really is a car but because the market is demanding the utility of removeable seats, the gov't says it's a truck. That's the ludricous part.

    I don't know what the manufacturers have to do when they submit paperwork - is there a check off box for preferred classification? I mean the PT Cruiser is no more a truck than my Ody or any Forester is a truck.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    It makes no sense to me that this station wagon (that's what it really is) is the replacement for the Intrepid. Is the mainstream 4 door sedan market a segment that Dodge and Chrysler are abandoning?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Manufacturers are exploiting a CAFE loophole, and consumers are demanding crossovers.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Most people will see it for what it is, and see that DC is trying to exploit that loophole because that's the best they can do.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Check out this Chrysler supercar, which may see production!

    http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat- - - - _code=coverstory&loc_code=&content_code=02120930

    Click on Chrysler ME412 Concept Photo Gallery for all the shots of this car.

    http://www.autoweek.com/

    Bob
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    what an utter waste of money. glad I'm not a DCX shareholder! those fools.

    -c
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    "Most people will see it for what it is, and see that DC is trying to exploit that loophole because that's the best they can do."

    99% of the driving public won't even know and won't even care. Only us nuts on Edmund's would.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Did you trade in your car enthusiast hat, for a bean counter hat? :)

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    last night, driving his Nissan pickup in the opening stage of the Paris-Dakar last night?

    Bob
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I like concepts that make at least some sense. That one doesn't, and if the production model would be ~$450,000 I'm sure the concept was heinously expensive if it's even close to functional.

    NO ONE is going to buy a Chrysler-branded supercar nevermind that this type of vehicle would have extreme trouble selling as a Mercedes. (they did a supercar not long ago!)

    -c
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    is to explore the outer limits. A lot of concepts don't make sense, at least not to most people. Look at the Jeep Treo, and the Japanese, who are notorious for coming up with off-the-the-wall concepts, that make no sense to the average person.

    As to whether it will sell, well, that's why it is a "prototype," and not yet signed off for production. Depending on the response at the car shows and in the press will determine if there's a business case to back it up.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Honda & Toyota pickup concepts, Ford Bronco concept,and more...

    http://autoweek.com/specials/2004_detroit/

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    will have ~ 270 HP, with both systems running!

    http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_063777

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Not terribly impressed with what I see here. It looks like it might(?) have a Baja-like pass-through. Honda, as usual, is pretty vague about the details.

    Unlike the Baja, the size appears to be about right.

    http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_063782

    http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_063718

    Bob
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Um deja vu all over again??
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    vehicle to vehicle and dealer to dealer just to see if it's true.... lol!
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    quote: A winning customer may not win the vehicle they are sitting in. Someone sitting in a Chevrolet Suburban, for example, may win a Chevrolet Malibu. If a winner doesn't want the vehicle they win, say GM officials, the price of the vehicle will be applied to a vehicle they do want.

    mmm... C6. although having a real hard time figuring out any other GM I'd want. I suppose if it were free I'd take a Saab 9-3.

    -Colin
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    CTS V series?

    Actually, for me I'd take an AWD SRX V8. Grossly overpriced but if someone else is paying I'll gladly take it.

    Solistice is a great idea. I hope they really do keep the price down, some say under $20k.

    Highlander with 270hp sounds good to me. There is Subaru's target for their 7 seater.

    -juice
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    "If a winner doesn't want the vehicle they win, say GM officials, the price of the vehicle will be applied to a vehicle they do want."

    Hmmmm - think they'd bring over and certify for me a Holden Commodore SS Wagon??
  • SylviaSylvia Member Posts: 1,636
    Hello everyone! I'm sure Legacy and Outback owners have seen this is in the main vehicle discussion already, but....

    A reporter wants to interview Subaru Legacy and Outback owners. Please respond to Hakim@nytimes.com by Thursday noon Eastern Standard Time.

    Let's see who in the "Crew" makes headlines next!
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    let's see what happens.
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Any updates on the M3?

     Loosh, any news re the head gaskets? or are you just going to uload it?

      Cheers Pat.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I decided on going through a preferred provider that my insurer (Allstate) suggests because I know of their reputation-- never used them myself-- and they are fairly close. it's supposed to be super easy; no adjuster, just call the bodyshop and they send a tow truck and estimate in house.

    they were closed friday, which was reasonable. I called them first thing monday and gave them my work number so they could let me know when the tow truck was coming. no response all day, so around 3 PM I call back... yeah, calling them right now. (grr!)

    tuesday around 10 AM, nothing. call again. thought I embarrassed them, which they should be after this kind of lack of performance or at least timely updates, but apparently not... wrecker finally shows up at 7 PM last night.

