Subaru Crew Cafe

rsholland

over at nasioc.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=295477

Bob

lark6

Would it be 3d's or 3d'5?

Not as up on this as others, nor do I want to be.

3d, going back to Ed ;-0

subearu

Here's a translator: http://features.darthwhoever.com/leet.php

According to that, Ed = 3d, Ed's = 3d'5. But, you can adjust the level of leet. Bumping it to the middle setting makes Ed = 3|) and Ed's = 3|)'5

-Brian, aka |3|2|4//\\//

;-)

rsholland

but just barely. Still, it sounds like a heck of a car for the price.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=295912

Bob

lucien2

on pricing. I predict the Monday STi launch will be priced just under. My dealer told me Thursday (When I picked up the OB) that they have not gotten prices for the STi yet, as SOA was waiting for the EVO launch before making a final decision.

rsholland

It was the 3rd best year ever for SOA, yet Baja sales continue to plummet.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/01-03-2003/0001865603&EDATE=

Bob

rsholland

http://www.laautoshow.com/

rsholland

http://www.edmunds.com/news/autoshows/articles/83141/page014.html

rsholland

has a folding hardtop, like Mercedes & Lexus.

http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_046498

Bob

lucien2

This came in over the BMW CCA email network. We're all car geeks, so if this one is on the road, we'll probably see it.

"Mohammed Fares
is asking for our help.

My beloved BMW 2002 was stolen last Monday (12-30-02) from Rockville, MD. The car is Silver (Polaris) with 16" Panasport Wheels, sunroof, extremely clean. It has Maryland tags w/ BMWCCA (National Capital Chapter)0161 on it, VIN 2745517. There's a BMWCCA and an American flag decal on the rear window. Please pass on the word and if anyone sees it or knows anything about it, please call me at work at 800-624-0673 or my cell at 301-502-0034.

Mohammed Fares

rsholland

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/2003/naias/04.nissan.truck.500.jpg

gpu

http://www.autonews.com/files/2003_detroit/

rsholland

Love the new Nissans, especially the new 5.6L Titan pickup! New F-150 looks good too.

Bob

rsholland

I may have been wrong about the new F-150 and Durango getting IRS, as there has been no mention of these features on the new models displayed.

I know Ford was originally planning to offer this feature on the F-150, but I also know that they've been bleeding huge amounts of red ink, due to all the recalls, and are being savage in terms of cutting expenses. For example, the Ranger was scheduled for a re-do next year, but that may have been pushed back to 2008, in order to save money!

I'm really surprised by the Durango concept lacking that IRS feature, as I had read in several news reports that it was to get IRS. This is still a concept, so who knows what the actual "production" version ends up with...

F-150

http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosinsider/0301/05/b04-51534.htm

Durango

http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosinsider/0301/05/a11-51766.htm

Bob

rsholland

Acura TSX

http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_046840

http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_046843

Lexus RX 330

http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_046818

http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_046815

rsholland

http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_046892

http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_046888

http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_046884

http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_046882

http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_046877

jimmyp1

That V16 is getting close to Paisan's torque requirements.

Jim

lucien2

Speaking of whom, I bet they're having a devil of a time with all that snow on the charity drive.

paisan

Here are the links...

http://isuzu-suvs.com/events/48II

http://homepage.mac.com/ibrandon/.Pictures/impreza/48hrs/day1/index.html

http://homepage.mac.com/ibrandon/.Pictures/impreza/48hrs/day2/index.html

http://homepage.mac.com/ibrandon/.Pictures/impreza/48hrs/day3/index.html

http://homepage.mac.com/ibrandon/.Pictures/impreza/48hrs/day4/index.html

Videos (right click and save to HD, uses quicktime)

http://homepage.mac.com/ibrandon/.Movies/48hrs/fcuk.mov

http://homepage.mac.com/ibrandon/.Movies/48hrs/flyby1.mov

http://homepage.mac.com/ibrandon/.Movies/48hrs/flyby2.mov

locke2c

I saw Matchstick Men two weeks ago. I liked it! Haven't been back out with that girl though... haven't even called. hehe

Also saw Rundown a week ago. I enjoyed it, not bad at all for an action flick. Enjoyed the company too-- seeing more of her.

