Subaru Crew - Meet The Members

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  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Even if the hitch is rated @ 350, you still can't go over the manufacturer's tounge rating. The only thing the hitch manufacturer is saying is that that hardware can handle it, but the lowest commond denominator is the rule. (I'm not sure what the book says about Forrestor tounge weight)

    -mike
  • not40yetnot40yet Member Posts: 10
    Understood. The Forester is limited to 200# tongue weight. I just feel more comfortable with a beefy hitch I guess, and it was significantly cheaper. Fits perfect too. Felt like the better value for the dollar...
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The class II hitch would add dead weight, since it's bigger, so just take that into consideration.

    Though bikes are so light it wouldn't be a problem.

    Took mine on a 7 hour road trip (each way) and as long as the bikes are fastened properly it won't rattle.

    -juice
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    (from post 344 on Mazda Tribute thread):
    >I purchased my Tribute nearly 12 weeks ago. So
    >far, it has been in the shop for nearly 6 weeks!
    >First for the original recalls and now for a
    >problem with the windshield wipers.

    'nuff said?
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    Bob, here's a Forester in a rally cross. Think your wife would let you take her new ride out to a rally cross? ;

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • thecatthecat Member Posts: 535
    I know you peruse the Trib/Escape board periodically. So, I thought you would enjoy this post:

    1800 Miles on my new Mazda Tribute ES. Driving it
    yesterday and felt the engine running a little
    fast at 60 MPH. Looked down at the Tack and it was
    reporting 6000 RPM. The RPM's continues to
    fluctuate while traveling at a constant 60 MPH.
    Jumps form 3000 to 6000 were common. Stopped off
    at gas station just before home. Put the transmission in reverse . No Reverse !!!!! Traveled the 4 miles home with the transmission slipping. Just before home the Overdrive Off light started flashing off and on. The manual states that the flashing indicates TRANSMISSION FAILURE. Not a very good start.

    Juice wins the "Golden Wrench" for his prediction that tranny prob's would abound.

    -hutch
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Keep the good news flowing... Did I mention how much I hate FORDs, epecially the Auto-trans!!!

    -mike
  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    dealer now. Time for my new ride. I'm going to miss my 5-speed for a bit. I was just told that I'm getting a O. B. Sedan Ltd. (automatic, sniff). But, who am I to complain. I'll fill you in on my impressions next week when I get it.

    Meanwhile, the sedan was treated very well. I hope someone from this board get's it when it get's to a dealers inventory as a demo. 9,300 miles (highway) with nothin' but the best in service and washing.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Interesting thought...

    Bob
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    Patti, Though this won't be a fair comparison, I'm curious about your impression of the difference in handling characteristics of a GT Ltd sedan (5MT) vs. an Outback Ltd sedan (4EAT). It'll be interesting to hear your thoughts after driving both for a while. They're obviously intended for two different markets but I'm curious what you like/dislike about each. Thanks.

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Out of curiosity... is you husband allowed to drive the "company" cars that you bring home? Or, are the cars strictly for SOA employees to drive?

    Bob
  • brad5280brad5280 Member Posts: 11
    Vince: thanks RE: info on where to buy accessories weeks ago (ie from Darlene).

    HAVING TROUBLE: with my heated seat (driver's side only) in my 00 OB Ltd wagon. It didn't work at all at first, then recently got "warm" on the right side of the seat only, and now seems to be migrating towards the left side. Not much heat at all on the back. My passengers oooooh and aahhhhh while I complain. Any others see this or help/comments from the experts??? SOA Service said it checked out fine but I should know whether my butt is cold or not.

    Repeat from my earlier request: any comments about adding the automatic dimming rear view mirror as aftermarket addition to my wagon?

    -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
    Looking forward to my first winter in my 00 OB Ltd Wagon!!

    Been getting caught up reading posts, now after almost 7K trouble-free miles on my 00 OB Ltd Wagon. I LOVE THIS CAR! This is my first Subie, and first Japanese car. What sold me on it was the postings about Subarus i.e., all you wonderful people ;-) as well as the engineering that went into the design. I never guessed I would buy a Subaru, but now I have seen the light! I have finally converted to Japanese cars, (after 15+ years in the US automotive OEM supplier industry and working directly with the likes of Ford). I AM SO HAPPY THAT I DID NOT GO FOR THE ESCAPE/TRIBUTE AS I WAS CONSIDERING!!!!!Sounds like a rough launch. As I always hear from others in this industry, NEVER, NEVER buy a new vehicle especially in its first launch year.

