Subaru Crew Cafe

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Comments

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ken: I prefer the A6, actually. The new A4 is too anonymous. It's just the A6 is not "new" any more.

    Brian: Fords, Chevys, and Chryslers sound like that even when they're running.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    ...posting here instead of MTM though for obvious reasons.

    Wow. It ended up costing me my Impreza RS plus $11.5k. For review the Impreza was a 1999, 44k miles, stonechips galore and all kinds of scratches on the plastic/vinyl from my doggies. Doggies don't set one paw in the M3...

    I love it. Now I've got to finish packing so I can move tomorrow since I spent some time today buying and driving. Doh!

    -Colin
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Colin,

    Congrats! Well that makes two for Subaru Crew members with new rides.

    Keep us updated on your M3 experience. Good luck with the move.

    Ken
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Looks like Autosite.com finally updated their sales #'s through April. Enjoy!
    SUV's
    Sedan's
    Coupe's
    Convertible's
    Wagon's
    Truck's
    Van's

    -Brian
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Congrats, Colin, I hope it serves you well. I'm sure it'll be a hoot to own.

    By the way, the judges deliberated and you're still a Crew member by a vote of 5-4, but only because it's not FWD and uses a longitudinal engine layout. ;-)

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Thanks for the well wishes Juice and Ken.

    I was hoping I could still be a Crew member! I promise I won't talk about BMW in the non-Cafe forums as much as Paisan talks about Isuzu. ;-)

    (just teasing, Mike.)

    Probably won't get to drive for fun through the next week or so as I get settled into the new house. But the good news is my shoulder feels completely back to normal. See? Doctor-schmockter. :-D

    -Colin
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    I almost had a heart attack last night. I had just come back with the OB (trailer attached with a borrowed rototiller) {had to tie this story to the Subaru somehow...}, when Beth pulled in with the Odyssey (3 months old). On the way back from the local grocery she cut the apex of a turn, as she often does. Only this time, a state road crew had just completed painting a new double yellow stripe!!

    The drivers side looked like something the New York City Taxi Authority would have been proud of. Wheel wells completely yellow, rims, tires, sills, rear bumper, rooster tails up the sides of the van - and already dry to the touch.

    Tried a garden hose first, but useless. Got out the pressure washer (Generac electric - 1400psi/1.5gpm) and it was somewhat effective, but painfully slow. Decided it was time for some chemistry. The little can of bug/tar remover worked, but not enough of it. Finally tried the 'deck and siding' pressure washer concentrate and applied it undiluted with a sponge. When left on for a few minutes, the washer was much more effective. Got about 90% of it off with an hours plus of work, and will have to complete the job this evening.

    Will have to wash and wax this weekend, as it left the finish looking dull. Hopefully I didn't damage the clearcoat, but I didn't know what else to do....

    Steve
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    So Steve,

    How's the wife going to pay you back for that hard work after her boo-boo?

    -Colin
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Glad to hear you feel better Colin. Now get back to moving in! :-)

    Steve: I was thinking - wax it soon.

    -juice
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    We weren't having a good day to start with, so this was just icing on the cake. I know it was an accident, and don't blame her. But I was annoyed that she showed little remorse for my time and effort. Oh, well... no nookie tonight...

    Colin: Best of luck with the new wheels....

    Steve
  • ffsteveffsteve Member Posts: 243
    Locke, congratulations on the new BMW (even if it is broken in by someone else). I'm sure you're going to enjoy it. Please let me echo the others in encouraging you to come back and let us know how and what you're doing with it.

    Steve (fibber), Wow, I've never seen road paint so new that it splashed up like that! I agree with Juice on the rapid application of wax, but you might use a "cleaning" wax or try a fine rubbing compound. Clay stick? A protective coat of wax won't necessarily remove the remains of the yellow paint, I think you'll need a mild abrasive - more abrasive the longer it has to dry...

    ffsteve
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Thanks Steve.

    I've owned a number of used cars before so I'm not worried. None of them has been as expensive as this one, true, but none of them have been so obviously well-cared for either.

    -Colin
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Don't say used. It's pre-owned. ;-)

    -juice
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    Check these out

    1/18th scale wagon...also comes in silver(Stephen!!!)

     image

    1/43rd scale GTB wagon

    image

    1/43rd scale B4 Sedan

    image

    image
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Still no Forester - DOH!

    -juice
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    not the way I intend on having a B4! I prefer the real thing! :) Do they have a blue one?

