Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Since Juice is effectively the only community leader for Subaru Crew at the moment (Mike Smith being in prolonged absentia), I move to nominate Bob Holland for an additional Crew Leader. Over past years, Bob has contributed greatly to this forum. I hope others will support this nomination.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    But perhaps we should find out what Mike wants to do first? I don't want to step on his toes.

    Bob
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Took a couple of vacation days last week and turned Memorial Day into a 5-day weekend. Traveled to Seattle and split the time between that city and Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula (OP) sightseeing and visiting friends. Met Stephen and saw his 1KWKWGN, dents and all.

    My rental car was an '02 Outback, the first I've driven. Previous three OB rentals were '00s and '01s. The lighted ignition ring doesn't stay lit very long, so I don't know what all the fuss is about. I noticed that both front cupholders have been relocated to the console, rather than one in the console and the neat folding one in the dash. IMO the new cupholders are located too far to the rear to be helpful; I had to take my eyes off the road to see where I was reaching far too often. (Yes, I know it's silly to nitpick a cupholder - typical ugly American - but in the land of the drive-thru espresso joints they're pressed into service often.)

    Seattle and the OP are old car heaven; I've never seen so many well-preserved, pre-1970 cars and trucks being used as daily drivers since, oh I don't know, 1970? Very few of those oldies were exotics, either. Plenty of old Big 5 iron (that's Big 3 plus AMC and Studebaker for the younger crowd), lots of aircooled VWs, Volvo Amazons and those two-stroke Saabs that look like turnips.

    Subaru fans would have delighted in the OP, where at least 10% of the cars are Subarus. Most were of the "old school" variety, i.e. not Imprezas, Legacies or Foresters. Nicely preserved BRATs, XTs, SVXes, and the various squared-off wagons of the late '70s to early '90s. The casual observation was that the '98-02 Forester looks a lot more like a "traditional" Subaru than the Impreza or Legacy.

    Oh yeah, did see my first '03 Forester on the road, in Bremerton. Silver monochrome, so it must have been the XS Premium(?).

    Ed
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Mark - << ..to say thanks for those who serve (and have served). >>
    You're welcome. :-)

    Graham - Thanks for sharing that info. SoAmerica is currently revitalizing some dealerships now. Probably not to that extent though.

    Ed - Welcome back! Sounds like a fun time.

    -Dennis
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    I did not mean for Bob to replace Mike Smith at the moment, but have Bob as a 3rd leader.
    Are we limited to only 2 leaders?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Who knows Mike the best? Loosh? You want to ask him if he's going to return as a regular? We gotta keep those chats alive or they'll get cancelled.

    Maybe there should be a term limit for me, too. Opinions?

    Sounds like a fun trip, Ed. Guess I shouldn't get all worked up about the wife not getting that lit key ring. I prefer the out-of-the-way cup holders, though, since they don't block any HVAC controls.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Juice, what are the obligations and/or requirements? How did you and Mike get nominated in the first place?

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The hosts asked for volunteers, and I spoke up. When I did, they actually said they had me in mind from the outset.

    It was very informal, and there aren't really any official duties, except regular participation and attendance of the chats whenever possible (I catch about 85% of them).

    To be honest this group is the best on Edmunds, bar none, and manages itself quite well.

    It's been about two years and maybe it is time for new elections. Just a thought. What does everyone else think?

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    as long as it doesn't take up too much of my time , I'll volunteer to do it&#151;if that's the consensus here.

    Bob
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    Go for it
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    juice: I didn't think the 00-01 Legacy dash-mounted cupholder obscured the HVAC controls to the extent that the '98-02 Forester's does. Ideally IMO the best cupholder location is below the HVAC and radio controls and in front of the shifter, at the base of the console.

    Ed
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I had that in my Escort, and the shifter blocked access when in 5th. Maybe there is no perfect place.

    I actually like the position the new Legacy uses, because when I reach for a cup I'm usually cruising, and have a hand free to reach for it.

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    ..but I had to reach behind me, at 4 o'clock, to use the OB cupholders. If I wasn't only 5' 7" (i.e., didn't have the seat so far up) that probably wouldn't be an issue. It's also why I don't get as much use out of the Forester's console arm rest as I could (except to store my Leatherman and insect repellent).

    Ed
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That must be it. I have the seat all the way back and it seems within easy reach.