    Sorry for the long post. Thanks again all.
    -Brad
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Kate: maybe Tribute owners should budget for two cars. That way one is always working... ;)

    Oh, and make sure one of them is a a 4 banger, 'cause that tranny can't take the V6's torque.

    patti: H6s too hard to come by? ;) LL Bean stores have them all!

    Brad: my 1st year Forester has almost 33k trouble-free miles, and despite my constant tinkering returns 26mpg! OK, one recall, so it ain't perfect!

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    There's a new LL Bean store under construction at the Columbia Mall, in Columbia Maryland. I wouldn't be surprised to see a new LL Bean Outback on display when it opens.

    I'm not sure when it's scheduled to open. My guess it won't be too long, after all the X-Mas season will shortly be upon us, and I'm sure they will try to be ready for that.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hutch: thanks. My first warning on the Tribute/Escape tranny came as early as August 29, in the Future Models topic (post 946).

    So anyone that came to the Crew and asked for an opinion, then bought one anyway probably wasn't reading very carefullly.

    It's so common, and so bad, that someone set up an FAQ for failed CD4E's:

    http://www.dustbury.com/626/trans.html

    I'm telling you, if you buy a Tribute or Escape, just set aside the $2500 for a new tranny. Maybe they should tack this onto the Monroney? :o)

    -juice
  • rangerron7rangerron7 Member Posts: 317
    I'm thinking that my next vehicle (perhaps a year or two down the road) will be either an OB Sedan Ltd., GT Ltd. or a Saturn L300 (V6). I know it's a long way off but my 92 Saturn is getting long in the tooth (It's been a great car!) and I'm starting to think about a repalcement.
    I'm very interested in driving impressions regarding the OB Sedan Ltd vs. GT Ltd.
    Thanks,
    Ron
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    A ford still will have tranny problems. At least my escort did. 2 years and $1700 in transmission replacements, and it still never worked correctly. Luckily the AAMCO dealer that had it last, put a ton of damage on the car and used it outside of work hours(got tickets in a place I never was at @ 2am) so their insurance company bought it from me and I got my XT6 :)

    -mike
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    I added the auto-dimming mirror afterwards to my 00 Outback, and love it. I had the dealer add it. The only problem I had was the car was not pre-wired for the mirror, so they had to get a harness. I would definitely recommend it!
    Patty, as a suggestion, add the dimming side view mirrors as well on future Subarus'.
    Mark
  • jresjres Member Posts: 69
    Patti,
    My wife just brought our 2000 Legacy GT wagon in for the ECU recall. After 45 min. She was told yes indeed we do need the recall and see you in a few days when the part comes in.
    We had called ahead (a week) and told them we had the letter from Subaru saying we needed the recall and set a time for having the work done, only to be told we need to come back.
    Is this normal, if you get the letter from SOA do they still "need to see if you need the part"? I don't recall that being in the letter. My wife was told this is standard procedure they don't order the part until they inspect the car. It just seem like a waste of the customer's time to do this in 2 steps.

    John
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    My dealer did the same thing, and I am still waiting for them to call me back when the part comes in. Kind of a pain, especially since the car runs fine to begin with!

    Apparently, I was the first person to come in with the recall notice at my dealer, and they seemed a little unprepared. When I spoke with Darlene at Q-Subaru earlier in the month, she indicated that her dealership had parts in stock to take care of the recall, so it looks like some dealerships do have their act together!

    Craig
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You may know Subaru Forester has won many honors over the years, including from AAA, Car & Driver, Strategic Vision, RACT, NRMA, Consumer Reports, Newsweek, RideandDrive.com, Consumer's Digest, New England Motor Press, IIHS bumper and IIHS offset safety tests.

    Heck, the older platform still holds most of those titles now.

    But one important award was evasive, until now. Forester just took JD Power's APEAL award for MOST LOVED sport/cute.

    So while there may be one or two competitors with an average of 0.003 fewer defects per vehicle, we can be happy knowing they don't like their vehicles as much! :)

    -juice
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    John & Craig, Tischer performed the work on the day of my appointment. When I called, the earliest appointment was two weeks in the future. Who knows, either this was the earliest available slot or they were waiting for the part to arrive. The ECU was replaced without incident and they even honored my request to not wash the car (juice and Ken inspired me to wash the car myself and now I don't want anyone else "doing it the wrong way" :p ). I posted the recall's full text in General Maintenance & Repair (Topic #15).

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • alingaling Member Posts: 598
    will occur in the next couple of days, so make sure that all of you know your login names and passwords before tomorrow since autologin will not work initially. If you don't know your password, use the automatic password retrevial tool to get it.

    Placemarks will disappear along with the rarely used View history function, so start bookmarking your frequently viewed topics today.

    Stay tuned to this topic for more info.

