Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

19798100102103692

Comments

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Lark was shy and skipped on the first crossing I took, but he worked up the courage the 2nd time around and made a nice splash himself:


    image


    -juice

  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    is trying to catch up with Rufus I see. :-)

    Ross
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Make sure to check out the whole Pine Barrens album. Lots of great pix, for sure.

    Since I took these feel free to copy and share any or all of them.

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    I wasn't sure how much water the underbody shield would let in and, with my toolkit for the day limited to a Leatherman I didn't want to face the plug removing, water spitting ordeal that the XT6 driver did. Still you can see I did okay. I shouldn't have worried because the XT6 is shaped like a doorstop rather than a bread box.

    Ed (you can call me lark if you like; it's just my other car)
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    I really enjoyed the pics. Reminded me of my outings this summer. There were several times I really wished I had friendly company along as you all did.

    Ross
  • 1subydown1togo1subydown1togo Member Posts: 348
    Great photos...looks like you had a fun time...much needed these days
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Exactly - it was a perfect distraction.

    The XT6 there was driven by a wild man. He had rally tires on there, but mostly it was stock, interior stripped down to sheet metal my guess is to save weight. He was all over the trails, in the deepest sand he could find, fish tailing all he could. Fearless.

    I was hilarious to watch the engine spit out the water, then see more spitting out the exhaust! I still can't believe I was up and running, and smoothly, after all that. We had to bail water out of the interior! He was beating it to death and it just refused to die.

    I was next across the water, with paisan in the passenger seat, but I went slowly. Given what had just happened to the XT6, I thought it was prudent. When people said I wimped out, I had to redeem myself with a quicker run in the afternoon. Then Ed followed, and made an even bigger splash.

    An RS made it through, though slowly. It was hilarious. You could really feel the support as new (AWD) and old (4WD) Subie owners united, along with Isuzu owners, to cheer people on through the tough stuff.

    I also got a ride in a turbo 2.5RS. It was running 6psi of boost, and with high compression that thing was pulling like a mad dog. We loaded 4 big guys in there, and even with that heavy payload (his coilovers were so low we were scraping the tires), it pulled in 4th gear like we were in 2nd. It absolutely flew down the road. He kept that RS on pavement only, of course.

    Dennis made the trip, too. He mentioned they had e-mail problems at work, so I don't expect him to post until later. His Outback Sport drove around like a champ, and I followed him most of the morning. At one point he moved over to make room for the 2 motorcross bikers, and hit a tree stump. His bumper cover was slightly dislodged, but it didn't seem bad considering all the stuff it went through.

    After I wash Sandy I'll have to have a closer look, but I hope the scratches aren't too bad. The narrow cars had an advantage in this regard. paisan was able to use his power retracting mirrors feature many times.

    For many short stints, the smaller cars drove ahead at a more brisk pace, but Ed and I stuck with the SUVs for a more leisurely ride. The cool thing is that meant there was something for everyone, though.

    Man, I'm having fun just talking about it. My adrenaline was pumping when I watched that BRAT go for it over and over again.

    Then on Sunday we (my family) had breakfast with the Sesame Street characters. I'm glad to report Elmo and Big Bird are fine, thanks, proving once and for all that everything is going to be OK.

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    "...but Ed and I stuck with the SUVs for a more leisurely ride."

    The rule of thumb we were given on trail rides was to keep lights on and never let the lights of the vehicles in front of and behind you leave your sight. On much of the trip the two Foresters hung together but there were a couple spots where I let juice get a ways in front of me, even out of the line of sight. That was my chance to scoot like the little Imprezas. Driving under those conditions you're not often looking at your gauges - too much going on - but I did hit 50mph on a couple of the easier stages (e.g. where you see Dennis' car in the pix). That being said most of the trip was run at 20-25mph tops, with the real ruts anywhere from a crawl to 5-10mph.

    On one spot where we went over a large pipe I whanged the undercarriage pretty good and checked the temp gauge and idiot lights to see if I was leaking anything, checking again at the next stop. No harm, no foul.

    Ed
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    A-ha, so that's where you were. A couple of times I actually stopped and waited for you. I thought you were having trouble keeping up!

    I was in 2nd gear most of the time, but that allowed me to spot and take some of the tougher routes.

    I bottomed out in that same place. That was one big pipe we drove over! And that is despite creeping over it slowly. We probably hit the front cross member, skipped and kept going.

