Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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Comments

  • anibalbanibalb Member Posts: 193
    Kate,

    That is interesting to know. Since I am so dubious about those things I was sure to ask for the literature before I sign up for anything. If it is how you say then for sure it is not worth it. I was just shopping for quotes and it seems that the reason I pay high premiums is because I have elected 0 deductibles. I need to change that. It is not worth the extra money you pay. Besides, I am sure that if I crash and am at fault I will get kicked out anyway.

    As for extra warranty, I am beginning to think that it is cheaper to trade in your car every four years than it is to keep buying more and more warranties. I may not opt for any of that. Especially, since I maintain my cars so well.

    Thanks for the input.
  • rangerron7rangerron7 Member Posts: 317
    I have used the mechanical breakdown insurance from GEICO - twice in the past 2 & 1/2 years. The first repair was to replace the transmission seal on our '92 Saturn. Repair cost= $850. The next time I used it was just this past September when the trans had to be replaced. Repair cost=$1300. Both times I was out of pocket the amount of my $200 deductible. I was without the vehicle for a total of 4 days the first time and a week the second. There was no hassle at all. My independent mechanic handled all of the communication with GEICO. When I asked him how it was to deal with them, he said that they weren't bad to deal with unlike alot of insurance firms. The only thing they typically do is require that the mechanic "break down" the repair so that they can have an inspector come out and actually authorize the repairs. According to my mechanic, he said this is pretty routine.
    Ron
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ore-Ida: LOL!

    Dennis: what's your deductable? Hopefully not too high.

    I finally ordered parts for my collision damage. It took subaruparts.com about 2 weeks to give me a quote and then shipping charges. I miss Darlene - it would have taken about 2 hours! Plus hers were cheaper, of course.

    Times like these having 3 cars pays off. No Geo Metro loaner for me, thanks.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Years ago, they used to refuse to insure anybody who owned a radar detector. I don't know if they still have that policy. Needless to say, that's one company that's not going to get my policy money.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Geico just drops you/raises your rates through the roof after any claim.

    -mike
  • rangerron7rangerron7 Member Posts: 317
    Bob, I know what you mean about the "no radar detector" clause. They were pretty staunch about it 5 to 7 years ago, but I haven't seen anything in my policy info for quite some time.
    Mike, we've had two accident claims in the past five years (one was considered "our fault") and haven't seen an increase. I kind of have this bittersweet thing with GEICO. I don't like their "fascist" no radar detector policy and I tire of filling out their vehicle usage questionairre every year. But, they have done well with us in settling claims and their rates are $250 lower than any other quote I've gotten.
    250 scheckels can buy an awfull lot of Leinies!
    Ron
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    My deductible is $500.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I've used allstate for about 6 years. They are slightly higher than average but I know of a few people who have had excellent service from them. To me, I rather pay a little more for better service than to skimp on it and get taken over the coals later. I guess the people I know who have geico and got shafted after an accident were exceptions.

    -mike
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Well since everyone is plugging, I might as well. This is my first claim ever and I have Met-Life Auto. It has been very pain-free and the body shop also had good things to say about them. My next-door neighbor is an independent agent, but couldn't touch my rate. I went directly to Met-Life when I got insurance.

    Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Actually, Geico buys laser detectors for the MD state police with money from its policy holders. So the police write tickets, and the policy holders' rates go up. Totally unethical - they use your money to get more of your money!

    When my wife and I got married, she switched from Geico to my policy and her rates went down, so shop around, you never know. I guess lidar guns are expensive!

    Dennis: it's almost not worth making a claim. Your rates will go up probably more than the amount of money you'll get. I'd pick your own shop and pay out of your pocket.

    Costco Executive members used to be able to get a discounted rate from Travellers, but they stopped, so my rates are creeping up now. IIRC they have a new deal with AMEX, so I'll shop around when my renewal comes up.

    -juice
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    juice, I've thought about that. The claims dept. gave me a number to call to inquire about my premium but said that I have to wait until everything is finished. I'll probably call anyway.

    Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    LOL! He says we are stodgy and thrifty ex-hippies and nerds who wear Birkenstocks.

    Clearly, his demographics are wrong. We are educated and affluent outdoorsy Mac users named Dave with 2 dogs. With advance written permission you can use the name "Mike", of course, or own cats instead of dogs. Females must have a "K" in their name, or have a close family member named Dave or Mike.

    Jeez, get it straight guys!

    I guess I can accept thrifty and nerd, but that's about it. He is way off otherwise.

    Uncomfortable seat? I'd never heard anyone say that about the WRX. Car & Driver liked it better than the seats in the Audi S4 and BMW 330xi!