    Thanks!
    Drew/aling
    Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
  • alingaling Member Posts: 598
    Here's a video clip taken while autoXing in a BMW X5 I6 Sport (18" wheels + firmer suspension) with the 6 speed manual transmission. For those of you wondering what I was talking about when I mentioned shuffle steering, you'll see what I mean (little crossing over of arms). You will be able to hear the DSC at work in the tight turns, though it is, of course, a little louder in real life.

    Please open this link in a new browser window:
    http://bmws52.homestead.com/files/X54.zip

    For those of you with faster connections, here's the clip at much higher quality:
    http://bmws52.homestead.com/files/X5200.zip

    Enjoy!
    P.S. Anyone want to try this in an Explorer? ;-)
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Just wanted to say that I love my Subaru, and that I am glad I went with the Outback over the Forester. This past week I have had to haul a lot of stuff in my car, due to a death in the family. Some of the items would have been to long in the Forester, or too uncomfortable. I have been amazed at what I can carry in this car, and still ride comfortably. Sometimes it seems to me that the car rides better when it is loaded down!

    BTW I am bringing the car in for that ECU service bulletin tomorrow,as I was delayed last week. I am also going to have them check on the brakes, which I read others had the same problem, and the alignment since the car is pulling to the left (yes, I did check the air in the tires.)

    I can not say enough about this car. I am constantly telling friends how great the car is, enough that 2 said they will go with me when they are ready to buy.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That's a shame we'll lose our placemarks, but there is plenty of room for improvement on the software side.

    -juice
  • jerrys2jerrys2 Member Posts: 189
    guess I haven't been paying attention...where can I get information regarding the recall?

    Thanks, Jerry
  • hornelakehornelake Member Posts: 3
    Hi, Jane is back, the 91 Loyale who just celebrated 300 000 Kms. Yahooo!

    Ross: I tried your email, but all my attempts have failed. Hmmmmm. Any ideas?

    My question still stands - how can I get Canadian dollar invoice prices on new Subarus....? Anyone?

    Thanks
  • al2al2 Member Posts: 73
    E-mail me at: beval@lightspeed.ca

    I can give you some idea on the basis of recent experience.

    Al
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    I have no idea as to why the e-mail isn't working. It is armac13@home.com. Al (see above #2688) has used it. Try again if you can.

    Ross
  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    Dave: on the 2 inch receiver... bolts up just fine, had a local welding shop do it, and most of their business is hitches & related... I'll never need (nor would I dare) to use the full capacity of the hitch, but the rack & all the stingers already in the family inventory were 2 inchers.

    I put two mountain bikes & either a smaller kid's bike or a tricycle on the rack & it doesn't seem to be too much weight hanging too far out.

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • alingaling Member Posts: 598
    FYI, Townhall will go dark tomorrow around 9am Pacific. Watch the main Townhall page for confirmation on this and when we will re-open (probably not till November 1st).

    I've already been to the new board and it is similar but yet different. The TH team will be hard at work to get everything back in order. Last reminder to get remember your usernames and passwords as you will have to manually log in the first time.

    To get a taste of what the new software will look like, visit the "community" section of www.boats.com. It won't be identical, but similar.

    Drew/aling
    Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    I think I'll be in the new car by this weekend, so I'll share my thoughts ASAP. As far as my husband....

    We have two programs. I am in the "main" program which only allows me to drive the car. Otherwise, it is considered income, vs. a test vehicle and it's taxable. However, my husband still loves his '90 Legacy so he's not that put out about it.
  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    Whenever we send out recall notices, we supply dealers with enough parts to match up with their vehicle sales. Then, we start filling orders. This is done to try and share the limited supplies that we usually have to start with. Since some folks service at a dealer other than the one that they purchased the car from, a dealer can run short.

    The biggest bug is getting replacement parts quickly. Sometimes, we know we want to do a recall or service campaign, but we are a bit at the mercy of the vendor that is making the replacement parts. We want to make sure that there are no problems with them, so tick, tock, time goes by! If you are a scheduling an appointment, make sure the dealer has a part set aside for you prior to the inspection to save some time.
  • torektorek Member Posts: 92
    ... about the www.subaru.com site: not all of us can view Flash! I now get a useless, empty, dead web browser when attempting to go to www.subaru.com.