    Cool nonetheless. Haven't seen any scale model Subies in stores around here. Patti - does Subaru have to license anything to allow Matchbox or HotWheels or Ertel or ??? to make small scale Subies?

    -Brian
  • jeijei Member Posts: 143
    lilbluewgn02- Is the 1/18 WRX wagon actually available? If so, where?

    John
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Hilarious: Associated Press.
    "Consumer Reports, the magazine that uncovers safety problems in everything from appliances to beauty products, says it is guilty of giving consumers a potentially dangerous product. The magazine...is recalling 15,000 glove compartment organizers.

    The kits contain a flashlight that can overheat and melt the case and a tire pressure gauge that gives inaccurate readings...

    The (NHTSA) says customers should remove the batteries and throw out the flashlight and gauge."

    -mike
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    here is the website with the wagon

    http://www.minimports.com/store/index.html

    -the only Serge-
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    paisan: I rate that not acceptable, and those tire guages AND the flash lights are also prone to rolling over! LOL

    How ironic, eh?

    -juice
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    must be in the dark about how that happened...the situation has left their egos deflated!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I wonder if it'll make their very own recalls page?

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Goes to show that not even mighty CR is prone to poor products.

    At least they're doing the right thing by recalling.

    Ken
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    I just ordered a silver wagon model. Hopefully, I'll have it before the big Vancouver, B.C. Meet on May 19th. Thanks for the link! :-)

    Stephen
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    mentioned that CR would put their own Recall in their Recall page.

    -Brian
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    Did you see they listed the model at 10 feet instead of 10 inches. Wow, now that's a DEAL!!

    "Introducing the new 2001+ Subaru Wagon WRX diecast. You won't believe the quality of this 10' long diecast. Available in SILVER or BLUE. Click for more info."

    Stephen
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Stephen-
    Maybe it's the real thing... for 1/18th scale of the dollar - I'll take one no make that two. =D

    -Dave
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    ford has been using the same noisy power steering pump in all their rear wheel and 4 wheel drive cars and trucks for ages. I recognize THAT sound anywhere.

    My Legacy goes "brullen-brullen-brullen-brullen-"

    colin- doh! that's not a lot for the trade, huh? Oh well. that E36 rocks. There is just no way a coupe is gonna cut it for us. Even the Mini, which Q desperately wants, is pretty impractical in the end for a cellist and a bassist.
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    my OB has been sounding like 'blitzen, blitzen, blitzen'

    ;-)

    -Brian
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hey, my toddler could drive a 10 footer!

    -juice
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    It's the American way...bigger is better...bigger portions, bigger models!
    I have a 2001 WRC model made by Autoart (ebay for $45)..they have good stuff for the money. I am waiting for my ebay guy to get the wagon, and will also get the 1/43rd Legacy for Susan.
    BTW, your car looks great. I am SOOOOO jealous. I will get to the mods eventually
    Here is my car...got to get a case for it
    image
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    That model of yours looks great. It looks as if it has great detail. I could've waited for the wagon model on ebay perhaps, but I really want it before the Vancouver Meet. It will compliment Mr.Mahoney, my trunk monkey, LOL!

    Thanks for the compliment on the wagon. I should have either the STi grille or solid foglight covers coming today from Vividracing. Hopefully both will be included in the shipment. I've waited for almost a month for the grille. I have to call my painting guy to see if he's finished w/the STi hoodscoop I got a few weeks back. Today, I retorqued my STi (replica) front strut bar and Cusco rear strut bar. These really do make more of a difference in handling than I thought they would, especially in the rear for the wagon. I'm going to see about getting my windows tinted before the May 19th Meet. I've wanted to have them tinted for a while but other mods (as you can see...)have pre-empted it. :-)

    Stephen
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    With summer here already in FL, we will be tinting both cars soon...probably 3M metallic in a 35% or less, but not below 20%; don't like it too dark for night time driving.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    from moving my daughter back from UNCW for the summer. The wife and I had some time to kill yesterday morning, before we could get into her dorm, so we ventured a bit further south to Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and other points south. We got down to the NC Aquarium, and noticed that nearby there was a beach access there for 4x4s. So, never refusing a chance to drive on the beach, I ventured forth...

    I was in our Explorer, and not equipped for beach travel (no tire gauge, air pump, shovel, tow strap, or board). Normally I would have all, or some of that equipment with me, however, we needed all the room possible for her dorm stuff. So all that was left at home.

