Subaru Crew Cafe

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Comments

  • hammerheadhammerhead Member Posts: 907
    The auto-login is apparently still disabled, but at least I don't get the repeat-warning box. Progress!

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    That would be a generous way to describe it! It always seems like they tinker with something and inevitably take a few steps back before making progress.

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I had LASIK about 3 years ago now, I could be their poster boy because mine was a complete success.

    The trick is to wait until your prescription "settles" for a couple of years, i.e. no further deterioration in your eye sight.

    I did get lifetime acuity, i.e. they'll do a 2nd surgery for free if I ever need it.

    Also, remember you will still need reading glasses as you develop presbyopia (hardening of the lens), just not bi-focals.

    Saw a GTI on the roads, nice, but the A3 looks better and comes with Quattro, though it costs too darn much!

    -juice
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    alright, testing the grapevine here.

    So this is the last month for Baja production?

    John
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'd rather see them build something like the P2 (clean up the styling a bit first, though).

    I read that even though it had an STI-like powertrain, that is was actually based on the diminuitive R2. Can you imagine power/weight on that thing?

    -juice
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    P2 would be certainly be amazing. Prodrive's other auto partners have gotta love this investment, though. Oooo... wouldn't this be the ultimate shocker: Subaru's been working on an H12 and will enter the F1 circuit with Prodrive. :) I know, I know... not a chance.
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    That was interesting, Bob.

    From an older story: "Compete uses its predictive analytics technology to analyze consumer behavior online and then predict consumer purchases online and offline."

    It sounds like SOA realizes something isn't working with their marketing. That realization is a good thing. Nice to see they're doing something to correct it - gotta get things on track before they get too far off.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I blame the attempts at "premium" positioning. You can't really do that without some of the little things they're missing that Lexus and even VWs have nowadays.

    They were a little too ambitious with pricing, too. Look at the Tribeca (5 pass), then look at the CX7. Subaru charges a pretty substantial premium.

    -juice
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    We both had to get new license plates at renewal time...here in FL, if you get a bunch of signatures(maybe 20K or so) they will give you a license plate.
    Here is what we both chose
    image
    The money goes to food banks.
    Still missing John.
  • hammerheadhammerhead Member Posts: 907
    Washington has a host of specialty plates available now:

    http://www.dol.wa.gov/vs/specialtyplates/tr-spp.htm#service organizations

    I tried to paste the firefighter one here, but I can't get it to go.

    Serge: Saddened to hear of your separation. Best of luck to you all.

    pdh
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    Thanks for the kind words, Paul.
    Here is the complete list of Florida plates

    http://www3.hsmv.state.fl.us/Intranet/dmv/specialtytags/specialindex.cfm
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    A co-worker of mine did the original artwork on which WA's new "Lighthouses" specialty plate was based. We're all very proud of her. :)
  • rob_mrob_m Member Posts: 820
    Sorry about your news Serge.

    Massachusetts has quite the collection of special plates. We have had the same "whale" plate on our two Outbacks for the past 10 years. The additional fees are used for an Environmental Trust for the state. Rob M.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    The Aussie-spec 2.5 WRX will not be available with an automatic, as less than 5% opted for that configuration. Also, there appears to be a lot of interest in the Aussie-spec Tribeca, which is due to hit their showrooms next November.

    http://carsguide.news.com.au/story/0,20384,18616550-21822,00.html

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    No slush boxes? Graham ought to be proud. ;)

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Let's see....

    I just wish diesel wasn't so expensive around here. I saw some yesterday for a whopping $3.15. That almost negates the gains in efficiency. At least range would be better, though.

    -juice
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    Juice, prices will change. I expect the whole industry is going to change, beginning with the car manufacturers. The politics and energy policies are driving forces that can't be ignored. But that is another topic.

    Expect to find also more "biodiesel" plants coming on line too. Fortunately, Europe is the big tail wagging the dog right now so we are getting the benefits.

    Exciting times.

    John
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    In Brazil, gas costs a fortune and diesel runs about HALF the cost of gas. So there you'd be crazy not to choose a diesel. Used diesel trucks are worth twice as much as a used gasoline model.

    They also have Ethanol cars, and that's slightly cheaper than gas, but then again you give up range so overall fuel costs are a wash. Modern cars can run on any mix of gas or ethanol, so Flex is the big buzzword there.

    -juice
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Juice, prices will change. I expect the whole industry is going to change, beginning with the car manufacturers. The politics and energy policies are driving forces that can't be ignored.

    Unfortunately - the change will probably be higher diesel prices. I don't see how the new low sulpher diesel will be any cheaper than today's product. Biodiesel is an idea but the only reason that may be cheaper is because the federal government subsidizes farms.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I recently saw a list of federal taxes on fuel and they were higher for diesel. Probably because they collect from all the Semis driving around all the time, big bucks I'm sure.

