Subaru Crew Cafe

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Comments

  • tincup47tincup47 Member Posts: 1,508
    Travis Pastrana actually lives between Annapolis and Davidsonville.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I knew it was in Anne Arundel County, just not sure exactly where.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Dave: ours was installed by Adler & Mandell in Rockville, MD, it was $900 installed. One-touch open/close, programmable to close when you remove the key. We did have it jam (closed) one time, they fixed it under warranty. They did suggest we get the tracks lubed every 2 years, so it's due now.

    It's an ASC Model 750, 17"x30" opening, bigger then your average roof but not even close to the ones in the Forester or 2005 Legacy. I'm not sure that would fit in the Impreza given the A-pillar to A-pillar bracing.

    That Honda isn't that impressive, it's the blockiest design I've seen in a minivan in years! Besides VCM, doesn't sound like it offers much innovation, either. If that's it you lose our bet, Bob.

    But...my guess is that's a JDM model.

    -juice
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    I just had an ASI 840 FF installed in my F-XT. It's the slightly larger cousin of the 750 juice has in their Legacy. 19.25" x 33" with all the same programmable features. Looks great (pics tomorrow I promise).

    http://americansunroofsinalfa.com/moonroof.html

    -Brian
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The control panel on my 750 is slightly different, but the description seems to fit. So mine is probably an ealier model, not FF?

    -juice
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    It probably is the same model, I don't know what the 'FF' is indicating. Any features listed that your 750 doesn't have? Maybe it went to 'FF' when they went to Inalfa (ASI) from ASC?

    -Brian
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    That Honda isn't that impressive, it's the blockiest design I've seen in a minivan in years! Besides VCM, doesn't sound like it offers much innovation, either. If that's it you lose our bet, Bob.

    But...my guess is that's a JDM model.

    Blocky is good IMO. Someone from the Odyssey forums mentioned that this vehicle is smaller than the current US-spec Odyssey. If that's the case, it's unlikely this is the vehicle we are getting.

    Bob
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    How much did that moonroof set you back?

    -Frank P
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    I made the moonroof part of the deal. I knew they dealt with a reputable shop in Racine, so I wasn't worried about quality. Plus, back when I first got my Outback in '00, I had gone to this same shop inquiring (don't know why I never did it) about a roof - $1,100 IIRC. And that's what they added on to the sale of the F-XT.

    I think the one Juice had installed is a tad smaller and was <$1k.

    -Brian
  • twrxtwrx Member Posts: 647
    If Honda carries off this VCM thing and gets much better mileage than any other minivan then it will be the innovation consumers are looking for at this moment it time. Its already the second best selling minivan.

    I hope the a VCM engine if it is good goes into the Pilot and the SUT. Honda is really trying hard to be as "green" as possible. Don't get me wrong, I like perforamance being a WRX owner but gas mileage is big now. I hope Subaru can get into better gas mileage soon. This I see as their major problem now, not the price of the 7 seater. Do I love my WRX? Yes but at over $2 a gallon for premium it is getting expensive. I am afraid that the timing of all the sub 20 mpg premium using turbos will work against Subaru at this time.

    Just my thoughts.

    TWRX
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    I am afraid that the timing of all the sub 20 mpg premium using turbos will work against Subaru at this time

    Good point. While some people are still buying large trucks and SUVs with 8-15mpg, car buyers are normally more sensitive to gas mileage. It could be a sore spot for Subaru. Just when they deliver the performance everyone has been asking for, all of a sudden fuel economy is a big point! Oh well, you can still buy a 2.5i Legacy/Outback and get excellent gas mileage. I'm curious to see what the gas mileage is for the new 250HP H6 models. The great mileage of the outgoing 212HP H6 was a real strong point in my opinion. As long as you wanted auto transmission, the H6 was a viable option compared to the H4.

    Craig
  • twrxtwrx Member Posts: 647
    The local dealer just got an H 6 LL Bean: 19/25. They also got 2 base Outbacks with the 2.5 and the auto trans: 22/28. I wonder if the 5 speed will do any better? That is not bad though, especially on regular gas.

    TWRX
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    19/25 is not too bad at all -- my 02 LL Bean was rated for 20/26 (and I get 22-24 on average and a high near 30mpg on a trip once). That's a lot of extra horsepower for not too much penalty. If driven conservatively, I bet the new H6 will also get good mileage.