    In the photo above you can see the angle of approach could be better. My front bumper dug into the mud a few times. No damage, though.

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    juice,

    Great photos, nice write up. Sounds like you had a lot of fun. How bad are the scratches?

    Any more stories about the AWD working? Anyone take videos?

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    No stories, it just works without the driver having to think. It's funny how we go into all this theory about how it all works, but in practice she simply nevers let me down, be it sand or snow, no matter.

    I also have to complement the 2.5l boxer. I was in 2nd gear, sometimes crawling slow, and she had enough torque to pull through the deep sand. I never felt the need for a low range, though in fairness I didn't do the deepest mud pits either.

    One guy had a video camera but left early and didn't seem to catch much footage. I'm not sure who else took photos but I expect paisan will post them on his site.

    I have not washed her yet, but I'm afraid to look. At one point I got a nice whack on the side, but I'm hoping the roof rack protected her paint. I didn't see any blatantly obvious scratches, but I'll look again once she's clean.

    She needs a thorough wash, especially the undercarriage.

    -juice
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    Thanks, Juice, sounds great!
    Cool pix. too.
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Juice, M. Smith, and anybody else who is interested the photos I promised way back of my beloved 89 Accord (now gone to my daughter)are now up.

    Go to futureshop.ca/photo the album # is 716455 and the password is 7917.

    The truck and dogs are my daughters, the Accord is all origional paint and body no dings or scratchs after all these years, Juice you expressed one time your hope that she would take good care of this car, well she is way beyond me if it rains the car stays in the garage.

    Anyway hope you enjoy the photos BTW.the good looking guy in the white hair is me.

    Cheers Pat. PS. I do not know how to post some of these photos in the photo gallery if someone could help out I would be grateful
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Great pixs from the Pine Barrens!

    Bob
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Well, finally back from Arizona.
    Juice, great pixs of the run - I wished I was able to make it back for the run. Well, next time.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Pat: looks nice. From some angles it almost looks more like a Legend, dressed up like that, especially those rims. Your engine bay is a lot cleaner than mine, too.

    Oh, I do recall an AWD tidbit. One time after we stopped, I goofed and left the parking break on. The group started up again, Sandy pulled forward, kind of dragging the rear tires across the sand. It felt odd, and progress was slow, but I guess the AWD system effectively transferred torque to the front axle.

    Another note: I started the run at 29psi, which worked but resulted in a really bumpy ride. When the sand got softer and deeper, most of us aired down. I went to 18 psi, and it smoothed out the ride significantly.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Automotive News quoted GM North America President Ron Zarella as saying "We have some pretty terrific stuff working with Subaru". They really want to do the Borrego, but are trying to figure out how to keep costs under control. I say base it on the Impreza and let Subaru develop and manufacture it.

    VP of Planning and R&D Larry Burns said that Subaru was doing so well with engineering and positioning its vehicles that "why would we want to take them over, put our leaders on top of it and screw it up?"

    Exactly, I say.

    For paisan, they also mention that the Isuzu diesel has allowed GM to increase their light-truck diesel market share from 2 to 20 percent.

    -juice
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Just thought you would like to know.
    Looked into my mail box today and found a "electric" green coloured postcard reading, I quote:
    -URGENT RECALL-
    OFFICIAL NOTICE
    Subaru of America is immediately recalling your Subaru to correct a defect which may be safety related. Beltway Subaru has been instructed to be Absolutely sure EVERY VEHICLE IS REPAIRED. Please bring this card with you. There is NO CHARGE for this FREE correction, which can be performed while you wait. IMMEDIATELY GO TO BELTWAY SUBARU 1819 Cropsey Avenue, Bklyn, 718-232-1900 TO HAVE THIS FREE WORK COMPLETED.
    unquote
    Then it list "RECALL NO WWE88" and my VIN.

    OK, I'm not biting - unless otherwise informed (SoA direct). I understand it is not (SOP) standard operating procedure of SoA to notify customers through dealership network, so what gives?
  • evilizardevilizard Member Posts: 195
    Why would they mention a specific dealership so many times. Seems like it would be "your nearest subaru dealer".
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    they're simply telling you specifically where the nearest dealer is just in case there's any doubt.

    it's not hard folks...

    -Colin
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Doh! I can't post from work. Of course I only go on-line before work and during lunch.:-)

    It was a GREAT time! I'm so glad paisan kept it going because it was nice to get away from "things" for a while.

