Subaru Crew Cafe

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Comments

  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    American Gothic - Grant Wood is the artist
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Graham:

    The Rocky Horror Picture Show thematic Friday evenings were quite popular here in Boston in the 80's - Cambrige actually at the Harvard Sq. Theatre.

    I went once with rice, toast, and toilet paper but knew one person who went dressed as Dr. Franknfurter. I ran into him recently - selling Hondas.
  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day

    Thanks for that. I knew it was American something but worked my way through all sorts of positive names first.

    Cheers

    Graham
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You started a trend, Bob. ;)

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ouch, I'm being quoted $1700-1800 per ticket for Brazil. I hope those prices go down or there goes my down payment fund. :(

    -juice
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Can you take an autobus instead??

    Flights from Boston to Sao Paulo run about $900 for economy. Are you connecting beyond a major city?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, from SP to Recife. $400 for that flight alone, and I'd still have to get to Boston. Plus that adds a connectino.

    I usually go DC -> SP on United, then -> Recife on a smaller brazilian air lines (though Varig is a mess, so TAM?), and usually pay $1100-1300 or so.

    I've given my agent until the end of the month to get a better price, then I start shopping elsewhere. We *hate* connections, though, so I am willing to pay more to avoid those.

    -juice
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    The Recife flight is the killer - another 3 hour flight.

    We hate connections as well but don't mind stops. It helps to get the kids off the plane for a little while.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    For a very short while there was a direct flight from Recife to Miami; it was heaven.

    That was when the Plano Real came out and the Brazilian currency was very strong compared to the dollar. All the brazilian tourists came to the US. A dollar was only worth about 0.86 Real, something like that. The dollar peaked at 4 Reais (so the planes emptied, and that flight path was cancelled), and today sits at a little over 2.

    Pretty wild fluctuations there.

    -juice
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Pretty wild fluctuations there.

    Better than 20 years ago though.

    Any charter operators that can get a better price?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Better than 20 years ago though

    Depends on what side of the fence you were on.

    If you earn your salary in dollars, hyper-inflation was actually a good thing, in a way. At one point, a single dollar would get you 20,000 Cruzeiros. You were basically rich.

    The dollar was so strong that we took 7 people out to dinner for Lobster at the fanciest restaurant in town, with champagne and wine, and the bill was something like $7 per person.

    Now, for a brazilian to come up here, it was the opposite, extremely expensive. So were any imports, most electronic stuff and things like that.

    So oddly enough I liked it. I was a broke college student here, but when I went to Brazil I was in the Jet Set. :shades:

    It was crazy, though. We exchanged money just $100 at a time, because from one day to the next the brazilian currency would lose value. So basically we went to the bank every day.

    It's much more stable now, but things aren't as (relatively) cheap as they seemed when the dollar was stronger.

    -juice
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) is looking to hire a full-time, professional two-person team for the highly successful Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program. This position requires a passion for mountain biking, excellent communication skills, a basic knowledge of trailwork and team compatibility. The Crew will travel nearly all year in a 2007 Subaru Outback. The application deadline is Sept. 29, 2006.

    http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/09_06/09_06_subaru_tcc.html
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Sounds like a cool job, but they'll be better off with an empty nester in their early 20s.

    -juice
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    ...an empty nester in their early 20s.

    That's a new demographic!!
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    haha yeah. empty nest = had kids, they grew up and left.

    if you haven't built a nest yet, I'd say that's probably a bachelor / bachelorette. :D

    ~Colin
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    LOL!

    Shoot, and I was already to apply...

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Is it too late to edit? :D

    Nah, you guys are having too much fun. :surprise:

    -juice
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    Prob'ly just 18-year-olds who had brainy children... you've read about those kids, out of the house and off to college before they're done with elementary school. Now that is a niche market - parents of super-kids.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Um, yeah, that's exactly what I meant. :D

    -juice
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    Hey Guys,

    Hope all is good.. I know it's been awhile but I still have love for ya :)

    Go to Nabisco if you wish... seems like there's finally a sense of what the new WRX will look like.

    Have fun!

    Elmer
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Or go to the Subaru "Future Vehicles" thread here at Edmunds. There are a couple of links there.

