Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    Heartiest congratulations! What a great early Christmas present! First & foremost, I hope & pray for a totally smooth, uncomplicated pregnancy, and the healthiest of newborns! What's the due date?

    And Patti... time to press product development into an AWD sport turbo minivan! (Hey! How about naming it the Subaru Juice!?!?)

    Never thought I'd join the ranks either, but a wagon & minivan now reside here.

    Took my dad (77 & a bad back) to the bank this morning, and he had high praise for the seat comfort in the OB. Told him they make a sedan, too... said he might be interested. Imagine converting a 30+ year Buick driver!

    Good things come to those who wait.. it's snowing again, and sticking!

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Price and mileage, but you're right. The problem is there will be wait lists, retailers demanding full MSRP, etc. The Odyssey is about $30k with leather, so the SUV can only cost more.

    The baby is due in the summer, we'll know a more accurate date after the first doctor's visit.

    My dad was a Buick owner, too. 70s Electra, he cried when they towed that piece of junk out of our driveway, but he loved it. He's got an Outback and while it may not bring him the same smile, it also doesn't bring him the repair bill blues.

    -juice
  • mortpeaberrymortpeaberry Member Posts: 69
    Tell him subaru is THE up scale GM product. Like Acura is to Honda. And it wouldn't be THAT big of a stretch. So it is still in the same family
    (3rd cousin twice removed)

    Juice- Great news I think We have you beat by 2 weeks (not the cut or the van/suv) I personally think the legacy is the best size vehicle. Room for three seats (in case your watching another child) doesn't look like the road hogs (SUV) that everyone uses instead of a wood paneled buick station wagon, and gets 23+ MPG (in snow, without chains).
    steve-v
    santa cruz
  • yellowbikedonyellowbikedon Member Posts: 228
    Greg, Thanks for the good wishes a day or so back. With the fast frequency of posts here, it's almost impossible (well, not quite) to go back into the files. Marianne had a new "mix" for her chemo yesterday and, so far, so good. It's certainly one hell of an ordeal for anyone.
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    I had to go through this sort of thing with a close family member recently, and it was tough on all of us!! But, we pulled through in the end which is what matters. My thoughts are with your wife -and- you.

    Craig
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    I wrote a comparison of the MDX and LL Bean Outback on acuramdx.org. It can be found here. I tried to stay objective. Bottom line -- they are both great vehicles.


    Craig

  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    Well, I'm going to have to get all over Product Planning to get them to hurry up a suitable vehicle for you!

    Oh, and a big ouch on the hand!!

    Patti
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Hey gang! Sorry I haven't checked in in a while -- I've been in Japan this week on business. Unfortunately, I'm quite a ways from Tokyo so I haven't had a chance to go check out car stuff including the Subaru building in Shinjuku.


    I have seen quite a few Subarus however. The first night, I saw a green Legacy GT, black Forester Turbo and a white WRX with the HID light upgrade and modified exhaust. Felt like I was getting a welcome here!


    BTW, check out this new 4WD Nissan wagon that just got introduced here. It's called the Stagea and it looks pretty slick:


    http://www.nissan.co.jp/STAGEA/M35/0110/index.html


    Ken

  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Enjoying the sights I see, Subarus I mean :-D
    Anything there worth a group buy?
    "Stagea"? Hmmm... it sure looks like a Volvo.

    -Dave
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    You took the words right out of my mouth - that sure looks like a Volvo to me.

    Ross
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    That new Nissan wagon is one handsome vehicle, and yes, it does remind one of the Volvo wagon with its square back. I wonder if it will come State-side?

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Legacy is a good size, but the wife is hinting at something even bigger. It's also something folks like paisan and Bob have asked for. I do like the tidy size of the current car, personally.

    Craig: great review. You've actually talked me into putting her in an LL Bean wagon. She just might fall for the wood/leather steering wheel and CD changer. Image-conscious stuff like that is a big bonus to her. Who knows, maybe it'll convert her to a wagon person.