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Was down in North Carolina visiting our daughter in college. We took the scenic route, via the Outer Banks and Okracoke Island.

    While on there (Outer Banks & Okracoke) the weather was lousy. It pretty much rained much of the time. We did take the Toaster out on the beach, and it did fine. Because of the rain, we never really encountered any really "soft" sand. I enjoyed getting strange looks from owners of big macho SUVs as we scampered along the beach like a fiddler crab. :)

    If you like beach driving, I can't think of a better place to go, at least on the East Coast. There are so many opportunities to do so (legally) on the Outer Banks.

    Bob
  • rangerron7rangerron7 Member Posts: 317
    GEICO is buying laser detectors for the MD state police??
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    What shoes do you wear? Multiple choice:

    1. Sneakers (Reebock, Nike, Converse, Adidas, etc.)
    2. Timberland/LL Bean/Docksides
    3. Birkenstocks
    4. Platform shoes like Gene Simmons of Kiss

    I'll go first. I wear Timberland and Costco sneaks.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ron: seriously! The only condition was that they use them to write tickets!

    Bob: welcome back. Did you use one of the ramps in Ocracoke? Access seemed pretty quick and easy there.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    You mean you wear shoes? ;)

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    OK, beach bum. Welcome back to the real world.

    Oh yeah, you work in your basement. So, do you wear Toasties or flip-flops?

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I wear either Docksiders or New Balance (but no clothes).

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    He was right - we are hippies! ;-)

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    It's starting to get too cold for my Birks, and I refuse to wear them with socks. My closet doesn't rival Imelda Marcos', but my footwear runs the gamut from dress shoes (wingtips/cap toe oxfords) to sneaks (New Balance in public, my worn out adidas Stan Smiths for yard work) to biz casual shoes (LL Bean oxfords). I have a pair of Bean boots for winter and Vasque hiking boots for the other seasons. Worn out Teva river shoes when I paddle. I will also admit to owning a pair of Halfinger wool clogs, which I wear mainly to fetch the newspaper or take out the trash but will be seen in in public on rare occasions.

    Ed
  • 1subydown1togo1subydown1togo Member Posts: 348
    Timberlands, Sperrys, Reeboks, and water shoes
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    I think the whole point is not to stereotype Subaru owners.

    Ed
  • 1subydown1togo1subydown1togo Member Posts: 348
    was that Japanese???
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Serge- Yes, you'll have to get Ken to translate :-)

    -Frank P.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    All-Leg-Drive.

    Bob
  • 1subydown1togo1subydown1togo Member Posts: 348
    I, for one, am planning on dusting off my EARTH SHOES !!!!
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Just kidding.... I was merely reacting to the mental picture I got from Bob's last post.

    -Frank P.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I wouldn't go there if I were you... ;)

    Bob
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Oh yeah, footwear. I guess my combat boots REALLY don't fit the profile!

    -Frank P.
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Frank P. - missed that whole 'no clothes' part. I thought streaking was a mid-1970s' thing.

    Need more coffee.

    Ed
  • rangerron7rangerron7 Member Posts: 317
    Timberlands, Rockports, Reeboks and Propets
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    Runners (what you Yanks call sneakers) - no brand loyalty and slip-ons, whatever is cheap and fits well. I always take them off in class anyway.

    Ross
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You had to go there. Now I lost my appetite for Rally Bread! ;-)

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Sometimes boots.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You know what's great for driving? Mocassins.

    -juice
  • anibalbanibalb Member Posts: 193
    Just curious,

    How do you go from insurance co's to types of sneakers?? It is getting harder and harder to follow these posts. It seems not a lot of people like Geico. Hmm, I may consider Allstate if they match the rates relatively close. Thanks for the feedback. It seems one person did use that Mechanical breakdown insurance quite well though. DID YOU have to go to the CHEAPEST Mechanic? Or could you go to the Dealer?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The link above to the review of the WRX talked about who Subaru owners were, and incorrectly, IMO. Specifically, they mentioned we wore Birkenstocks, so we were having a little fun with that concept.

    -juice
  • rangerron7rangerron7 Member Posts: 317
    The two times I used the mechanical breakdown insurance, I went to my usual local mechanic. GEICO never said I had to go to one of "their" shops.
    Even though I've had pretty good experience with them, Juice's revelation about them buying the MD state police laser detectors has me pretty steemed.
    Ron
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Ron- Calm down and think about it for a sec. I'm no fan of GEICO but what's wrong with them buying LIDARs for the state police? If you're not speeding then it shouldn't be an issue. If you knowingly do something illegal and get caught (like speeding) then you shouldn't have a problem paying the fine. I've gotten over a dozen speeding tickets and will readily admit that I disserved every one of them.