    Bob
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    Well, I have something exciting to share... I just installed IE 7 2 days ago and wow.... look out FF and Opera. My nephew preaches about FF all the time; he was annoying me already. I installed FF and although it had some nice features, I was getting frustrated with how long it will take to load pages and I only had 5 extensions. Well, I installed IE 7 and was surprised to see how much they mimic FF. Still loads faster than FF and has about everything that's out there for FF. Only thing that's not out is an Ad blocker for it but since I have Norton Internet Security, that's taken care of :)

    I know I'm probably late in the game compared to some of you but I just wanted to share that I'm part of the IE clan now... lol! - And also to bump this thread since its hybernation ;)
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I don't notice any load problems, and no plugins is EXACTLY what I like about Firefox.. I can browse with no nuttin'.

    If I need Java or Flash, I use IE6 with all that crap enabled.

    ~Colin
  • toboggantoboggan Member Posts: 283
    Hmmmm, I wonder what security flaws will be discovered in IE v7.2?

    MNSteve
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    all of 'em
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    I don't notice any load problems, and no plugins is EXACTLY what I like about Firefox.. I can browse with no nuttin'.

    I did a comparo with FF browser open/close vs. IE 7 and it was using more memory than IE 7... don't know why but hey.. so far IE 7 is working fine and all I needed to do was add 2 extensions and it's all good. As much as I'm not a fan of Microsoft, I have to say they did their homework on this version of IE.
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    Anyone seeing their Subaru insurance costs go up every year?

    I would expect things to go just the opposite--down every year. Libery Mutual started at about $900 annually in 2003 and now they are asking almost $1100 for an 03 Forester XS. All with no complications--no points, no claims, nothing.

    Geico is a couple hundred cheaper. Esurance is quoting a hundred below Geico even.

    Is Liberty Mutual trying to line their pocket?

    John
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    there's a few insurance topics here on Edmunds, but yeah, I've definitely seen my premiums rising. no tickets, no claims.

    ~Colin
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I've noticed an upward trend on all my cars.

    Insurance agents have to pay for gas, too. ;)

    Age doesn't help, because it's often harder to get replacement parts that might no longer be made. For example - pop up headlights for my Miata.

    -juice
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    ok, thanks.

    The flip side is that the retail value of the car is way down from new. So instead of $20k+ out of insurer's pocket maximum collision, it is now only $10k or so exposure.

    Now, our 2002 Mazda MPV has gone down every year. Only the Forester is still climbing.

    John
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Maybe there is a plentiful supply of MPVs in junk yards? :confuse:

    My Miata's insurance has gone up...

    -juice
  • smittynycsmittynyc Member Posts: 289
    Our insurance on an 04 Forester X has gone down, but there are some caveats (namely that it was so insanely high to begin with).

    The NYS attorney general and local law enforcement have broken up dozens of major insurance fraud rings, which has driven down costs and prompted State Farm/Allstate to re-enter the marketplace. They've always offered insurance in the New York City area, but I doubt they sold much of it at the astronomical prices I was quoted -- $3000-4000/year, and that was for bare bones liability/collision/comp. We live in a safe, nice neighborhood, both drivers are over 35 with unblemished driving histories, high credit scores, etc.

    When we bought the car, we insured it with Geico at an annualized rate of $1900. I switched to State Farm this February, and our rate is about $1700 -- but I've maxed out all liability/uninsured/personal injury protection (in no small part because of reading the insurance thread on Edmunds). And now Geico is bombarding me with offers to switch back. The last quote I got from them, with full limits on all coverage, was something like $1500.

    I'm not sure how much of the price decline is related to depreciation and how much is due to the reforms and added competitiveness in our market. But in Feb 2007, when our car is 3 real years and 4 model years old, I'd better see a significant drop from State Farm or I'm going back to Geico.
  • hammerheadhammerhead Member Posts: 907
    And Subarus were one of his favorites!

    http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/287776_cartheft06.html

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • msuvetmsuvet Member Posts: 54
    Question from Thursday's show:

    What car company uses a group of 6 stars from the Pleiades star cluster in its logo?

