Geez... it's cold up there! (If my internal metric co-processor is working...)
Wonder if any car rental agencies at YVR have Subarus available... maybe I better get two of them instead of 1 minivan! Would be a good excuse! I could go to the Canucks gane Sunday night & leave a car at the hotel for everyone else to use!
I wouldn't worry too much. Temp (-2c, aprox. 28F)was at 1500'. Down here it's +2c and expected to warm over the next few days. I intend to keep to the program and have it be clear driving during you visit and a good snow (except aroung school zones) after the 16th (assuming our eastern Canadian friends cooperate). :-))
As I was driving to my dealer yesterday for an oil change (1,500) and a check of the CE light "request" which showed up Saturday evening, the CE message light went out. Kind of like going to the dentist because of extreme pain and having no pain upon arrival at the office! The Subaru tech told me the light came on in response to a "low fuel" circut. He did call Subaru to request information on any similar incidents. So, for now, I'll just make a note if the CE returns. The wagon was fueled after the service, taking 9.954 gallons. MPG still averaging just over 20 (20.4) for the last three fuelings which continue to be comprised of 70-75% city and the balance on expressways.
On the expressways, the H6 comes into its own, especially when changing lanes at 60 mph. It's very different from my old '96 Outback with the 2.5. I am still amazed at just how quiet it is inside. Sound insulation is great.
The automatic temperature control continues to function flawlessley. What a wonderful improvement over the manual system. Still wish the LL Bean came with a seat control memory and that one of the designers realized the passenger sun visor and the self dimming mirror compete! If you are reading my commentary Patti, please pass this item along! It would be a good PR gesture to redo the passenger visor and do a "recall" for LL Bean owners.
My dealer told me he has taken eight WRX orders to date, 3 wagons and five sedans. ALL have been ordered with 5 speeds. All WRXs are being sold at MSRP.
Finally, got word from my daughter who lives in Sudbury, MA telling me that last week after the heavy Boston area snow, she got stuck trying to get into her long, long driveway. Then, along came her husband in their new OB, drove carefully around her Honda, and into the garage! She says she now understands why I keep asking her if she's driven the OB in the snow. BTW, she said there was over a foot in her driveway!
In 1972 hurricane Agnes made a mess of things in Pennsylvania and surrounding states with its heavy rains and eventual flooding. Other than that I can't think of anything this far north; the big hurricane damage zone starts in North Carolina and goes south from there, then heads west to Texas.
Just two years ago a Force 3 or 4 (is that the right term?) tornado ripped through the valley not two miles from my home. That's close. The devastation was astounding; a tornado is an awesome show of the power of nature.
Intellichoice announced today that Subaru Outback and Legacy wagons, and the Outback Limited Sedan were picked as Best overall value in their category for 2001. I guess that just proves what everyone here has been saying all along!
are afraid to go to Staten Island.:-) The Jersey Shore and Fire Island (part of Long Island) usually get most of the impact of the few hurricaines we get. I think Staten Island is safely tucked away near the top of NJ.
...growing up in SC. (Ask bluesubie, he'd know ;-) ) So many I can't remember all the names. One in fall 1979 I rode out by myself 'cause my parents went up North for a wedding. David and Floyd were bad too. Hugo the worst in 1989 - I stayed awake all night though I lived in PA by then. Folks got off okay in that one though a neighbor of one of my uncles in Charleston was killed. Mom tells me that Hazel in 1954 tore the roof off of the family farmhouse.
Funny thing: there was a hurricane in 1955 that tore up the Delaware Valley and destroyed the bridge from PA to NJ, about 3/4 mile south of where I-95 crosses the Delaware today. A couple of years ago I tried to get some directions using Mapquest and it told me to cross that bridge that washed away 40+ years previous.
Check out the new C&D, they compare the small SUVs. Forester was rated 4th out of 11, not bad for a 3 year old design.
That plus the Escape and Tribue tied for first, and they are actually the same vehicle. The RAV4 was 2nd.
The also-rans included the CR-V, Tracker V6, GV, Cherokee, Sportage, XTerra, and Santa Fe (not in order).
Not bad - the Forester outran the V6s in the GV, Tracker, XTerra, and Santa Fe. Who says size matters? It was 4th behind the Escape, Tribute and Cherokee.
Also - 3rd most fuel efficient, 2nd best braking, and #1 in every single noise category.
I think it really held its own. About the moonroof: "it's crane-ready: a huge loading hatch opens in the Forester's top and doubles as a sunroof."
I don't get why they are so in love with the Escape. They said both Tribute and Escape were awful in the snow, with very poor traction. Isn't that the point?