    I can't prove it but I suspect that statically speaking, a driver who speeds is at a greater risk of having an accident than one who doesn't (present company excluded of course!). Therefore, by identifying speeders and increasing their insurance rates, GEICO should be able to offer lower rates to drivers who have clean driving records.

    Just my .02

    -Frank P.
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Speaking of speeding... read today that Ben Affleck got ticketed for doing 114 MPH on I-16 in south GA (@10 PM). He paid his $1,114 fine at the county jail and was on his merry way twenty minutes later!

    -Frank P.
  • dsackmandsackman Member Posts: 145
    I am a "reformed" hippie. I do not know what Birkenstocks are.

    I only wear shoes if I have to. I keep my platforms for going into the Castro district in San Francisco.

    Daniel
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Got this over the office e-mail

    Quote
    The author of this email is a Junior Officer serving aboard USS WINSTON S.
    CHURCHILL, an ARLEIGH BURKE class guided Missile Destroyer (same class as USS COLE) operating in the Mediterranean.

    "Dear Dad,

    Well, we are still out at sea, with little direction as to what our
    next priority is. The remainder of our port visits, which were to be
    centered around max liberty and goodwill to the United Kingdom, have all
    but been canceled. We have spent every day since the attacks going back
    and forth within imaginary boxes drawn in the ocean, standing
    high-security watches, and trying to make the best of our time. It
    hasn't been that much fun I must confess, and to be even more honest, a
    lot of people are frustrated at the fact that they either can't be home, or
    we don't have more direction right now. We have seen the articles and
    the photographs, and they are sickening. Being isolated as we are, I
    don't think we appreciate the full scope of what is happening back home,
    but we are definitely feeling the effects.  

    About two hours ago the junior officers were called to the bridge to conduct
    Shiphandling drills. We were about to do a man overboard when we got a call
    from the LUTJENS (D185), a German warship that was moored ahead of us on the pier in Plymouth, England. While in port, USS WINSTON S. CHURCHILL and the LUTJENS got together for a sports day/cookout on our fantail, and we made
    some pretty good friends.

    Now at sea they called over on bridge-to-bridge radio, requesting to pass us
    close up on our port side, to say good-bye. We prepared to render them
    honors on the bridge wing, and the Captain told the crew to come topside
    to wish them farewell. As they were making their approach, our Conning
    Officer announced through her binoculars that they were flying an
    American flag. As they came even closer, we saw that it was flying at
    half-mast.

    The bridgewing was crowded with people as the Boatswain's Mate blew two
    whistles- Attention to Port- the ship came up alongside and we saw that
    the entire crew of the German ship were manning the rails, in their
    dress blues. They had made up a sign that was displayed on the side that
    read "We Stand By You".

    For any nation to strike their own national colors and fly the colors of
    another sovereign nation in place of their own, is the most honorable form
    of respect I can imagine.
     
    Needless to say there was not a dry eye on the bridge as they stayed
    alongside us for a few minutes and we cut our salutes. It was probably
    the most powerful thing I have seen in my entire life and more than a
    few of us fought to retain our composure.

    It was a beautiful day outside today. We are no longer at liberty to divulge
    over unsecure e-mail our location, but we could not have asked for a finer
    day at sea. The German Navy did an incredible thing for this crew, and it
    has truly been the highest point in the days since the attacks. It's amazing to think that only a half-century ago things were quite different, and to see the unity that is being demonstrated throughout Europe and the world makes us all
    feel proud to be out here doing our job. After the ship pulled away and
    we prepared to begin our man overboard drills the Officer of the Deck
    turned to me and said "I'm staying Navy."

    I'll write you when I know more about when I'll be home, but for now, this
    is probably the best news that I could send you.

    Love you guys."
    Unquote
  • FrankMcFrankMc Member Posts: 228
    Subaru had good results, everything considered.


    http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011002/phtu037_1.html


    Frank

  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    If we wear Birkenstocks and drive slow why are we worried about speeding tickets and insurance rates? Maybe if we show the article to the insurance cos we can reduce our premiums. ;-)

    Insurance - I have Nationwide and have been with them for 15 years. Geico could not match their rate a few years ago.

    Greg
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It's Big Brother at its worst.

    Sales up 2% in a miserable month is pretty remarkable. Wow, the Impreza is catching up to the Forester! It used to be 3 to 1!

    -juice
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