Subaru Crew Cafe

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  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Indian food at Shaan NYC. No tortillas but some bread that looked like torillas. :-)

    -Dennis
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I had breakfast in DE with Hypov near Tirerack, then drove to NJ and unloaded the tires at the shop, then went home to get the legacy and go to work at 3pm So far I've driven about 220miles today. By the time I sleep tomorrow morning at 6am @ Limerock I will have hit probably about 450+, then sleep for an hour, and do 80+ miles on track.

    -mike
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    That's very impressive. Making that lifestyle change is a lot of work and dedication. I'm sure the running has A LOT to do with it. Keep it up!

    I also forced a lifestyle change about five years ago by adding regular running into my routine. I shed 20 lbs and have kept it off since.

    No one ever has time for exercise. You have to make time.

    Ken
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Just was reading through the NY Autoshow area on edmunds. I see it comes in AWD and V8. Yum yum. I'll take that 320hp V8 Caddy! I'd lease it of course since it may fall apart in a few years.

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Do I detect a hint of "Bangle-Butt" influence at the new RL's tailight/rear deck merge?

    http://www.acura.com/index.asp

    Go to the RL pop-up, then to gallery.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I should thank Frank - he motivated me to hit the step machine. After dusting it off, of course!

    Dennis: sounds like Naan. Mmmmm

    RL Bangled? Nah, I like it. The rear is its least appealing angle, though. Thing is, the trunk isn't hump-backed. Some curves aren't totally sorted, but it caves in a little, Bangle's trunks jump out hideously, mismatching the rest of the car's design.

    Not the RL. It's not perfectly sorted, but it does echo the rest of the design.

    Overall I find it handsome, the RL that is. I'll take that, with AWD, over the STS mike liked.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    but I can definitely see a hint of the BMW 7 Series where the tail light and rear deck merge. Take a close look at the rear image in that Acura link I posted.

    Bob
  • twrxtwrx Member Posts: 647
    It would be nice if they dropped the NSX v 6 in it.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The trunk lid isn't that well integrated, that's probably the least flattering view of the car.

    Still, it's caved in slightly, but the design matches the rest of the car.

    Bangle is all about hideous eye-sore sticking-out hunch-back nasty bulging trunk lids that jump out and smack you in the face and kid nap your kids.

    I have strong opinions about Bangle as you can see. :o)

    -juice
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    I think the new RL is the best looking Acura sedan now. I liked the previous TL, the new one doesn't sit well with me.

    -Brian
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Still FWD based-transversemounted motor. I dunno why but I like symetry in my cars and a transverse motor doesn't do it for me. I'll take AWD Longitudially mounted motor any day.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Good point, mike. I would like to drive it to get an idea for the center of gravity and things like that. Also curb weight.

    STS' V8 prolly is longitudinally mounted, right?

    -juice
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    Thanks! My downfall to adding the pounds was due to a career change and having a couple of babies. In my previous life as a pro dancer and wannabe actress, I was on my feet and moving up to 14 hours a day. Of course, I could eat everything in mass quantities and still fit into a size 3. It's not been easy, but I don't concentrate on the numbers (step on the scale only once a month) as much as just working on the physical fitness part.

    Btw, anyone notice the "reply" feature?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Just now, yes.

    -juice
  • ldbrickerldbricker Member Posts: 140
    the Lexus 430 from a rear quarter angle. It's definitely just too plain and too big to suit me.
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    All that activity and you mean to tell me you're only going to get an hour of sleep before you do a track day? Please tell me it ain't so.

    Ed
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Just some quick comments:

    * New Xterra looks really good in person.

    * New Dakota looks like it can handle 4x8 panelling flat on the rear floor, much like the original Toyota T100. The vehicle appears to be very close in size to that old Toyota too; sort of a full-size-lite, rather than mid-size.

    * RL also looks good. Juice, even Dave, when he saw the rear of the RL, said it looks like a 7-series BMW -- without my prompting. Clearly Bangle influenced.

    * Speaking of Bangle's influence, I saw it again in the new Lexus concept, with very Bangle/BMW-like creases and curves on the body, and also very handsome.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I don't think so. The power is split 30/70, and I don't know what the default is. When you accelerate more power is sent to the rear, I know that.

    The big advantage of the RL's AWD is that it sends power to the outside rear wheels as you're going through corners.

