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Comments
There's something about a good, old car. They're just...simpler. Lighter. Less isolated. More pure.
In a time when even "sports cars" weigh over 3000 lbs it's nice to look back once in a while.
I gave her a new set of rotors and pads as a reward for fine service. She put up a fight when I was removing the old ones (rusted caliper bracket bolts) but now after all the hard work, braking performance is superb!
I went with Paisan's suggestion on the Mountain rotors and opted for Hawk HPS pads as I was very happy with the previous set. Flushed and filled with ATE Super Blue :shades:
The only downside is that with all this rain, I am already seeing rust spots on the hat and along the vents
Other milestones 100,000, 123,456
Alan
98 OBW Ltd
ATE Superblue
Hawk HPs
Mountain Rotors (Hope you didn't pay a lot for the set)
I have to get rotors for my LGT, will either go with Mountains (if they have em) or DBA + Hawk HPs pads.
-mike
I hope I didn't pay too much either :surprise: $42 fronts, $37 rears per rotor, + free shipping.
The cost is minimal when compared with the increased safety. I really waited way too long to take care of this.
Alan
98 OBW Ltd
I think the most I've gone is 107k miles, and that vehicle was totalled.
I hope to keep the van and the Forester forever.
I'm happy with the Miata right now, so we'll see. It accumulates miles very slowly, though, it's a '93 and still only has 70 something.
-mike
Keep in mind that these are for a 98 OBW with 15" wheels. I looked up the price for a 2005 Outback and the Mountain rotors are $65/$54 at the same online site (Racepages.com).
Alan
98 OBW Ltd
My wife was with me and the temp was 110 so didn't get much of a look but they looked decent enough from the outside and had leather interiors. I'm guessing that the sedans will target Accord and Camry buyers but be priced significantly less.
-Frank
-mike
And on another note, we're going to be in Wellsboro PA for 2 weeks for a music festival. Any one know anything about the place, other than some gorge and STPR?
Mark
Bob
Subaru dealers in Japan have processed 4,657 Exiga orders in the first month of sales, or double the monthly forecast of 2,300.
* Buyers in their 30's made up 44% of orders, while 26% are in their 40's
* 74% chose AWD
* 2.0GT: 43%; 2.0i-S: 30%; 2.0i-L: 24%
* Satin White Pearl: 24%; Obsidian Black Pearl: 20%; Spark Silver Metallic: 16%
* Options chosen- keyless/push-start: 60%; tinted windows 46%; panoramic glass roof: 38%; rearview camera/nav: 30%
It always amazes me that FHI sells just a few more cars per year in Japan that the US, but the Japanese get 10 Subaru models to choose from while we get 5. :sick:
• It was the worst accelerating car that I've driven in 30+ years. From a dead stop, when giving gas, the 3-cylinder, 999cc engine felt like it was going to stall, rather than move the car forward. I can't imagine what it would be like with a passenger onboard.
• The only way to drive this car is with the auto-manual transmission in "manual mode." Driven in that mode it was actually fun. Still sssslllloooowwww—but fun. In the "auto mode" it will put you to sleep—not a good thing when driving. Also in "auto mode," it's very reluctant to downshift, on hills, etc. I can't think of a more miserable driving experience. Like I say, "manual mode" is the ONLY way to go with this car—and that is fun! This is the only tranny available; there is no pure manual to be had.
• It requires premium fuel. Are they kidding? In an eco-friendly, save-our-planet car like this?
• Handling? Ummm... Never mind.
• Steering seemed a bit slow for a car this tiny.
• While it's capable of 40+ mpg, for a car this size I would expect 70+ mpg.
• $18K or so as equipped—OUCH!
• This car has more "cult" potential than any other car on the market. It's a sure conversation starter—a sure plus for shy people.
The Smart sort of reminded me of my first car, a '62 VW sunroof. I have fond memories of that car, even though it was as primitive as an anvil. Like that old VW, and despite all the Smart's real-world shortcomings, it's still a hoot to drive. Yes, slow can be fun!
I was pleasantly surprised at how good (and stable) it felt at speed, if you can call 40 or 50 mph speed. I would have no problems driving it on back country roads like where I live. Certainly the risk of getting speeding tickets drops to about zero.
