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Subaru Crew Cafe

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Comments

  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Thanks for looking out guys. I am looking at 06 new models, which have the new struts. The blog is incorrect in that they recalled the newer struts which had the incorrect fluid installed by Shell Oil IIRC. I'm probably going to be waiting until they run their march-madness sale at the GM dealers and for a few more snow storms to really put a nail in a high HP RWD car in this area :)

    -mike
  • w8ifiw8ifi Member Posts: 78
    Hi.....!

    I was just reading the fine print that came with my credit card statement for last november. It said that effective January 1st they may begin charging interest on purchases effective the day of purchase. I read that to mean no more 30 day grace period. I also suspect when they say "may" means they will. Juice may be able to give us some enlightment on that as I think he travels in the financial circles somewhat. Am I all wet? Anybody else notice that?
    Jim
  • w8ifiw8ifi Member Posts: 78
    I live in the upper peninsula of michigan not too far from Lake Superior where we can get extended periods of very cold weather. Zero days and below zero nights. It is not unusual to sometimes get a break in the cold and get a 5 day to a week of quite mild weather, around freezing at night and 30's and 40's during the day. The old timers have given it a name "january thaw", although it could happen anytime in the winter. Over almost a 50 year period of driving almost everything with 4 wheels to be driven on roads I have unscientificaly observed some weather effects on mileage. I've come to the conclusion that gas formulated
    for winter has a negligible effect on mileage. In fall I can fill up sunday night for example and refill friday. As the temperature drops it will require refilling thursday and below zero I will have to refill wednesday on a typical work week. When one considers the energy required for all the fluids in the differential, transmission, grease in bearings, pulleys, belts, compressors, pumps,etc to get to operating viscosity a tremendous amount of energy in the form of fuel is consumed. I don't doubt that winter gas plays a role but I think it is almost insignificant.
    Jim
  • jfljfl Member Posts: 1,398
    I wonder if synthetic gear oils would help. I believe they are less viscous in cold weather.

    Jim
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Hey Jim, my mother was a "Yooper" too. She grew up in Ironwood and Hurley back in the early 1900s. Her dad (my grandfather) was a safety inspector in one of the iron-ore mines back then. It was a tough, tough life up there.

    Thanks for the comments. :)

    Bob
  • w8ifiw8ifi Member Posts: 78
    Hi Bob!!

    I was born and raised in Ironwood. I live in Crystal Falls now about 100 miles east. I bought a used subaru about 3 or 4 years ago and had some questions and you and Patti tried to help. I remember you said you had visited up here when you were young. It's great in the summer but I'm getting too old for the winters. It is peaceful though and my home.
    I bought a 97 Impreza. Has 67000 miles on it now. Great winter car. Thanks for the note. Makes me feel welcome.

    Jim
  • w8ifiw8ifi Member Posts: 78
    I'm sure they would. Subaru's are good winter cars from what I've seen and what they come with from the factory has been pretty well tested and works good from what I can tell.
    Years ago I tried an experiment. Our garage was just a unheated wooden building. It was about 35 below. I tried pouring some 5w 30 into a container. Wouldn't even pour. then I tried synthetic and it poured slowly almost like molasses. So it makes a difference. That's why people shouldn't worry about cold engine noises. I think if it goes away by the time the engine warms up then it is normal clatter and not a piston slap problem. Mine is making lots of noise at startup now, but in the summer you can't even hear it.
    Jim
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Hey Jim. There is a "Stevens St." in Ironwood. It was named after my grandfather.

    I was in Ironwood and Hurley a year and a half ago. One of my aunts had passed away and the services were up there. It was the first time I had been there since I was 12 or so. I, along with my other cousins, visited the Mining Museum in Hurley, the family's old home, the "remains" of the old high school in Hurley, the old (and long closed) Papst mine my grand dad helped erect, etc. I really enjoyed it—and learned a lot about the Gogebic area.

    Here's a site on the history of the area. I've found several of my "Stevens" relatives listed here in the early city directories—even found my mother's name! . http://mattsonworks.com/

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That might be the case if you carry a balance, but they're not going to charge any interest if you pay off the balance each month (which we do).

    So I'll keep mine. If you carry a balance, you might want to consider switching, but I think the trend is all cards are headed in that direction.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Now that's just the dumbest thing I've heard all year long.

