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Comments
-juice
-mike
At the time we got it, it was a means to an end. The end (RV'ing) will continue, but we're going to modify the means (Suburban/trailer) next year.
Puts more 'utility' in the SUV equation, too.
Cheers!
Paul
But I do think the amount of $$ margin built into them, particularly some of the lower-tech domestics is criminal, and the marketing of the things is also questionable to me.
Funny you should mention the house; we've got 1500 square feet in a rowhouse and we've decided this is where the family raisin' is going to take place.
a related piece I found amusing, and could really relate to:
http://www.autoweek.com/columnists/cat_content_columnists.mv?port- _code=autoweek&cat_code=columnists&loc_code=index&con- tent_code=02803027
Sadly, some times your needs conflict with your wants. I want a 2-seat roadster with the capacity of a van and the clearance and drive system of an SUV and the price of an econobox. Sound reasonable enough? :-)
I think it's weird that Subaru says the same thing - chain on the fronts only, AFAIK. I can't imagine that would work well. Why not all 4?
-juice
At that point in my life I was lucky to own a car, any car, and yes it was small and a lot of people I know would have given their eyeteeth to have owned it.
Most SUVs are about making a statement and about the only time most will be off road is when they are upside down in a ditch.
Cheers Pat.
I've heard of someone putting chains on all four tires on their Subaru. Not suprisingly, the traction is incredible.
Ken
Also, how do you think more and more manufacturers offering AWD (at least on some models) affects Subaru? Their system may be better, but is the general car buyer going to know it?
Thanks!
Jon
-mike
Even better are light pickups, now the best selling mode of transport in the country.
Ok, so now my dander is up. I don't hate people in large homes, but I do wish some folks would get perspective there, too. I can't believe MD is having water problems, but we are! 'Coz nobody wants to live in Baltimore where the scary people are (they would never actually say this, but that's what the reason is. I know a lot of people who refuse to come into town for a meal downtown because "we'd be mugged or shot"). Oh no, everyone's gotta have a cookie cutter McMansion in an artificial suburb, so now Sprawl is out of hand. Water is getting scarce, roads are clogged, it is a PITA to drive anywhere. Of course, the best part is when middle-class folks from the "scary" demographic in Baltimore move out there too, then everybody hikes up their skirts and run even farther away. So yea, I'm a city guy in a smallish rowhouse and I'm staying put precisely because it is palatial compared to some parts of the world...people have raised good kids in less space than I've got, so I am not buying into this notion, marketed by the home construction industry, that I need a spec home in the county. (Plus they'll all fall apart in 30 years anyway; they're already starting to down in TX). I don't hate the folks who make these choices, and obviously I'm generalizing way off scale because I'm hepped up. I have cousins and in-laws and friends in exactly the communities I describe; fair's fair, and everyone has the freedom to do what they want. I just wish we as consumers would think it all through.
And I don't drink Starbuck's.
As for RV's, they are specialty vehicles that don't get driven around everyday PLUS they're diesel a lot of the time. As you say, this is America, and an RV is a great way to see it all. Now if folks started using them as grocery getters, then I'd get upset.
Just a bit of trivia.
Bob
Breathe deep Loosh... Count to 10...
-mike
Bob
We want to buy a camcorder, and I figure digital is probably the way to go at this point. Do any of you have any recommendations? Under $600 would be nice. Thanks in advance!
ps sorry if I made anybody mad. I really was ranting like a loony there.
Are these the same tires that caused so much trouble on Ford Explorers?
Five minutes later:
Okay, I guess I should have done a little research before posting the above. The NHTSA and Bridgestone/Firestone sites include information that answers the question. They are not -- different size, possibly different manufacturing plant. At least they are not included in the recall.
The thing is, Subaru itself has 3 very distinct systems. And sure, they and Audi have far more experience than anyone else, but their best system is their newest, VDC.
I rank them this way:
1. VDC - because both axles are managed and it's proactive
2. auto AWD - because it can be proactive, rear LSD optional
3. VC on 5 speeds - reactive, though default 50/50 is fun, rear LSD optional
2 and 3 add optional rear LSD, which make them even better. Where do competitors stack up? Matrix and Vibe use a VC, don't they? So tied with #3, perhaps with an edge to Subaru for their greater experience.
What does the Murano use? I think it's part-time and reactive, so that would be 4th. I'm not sure about the FX45's AWD system.
Here's a check list you could use, to see if the system you choose truly has it all:
* rear axle managed?
* default power to both axles?
* truly pro-active nature?
* front axle managed?
* low range offered?
* manual locking offered?
VDC offeres the first 4, and that's quite a feat. The other two systems offer 2 or 3 of those.
Loosh: I have a Sony DSC-75. It's great, the transfer rate is quick and pix are excellent even cropped and enlarged. Memory sticks are small and my 128MB fits 100 photos at 3.3 megapixels. Cons? It's medium sized, not small, and a little heavy. Sony does make smaller cameras. About $500, Consumer Reports rated it highly - no cheaper camera scored better overall, put it that way.
The tires on the Outback are fine - they are H-rated and have much better heat resistance than the SUV tires that were recalled. Having said that, they're not particularly great tires and people tend to swap to something better next time around.
-juice
Like it or not the bigger the vehicle the more gas it uses= more smog and pollution=more greenhouse effect,urban sprawl= more congestion contributing to pollution and smog.
We are polluting lakes and large bodies of fresh water like there is no tomorrow,it is time to give serious thought to what sort of a planet we are going to leave for our children and their children.
