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Comments
I'm disappointed with the gas mileage only because I think they could do better. I was getting around 25mpg on the highway, and that is good, but I drive a lot and I really wanted something that has *excellent* gas mileage. The VW's aren't much better, but the Toyota Matrix looks like it will have good mileage. Oh, well. I'm just a penny pincher/conservation freak.
Oh- and in terms of the airbag I want the side airbags that are in the seat, not necessarily the head curtain airbags.
In response to the questions about the accident:
What was the major cause of your injuries?
-Mostly just the high impact of the wreck due to high speeds. I am guessing my husband's injuries were from the seat belt, but it could have also been the center console. It was amazing- her car stopped where she hit us (in the median), but the energy and impact pushed us all the way from the left lane to the median between the freeway and the feeder, which is on a hill.
Did part of the passenger compartment give way?
-(Just from what I remember waking up inside the car....I haven't been back to visit it)The plastic on the inside of the driver door was splintered and shattered, and I had lots of cuts from that. The driver side front tire was pushed in so far that my legs were trapped between it and the center console. There was a hole in the floor there. I think my foot was broken under the accelerator. The windshield shattered and both of our seats broke. My husband's seat was actually reclining at an angle, plus mine had angled in a little. I had a gash in the back of my head, I don't know what from-- the headrest?
They had to get both of us out of the passenger door b/c the driver door was trashed.
I wonder if side airbags would have kept my pelvis from being broken. I have no idea how my sacrum was shattered- again, I think it was just the high impact.
What happened to the girl and her vehicle?
-Her wrist was broken. She got up and walked out of her car right away, somewhat shaken. I think her car is totaled also.
Eventually I will get a post mortem photo of the car and post the URL here, but it will be a while.
Thanks for the comforting words.
Susannah
Jeff--If you have read this far into this post I will tell you that the back seat in the Forester is not too good for adults but believe it or not, the back seat in my WRX (or any new Impreza wagon) has been more comfortable for the adult passengers who have ridden back there. As to the way the car handles, my '98 L had the narrower taller tires that your S won't have. It can out handle any "sport ute" out there. The S should be better. The L is not a high performance sports car but the way you could corner with it was surprizing.
TWRX
Monica-- Wow! That's going to be difficult ...a/c and power windows seem to be becoming more and more common as standard equipment on most vehicles nowadays. And I'll have to defer to the crew members on the subject of fwd Subarus ...I'm under the impression that all Subarus sold in NA are now awd and I have no idea about what's available in the JDM ...are they (fwd) still available there?
Susannah-- I found another mistake in my post over on the "other" board so I'll delete my post over there and re-post it here and point out the error. I did find that the preliminary MPG on the Matrix to be 27/32 MPG on the standard engine with fwd but I'm sure it will be much less on the awd model, especially with the optional 180 hp engine. But since you did express your decision of going with another Forester again, all this is just extraneous garble anyway. *lol*:
Hi Susannah!~ I remember reading the details of your accident on the Forester board after you originally posted it and I'm glad you and your hubby have recovered! ...man, it made me cringe when you posted it again.
But can you define "excellent" in definitive terms? Were you not getting the gas mileage you expected in your old Forester? Yes, I agree that the gas mileage in the Subarus might not be as good as the cars you mentioned in your list but I don't think it would be that far off. Foresters (or Legacy/Outback using the H4 engine) are going to average above 20 MPG using regualar unleaded. The Passat and the Volvo might get marginally better mileage but they recommend premium unleaded to accomplish it. IMHO if I were in your shoes, since the Forester got you out of that accident alive, then I'd personally feel that I'd want to stay with the vehicle that "saved my life" ...it has excellent crash test ratings as portrayed in their recent TV commercial that compares it with the horrible ratings of the Ford Escape.
Of your listed vehicles, I'd personally think that the Passat would come closest to combining safety with realatively good gas mileage. The Passat also has excellent crash rating data and in addition has head curtain side impact protection. Head curtains are now quite common in the European imports. Although some Japanese and domestic cars now have side impact bags, they lack head curtains ...so head curtains are a definite plus in the safety category. The Passat 1.8T will give you "good" gas mileage but not what I would necessarily condider "excellent." I own a Forester and an Audi A4 1.8T (same engine as in the Passat) which are both less than a year old --they both get about the same gas mileage (21-24 MPG on average, combined city/hwy) but, again, the 1.8T requires premium to get that mileage.