    My wife sits as far back as she can to distance herself from the air bag. She's expecting in July. :-)

    -juice
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Ed - I like your thinking. All new Outbacks and Foresters should come with a leatherman, insect repellent, Subaru first aid kit and a Subaru water bottle. Kinda goes with the outdoor theme and a nice marketing twist. Patti?

    Greg
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    Sounds good to me Bob. As for you Juice, I think the only one who might like you to resign would be Mrs. Juice.
    :-)
    I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that I have now sold Rufus. The good news is that the new owner is a very nice woman, a Psychologist (a real one!), and she very likely will be joining the Crew in a few days. Her name is Carol, so if she shows up with a nice Canadian flag, give her a warm welcome. I'm sad to lose Rufus, but ecstatic that he's going to a good home. BTW, he's keeping his name.

    Ross
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Ross-
    with Rufus away, guess you'll be using the #11 bus for awhile.

    -Dave
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    The Leatherman and insect repellent are in the armrest extension, but beneath it in the actual console cubby are bottles of touch-up paint, a can cooler, and the spare gray plastic clip things that cover up the holes where the cargo area cover clips in, when the cover's not in use.

    I have a first aid kit (manufactured by one of my clients) stored in one of those under-the-floor compartments in the rear cargo area. Guess I straddle the line between the two camps of Subaru owners, the outdoorsy and the enthusiast.

    Ed
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    That reminds me. I've got to get a first aid kit.
    I don't think I'll qualify for the outdoorsy...
    all I have are CDs and a screw driver in the center console. :D Used to have blankets stowed under the back seats was the closest I'd gotten.

    -Dave
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Ross, I guess we can also use your services as a grief counselor, when we're separated from our subies... I still miss my old Loyale, btw.
    --kate (sobbing about Rufus)
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I keep one in the door pocket on the XT6. Along with the rest of my tools in the trunk :)

    -mike
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    for the support, group. Having experienced Subaru separation anxiety and as of tomorrow total separation (I've been offered visiting rights though), I should be in a position to do such counselling. I'm going to be really busy setting up my new life on the Island, but I hope to hang around as much as I can. I've grown quite attached to this group of loonies. OCD forever!
    :-)

    Ross the Retired
  • mrk610mrk610 Member Posts: 378
    I was driving to a picnic on Sunday .Ohh by the way hope everybody had a happy and safe holiday. It was kinda quiet here for a resort town .My luck went bad when we were called out on the boat accident here in South Jersey . Spent 4hours on the water in out fire/rescue boat looking for survivers/bodies.Search was called off due to darkness. Getting back to story .I was stopped at a lite and this older gentlemen in a new Explorer pulls up and starts eyeing my car . He looks over and said thats a real nice car and I love the color . He askes what kinda car is that and I say Subaru Outback . He kinda does a double take and says" I wish they sold them on Florida because I sure would have bought it instead of this crappy Exlporer.I tell him that they are sold in Fla and all over the world . He then askes me how I like it and I say I love it . I then go on and on and on about my car .{It was a long lite due to holiday traffic}. He goes you should of been a salesmen because 1st thing I'm going to do when I get back is go find a Subaru dealer .He started to ask more questions but it was my turn to go through the lite . SUBARUS RULE.

    Mike k
  • hayduke01hayduke01 Member Posts: 128
    Congratulations on your retirement, and my sympathy on Rufus' sale.

    Good luck to you!
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    I'll survive, but I really miss him already. I was planning to keep him 10-15 years rather than 23 + months, but we had best play the cards we are dealt.

    Ross
  • wired1wired1 Member Posts: 45
    Hey Mike,

    That long light you mentioned wouldn't be the one getting off the Garden State Parkway to Stone Harbor would it?

    Tom, Pittsburgh
  • rblelandrbleland Member Posts: 312
    on parting with your beloved Rufus; however, there is a bright side to all this in that you are moving to Vanc. Island. There are some great areas and towns over there. Where exactly are you heading for? My wife and I can't decide which of the Island or the Sunshine Coast is calling us - but definitely one of them is. Good luck!!

    Rick
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    Bob would make a great C.L., as long as he promises to keep the towing capacity of future subaru discussions to a minimum =8^) ;')

    I emailed Mike; I imagine we'll hear from him soon.
  • mrk610mrk610 Member Posts: 378
    Your good .That was a good guess .Yes it was ,I was going to SH but the traffic was so bad that we were backed up to the 1st light the county park/Crest Haven light.

