Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

rsholland

I see Mike in an old Olds 98, or perhaps even a Buick Roadmaster riding on Kumhos. I can already picture him autocrossing (and it ain't pretty!)

juice- you're here on a weekend! I'm impressed!!

Bob

miksmi

Change is bad. I don't want it changed. J/K

Interesting info Bob, thanks. Intelligent branding move. Wonder if we'll see a new logo?

Hi juice. Rainy day attendance?

..Mike

rsholland

<< Change is bad. I don't want it changed. J/K >>

Forgive me for sounding stupid... I don't follow...

Bob

rsholland

from FHI, issued last May. It outlines the facelifted Legacy/Lancaster that was released in Japan. I bet many of these updates we'll see in the '03 Legacy/Outback.

I wonder if we'll see Legacy lineup that's more reflective of what being used in Japan (and worldwide)? Meaning that the wagons are referred to to as "Touring Wagons," and possibly using the "RS" label on the Legacy? Perhaps the current cloth-seat GT model?

Also, some comment at the end on the Subaru logo. No mention here of the name change, however.

Bob

http://www.fhi.co.jp/english/news/2001/01_05_22.htm

jfl

Hi everyone,
Would you provide a list of online Subaru parts suppliers you have used and your opinion of their service level.
TIA.
Jim

1subydown1togo

How come Monty Python never did a skit on Caravaners...seems like it would have been a perfect topic...

Serge

"...he's just pineing for the fjords!"

armac13

Is it just me, or are the profiles unavailable these days? I have not been able to open them for about a week.

Ross

paisan

GM owns 20% of FHI so they will own 20% of whatever they name FHI to be.

Here's another hint on my new car...

I'll still be an active member here.

-mike

PS: I did own a '74 Olds 98 4-door hardtop with 455 Rocket engine and dual un-catalyticed exhaust.

subearu

ducktapeguy

Anyone know of any good places to drive in the bay area? I was kinda hoping for some dirt roads or backroads close to the city, not too extreme.

Paisan - You're getting a WRX Sti? I want one!

paisan

That isn't sold in the US yet...

subearu: could be

-mike

cptplt

Hahaha, love it, FHI is lead Japanese contractor to licence produce AH64D Longbow Apache attack choppers for the JGSDF!

lucien2

too good a clue. Congrats on your SVX and can I have some of your disposable income?

Bob- the "j/k", particularly when used to append such a close-minded statement from Mike Smith, would usually indicate "joke."

I for one like the logo, FWIW. At least itsymbolizes something (like BMW or Audi) as opposed to being dreamed up by marketing (like Mitsubishi) or stolen from the alphabet (Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Suzuki, um......well, GM....)

grahampeters

G'day

I knew that if I searched long enough, I would find the obituary for Donald Chidson, the long serving Director General of The Caravan Club. reading it will give some hint of the British obsession with caravans.

One of life's little luxuries is reading English Obituaries, particularly in the Daily Telegraph. Try reading a few for entertainment. A word to the wise though; the English use a code for describing the marital status of the deceased. Here, the position is quite definite (married three times) but where the deceased led a more complicated life, you have to interpret phrases like "wide circle of intimate friends" or "will be missed by many"

http://www.dailytelegraph.co.uk
/dt?ac=006516819224332&rtmo=3HnAuYxM&atmo=rrrrrrrq&pg=/01/11/10/db01.html

You will have to remove the space after .co.uk as the link is too long to post on Edmonds.

Cheers

Graham

paisan

I wish I had it. I'm getting a very good deal on it and I have to sell the beloved XT6 And no more auto-x, at least not on a competative level.

-mike

paisan

Hey finally got pics and details of the XT6 up.

http://isuzu-suvs.com/xt6.html

-mike

rsholland

Loosh- Thanks for the "joke" clarification. As to the Subaru logo, it just needs a serious update. The symbolism is fine.

Graham- First time I ever remember seeing a barber being celebrated in someone's else's obituary. Only in England...

Bob

rsholland

Not necessarily; GM owns 20% of Subaru, not FHI. The current Subaru is a division of FHI. So, if this name change occurs, that doesn't necessarily translate into GM owning 20% of the whole corporation, formerly known as FHI. Nowhere have I seen it reported that GM owns 20% if FHI, just the car division Subaru.

I'm not saying you're wrong Mike, I'm just saying not saying you're right either. It all depends on how the current ownership agreement is structured. Any corporate lawyers out there care to comment?

Bob

p0926

Bob- IIRC (and I'm sure mike will correct me if I'm wrong) GM also owns a sizeable chunk of Isuzu, which is a separate division of FHI. So it's possible that GM's stake in FHI as a whole could be 20%.