    Nice pics, paisan and juice. Looks like you guys got a little bolder on the second run.
    Like juice mentioned, my bumper lost a fight with a tree stump. :-( Mainly rivets/screws popped out and there's a little whole where the bumper got twisted.

    dave - a former boss of mine drove back from the conference in AZ. Three days of straight driving! Whether or not that notice is fishy - from what I've heard, I wouldn't touch Beltway with a 10 mile pole!

    Maybe mike can squeeze another run into his busy schedule before winter.

    Ed, that bumper will look sweet when installed. Looking forward to pics.

    Dennis
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Oct 21 or Oct 28 or Nov 4.

    Any prefs?

    -mike
  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    It looks like a blast. I'm not sure how the WRX would have done anyway. It looks like the kind of run that would have been great for the VDC. More ground clearance looks like it was the order of the day.

    Patti
  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    That looks legitimate. I'll check the recall number when I get to work if our internet access is restored (it was brought down because of the nimda virus). If not, I'll post tonight.

    With recalls, we want to get them done and encourage the dealers to get cars in. Some dealers see it as an opportunity to get some service work (which we pay for) and go out and get customers with open recalls.

    I actually like the idea. For recalls and/or service programs, anyway we can get them done, the better. Less agg for the customer down the road!!

    I'll let you know.

    Patti
  • amishraamishra Member Posts: 367
    Didn't know Subaru was into science.

    But this will open your eyes to a whole new world!

    image
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Dennis: you mean his Forester grille, right?

    The WRX would have been a blast at the pace the smaller cars were running. There were bypasses around all the tougher stuff. The RS did fine.

    We could test the VDC's 7.9" clearance claim, for sure. I bottomed out on that huge pipe, and maybe another time on sand, but it skipped and kept going.

    I washed her thoroughly yesterday, and the undercarriage has no damage. I lost one plastic rivet in a fender well, no big deal at all. I have one teeny-tiny paint chip on the driver door, but I'm not sure that wasn't there before. On the other side, I got two surface scratches that will polish out easily and one that likely won't.

    That may have been my fault, though. We hit a dead end at one point, and I backed into a wooded trail to get out of the way for the big trucks. That's when I whacked a couple of branches, and likely got that one scratch on the passenger side.

    Dennis was hilarious - at one point he stopped in the middle of the trail. I was thinking, "what's wrong?" So he walks around his car, breaks a branch that was sticking out half way in to the trail, hops back in, and drives off! Cracked me up!

    Are there camp sites up around there? The hotel was kind of pricey.

    -juice
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Paisan,
    Any of those dates looks good.

    Dave
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Since we've been discussing the events of last week, I found this tidbit in Blue Oval News:

    Apparently the "youth-oriented" 2002 brochure which promotes the Focus, Mustang, etc., has a picture of the NYC World Trade Center on the cover. Ford is going to reprint that brochure with a different cover image. In the meantime, Ford has asked all its dealers to remove the front cover from all the existing brochures, until the new ones arrive.

    Question:

    Which is a more painful reminder? The existing brochure (as is, with cover in place), or one with the cover removed?

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It's a delicate subject, Bob. Tough call.

    One interesting thing I've noticed is that there are as many flags on imports as their are on domestic cars.

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Bob: Both.

    juice: Campsites? My backyard - maybe I'll even let you use the downstairs bathroom. ;) Seriously, there are several around there and near me. I'll post back with details later in the day. Sheraton not the cheapest hotel/motel you could've chosen - there are Red Roof and McIntosh Inns right up the street and a brand new Hampton Inn one exit up I-95 (and almost too close to my house for my liking).

    Dennis/all: Yes, I managed to track down an OEM Forester GT grille from Australia. Price less shipping was approx. $210 US. This is the same grille used on JDM STi Foresters and the UK-spec Forester S turbo. I also managed to find an STi "pink badge" to replace the OEM metallic green-black one. I brought it with me to Atsion to show off and maybe have someone help me do the swap but we were too busy trail riding. A couple of comments comparing it to that starchy Southern staple that we can't name but most liked it. I'm also in the process of rounding up a set of 17" Speedline Prodrive P7 wheels to fit in the spring - you can bet I won't use those on trail runs!

    30K service is scheduled for next Friday 9/28 (odo at 27,7xx this AM) as I wanted to get it done before a long driving vacation mid-October. Any tips on parts I should buy and bring to install? In particular I'm thinking of spark plugs - NGK copper or platinum. Any problem locating these in common parts stores or would I have to order them and risk not getting in time for the service?

