Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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  • tincup47tincup47 Member Posts: 1,508
    But it is interesting....


    http://www.auto.com/industry/iwirp28_20010228.htm

  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Patti,

    I also use the Shure Grip Z cable traction device on my Forester -- it's easy to put on plus you don't need to stop and retighten. I believe the URL is: www.scc-chain.com

    I've heard that the VDC wagon can't use any sort of chains -- not a clearance issue but more compatbility with the AWD system. Is this true?

    Ken
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    We just had a 6.2 quake in Seattle. The epicenter was in South Seattle, about 10 miles from me. I was at work when I felt what seemed like a large truck going by, kind of like when you're sitting still in your car and a truck goes by you on the freeway. It was a deep roller type not a severe shaker. It went on for what seemed like an eternity. I yelled at my co-worker to get under her desk. We finally got the announcement to evacuate the bldg once the quake stopped. I work in an old brick bldg from the early 1900's. The church next to us lost some of its chimney bricks. We haven't been able to call out on office phones or cell because of extreme usage. I think our sewer line broke at work. Anyhow...that's the low down from Seattle.

    Shakin & Stirred,
    Stephen
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    off-topic! Glad to hear you're OK Steve.

    Bob
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Glad to hear you are okay. I've been reading about the quake on the Dow Jones news service. It sounds like you folks got pretty shook up, but so far no major injuries. Hang in there.

    Mark
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Glad to hear you are just shook and stirred, keep on truckin.
    Cheers Pat.
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    It was actually a 7.0 quake that struck at about 10:55am Pacific :-) I definitely felt it to up here too (everyone is okay, and no damage) and I'm sure Ross did. The UPSes started shrieking since the power (and phones) went out almost immediately. They just came back on about 20 minutes ago. Had to make sure Powerchute automatically saved and shut down the systems properly.


    Drew
    Host
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  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    Sure did feel it! A student was taking a makeup exam in my office when it struck. She was so involved that she didn't react until I commented. She then got quite panicky. No damage here (top floor corner office, new quake resistant building. I've lived here since 1968 and this was the strongest I have ever felt. Thanks for the info.

    Ross
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    Did she finish writing the exam? I know that I'd be jumpy after that! The earthquake has been downgraded slightly to 6.8. If you watch tonight's news, I'm sure you'll see the Microsoft conference at the Westin in Seattle. The video camera was running before and throughout the event, so you'll get to see what they experienced. Light fixtures falling and people scrambling!

    Although power is back up, it is a little sporatic in the Tricity area (Coquitlam, PoCo, Port Moody), so the UPSes have been beeping on and off over here. Thank goodness for my notebook.
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    she did, but her grade wasn't as good as on the previous one. I might have to make a quake adjustment. I'm such an old softy. :~)

    Ross
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The brits aren't known for quality control. Someone said they invented "intermittent" wipers by accident.

    Let's hope all our friends in Seattle are OK. Not just the Soobs, their owners too! ;-)

    I'd grade that student on a curve!

    Seriously, glad you guys are fine. I'm going to go watch the news...

    -juice
  • bigfrank3bigfrank3 Member Posts: 426
    Don't forget, "The brits drink their beer warm because they have Lucas refrigerators". :)

    Frank
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    In the Subaru Chat last Thursday, someone brought up that they have an adjustable intermittent front wiper on their Outback. I've re-read the manual and found the section about the "Wiper Intermittent Time Control" - but it has IF EQUIPPED next to it. Shucks, I'm, err, not equipped.

    The wiper stalk on my '00 OB has the following features:
    OFF
    INT (labeled as "- - -")
    LO
    HI
    the end is for the rear wiper control - either on, off, or wash. No rotating collar to adjust the delay time.

    Design glitch? Missing option? It is not clear in the manual which vehicles get the added feature. I don't remember any option that included it either.

    Oh well, I'll just have to live with my adjustable-less delay wipers. :-(

    -Brian

    (Glad to hear no casualties in the Seattle quake!)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Was that added for 2001? I'll be seeing my dad's on Sunday, but anyone car to check for us?

    They added a lot of content to the 2001s. Bigger front brakes, outside temp guage, 2nd odo, map pockets, rear LSD standard, etc.

    Keep it up, SoA.

    -juice
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    I thought those who mentioned they had the wiper feature had 2000 models. Maybe it was 2001.

    From what my "2000 Legacy® & Outback® Owner's Manual" states, it's an option somehow - otherwise they wouldn't label it IF EQUIPPED.

    -Brian
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Rumor has it that old Joe Lucas also invented darkness.

    Bob
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    After I was sure everyone was ok, I wanted to make sure my OB was ok too (about 60 secs after)...how sick is that?!? Anyhow, I'm safe, family, friends safe and my trade-in safe...whew!