    Mike k
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Ross, definitely do stick around and keep in touch. I do! ;-)

    One more vote for Bob Holland as a community leader.

    btw, I was out of town the last few days for my sister's graduation. high school-- she's 9 years younger than I. And now I'm heading to KC tomorrow morning for two days of training... but I'm bringing a laptop so tomorrow night after the Detroit/Colorado game I may pop in.

    -Colin
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    Hi Crew,

    I think adding a third Community Leader is a good idea, and Bob's availability to monitor the topics would be an asset to the group.

    Apologies for the absence but I've been busier than usual and haven't had time to contribute. I know, I know, a lame excuse.

    juice, congrats on the new L.

    Colin, congrats on the M3; nice to see you here.
    Cheers,

    ..Mike Smith, still in Silver Spring, MD, USA

    ..Mike

  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Add a vote image for Bob :-)

    -Dave
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Good News = You're retired! I envy you. :)

    Bad News = No more Rufus. :(

    Any chance of getting a (Subie) replacement? Or is the island you're retiring to car-free only?

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Boy, this must be important if our other long-lost leader responds! ;)

    Good to hear from you Mike! What's new in your world?

    Bob
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Hey gang,

    I got back from Japan on Saturday morning. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it to the Subaru building this time around. My schedule in Japan was way full and I really didn't have enough free time. :-(

    Not a whole lot to report back. On my way to our office over there, we passed by a Subaru dealer every morning. It made me want to stop and look around, but I couldn't hold up a cab full of my co-workers. I did see a B4 and a Euro-spec WRX wagon up front though. My co-workers were wondering why I always had my face pressed up against the window every morning.

    Well, I'm back for a few days and then I'm off again, this time to Taiwan for a week.

    I've been able to scan through the posts so I know what's going on, but I haven't had enough time to chime in. I'll try and catch up this workweek!

    Ken
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    Rick, I'm moving to Courtenay. I considered the Sunshine Coast (I have very good friends in Powell River) but Vancouver Island (250 X 60 miles - the largest island on the West Coast) feels more like my home.

    Bob - I wanted to get another Subie, but I couldn't find a decent one in my price range. Money is what the change was all about. What I netted after paying off my loan is just about enough to provide a down payment on a nice little home in Courtenay. I have already purchased a boring, reliable used transportation appliance, a 1996 XXXXXX wagon. I am now totally debt free and have a livable income for life. Within a year I will have a dog and a house. The fly fishing and golf are excellent around my new home. Life is good. And thanks, I will hang around!
    :-)

    Ross
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Bob would be perfect - a YES vote here.

    I envy you Ken - you were closer to a B4 than any of us have been!

    -Brian (papabear1, brookies-dad)
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    ??? How come your schedule goes US->JP->US->TW-US ??? i/o US->JP->TW->US? That's tedious.
    B4 - As close as you can get, you should have let your co-worker creep slowly down the street in the car while you run in and grab a shift knob or something :)
    Would have made an interesting memorable souvernir :D

    -Dave
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    I think Bob has been the unofficial Crew Leader for some time now. :-)

    Colin - Good to hear from you!

    Ross - Good luck and have fun!

    Ken - What did you think about the Euro-spec WRX?
    Personally I think the Porsche designs are ok, not great. Better in person?

    -Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Congrats on your retirement, Ross. I'm 33 and I'm ready to retire already! :-)

    Glad to hear Rufus has a good home. And please do invite Carol to join in, we need psychological help, and often! I was waxing the rims I bought from Jim last night almost until midnight!

    Who knows, maybe your next Subie will be one of those fuel cell vehicles GM is supposed to help them with. Imagine a glorified golf cart, um, sorry, "neighborhood electric vehicle". With AWD, of course!

    I think it's unanimous, maybe our hosts could add Bob's name at the top of the Crew topics?

    BTW, let's revive the "things stored" topic. What type of stuff do you keep in your car, and what does it say about you?

    I keep:

    * tire gauge
    * a few tools
    * extra jacket
    * key for alloy wheel locks
    * cell phone charger
    * lots o' music

    So that makes me an enthusiast with a wife that's always cold.

    -juice
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    Music
    Life Hammer
    Local maps
    key for wheel locks
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    Works for me! If rsholland/Bob wants to take on the role of Subaru Crew CL, there should be no problem. He's here all the time anyway! ;-) I'll add him to the top asap.