And for the record, I like the Subaru logo for the reasons that Loosh listed. IMHO, change just for the sake of change is pointless. Besides, what's perceived as fashionable today will in all probability be ridiculed as hopelessly out of date in a few short years.

Just my .02 :-)

-Frank P.

yellowbikedon

If it's an SVX, you should love it. I drove my black '92 over 55,000 miles with the only defect being a window switch that was replaced at 36k under warranty. If I could have mounted a bike rack mounted on top, I'd probably still own it! It was a super touring vehicle with lots of creature comforts and technical refinements.

Good luck.

Don

miksmi

paisan

GM owns 20% of FHI, not 20% of Subaru.
http://www.fhi.co.jp/english/news/1210news/12_10gm_news.htm

GM owns 49% of Isuzu which isn't part of FHI.

-mike

rsholland

Are you certain about that? I've never read anywhere that they own 20% of FHI, just the Subaru division.

Bob

p0926

And I thought that FHI owned Isuzu. If not, what's the connection with Subaru again?

-Frank P.

rsholland

http://www.fhi.co.jp/english/news/1210news/12_10gm_news.htm

rsholland

Isuzu and FHI are separate companies. Their only connection is that GM owns a percentage of each company. The same is true with Suzuki.

Bob

paisan

They share plants in Japan and the US, but they aren't owned by each other, although now they are both owned by GM so that's a connection.

-mike

p0926

"Takeshi Tanaka, president and chief executive officer of Fuji, said his company was attracted to GM in part because of the success of GM's relationships with Isuzu Motors Ltd. and Suzuki Motor Corp. GM has a 49 percent stake in Isuzu and owns 10 percent of Suzuki." Huh? What success has Isuzu realized from the relationship?

-Frank P.

rsholland

but still interesting. Did you know that the Acura MDX/Honda Odyssey engine is used as a basis in two of Honda's outboard motors: the new BF200 and BF225?

http://www.hondabf225.com/

In checking the Honda Marine site I also noticed they offer two 2.3L 4-cylinder outboards. I bet they're based on the Accord 2.3L engine.

Bob

rsholland

Time to update your dream garage for Christmas.

The rules are:

&#149; Vehicles must be on sale here by 12/24/01.

&#149; Keep it to $100K.

&#149; Explain your reasons for purchase.

My choices are:

&#149; Subie WRX 5-speed wagon: $24K

Do I really need to explain this choice to you folks??

&#149; Chevy Avalanche 2500 4x4, North Face Edition: $45K

Yeah, it's probably GM's equivalent to an industrial-strength Aztek, but it's so funky and useful, I just gotta have it. Saw one at the huge Bass Pro Shop at Arundel Mills Mall the other day. It was a red 3/4 ton (8600 GVW) Avalanche 2500 4x4 with an 8.1L engine. I say, if you're going to do it&#151;do it big!

&#149; Jeep Wrangler Sport: $25K

I've always wanted one...

That leaves me with with about $6K for upgrades. Hmmm... maybe those BBS wheels for the WRX??

Bob

p0926

WRX 5-speed wagon: $24,020
Ditto Ditto. I'd use this as my everyday commuter and errand runner.

Volvo S-60 T-5 5-speed 4dr sedan: $34,650
For the wife to drive. It would also offer a nice change of pace from the WRX with a touch of luxury.

BMW Z3 3.0i 2dr Roadster: $38,545
Have been lusting after one of these since they came out. Great fair weather weekend cruiser. Besides, Bond drives one.

Let's see... that adds up to $97,215. Throw in a couple of options and I'm bang on 100k. Rats, I'd still like to get a Liberty for roughing it but I guess it'll have to wait til next Christmas ;-)

-Frank P.

twrx

Already got it. '98 WR blue rs 5 speed coupe and 2002 wr blue wrx 5 speed wagon. seriously, an nsx would be nice too (6 speed t please)
twrx

hypov

A real garage to put my OB and OBS in it.

-Dave

hypov

GM approached FHI for an alliance. As an indication of GM seriousness, it is to invest 1.2 bil into FHI by way of common (prefered?) stocks instead of capital infusion (in other words FHI owes nothing to GM). Based on the literature Mike provided, it appears that GM's involvement(s) in Board decision(s) are restricted to Technology and Distribution issues, hence no real control of FHI (GM would have to launch a hostile takeover for that). Why no control with 20% stake? I say it was structured into the alliance agreement.
The return GM gets out of their investment in FHI is the potential growth in equity from the alliance.

That's my opinion (2 sen worth).

-Dave

lucien2

wow was that fun. It was at the mammoth 6 Flags lot in Largo, MD. A long, lovely, fast course with standing water in a couple spots. The RS boys ran 62-64 all day long; I could only manage a 66.4. I think Eric Kremelmeyer (Solo II champ (STS?), 2.5RS) turned in a 59.

