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  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Immediate gratification for the winner. See the car, get a beer right then and there. :-)

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Interesting link, Bob. I've noticed that Subaru has been putting ads on more major channels during prime time lately. Before, I would only catch a glimpse of Subaru ads on obscure channels.

    Ken
  • ffsteveffsteve Member Posts: 243
    Is is time to awake again? All this minivan talk was making my eyes glaze over.

    But this is the Cafe, where anything goes so I'm not complaining! :)

    Rip van Steve
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    GET BACK TO WORK, SLACKERS!! ;'D

    listen to yourselves, arguing about folding 9 passenger seating and power sliding doors! Let's talk about something more interesting, like which FishFinder is best or who ties the best lure! LOL!! Guess it depends if you're looking for turbot or not.

    =8^D

    j/k BTW
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Does BTW stand for "back to work" in that instance? ;-)

    I've thought about writing a follow-up letter to Drive. Remember they published my letter and photo, titling it "Precious Cargo"? I'm thinking about a new photo, with both Subies, both kids, they could call "More Precious Cargo".

    Wouldn't that be funny?

    -juice
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    I saw a new WRX ad in the new Sport Compact Car.
    There's a shot of a Rally Team USA car making a jump. Underneath it says, "Our competitiion races All-Wheel Drive cars. We actually sell them." There's a blue WRX sedan underneath that. Then it goes on to talk about how all of the cars at the Pike's Peak Hill Climb had AWD, but only Subaru sells an AWD car that you can buy.

    Guess they run that only until the EVO shows up. :-)

    The best knot to attach monofilament leader to a line is the "surgeons knot". :-)

    -Dennis
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Funny thing is that someone pointed out in the ad that the boost guage in the background shows much much higher than you can actually run on the street car! :)

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That euro-Accord wagon is kind of hard on the eyes. The sedan looks much better. Mazda and Subaru style their wagons far better, IMO.

    At least it's squared off nicely and probably has better cargo space.

    So MT chose the Volvo? They look good on paper, though nothing spectacular. That award is more about marketing than substance, IMO.

    A buddy at work is shopping for one. Demand is very high. He's eligible for the diplomatic discounts and stuff, but they're not sure they can find him one any time soon, so he's also looking at the Aviator. He wants to tow a small boat, so the V8 is appealing to him.

    The Monterey looks like a Ford Windstar with "distinctive satin aluminum finish" added on everywhere. And how can they expect 45% of buyers to be empty nesters? Who are they kidding? Try 5%.

    Hey mike - is that your skyroof? 700 mm x 1030 mm works out to be 27.6" x 40.6". And the skyroof model includes the twin-screen DVD, pretty cool. Plus it's diesel!

    -juice
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    I'm waiting for juice & co. to show up in one of those ads.

    Here's one (long post):
    Two couples meet at one of their homes all nicely dressed for dinner. They decide to take seperate cars to the restaurant. The lead car is an OB followed by their friends in an SUV. The road is twisty and in some parts wet. As they are driving you see the couple in the SUV trying to keep up with the OB. The couple is clearly on edge. Flash back to the couple in the OB turning on some classical music and having a nice conversation. Back to the SUV, where the couple is now holding on for dear life. Finally, the OB owners reach the restaurant fully relaxed with their friends no where in site. They decide to go the bar to wait. When the bartender asks them if they wish to have a drink they decline, only to be drowned out by their friends (who just entered) with the answer yes! Clearly, their hair and clothes are a mess. When you get it, you get it.

    by Greg
  • storytellerstoryteller Member Posts: 476
    I had the same response to the Camry and Accord wagons we had a few years ago: looks like someone's attempt to build a fuel-efficient hearse.

    Steve
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Greg: you should become a writer.

    -juice
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    the french wine. :)
  • dudedude Member Posts: 123
    Accord wagon looks a lot like Pontiac Vibe.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    A vibe stretched two feet, maybe.

    Actually, now I know what it reminds me of - the Isuzu Axiom!

    Seriously, just shorter, but almost exactly the same from the profile.