Check it out. There is still nothing in the article that would talk me out of buying the Forester again.
Nice summary, juice. I can't wait to receive my issue in the mail.
The cool thing is that the Forester still stacks up even after all these years. Even with the facelift in 2001, the Forester is pretty much unchanged since it's inception back in MY98. The RAV4 and Tribute/Escape have had the benefit of a complete model change.
that the Forester is doing quite well in these reports considering it is a rather "old" model as compared to some of the others. Next year will be even tougher for the Forester, as it will also have to contend with a new and better CRV, as well as the Jeep Liberty.
Can't wait to see how the '03 Forester model does...
to make it better: AWP, VTD, turbo, full size spare, overall facelift/freshining.
VTD and turbo would make it stand out in the class - as a leader. AWP & full size spare are nice-to-haves that wouldn't hurt to include. Not sure how to freshen the look - that's a whole new topic! Maybe more fender buldging? Keep the square rear end though!
Sorry about the late reply. I basically only get to check this board when at work (I can't get on the PC at home), and I leave at 4:25PM. As for posting the URL, I get my news from a news service(DJ) on a dedicated system, so I have no way to post it. The good thing is that I do get news as it breaks, or as close as possible. When the article came out I started showing my co-workers, who except for one guy with 3 Subes in the family, all said "that's nice". I think it just reinforces what everyone here is always saying: Subarus are great cars! Mark
I believe it should have the H6 and more towing capacity. That is the only way it is going to be able to compete with the V6 models being offered by other cute-utes. The Turbo is nice, but I believe they'll leave it in the WRX to distinguish that as a performance car, here in the US, people think turbo think speed, including the Insurance companies. The H6 would make more sense in an SUVish vehicle.
Michael and I went to the Cavallino Festival again this year. This is a gathering of Ferraris from all over the country; for four days, the color red rules the streets of Palm Beach Florida and that sweet sound you hear is the roar of V12s. I created a photo point album from the first set of photos (track day at Moroso). We are waiting for the photos of the Concourse D'Elegance at the Breakers Hotel...here is the link to the fisrt album...enjoy
The V-12's have the sweetest scream. The only thing I ever heard that sounded better was the V-12 Matra F1 cars from the late 60's and early 70's. Those things were melodious.
Okay, showing my age again. I used to go to Watkins Glen every year for the Gran Prix. I can still smell the Castrol R...
The torque characteristics of the 6 better match the "image" and the expected use of the Forester. Load it up and chug away, almost anywhere. A fat torque curve fits nicely. A supercharger could match the torque curve of the H6, but that's not one of the choices.
I'll bet on the turbo 4. Until Subaru gets the new engine plant in Lafayette built (I don't think it's even been started) capacity for the H6 is only about 10,000 units per year. This translate to less than 17 H6 vehicles per dealer per year (10,000 divided by 600 = 16.67).
Forester owners and wannabees will have to be patient, I fear!
G'day I can assure you that the Forester GT Turbo shifts plenty fast enough and works very efficiently, thank you. It is beloved of Emergency Services people here where it is used as a rapid response ambulance and for police work in backwoods areas with highways through them. the police are also very fond of WRX's for pursuit work.
Graham - Can you post pictures of the Aussie Forester medic or police units? I'd love to see them. The most "official" Subaru I've seen is here, in the Capital Region of New York: One of the TV stations has a white Forester "L" with the "News Center 6" graphic plastered down the sides; sharp. My '99 Forester "S" looks semi - butch these days with its winter tire / steel takeoff wheel combo and amber roof strobe light. - I'm monitoring construction on 2 new rest area buildings on Interstate 87 in the Adirondacks in Upstate New York. The strobe is for warning traffic while going in & out of the construction sites ;-}
BTW, I think the North American market '03 Forester will and should end up with the H6 instead of the turbo H4 option. Here the public always seems to vote for larger numbers: cylinders, cubic inches & torque, HP being equal. Also, here the H6 would be perceived as easier to maintain, particularly on a Wagon/SUV such as the Forester. Make my next the H6 with a 5 speed & high/low range.
Hey John, Did you work on the rest stops on I90 west of Albany? The first one west of Albany near Amsterdam is really cool. I love the architecture on it. Much better than the old "hot shops"!
