Subaru Crew Cafe

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  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    hee hee, you know me well.

    Depends. The GLS model comes with steelies and wheel covers, so maybe. But not the SE and Limiteds, and since those are still affordable, I'd probably keep the stock rims.
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Factor in one of the best warranties in the business as well juice.

    Cheers Pat.
  • nickelnickel Member Posts: 147
    In any case, don't forget the CX9, the Pilot or the Tribeca. Of course, if the 3rd seat is going to be only for kids, and the ocasional visitors (when your kids are going to be back, anyway), for me the Tribeca should stand out, when a 2006 is $27K. Just don't add leather, cause, minivan o SUV, the kids are going to destroy it.

    I love Subbies, but my option was to be the Pilot, only that I can't stand the steering column shifter. Press have been wonderful for the CX-9, but I think the Tribeca interior is way nicer.
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    I actually prefer leather with my kids- it's much much much easier to clean up a mess than cloth seats. The downside is that the seats get really cold in the winter.

    I am quite happy with our Pilot as a minivan substitute Juice. It's big enough that not too tall adults can fit in the 3rd row for reasonable trips (an hour or so), very stable even when driven, uh, rapidly, has a great engine, and a fair AWD system that works (Has done fine in snow and sand-it's no Subaru though). Best of all, it's a bit shorter than most of these huge minivans out there and more manueverable (my wife has not hit anything in a year and a half! :D )

    The only downside is that it's a little noisy. (typical Honda road noise) I'd say it's a little quieter than my LGT.

    It's still not quite as practical and functional as a Minivan, but if your kids aren't all 6' tall, it's fine.

    tom
  • leo2633leo2633 Member Posts: 589
    Just my .02 cents on Hyundai: my daughter was shopping for a used, late model Honda Civic a few years ago. She had her heart set on a Civic and wasn't considering anything else. We stopped in to a Hyundai dealer just up the road from Honda and, after a bit of research and a test drive, she wound up buying a brand new 2004 Accent GT (for considerably less than any used Civics we had looked at). Neither she, nor I, has regretted the choice. With 35K miles now on the clock, the car has been 100% reliable, and has had exactly ZERO issues. I really wish I could say the same about any of our THREE Subarus, all bought new.

    My advice: don't discount a Hyundai just because it's a Hyundai (like I always did).

    Len
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    My mom's Kia Optima has also been flawless for 40k miles despite 2 fender benders. $12k out the door!

    -mike
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Hyundai quality and reliability is right up there now with Honda and Toyota for less money and with a better warranty.

    The new Sonata could be mistaken for a Honda Accord. A neighbour of ours has had 2 Accents, and for the past year has had a Tucson, he hasn't had any trouble with any of them which is why he is staying with Hyundai.

    Cheers Pat.

    Cheers Pat.
  • leo2633leo2633 Member Posts: 589
    My wife likes the look of the new Santa Fe and is seriously considering one as a replacement for her Outback. I can go along with her on that. Our one Hyundai (my daughter's Accent) has been trouble-free, while our 3 Subarus have all had numerous issues.

    Len
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I hear ya, Pat, but here's a post that makes me concerned:

    burnie, "Hyundai Entourage Steering Vibration" #19, 10 Mar 2007 10:08 am

    A warranty is great, but if they can't fix the underlying problem, it's not worth the paper it's printed on. At least they trying.

    I'm just not sure if I want to bite until there is a resolution to this. It's a first year model, and even the Kia version is only in its 2nd year.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I looked at a Santa Fe, and it's a bit small. Plus, loaded up (leather, 3 rows, big V6) the price was $32k, and that's a Fitzmall street price.

    It's probably lower now with rebates, but that's Tribeca pricing and the Subaru is much nicer inside, and the Entourage is much roomier.

    The VeraCruz also looks nice. The interior is impressive, bigger and nicer than the Santa Fe. v1.0, though.

    I gotta check out a CX9 again. We took a quick look at them at the auto show, and none of us really fell in love with it, in fact we harly even remember it!

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Dunno, I still think the Trebeca is gonna be an orphan child, much like the unlamented Outback Sedan.

    Subarus are really popular here, and I could could count on one hand the number of Trebecas I have seen on the road here since it's inception.

    Cheers Pat.
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    I see them at least once a day. I've really gotten used to the looks - they look distinctive, but not out of place. Sleek.
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    I agree with Pat, the average American won't buy something that looks that strange. Especially when the Tribeca reminds me of an Edsel.

    A little restraint on Subaru's part and they would have had a winner.

    tom
  • rob_mrob_m Member Posts: 820
    my wife would never even consider one to replace her Outback. Rob M.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Well, first off the idea of something unique and exclusive is probably the #1 most appealing thing I see in the Tribeca. I don't want to see myself coming and going. I still love the SVX, for instance.