    -juice
  • fxsfxs Member Posts: 50
    Had a run in with a GTS the other day when "the horror" pulled behind my WRX at a red light. By the time I entered the interstate and pulled in the passing lane immediately to avoid slower merging traffic, the dodge had closed the gap on the straight, braked, then left me relativistically standing still as he passed on the right. I think I was doing 100mph in third gear before I ineptly hit my rev limiter. I was so dazed and confused by the event that I forgot to shift to 4TH. Bless me father for I have sinned, in the future I will turn the other cheek and obey all of Caesar's laws...on the street. Forsan et Haec Olim Menimisse Juvabit.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, but that Viper probably had to stop for gas at the next exit. And again at the one after that.

    Nissan is bouncing back, for sure, but there are still some serious issues they need to address, primarily interior quality. The Q is a dog in terms of sales, and the M45 is way, way outdated for a "new" model.

    I like the G35, the coupe especially. But even then, the interior is about where Nissan should be. They need to aim higher. It'll succeed, though.

    Another problem is overlap. The Altima and G35 already overlap a bit in price. I'd cross-shop the two. Throw Maxima and I35 in the mix, and you're looking at 4 mid-size sedans from the same company. Not one in a wagon, not one with AWD (yet).

    The Murano is stylish but doesn't have a 3rd row, which seems inexcusable given how late they are to market. Look at Honda, they finally got it right with the Pilot.

    They'll add a van and a pickup, plus a big SUV, but you think maybe they're spreading themselves thin?

    IMO Nissan has enough fresh product to make a profit, but I hope the R&D engineers get those profits, not the bean counters. Then they should reinvest and update/fix the above issues in the next 3-5 years.

    Here you go Carlos, your to-do list:

    Sentra: IRS, full re-do
    Altima: LSD w/V6, upgraded interior
    Maxima: IRS, LSD standard, AWD option
    Murano: 3rd row, manual tranny
    G35: upgraded interior, make those manuals promised!
    M45: dump this old Cedric/Gloria ugly duckling
    Q45: redesign one to replace both M45 and current Q
    Pathfinder: redesign, this thing is OLD
    I35: drop? Becomes redundant with new Max/G35
    XTerra: fire the guy that face-lifted it, it looks like a geek with glasses now

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    to overhaul a vehicle lineup properly. In the meantime, there are only band-aid design remedies for some models—some that work, and some that don't; while others get complete makeovers. It will probably take 5 or 6 years before everything starts to really gel, in terms of "brand" looks.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, but what I'm saying is part of the new product onslaught is arriving with these issues to begin with.

    They had a clean sheet of paper, a perfect chance to get it right, and it's sad because they come so close.

    The only sedan wrapper worthy of the new VQ series engine is the G35, and even that has some obvious flaws (rear styling, interior).

    -juice
  • dudedude Member Posts: 123
    As we all know, every car has its own pros and cons, but if you had the power to build your own perfect car what would it be? (meaning like, exterior of VW, interior of toyota and so on...)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    This'll be fun. Let's limit choices to cars currently available in the US, and from cars that cost under $30k, to keep it realistic.

    Here's my list:

    VW interior
    WRX seats
    Subaru VTD AWD
    Nissan VQ engine
    Hyundai warranty
    Ford rebate
    GM 0% financing
    Trooper Moonroof

    Sound like a good start? Other suggestions?

    -juice
  • dudedude Member Posts: 123
    WRX seats??
    Are they comfortable?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I love 'em. They have great side bolsters, and are not leather, for once.

    If I could cheat I'd specify Canadian WRX seats, which are also heated.

    Let me add a couple:

    * Kia price
    * Forester Hill Holder clutch
    * Forester S Premium standard equipment list

    Edmunds put the new Outlander review on their home page. Mitsu really fell short here, it's overweight, slower than anything since the 1997 CR-V automatic, and missed all the must-have-as-standard-equipment (ABS, AWD, side air bags).

    I don't see how it can compete, in fact. Drum brakes, no manual tranny, and the ugliest dash I've ever seen. Who cares if it's retro Alfa, maybe that's why Alfa failed in the US market.

    I'll reserve final judgement until I can drive one, but what exactly does it offer than everyone else doesn't already have?

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    an SVX with a turbo and VTD Sportshifter? Thanks!

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Nope - wasn't it over $30 grand even back then?

    -juice
  • dudedude Member Posts: 123
    Juice, Kia price doesn't count, got to be realistic, :)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Sorry, thought I might as well dream!