    I ask the driver if he needs me to pull out into the street, because while it's not real driveable it could be done. He says nah it's fine where it is in the garage. The garage floor is reasonably level but the driveway inclines a bit.

    He gets the car winched up and starts to try to elevate the flatbed. The tow truck starts rolling a bit! When the bed goes back down, it stops. After a few attempts at this (and checking the parking brake in the truck, which IMO must've needed adjustment) he remembers he has a big wheel chock and stuffs that in front of a rear wheel. OK now we're cooking, gets the ramp elevated and...

    Forgot to put the M3 in gear or set the handbrake. It rolls back another two feet thanks to the slope of the driveway and smacks the front guard on the flatbed. It was dark and I already had pics so I didn't care, but I think he got lucky and nothing besides the bumper cover was damaged. However if the rear decklid or anything else is damaged though, that'll be fun sorting it out between the towing company and my insurance... but really it's not my problem.

    Just got off the phone with them checking to see if they're done with the estimate. ...They have it at $6100 right now. No structural damage, replace front and rear quarterpanels with new, replace both right side wheels and tires, replace hood and headlight trim (it's more like a fascia)-- all that new-- and replace rear bumper and passenger door, used. As I suspected no aftermarket parts available for any of it.

    They're faxing over authorization to begin repairs so I don't have to go down there. Cool.

    Oh and the guy seemed like a good man so I asked to PDR a quarter-sized ding on the driver's door. $50 or so cash on me, I'll pay that when I pay my deductable.

    -Colin
  • goneskiiangoneskiian Member Posts: 381
    Colin,
    Bummer about your M3. Sounds like about what you were expecting though. Heck and they'll even keep it until the snow melts so as to keep you from hitting any more guardrails. j/k ;-)

    -Ian
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    They are repairing it? I am really surprised since that is half market value, and the salvage cost for an M3 has to exceed half market value.

      Traditionally these ratios would spell write off, how do you feel about having it repaired Colin? will you have to reveal the repairs on resale? If you do this is bound to affect resale value.

    Would have suited you better to have had it totalled.

      Cheers Pat.
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    Colin- major bummer. Glad you are safe anyways.

    Pat- car has not overheated since. There's been some temp guage creep though, accompanied by loss of HVAC heat. ????? Wierd. I haven't had a spare second to deal with it and it is kind of stressing me out, to be honest. I don't like it when my things don't work, especially the things I really on so heavily. Year end was a madhouse, then off to TX, now back and knee-deep in new job description/responsibilities. No end in sight, either.
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    If you are planning on unloading it you may be lucky enough to be able to nurse until you trade.

      The thousand or so dollars in repair costs would be better spent on a new car.

      BTW when you lost coolant when the car overheated you likely have an air bubble causing the loss of heat in the HVAC.

      Cheers Pat.
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    I agree. I just wish we could get a sale date and pricing on the new Legacy so I could make a bloody decision without remorse. Grrr.

    Loss of heat only happens when the temp creeps up to maybe 3/4 hot. After a few seconds it returns to normal, along with the interior heat.
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    I am well aware of the grief of trying to reach a good decision, you should not have to wait much longer.Thats indicative of an airlock in the system, you may also have a duff water pump.

      Cheers Pat.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I agree with Pat. Burp the cooling system by elevating the front of the vehicle slightly and running with the radiator cap off for at least 10 minutes (watch the temp gauge though, don't let it overheat). If that doesn't do it, next is the water pump which is fairly easy on the EJ series engine. Although with a DOHC car and just one belt driving it all, bleh. :(

    Pat, regarding repairing the M3... I really don't care. Totalling it would be a bigger claim and likely bigger hit on my insurance. If the frame is intact, which I'm sure it is, then I have full confidence disclosing the repairs to a prospective buyer and would encourage them to pay for a pre-purchase inspection to validate my claims. IMO a new, freshly painted hood with no stone chips is more valuable than the original paint with 80k miles worth of chips. After this is done the roof and trunklid will be the only bits of the car with more than 18 month old paint.

    It's still a fast, gorgeous car and I suspect that alone will be plenty to move it to the right purchaser. Plus I have reasonable expectations about what I can get for it.

    -Colin
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    Sorry about your M3... didn't even notice you mentioned it :-( *sheesh*
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