    There are more a few around here, including one that parks at the Elementary School, but about 764,384 Siennas and 54,734 Odysseys. You have to memorize your license plates or you'll lose it. :cry:

    I like the current styling, but I want the improvements expected on the '08 model, most importantly the 3.6l engine and the improved visibility. That's what will sell me on waiting for an '08.

    If it gets the Outback face it won't stand out nearly as much, but it should still be a low volume model, and remain at least fairly exclusive, so that's a perfect balance for me.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Juice, drop me a line when you get a chance. If I have to get the 2500HD Duramax, I may be in the market for a used Subaru this summer.... :)

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    We should trade vehicles! :D

    But nah, the Armada is overkill for my needs.

    It's a bit soon, but I'll put it for sale probably in May and let you know first.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Yeah, no rush at all. I won't be getting or be looking for the 2500HD till the summer, heck there is still ice floating in the Hudson yet! Just wanted to give you a heads up :)

    -mike
  • njswamplandsnjswamplands Member Posts: 1,760
    anyone else see that the forester was ranked last in its class in interior environment?

    edmunds linkee.. interior environmental quality
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Interesting article here on the "torque vectoring" aspect of the the Acura SH-AWD system.

    http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/pw/acura_awd.htm

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The word "environment" is misleading.

    Basically they measured the worst new car smell.

    And I have to agree, my Forester stunk to the high heavens for about two weeks. Crack a window open to let it air out while a new car gets through its outgassing.

    Subaru New Car Stench is well documented here. :sick:
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Kudos for them for testing and reporting on the specifics of an AWD system.

    I love it. It's proactive, and adds power where it's needed rather than reacting and taking power away from where it isn't needed.

    They really need a better name for it, though. :sick:
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,704
    How about.... Super Duper WAHOO! Handling All Wheel Drive

    ...hehhehe....

    I love it. It's proactive, and adds power where it's needed rather than reacting and taking power away from where it isn't needed.

    I agree with you.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Who owns the Superman "S" logo. They should license that and just put an S on it somewhere. :D

    image
  • amsbearamsbear Member Posts: 147
    Anyone else see this movie? Borrowed it from the library and watched it this past weekend ... eye opening to say the least. It revolves around the rise and fall of the GM EV1 car that was around (in california) in the mid to late 90's.

    Its a shame that this option was taken away from the publics hands :mad:

    Alan
    98 OBW Ltd
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Ah yes the electric car...

    Where we just shift the pollution from each car to power plants. I love how the proponents of "electric cars" always say they are Zero Emissions, when in fact they are NOT ZERO EMISSIONS!

    -mike
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    That may be the case in NE, but here in the northwest, hydro is our predominant source. Windfarms are on the rise, and even our local public utility (which was a player in the downfall of Enron) is launching a major effort looking into harnessing tidal power deep in some of the suitable channels in Puget Sound. Solar power at individual homes could be utilized also.

    Electric's not dead, with Subaru & Nissan preparing to launch in Japan in the next 2-3 years. Probably like the smart car, it'll show up in Canada for a few years before making it to the States, though. Really good technology is right around the corner for these puppies. I'd love to drive a Subaru R1e and use an Outback or Tribeca for trips. Probably fit about 4 of the little suckers into the Armada, though! :D
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I would hazzard to say less than 20% of the power in the US is hydro/wind/tidal. I just dislike when people (on either side) put out bad information. You have the envirowhackos who claim if you plug in the car it's zero emissions, and on the other side you have folks who say coal burning plants don't give off emissions at all.

    I think hybrids are the way to go and the ethenol based engines. The key will be battery/storage technology as the weight of batteries is what kills most electric/hybrid cars.

    It's funny that I believe the late 70s early 80s Datsuns and Hondas and Toyotas used to get about 50MPG on the highway, which is probably significantly higher than even hybrids today!

    -mike
  • amsbearamsbear Member Posts: 147
    Did anyone else see this movie? It's more about corporate America and our government and their ability to squash a potential good idea for the sake of the bottom line $. It shows that a car company can put an electric car into production with a good degree of success so long as there is cooperation amongst all the players in the auto industry and related fields. This was with the battery technology from over ten years ago too. Much has improved since then and I feel that it is a shame that it was totally killed instead of gradually allowed to be brought to the public.

    It's a documentary that I feel is worth seeing.

    Alan
    98 OBW Ltd
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Similar to the framing of John Delorean. Things are just a bit more civilized today but the concepts have been the same throughout the ages. Money talks... XX walks.... Unfair, yes, unfortunately that's life :(

    -mike
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,704
    I have not seen it, though I did see "trailers" that piqued my interest. I should take a look around and see if I can find a copy to borrow as it would be worth the watch.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Not yet, but it's in my NetFlix queue.

    I don't expect it to be fair or nearly 100% accurate, but it should be interesting nonetheless.

    Who says they're dead, though, how 'bout a Subaru R1e?

    image

    I gotta agree with paisan on this one - I hate when they call them Zero Emissions. The emissions are merely transfered somewhere else.

