Subaru Crew Cafe

fibber2

You must essentially create a jail cell in the back seat of the vehicle. Ever look inside a police cruiser? Ford has built tens of thousands of these over the past two+ decades on a platform that essentially dates back to 1979. The Durango is a newcommer to this application, and didn't have a specific police package available at the time the vehicles were sold.

Steve

rsholland

http://TheCarConnection.com/index.asp?article=7274&sid=173&am- p;n=156

ateixeira

Nonsense, Ghosn, the real issue is that you can't cut costs and always use the lowest bidder and then expect a quality product. Armada has vast expanses of thin sheet metal with not enough bracing so you get a strong buffeting that sounds like a helicopter! Not easy to fix!

Marketers will do anything to sell a product, including the 9-2x. What they're really saying is the Volvo S40 doesn't have AWD yet.

Acccord Hybrid: score one for Toyota, the battery still only assists, while the Prius can run on battery alone. It's still more sophisticated.

-juice

rsholland

http://www.theautochannel.com/F/news/2004/06/28/201400.html

paisan

gotcha. I'm thinking that there is a polic package setup at the factory for the Magnum, it'll be pre-done for prisonor transport.

-mike

locke2c

I liked this article better, Bob.
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=7269

quote: But the giant skeleton in every HEV's closet is COST. Anyone who has any idea what these dual powertrain components really cost will know that Toyota is stretching credibility to claim that even the simpler Echo-based Gen I Prius was profitable at its $20k price. By contrast, the '04 is a unique, high-content car on a dedicated platform, and its nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack probably costs a quarter of its (still) $20k base price. ... Toyota's intent to make and lead a viable business in HEVs seems more realizable. But it will not succeed until the capability and desirability - not just the efficiency - of HEVs can overcome their weight, packaging, complexity, and ultra-high cost disadvantages.

Sums up my thoughts on the matter completely.
~c

paisan

We are thinking of getting one and gutting it out and using the ultra-light chassis for a race car

-mike

locke2c

explain how that's better than an old civic or CRX?

~c

rsholland

Colin, as we both know, there are no free lunches. Only time will tell if this is indeed the "savior" many claim it to be.

It is often said that new technology—while solving problems—often creates its own new set of problems. I'm still optimistic, however. I'd rather see it as the glass being half full rather than being half empty.

Bob

paisan

Colin,
    We are thinking that the hybrids have very light chassis (lighter than even a crx or civic) to counteract the heavy batteries. Take the heavy batteries out and you are left with an untralite chassis. Just some bench racing we were doing after a track day.

-mike

dcm61

Attended the Saab 9-2X event in Philly this evening and I took some (lousy) pictures. Link to album -> http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4286386963
  
I'm new to this digital camera stuff so go easy on me. I've only used the camera a few times and it's just a 2MP Canon A60.

They had the same competitor cars at the Philly event that Brian listed for the "Chicago" event. I liked both of the Volvos (S40 2.4i and T5). I was surprised by the linear power of the Jetta GLS 1.8T but the handling was not very desirable. The RSX and Mini had no low end although they did handle quite well.

Anybody know the guy in the yellow shirt getting out of the black 9-2X Aero? Hint: He was looking for parts in South Bend.



DaveM

twrx

I'm ready. I went cycling yesterday wearing a yellow jersey. I told my wife that I would need all of my yellow t-shirts clean by Saturday. This year I have a yellow car to drive. Seriously, I hope the cafe become a Lance fan site for the next few weeks.
TWRX

dcm61

Did a quick scan of the parking lot when I left the event. It was primarily Saab 900s and 9-3s. Two or three Volvos (850 / S60), a couple mid / full size domestics. The Subaru posse consisted of an STi, a WRX wagon and an Outback wagon.

DaveM

lark6

I must have been subconsciously preparing for the TdF. Ironically I was returning from France a year ago at this time.

There was also a Volvo V70R in the lot, which belonged to a colleague of mine whom I invited to the event.

Ed

ateixeira

Insight has that really narrow rear track. It actually *looks* like a new CRX, kinda.

Dave/Ed: share your impressions! Love to see some reviews...

-juice

subearu

Funny you mention that. At the Chicago event, there was several Saabs in the parking lot, of course. Then a WRX (MT) and my F-XT (MT). A guy with a Porsche 911 also was there.

-Brian

kens

Hey folks -- what do you guys think of GAP insurance?

Ken

locke2c

I have it. Unless you place a sizeable downpayment, your first year depreciation is quite likely to result in periods where the vehicle is worth less than you owe.