I had one very nice spin in the water in front of everyone, and another sideways adventure on the next run....handed in 70 and 75 on those, youch. BUT, I didn't care as the Smith Family cheered me in every time!! Mike rode with Bugbomb of i-Club (I had my bro with me) and he brought the wife and kids, plus Alison's brother. Kudos to her for coming out, and thanks for the cheers.

subearu

* BMW 740i Sedan (probably about $65k with options)
* Subaru Outback VDC ($30k)

If this were 2002, I'd most definately have a B4/Blitzen (or whatever they call it) Legacy turbo sedan on my list. We'll just call my list this year the "luxury list".

-Brian

paisan

Oh well it is not to be. It was POS. Needed a wheel bearing, transmission, had an oil leak of some kind, and on top of it all it was originally a totalled car title! Too good to be true I guess.

-mike

lark6

paisan: Just followed your "sell the XT6 to buy SVX - wait, nope" saga. So are you taking the XT6 back off the market? Will you be joining us on tarmac and gravel tours through the NJ/PA backcountry? Or what?

Nice 12/8 PB pix. Saw that the crazy GL hatch and Z's RS were with you. Guess I could've handled that, too?

Ed

paisan

The XT6 is tentatively off the market. And I'm actually looking at 2 other XT6s of which I'll buy one of them. I'm definitely up for some tarmac and gravel!

-mike

amishra

Ah, for this Christmas... if I had £100,000 lying around...

Porsche Boxster S, £36,000, in dark blue
Audi TT hardtop, £22,300 in silver
Audi S6 Avant, £41,000 in lithium grey

(I think the reasons are self-explanatory)

Can I start shopping for next year?
Subaru Legacy GT H6 w/5 speed in titanium

subearu

Did Ash get to spend more than we did?

-Brian

miksmi

Re: lucien2 Dec 9, 2001 3:37pm

Loosh, if you're going to spin, I'm riding with you next time! The whole family had fun. My 8 y.o. wanted a ride with Mike Moran! The 4 y.o. enjoyed it too (both play Need For Speed : Porsche Unleashed and Mobil 1 Rally Championship).

Did you get out of 2nd? Mike kept it in 2nd the whole run. Mike had some great slideways action that hurt his time but man it was fun!

Ash, fine choices. That S6 Avant is quite tasty.

FWIW per www.xe.com , £100,000 GBP = $142,827.13 USD

Since Ash included the S6 in his list, we'll cut him some slack.

..Mike

lucien2

Stayed in 2nd the whole time. Got pretty slideways a few times, especially near the water. Glad I had free tires on the car, though!

rsholland

Hmmm... some nice choices here. I may have to rethink my list.

Looks like Ash has found a loophole to the rules.

Bob

ateixeira

If I were restricted to 100k Real, Brazilian, I'd pretty much keep what I have now! LOL!

Bob: I've always thought cars here were mislabeled. GT means Grand Touring, so that should have a long wheelbase, be big and luxurious, and a big engine. So the Legacy GT is not a true GT, and the RS label, for Rally Sport, would actually be a better fit. The SVX is more of a GT.

Bummer paisan, I had my fingers crossed. I still think about that one I saw in the paper for $5 grand.

Loosh: you drove an auto-X around the corner from me and no invitation? Think about it - I could have stolen the "slowest Subie" title from you! ;-)

-juice

armac13

I saw a car pulled over for speeding by a "ghost car" a couple of days ago here in Vancouver. Said ghost was a blue RS! It surprised me at first, then I stopped to realize that with all the rain we get here on the Wet Coast it makes real sense.

Ross

ateixeira

One big change from last year - I want 4 cars instead of 3. More practical that way.

1. Miata, $22,217 at Fitz, for pure fun, our date car.
2. LL Bean, $27,323 at Fitz, for the wife as a daily driver.
3. Honda Odyssey EX w/leather, $28,690 retail, for road trips and hauling.
4. WRX wagon, $22854 at Fitz, as my daily driver.

That's $101,084. OK, so I'd wait for the $750 incentive on the 2002 Legacys and find a Honda dealer that would deal, which isn't impossible.

-juice

paisan

Audi S8 ~$75K
Trooper ~$25K

I have 1 already!

-mike

miksmi

The auto-x thread was on i-club.com Mid-Atlantic forum. Registration filled up very quickly. I happened across it and decide at the last minute to watch Loosh. Getting 3 rides with Mike Moran (BugBomb) was a definite bonus.

.Mike

ateixeira

I saw Mike at Da Big Meet. He's going for the most power from a normally aspirated car. I'm sure you must've had fun given he's about half way there already.

Did Jake get the mechanic job at Fitzgerald Subaru?

-juice