    But that's not as annoying as when people who favor plug-in hybrids and then say they can break "100 miles per gallon".

    DUH! They're NOT USING GAS AS A POWER SOURCE most of the time Einstein! So they shouldn't use MPG at all, use miles per kilowatt-hour or something. Or maybe even miles per dollar, so we could compare the efficiency to conventional cars.

    It would be like Honda saying their CNG Civic won't use a gallon of gas in its lifetime (again, DUH!). :mad:
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Back down to earth after my rant...

    I do like the idea of using renewable energy to power vehicles. Let's see what infrastructure builds up quickly enough to give us multiple fuel sources.

    Taxis in Brazil often use CNG because it's so cheap there. In fact many cars are set up at Tri-Flex Fuels, i.e. gas, ethanol, or CNG. They're actually well ahead of the USA, surprise surprise.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Yeah the infrastructure is what kills almost all fuel types other than Diesel and Gasoline.

    CNG looked promising, but they never really got it going on and installed it at gas stations nationwide.

    Then again you are talking to me, who burns 2-3mpg in the boat :)

    My buddys want to name it "S-OPEC"

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    For Screw or Support?

    You know where all that money's going, right? ;)

    CNG hookups for home are common. It makes sense for most commuters, but obviously not for a trip car.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Hee Hee. I think though it's going to be called "Last Bonus" since I'm not gonna get another one that could afford me a boat like that again.

    :)

    -mike
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    ...and found this:

    http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/73187482

    *sniff* She looks good with the grille mod and the spoiler. I hope she's getting some love. :cry:

    ;)
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    oh Mark aka Yellow Knight is taking good care of it!

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Think of how hard it'll be for me to let go of Sandy.

    I still keep trying to convince my wife to take the Tribeca. Heck, she would get the new car, why not? :cry:
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Wasn't hard for me with Al
    Gator :D
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    A former co-worker sold his Forester and bought a Saab 9-2x Aero. I'd seen it in the classifieds here at work a while ago, and wondered what he got to replace it.

    Pretty cool that he wanted another Subaru powertrain. He got the turbo this time around, because he was always wishing for a bit more power. :shades:
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I'm starting to think I may get an Impreza 2.5i next year if it comes with a dark interior and GPS in it.

    Also starting to think Scion Tc for economic reasons or even an 07 Impreza 2.5i possibly.

    Talk about all over the globe in terms of car choice.

    So in the running:
    SpecB
    MazdaSpeed6
    Scion Tc
    Impreza 2.5i 07
    Impreza 2.5i 08
    Impreza WRX 08
    1998 740il

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The tC has that really cool glass roof, that's what would appeal to me. I hear it's a bit heavy, though. Drive one, I wonder if it plows badly or not.

    I actually like the new Scion xB, since it got that same 2.4l engine. Visibility is the issue, though, with that thick C-pillar. :sick:
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Yeah I don't really like the Xb at all.

    The heavyness of the Tc would probably give it a good ride.

    I have to see if I'll be commuting to NJ everyday which I'll find out in a month or so. If that's the case then I'll be looking for something on the fuel efficient side of the equation.

    So many choices, so little money.

    -mike
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    From today's Times, an article on "gay" cars
    http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/12/fashion/12cars.html?8dpc
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'm very surprised, but that's a very well written article.

    There are lots of insecure people that let stereotypes like this influence their decision to buy. Not me.

    I mean, c'mon, I have a Miata and a Forester. That means I'd be both gay AND lesbian. :D

    -juice
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    Don't do the Tc. I had one as a loaner car for a day. I almost went back after an hour to get a different car! It's entirely hard plastic, and even though it was a new 2007 it rattled and vibrated like crazy (all plastic interior) The pickup wasn't that great, and the seats were really uncomfortable. On top of it all, it doesn't get great gas mileage. (Although compared to your Armada... :D )

    The Mazda 3 is a much better car than the Tc.

    But you are all over the place in terms of possible rides- maybe you should narrow it down a little? ;)

    tom
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    I would play the perception to my advantage.

    I would like to paint Pebbles pink, at least silver with pink flakes :D
    No one wants to race and beat or be beaten by a pink car.
    A wagon to add.

    -Dave
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Thanks for the input on the Tc. I really dislike the looks of the Mazda3 so I wouldn't get that.

    So today's rundown of cars...

    07 or 08 Impreza
    08 SpecB
    98 740il
    Altima Coupe?
    08 G35x? (Lease)

    That's about it for today! Thinking I may drive the 240sx til the AC breaks on it or something else major and then decide in Aug/Sept what to get and possibly get some year-end deals.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    We checked out the Altima sedan and coupe at NYIAS. We couldn't sit in the coupe, though.

    The sedan has TONS of rear leg room, it's amazing. It's like TWO sizes up from the Legacy.

    Subaru needs to look at the wheelbase lengths again.
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