Subaru Crew Cafe

locke2c

I disagree-- what's new?!

Fully manual 4WD works fine for me. In this day and age I'd rather not get out and manually lock-in the hubs, but I can sure as heck decide when to use the system and shift the transfer case myself via button or shift lever.

Building systems for the lowest common denominator just annoys those that knew what they were doing in the first place. ;-)

-Colin

paisan

I like the ones that are selectable like TOD, where you get the advantages of a PT system, but can also leave it engaged fulltime, with power to both axles.

-mike

rsholland

the auto system may be like paisan's Trooper, in that maybe 5% of power is normally directed to the front wheels by default. At this point, I just don't know what "Auto" means.

Bob

paisan

Give you superior on-road performance, which is what 95% of all "SUVs" do nowdays. Same principle that the Subaru AWD system works on.

Who stole the real Colin?

-mike

ateixeira

Give me both.

Here's why: do you really have the time to stop before every bridge to engage 4WD, then stop once you cross to disengage?

Bridges freeze before roads when it's right around the freezing mark. In other words, road conditions are not consistent, so noone can predict them.

-juice

paisan

It works very well for handling

Hopefully their "auto" is a torque split type deal too. Only time will tell.

-mike

locke2c

5-10% "power" is just a cute term for parasitic drag on a clutch.

-Colin

paisan

Mine starts at 15%-25% over 5mph and increases from there. There is definitely power to the front wheels cause in 2wd mode I can slip and slide all over the road, not so in AWD mode.

-mike

rsholland

I found that out by taking a magnifying glass to the dashboard photo in the teaser brochure picked up at the auto show. Someone over on the Edmunds Armada forum stated that the Nissan Armada web site mentioned full-time 4WD.

For some reason I've been having trouble logging on to that site, so I can't add anything to clear this up. Anyone want to log on the the Nissan site, and get some answers?

Bob

ateixeira

Sounds like it's not full-time:

Shift-on-the-fly 4-wheel drive system with 2WD/4H/4LO modes, electronic control part-time transfer case; best-in-class 4LO crawl gear ratio

-juice

rsholland

for the Titan or the Armada? I know the Titan doesn't offer full-time 4WD; and the Armada photo definitely showed an "Auto" mode, in addition to those you listed.

Bob

paisan

According to nissanmotors.com

"Shift-on-the-fly 4-wheel drive system with 2WD/4H/4LO modes, electronic control part-time transfer case; best-in-class 4LO crawl gear ratio "

That sounds like Part-time to me.

"7.5x17 brushed aluminum-alloy wheels and 285/70R17 tires (off-road package) "

Funny, I've never seen "off-road" tires that come in 17" size, and I bet the brakes on it are such that a 15" or 16" rim won't go over them, thereby limiting it's offroad capabilities even further.

It does come withskid plates standard

"Available Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Brake Activated Limited Slip Traction Control (includes deactivation switch)* "
Bummer, a brake-driven LSD, which means you can't spin your back 2 wheels out of mud holes

-mike

ateixeira

I went to their website and did a quick search under Armada. I bet they get the same systems.

When they are that hulking huge, it hardly matters. It's not going to be driven hard.

-juice

paisan

For what it will be used for however, it seems like a nice truck. But since it's on-road based, I'd like to see AWD or at least Auto-4wd modes on it.

-mike

ateixeira

mike - that's still a very tall 199.5mm on the profile of that tire.

I bet some rappers buy it and slam "22s on my feet".

-juice

rsholland

(including HD 2500/3500 models) and '04 F-150s come only with 17" tires, some of which are all-terrain types, IIRC.

Bob

paisan

I see a few in 17" size so I guess they are becoming more available. But they are still pretty slim as far as sidewall. Once you airdown those 17" tires, you'll be banging rims with 17" and 18" rims. Heck I feel out of place on the trail with my "big" 16" rims.

-mike

paisan

are rarely offroaded, usually too long a wheelbase and hard to manuver on the trail. I keep forgetting the premise of today's SUVs to "look" and have "specs" for being offroad capable, w/o actually having to be able to carry out what it's image promotes. Bad me.

-mike

ateixeira

They're too wide also. Heck even Wranglers seem wide for some eroding trails.

-juice

rsholland

are too stiffly sprung too. Most full-size owners prefer 1/2 tons, if for no other reason they ride better.

I think you will be seeing many more full-size pickups/SUVs with 17" tires. Toyota is using them now too. It won't be long before we see them on GM trucks too.

Bob

hypov

jay_24 Apr 21, 2003 3:12pm

Jay-
the GPSMap 76's strong point is topography which is suited for outdoor use, like hiking and fishing, etc. For driving, it may not be friendly.

Have you checked out the Rino 120?

http://www.garmin.com/products/rino120/

It's a transceiver as well as a GPS. Would be great for hiking and be able to pinpoint where your buddies are and chat too. I think it would be a good and affordable instrument for outdoor use.

As for everyday driving, the SP III would be much suited, or the new iQue 3600

http://www.garmin.com/products/iQue3600/

Mark [bat1161] -
The iQue3600 might be just what you're looking for

-Dave

rsholland

Click on "performance" then "drivetrain." It's listed there.

http://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/FutureModelHomePage/0,,24843,00- - - .html

Bob

lark6

Right now there's an auto column on Slate (msn.com) that skewers Ford for introducing the new Thunderbird, then announcing its death long before actually pulling the plug. Below that article is one on the joys of RWD driving compared to FWD driving. I won't link to it or quote in full, but it begins with this:

"Car/sex metaphors are unavoidable, so let's get right to today's: Front-wheel drive cars are like bad sex. Rear-wheel drive cars are like good sex."