If you put down $5,000 or more, then it's unnecessary in most cases.

~Colin

paisan

Only suggest it on leased cars also depends on your state. I know NYS if your car is totalled or stolen/totalled in the first year you get "replacement" cost, so check your state laws before spending extra $.

-mike

rsholland

http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosinsider/0406/30/autos-199589.htm

fibber2

I received my recall notice about 2 weeks ago but have yet to act on it ('02 Ody w/34k miles). My tranny whines quite badly now, so I suspect it is running dry. Frankly, my attitude is I want it in bad enough shape when I go in that they replace it. The last thing I want to have happen is a fluid flow fix to a gearset that has already been compromised.

Steve

locke2c

suspect it's running dry? ...um, have you checked the transmission dipstick?

~c

goneskiian

I'm with you Bruce!

I'll get my yellow "Le Tour" t-shirts and ball cap out that I picked up at the tour last year.

Also, I just picked up a bunch of blank video tapes at COSTCO the other day. I'm now ready to record Lance's record breaking 6th TdF win. Oooops, probably just jinxed him. ;-)

Hey, has anybody been by their local Nike town store lately? The Lance Armstrong Foundation is running a fundraiser. For $1 you get a glorified yellow rubber band with "LIVESTRONG" printed in it. They're trying to raise $5 million.

http://www.livestrong.org/livestrong/portal/ep/home.do

Cheers!
-Ian

paisan

You do realize that they probably won't cover it under warranty if it's dry when you bring it in.

-mike

subearu

pics are up: http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4286377187

I've got too many videos to upload. My Kodak takes MOV files which are 5-8mb each. And I have about 7 of 'em I'm going to upload. ImageStation doesn't do QuickTime movies it seems, only MPEGs.

-Brian

paisan

E-mail em to me and I'll host em.
Or e-mail me the good one(s) and I'll host em.

-mike

subearu

Thanks for the offer. of course, they're at home and I'm at work. I'll send a few tonight.

-Brian

fibber2

Running dry.... It's not me, guys. The problem is with internal oiling. Much like Ford had with Taurus trannies some years ago. The pump and spray system does not properly distribute fluid for lube and cooling to all of the gear sets. The second gear set is taking a beating. The gears are reportedly blue from overheating.

The fix is to change to a higher capacity pump, and re-direct thru changes in internal passageways if the tranny can be saved, or replace with a 'fixed' rebuilt if it is beyond repair.

My point is that mine sounds like it is in distress, so I want it replaced. Fixing it now might extend it's life, but then I will be stuck some time out in the future with a toasted box. Granted, I have an extended warr, but who need the hassle?

Steve

ateixeira

That recall is just proof that "nobody's perfect" is more true than ever. Toyota's sludge affected 3 times as many cars, so they're not immune, either.

Steve: make sure you report all the symptoms, take notes, gather service records, etc. A customer that comes in well organized and prepared is more likely to get a new tranny rather than a rebuild.

-juice

lark6

Dave/Ed: share your impressions! Love to see some reviews...

Not much to say that hasn't already been said. I liked the 9-2x best of the lot, then again it's closer to what I'm used to than the rest. Frankly it felt and sounded like a WRX with a blanket thrown over it.

Jetta 1.8T was a disaster. Good acceleration but exceptionally bad handling and tires. Really heavy steering.

V40 better than I expected. T5 version naturally delivers much better power than 2.4 but both handle similarly. Steering unnecessarily heavy.

RSX and Mini Cooper were dogs off the line. RSX a fair handler but again, steering not to my liking - felt very artificial. Is it now industry standard to make steering feel like a force feedback wheel from a video game, such that young drivers can successfuly make the transition?

Mini the best handler of the lot but here's a car that's REALLY penalized by an automatic. Maybe Subaru should bring back the Justy (R1e) to compete against the CVT-equipped Mini? I really hated the Mini's dash and controls though. Too much shiny silver plastic, weird shapes and locations for basic controls, stupid door handles and pulls - forgive the language but trying too damned hard to look cool. With the sunroof open the glare off the dash was unbearable.

Oh yeah, one other thing. Looking at Dave's photo, I didn't realize my hairline dipped that far down in back. Maybe I should start shaving my head?

Ed

ateixeira

WRX with a blanket

Good one! :-)

Jettas are a little top heavy, no?

Go for the full shaved look. I'll soon join you, I'm afraid. Though I'd like to think it's more aerodynamic when I have the Miata's top down.