    Craig
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I'm a car guy, and see it as a hobby not as a way to get to and from work, so milage isn't an issue for me. Only thing I want milage on is my towing rig. Then again I run my car at the track and have no problems pouring in 94 octane and burn 1-2 tanks a day! :)

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yes, mine was $900, and it is a tad smaller than Brian's. Plus I think the price went up since I got mine.

    Bruce: valid points. At least the 19/25 for the turbos is better than we expected (given the Forester XT's 18/23).

    Also, the Legacy gets better mileage than the OB, 22/30 for auto and 23/30 for MT5. The latter is very impressive for a 2.5l with AWD.

    -juice
  • twrxtwrx Member Posts: 647
    Juice, couple of questions. Is the h6 still premium suggested? Is the 19/25 for the turbos both mt and auto? Is the 19/25 for the turbos for both leg and ob?
  • ozman62ozman62 Member Posts: 229
    How about those Flames! Wow, who woulda thunk it. Now, can the Eastern Conference winner match up? Who is it going to be? It's really fun in Calgary right now, it's been so long coming. We want the Cup!
    Owen
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Juice and I also picked up the premier issue of "DRIVE Performance" magazine, which SOA is about to launch.

    It's a fun and informative read, however this issue was only 16 pages total. I was hoping for ~ 24 &#150; 32 pages.

    Bob
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Owen- Congrats to the Flames. I watched the end of the game and it was indeed exciting and I was happy for the fans.

    -Frank P
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    http://www.theautochannel.com/F/news/2004/05/21/196078.html
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Bruce: premium for H6 and turbo, yes. Not sure about the mileage - anyone have a brochure handy?

    But I do recall that the base OB is less efficient than the Legacy, but the turbo is not. Odd.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I like this car A LOT!

    http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=160127884&dealer_id=- 1854459&car_year=2001&search_type=used&make=AUDI&- model=S8&transmission=&distance=300&address=10312&amp- ;advanced=y&certified=n&max_mileage=&max_price=&m- in_price=&end_year=2005&start_year=1984&drive=&en- gine=&body_style=&advcd_on=y&doors=&fuel=&col- or=&cardist=66

    -mike
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    quite a lot of car for $40k. drove a '03 540i six speed with sport package and the works the other day-- awesome. $48k was the asking price and being a 5 series, it didn't have wonderful rear seat room.

    ~c
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Aluminum, too, but don't expect the upkeep to be cheap on that car.

    An Audi past warranty requires more braveness than I have. ;-)

    -juice
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    My boss bought a 99 A8 last year. It's an absoulutely beautiful car which he purchased at a tremendous steal - under $25K.

    The first breakdown on it was for an alternator. By the time it left Franz' hands, he was into for about $2,000. Of course he thought nothing of dropping off his old Volvo for it's quarterly service and dumping $1500 into it.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    A lot of my neighbors give their near-luxury cars to their kids once they're used up, but I see them get beat up and conclude they'd almost be better off with a new Civic or Outback Sport and a warranty.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Hmm $2000 for an alternator? Something is fishy, I'd just do it myself, parts probably run $200 at most. I will see when the time comes what I'll do, but definitely leaning towards something like that, or a used duramax crew-cab to replace the trooper.

    -mike
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Hmm $2000 for an alternator? Something is fishy...
    By the time he left the dealer with the tow, diagnostics, labor, special visa and airfare for Hans the Audi alternator expert....

    I'd just do it myself, parts probably run $200 at most.
    For many that would be the solution - I think he pays electricians to take care of burnt out bulbs.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    http://www.cleanairchoices.org/
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The PZEV models sure are. 23/30 mpg with a PZEV emissions rating is great considering the AWD. I bet the exhaust is cleaner than the ambient air in LA!

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Hmm $2000 for an alternator? Something is fishy...
    By the time he left the dealer with the tow, diagnostics, labor, special visa and airfare for Hans the Audi alternator expert....

    I'd just do it myself, parts probably run $200 at most.
    For many that would be the solution - I think he pays electricians to take care of burnt out bulbs.


    Ah ha nice! :)

    -mike
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    One of my college buddies had an Alfa-Romeo, which we nicknamed the "Alfa-Repairo" because the damn thing was always breaking down. His parents bought a used Audi (1989 model bought in 1991), and it was actually worse!! They literally spent thousands of dollars maintaining and fixing the car. I hope Audi got better, because observing that ownership experience definitely turned me off!