    Patti: any chance the $750 incentive is coming back soon? I can't imagine they won't offer it for the 2002s.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    the Nissan Stagea discussion to "Future Models."

    Bob
  • 1subydown1togo1subydown1togo Member Posts: 348
    Also the first thought in my mind..Volvo...I think the rear overhang is a bit long.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    functions so well as a wagon...

    Let's continue this in "Future Models."

    Bob
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    I think the wood and leather in the Bean really does help make it a compelling vehicle, and if that builds the image and helps sell vehicles, so be it. A month ago I would have scoffed at leather and wood, but one test drive did me in. It really looks handsome, feels luxurious, and speaks of good taste (even smells good). I guess I must be more of a sucker for that stuff than I though, because the car roped me in!

    This is where I think the Bean/MDX comparison is interesting. Obviously, the Acura has more of an upscale image, more luxury features, and costs more. To me, however, the Bean is the more appealing vehicle all the way around. The fact that it's a Subaru is just a nice bonus!

    Craig
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'd prefer an all-leather steering wheel, but she falls for that type of stuff. If it feels upscale enough, maybe I could sell her on the image, outward appearance, etc. ;-)

    $38k is really pushing it, I'd be more comfortable in the $20s.

    -juice
  • yellowbikedonyellowbikedon Member Posts: 228
    Thanks for your words of encouragement. Today seems to be a good one. Marianne is out doing her holiday shopping. I'm taking that as a good sign.

    Don
  • 1subydown1togo1subydown1togo Member Posts: 348
    As long as she doesn't spend all your bike money!
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Congrats on the upcoming arrival, and I hope that I didn't ruin your image or compromise your position by letting the gang know that you are shopping for a minivan!

    Steve
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    Someone's got to keep him in line. I can't do it alone. :D

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I've shared my test drive experiences here and in Future Models. For me to buy a car it takes about 2-3 years of drama.

    I may need Ross; counseling for more than just my OCD habits!

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    image

    Photos were taken at "Da Big Meet" we had a couple of weeks ago. The rest of the photos start here.

    See you at the chat tonight? I may be a bit late but I should make it.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    from the top left, reading down:
    dunno, speedline superturismo, dunno, dunno.

    from the top right & down:, OZ Prodrive1, P1 again, Speedline Prodrive7, dunno but they are 18s. ;-)
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Top left looks like the legacy GT rim, don,t have a clue about the rest.

    Cheers Pat
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Was at the shopping centre yesterday and saw the twin of my GT wagon.

    I could have cried at the condition of it,front and rear bumpers were scraped at all four corners probably parks by touch. I counted 15 dings and dents on the passenger side and the drivers side was almost as bad.

    Three out of the four aluminum rims had been curbed leaving the edge like a dogs breakfast, had the owner appeared I think I would have been tempted to put my boot in his or her backside.

    I cannot understand someone who spends over $35,000 Canadian for a car and then abuses it like that, there is a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, I think we should have something similar for cruelty to cars.

    OCD. at its worst when the condition of somebody else,s car gets me all wound up.

    Cheers Pat.
  • yellowbikedonyellowbikedon Member Posts: 228
    My bike money is in safe keeping. All Marianne spends is her future titanium fame dollars!

    Don
  • sibbaldsibbald Member Posts: 106
    Last week while stranded in Maui by Canada 3000.

    O.K. so there are worse places to get stranded. Anyway, nothing that an extra $2,000 to get home (3 of us) couldn't fix.

    There was my grey 1985 Toyota Cressida. The car I still own, love and fuss over. This one looked like roadkill. Generous amounts of duct tape applied everywhere. A Tijuana taxi would have put it to shame. My wife finally had to tear me away muttering something like "get a life, it is only a car".

    Tom
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Amazing... And here it's only rated for a paltry 2000 pounds at best.

    Bob

    http://www.autoweb.com.au/start_/showall_/id_SUB/doc_sub0112071/article.html
  • peterson10peterson10 Member Posts: 116
    I'm sure this has been covered numerous times in the past, but as my memory is as reliable as a Ford I thought I would pose the following question: if you suddenly found yourself driving with your wife and kid(s) along the NYS Thruway between Rochester and Albany in a (very typical) storm of blinding snow and icy sleet, what kind of rubber would you want under you: Michelin Arctic-Alpins OR Bridgestone Blizzaks?