Now, if and when they bring over the turbo-powered Brabus Smart—give me a call! That should be an ubër hoot to drive.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=123441
There currently two Smart dealers here in Maryland, one in Germantown (where I went), the other in Annapolis. Both are paired with Mercedes dealers. Interesting to note that you purchase the car via the Internet, and not the dealer. You merely go to the dealer to pick the car up and have it serviced.
Bob
Those extra five models would have to be crash tested and EPA certified.....costs that might eliminate any Subaru of America profit.
In any case, I think they are great for what they are built for- city commuting. NYC, Chicago, etc, are all places where owning one makes sense. It's appeal is as much about getting around in tight spaced and parking as it is fuel use. I saw one in Baltimore last week parked head-in in-between 2 parallel parked cars LOL.
Didn't say there was an environmental advantage Loosh. It just makes no sense to me for a tiny economy car to run on premium gas. Beyond that it's a HUGE turn-of to many customers.
Think not? My wife was in love with the new Mini until she found out it takes premium gas. Guess what? It's now off her shopping list. She's not alone, as I know a lot of people who just will not buy a car that requires premium gas.
I guess it really doesn't matter, as there is a year-long waiting list for this car. So obviously the premium-gas haters don't have much of a leg to stand on.
If you're interested, there are two dealers here in Maryland. One in Germantown (where I went) and one in Annapolis. Both are paired with Mercedes-Benz dealerships. You should go drive one.
Bob
Toyotaru coupe, yes.
But a very small, high mpg car may also be needed. I'm not sure any Subaru-engined model is appropriate. Toyota's smallest US offering has poor brakes (no antilock offered in Chicago), but perhaps bigger brakes with antilock and a Subaru grille would fix it........at minimal cost because it probably would not need new certification. Quick availability would please the dealer network!
Subaru's got plenty of gas engines to choose from... 2.0, 1.5 or even smaller (not that I'd really want to go smaller than 1.5 in the US) but again... it's the certification/testing.
Agreed that the cluster is terrible. I wonder if that could be changed without complete crash testing?
Lack of AWD may actually be a requisite to get adequate mpg.
It actually has a tow rating of 800lbs and 80lb tounge weight.
If you want more power I hear you can slap a ninja motorcylce motor in and it only raises the rear engine compartment about 3-4" Or put the hyabusa engine in which takes up the passenger seat but is very powerful!
-mike
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV4HdsDZX6c
Monster Smart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PBujTknCNw&NR=1
Bob
Still, all over 'verts are over $20k, too.
I think the Smart will be trendy at first, the same way the PT Cruiser and New Beetle were. But can it sustain sales?
Keep in mind there is a wait list only because supply is very small.
Once the novelty wears off and people sober up, I bet a lot of people on that wait list cancel their orders. You can get a Fit Sport for $15 grand that puts it to shame.
A $15K Fit may beat it "objectively," but not "subjectively." A Fit is nowhere as "cool" as the Smart; not even close...
Bob
It's a conversation starter, basically.
In a year or two that will go away.
Bob
Here it's a novelty item. Can they sustain strong sales?
Powertrain upgrades will be key.
http://www.arcadyholistic.ca/blog/SmartCarParking.jpg
Bob
Speaking of which, some *&^%$! put scratches in both our van and the new Forester while we were gone. Why?
That photo looks liek when I was in Hungary- everyone parked wherever they could find space; didn't matter if it was a sidewalk or not :confuse: .
Mark
It's gotten a little better. A little.
You'll also see 4 cars side-by-side when there are only 3 lanes. :surprise:
http://images.google.com/images?q=Smart%20car%20parking&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=or- - g.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi
The point is this car is a real boon to urban dwellers. There's nothing like it.
Bob
Problem is it's no cheaper than a Miata.
I park in a garage so that issue doesn't exist for me. The Miata is small and zippy in traffic.
Show me a tuner version, but keep prices realistic.
Bob
Bob
The Sky and Miata start at just over $20k but that is without A/C. They tend to sell for about $23k.
I'm actually considering a new Miata so I'm shopping for those. You don't see stripped models, so $22.9k is the lowest price I've seen.
At $18k, that is the lowest priced convertible on the market, and it doesn't have to compete with the more practical 5 seat hard tops.
Let's see how many Smarts are of the convertible variety.