    I realize Lutz has an emotional attachment to the company, but c'mon, GM has enough problems, divisions, and overhead costs on their own.

    This just makes no sense at all. They should be selling Saab.

    -juice
  • w8ifiw8ifi Member Posts: 78
    Thanks Juice....that clarifies it for me. I read recently that 85% of card users pay off in 30 days. More than I thought but a heathly sign I think.

    Jim
  • w8ifiw8ifi Member Posts: 78
    Gee Bob!! Sure wish I had known you were in the area....I would have driven over there and bought you one of Joe's Pasty's. (for others...it's a cornish food dish..pronounced Past...EEE). His pasty's were written up in Money magazine a few years ago. Be sure to let me know if you come this way again. My brothers wife was a Goodwin and I think she was related to the Steven's family. Think I heard my mom mention the name years ago. Thanks for the Link!!! I'll have to check it out. Crystal Falls is a picture postcard town. It's so small the city limit signs are all on the same post. Ironwood has them on two I think.
    Jim
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    We did stop in a pasty shop, not sure if it was that one. Pastys are what we eat at family reunions! :)

    Some of my relatives used to live on Ayer Street many, many years ago. When did you graduate high school? I have a cousin who graduated from Hurley in 1962. Maybe you know him? Joe Stevens.

    Bob
  • w8ifiw8ifi Member Posts: 78
    Not familiar with Joe Stevens. I graduated in 1959 from Ironwood. The mines were starting to close then and no jobs in the area. I moved to Wausau, Wis for a couple years, then joined the air force.In those days as you know, if you hadn't served your military time, companies didn't want to hire you for any good positions. I ended up back in the U.P. after service and worked in various business positions. (sales manager, purchasing agent, accountant). I retired two years ago from the U.S. forest service. When in high school I got my ham radio license. My last name is Rye, so I can say I'm probably the only real Ham n rye. Can't help it Bob, I gotta Rye sense of humor.

    Jim
  • w8ifiw8ifi Member Posts: 78
    I think you are "right on" Juice. On this evening news this was highlighted. Apparantly Daimler stock went up $3.00 on this news. One possible motive mentioned was GM could limit their competition. Silliest justification I ever heard. And we pay these clowns those enormous wages? GM's competition isn't chrysler to any degree, it was the quality asian products that are killing us. Too bad you, Bob and Paison couldn't buy it. Betcha all the foolishness would be gone pretty fast. I would like to see Benz sink with it. First thing they did was remove all the american managers. They only have to blame themselves.

    Jim
  • msuvetmsuvet Member Posts: 54
    Hello fellow yoopers!

    My mom was raised in Iron River. I grew up in Negaunee, so I'm not really familar with the west end of the UP.

    I do like pasties, though!

    My husband hunts on land near Crystal Falls every deer season, and he brough back a bunch of pasites for the freezer. Still working on them...

    I love going back home during the winter, for some real winter weather! Although we've had a good bit of it in the lower peninusla this year too.

    My VDC loves to go up north too, to see all the subies around!

    Christina
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Iron River? That's not too far from Ironwood, correct?

    Hard to believe we've got this "Yooper" discussion going here! When I was up there I didn't see many Subies, which surprised me. With all the snow you get up there I thought I would see more. There also didn't seem to be many dealers up there either, also surprising. Maybe Subies are viewed as being too expensive for most of the folks up there?

    Bob
  • w8ifiw8ifi Member Posts: 78
    Hi Christina
    Nice to hear from a fellow Yooper! I worked for the U.S. Forest Service for awhile in Iron River. Your husband may have hunted on American Can woodlands near Amasa. I worked there for awhile too. The southern most part of the U.P. didn't get much snow so far. I only have about 4" on the ground and maybe total 20 inches for the season. Quite a difference from Negaunee, Hougton and the lake counties.
    Jim
  • w8ifiw8ifi Member Posts: 78
    In the snow belt along the lake from Houghton thru Negaunee, Marquette and Munising there are a fair amount of subies. A few years ago our Iron River office had 13 people and 5 subie owners amongst them. There is only one dealer in the U.P. I know of and that is in Marquette.I think it may have changed hands in the last few months. Good sales staff but heard some grumbles from my co-workers about the service department. So I've had my work done in Schofield wisconsin. About 150 miles due south. If you go due east on US-2 from Ironwood you'll pass thru Watersmeet(50 miles) and then Iron River(85 miles from Ironwood) then Crystal Falls (100 miles) then Iron Mountain(130 miles). I talked to my chrysler dealer about taking on the subaru line but subaru wouldn't go for it. He had a nice new facility too.
    I still think if subaru allowed more dealers they would really improve sales.
    Jim
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    surprised your parents didn't name you "Reuben Rye" ...

