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Comments
Not that I want to race at every light, but for $20K, I wanted a bang for my buck. So I bought my dream car, a '96 Vette.
Now that Subaru is adding more power, I feel all giddy inside.
I'm not going to sell my Vette for one, but I will look into getting the turbo version.
Also, is there a forum that discusses the WRX other than Edmunds?
A vette is a completely different animal, I'm surprised you even compared the two. My brother-in-law buys them and fixes them as a hobby, so I've driven his three (owned at different times).
The catch is you can't really even drive at 6/10ths on public roads, never mind 10/10ths. It's more fun to be seen in than to actually drive.
There are plenty of forums, the most active by far is the I Club (see paisan's link above). You can't keep up if you try, though.
-juice
Look in some pages, but always find supercharging a manual Impreza.
back to subaru.
-Colin
I haven't even seen a forced-induction Impreza in person
When's that next i Club event? Early August at Dave & Buster's, right?
-juice
vette: i guess that by '96 they had fixed the reliablilty problems of the '80s and early '90s vettes.
-mike
Overall, the engine compartment feels very crowded, especially with the intakes on the Phase I's.
-juice
Check out lark6's Studebaker, his project car. Nice hobby! Complements his Subaru nicely, too.
Paul Howell's Outback is picture on the same page.
-juice
PS Notice there is empty space at the bottom of that page? Any other photos out there, send 'em to the juice!
mary ann
Glad to hear that you're happy with the Outback and feel "safe" once again.
I'm waiting for the H6 model later this year and hope I can get as good a deal as you did!
Regards,
Don
Definitely go.
On the mainland, there isn't much to see, expect for the Mayan ruins, if you're into that thing. Lamanai is up north, a van takes you up, the rest is by boat. Lots of mosquitos, but it's amazingly preserved and quite beautiful.
South and west is the Xunantuniche ruins, a fun trail to get there, and fewer bugs. Still quite interesting, but not as good as Lamanai. Take bug repellents with Deet!
But spend whatever time you can on the islands, or diving. The Blue Hole is spectacular. It's the largest living coral reef in the world. Australia's reef is bigger, but it's not living.
The fish are "friendly", if you will. Seems like they don't allow fishing in most areas, so schools swim right up to you. I've been surrounded by so many I couln't see - it was amazing.
My dad will be gone by the time you go, he's moving back here. Want to guess where he'd prefer to live? His assignment is over, but not until he obtained several extensions and went way over the limit of time for his mission.
The people are friendly and English is the first language, you'll be glad to know. Food is generally cheap because of favorable exchange rates.
Enjoy it! I've been there twice and would still go back.
-juice
Thanks for posting my Studebaker photo on your page. Thanks also for being such a leader in the Edmund's forums and a staunch advocate of the Forester. It was yours and other's (kens, Colin, aling1) comments combined with my own test drive that gave me the push to buy my own Forester. I know you've become a bit biased but after 6 months in the Soob I can see why!
Although there's supposedly some sort of Stude-Soob connection with the hill-holder clutch (some claim FHI licensed it from Stude, others don't) neither of my cars have it as both are automatics. I like to kid the Stude club guys that I bought a Subaru because I don't like to spend much time at NAPA and their names are in alphabetical order in the parts catalogs (don't believe me? check it out).
There's a huge all-Studebaker swap meet held annually in late February - early March at the York, PA Fairgrounds. The weather isn't always cooperative but the show goes on, thus making an AWD parts hauler ideal. Yes, the Forester has hauled Studebaker parts as well as a kayak (no, my name's not Dave), extension ladders and loads o' stuff from Home Depot and the nursery.
If any of you want to talk Stude let me know and we can do it offline; otherwise I'll stick to the subject of my fine little black daily driver.
Ed
We're having a Subaru swap meet on August 26 in Gettysburg, PA (see under Events). Sounds like you can swap parts to your hearts desire!
Wait, you're not named Dave? You need a special permit to have any other name...
-juice
PS How's bout a photo of blackie for the bottom of that page?
Two years after buying my 98 Forester and I still get comments today. Just yesterday, I went to REI on my lunch break and parked right next to an older model Outback. The owner of the OB was just getting to her car when I pulled in. She immediately asked me how I liked my vehicle and told me how she's been checking out Foresters for a while.
The strangest encounter I had was waaay back in 98 when Foresters were still rare. I was driving down the street when this guy on the sidewalk spots my vehicle and follows me about three blocks on foot into a parking lot. I was getting a little worried when he suddenly breaks out into a smile and starts asking me how I like my Forester.