John, So you're the guy with that Forester! Now if I could only think of some reason to put a rack on top of my Outback. I haven't seen the Channel 6 Forester yet, but there's a white and blue Outback emblazoned with "official Subaru graphics" up in Saratoga (I have no idea what the story is on that one). YetAnotherDave
Just got back from Whistler/Blackcomb in BEAUTIFUL B.C. Unfortunately, the roads were clear going up the Sea to Sky highway above Vancouver. There was snow on the roads in Whistler Village/Blackcomb area but I used the shuttle bus the entire time. When I left today, everything was clear so, long story short, no snow time w/the OB yet :-( The skiing was great though and I'm so much improved from last year. I kept up w/our large group and did almost all "blue" runs exclusively. The OB did great up to the mountains, especially considering that I was completely loaded (I mean, the car...) and had four adults on board. There were a couple of times that the 227hp of the WRX would have been more than welcomed though!
about the lack of snow on the roads, but I'm glad you got in some good skiing. Patience my son, the WRX will come. Waiting is good for the soul even if it is hard on the nerves.
Wow, look at the short intervals between our posts. I heard that the supposed snow in your Seattle area turned out to be a dud. Just some flurries and then rain. Well, I drove up and had some fun on behalf of Ross and yourself at SFU and Burnaby Mountain Park.
Donut heaven! I've taken both the Acura MDX and BMW X5 V8 Sport Pkg up to these very same lots for snow testing.
Ross: Right on. I keep telling myself the same thing.
Drew: Ouch...wish I was there having some fun in those pictures! Yeah, Seattle was "snow" dud. We all were secretly hoping that there would be some snow when we got back to down. Actually, it seemed more like spring. In fact, I had the sunroof open from Blaine to Everett.
You mentioned the s-word! Don't even think about it! Now where's the plug for that ground hog hole? :-p
What's the use of having a 4WD SUV with a tow strap if you can't offer to tow some of your nicer neighbours' vehicles up the snow covered street to their driveways? ;-)
Mike Hope you like the WRX but does this mean you are abandoning the XT6 or the Trooper? The WRX is standard issue IT nerd car in Australia now. Hope it doesn't stereotype drivers there.
Great pictures Drew, but if all you guys that live out in the wet wet west moved down to Ottawa you could take pictures like that any day of the week, anywhere, anytime, from roughly Nov. To April are you jealous yet? Cheers Pat.
Comments
Ross
-juice
Wonder if any car rental agencies at YVR have Subarus available... maybe I better get two of them instead of 1 minivan! Would be a good excuse!
I could go to the Canucks gane Sunday night & leave a car at the hotel for everyone else to use!
Scheming away...
Cheers!
Paul
Ross
Cheers Pat.
On the expressways, the H6 comes into its own, especially when changing lanes at 60 mph. It's very different from my old '96 Outback with the 2.5. I am still amazed at just how quiet it is inside. Sound insulation is great.
The automatic temperature control continues to function flawlessley. What a wonderful improvement over the manual system. Still wish the LL Bean came with a seat control memory and that one of the designers realized the passenger sun visor and the self dimming mirror compete! If you are reading my commentary Patti, please pass this item along! It would be a good PR gesture to redo the passenger visor and do a "recall" for LL Bean owners.
My dealer told me he has taken eight WRX orders to date, 3 wagons and five sedans. ALL have been ordered with 5 speeds. All WRXs are being sold at MSRP.
Finally, got word from my daughter who lives in Sudbury, MA telling me that last week after the heavy Boston area snow, she got stuck trying to get into her long, long driveway. Then, along came her husband in their new OB, drove carefully around her Honda, and into the garage! She says she now understands why I keep asking her if she's driven the OB in the snow. BTW, she said there was over a foot in her driveway!
Don
Just two years ago a Force 3 or 4 (is that the right term?) tornado ripped through the valley not two miles from my home. That's close. The devastation was astounding; a tornado is an awesome show of the power of nature.
Regards,
-wdb
Mark
Dennis
-juice
Funny thing: there was a hurricane in 1955 that tore up the Delaware Valley and destroyed the bridge from PA to NJ, about 3/4 mile south of where I-95 crosses the Delaware today. A couple of years ago I tried to get some directions using Mapquest and it told me to cross that bridge that washed away 40+ years previous.
Ed
That plus the Escape and Tribue tied for first, and they are actually the same vehicle. The RAV4 was 2nd.
The also-rans included the CR-V, Tracker V6, GV, Cherokee, Sportage, XTerra, and Santa Fe (not in order).
Not bad - the Forester outran the V6s in the GV, Tracker, XTerra, and Santa Fe. Who says size matters? It was 4th behind the Escape, Tribute and Cherokee.
Also - 3rd most fuel efficient, 2nd best braking, and #1 in every single noise category.
I think it really held its own. About the moonroof: "it's crane-ready: a huge loading hatch opens in the Forester's top and doubles as a sunroof."