    along with the rest of the discussion .. living near the southern border of Michigan, I actually met my first "yooper" on a visit to Texas ... lol
  • w8ifiw8ifi Member Posts: 78
    Hi....! Nice to meet you. I know you are a regular on these boards. I always looked forward to "Swampy's" one liners. Is he still around the boards? Haven't seen his wit for awhile.
    Years ago(long ago) I used to have a buddy with the last name of Corn. We were in a bar one night. A third friend called there to see if we were there. First time the bartender hung up the phone. The second time he looked around kind of sheepishly and said "Is there a corn or rye here?" When we both responded he said" I thought he was sh----- Me!
    Jim
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    Jim -
    ...and if you follow US-2 all the way to its western terminus, you'll end up at my city on Puget Sound: Everett, WA. Far apart, but connected by one winding highway. Head east instead, and you'll end up near some of our NE members in Boston. Not all the highway's sections connect, but it'd make one heck of a road trip!

    You really get car(ried)away with the Rye jokes! :D

    Caraway... boy, that was a bit of a stretch there. Sorry! :blush:
  • w8ifiw8ifi Member Posts: 78
    Hi....!

    Nice area out there. My niece works in the tall building(Wells Fargo) in downtown Seattle. My son got married two years ago in Monroe. (I took Amtrak to Everett). Years ago my brother worked in Bremerton. Of the 4 times I've been to Seattle it's been warm and sunny. I like the farmers market there!We've had some birds dying here...they think they have a canarial disease called chirpies...they can't tweet it. :shades:
    Jim
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I remember my mother telling me that when she was a child, she and her sisters and brother would often have to climb out the second story window to get outside as there was so much snow! Sorta sounds like what upstate New York is experiencing now.

    Ironwood is what, 20 miles from Lake Superior? So, like that section of NY, it's all lake-effect snow.

    Bob
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    "Of the 4 times I've been to Seattle it's been warm and sunny."

    ssshhh! It's only supposed to rain here. Keeps the Californians away. ;)

    The way this thread's goin', I feel like breaking into song... "It's a small world, afterall..."
  • w8ifiw8ifi Member Posts: 78
    Since the 50's the total snowfall seems to be tapering off somewhat there. I think their average now ranges around 180 to 200 inches. Not like in the 30's. Still plenty if you have to shovel it. You're right,it's all lake effect there.
    20 miles west and 15 south in some places you can see the snowbanks tapering down. Listening to CHWO toronto 740 am. Lot's of music like when we grew up. I noticed most car radio's now don't pick up am much better than my old crystal sets. Just read an item quoting the president of Auto Nation I think it was. He is going to reduce his inventory because american car makers are producing what is economical or what fits their production line and not what the public is asking for. Finally someone speaking up that can influence things. Whether they admit it or not, the new vehicles are really copying what subaru has been producing for a long time. I would think the stormy weather in the northeast should nudge up subaru's sales? Now if subaru would finally, respond and fix those pesky arm rests!!!!
    Jim
  • w8ifiw8ifi Member Posts: 78
    A little while back I read an item, I think it was in the Seattle Times right after a storm, although it might have been in the Albuquerque paper, about two cars that went off an overpass on an icy stretch. One car was a VW and both people were killed. The other was a subaru and the people escaped with minor injuries. I think both cars had rolled.
    Supports subaru's safety record.
    Jim
  • w8ifiw8ifi Member Posts: 78
    Lot's of interesting stuff there Bob. thanks. I haven't tracked how the dollar has done in relation to the yen. If its similar to how the euro has done against the dollar that might account for the flatness in auto revenues. Some of that would be made up in euro sales I would think. At a glance it seems their aerospace and industrial lines are showing some upward progress. Looks like they have some subcontracts with Boeing? I'm surprised that the gasoline general purpose engines are rising but diesel flat. I thought it would be the opposite. Seems like there are an awful lot of divisions in the company. I think though that is typical of japanese corporate structure. Might be better for quality control purposes. I think american culture of management would be to combine and streamline. Can't say if thats better or not. Thoughts? Jim
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    As I'm sure you're aware, Subaru is just one part of Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), hence all the divisions. The automotive aspect (Subaru) is what we're all familiar with, and sometimes we might confuse the other divisions as being a part of Subaru—which they're not. They're all separate units under the large FHI corporate umbrella.