The Toyota Matrix sounds interesting. You're right ...saftey data probably won't be out until after introduction. IMO, I believe that the "first-year-glitches" won't be concern with this vehicle because it is using drivetrains/engines which are currently in use by Toyota in the Corolla and Celica and have proven reliability. I also believe it will be produced at the NUMMI plant in Fremont, CA along with the Pontiac Vibe ...if so, that plant has an excellent reputation of quality control. Personally, *now hold on to your hat* I actually like the styling of Pontiac's version more than I do the Matrix (they are "twinned" vehicles, of course). The Vibe is what the Aztek should have been! ...a quote I heard somewhere. Here are the Vibe's specs (but should be similar to the Matrix's): http://www.pontiac.com/vibe/vibe_specs_popup.html
Both are scheduled for introduction in February, I think.
Sounds like you have your heart set on the Matrix but if you can't wait, the Forester, Outback and Passat are the choices I'd consider from your list, if I was in your situation.
Just my $.02, Susannah ...and that's all it's worth. *lol* Good luck and let us know how things progress!
--'rocco
I've did read later that the Matrix/Vibe will be produced at Toyota's Cambridge, Ontario plant and evidently not at the NUMMI plant in California.
--'rocco
Bob
--'rocco
http://www.subaru.co.jp/impreza/sportswagon/index.html
The second tab from the right should give you the wagon lineup. It's the "I's" model.
Bob
If I downloaded the Windows Japanese language support software, would I have better luck?
--'rocco
Some of it is in english. On that gray bar with japanese letters that runs across the top, click about an inch in from the right.
The picture of the I's indicates both FWD and AWD, and yes it is 1.5L. Which is strange, because the entry-level Impreza WRX sedan (all Impreza sedans are called WRX in Japan) is 2.0L.
Bob
--'rocco
Bob
--'rocco
Bob
--'rocco
Bob
Heh, I guess we are turning this board into an instant messenger :-P
--'rocco
Bob
--'rocco
P.S. - The only "brake related" problem I have noticed is an occasional pull to the left when I'm slowing down very gradually to a stop - but I have had that problem from the beginning and the dealer has checked it out. Other than that the brakes seem fine to me. But obviously I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Thanks for your help!
-mike
None of you opined about the appearance of the spoiler? Care to assuage or justify this tinge of buyer's remorse we're feeling? Does it help keep the rear window clean at all?
Thanks!
Ross
Ross
(<200 miles - already!). purposely did not order any options other than rear deflector (from other vehicles, agree that they are very effective) as it's installation seemed scary - drilling holes in the body is too intimidating.
I will look at ordering some others like arm rest but am curious what experience anyone's had with the dog guard - is it a permanent install or can it be moved forward if seats are folded? anyone have any good experiences with other products - if so, which & where'd you get them? thnx!
Someone asked, so here are my oil change photos and tips and here is my fender flare install. I needed the latter because my wheels have a different offset than stock, it was like a sand blaster on the beach. They look cool, too, to my eyes.
Incentives? Don't hold your breath for rebates, but special financing is available.
Susannah: glad you survived to tell the story. Sounds like an awful collision with very high forces involved. IMO the bigger and heavier Forester would hold up better than a Vibe/Matrix. The S Premium has the side air bags you desire.
Just to prove a point, I rode in Bob's Forester all the way to Philly, in the back seat (just under 2 hours). The person in front of me was short so he was able to move the front seat forward a couple of notches, but I was comfortable. Plenty of foot room under the seats, softer fabric than my 98 L model, and nice big windows and moonroof for a great view.
Just don't put a basketball player behind another basketball player. I'm close to 6", 220 lbs.
If you want a stripped vehicle, see your Toyota dealer. Nothing is standard, they win easily here. The RAV4 doesn't even come with a real rear bumper. It's only FWD, has no floor mats, no A/C, no ABS, no power windows, no power locks, no cargo cover, no mud guards, no fog lights, and I'm sure lots of other things I've left out (or they did, actually).
It's funny because that's usually a negative point! LOL
-juice
Good luck.
I agree - ignore the Toyota base price in the real world.
Still, you can get a lot, including QO package, AWD and auto trans (if that's your choice), for around $22k sticker, $21k purchase. Not bad at all.
In terms of performance, torque is good off the line but they run out of steam sooner than most gas engines would.