I don't get why they are so in love with the Escape. They said both Tribute and Escape were awful in the snow, with very poor traction. Isn't that the point?
Check it out. There is still nothing in the article that would talk me out of buying the Forester again.
-juice
The cool thing is that the Forester still stacks up even after all these years. Even with the facelift in 2001, the Forester is pretty much unchanged since it's inception back in MY98. The RAV4 and Tribute/Escape have had the benefit of a complete model change.
Ken
Can't wait to see how the '03 Forester model does...
Bob
VTD and turbo would make it stand out in the class - as a leader. AWP & full size spare are nice-to-haves that wouldn't hurt to include. Not sure how to freshen the look - that's a whole new topic! Maybe more fender buldging? Keep the square rear end though!
-Brian
Sorry about the late reply. I basically only get to check this board when at work (I can't get on the PC at home), and I leave at 4:25PM. As for posting the URL, I get my news from a news service(DJ) on a dedicated system, so I have no way to post it. The good thing is that I do get news as it breaks, or as close as possible.
When the article came out I started showing my co-workers, who except for one guy with 3 Subes in the family, all said "that's nice". I think it just reinforces what everyone here is always saying: Subarus are great cars!
Mark
-mike
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1518651&a=11480675
-mike
Okay, showing my age again. I used to go to Watkins Glen every year for the Gran Prix. I can still smell the Castrol R...
Cheers,
-wdb
After all, it is based on the Impreza platform, and it has a turbo in virtually every other market except ours. It's almost a sure thing.
-- ash
-mike
Frank
Ross
Forester owners and wannabees will have to be patient, I fear!
Don
I can assure you that the Forester GT Turbo shifts plenty fast enough and works very efficiently, thank you. It is beloved of Emergency Services people here where it is used as a rapid response ambulance and for police work in backwoods areas with highways through them. the police are also very fond of WRX's for pursuit work.
They are very effective with a turbo!
Cheers
Graham
Can you post pictures of the Aussie Forester medic or police units? I'd love to see them. The most "official" Subaru I've seen is here, in the Capital Region of New York: One of the TV stations has a white Forester "L" with the "News Center 6" graphic plastered down the sides; sharp.
My '99 Forester "S" looks semi - butch these days with its winter tire / steel takeoff wheel combo and amber roof strobe light. - I'm monitoring construction on 2 new rest area buildings on Interstate 87 in the Adirondacks in Upstate New York. The strobe is for warning traffic while going in & out of the construction sites ;-}
BTW, I think the North American market '03 Forester will and should end up with the H6 instead of the turbo H4 option. Here the public always seems to vote for larger numbers: cylinders, cubic inches & torque, HP being equal. Also, here the H6 would be perceived as easier to maintain, particularly on a Wagon/SUV such as the Forester. Make my next the H6 with a 5 speed & high/low range.
John
Did you work on the rest stops on I90 west of Albany? The first one west of Albany near Amsterdam is really cool. I love the architecture on it. Much better than the old "hot shops"!
-mike
um ... what do you want to bet?
just found my rubber duckie from when I was 8
-mike
Ross
So you're the guy with that Forester! Now if I could only think of some reason to put a rack on top of my Outback. I haven't seen the Channel 6 Forester yet, but there's a white and blue Outback emblazoned with "official Subaru graphics" up in Saratoga (I have no idea what the story is on that one).
YetAnotherDave
Stephen
Ross
Donut heaven! I've taken both the Acura MDX and BMW X5 V8 Sport Pkg up to these very same lots for snow testing.
The kill-joy machine. Grrrr....
Check out the pictures:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=137587&a=11472157
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
P.S. Bob and juice, my Chrysler minivan's AWD system definitely does work in reverse :-)
Drew: Ouch...wish I was there having some fun in those pictures! Yeah, Seattle was "snow" dud. We all were secretly hoping that there would be some snow when we got back to down. Actually, it seemed more like spring. In fact, I had the sunroof open from Blaine to Everett.
Stephen
What's the use of having a 4WD SUV with a tow strap if you can't offer to tow some of your nicer neighbours' vehicles up the snow covered street to their driveways? ;-)
-mike
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
-mike
Hope you like the WRX but does this mean you are abandoning the XT6 or the Trooper? The WRX is standard issue IT nerd car in Australia now. Hope it doesn't stereotype drivers there.
Cheers
Graham
Stephen
When a dealer orders a car for inventory, they need to put it in someone's name, so since my dealer is friends with me, he "ordered" one in my name.
I told him he better let me take it for a very long test drive since after all it's supposedd to be mine!
-mike
Cheers Pat.