    Bob
  • w8ifiw8ifi Member Posts: 78
    Yeah....kinda like saying GE doesn't just make light bulbs..!!!

    Jim :shades:
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I wonder what he's like? If he came from Marketing? Engineering? Design? :confuse:

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Ok, let's say you have $20k toward a $26k car and can finance it at 1.9% Would it be better to finance more than you have to and put the balance in a higher % interest earning account or put down the most cash and have a lower payment?

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Wow, I could have posted that, I'm in the exact same situation. What a coincidence.

    That's about what I have saved up, and right around my target price.

    I guess it depends on how disciplined you are. If you know you will invest the money, then yes, finance more and earn more interest than you pay.

    If you think you might blow it on a trip to Atlantic City, then put the money down.

    Investing it also gives you more flexibility if an emergency pops up.

    I think I will take low-rate financing (unless it means I lose a rebate) if it's offered. For instance, the 07 Tribeca has both cash back and low-rate financing, so I'd take a short 3-year loan to get the lowest rate, sure.

    Catch is, my interest bearing accounts earn next to nothing nowadays, less than 1% for checking, not much more for savings. So I'll still probably put as much down as I can.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Yeah I'm looking at an 07 LGT, where they are offering the 1.9% financing. I figured I could probably find a money market that pays more than 1.9% but it may not be worth the effort in the end.

    Are you trying to deal Juice or going with the VIP/Friends+Family deal?

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I wish it was that simple.

    You know me, I've been on The Fence for oh, about 7 years now. :D

    So it depends. I'm waiting to see the 08 Tribeca. I've heard from a certain female superhero that it's worth the wait.

    We do need something by summer, though. My wife just signed the kids up for camp, and we're car pooling with another big family. The parents will be taking turns taking FIVE KIDS back and forth every other day.

    We don't even own a vehicle with 6 seat belts, and I work so 2 cars are not an option.

    So my deadline is early summer.

    VIP is 2% under invoice, but a peek at FitzMall tells me I can do better on an 07, as dealers are giving up their holdback and seemingly even more, not exactly sure how to be honest.

    2007 Tribecas and Legacy both have rebates and low rates, you get both. The Forester gets either or, but not both.

    Plus, I now have $1100 in Subaru Bucks. So even if I set a $30k price limit, I can spend $31,100 at the Subaru store, and still get the 1.9% financing for whatever I have to borrow. Pretty substantial savings.

    The big question is how will they price the 08 models? If prices stay flat, invoice on an 07 7 passenger is about $31k, so I can do 2% lower than that, or about $30,380.

    Minus the Subaru Bucks is $29,280, very reasonable IMO for the equipment levels.

    I'll have to wait and see what incentives they offer. I seriously doubt it'll be both cash and a low rate.

    I probably will use VIP if I get a new 08, but not for an 07, given the current deals.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Same exact debate for me get an 07 before they are gone or gamble they won't increase the price of the 08s...

    joy.

    -mike
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    So my deadline is early summer.

    Park your manhood at the door and get a MINI VAN!!!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'm not like that, vans are in the running, too.

    Ody has a bit more road noise than I care for, though it has an outside shot. I also didn't like the EX-L seats, so I'd look at a cloth EX. I hate that it doesn't have VCM, though.

    I like the Sienna, but the very minimum setup for me is an LE with Package 3 (stability control, VSC, and alloys are what I care for). That's $26,689, a bit steep given it's lacking heated seats, AWD, and a ton of other stuff. This would be a compromise that I might be willing to make if I don't like the 08 Tribeca.

    Entourage is in the back of my mind, but here on Edmunds a lot of folks get pretty bad vibrations over 70mph, i.e. wheel balance problems that are as of yet unresolved. That gives me cold feet. I could get more than I want for less than my max budget, though, value is incredible.

    I'm a bit mad because I've been keeping track of prices and they were much lower in November of last year. They're way up right now, i.e. not a good time to buy. I know it's the slow sales season, but you'd think that would motivate dealers to lower prices. Not so.

