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.
Comments
Time to visit Classmates.com again...
Bob
Unfortunately, I didn't have time to go drive around in it. Most of it melted during the day and turned into black ice this morning.
It's kind of funny to see people here freak out over 1" of snow!
Ken
Sorry, Nancy
Cheers!
Paul
IIRC, the woman at Edmunds helping with the long-term test of the rodeo during winter had the same, um, problem.
oh and he sold that gem for $500, and it ran great and while not restored was in reasonably good shape for a 1975 landcruiser.
anyway it seems I've timed it perfectly on the winter tires... we've been getting freezing rain for the last few hours so when I leave work here shortly I'll be navigating some icy roads. more ice and then 3-6" of snow is supposed to follow tonight and through the next 24 hours... we'll see about that.
-Colin
Subie in the news causing a back up? I thought you were going to tell me they finally brought over a Blitzen and that left people rubber-necking to see it!
With an inexperienced driver, 4WD is probably more dangerous than 2WD, because they go farther before they get stuck!
Hey, where's our snow? I washed our cars so there is a 100% chance of rain.
Pat: the glove box velour liner is in! Looks great, too. Not bad for a hobbyist. I'll share details in Mods.
-juice
Some of you might remember the smaller pre-sliding door Odyssey ('95-'98). Well that model is still built and sold today in Japan and other markets as the Odyssey. So although the new big ('99->) van is called the Odyssey in North America, it got a new name in Japan: "Le Great". Back in the Fall we began shopping for a replacement for the Windstar, and our exchange student Mayuko's English was very rough. See the problem? In phonetic English, Le Great looks more like Legrat. We all laughed, and it stuck.
I drove Leg Rat last night and plan to pick her up on Saturday morning.
Steve
The previous Odyssey was also sold as an Isuzu Oasis. Not a bad vehicle, all it needed was a V6 to be competitive, IMO. They're using them in NYC as taxi cabs since they are roomy and durable.
I actually wish Subaru would come out with a vehicle like that. It's a niche player, but it just seems like Subaru would be more at home in that niche than a mainstreamer like Honda. I guess the 2005 SUW could be that vehicle. Just style it like an SUV and give it the H6 at least.
-juice
As for the Outback, I wish I had the time this morning to play in the snow. Most of our side roads weren't plowed on my way to work, and I even found some that hadn't been driven on yet. At least the ride to work was fun.
-Brian
http://www.daveandbusters.com/ppc/ppc_app.asp
Just sign up for the updates and you get a $10 recharge coupon free.
They have a very cool rally game with the Impreza, so this is completely on-topic! :-)
-juice
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
Both my sister and a close friend had '96 Odyssey's. Agree on all points - a decent oversized small station wagon, but really needed a V6. With 6 people on board, it was downright pathetic going up a hill.
While it might be a good model for a 'super OBW', I just hope they don't call it the "Leg Rat".
Steve
See you there.
-juice
Sorry I missed the chat again - still problems linking up.
Steve
-jucie
And yes, it was VERY cool to be on the phone with those guys...LOL
See you all at next week's Subaru Crew chat!
PF Flyer (aka Moderator_Bob)
Host
Pickups & News & Views Message Boards
http://www.lycos.co.jp/auto/carmode/image/forester.jpg
I've posted more on the Future Models section.
Sorry for all the cross-posts. I got a little excited. ;-)
Ken
-juice
Never, ever post that stuff again.
I mean Speedvision has same day coverage now and still I can't navigate the forums without someone spoiling it.
I choose to avoid rallylive and sites like that because of the speedvision coverage...
-Colin
In attendence were:
nygreg (Greg) - '01 OBW
postmodern (Lyn) - '02 OBW
fibber2 (Steve) - '02 OBW
We dispensed with the reading of the minutes, as this was, after all, our first face-to-face meeting! It was a very enjoyable time. Topics included cars (so what else is new), our Subaru's, our families (and how they relate to our cars), etc. I would suspect our first organized field trip might be the NY Auto Show???
Anyone out there from the Essex Jnct, VT site??
Steve
(BAD SERGE, BAD SERGE)
:-)
Ross
#5 in this list is the WRX-STi. This is a must-read for Subie fans!
#10 is a long in-depth article on the all-new Range Rover. I haven't read it yet, but it looks to be very interesting.
#38 is an in-depth article on the new VW W-12 Phaeton. I've often wondered why this vehicle even exists, but after reading the article I now have a better understanding of VW's thinking and logic. It really is a fascinating car.
Towards the end of every issue of CAR magazine they have a long listing of every vehicle sold in the UK, and their impressions. It's called: "The good the bad the ugly." They pull no punches here. Except for the Subaru Justy (which they HATE!), they generally like Subarus. Their favorite Forester? The Turbo S. Their final comment on the Forester Turbo S: "The thinking hooligan's soft-roader of choice." Ah... nobody, but nobody puts words together better than the Brits...