    New technology is great, but as with cars, one should employ it in stages, keeping the "old tech" running for a while. :-)

    Chris (stuck with an ancient Netscape for now)
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    It looks cool, but the nav isn't intuitive. As I said, less Flash and more info would be better. There is currently nothing on accessories, clothing, and you have to go through the lengthy "build your own" session just to have a look at colors. The Soob UK site works better, IMHO.

    chris- download it: http://www.macromedia.com/software/flashplayer/
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    Well, I've got Flash, IE 5.5, Windows 2000, a fast Internet connection, and I don't like the SoA site. It's really frustrating when web designers use eye candy to mask a poorly-designed website. It is possible to convey information without multimedia.. I seem to recall encountering these non-electronic gizmos called "magazines" that have been doing it for some time ;) I suspect that those that developed the site have a) never designed for print media and b) have never tested over a modem. Tsk, tsk.

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I have a DSL Line, Fast PC, win2K, and IE5.5 and SOA is pretty poorly designed...

    -mike
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    The flashed site runs reasonably quick when I'm on ethernet, but drags over modem. Subaru should have a "non-shocked" site for those of us conserving bandwidth. On top of that,Shockwave usually leads to browser instability no matter what hardware/OS/browser you have.

    I agree with Lucien that the navigation is horrible. I would bet that most first-timers miss many of the features and info on the site. The only reason I can find it is because I remember some of the same structures from the previous non-shocked site.

    Craig
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Does ANY one like it? ;)

    -juice
  • brad5280brad5280 Member Posts: 11
    JUICE: I'm a bit confused regarding your response to me about my heated seat problem
    (you mention 1 recall??) not sure how your response was related to my post #2670 (perhaps I'm brain dead).

    2000 OB LTD Wagon:
    Today, after a couple days of wind and rain (Boston area) I woke to a water leak in the map light, moonroof switch area. Anyone else have this??? I still love my car and trust it can be fixed. (It hits a sore spot with me since my last new car, a 1995 Sable, had trunk leak and was eventually bought back by Ford as a lemon.)

    ABOUT FORDS:
    F fastest
    O only
    R rolling
    D downhill

    - Brad
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    I dropped my car off this morning at SI Subaru, and already got the call to say they have to order the part. Patti, I understand that dealers don't want to stock items that they may not need, but it is annoying that I have to drop my car off again once it is in.

    Jerry, go to topic 15, post 992. Someone else posted the whole service bulletin.

    Mark
  • jerrys2jerrys2 Member Posts: 189
    Thanks. I have automatic ( wifes car ), so we are all set.

    Jerry
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Although I'm working mostly on server-side of Internet things, I do participate in what's called in the industry "usability testing" of web sites. From professional standpoint, I'd say SOA web site sucks. The usability of web pages strongly correlates to information content and how it's laid out, not to the animation and other stupid effects -- those tend to confuse the user not to attract him/her.

    I remember back in 1997 SOA pages were laid out much better, not counting a huge portrait of Paul Hogan...
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Told you not to take it to SI subaru for anything beyond oil changes.... Just don't deal with cecilia there, she is a real non-customer oriented individual.

    -mike
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    SI was the easiest for me to drop the car off for the service. Since it is a factory service bulletin, I figured that I could use them. After reading other posts here I kind of figured I would have to go back if the part was defective, since it seems most dealers are not stocking this part, yet. As for the service rep, I spoke with Joe. Thanks though for the advice.
    M
  • aussierooaussieroo Member Posts: 78
    Steady on girl. You are insulting a national icon there.
    You couldn't expect Hoges to have a small portrait.

    Gus
  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    This is weird.
  • alingaling Member Posts: 598
    Yup, we're back to WellEngaged. Unfortunately, the software migration didn't turn out how we wanted it to and everything had to be shutdown. Anyhow, expect a general e-mail message to all TH participants tomorrow explaining the situation. For now though, let's go back to the way we were (I feel a song coming on :-)).

    Drew/aling
    Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    Hey, you mean there's a woman out there who isn't absolutely swept away by a giant portrait of an Aussie national icon. Dearie me, major Australian medication program needed. Take 2 kangaroos before breakfast for seven days and then go take another look. Even if it does nothing else for you, it will give some added bounce.

    Hogan isn't used for advertising the Outback in Australia, the selling is left to the car. I have to say that the Australian Subaru TVC's are very good; stylish and portray the vehicles in use in the wide range of settings from desert to snow to surf beaches. No personality endorsement at all.

    In fact personality endorsement is something of a vexed issue.

    High profile endorsers tend to have high profile problems when things go a little bit amiss. This can reflect back on the product when they are seen as the face of the company. Sportsmen in particular seem to get into strife over drink or drugs/driving offences/marital problems/bribe taking and this has to reflect back onto the product. I also wonder whether the polarisation of opinions which comes from using a particular sports star from a competing team would dissuade rather than persuade.

    You would have to wonder whether the risk is worth it. Did you buy your Outback because of the car or the face pushing it?

    Cheers

    Graham
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