-Colin

rsholland

What else Nissan/Infiniti have in store for their new aluminum-block 300+ HP DOHC 5.6L V8 used in the Titan? No doubt there will be an accompanying SUV at some point, but what about beyond that? Perhaps a 560Z? Or, how about a Q56?

Bob

lilbluewgn02

Add another 4 cylinders, another 4 ft of length, and a bull bar, and it'll be perfect for paisan
(:o))

rsholland

'04 Toyota Sienna

http://www.wieck.com/public/*wieck_search?ws4d_nav=true&Source=WKA&operator=and&search_criteria=03Detroit&Page=5

The larger Sienna will be available with AWD, as well as a split-fold (1/3-2/3) 3rd row row seating—a first in this class! It's still a real snooze to look at, but people buy these things for features, not looks.

Move over Honda...

Bob

ladywclass

Thought about the "Studebaker" owner when I saw this in the paper today ....

http://www.southbendtribune.com/stories/2003/01/06/local.20030106-sbt-MARS-A1-Studebaker__Woody_Wa.sto

for those interested it's a story about the restoration of a Studebaker "Woody Wagon"

lark6

The "Woodybaker" prototype is a neat car. I've seen it in the metal at a swap meet, rolled out by the National Museum to raise money for its restoration. It's too bad it didn't get mass-produced. Photos exist of it undergoing trials as well as lying in rot on the Proving Grounds. It also managed to make it into some advertising promo pics, which gives you an idea of how close it came to production. See, e.g., http://www.conceptcarz.com/folder/vehicle.asp?car_id=5569

My Lark runs the same basic engine as that wagon, except with the later OHV conversion.

You made my day!

Ed

rsholland

http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_047006

Nah...

Bob

lark6

rsholland

He's going to have a hemorrhage when he returns to these boards!

Bob

rsholland

What a difference in terms of response between this new Impreza announcement, and last year's Baja announcement.

The new Impreza—not just the STi—but other models too addressed most of our earlier concerns, not so with the Baja. I hope SOA has gotten the message...

Bob

lark6

Well maybe a Baja STi would cure that...;-)

Still Subaru should be careful not to lose its core market here. I recall seeing someone posting here who was unhappy that they couldn't get a Forester with manual windows like they had in their Loyale. I don't think it will be a problem with the exploration of diesels and alt-fuel powerplants.

Ed

rsholland

http://www.car-truck.com/chryed/buzz03/b010603a.htm

Hog lovers, eat your heart out!

Bob

rsholland

I predicted that Honda, when they do their next-generation Odyessy might make it a 8 or 9 passenger minivan. I also suggested they might make it AWD, and give the folding 3rd-row seat, a split-fold feature.

Well, it look like that's what Toyota just did with their Sienna. This photo shows it's available with 8-passenger seating. They've announced AWD as an option, and the the 3rd-row seat has a 60/40 split.

http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_046980

Bob

kens

Bob,

Are you looking for a consulting job in the auto industry? ;-)

Ken

artgecko

Hey, Bob got a question in! What a lot of noise on there!

Steve

nygreg

Looks like a winner. Seats 8! Wow, three kids are enough, thank you.

Greg
(current Sienna owner)

rsholland

Hmmm... not a bad idea! Oh, Patti...

Bob

rsholland

It's been known for some time, that Toyota is going to market a vehicle to go head-to-head with the Nissan Xterra. This could well be a hint of what they have in mind.

http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_047175

http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_047174

http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_047173

http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_047167

Bob

paisan

The GBX Concept that Isuzu had several years ago.

http://isuzu.com/inside_isuzu/news/gbx.html

-mike

originalbitman

For you Mac fans... Apple introduced 12 and 17 inch Powerbooks today. That 17 incher might finally get me to get rid of my old 9600.

bit

lucien2

did you ever get a nibble from your email after your trip to church?

locke2c

Yes. Deanna wrote me back twice, just brief comments both times, and then disappeared. This past Sunday in church I saw her roommate Jo again, and this time she wasn't in a hurry to leave.