    Bob
  • ldbrickerldbricker Member Posts: 140
    is the worst thing that can happen to a car if we're talking about the current 5 and 7. Those are the most hideous vehicles imaginable and how a company with a history of magnificent looking vehicles could let something like that wear their name is unfathomable. The only BMW worth buying new is now the 3 series. It should be good for owners of the previous generations though since people will have to compete for their preowned cars to avoid driving something embarrassing.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    is just because it was Bangle-Influenced, doesn't mean it "has to be" ugly. I think Acura and Lexus took some of Bangles ideas, and re-executed them in a very tasteful manner. I think both the RL and Lexus are very handsome.

    Bob
  • ldbrickerldbricker Member Posts: 140
    than influence. As long as they change it enough to not resemble the BMW it wouldn't matter how much influence there is. As someone who has coveted BMW since the 3.0CS, with each generation improving dramatically, this latest iteration hits as an abomination. It may turn into the best ever for them but it will always be an ugly page in history to me.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    << Maybe resemblance would be a better choice than influence. >>

    IMO, it's unlikely the RL or Lexus would look as they do if the Bangle-designed cars hadn't preceded them. To me that's "influence," and not just mere "coincidence."

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    http://www.drivesubaru.com/

    In it a vision statement on their new design direction.

    Bob
  • ldbrickerldbricker Member Posts: 140
    I didn't mean there wasn't an influence to them, just that as long as the influence doesn't result in too close a resemblance it's not a bad influence. I'd just hate to see any other makers as badly influenced as BMW has been in this latest generation.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    New Grand Cherokee and Liberty were at "Camp Jeep" at the NY auto show.

    I have no doubt the new GC is the best GC yet. However, this is the GC Jeep should have introduced 5 years ago when the current model was introduced. As nice as it is, I just don't think it has enough "wow" factor to keep it competitive for another 5 years or so...

    As to the Liberty, it looks like a wuss next to the new Xterra.

    Bob
  • hammerheadhammerhead Member Posts: 907
    And the reply feature works, as proven right here, right now!

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Mucho pixs!

    http://gallery.dealerrater.com/gallery/shows.asp?galleryid=5

    There are 1003 photos here, and the only images Subie related are those of their driving simulator. There's not one shot of the new Legacy or Outback.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    In that it's got a transversally mounted motor. Also I've experienced the "traction control" via brake effort v. mechanically and the brake-based ones just boil your brake fluid, even on a $90K E55 AMG.

    -mike
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    I know I haven't been on here in a week or so, but I felt I had to comment ...

    I had thought this was an 'off-topic' area to be able to discuss other car makes/etc, but also just sort of like a group of friends sitting around talking in a .. well ... a cafe ...

    and friends DO discuss politics occasionally .. and maybe it's a bit more on Pat's mind as he has a daughter IN the service of the US Army ...

    mike, if you don't AGREE with someone, you can choose to comment on it and give your side (as friends do) or you can just IGNORE it and "agree to disagree" (as friends ALSO do)...

    seems to me if someone doesn't agree with YOU then it becomes a problem ...

    OK .. I'm back to non-confrontational chat now .... how 'bout that Subaru AWD ..?
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    but if more of the power is always sent to the rear wheels (as when accelerating), what's the difference? It's still a permanent full-time AWD.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    It's a better AWD system than the part-time awd systems, but for me personally having a F-R Longitudially mounted motor and non-brake-induced AWD works better for my particular needs and is less complex and likely to break than the ones that employ brakes to control the power.

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    have nothing to do with where the power is being sent.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    true LSDs? I was figuring it used similar systems as the MB/VDC/Etc where it uses brakes to divert power to each side.

    Edit: Did a search and found some specs on the system. Doesn't use braking which is good. It actually uses a system that is very similar to the TOD system used in the trooper for the T-case, electromagnetic clutches. Not bad, works real well, I wouldn't be suprised if Borg-Warner worked with Hondah on it.

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Read this link. It explains it all.

    http://world.honda.com/news/2004/4040401.html

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    But definitely a good one. A first for the rear diffy however at least as far as I know.

    Now if they could figure out that the motor needs to go F-R they'd really have something! :)

    -mike
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    did someone forget to feed to hampsters again this morning?

    -Frank P.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Dakota's really that big, eh? Wow. AN article says Subaru may cancel the Baja after MY2006. Too bad, they may have had the compact segment all to themselves.

    As for what Bangle style means, to me it's not the creases but the concave surfaces and specifically the hump-backed trunk.