-juice

p0926

That new Honda vehicle is an Element all right: Buttuglium

-Frank :-)

bluesubie

I didn't even realize that it was you at first!
It's funny the things that you discover with photos. :-)

-Dennis

ateixeira

Laugh but Honda sold about 10 times as many Elements as Subaru sold Bajas. Close to that.

-juice

bluesubie

And there's one that drive's on the beach that I go to.

-Dennis

ateixeira

It has a donut, though. Then again so does Baja. And Outback.

-juice

rsholland

Yesterday I saw a little old woman (with three other elderly women passengers) driving an Element. I almost drove into the ditch when I saw that!

Bob

dcm61

Yesterday I saw a little old woman (with three other elderly women passengers) driving an Element. I almost drove into the ditch when I saw that!

That sounds like when I was passed on the autobahn (probably going 100+ mph) by three nuns in a 1st generation Golf. Needless to say, I did a double take and then turned to my father and asked "did we just get passed by 3 nuns in a Rabbit?".

DaveM

rsholland

Autocrossers beware...

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_cod- e=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=02612566

Bob

rsholland

As Frank knows, Oshkosh makes a number of military and other severe-service trucks with fully independent suspensions. Note the following link:

http://www.oshkoshtruck.com/pdf/Oshkosh_MTVR_brochure.pdf

Besides the IFS/IRS, it has a 7-speed automatic, full-time 1-range AWD with a 32/68 front-to-rear power split—for those who prefer RWD-like handling , and a GVW in the 60K range.

Bob

rsholland

7EAT?

Yeah that's the ticket! Vehicle normally starts out in 3rd gear from a dead stop. Gears 1 & 2 are engaged for off-roading and/or towing only. Keep the SportShift, but just move the shift lever to the right of "D" to engage gears 1 & 2 (with the SportShift you move the lever to the left of "D").

Bob (having a Baja-Halifax-hallucination)

lucien2

That's reasonable. No reason for manufacurers to subsidize every amateur racer's budget. I had 70,000 miles on the GT when I sold it, plus 3 seasons of autocross; it ran just fine. I knew better than to drop the clutch at 4k, or other obviously abusive behaviors. If you can't drive, you're gonna break the car, whether it is at an autocross or on the street. Like that guy over on NASIOC who vamped around street racing and stoplight dragging. He grenaded his tranny and his clutch of course, then bragged that he was returning the car to stock and going in for a warranty claim. His NASIOC brethren contacted the dealer and sent him up the river! LOL

twrx

Yup, old people in an Element. The fact the older buyers like its practicality in addition to the target audience of the 20 something males has made the thing a roaring success. I'd like one to carry my dogs. No carpet=no dog hair in the carpet. Fold to the side seats--again a great way to make space for the dogs.
Cargo doors or clamshell tailgate--take your choice which ways you want to get in puppies!

My biggest Element problems:
1. Lack of areodynamics and large weight makes mileage suck. (but box shape is what gives it so much room and the neat side doors=more frame bracing=heavy)
2. Lower models don't have ABS.
 I would not mind having one if they would push the mpg up nearer 30 and put ABS on the $17k model.
TWRX

rsholland

and increase the payload rating up from a paltry 675lbs.

Bob

locke2c

A seven speed automatic would be pretty large and heavy I'd think. for a normal car, I think a low-range selectable transfer case would make a lot more sense.

~c

rsholland

Could be (heavy). Not sure if it would be any heavier than adding a transfer case, however. I know Mercedes is now offering a 7-speed automatic on their S-Class models.

Bob

paisan

Laugh but Honda sold about 10 times as many Elements as Subaru sold Bajas. Close to that.

-juice


They sold a lot of escorts and explorers, that statement in-itself does not mean that they are better....

-mike

paisan

Just wanted to share with the community the great loss that Team IAC, AZP Installs, and the rest of us have sustained.

Mike "Spec V" Dassing as he is known in these circles passed away yesterday after loosing control of his motorcycle. He will be greatly missed as he's installed stuff on folks cars down at the shop and has been one of our best crew members for Team IAC not just at events but anytime we needed him to help out the answer was always "No Problem, where do you need me to be and when?"

Here are a few recent pics.

http://teamiac.com/members/specvmike/

lark6

Mike, that's terribly sad news. My deepest sympathies to all of you up at the shop and on the team, and please pass my condolences along to his friends and family.

Ed

dcm61

Sorry to hear about the loss.

DaveM