Subaru Crew Cafe

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Comments

  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    "Remind me again why the A4 Avant is best left alone?"
    Oh, that's easy. :-)
    http://www.jdpower.com/news/releases/pressrelease.asp?ID=2003050

    "Other notable performances in the 2003 results include Subaru and GMC, which both performed considerably better when measured at three years in VDS than when they were measured at 90 days of ownership. At the other end of the spectrum is Mercedes-Benz, which experiences the largest quality gap between initial quality and long-term quality measurements. Also deteriorating more rapidly than the average vehicle are Audi and Volvo."

    -Dennis
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    What Dennis said. ;-)

    I came close to buying an A4 Avant in 2000 before I visited a Subaru dealer and drove the Legacy GT wagon and, ultimately, the Forester.

    Sometimes I catch myself thinking about buying an off-lease S4 Avant but then common sense gets the better of me. (Then again, I sometimes catch myself thinking about buying a Toyota Tacoma Double Cab or Pontiac GTO...)

    Ed
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Remember, a lot of the former S4 owners ended up getting WRXs to simplify their lives...

    -juice
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Loosh,

    You need a good corporate contract with Hertz. I enjoyed an '04 OBW from PDX (business in Beaverton & Hillsboro) just last week for $32.75/day w/unlimited mileage!

    Steve
  • erics6erics6 Member Posts: 684
    Never rented from PDX. Had a bad experience with Thrifty in California, but they gave me a $50 coupon as compensation. The car rental tax at PDX is a killer. Thrifty is not in the terminal, so you'll have to take their shuttle.
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Yeah, I guess aside from styling, the Audis don't have a whole lot going for them. They're great on paper, though.

    Speaking of A6s, I do still like the Allroad (again looks and concept). There's got to be a few good used ones available now that the model is discontinued.

    Ken
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Very heavy on the track, I preferred driving the A4 1.8T with an upgraded turbo in it. Lighter on it's feet for sure.

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Well over the weekend, I had the opportunity to hit up a chrysler dealer to check out the 300s. These are very very sweet machines. We looked at a 300 Touring Edition. This was a fully loaded mid-range with the 3.5L 250hp motor. I was truely impressed by it. Telescopic wheel, soft suple leather, rear mounted battery. With a sticker of $27K with the moonroof etc. About the only thing missing were the 5EAT and the 5.7L motor.

    I have a strong feeling I may be getting one of these units with the 5EAT and 5.7L motor to replace the SVX. Pricing is right on em.

    -mike
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    we also checked them out a couple weeks ago .. they are sweet looking cars ... (but a little 'rich' for us right now ...lol)
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I posted a few weeks ago about a 300C testdrive. The "C" btw is the hemi. You drove something else. The 3.5L v6 is not worthy... you HAVE to drive the v8 to experience it.

    ~c
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    It's gonna be hard for me to justify a legacy GT with such a sweet ride out there...street pricing on the GT is gonna have to be real low to get me to pull away from that 300c.

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I posted a few weeks ago about a 300C testdrive. The "C" btw is the hemi. You drove something else. The 3.5L v6 is not worthy... you HAVE to drive the v8 to experience it.

    ~c


    Yeah we didn't drive the 300 at all. We sat in the 300 Touring, the 300c I bet is sweet. Very minor differences between the 300 and 300c (5.7L, 5EAT). The 3.5 IMHO would still make a sweet ride, I'm sure there are upgrades available for it as far as ECU or SC.

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I believe AWD will be available as an option on the 300.

    Bob
  • volkovvolkov Member Posts: 1,306
    Brand new 300 parked in our parking lot first saw it last Friday. I really like the look. Very stylized retro IMHO. Reminds me of roof chopped 40-50's coupes. BUT it's a Chrysler. Or maybe a DC, but still

    Nicholas
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    It's a Chrysler I wouldn't have it as a free gift, I had one miserable experience with a new car and dealing with that crowd.

    Of all the car manufacturers that I have dealt with over the years getting Chrysler to perform warranty work was worse than pulling teeth.

     In one memorable incident they rebuilt a transmission 5 times and it was just as bad after the 5th rebuild, yet they flat refused to replace the transmission.

     Everytime I needed warranty work it was the same thing and there was many of them over the 7 miserable months I owned the piece of crap.

      Cheers Pat.
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    It's gonna be hard for me to justify a legacy GT with such a sweet ride out there...street pricing on the GT is gonna have to be real low to get me to pull away from that 300c

    Now you know how I feel... ;-)

    Still have my wife's Subaru OB Wagon, but I'll be getting a 300C when I'm alittle more financially stable (hopefully within a month or two).
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    The 300C is a incredible value. I'm sure Chrysler will sell a ton of these. They really did their homework and executed well. Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of the over all style so the Legacy GT will have to do for me. ;-)

    Ken
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    We couldn't believe how many new Chrysler 300s we saw. They were everywhere. We joked that maybe they were car rentals. Juice even started counting them. I know he got to at least 15 or 16.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    And I'm in no rush to buy one, probably not til summer/fall 05 so I should be able to get a nice leftover. :)

    They are all over here too, seen probably 10 or so.

