Subaru Crew Cafe

17778808283343

Comments

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    NY show will be fun. Did you print out the list of debuts, Bob? We gotta check 'em all out.

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    I can't look at the Crossfire now without thinking it's a tarted up SLK. Looks like an Audi TT that got it nose stuck somewhere and tried to pull it out. Speaking of TTs, I saw a TT coupe with an adult rear seat passenger yesterday. That looked like a form of torture.

    Back on Crossfire: I wonder if the DC geniuses have considered developing a brand to bridge the gap between Chrysler and Mercedes? Doubtful given that they killed Plymouth, but it might be an opportunity to revive the DeSoto nameplate.

    Ed
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    DC should use chrysler to bridge the gap.

    Dodge= econo and trucks
    Chrysler = mid-range
    Benz = top
    Heep = specialized

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I think Dodge is fine as is. Plymouth was redundant so they nixed it. Chrysler is their upscale brand. Mercedes sort of picks up where they leave off.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    AutoWeek must have seen your post of the new BMW 5-series vs. Dame Edna, as they got a "Separated at Birth" comparison on their "But, wait There's More..." page!

    Bob
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    has a pretty cool "X" pattern on the side...must be a complicated stamping, going from relief to recess like that. But no arguing with the fact that it is last model's SLK underneath, which was never up to the competition.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    That is gonna be the "new" trooper in 2006.

    -mike
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    Don't you mean the new "troopa"? ;-)

    DaveM
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Speaking of trooper, mine is in for some work today at the dealer, hopefully all goes well.

    Need to get the SOTF unit replaced cause I didn't take it out of AWD all winter and I think that it is stuck in AWD mode, common in the opposite direction on 4wd trucks where people leave it in 2wd too long and then it won't engage the 4wd when they need it to.

    My rear LSD isn't quite LSDing as I think it should, hopefully they'll be able to replace that or repair the clutch packs on it.

    And a slight leak on the front diffy, really not a leak more a dampness that I figure heck it's gonna be there let em check it out.

    Lastly my wiper arm-bases are corroding something awful, so hopefully they'll replace those for me too.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hilarious Bob, my movement it catching on, I guess. Boycott Chris Bangle!

    That Isuzu looks photochopped, but it seems to have potential. I like it better than the 4Runner.

    I think paisan is learning he's gotta pay to play, also. Off road all bets are off. Every time we went Jeeping one or more of the Jeeps would be damaged and limp home. Broken brake lines, fried clutches, bent leaf springs, etc.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    They are all warranty repairs :)

    The SOTF is my own fault for not taking it out of 4wd this winter due to the bad weather.

    The LSD never really was as tight as I'd like it from the beginning.

    The front dampness, well I guess something has to break eventually, especially some of the "go farther" i've done.

    Overall nothing i'm terribly upset about, and if they fix the wiper arms @ 50K miles, I'll be extra happy.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'm just saying it's all normal wear and tear given the heavy duty jobs your Troopa does (big towing, off roading, hard driving, etc.).

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    got to pay to play as you said. :) Luckily I have a good warranty :) and just bought an extended one from warrantiesdirect.com.

    After doing my $135 tranny flush and TOD drain and fill, MPG jumped up about 3-4mpg which was nice! :)

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I saw a new '04 WRX-Lance Armstrong commercial last night on TV! I caught me by surprise, so I can't really comment on it yet. I need to see it again.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I've seen one too, Bob.

    paisan - what oil does TOD use? Is it that really viscous gear oil that was mentioned in the Trooper topics? 90w120 or something like that?

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    TOD actually takes ATF Fluid
    The diffy take 85-140w in "warm climates" I'm thinking of switching to 85-140w the next time I do the diffs.

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I need some opinions...

    I'm looking at a flatbed trailer for the Impreza L. I found a company down in NC that will get me a nice 16'x83" trailer, full floor, dovetail, ramps, and electric brakes for $1500.

    For $1850 they'll get it with surge brakes.

    Should I go for the surge or electric?

    So far the pros of the surge are that I can tow it with any vehicle, no controller needed on the vehicle side, cons are the electrics are adjustable.

    -mike
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    I've always wondered, how do you back a trailer with surge brakes uphill? Because of the forward pressure, won't the sensor/controller think you're slowing down and apply the brakes? Maybe I'm totally off base as to how I *think* they work.

    DaveM
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    I had a ski boat trailer with surge brakes. Backing up going uphill wasn't the easiest, but it wasn't like we did that often. You just feel a bit of resistance, but nothing a Troopa can't handle ;-)

    In my experience, they don't lockup the wheels. Afterall, it's just some drum brakes. But, they do help slow down and control the trailer.

    -Brian
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I have heard, if you go into reverse, surge brakes may apply themselves, whether you want them or not. Also, with electric brakes, you can adjust the amount of braking. You can't do that with surge brakes.

    Bob
  • jay_24jay_24 Member Posts: 536
    Saw a Subaru/Lance Armstrong commercial last night. It was quick (about 20seconds) Lots of mountain biking with flashes of an Outback if I remember correctly. Talked about quickness and agility. Ended sort of like a Gatorafe ad, but instead of blue(gatorade) sweat it was mud on Lance's face and "Driven By What's Inside"

    Sorry I don't rememeber more...Too dang excited that I saw it....