    Think about it - Ford's New Edge and GM's Art & Science both used creases before Bangle ever did. Look at the BMW Z3 - that was one of Bangle's early designs.

    So to me Bangle = concave surfaces and hump backs. The RL has neither. Not sure about the Lexus but I'll have to look it up.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Even the concave surfaces first appeared on the Toyota Celica, now that I think about it.

    -juice
  • atlgaxtatlgaxt Member Posts: 501
    It is about a foot shorter than a RAM, and between 6" to 1' shorter than other fullsize (comparing crew to crew and extended cab to extended cab). The idea of a midsized truck was appealing. I'm not sure what the point is of a truck that is slightly smaller than a full size.

    However, one significant difference that may make parking a Dakota easier is that while I don't have all the numbers in front of me, I think it is probably 6" to 8" narrower than the full sized ones, which is a more significant difference, relatively or proportionately speaking.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    OK, just looked again.

    The RL has a very, very slight character line on the rear deck lid, I'm sure that's what Dave noticed. It's subtle, though, and the big difference IMO is that the design is flowing, consistent front to back, even consistent inside to out.

    As for the Lexus, were you referring to the LF-C concept?

    I don't see much BMW influence there at all. In fact the side remind me of the Crossfire. There is a little Audi in the grille that protrudes out. The rear reminds me of some TVRs, very unique.

    As for the creases, again, I'd give credit to Ford. Look at the old Mercury Cougar and those lines are almost identical. That's pure Ford New Edge, not Bangle.

    Bangle has the mis-matched shapes and concave surfaces, the Lexus has none of that. No eye brows, no hunch back.

    Honestly I think you guys are giving Bangle WAAAAAAAAAY too much credit for influencing the industry.

    -juice
  • ldbrickerldbricker Member Posts: 140
    more power to you however I recall "designs" in my daughters diapers that were more appealing than the hideous 7 series and 5 series. Personally I have to hope whatever influence he has is minor and quickly forgotten. There are other cars that have erred but none so intensely and none that made me nauseous to consider like these do. BMW has gone from atop the dream list to the scream list. YMMV.

    p.s. next time maybe I'll say what's really on my mind.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, beat around the bush, like me! ;-)

    We should find out if Bangle had kids right before he starting designing, they say they look for inspirations in things you see in every day life!

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    is about what the original Toyota T100 was, which IMO, is just about perfect for the average homeowner; not too big, and not too small.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It never sold that well, though.

    Wonder which compact/mid-size pickup will lead in sales now that they keep growing? Is Ford Ranger still the best seller? That's ancient and kinda small.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    was a very good truck. Unfortunately, many "truckers" insist that bigger = better. Those who passed on that model missed out on a good truck.

    The new Dakota, because it can be had with a V8, I'm sure will do better.

    Bob
  • atlgaxtatlgaxt Member Posts: 501
    After a long period of minimal investment and declining sales for small pickups, Chevy / GMC came in with new trucks in 2004, and Dodge, Nissan and Toyota are coming in in 2005. Hopefully this will re-invigorate this product category, because I have always believed that small trucks are all that most personal users really need, except for the fact that they don't have that macho image.

    I think Ranger still leads in sales, but that could change with all the new competition until Ford comes out with their revamped one. I have been happy with my Mazda B4000 (Ranger twin) and although it is an old design, IMHO it drives as well as any of the smaller trucks currently out there, even including the new GM twins. I'm guessing the new Toyota, Nissan and Dodge will put it to shame, although I am not really sure if the new Dakota is a competitor to this class or to the full sized class.

    I'd like to switch out to something with more passenger room within the next year, but as of yet can't decide which direction to go (4 door pickup, SUV, new Outback). For my work I need some off road capability, and can't decide if a utility trailer and SUV (or Outback) is an alternative to a pick-up.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    The new Colorado/Canyon are now the size of the old Dakota, and the Dakota is now a full-size lite. The new Frontier and Tacoma are also getting bigger. Only the (ancient) Ranger remains small.

    Bob
  • ldbrickerldbricker Member Posts: 140
    by far. Wife's Ranger was junk by 50k miles and it was a 2000 so it wasn't really old. Chevy now only goes as small as the new Colorado, which isn't a small truck by any means. I think the Ranger size is now a class of 1. If I were buying a truck now and the Baja fit my needs sizewise I'd go for that. If I had to go bigger I'd look at the Colorado. If I had to go bigger still I might look at the Nissan and come to own my first Nissan in 47 yrs of lifetime.
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