    Ed
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I wish I had tools. We had a good half hour in the AM before anyone arrived.

    The plugs are scheduled for a swap at 60k. Unless they do them early, that is.

    I'm curious to see what others have used.

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    juice: First place to go to would have been the ranger's office where the trail ride began and ended. See http://www.state.nj.us/pinelands/recguide.htm
    Two other good links are
    http://www.campusa.com/nj/cu_nj.htm

    and
    http://www.web-comm.com/nj-camp


    Hope this helps,

    Ed
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    However, here are the instructions from Community Tools, Town Hall Help (left blue column):

    Enclose the next line with < >
    img src="http://url-location-of-photo"

    ..Mike

  • twrxtwrx Member Posts: 647
    Subaru is the Japanese word used for the Plieades or "Seven Sisters" star constellation. Thus the stars on our hood ornaments. It was a natural to name the telescope on Mauna Kea that. PS. The drive to the top of Mauna Kea in Hawaii is awesome. It is actually the tallest mountain on earth. Even though it is just under 14,000 ft. above sea level there is about another 16,000 ft. of the volcano below giving it a total height of about 30,000 or actually taller than Everest. The Subaru telescope is only dwarfed by the Keck telescopes as the largest on earth. The 9 major scopes have the largest light gathering surface located on any mountain. How's that for off topic?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Not so much, if you think about it...

    Notice the shape? A cylinder. Large enough in displacement to please even paisan. ;-)

    Also, note the treads on either side of the telescope, i.e. horizontally opposed.

    And Patti, tell SoA we want features like the "monolithic primary mirror" and the "active support system". Is the latter part of the self-leveling rear suspension on the Forester S Turbo models? ;-)

    -juice
  • amishraamishra Member Posts: 367
    juice, sometimes you're just too much :)

    horizontally opposed ... how much hp do you think it can put out?

    better be careful, the WRX crew are threatening revolt!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    HP isn't the reason, it's the perfect 2nd order balance...

    OK, I'll stop. ;-)

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Sounds like fun.

    -mike
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Anyone else get hit with the Nimda virus? It messed up my PC for half the day!

    Gotta get back to browsing...er, work!

    Ken
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    But we are *still* here doing anti-virus stuff :(

    -mike
  • vdchawkvdchawk Member Posts: 40
    Juice,

    You missed "extremely accurate tracking mechanism using magnetic driving systems." Wouldn't that be VDC and VTD???

    Keith
  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    I don't know why I posted my response yesterday to Paul.. My apologies - pre-coffee response I guess.

    Anyway, the notice you got from Beltway was legit. It's a new voluntary safety recall. Low failure rate, but better safe than sorry. Long and short - it's for installation of a "spring guard" in a limited number of Sub's (I'll have the specs. later - our PC's were hit by the nimda virus and were down all day yesterday). Basically, in the salt belt states, some (anticipate less than 1% failure rate) springs can fail very low towards the bottom. If it breaks, it doesn't cause a control/steering problem and would probably go without notice. However, if it breaks due to corrosion, it can puncture a tire. The guard will prevent that.

    You should get a letter from us later this week or early next week if your vehicle is affected.

    Thanks!

    Patti
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Glad to say we are nimda-free. We have not had @ny pr0bl3ms in y3@rs!

    ;-)

    How could I have missed that, Keith? That can be our chat topic tonight.

    Patti: when in doubt about a name, always guess "Dave". You'd be right more often than wrong!

    I think the VDC would sell better if it were called the Dynamic Active Vehicle Enhancement (DAVE) edition. They could even put the race-style label with "Dave" on the car, and sales would probably increase! If Subies ever speak, they should go ahead and address the driver as "Dave" too!



    -juice
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    however I'm named.
    Patti - I, I know for one (pre-coffee) called my Mom by name once... by my girlfriend's name. ;)

    Juice - DAVE edition :D
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    we've been down, still down about 50% as if WTC disaster recovery wasn't enough...

    -mike
  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    got us at work for the day yesterday... but the ironic thing is that it hit the IT guy's computer the worst of all! We had everything except internet access back in service by dinnertime...

    Patti - the identity crisis is forgiven... caffeine insufficiency is always grounds (pardon the pun) for temporary insanity!

    Cheers!
    Dav..ooops... Paul
  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    WooWoo!

    Cheers! Again!
    Paul
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    5001
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    and raise you 5002!

    -mike
Sign In or Register to comment.

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.