Also at the very end of the issue is a listing of all the performance specs on every car sold in the UK. Just the fix for any info-junkie...
As a side note, CAR is usually pretty critical of American vehicles (no surprize), and much more so of SUVs, no matter what their origin. Almost without exception, they prefer the diesel variants (which most manufacturers offer), because they are so much more fuel-efficient.
Bob
Only a few more days 'til the Balt. Auto Show. Are you still going? If so, what day?
Michael
We're supposed to be getting a turbo Forester the following year, as an '04 model.
I'm going probably(?) the opening day. I say probably only because I'm going to be in Baltimore the next day too, so I may go then instead. So I'm not sure yet.
Bob
So, if low-end (or moderate-end) VWs do cost as much as a BMW, in time as VW's image moves upscale, that comparison with BMW will become less of a liability.
Also, interestingly, it was mentioned that VW doesn't plan on making money on the current generation Phaeton, or even the next generation Phaeton. But instead hopes to make money on the 3rd-generation Phaeton. VW will undercut the BMW 7-Series and Mercedes S-Class prices for a number of years to get this model established. They figure by the time the 3rd-generation model rolls out (10-15 years from now?), the car will begin making money for VW. Keep in mind, it takes years to alter brand impressions. Think of what Subarus were like (product & image) in 1986, as compared to what they're like today.
As I said, it's a very interesting article. You should pick it up if you're really interested in the specifics. Unfortunately—and unbelievably, CAR magazine does not have a web site.
Bob
CAR is my favorite magazine; I just committed to a year's subscription. Last month's issue was the 100 cars of 2001, including 10 most disappointing. #7? Subaru WRX wagon. Narrowed front track over its sedan sister means more push and loss of attractive fender flares. "Gentlemen, explain yourselves!" is the end quote. Top 10 race cars did include the Subaru WRC, however.
Right now VW is thought to be a notch below those brands in terms of image.
Bob
Thanks for the tip. There's a Borders nearby, and I will get this.
doesn't make sense? Would you have willingly plunked down $20k for a Golf 10 years ago? Will folks then willingly plunk down $50K for a Passat 5 years from now? Seems to me they're doing it, especially in Europe. It's a risk, but one that seems to be moving down the field so far.
Bob
One of the luxuries of living in Britain was reading the superb motoring journalism in CAR and Autocar. CAR is a literary feast for the car lover. Frequently, I would disagree with the writers but their views are always interesing. Their listing of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly is always fun to read.
Incidentally, I don't think they are specifically anti-US car but rather more objective than US journals - US manufacturers make some seriously bad products. Perhaps you can only really see this when you are a long way away.
The British habit of disparaging local products tends to run a slightly more jaundiced eye over British cars than most foreigners would. They are rather more aware of the strange electrical systems and iffy suspension systems (try a series 1 Discovery to find out about scary body roll) and know all about the shocking build quality of UK manufacturers.
Autocar is a bit harder to come by at news-stands. It is a weekly magazine with a strong emphasis on Road tests and market news rather than the subjective flavour adopted by CAR. If you ever happen across it, read the comments by Steve Cropley in particular.
One of the odd sidelights of British motoring journalism is the concentration of Australian journalists in its miidst. Can't think why unless Australians are more passionate about cars than the Poms.
Cheers
Graham
-Frank P.
Bob
I love the commercials, and noticed the car ads. Kudos to GM for their Cadillac spot. Very cool. They show the CTS, which by itself is a bit wierd looking, but then they show the Escalade, Escalade EXT, and the Cien roadster. When you see the family together, it makes sense. I thought they did a good job of introducing (explaining?) the new look.
Big Blue Club - way to go! I am shocked that all in attendance drove Outbacks, too. I have only seen a handful of Outbacks in all the meets I've attended, ever. I've seen more Foresters and Legacys, and many more Imprezas, at local meets.
-juice
Did he say H4 2.8? H6 2.8 would seem more likely.
-juice
-mike
My wife's car is a 2.5l V6, and it's funny that the H4 in my Forester makes more power and more torque. Still, it's not a six, some people say. I don't mind having a four, but many prefer six or even eight cylinders.
Hey - snow! It seems to be falling pretty heavy, but they say it won't stick. :-(
-juice
NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT: I have decided to name the wagon Kfira, hebrew for female lion cub...thanks to Dave(Hypov) for the suggestion...the male name is Kfir, which is one of the Israeli Air Force's fighter bombersderived from the French Mirage.
-juice
Ross
Happy to have help. :-)
So, are you getting her a custom plate "Kfira"?
I didn't get Al'gator a plate with his name - too long. Settled for Z 88 Z.
-Dave