And if some posters on these threads who have demonstrated good old redneck tendancies want to brand me a tree hugger so be it.
We have got to get away from the notion I am going to have it just because I can, the mindset in a lot cases seems to be if I cannot get bigger then I will get two of it.
I am with you in agreeing there are a very small minority who use SUVs in the way they were intended.
But just yesterday I witnessed a very small woman in a Ford excursion drive into a shopping centre cell phone stuck in her ear. she tried to back into a parking space while carrying on her phone conversation and demolished the side of a Ford focus in the process.
This woman unfortunately represents a lot of who are driving SUVs simply because they feel safer.
There my rant is over.
Cheers Pat.
-juice
-mike
-Frank P.
Two weeks ago, I saw a Highlander on it's side on the freeway.
As mentioned, there are several Subaru AWD systems. The VDC is one of the most advanced in the country.
Like you said, I doubt the general public is aware of the different systems. Heck, the average Joe that buys a Jeep probably doesn't know the difference between Selec-Trac, Quadra-Drive, etc.
If anything, I think Subaru is losing potential customers that need more space. The 7-seater Subaru can't come quick enough!
Subaru is getting a lot of new customers by finally introducing turbos throughout the line.
-Dennis
-mike
-mike
-mike
-Frank P.
-mike
Ed
-Frank P.
-mike
The drivers don't even realize it, they just tend to drive faster without even realizing that they are. It's one factor that contributes.
Overconfidence is another, but that's the driver's fault.
-juice
Ed
To get that ground clearance and high vantage point you raise the center of gravity. So SUVs are generally less capable than an equivalent wagon/car would be.
Hence by nature you have people driving faster in less capable vehicles. That's a recipe for disaster, even taking driver error out of the equation.
-juice
-mike
Clearly, the lowered one. That's what autocross is all about.
So, the lowered Trooper could potentially steer clear of an accident that your lifted one could not. I'm not saying you would roll over - I'm just saying you would skid out and not complete the same tight turn.
You're Mr. Drift so you know that more than anyone. You just leave more room to complete a turn than you would in the SVX, for instance.
-juice
-mike
I'm sure you'll agree, 90% of the drivers on the road are basically unskilled. Meaning they can drive under normal circumstances, but have no idea how to react in emergency situations.
Let's face it, you could get a driver's license issued to you over the phone, basically.
OK, now couple that lack of skill with a vehicle that makes you feel like you're going slower than you really are. Unskilled drivers + higher than expected speeds + trucks with lower lateral G limits = ???
Simple math.
-juice
-Frank P.
As for RVs they are on the road for a fraction of the year not everyday of the week like gas guzzling SUVs.
And I don't care what case anybody makes for large SUVs, in most cases they are overkill, 90% of the time they are on the road they only have the driver on board, you are in a very small minority who genuinely use an SUV like it was intended.
My origional post was against excess in all its forms, we have to get away from this f you jack I am fireproof attitude which is so prevalent now.
It does not matter how big SUVS get people are buying them, look at Hummers these were purely military heavy vehicles but now you have jokers with more money than brains driving them as every day vehicles.
Nobody can make a case to me for a housewife to jump in a Ford Excursion or Cadillac Escalade or any large SUV for that matter to drive to the corner store for a carton of milk, or the legions of oversized gas guzzlers carrying nothing more than a driver that are clogging highways every day of the week.
In conclusion Mike it is obvious that you disagree with anybody who has a negative stance on SUVs so I will agree to disagree with you and leave it at that.
Cheers Pat.
-mike
Having worked at an electric power plant I can tell you that in fact they do pollute, maybe not in your backyard, but in SOMEONEs backyard Coal/Oil/Gas burners pollute a ton!
So Pat you agree that anytime someone is alone in a vehicle they should be driving a metro/prius/hybrid that seats only 1 person, 2 at the most, afterall these people driving a legacy are wasting extra fuel for 3 empty seats, awd that costs more fuel, etc.
Regardless of how the minority of anti-suvers are, the silent majority is voting with their pocketbooks and SUVs are winning clearly.
-mike
I may not agree with what you drive, but I'll fight to the death for your right to drive it
Cheers Pat.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/?id=2003/mar03/hetvolk/13889321- .cruz
-Ian
Ed
I believe the FX uses an updated version of the Skyline's AWD system (called ATTEAS or something like that) so it's 100% rear wheel drive until there's slippage (not sure if it's reactive or proactive though). I believe the Murano is 100% front wheel drive until all 4 wheels are needed, but again I don't know if it's reactive or proactive.
I'm curious b/c AWD is a requirement on my next car (in June) and my feelings on what to get vary pretty much by the hour.
On one end of the spectrum lies the Vibe, which is pretty unexciting (and downright lethargic) but ultra cheap with near invoice pricing plus a $2,000 rebate plus $3,500 in GM card earnings. (You'd think after 7 years they'd make at least one car that I want to buy, but nooo...) While the Vibe may be unexciting, the good part about this option is the strong possibility for a second, fun summer car next year with all the money I save!
On the other end lies the Murano, which I haven't driven yet but saw one in person for the first time the other day, and it took my breath away! I didn't think it looked very good in pictures, but the silver one I saw was gorgeous (IMO).
In the middle of the spectrum are the various Subaru offerings, if they make it out in time -- '04 WRX wagon, Forester XT, and redesigned Legacy?? (very long shot).
I know there are others that could fit in here (CR-V and all the other mini-utes, A4 1.8T Avant, Passat 4motion) but these are the current finalists, unless anyone has any others I should consider...
-Jon