    Craig
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    for either a used LS400 or a new TL. Why? Repairs.

    It has been through 2 sets of brakes, both replaced under warranty (the car is 3 years old now), 2 electrical malfunctions, a leaking headline, and a transmission repair. He's scared to death of what happens when the warranty expires.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    the 2001 A8 paisan linked to with 40K-someodd-miles wouldn't be out of warranty until 2007 or 100k miles. it's certified pre-owned.

    be a fun car for 2-3 years! :)

    ~c
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    However, my experience with European cars in general has been bad. My gut feeling is that any "S" Audi, and especially the S8, will be pretty expensive to maintain.

    Bob
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    owning an M3, which I feel TONS better about mechanically and electronically, that most definitely is a true statement.

    the initial price of a vehicle has a heck of a lot to do with how much parts and labor will be on it in the future...

    ~c
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    If there was an alternative Japanese car, I'd go for it, however.... Until someone can point me to a "reliable" V8, AWD luxury car.... What can I do?

    It all depends on how my job goes though, and the Legacy will be my daily driver for a while :)

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Good point, mike, they're as rare as hen's teeth.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    drop the AWD and get an LS400 or Q45. although the Q's variable damping suspension is hella expensive to fix and breaks often.

    I was lusting over that 540 a bit. :-D

    ...but it was black. and, I'm not buying a $40k+ car unless I have a wife who makes what I do. ...or more! LOL

    ~c
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Get an older Q, the original, those were under-appreciated and should be cheap now.

    -juice
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Heck even Consumer Reports had a recent article dinging European manufacturers for slipping reliability ratings.

    -Frank P
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I wouldn't be at all surprised if an AWD Lexus or Infiniti V8 isn't just around the corner&#151;especially now that the '05 Acura RL will have AWD.

    Bob
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    I have a question for our Canadian members, and anyone who has travelled up north. My wife and I are looking into going to Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick at the end of August. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to stay, what to see? My wife is into the culture aspect, while I just want to drive around. I'm trying to figure out whether to stay in one place and drive from there, or just go as we can.
    Thanks,
    Mark

    -We would be flying in, as my wife seems to feel a 17 hour drive each way is not fun.
  • volkovvolkov Member Posts: 1,306
    Just got back from a 10 day trip back to Ottawa for a family wedding. Looks like I missed quite a bit. Seems to me that marketeing will be the big issue now if SOA/SOC want to break out of their current market share.
    Loved that Legacy vid, very impressive. Know how Juice felt. Got to ride my neighbours new STi the day I left. He had already fallen in love with driving it, but I was more than a little nervous as I had no idea what his driving skill level was as we took a 40km/h curve at 120. The car was rock solid though. Very impressive. He let me drive, and although very busy, I looooved the shifting on that transmission. Very crisp, very smooth. I know that some of that can be gained with a short shifter and bushing upgrade, but the WRX tranny is not in the same league. Paisan will be happy to know that the test drive has me yearning for sway bars, stiffer springs and 17's more than the extra HP.

    Volkov
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I haven't forgotten your plate they are due in late this week or early next week. :)

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    drop the AWD and get an LS400 or Q45. although the Q's variable damping suspension is hella expensive to fix and breaks often.

    Unfortunately I can't drop the AWD requirement, the Q45 is ok, the Lexus does nothing to excite me at all, so even if I dropped the AWD requirement, it would leave me with the Q only.

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I wouldn't be at all surprised if an AWD Lexus or Infiniti V8 isn't just around the corner&#151;especially now that the '05 Acura RL will have AWD.

    That would put them in what the '06 MY at the earliest? Which means that to get a used one at around $35K I'd have to wait til 2010? :)

    -mike
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    That reminds me that ever since I ordered my Legacy GT wagon, I haven't thought about the A4 Avant.

    That was a distant consideration too.

    Remind me again why the A4 Avant is best left alone?

    Ken
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    Seems like Thrifty is the cheapest at PDX. Any compelling reason not to use them?

    (Yea I know Hertz has Outbacks, but for $100 I'll take the bloody Neon)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    A4 is slower, smaller, less torquey, costs more, less powerful, less reliable, and did I mention the GT is quicker?

    With kids you'd really need to step up to an A6 Avant Quattro neeways, and if you have to ask what those cost you can't afford it.

    -juice
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