    Bob, if you have any questions, email me.

    KarenS
    Host
    Owners Clubs
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Serge: hmm, let's see. That makes you a music freak that knows where he's going and wants to get there with car and self intact.

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Since I kind of started it in the first place:

    Up front:

    Armrest extension and console compartment:
    Leatherman
    Insect repellent
    Bottles of touch-up paint(black/slate)
    Can cooler
    Spare gray plastic clip things that cover up the holes where the cargo area cover clips in, when the cover's not in use.

    Central dash-top compartment:
    Tire gauge
    Tack rag in Ziploc bag
    Coupon for $ off @ airport long-term parking lot
    Crush washers for oil filters
    Ear bud for hands-free cell phone usage
    Receipt from driving Skyline Drive (souvenir of last vacation)

    Glove box:
    All vehicle documentation (that provided by SoA)
    Registration
    Proof of insurance
    Lug lock for alloys
    Mini Mag-lite
    Ball-point pen
    3 CD jewelboxes (Steve Earle, Talking Heads and The Replacements at the moment)

    Webbing "pockets" behind the front seats:
    National road atlas
    County road atlas
    Map to Wharton State Forest (NJ Pine Barrens)
    Original SoA 2000 Forester Accessories brochure

    Under the cargo area floor:
    First aid kit (manufactured by one of my clients)
    Emergency blanket (one of those metallic plastic types)
    Folding shovel
    Extra quart of oil (Castrol 5W30 dino)
    Couple of shop rags
    Plastic funnel
    Bottle of Windex
    Roll of paper towels
    SoA-provided tools, plus tools/key for removing Yakima rack and bars
    (edit: forgot the tow strap and hooks, thanks Dave!)

    In the open compartments at either side of the tailgate (RH one has the additional 12V outlet):

    Couple of shop rags
    3-4 bungee cords
    Cargo net (when not in use)

    Ed
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    in addition to what came with the car
    CDs/tapes
    screwdriver (1)...why I even bother?
    strobe light
    hazard triangle
    emergency 12V battery pack
    jumper cable
    flash light
    umbrella w/built-in flash light
    tow rope
    map
    tie downs
    wet naps
    FRS
    tire gauge
    Compressor
    quart of engine oil/AT fluid
    note pad/pen
    windex
    paper towel

    ... no wonder I don't get off the line that fast ;)

    -Dave

    note to self: Get life hammer and firstaid kit, and funnel (can't pour oil w/o them).
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    I'm a child of the 60's......Pink Floyd, the Beatles, Stones, The Who, a bunch of jazz (Coltrane, Miles, Evans) other assorted stuff...old U2, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Bush, Neal Young, Buffalo Springfield, 801, Talking Heads, etc. I still have my LPs; just have to get the Bang & Olufsen turntable fixed.
    Hopefully, I will never have to use the Life Hammer.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ed: that makes you an outdoorsy OCD enthusiast who likes a good road trip.

    Dave is an emergency preparedness expert.

    C'mon, who's next? This is too easy.

    -juice
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    What music do you folks listen to...don't be shy now.

    Maybe post answers in the Cafe
  • rblelandrbleland Member Posts: 312
    List includes: lots of maps, Swiss Army knife, cell phone, pens and coil notebook (for recording mileage, car notes and leaving notes for idiot parkers), all manuals and registration/insurance papers, tire pressure gauge, sunglasses, a few CD's. Also, extra copy of sales brochure in spare tire well as present for future owner of TS.

    Ross - the Courtenay area is great! One of my favorite places on the Island and still a little "undiscovered" yet. Good fishing and golf for sure. Housing prices also reasonable and new Island Hiway makes it easy to get Ferries, etc. Good choice!

    Rick
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    Your description is spot on. I'm heading over on Monday to find a temporary residence.

    List includes: maps, "Leatherman" clone, basic tool selection, "cool" flares, CDs (various), manuals & registration, golf clubs & shoes (retired eh?), the "handyman's secret weapon" - duct tape, compass, pen & paper, sunglasses, hat & rain suit (Wet Coast survival gear), re-usable shopping bags, and additional "odds & sods". I used to carry a can of Nu Finish and some cloths in Rufus! Oops, I almost forgot the duck call for dog training.

    RossTheOnly
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