So I talked to Jo for about five minutes and found out that Deanna has been very sick for three weeks and was diagnosed Friday with pneumonia. She said Deanna had been spending quite a bit of time at her parents' house since her mom isn't working and she's pretty much bed-ridden.

I called Sunday and spoke to her for just a few minutes; she obviously wasn't feeling well. Plus I could tell she was uncomfortable... it's the first time we'd talked in months.

After she recovers (another week or two?) maybe we'll talk. But if I had to place a bet right now, it would be that the Christmas note did mean something but that something is a long ways short of wanting to be with me. I hope I'm wrong, but that would be my wager.

-Colin

lucien2

these things never go down neatly, do they? Well, I don't need to tell you to go with the flow, your head is screwed on just fine.

locke2c

yeah maybe. I work with (for, actually-- she's also in IT but is my customer) a woman who was a good friend of Deanna's when they were younger, and they just lost touch a few years back.

anyway, she asked me about Deanna today and we talked a bit. apparently they're both going to a wedding this weekend and Deanna emailed her asking for details because she lost the invitation. I figured I didn't have anything to loose and Tammy (the co-worker) has an opinion of me that probably couldn't be much higher, so I asked her to put in a good word for me if she spoke to Deanna.

we'll see if anything interesting comes of it.

-Colin

rsholland

Is Ferrari next?

http://www.edmunds.com/news/autoshows/articles/83142/page024.html

Bob

nygreg

Things that start off "hot and heavy" tend to burn out quickly.

Greg
Please excuse the term.

nygreg

Lots of luck with the Wrangler. As most here, I would be very interested to hear your experiences. Please hang around. I really like the Liberty myself.

Greg

rsholland

And soon after, a Titan-based SUV will be announced with IRS, like the new Expedition!

http://TheCarConnection.com/index.asp?article=5660&sid=173&n=156

Bob

hypov

Bob-
you had me thinking Pat's Titan for a second there.

-Dave

rsholland

The car has a butterfly (gull-wing) hood, like those found on cars back in the 1930s.

http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_047214

Bob

barresa62

Thanks for the post.

Here are my impressions of my 03 Wrangler thus far:

First off, this thing rides much better than most would have you believe. It's definitely bouncy over uneven pavement but not a penalty box. The handling is much better than a 1st or 2nd generation Explorer (a lot less body lean). The steering is old-school but very quick. It can be tricky at freeway speeds (70+) w/any significant amount of wind. Even so, it will hold speed quite well w/the cruise set. The first gear is very low. About 85% of the torque (235 lbs) is available down low. This baby can move quickly if you know how to work the gearbox (5psd manual). Of course, it runs out of breath in the upper ranges.

The interior is just a notch less than the WRX (referring to the Wrangler's front quarters, not rear seat area). It has better instrumentation and a more user-friendly cruise control. It has two overhead doom lights and two under dash lights that come on when you turn the key off or open the doors than slowly fade out (like the WRX). The 12v power source works whether the vehicle is running or not. The front seats are new for 03' and are taller with more aftward movement. The console is really deep. The cupholders put the WRX too shame. It even has four holders, something my WRX didn't until I installed the UK OEM rear cupholders. The passenger seat tilts up and foward to ease getting into the rear. There is actually an inch more rear seat legroom than the WRX. Of course, you sit right up against the person who might be next to you. There is hardly any storage space behind the rear seat, however, if you only have 2 people or less in the vehicle than the rear seat easily folds and tumbles forward with a one hand operation. It can also be removed w/o using any tools. The A/C works better (read colder). The heater heats up quickly. The hardtop is a necessity in my book. It makes the Wrangler a lot quieter than the softtop. I have the option of both. The softtop installation is not easy but I plan on doing it only once a year.

Other than the high rocker sills and upright windshield, it isn't hard to imagine that you're in a more modern mini-SUV.

To sum it up, the Wrangler is one of those old-designs that keeps receiving improvements every year. A lot of my prejudices about the Wrangler have gone by the waste side. A lot of folks (myself included) are surprised when they drive an 03'Wrangler (especially w/the 6 cyl)

Stephen