What does that make AWD cars? An orgy?

Ed

PS: Hosts/Leaders: Apologies in advance for any perceived bad taste. Understood if you choose to delete this message.

ateixeira

Bob - they don't give the default torque split. The front axle still might not be engaged by default, just "ready" to react at any time.

Ed: yes. LOL

-juice

rsholland

We just don't know enough about the Armada at this time. Still, it's better than just part-time 4WD.

Bob

ateixeira

Yep. For Ms. Soccer Mom, that's what they really need. I bet a lot of them that have older SUVs (with levers) don't even know how to engage 4WD.

-juice

rsholland

has Auto 4WD, as well as part-time 4 high/low, and I have no complaints.

Bob

lucien2

or is Nabisco completely FUBAR?

locke2c

looks fine now!

-Colin

ladywclass

In light of some of the "friendly debate" around here from time to time ...

posted in the CNN.com website ... (in part)

DETROIT (Reuters) -- Deaths from U.S. road accidents rose to the highest level in more than a decade last year as alcohol abuse and widespread failure to use seat belts contributed to some 42,850 fatalities, federal safety regulators said Wednesday.

Nearly a quarter of the deaths, or 10,626, occurred in rollover crashes involving highly popular sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a report.

It said the deadly rollovers, involving vehicles that account for most of the profits made by Detroit's automakers, were up 4.9 percent over 2001.

I know .. I know .. only as safe as the driver ...

jfl

Ed, I read that article and wanted to send the author this link...but didn't have it available.

Jim

http://www.subaru.co.nz/autocar_fea...ar_content.html
Well, this link doesn't work anymore but you can delete everything after the "/ " and check out the Subie NZ site. It was an article titled "Showdown: FWD vs RWD vs AWD". Of course, Subaru AWD came out on top!

lucien2

a big rise in motorcycle deaths. Big surprise for those of us living in urban areas, given the popularity spike of these things in certain demographics. What Holmes, you mean blasting out of the city in packs of a dozen bikes at 100+mph on the shoulders and in between cars is dangerous?

kenoka

Hello, and welcome to the shallow end of the gene pool.

hondafriek

We have the same problem here, motorcyclists seem to think they are invincible,they get on the road in a pack ride two abreast and hug the centre line on two lane highways, or they will hog the overtaking lane on interstates,plus all the other nonsense you allude to

Before anybody gets on with the refrain that these cowboys are in the minority, it has been my sad experience it is the responsible riders who are in the minority.

  Cheers Pat.

rsholland

I think a lot of it depends on the locality. I remember when I was in England a few years ago, the bikers over there were flat out nuts. It's a miracle any of them survive...

Bob

hammersley

We EMS types have a nickname for 'em:
Murdercycles.

Cheers!
Paul

locke2c

Paul, I prefer the term "donorcycle".

I'm a long ways from nuts and refuse to ride with people who are. I know some though... they often be identified by their lack of helmet and other safety gear.

-Colin

wrxsoon1

I think I saw one of these motorcycle riders recently. I was riding my bicycle on a road that parallels an interstate here near Seattle. I heard a loud, high revving engine, so I looked in the direction of the highway and saw a person on a "donorcycle" doing a wheelie in the fast lane at about 65 or 70 mph. I just shook my head in wonder. Shallow end of the gene pool indeed.

-Ian

ateixeira

I see groups of race bikes all the time, way above the speed limit. They're probably hard to bust, I bet they disperse.

That dumb Biker Boyz movie, or whatever it was called, surely only contributed.

-juice

grahampeters

G'day

The local phrase for the motorcyclist living close to the edge is "Temporary Australian", defining their imminent departure from citizenship. Having had a couple of very near misses with them, particularly on the Great Ocean Road and sepaerately having picked up the pieces of one who did not make it on the same road, I think it apt.

Cheers

Graham

hammersley

Colin: Preference noted. At least *some* good could possibly come from their misfortunes!

Don;t have to look too far for 'em here this time of year - first really nice spring day, they're out in force, out of practice, and feelin' froggy.

Cheers!
Paul

jimmyp1

Is your sister OK? U of MD incident on CNN.

Jim

lucien2

luckily.

I guess the riders we are referring to are known as squids? Something like that...

locke2c

yes, a squid is a squirrelly and reckless rider.

-Colin

lilbluewgn02

the Florida Legislature, whom in their infinite stupidity repealed the helmet law a couple of year ago!...no longer is a motorcyclist required to wear a helmet...many riders wearing just shorts and t-shirts. Of, course, medical costs have skyrocketed, along with deathrates, but duh, "we have our freedom of choice".
Greetings from the land of idiots.

locke2c

yeah if you're over 18 in kansas you don't have to wear a helmet either. I don't understand the freedom issue considering we had no problems making the national seatbelt law?

-Colin

paisan

It's just Darwinism at it's best, just hopefully the idiots who ride w/o helmets do it before the procreate!

-mike

dcm61

In Delaware, helmet on the head is optional but, IIRC, you are required to carry one on the bike.

DaveM

locke2c

see my point though is that the seatbelt law definitely protects people from themselves as much as it protects others from the liability of hurting them.

a national helmet law could EASILY be justified in exactly the same way, same grounds: it's too damned expensive to keep killing / maiming people for minor things. you can fall off a non-moving bike onto tarmac and scramble your brain...

-Colin

lucien2

have some fun with this (Colin has probably already seen it). No really, this is right off Dodge's corporate web site.

http://66.250.27.80/download/movieh.wmv

nevermind the WRX, just enjoy it for the overall message a company is conveying to its target audience. Coming soon to a Shock Trauma Center near you, it's........the SRT-4 driver!!!