    Well, no sooner did I get out in the sand, I discovered it was some of the softest sand that I had ever traveled in. I didn't lower the tire pressure because I didn't know where I could "air-up" again, so I ventured forth with around 32 PSI, and came close to getting stuck. I didn't, but I had to pay very close attention to what I was doing, in order not to. I did put it in 4WD high, and not 4WD Auto. I had a lot of trouble even getting out of my tire tracks, the car wouldn't budge from the tire grooves that I was in, and had to drive at least a mile before I hit hard packed sand where I could turn around with ease.

    Interestingly I saw a new Ford Escape having no problem with the sand at all.

    Once I got back, I happened to run into a Park Ranger who said he had the same tires (Goodyear Wrangler ATS) as I do on his F-150, and aired down to around 20 PSI, he has no problems at all. You have be careful with tires like the ATS. They have a fairly aggressive tire tread pattern, and tend to dig (rather than float) very easily in the sand.

    So, it was a bit of a nail biter for a while, but I survived.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Didn't realize what school she attended, they must have been psyched when they won in the first rounds of the NCAAs.

    Escapes are much lighter, and probably have tires just as wide. Plus, he may have aired down.

    Drew used to recommend a bicycle pump, basically.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I think they beat USC in the first round! It put them on the map!

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Usually you think of the other UNC in March!

    How's the Prelude running? All fixed up? You gonna try to milk it for a little longer, then maybe buy something at the end of the summer?

    TS wagons are as low as $16,681, hard to resist. At some point you just gotta dump the old car and give yourself a fresh start. We blew $2300 on the 626, and my dad has invested upwards of $6 grand on his Taurus wagon.

    When he saw ours he thought about getting a similar one for my little sister, but he'll probably do it when she's closer to graduating college (she's at MD).

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    She saw an Outback Sport, and liked it—but she loved the new Forester! She sat in a XS Premium w/o leather today. She's grown to appreciate the Forester, now that she had my wife's car for the last 6 weeks...

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    What's the price range? XS Premiums will likely run $23k or more, which is a lot more than an Outback Sport.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I was more into answering my daughter's questions, and talking with the salesman. I know it was well over $23K, probably closer to $26K.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You gotta set boundaries, Bob! Aren't you gonna help pay for that thing?

    I'll bet she wants the moon and the sky! ;-)

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    we would never get her that, and she knows it...

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    If a TS is almost $17 grand, it almost seems worth the stretch to a Legacy L ($18k) or a Forester L ($19k), don't you think?

    Depends on her expectations as far as equipment levels. The OBS is pretty well equipped for around that same price range.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    like a logical, sensible parent, not a single young woman. ;) I absolutely agree with you, but I think the OBS, considering her wants/needs is the best choice. She's short and now has a surfboard. The lower OBS (or TS) makes more sense, if she were to use the roof rack on a fairly regular basis. A Forester L (or X) would also be a good choice, although it's a bit more expensive; and it's taller than the OBS/TS, so the roof rack may(?) be harder for her to use.

    The OBS is my choice, only because of the packaging, and the price. However, we still haven't ruled out other brands, or even a used car yet. She needs to survey the market, and be comfortable with the choice; I've already done that.

    Bob
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Bob, you would've been amazed at the difference airing down does. I've driven on the beach maybe a dozen or so times. I was stuck 3 times and each of those, I aired down to between 16-25.
    After I listened to the 4X4 veterans and aired down further (13/14), I never got stuck again. Granted, this was a state park with a lot of air stations.

    This was in very deep soft summer sand. I've seen Explorers, Suburbans, lifted pick-ups and even Jeeps stuck.

    Definitely go for the OBS!

    -Dennis
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Airing down makes a world of difference.

    -mike
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    And of course all of those trips to the Pine Barrens.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Yeah, I probably should have, but not knowing where I could have aired back up, I decided not to. If I had gotten stuck, or almost stuck, I would have had no choice but to air down.

    OBS is my choice too, and she likes them too. We still need to look around, as we're still early into the process.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I tell you, a sudden layoff suddenly makes you very sensible!

    I say get a new XS Premium for the wife and give your daughter the Toaster. It doesn't make sense to give a college kid a brand new car to beat up on.

    I'd even get insurance quotes for her before I decided.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    << I say get a new XS Premium for the wife and give your daughter the Toaster. >>

    That's certainly a possibility, and we have talked about that too, albeit a (more) expensive alternative.

    << It doesn't make sense to give a college kid a brand new car to beat up on. >>

    I'm not worried about that. She's very responsible, and has her head screwed on right.

    Bob
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