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every post on this and the other Subaru boards(all encouraging!!!) , and test driving every model Subaru makes, as well as Volvo S40 and Camry, we ordered a 2001 Legacy GT sedan (too hot for leather here in South Florida) automatic, CD, tweeters, upgraded speakers, wood trim, and power outlet from Fitzgerald's in Clearwater Florida (it is the same company as the Fitzgerald's that Juice talks about). The price was good, the salesperson was nice. Soon, soon2bsubee will be Wegotsubee !!!! My wife is pleased(it will be here car), but it was a frustrating process for her...a lot of unreturned calls and emails, a lot of time online, but once the order was placed, we all breathed a sigh of relief. Any suggestions from the crew on the final test drive before signing on the dotted line; and once that is done, any suggestions on break-in procedures & speed, etc? Thanks for all your help...
When it arrives, just take a close and careful look at the entire vehicle. Pick it up in full sunlight, and walk around it a few times. Look for orange peel texture on the paint, dings, scratches, and uneven panel gaps.
Inside, look at panel alignment, and try all the gizmos. Make sure everything on the options list is there and works, too.
Try to drive smoothly for the first 1000 miles or so, with rpms below 4000 or so (except in emergencies). Also keep in mind the brake pads have to break-in, so try to avoid hard stops.
The first oil change is at 3000 miles. After that, it depends on what service interval you're on (it's up to 7500 miles for light/highway use).
Congrats again.
-juice
It's not directly subaru related it has to do with my Isuzu Trooper, but I know the service dept. is the same. Never bring your car there EVER!
My trooper has been back 3 times for a vibrating driver's mirror, they tried to tell me that the dip stick marks represent 1/2 a quart of oil rather than a full quart, the lost my locking wheel key and are trying to say *I* lost it, and on top of it, never road tested the mirror after fixing it either of the first 2 times. (I check my milage in and out)
Just venting. I love my subie and my trooper, but this dealer's service dept leaves much to be desired. I'm personally friends with the sales staff and have sent a ton of people there, but the service dept has even gotten my annoyed (and the service people know my family has bought like 5 cars in the past 3 years there and recommended countless and they know I know about cars... I wonder how they would treat joe blow who bought 1 car and knows d1ck about cars)
-mike
Let us know if you find a good mechanic in that area, since your referrals have proven so useful.
-juice
I just scheduled to have the 1st oil change (1500 mile service) on the Outback I bought when you were there. Do you suggest I go elsewhere, or give them a shot? BTW Mark was excellent and the car is great. Thanks again for all the help.
Mark
-mike
I traded away my 98 Impreza Outback Sport and picked up a 2001 RS sedan-Sedona Red. Love the car, it just begs to be driven hard and fast. They didn't really want to budge off the price of the RS, but they worked the numbers in my favor on the trade. I was able to get $12,600 for my OBS, (5-speed with 47,000 miles on it) and got the leather as an option on the RS. Love the car. Can't wait for snow!
I was looking at the new impreza body style, but not thrilled with how it looks, so I wanted to make sure to get the current style before they disappear.
I was a converted Honda owner, but our next car will probably go back to Honda. Need a commuter machine that gets much better gas mileage, and the Civic HX is pretty hard to beat without going for the VW TDI's...
Ross
-Frank P.
Between new and used, I'd strongly recommend new, unless you've found an incredible deal on the used one. Note that Subaru was constantly adding more stuff to the standard equipment on Foresters, so the used one may not be comparably equipped with a new one. If
Though I later regretted it. Mine does not have anchors at the base, and the stitching is coming apart on one side.
Get the OE one, it's better and not much more dough.
-juice
..Mike
..Mike
-Frank P.
Subaru doesn't make a fuel miser, but gas is such a small part of your total costs here in the US that few people ask for it.
Doug: yep, Foresters hold their value well, so I'd buy new.
Back in '98 my price limit was $20k, so the L it was. I've since bought 16" rims and tires for $750 or so. So for about a grand, you could have the CD and alloys, but still wouldn't get the rest.
I prefer the unpainted cladding, which resists dings and scratches, and at the time liked the L's black grille better too (now all grilles are chrome).
Still, take one peek at an S Premium, and you'll fall in love. However many more payments it is, it's worth it! You'll enjoy that moonroof every day, and you'll recover most of the costs at resale (as you're finding out now).
I saw an ad for an S Premium at Fitzgerald, auto even, for $23.8k, and that includes freight and all fees (just add tax). If dealers near you charge much more, consider a road trip to MD.