    I'm going to buy a set of one or the other in the next few days (knowing that "All Things Must Pass", including this nice weather), and would welcome all of your expert opinions.

    YetAnotherDave
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    How about slippers, next to a nice fire? :)

    Types of rims.....I don't know.....round ones?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Sorry you had to see that, Pat. Ross, any moral support? ;-)

    Colin got most of them. In the first, column, the bottom two are another P1 and a Koenig. Indeed, that last one was an 18" rim! Though the front right one was already damaged from a pot hole.

    Bob: that tells us Subaru's lawyers are indeed a bit too conservative. I'd like to see all subies rated for a ton with no trailer brake restrictions, and the H6 models 3500 lbs. Beef up the brakes, sell a tranny cooler option, whatever, but do it.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    BTW, I heard the Subaru Ski Team will be joining us for the chat next Thursday. Just a rumor, but that would be fun.

    -juice
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    You are on your own this time. Now if you wanted some immoral support, ... ;~)

    Ross
  • bg18947bg18947 Member Posts: 184
    Assuming you're comparing Blizzak WS-50 to Artic Alpins and not Pilot's, Tirerack has reviews available. Overall, Blizzaks appear to be better than Artic Alpins on snow and ice, but Artic Alpins are better on dry road and longevity.

    I've got Artic Alpins on my Odyssey and Blizzak MZ-01s on my Legacy. Haven't had much time on either one yet, to draw my own conclusion.
  • ironsides1ironsides1 Member Posts: 30
    I recently bought factory steel rims and mounted Blizzak LM18 (H rated) in 225/60R16 on our '00 OB. Researched web sites, reviews, different tire shops,etc. Our Subaru dealer said he'd gotten a bulletin from Subaru recommending 215/60R16 in the Blizzak W50 on the OB due to clearance problems with the deeper tread on the winter tire. I've got Blizzak W15 on a '92 Legacy and Toyo Observe GO2 on our other'92 Legacy. I've really liked the Toyo tire but got a better price from my reg. Tire Shop on the Blizzak LM18. Owner has them on his Jag. The rolling diameter on the Wilderness= 26.6 and on the LM18=26.5 so clearance hasn't been a problem. They're quiet, handle and stop well on ice and packed snow as well as dry pavement.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I found the actual site to this Caravan club which awarded the Outback H-6. It also lists other various winners. It's interesting to see what folks in the UK use for towing. There's a picture of a Peugeot 406 GTX 2.2 HDi Estate (the overall winner) towing a rather large trailer.

    You need to go to the "News & Events," and then "Latest News" buttons. Once there you can select either the "Awards" story, or one on "How to avoid Hoof and Mouth Disease," something a few Crew members (no names) would be well advised to read. ;)

    Bob

    http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/
  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    to consider, if you can find 'em: Toyo Observes. Same priciple as the Bridgestones & Michelins, might be a tad cheaper. All I know for sure is the ones on my OB work amazingly well.

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • jimmyp1jimmyp1 Member Posts: 640
    I just saw it on iclub and, given the discussions about these sorts of things here, thought I would share........ :).

    www.ricecop.com

    Jim
  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day

    I personally think my 99 Outback is a pretty good tow car. The dual range transmission (hard luck to you folks in the USA, you get short-changed on that one), self levelling rear end and good braking set up makes for a very stable, well set up towing rig. I tend to tow a 6x4 trailer but have towed a caravan. It is consistently stable and easy handling.

    The Caravan Club is an interesting beast. To understand where they are coming from, you have to start from the premise that they are English and therefore weirder than normal. As a nation they do OCD really well. If you have ever seen an Englishman fussing over his front lawn or tending carefully to a tiny caravan which is his castle away from home for him, you have been educated. The Caravan Club does wonderful things like organising caravanning events in pretty fields near pubs. The cows or sheep are evicted first and the cow pats tidied up. The club members draw up their caravans in neat rows and critically compare the quality of the pinstriping on each other's vans.