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Decisions decisions, glad I don't have that worry. The Titan is good for many years yet.

    Cheers Pat.
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    Seems your pricing is safe for the '08s, juice. AutoWeek says, after an interview with CEO Kunio Ishigami, "Subaru won't change the price of the B9 Tribeca. But Ishigami hinted that Subaru may put more standard equipment on the crossover."

    http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070118/FREE/70117001&Profil- - e=1024

    Better 3rd row access.
    Bigger engine w/no premium fuel requirement.
    Revised styling.
    Improved visibility.
    More equipment.
    Same price. Sounds like "Wonder Woman" knows what she's talkin' 'bout.

    Also of note: "Ishigami says Subaru won't offer higher incentives to run out the B9 Tribeca but has cut production so the supply dwindles." Sounds like the deals on '07s won't get any better than they are right now.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yup, I read about all that stuff in Automotive News. Seems like Autoweek pretty much summarized what they've written so far. Both are H-F Publications, so no surprise.

    The engine the the better visibility are the biggies for me. I also hope they surprise us and come out with a bigger gas tank. I'm sure a 16.9 gallon tank would be an annoyance for me.
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    Hey, a 3.6L boxer. Just what the Legacy needs. Along with a turbocharger, it would make one impressive STi Legacy. :)

    Sounds like a lot of big improvements to make the Tribeca more competitive. It's too bad the SUV market has dwindled.

    tom
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yes, the SUV market is dwindling, but that makes it a buyer's market.

    The problem is, Subaru cut supply drastically when Toyota took over an assembly line at SIA, so prices have been flat. :(

    If the 08 has more content, I'll use up my Subaru Bucks and hopefully at least get a low rate for the loan.

    -juice
  • nickelnickel Member Posts: 147
    Well Juice. I think if they show the B9s in NY, you won't have them in June, maybe in the fall, so you'll be renting all summer (can't figure you out in another SUV than the B9).

    Last year, at the time of buying the minivan, my wife and I fought about AWD in the Sienna, she said if I was to buy a OB, then it wouldn't be necessary two AWD in my house. Which is true, unless the extended family come in winter and want to go to the ski resorts, which hasn't happened so far. So, she won. But we paid in the 4th of July deals about $24k, taking advantage of the $2k rebate that Toyota put. LE 8 pass, VSC.

    But then, last week I spend 9 days in Orlando on a rented Sedona, and let me tell you, the difference with the Sienna is that over 70 mph, accel is a bit coarse, but under 70 is a very nice motor. Sienna is nicer inside, but truth to be told, if I do it again and I can find an Entourage or Sedona with Stability and Traction, and DVD player at $21K, with that warranty, I'll jump.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    None of the vans are that cheap right now. I'm envious of the deal you got.

    Can you beleive an LE 8 passenger with VSC now costs nearly $27k?! That's up $3 grand from your price. This is in the dead of winter, supposedly a buyer's market. Not so.

    And the Hyundai ain't that cheap, either. $22k for a GLS with all the safety stuff standard, but that's got plastic wheel covers. An SE is a good value (dual power sliding doors, alloys) at about $24k, but I saw one Limited model for $25k that was really tempting me. That had heated leather seats, luminescent gauges, ACC, power seats with memory, power tail gate, the works.

    NAV is an overpriced option, even for Hyundai. A moonroof adds about a grand. DVD is overpriced, too. Costco has a 10" screen that is under $600 installed.

    So I was tempted to get that Limited for $25k, put in that Costco DVD, and have it all for $25.6k. Add a portable GPS and I'm still under $26k for every option I want, minus a moonroof.

    That compares favorably to a loaded Sienna for around $42k, sure. :D

    -juice

    PS That Limited van sold, bummer. Cheapest one now is $27k and adds only a moonroof. :sick:
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    When we were shopping in 2001/2002, 'premium' minivans like the Sienna and Odyssey were selling for full list, or over. We paid almost $28k for our Ody EX, and waited nearly 6 months for it to come in. Compare the equipment level, and the Kia/Hyundai are the steal of the decade.

    Steve
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yes, and thank you for that. I need to come back down to earth some times.

    We all want the best deal ever, but of course only one single person really gets that. :shades:

    -juice
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    juice - really, do you care about the wheel balancing and hub cap issues?

    You're going to put aftermarket on anyways aren't you??

    :)
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