And Kate made an excellent point - there is a lot of new equipment, like power mirrors on the L, cruise, CD on the S, temp gauge, 2nd trip odo, rear LSD on the S, etc.
Serge: at least it's not the next-gen Camry wagon, which was scary looking!
Guys: my secret was a beater car, and getting her to be the designated driver. When I had a few beers in me, she was less nervous! It's been stick ever since!
-juice
..Mike
..Mike
I'd rather change my schedule or commute than my tranny, but that's just me.
-juice
Ross
-Frank P.
-juice
I did get talked in to the gold plus extended warranty. I think I had already half decided to go with it on the way to the dealership since I put a lot of miles on my cars (currently have 175k on my trooper). I probably paid too much for it ($1,295) but at least the payments are spread out over 10 months! By the way, that was for zero deductible. Has anyone else here gotten their 5 yr./100k mi. warranty? How did this price compare?
Just signed up for the Fall Foliage tour. Sounds like it will be lot's of fun!
-mike
Dale: I'll look forward to meeting you at the Folliage tour, then. You can look forward to getting something to wear (that'll be my only hint) as a freebie.
Lighter interiors are less hot in the summer. Your seats are heated so the winter shouldn't be a problem either way.
-juice
I suggest that you drive your wife across the Hudson River to Bergen County, New Jersey any Sunday. Go to one of the larger Shopping Malls (Garden State Plaza, Paramus Park, etc.) Since there are blue laws in the area the parking lots will be empty (only on Sunday). Plenty of room to teach her to drive a 5-speed without damaging anbody's property (except maybe your transmission).
This will be my first Subaru. I've driven Ford Explorers since 1993. Two weeks ago, a gravel truck pulled out in front of me and I ended up rolling my Explorer 2 1/2 times down the highway. Needless to say, I'm very leary about buying another SUV. I live in Iowa (lots of snow in the witner) and drive 50 miles round trip everyday to work. We also own a cabin on a lake where we spend every weekend in the spring, summer and fall. I'm looking for lots of cargo space.
I've found lots of good information here and am sure the Subaru Outback wagon is what I want. BUT, do I buy the 2000 or spend the extra money on a 2001. HELP
gauge, and front seat map pockets enough to justify the extra costs of the '01 model. For what it's worth, we have a new 2001 Forester and a '98 Explorer, and both have the outside temp gauge. It's a really nice feature to have. Especially when the temperature is hovering around freezing. The map pockets are nice too.
The other issue is, if you buy the '00 model, it's already a year old in terms of resale.
Bob
--Jay (we take delivery later this week)
If you need a tranny that's $1500-$1700
A/C compressor $600-$800
Head Gasket $500
Right there you are looking @ well over the purchase price of the extended warranty. The Subaru Gold also is a manufacturer warranty so you know you can always complain to SOA in the event they don't warranty anything.
Just my 2 cents.
-mike
You also get bigger front brakes and a 2nd trip odometer. It's useful because you can use one for trips and the other to track gas mileage.
On extended warranties: I spent more than that on my Escort, but less than that on our 626. It's your call.
-juice
As for teaching the wife, Juice I like your method the best. Blane, unfortunately I work a second job on Sundays so I can not take that ride. Mike I appreciate the info about Marks old car, but I will have to pass for now. It is a good idea for when she is ready to learn (Buy an old manual to learn on and destroy that clutch rather than the one on the new car.)
-juice
Juice, alllriiiight, an accessory for the driver! See you at the tour.
-juice
Theo
-juice
-Frank P.
A good friend of mine works at a Ford dealer as a mechanic, and he strongly recommends them. Of course, he's seen a good amount of Ford lemons, which aren't the most reliable to begin with!
Soobs are generally pretty reliable, and the basic warranty is pretty good already. They've even added roadside assistance for 3 full years.
I'll roll the dice, personally. I've got so many mods I doubt they'd cover most of it anyway.
-juice
-mike
you getting a peace of the action???????
-juice
Did you receive my email?
Gus
8 L models (2 of which are 5 spd), 2 S models, and 7 S+ models!
Frank P.
-juice
I got the Gold warranty for the 98! Only paid 1100 for 5/100 though. It was list at about 1500 but the dealer came down just as I was almost out the door. Plus Subaru lets you pay monthly over a year or more for it. I didn't get it right away with the purchase so I hadn't rolled it into the original financing.