    The contestant got it, but had to use a phone-a-friend.

    It was either the $25,000 or $50,000 question.
  • ebony5ebony5 Member Posts: 142
    I too insure from Liberty Mutual & have done so since the Subaru promotion. I beleive this is the second year and the rates have stayed the same. I have not changed the coverage and have had neither a ticket nor an accident during this period. When I first took out this policy only GEICO was available for less but by puchasing renters insurance with Liberty Mutual as well, the total became less then GEICO could provide. Over this period I have occassionally replied to some offers but so far the currant policy seems to be better than anything I have encountered, though I must say I have not vigeriosly researched many other companies. I live in N.Y.C.
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    That's too funny, Paul. Seattle is a terrible place for car theft. I had my SUV stolen a few years ago and have several friends who have had their cars stolen. One was an old legacy wagon! (Maybe theirs was one of them this guys stole?) I hope he gets 15 years. (It's a major pain if your car get's stolen!)

    On a side note, some college kid hit the rear quarter panel of my wife's Pilot. :mad: I still don't understand how it happened, she was sitting at a light and this kid hit her car and one other. The body shop is getting to know me on a first name basis! Although, at least this time it wasn't the wife's fault. ;)

    Oh yeah, not to rub it in, but so much for the Yankees! :)

    Have a good week everyone!

    tom
  • hammerheadhammerhead Member Posts: 907
    Oh yeah, not to rub it in, but so much for the Yankees!

    hehe... go Tigers!

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    go wildcats ... (what can I say .. it was my high school team ..)
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    The good guys like the Legacy, too. :) Saw a black GT sedan on I-5 today, being used for speed limit enforcement by the WA State Patrol in tandem with a motorcycle trooper. Not sure if this belongs to the State Patrol, or is perhaps the one we read of six months or so ago that was purchased by the Kitsap County Sheriff, on loan to the State Patrol.

    Very sharp looking car... I bet they get more than a few unsuspecting boy racers trying to challenge it.
  • morey000morey000 Member Posts: 384
    Do Subaru dealers typically offer loaner cars?
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    It depends on the dealer. They are not required to, however. If your Subie goes in for warranty work and the dealer does not offer loaners, Subaru will pay for a very basic rental (typically through Enterprise).

    The Subie dealer I use luckily rents Subarus and they use the same vehicles as loaners. I much rather be driving a Subaru than some beat up old Ford Focus!

    Ken
  • ebony5ebony5 Member Posts: 142
    Received an offering in the mail yesterday from GEICO-called them up out of curiosity and the quote was more than $200.00 less than my current policy from Liberty Mutual, with the same coverage. I have not acted on it as yet. Anyone have any experience concerning claims with them?
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Personally I have an issue with an insurer that donates speed detection equipment to the law enforcement agencies of the states in which their clients live.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I completely agree.

    A good friend had Geico in 2001 and hit a deer. We are in Wichita, KS and Geico had to send an adjuster from Kansas City. The adjuster didn't come to Wichita for over a week.

    I'll pass. I want to actually be able to use my insurance when I need it.

    ~Colin
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Pretty cool, I wonder if the "friend" was someone here on the Subaru Crew? :D

    -juice
  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day

    The catch with low cost offers, no matter the product, is that you get what you pay for. In insurance, you are buying a product to proect you when a crisis happens. You don't need a drama overlaid on it.

    If the price seems particularly competitive but you are happier with your existing insurer, try ringing them to explain that you have a better offer, quote the lower rate and see how far they can go toward matching it. From your current insurer's perspective it usually makes more sense to retain a customer than to seek to replace one when you change insurers.

    It does not always work but may be worth a try. This is especailly the case if you place your insurance through a broker or agent who will see the personal sales incentive of retaining your business.

    Cheers

    Graham
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    Actually, I've had Geico for several years now. Many of you will remember we've had a number of claims also. :( They have been very quick and easy to work with and my wife's car always came back as good as new. Actually, when my SUV was stolen and recovered they paid for all the repairs and a detailing too. :D

    But I suppose it depends on where you live. If you don't live in a major metropolitan area it might be different.

    tom
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