    -mike
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Bob,

    I noticed the abundance of 300s in Vegas too. I was there a few weeks before you to attend a wedding.

    I'm guessing that Chrysler is pumping in a few for the rental car market.

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Must be rentals, I have not seen a single one in Washington (or Ocean City) since I got back. We saw at least 7-8 each day in Vegas.

    Keep in mind MSRP is $32.5k, add AWD and you're talking $34 grand, beyond pricing for any Subie.

    The Magnum is actually a little cheaper, but oddly I haven't seen nearly as many of those.

    Then again I bet most those 300s were base models.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    it's not odd at all juice, as the magnum just began hitting dealers in may. the hemi powered magnum (I believe it is the R/T trim) has not arrived yet.

    meanwhile the 300c came out last fall.

    ~c
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Really? If so I'd say they are *not* selling well at all in my area. I saw more in Vegas in a day than I have here EVER!

    Saw only one Magnum - in a dealership.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    But it's an american car, which means that you'll get HUGE discounts on it. Cause that's what they do. Also that includes DVD/MP3/Navigation, add that to the price of a legacy GT and the pricing is very close, and the 300C AWD will blow away a legacy GT as far as content, size, power...

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Performance will be similar, though, because the 300 is a lot heavier. Content for a price. Size yes, that's the big one. I saw you squeeze into that Legacy's rear seat - by that measure it's still a smallish mid-sizer while the 300 is basically full-sized.

    I guess I don't really like big cars. They are something you need to own, not something you'd want to own.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    How much does the Legacy weigh?

    Yeah the size is a big factor, I've been on subaru's case for at least 5 years jumping up and down about a larger platform, if they refuse to build a larger sedan or wagon, then there will be no choice for those who want a big comfy car w/AWD and low-end torque...

    It's a shame, though cause they could build a bigger car w/o much effort, but refuse to do so :(

    -mike
  • volkovvolkov Member Posts: 1,306
    The potential downside to our idyllic small city life reared its head yesterday. I was walking the dog along our local greenbelt recreational path and came around a blind corner to be met by Mama moose and her calf. Calf was ahead and only about 8' away. Unfortunatley Kira felt that the best response was to stand her ground and growl when Momma "huffed" at us, which may have been what incited her to charge us. She pulled up about 5 feet shy and straddled the calf. It was actually quite cute if you can get over the potentially life and limb threatening part. Dragged the dog back and immediately into the very thick brush beside the trail which myself and the dog had a very hard time navigating through, so I felt would be safe from any follow up. She turned and they went on their way.
    Funny thing was I wasn't at all scared as it happened. Pulse got higher during the immediate "What just happened?" phase. I was actually surprised I'd been completely cool, but I just got the vibe that she wasn't looking for trouble just telling us to mind our distance. Still, we were lucky - a biologist I knew from Alaska said that more people are killed by encounters with moose than encounters with bears. Even so, I'm glad it wasn't a Bear and cub which almost certainly would have turned out much worse given the distances. I've come across bears 3 times on our local walks (and thankfully from greater distance) but that's my first moose.

    Nicholas
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    yikes! my dogs would do the same thing. they're a little lacking in that rational part of the brain that tells them when to avoid conflict. :)

    it's easy to drag them though, both of them even since they're so small. what kind of dog is Kira?

    ~c
  • volkovvolkov Member Posts: 1,306
    Husky-Australian Cattle Dog (aka Blue Heeler)
    We're sure there's other bits in there. Heelers were bred to bully cows, so by nature they are dominant and not intimidated by big animals. She didn't growl until the Moose "huffed", and didn't budge at the charge. In fact her hackles weren't even up. Her demeanor when I dragged her away was as if she wanted to run over and play more than anything. That was one of the weird things I pointed out to my wife last night. I'm sure it was an instinct thing. My old German Shepherd was dominant with other dogs, but he would have run me over getting out of there.
    She is very bright and trains almost instantly when we did obediance and agility. Problem is that she can be very willful (a tendency in both breeds)and if she gets fixated, the rest of her brain shuts off completely. She has the Husky's pulling power, and my wife loses any tugging battle if she's wearing a regular collar. The trick to muscling her, is that I need to get her up off her front feet, and that's what I did yesterday. As a reference, with 4 paws on dirt and wearing her pulling harness, she can take my 175# wherever she wants to go.

    Nicholas
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    ah. I have two jack russell terriers. tobbie--the male-- is a little oversized, probably has some bull terrier in there a few generations back because he has a big ribcage and big feet. he's 21lb.
    image

    the female, cleo, is AKC but was far and away the runt of her litter. she's only 12.5lb.
    image

    easy to drag them. ;) btw, my mother has two australian cattle dogs. they're more hyper than my dogs and they jump like fiends!