-juice
John
juice-- But can you even find a RAV4 strippped like that? A co-worker tried to have a dealer locate a relatively stripped RAV4 and they told him that none are coming in with as few options that he wanted. They wouldn't even let him factory order one. They told him: "Toyotas can't be factory ordered ...you've got to choose from what's available in the region." Now, I don't know if what they were telling him was the truth or just b.s. but I've heard that from other Toyota shoppers ...but maybe (again), it's just a "west coast thing." So he went to the Subaru store and factory ordered an Outback Limited with the exact options he wanted ...*lol*, Toyota loses a customer to Subaru! --way-to-go, SoA!
--'rocco
While replacing the spark plugs (not exactly easy to reach!), I noticed that there is some oil seepage around the head gasket. It doesn't appear significant...really just a little area where you can see some dirt buildup sticking to the oil film there(can be seen on each side). I use a semi-synthetic oil. I know that boxer engines are more prone to oil leaks here due to the way the oil sits on the gaskets. I also know that synthetic oils penetrate seals easier. Should I be pushing the dealer for a head gasket job (still 18,000KM;s on the powertrain warranty) or is this par for the course with boxers? I would hate to have the dealer do an inferior job and then have problems after warranty.
--'rocco
--'rocco
I like what the Premium level offers (side air bags) but not crazy about the colors so I'm going for the S level.
Questions: Anyone here from Massachusetts and can recommend a dealer? What should I expect for prices?
I originally passed on getting a Subaru because I know of several people who have 5-speeds that have had problems with the clutch (a 99 Impreza with the clutch dying at 60,000 doesn't make me feel that good). Do you think that the buzz that there are problems with Subaru's clutches is true?
Though you could add Ford to the list - the base Escape is 2WD, the seats are half vinyl, and it has no ABS or much else. The base CR-V is also 2WD and the seats are half vinyl.
Tup: consider going back to dino oil, perhaps even a higher weight. Synthetic does indeed find those leaks sooner. See if that helps.
scholli: they've made running changes to the clutch to improve them, at least that's what I've heard.
-juice
What kind of deal did you get on the Subie that you just bought?
And Monica stated on another board that she wanted a vehicle that was "Entirely and built in Japan or Germany without North American parts" which she could use on a dairy farm so I guess that eliminates the Escape ...but *heh* Audis and BMWs come with vinyl seats (leatherette) but I can't imagine them being used on the farm! I think she should just forget about factory vinyl seats and just have them retrofitted later ...either that or put plastic seat covers over the cloth.
--'rocco
The invoice price included $225 for advertising so it was $225 more than Edmunds invoice figure.
I've seen them sell for less on the internet (at Fitzgeralds in the Wash. DC area), but I don't live there so I did the best I could without a major hassle. I'm really happy with the car so far, by the way (except I've read in Consumers Reports, the Tire Rack, and here that the tires don't do well in snow.)
This time around we're much more stable and are looking at the 2002 L Auto. Now my question is what does MSRP mean (MSRP is $29395 on carclick.com and on subaru.ca) How does or should it affect my offer or the amount of a 'good deal' I'm getting? So far estimates went as high as $29700 with tire tax and prep incl. to the lowest price of $28395 destination charge incl. I also took the advice of some postings and emailed a number of dealerships in the Montreal area. I've received one call back so far. Advice and help greatly appreciated from all.
Forester .... anyone used one of these or have any other suggestions.
Need a little more room occasionally for trips ---
I have no local dealers so will probably order online -- suggestions?
Thanks ...
Larry
And I have reason to believe that some dealers take your order, then they watch the incoming regional allotments, choose one that may be close to what you ordered, then tell you the factory must have slipped up - still want it?
And I've heard of two cases where the order was 'lost'. One of these potential buyers has waited 7.5 months thus far. (Typical wait is around 90 days.)
So, yes, you can factory order...
--rocco
We'll probably skip most of the options, but I thought I'd ask if anyone wants to make a case for buying any of them--particularly:
Stereo Upgrade: Is the basic stereo good enough or should I shell out a little more money? And more importantly, should I bother with Subaru even if I want a better stereo?
Security System: Should I go through Subaru (what does their system do?) or should I be looking for an after market brand? If it is the latter, can anyone recommend a good and inexpensive system that prevents both auto and stereo theft (so it should probably sound an alarm when glass is broken)?
Any other almost-must have options?
Thanks in advance,
Paul