    --jay
  • wrxsoon1wrxsoon1 Member Posts: 158
    Jay,
    That's the one I've seen as well. Overall I thought it was very well done. This must be the add that "Lance" broke his leg in (or was it his hip? I've forgotten already). Of course it was a double for Lance that actually got hurt (wouldn't want that rumor to get going again).

    I guess there's a WRX add out there already as well but I haven't seen it.

    -Ian
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Those are ones I've seen. Haven't seen "Outback" versions yet.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Good article on Nissan's amazing turnaround. In the print version, there's an actual (small) profile picture of the new Pathfinder Armada. Unfortunately, the web article has just the sketch. If you're lover of big SUVs (I am), you'll probably like this vehicle a lot. If you hate large SUVs (most people here), you'll probably hate this one too.

    http://www.msnbc.com/news/899480.asp?0dm=W18KB

    Whether you like the direction Nissan is taking with their new models, or not; one thing it has absolutely done—with a knockout punch, I might add—is to point out how utterly boring most Toyotas look. Put just about any new Toyota next to the Nissan counterpart, and suddenly the Toyota looks 10-years old.

    Bob
  • bsvollerbsvoller Member Posts: 528
    Surge brakes if you want to dip 'em in water (boat trailer), electric brakes for everything else.

    Surge brakes will engage going downhill, backing up, etc, and as far as I know, have little or no provision for manual engagement from the cockpit, which is important if you get into a sway situation. I'm not sure how they handle the breakway bit either, FWIW, but I've always been a bit skeptical on that score anyway.

    Electric brakes offer manual override, timing control (delay) and effort control (voltage) in real-time, from the cockpit. No comparison really. A suitable electronic controller doesn't cost much, and the system overall is superior, so I think you're getting better value for your dollar.

    Crank up the gain on our electric brakes and you get a lot of WHOA! in a hurry. Nice to have in an emergency stop situation.

    My 2 cents...

    -brianV
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Mercury's version of the Escape, has an all-new electronic 4WD. No word as to whether this will be available in the Escape or Tribute.

    http://TheCarConnection.com/index.asp?article=5949&sid=176&am- p;n=156

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    has no windshield wipers! Instead, the windshield is kept free of rain and snow by jet streams of air.

    Hmmm... Knowing Honda, this probably actually works...

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Put it this way, Bob, Nissan and Mitsubishi seems to be the risk takers among Japanese brands, and IMO it's really only paid off for Nissan. I don't particularly like the Armada, but I do like the Murano. The Titan looks better than the Armada. Lemme see it in person for final judgement, though.

    We'll see some freshed Mitsus in NY. They'll have a new Lancer wagon! But it's got that ugly front end. The new Galant is kinda ugly too, sort of looks like the Endeavor in the front (they are on the same chassis).

    The danger, for Nissan, is the cost-cutting, especially the interiors. Even Infinitis aren't very upscale, they are where Nissan should be. Nissan is where Kia should be.

    Mercury is hopeless. Another Ford clone. They need unique products.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    "The only other vehicles available for sale in the United States to offer direct-injection gasoline engines are the $116,495 BMW 760Li and the Rolls-Royce Phantom, expected to be priced well above $300,000. With that in mind Isuzu stands as not only the sole company to offer a direct injection gasoline engine in a U.S.-market truck, but in a vehicle of any kind available in America priced under $100,000."

    First Direct Injection Gas engine more HP and better milage :)
    :( Assender 5passenger
    :) Isuzu built Trooper replacement with 3 rows of seats in '06

    -mike
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Off-topic but I just saw the pics of the Mitsu Lancer Sportback at the AutoWeek site. Pretty nasty looking: square Volvo-like rear attached to Lancer front. Could never see an Evo version of that. Even the most WRX-averse people must admit Subaru made a better-looking wagon variant of its hi-performance compact sedan.

    Ed
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Edmunds' coverage is up.

    Can someone tell WHAT on earth Mitsubishi is doing to all its front ends? Each one is uglier than the last. Check out the Lancer wagon, then the Galant, then the Diamante. *Eek*

    Edit: Ed beat me to it. The Lancer looks like two different stylists did the front and rear, and they didn't even know each other. At least it gets 162hp standard. Why is the Outlander stuck with just 140hp?

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Galant and Diamante are ruined IMO. The latter had a nice pseudo-BMW-5-series (pre-Dame Edna) look to it before this atrocity. Again as juice said the front and rear clip stylists did not talk to each other.

    On the Mitsu topic I was a passenger in a Nativa - excuse me, Montero Sport - for the first time last week. Roomy but I felt like the seat cushions were too close to the floor forcing my knees way up. Tough to do to a short guy like me. Otherwise nice enough in the old-fashioned SUV way.

    Ed
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    The only other vehicles that had any interest for me were the Nissan Pathfinder Armada, Titan Crew Cab, and Quest, as well as the Toyota Tundra Double cab. So, I'll only comment on those, and let everyone else comment on the others.