    ~colin
  • goneskiiangoneskiian Member Posts: 381
    Nicholas,
    You are indeed fortunate momma moose didn't take more offence to your proximity. When I was about 11 or so I was fishing with my Dad, a friend and his dad when a bull moose came charging out of the woods on our side of the river straight across the river and into a thicket of trees each about 3-4 inches in diameter. All it did was lower it's head and those trees didn't slow it's progress one bit!

    I was also charged with my family while hiking once, but we had a good head start as the moose was way off across a marsh when we noticed it coming our way. We simply turned tail and tried to make as much human noise as possible. Scared the $#@% out of my uncle's from California! ;-)

    Growing up in Jackson Hole Wyoming we always got to hear first hand about all the folks who'd get to close to moose or bison in Yellowstone only to discover they are truly wild animals and not some tied up attraction at a petting zoo.

    -Ian
  • goneskiiangoneskiian Member Posts: 381
    Cool dogs Colin!

    I'm not a dog person but I have friends with Jack Russell's and I love 'em! Guess their proximity to cat size could be a reason I like them so much. They've got the greatest personalities. Friendly yet not lick-your-face-off friendly and not all that hyper. Can't stand hyper jump-all-over-you dogs.

    -Ian
  • jfljfl Member Posts: 1,398
    What's that story...two guys in a tent when a bear comes around, one guy starts lacing up his sneakers.

    The other says "You can't out run a bear even if you wear sneakers."

    The first replies " I don't have to out run the bear, just you."

    Jim
  • volkovvolkov Member Posts: 1,306
    Yep, and Kira could outrun me like an STi racing a Yugo.
    I had her out last year for a 3 1/2 hour mountain bike ride. We covered over 25 miles on trail. She was running in and out of the bush, from the front to the back of the pack and easily did 30-35 miles. When we got home she immediately jumped our 5' fence into our neighbours back yard because "Joe" the neighbours dog was there and she wanted to play. I'd kill for energy like that.

    Nicholas
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Great story! Glad it turned out to be something to share (from the comfort of your home, and not from a hospital bed....).

    Steve
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hadji would have run scared!

    And a heck of lot quicker than me!

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    That's what was written on the hood of the Moosehead beer truck I drove when I was in college (order of letters anyway, but mirror imaged like you see on ambulances [ECNALUBMA]).

    Ed
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Envision it mounted on the front bumper of the vehicle behind you and read it in your mirror:

    TI 3VOM
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Colin,

    Nice dogs. I've heard that Jack Russell Terriers are very active -- any truth in that?

    I can't help thinking about "Fraiser"!

    Ken
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    they're pretty active. when a new person shows up at the house, they're very excited. they jump on the person, try to lick them, bark a little, and want to play ball. but that all dies down in a few minutes... they aren't like that all the time. they lay around a lot later in the evening like any dog.

    about once a day they'll get pretty feisty and chase each other around the house. they wrestle pretty often too, but never have any problems with injuries. they play nice.

    although if you give them each a bone, and sometimes there is a little bloodshed. LOL

    very good with kids. bad with chewing as puppies, but grew out of that after many beatings ;) and about 3 years to mature.

    ~colin
    likes his cat-sized dogs :-D
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Replace the SVX with:
    New Pontiac GTO ~$33k
    New Chrysler 300c ~$34K
    Used 2000-2001 S8 ~$36K
    Used 2000-2001 E55AMG ~$38K

    or Replace the SVX and Trooper with:
    2000-2002 GMC/Chevy Crew Cab 2500 PU 4x4 Diesel w/Cap ~$30k
    2000-2002 ML55AMG ~$35k

    Or some other suggestions....

    What do you guys think?

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    a 3/4-ton crew cab as a daily driver? Not me...

    Not sure what I'd pick in the $30 – $38K range. What about a (Mercedes) Freightliner/Dodge Sprinter passenger van, since you seem to like somewhat off-the-wall vehicles? :)

    It's not available in 4WD, however; but it is a diesel, and in that price range.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hadji is just as energetic but never bites. The ideal dog. Just 12 lbs and eats very little dog food, even.

    mike: get the diesel, it's you.

    He has the Legacy turbo to get around in. Franken L to race. Nice round fleet.

    -juice
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Mike-

    The Crew Cab would definitely fit in as your workhorse for transporting the Franken. Although it would be sad to see the SVX go.

    Mark
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    The Crew Cab would definitely fit in as your workhorse for transporting the Franken. Although it would be sad to see the SVX go.

    yeah it would be good for transporting, also I'm sure you'd get some use out of it when you need to move stuff :) Hee hee.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Oh, with a pickup you'll suddenly have a lot of friends that are moving...

    -juice
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    isn't that the truth. Even when I just had a 4Runner.....
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    I have that now with the OB. People hear "station wagon" and right away think you can haul sofa's and stuff! Not that I haven't tried, but somethings are ridiculous.

    Mark
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Nah, I hired a moving company for our last move. Quick and easy. Packing and unpacking is enough work.

    -juice
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