    Stephen
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    everything is OK with you & yours Stephen. Up here it was just good entertainment but I'm starting to get the reports of damage and injuries, certainly no laughing matter for Seattle.

    Ross
  • dsackmandsackman Member Posts: 145
    Both the '01 Forester S+ and the '01 Outback Limited has adjustable intermittent wipers. Well, at least mine has.

    Daniel
  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    My 01 GT has the intermittent rear wiper, gauge stuff bit no map pockets.

    bit
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Both my Trooper LS and the 88 XT6 both have variable Intermittent wipers.

    -mike
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    My ML doesn't have variable intermittent wipers per se...it automatically adjusts the timing (in intermittent mode) according to the speed the vehicle is going. '01 MLs have the rain sense wipers with the infrared sensor mounted just behind the windshield that can detect the amount of water hitting the glass and adjust the wiper speed as necessary.

    Patti, how about offering the Rain Sense wipers on the options list for future Subaru models (especially the H6 models) ? It would definitely help to boost the entry luxury image that Subaru is trying to attain. FWIW, MB Canada charges CDN$200 for the option.


    Drew
    Host
    Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Even our other car - a '97 Saturn SL - has adjustable intermittent wipers!

    Just to be clear - my '00 Outback does have intermittent wipers. They're just not adjustable. It seems like it's maybe a 2 second delay when in the intermittent setting. I'm just curious as to which '00 Outback's get this option (and how!).

    Guess it could be worse - we could have no delay wipers at all. Remember those OFF-LO-HI push to wash levers in older GM's?

    Maybe I'm just getting a little OCD with this whole wiper thing. Help!

    -Brian
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    has variable intermittent wipers up front and a fixed intermittent speed for the rear wiper.

    The front wiper needs an additional faster speed and an additional slower speed, in addition to the current speeds.

    The rear wiper should also include a fixed speed and an additional intermittent speed.

    Our '98 Explorer has those features.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    If they put something like that on a subie, it'll likely break over time and become useless. They should save the $ for making better performing/roomier cars... Maybe it's just the utlilitarian in me, but can adjust my wiper speed by hand if need be rather than have it "thought" for me.

    -mike
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    1) I've never had just the variable part of a wiper system break. Even if it did by that point, I think you could replace it cheap with a trip the local salvage yard.

    2) Just how far is a car maker going to get "making better performing/roomier cars" for each $5 variable intermittent control they don't put in a car?

    -Colin
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I was talking about the Infared-inglass item that Drew was talking about in a post above...

    I won't buy a car w/o varibale intermittent wipers after you have it :) But an infared-inglass wiper system sensor could put some serious R&D toward a bigger or better performing car.

    PS: it's not a $5 item in the R&D dept...

    -mike
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    No need to R&D it...just source it from Hella :-) That's what MB does anyway...you can actually retrofit the "Hella Raintronic" system for certain vehicles...guess what? Including the Subaru Legacy!!

    Click here for more info. And then click on "model list". I doubt that it will easily break over time. In the 4+ years that MB has been offering this option, I have yet to hear of it breaking. Mine (in the E320) has been working just fine for the last 3 years. It's actually not in the glass, but simply a sensor fitted behind the windshield (sort of like a remote control).


    Drew
    Host
    Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    was almost a deal killer for me. Living here on the "wet coast" I consider it to be an essential feature. The 2000 I was originally looking at was lacking one and that almost made me lose interest. Fortunately the '01 included it and I am a very happy owner. BTW, even my 1971 Fiat 124 Spyder came with adjustable intermittent!

    Ross
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Thanks for the congrats. the colour is Titaniun.
    Cheers Pat.
  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    are okay. I was concerned when I heard the news on CNN today.

    H-6 and Shur grip - I'd contact them and ask. I haven't heard anything negative or positive. Since we don't "sanction" their use, I probably won't hear much. I'll keep my ears to the ground though!

    Variable intermitant wipers - They all have intermitant, but the top of the line have the "variable" type. I was a bit surprised about this because I've been lucky enought to drive "limiteds" for the past few years, but I went out and checked.

    Patti
  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    Hey all - keep your eyes out for a press release from Subaru. It appears that we have partnered up with SCCA (Sports Car Club of America). All WRX buyers will get a free membership, etc. I'll try to post the release later today.

    Thanks!

    Patti
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    Patti, this is a great idea! As SCCA is safety-conscience, hopefully they'll rein in some of the younger, boy racer, irresponsible types. Ya know, the ones that cause insurance rates to go up. Ya know, like Hutch. We all heard about Mr. Toad's Wild Ride at Edmunds Live. :D

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    Aw, I just shelled out $75 for my membership!

    oh well.

    rear stoneguard/flaps went on yesterday; I'll takle the front today.....rallycross now 3 weeks away...