I like that you don't see yourself coming and going.
-juice
Rented a 2000 Outback with automatic (from Hertz) last weekend for a trip to the Sierras and that convinced us. We loaded it with all of our usual camping gear, duffle bags full of clothes, cooler and a 50 pound bag of cat litter for good measure. Cruised through 97 degree temps in the valley right up to Pinecrest at 5000 feet with ease.
When we got back we test drove two white GTs. One had 15 miles on it and a blemish on the dash and the other had 29 miles and a slight vibration at 55. Dealer had the front tires rebalanced and it solved the vibration so we decided not to take a risk with the blemished dash and bought the other car. Carlsen Subarau in Redwood City, CA is great. No hassle one price and very nice folks. Had the car ready in 2 hours and we are thrilled.
Very, very nice car. Love the dual sunroofs, handling is superb and can't wait to wind it out through the gears. Trying now to get through the breakin period before we leave on a 2 month road trip from CA to Wisconsin, New England and the Smokeys with a side trip to visit the inlaws in Florida.
Will keep you posted.
Mike
Frank P.
First, being able to rent an Outback is sweet, and a great idea. It's the best test drive I can think of. Good going. Time to update the profile!
That's a heck of a road trip you got planned. Take pictures.
And speaking of photos - if you'd like to share one with the Crew, e-mail me a photo of you with your new ride, I'd be glad to add it to my web site.
I need to do a road trip soon. Well, OBX this September, I guess. Plus some mini-road trips to all the Subaru Events (see the Events topic for more info).
-juice
PS Finally saw the 22B review in Motorweek, now I gotta have one. Mike (Smith): didn't see you in the footage, but one or two other i Clubbers looked familiar.
PPS NOx in an OBS?
Been going over my new GT wagon with a fine tooth comb... I am totally obsessed with details. Everything looks perfect other than it seem to be about 1/2 to 3/4 inch lower on the drivers side front. Air pressure is same. Is this "normal". Went through the same anxiety when my wife got her Civic si and eventually learned to live with it.
Anyone have experience with the wagon rear window dust deflector?... thinking of adding it. Also going to tint the rear door and hatch windows and was thinking of doing the moonroofs too. Any concern here?
As for the trip... we do these trips every year. Usually 6-7k miles. Have always rented so this one will be exciting. We will get the 1k break in done before we leave but will need to find a Subaru dealer on the way for the 3k mile oil change.
mike
Tinting would look sweet - you won't regret it. Looks good, reduces glare and heat. Just make sure you get a good install. There's a topic just on Tinting if you're looking for experiences with it.
Since the moonroof has a shade, I'd pass on that. Besides, you want to see the moon even when it's closed.
Use Subaru's dealer search from their home page. You could go as far as scheduling an appointment in advance, if you know more or less where you'll be at 3k miles.
-juice
Thanks,
Skip
http://www.iace.com/ia/misc/07-04-00/subaru.html
http://www.iace.com/ia/misc/07-04-00/trooper.html
-mike
Hope everybody is having a good weekend.
Craig
Make the best of it, Mary
I said, "Um, no, but I have a new Subaru..."
"Oh yeah, that must be it, Subarus are cool. My uncle had one with over 300,000 miles on the original engine. He started changing the oil only every 10,000 miles and still it wouldn't die."
Dave
i installed a dust deflector on my 2000 OB. definitely helps for keeping the rear window cleaner. It also helps keep some of the water off the window when driving at highway speed in the rain.
if you decide to purchase one i highly recommend contacting Darlene at Qsubaru@aol.com for great service and a great price.
i like your idea of a "road trip".
Vince
i live 60 miles north of Philly and recently switched over to Donegal Mutual Insurance Company. They're HQ'd in Lancaster and deal only thru agents. You need a pretty clean record but they do have good rates.
If you want add'l info email me at vsr@bellatlantic.net.
Vince
Anyway... it will bug me until I get a professional answer. Not sure if I should bug the dealer about this as the rest of the car is absolutely perfect. Tough getting through the break in though.
Anyone else care to measure their cars?
Bitman
Sure, anything for the cause. And the result is...
...my 2000 Legacy L Wagon with about 7500 miles on it is almost exactly the same height on both sides as measured at the leading edge of the front doors. The drivers door is no more than 1/16th of an inch lower than the passenger door.
Dave
You just gotta love Qsubaru, my local dealer wanted list for the rack $118 AND $12.95 for the clamps. when I told him about Darlenes prices he laughed and offered me $10 off saying there was no way she could do it cheaper, and by they way it's not in stock so it will be at least a 4 week wait.