    -juice
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    well, no one can predict of course where fuel prices will be. But there are some facts that can be brought out. Number one, diesel is less expensive to refine than gasoline. Gearing up plants to switch to diesel will take some time, and refiners won't want to go there unless there is a steady demand (and profit) for the product. So it could be that prices of diesel initially go up.

    On the other hand, I wouldn't want to try and predict where unleaded gasoline prices are going to go. It could be that these outpace diesel increases.

    Here in California (the land of the no-diesel passenger cars) the price of diesel is neck and neck with premium. Most of the world has it right though, diesel should be considerably cheaper than gasoline.

    John
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Well I live in MA - a CARB state so no diesel cars here either. Diesel runs about $0.20 more per gallon than premium right now.

    I see conversion of plant capacity over to low sulphur fuel and the process to be an added expense. That itself should drive the cost of the fuel up. Couple with that the need for improved emmission systems to meet regulations can only mean higher cost for the autos.
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    oh definitely, the diesel engined models will be more expensive. I would guess about 10 to 15% more. However, they will be cheaper than the hybrid model.

    Fuel will be initially more expensive, but once capacity comes on line it will tend to go down again. We had that nasty diesel fuel run-up here in California a few years ago. It doesn't take much excuse for someone to profiteer.

    John
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    I don't think Fuji announced whether or not it is going to be a boxer engine. I suppose it would make sense, but then again, why wouldn't they say so?

    My memories of diesels from the 80s was that they were slow slow slow, even the turbodiesel MB we had. I suppose 20 years has improved things some, though.

    tom
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    FHI has said the diesel engines would be boxers Tom.

    Bob
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    gotta be a boxer, nothing else will work with the Subaru drivetrain layout.

    Guess who just won Sebring? Audi's new diesel.

    John
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    Ahh, I must have missed that. The Edmunds article today said FHI chief executive didn't mention whether or not it would be a boxer layout.

    Apparently the new MB diesels with direct rail injection are quite speedy. Obviously that R8 must be fast! Hopefully Subaru will make a speedy diesel too!

    tom
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Unlike "traditional" truck-based diesels, most, if not all modern diesels, have alloy blocks and heads, and are therefore quite a bit lighter than what you might expect. In addition they are all turbocharged and use OHC or DOHC layouts and/or 4-valve heads. They're really very sophisticated powerplants.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That's just it, we haven't seen modern diesels in this country (yet). We have mostly old stuff here.

    The E class diesel did impress me, minus some intial rather severe turbo lag. When the power comes on, though, WOW, that thing is fast! 27/37 mpg is incredible for a large sedan like that, too.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Not true. The VW, BMW and MB all are modern diesels, and they're on sale here.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Does BMW sell a diesel here? Not yet, I think.

    VW's TDI is not their latest diesel, as far as I know.

    Mercedes is the one exception, and I still bet they have even better stuff for sale in Europe.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Check out how blatent some of the new Chinese manufacturers are copying others, this logo is almost exactly like a Lexus logo in the mirror. Pathetic:

    image
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    Favorite new (old) record...The Psychedelic Furs..self titled
    one of the seminal NYC punk/new wave bands from the CBGB era
    Tom Verlaine...Marquee Moon
    The Mekons

    Ciao kids
    Serge
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    The French police are switching out the Peugeots in their rapid intervention brigade:

    http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/funonwheels/03/30/subaru_police.reut/index.html

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Proof that success in WRC doesn't necessarily mean the street cars are any good.

    -juice
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    53,000 cars that refused to get pulled over? You gotta be joking. No wonder they want WRXs. In fact they should be getting STIs. Throw them all in the slammer, even the renegade BMWs and Ferraris.

    John
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    I'm guessing they don't get run of the mill WRXs. The cars have to do 149 mph- I'm sure Subaru will be sending them 'tweaked' cars. :D

    Maybe the French need more helicopters!

    tom
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    No they aren't.

    They're '05 models—but with 6-speed trannys and VDC, like what the '07 Legacy Spec B is rumored to get! Found that over at nabisco.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    http://blogs.edmunds.com/.ee90467

    The supercharged Subie R2S and the B5-TPH make the list!

    It looks like the author is a friend of Subaru. :)

    About the Author
    John Voelcker has written about automotive technology, home building, and other topics for 20 years. He covered software and microprocessor design for IEEE Spectrum from 1985 to 1990. A connoisseur of vintage British automobiles, he has owned five Riley One-Point-Fives, four Morris Minors, three Pontiac GTOs, and a handful of Subarus.

    Bob
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    i think they're GREAT!
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Great shots! Your brother is very talented.

    Bob
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Dave,

    Nice pictures. Your brother has a good eye.

    Mark
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    Nice stuff...love those B/W images...are they digital or film?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Bob - the demographics must be changing. Not one Dave or Mike sent a letter to Drive, not even a female with a K in her name! ;)

    Dave: I'm not sure I get the pics on the 3rd page, but the first two are very nice. In fact they'd look right at home in an issue of i>Drive magazine.

    -juice
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    I'm pretty sure they were taken with a digital cam.

    -Dave
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