    -juice
  • dudedude Member Posts: 123
    Speaking of Kia price, do you think that Subaru will have something like Justy back in the US? I'd think it would be very popular on the east coast where weather is rough and so is the availability of parking.
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    the current UK Justy. Just a re-badged Suzuki
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    Today's Specials in the Cafe:


    Pond Scum - Thanks to paisan for collecting this on his last Pine Barrens trip! Extra charge for fresh worms. :-)


    Strained Eyeballs - What Karen's eyes look like after a day in the TH.


    Pina Ghoulada - You should see my eyes after a couple of these!


    Vampire Bat Wings - I spent the entire night snaring these suckers. Suckers! Get it??? Uhhh...ahem...moving on.


    Kitty Litter Cake - Said to be Hadji's favorite! ;-)


    Happy Halloween!

  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    My sticker reads just under $29K for the '92 model. >'92 it jumped over $30K

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yup, in the UK they basically sell a Geo Metro clone.

    I'd like to see a TS sedan, maybe. They could sell it with a 2.0l engine, they have one in Japan that makes 156hp.

    Maybe sell it for a grand less than the current TS wagon, but with all the same equipment (ABS, AWD, power pkg, etc).

    I don't want to see a tiny econobox, though. It could damage their attempt to move upscale.

    -juice
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    LOL ... that was TOO realistic!!!
    Everyone have a safe Halloween !!!
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    and moved to the I-Club?

    Geez, anybody try to post anything over there recently, or even log on to any forum? It's brutal!

    Bob
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    working OK for me, Bob.

    -Colin
  • jay_24jay_24 Member Posts: 536
    A month or so back (might have been on "Meet the Members") couple of you talked about being on or trying the high protien diet....

    A) my wife is a dietitian, her response don't do it. Everything in moderation.

    B) from ABC News:
    NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Missouri doctors describe the case of an apparently healthy 16-year-old girl who collapsed suddenly and died after spending one to two weeks on a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet.

    Electrolyte imbalances due to the diet, and the resulting damage to her heart function, were likely responsible, the physicians who cared for her report in a recent issue of the Southern Medical Journal. The girl had no known illnesses or medical conditions.

    ------

    Just eat well, exercise and put miles on that Subaru...

    --jay
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The funny thing is:

    * most doctors never studied nutrition in med school
    * doctors weigh more on average than the rest of the population

    So they are less fit and don't even know why.

    -juice

    PS Atkins had a heart attack
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    Their server got hacked. Plus also they are in the middle of changing servers, so there will be problems. It has been very slow for me all week.
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Lucien,

    That explains it. I've been wondering what's been going on with their site all week.

    Ken
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I read that too.

    It's been real frustrating. I went to post something, and nothing happened, so I hit the post button several times, and lo and behold, it posted my message 4 times!

    I then went to delete the extra messages, and couldn't delete them because it was sooooo slow. After about a 1/2 hour of trying, I finally was able to delete the extra posts. It's been very frustrating even to try to post anything, or log on. I keep getting "timed out" or "the server is too busy, please try later" messages.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    No problems here for me or on I-club.

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Almost half the new cars sold in Europe are diesel, in France it's over 60%!

    http://www.car-truck.com/chryed/buzz/b103102.htm


    Fuel issues (cetane rating & low sulfur)

    http://www.car-truck.com/chryed/buzz/b110102.htm

  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day

    Just as you folk have been winterising your Subarus, I have been out flushing the remnants of winter out of mine. One of the defects of the Outback design is that there is a sump at the bottom of the front mudguard, just forward of the doors, that fills with mud each winter. The drains are inadequate and clog up easily. Given the amount of time, I spend off bitumen, this is a real hassle.

    Washing it out is a pain, particularly now as we are in the midst of a drought and water use is restricted.

    I thought I would be clever and made up a fine hose, using 4mm (about 3/16") irrigation tubing, sleeved into a hose fitting and all sealed up with silicon. I can now report that water pressure around here is higher than the seal breaking point of silicon. Maybe the car will dry out tomorrow!

    At least the mud has been washed out.

    Cheers

    Graham
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Subaru will need a diesel for Europe, even if Isuzu or someone else supplies it.

    -juice
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    I noticed that on my GT last time I was changing rims for an autocross. It had mud in there all right, and it was moist too. I got it somewhat cleaned out but need to get back in there and really do it right. On our OB, too.....
  • mdisaacsmdisaacs Member Posts: 28
    LOL Graham, I can see it now.
    How wet did you get?
    -mike
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