Darlene delivered in a week for $92, that was with the clamps.
My wife and I went child car seat shopping Sat. and as we were in the parking lot a gentleman approached me and started discussing how difficult it is to get a rear facing saftey seat that is stable in the center back of a legacy/outback. He was trying his fourth. We are on our third and still not satisfied. Has anybody had any success getting any particular brand to work?
I think 1/2-5/8" is well within the height tolerance I'd expect from a car. Think of all the things that contribute to slop -- the suspension, tires, body fit, etc . . . But, being an overly nerdy rocket-scientist, I will measure my new OB as soon as I can find level ground (and the monsoon rains subside here in coastal VA). I mentioned your post to my fiance thinking it was kind of funny, and she indicated that I shouldn't be laughing too hard. Apparently I'm, um, somewhat "off" myself.
Craig
BTW, small variations in tire pressure can easily translate into 1/4-1/2" of height difference. I learned about tire design a few years back, and while the volume of a tire remains fairly constant within a given pressure range, the shape, cross-section, and sidewall height can change quite a bit (how much depends on the tire design).
Roy - where've you been hiding? So the Ford got stuck and the Outbacks made it? Guess the driver makes the difference.
I'm psyched to try it out - my new rims/tires are wider and offered a slight lift. That plus your home-made lift kit ought to net about 1.5" taller than stock.
Skip - if you have Costco's near you, and you become an Executive Member, that gives you access to heavily discounted rates from Travellers. I had State Farm and rates dropped pretty significantly, even though our record isn't clean.
paisan - looks like fun. How'd the Trooper feel during the slides? The new track is much wider, right?
bitman - well, I have OCD too, but I measured because I was swapping rims/tires. The height on both sides was identical before and after the swap (not during, though, check out photos).
-juice
That plus Rain X would work wonders.
Roy: forgot to mention the lodging is already booked. My cousin's husband has an uncle that owns a place. Get this - the erosion was so bad he had to buy the lot behind him and have the house lifted, literally, and moved back a bit.
You can bet there will be plenty of photos.
-juice
-mike
Vince
-juice
Good luck
1. Buy threaded insert tool
2. Install deflector
3. Return tool with receipt
You'd only pay for spare threaded inserts. Of course you'd have to baby it to return it as new.
I wonder if a tool rental shop would rent one?
-juice
-mike
Just makes me feel uneasy all over. I think the main worry is rust. I know I don't trust myself to install a dust deflector, though I do want one. I think I'm going to install an intermittent rear wiper via pdubois instructions instead.
ash
Bitman, I measured the left/right ground clearance on my '97 GT, just aft of the front wheels, from the bottom of the cladding to the ground with 32psi in all tires and it was exactly 6 3/4" (+/- 1/32") on both sides.
I think the "professional" answer you seek may come in the form of a prescription, but wouldn't it be cool if it turns out that the driver's side is "engineered" about 1/2" lower to account for the crowned roads we're on 90% of the time?
-mike
GT: that's just it - no water to rinse off the mess. Also, if you drive in dusty conditions, the dust kicks up and accumulates there. It blows off everywhere else.
I'd like one but the install makes me cringe. I'll have to think about that one.
-juice
The latest is today's issue of Automoble News in an article about the radically new 2002 Cherokee. They mention all the other vehicles eating into current Cherokee sales. Not one word about the Forester is said.
The following is the link:
http://www.autonews.com/html/main/stories/dcxfutureproductsb724.htm
Bob
-mike
Another interesting note is that the current Cherokee is considered a mid-size, despite the small interior. It outsells all small SUVs but doesn't earn the title for that reason. The new one will be smaller and should fit into this class, but (go figure) it should have more interior space.
-juice
Actually, the next generation Jeep Grand Cherokee (currently with 2 live axles) will also have an independent front suspension at least. No word about the IRS. Also, the next generation 2002 Range Rover will also have 4 wheel independent suspension (since it is loosely based on the X5). This means that all of these vehicles will loose some of their off-road ability. Ah well...
Drew Oo\=|=/oO
Besides mentioning the fact that all new future Jeeps will have fully independent suspensions, they also mention that Freightliner (Yes, Freightliner, and not Dodge!) is going to come out with a medium-duty PICKUP! We're talking about a Class IV -- maybe even a Class V pickup! Folks, that is BIG news! Can you imagine a pickup truck the size of a Ford Super Duty F-450 or F-550?
Sorry for going off-topic, but this information is just too wild to contain!
Bob