    Pathfinder Armada
    Overall I liked it a lot, but it's not perfect. In fact there are a couple of things I'm really disappointed in:

    • While it has a great fold-way 3rd row seat, the seat is NOT a split-fold. This a major mistake on Nissan' part. It is, however, a relatively easy fix, but there's no excuse for Nissan not to offer this feature from the git-go.

    • No word yet as to whether it has full-time 4WD capability. The teaser brochure (and Nissan reps) offered no insight on this. If it doesn't, this would be another major miscalculation on Nissan's part. There's absolutely no excuse for a $40+K SUV not to have this feature.

    Other than that, I loved the vehicle. Size-wise, it falls right in between the Expedition (119" wheelbase) and the Suburban (130" wheelbase) with a 123" wheelbase. I really liked the looks. Like the Expedition, it has a IRS—yet can tow 9100 pounds.

    Quest
    Overall I liked it a lot, but it too is not perfect. In fact there are a couple of things I'm really disappointed in:

    • Like the Armada, the third row seat doesn't have a split-fold feature like the Sienna. Again, a major mistake on Nissan' part. It is, however, a relatively easy fix, but there's no excuse for Nissan not to offer this feature from the git-go.

    • Also, no AWD option like the Sienna. I think this will hurt them too.

    I loved the exterior styling and the interior roof features. It has a true moonroof for the front seat passengers, and skylights for rear passengers, as well as loads of storage cubbys.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The Quest has FOUR sky lights PLUS a moonroof! All that surrounding a DVD system. And you thought it was just a roof! Hah! It's the only stylish minivan, too, plus it's the most powerful.

    But yeah, offer AWD, at least.

    I also liked the Sienna. Bummed they didn't have one with 8 passenger seating, to check out the middle seat in the 2nd row.

    The Z convertible was cool. The Lexus crossover looks to be nicer than the FX45, too. Lots of cool stuff, it'll take time to even digest it.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I was just looking through the teaser brochure, and discovered it's the only minivan in which the middle row seat fold into the floor!

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    We could not crawl in to see that. We should have stayed for the full presentation. I don't think Dave and Ed were too into the vans, though! LOL

    -juice
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Since this is the cafe ;-)

    I have a Sony DPP-SV55 photo printer hooked up to my Win2k PC. I've been printing photos on it for over a year now. Using Adobe Photoshop, I almost always have to 'adjust' the photo before printing since I know the printer tends to brighten some colors (yellow, greens) and darken others (reds, blues). Most of the time I can guess at it enough that the photo looks decent.

    I'd rather not have to do this each time I want to print. I've tried playing with a few of the ICC profiles a bit through Photoshop and via the printer driver. I haven't found one yet that gives me desirable results, in fact most look the same to my eye. I know there has to be a color profile that will give me more desirable results.

    Anyone, anyone, Bueller?

    -Brian
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    is really becoming a master of platform sharing. This link says that the Titan platform will be used worldwide in future trucks, and will be scaled down a bit for the future Frontier and Xterra.

    http://www.autonews.com/article.cms?articleId=43257

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I liked the square back of it. Very UTILITARIAN, but overall it's like most SUVs today, a different looking van/mini-van w/o real true to roots SUV capabilities. But that's what the market wants...

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Brian: what paper do you use? I wonder if that affects the output quality. CR said to match the brand of paper with the printer (i.e. Sony).

    As for the Nissan, I liked the dual cab Armada pickup better than the Armada SUV, because the styling is more consistent front to rear.

    paisan: did you notice? The pickup was shown with the trucks, but the SUV was shown upstairs, with the cars. You may have a point. IRS, too.

    -juice
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Sony paper is the only kind available for this printer, at least that I'm aware of. So yes, I use Sony paper with it.

    -Brian
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Interesting.

    I have an HP printer and have used Epson and HP paper. My eyes could not tell the difference, and Coscto carries Epson paper in bulk, so that's what I buy now.

    To be honest, I usually don't take the time to remove red eye and balance the pics, unless it's a really good one I want enlarged.

    -juice
  • jay_24jay_24 Member Posts: 536
    In the past some of you mentioned using GPS. I'm in the market for a GPS for mostly outdoor uses, like hiking and fishing, but it will be used in the sube too. Any suggsetions?

    I'm currently looking at the Magelan Sport TrackPro or Garmin GPSMAP 76.

    --jay
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    is based on the Titan. Despite the IRS, it can tow 9100 pounds. It's wheelbase is longer than the Expedition (119") at 123", but smaller than a Suburban (130"). Like the Expedition, its 4WD has the following settings: 2WD, 4-Auto, 4 Hi, & 4 Lo.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Bummer, I hope that the 4-auto isn't one of the crappy GM/Ford types that does not provide any power to the front axle til it's too late :(

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Another way to ask that question is: does it have some form of center differential, and can it be engaged full-time?

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    the answer to either question. I too would prefer a permenent full-time 4WD mode, like the Land Cruiser and V8 4Runner, but Auto 4WD is better than just part-time 4WD.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    If at least there is "thinking" in the system, so that it's proactive in certain situations.

    -juice
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