    Given that the caravans are generally small, the concept of an ideal tow car is rather different to that in the USA. A slowish accelerating family car with an economical engine is seen as pretty flash. Hence the attraction of the Peugeot 406 Diesel which is incidentally a very good car. Large SUV's are not considered, being generally too large to be practical on UK roads. They are also not as popular as in the US and Australia as petrol costs dramatically more than in the USA.

    Caravanners are generally laughed at, or cursed by the great majority of the UK population. Everyone has horror stories of being stranded behind a slow moving caravan for hours, particularly in Cornwall or the Lake District. The tendency to use slow moving cars as tow vehicles draws the opprobrium of all other road users. I do recall some suggestion of calling on a local witch to turn them all into snails so they could be dispatched by stamping on them. More practically, there are frequent calls for them to be limited to travelling only on Motorways and then only between the hours of three and four in the morning on alternate Tuesdays.

    Cheers

    Graham
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Graham, I knew we could count on you for an enlightening story or two. :)

    I guess their "Hoof & Mouth" posting is spot on for these folks...

    Bob
  • cptpltcptplt Member Posts: 1,075
    I have had both on various Legacies, the Alpins do not instill confidence on ice like the Blizzaks (the original WS15 though not the replacement Ws50) though I have never actually lost control, it just feels like you are about to. The Michelins are definitely better on dry roads.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Anyone interested, contact me off-list.

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Surely you're not getting a new WRX automatic... ;)

    Bob
  • royallenroyallen Member Posts: 227
    One other winter tire option to consider is studded tires which many Colorado drivers like when facing not only snow and ice but steep grades. When my teens started driving, I began using 4 studded tires in winter. Now I have my '95 Outback equipped with Vredestein Snowstar I snow tires with a half set of studs.
    Those interested in comparison tests, Consumer Reports Nov '99 includes the Artic Alpine and Blizzak WS-15. It also states that unstudded tires required 20% longer to stop with ABS and 40% longer without ABS compared to studded snow tires (the test tires being Firestone Winterfire and Nokian Hakkapeliitta 1).
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    An AT car with more horsepower than any other subaru ever sold in america. :)

    -mike
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    image

    When:

    Thursday, December 13

    6 pm pacific/9 pm eastern

    Spread the word!

    KarenS
    Host
    Owner's Clubs
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    Graham,

    Great explanation; good to hear from you. Would you mind explaining the technology of the Australian (and JDM) self-leveling rear suspension? (my references don't have much info) The North American Legacys have a multi-link suspension. Does the Aussie have a multi-link augmented by a pneumatic bladder? If the self-leveling rear suspension has been in production for a while, do you know its reliability? Pneumatic suspensions of late 80/early 90 Subarus are expensive to repair. Some replace them with normal spring and strut hardware (like paisan's XT6).

    Cheers,

    ..Mike

    PS - Made any hash browns recently?

    ..Mike

  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    According to this link found on the I-Club, in July of 2003, FHI will officially change its name to "Subaru" in honor of its 50-year anniversary.

    I think this is great news! No longer will Subaru be considered a small part of Fuji, but will now become the *feature* name. This is great for the image of Subaru world-wide. I also wonder, with this name change, if there will be any corporate restructuring or realignment of the various divisions with the current FHI? And... how does GM fit into this? Will they just own 20% of only the "car division," or will that change too?

    I just pray to god that a new logo will accompany this name/image change. In fact, I can't imagine this happening without them developing a new logo.

    Bob

    http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=122249
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That's good news, I agree. We'll have fewer names to remember.

    paisan: AT, more than 230hp, hmm. Can't be a Ford, probably not GM. Could be Chyrsler or an import. I don't picture you in a Supra or Stealth, so I'll guess 300Z?

    Graham: we can always count on you for an interesting perspective on things.

    JDM Foresters also have the rear self leveling suspensions.

    -juice
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