    STILL can't get an answer on Outback suspension. What I need to do is swipe a parts list from a dealer, and see if the part number for the legacy strut is the same as the OB strut, or different.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Well I'm glad to hear it's working after 3 years... Although 3 years is a spec in the lifetime of a subaru so if you told me it was there for 13 years I'd be impressed :) Think of it this way... SOA won't even put in HID headlights which they already built on their cars overseas, how could one convince them to put something in the car that they don't even offer in other markets? This is SOA logic here, not that of normal people. :) (no offense to Patti, just a lot of times SOA makes less than no sense in what they do, don't even get me started on STI parts not covered under warranty)

    -mike
  • thecatthecat Member Posts: 535
    "some of the younger, boy racer, irresponsible types. Ya know, the ones that cause insurance rates to go up. Ya know, like Hutch"

    Wow .. thanks Mike. You do remember what I look like, right? I was so pleased with the "Younger Boy Racer" part .. I'm willing to ignore the rest. Acutally, I may be the yang to their ying .. you know, tip the scales the other way. :D

    - Little Hutch (as I was known as a child)
  • soon2bsubeesoon2bsubee Member Posts: 137
    Even my 1990 Camry Wagon has variable intermittent wipers !!!
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    [Glad to hear from quake folk that they are okay. I heard that the epicenter was 30 MILES underground, which lessened the effect on the surface and should also do a lot to quell aftershocks.]

    My '00 Legacy GT has variable intermittent wipers. I'm a bit surprised to learn they are not on all OB's. However '00 is the year in which Subaru dropped "Legacy" from the Outback name in an attempt to separate the jacked up Legacies from the rest of them . My guess would be that they tried to differentiate an entry level and optioned level in the Outback lineup. Doesn't look like it worked very well!

    I like variable intermittents well enough, but I suspect it's largely because I like to fiddle around with gadgets like that. What I really consider essential is a wiper control that gives me on-demand swipes when I pull back on the lever; for example when that car going in the opposite direction splashes some water up onto my windshield as it passes. If I lived in the Pacific "Northwet" I might find variable intermittent wipers to be more of an essential item, but here in the east (where we get plenty of rain) I find it to be nice but not essential.

    Cheers,
    -wdb
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    Just makin' sure you're paying attention, Hutch.

    ..Mike

  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    about the variable intermittent wipers. Several of my cars have had a rheostatic control rather than a "step" control. I find the rheostat vastly preferable. How much more does such a switch cost? I always appreciated the finer precision.

    Ross
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    In Hutch's defense, none of the wild rides resulted in any damage whatsoever. Well, except for the "wet" passenger seat in that 4Runner, and that was me! ;-)

    bit: the map pockets are only on Outbacks. My dad's has them.

    WDB: I think we finally found something your Legacy has that some Outbacks do not!

    Loosh: call Darlene at 800-287-1281 and ask her to look up parts #s for you.

    -juice

    PS My Forester does not have an rhinocerous control on its wipers, though that sounds like yet another option the Aussies get and we don't. ;-)
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Both my 89 accord and my 93 accord have that on demand swipe that you mention and I agree that it is one handy feature.
    Cheers Pat.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    has that on-demand swipe, as did all my old Hondas. Yes, it is a great feature.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Had the swipe feature. See I don't ALWAYS rank on FORDs. That was one of the better features of that escort, along with the gas milage and handling when it worked...

    -mike
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    Ouch, that hurt when I fell off my chair :-) Next time warn a guy when you're going to do something shocking like that!

    Still laughing,
    -wdb
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    paisan: you had me ROTFL, too.

    Yes, my '91 Escort GT had variable intermittent wipers, and I fumbled with them all the time. But honestly, it seems like you never get the perfect setting, and you keep messing with it, eyes off the road.

    Didn't the SVX have speed-variable intermittent wipers? That makes more sense. Otherwise save the money.

    I just use the on-demand swipe, then and now.

    -juice
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Look at the number of posts just on wipers! Is Meet The Members II back on the top 10 list yet?

    So, from what I can tell, the 2000 regular base Outback doesn't get them, but the 2000 limiteds do. Seems like all Legacy models get them. And all 2001 models get 'em. Did I miss any?

    I agree with WDB, Mike, and Bob: the swipe feature is great. I find I use that more than anything - including my fixed variable wipers!

    Boy this OCD thing is contagious! I'm tempted to measure my ground clearance! ;)

    -Brian
  • yellowbikedonyellowbikedon Member Posts: 228
    Juice,

    You are correct(as usual). Yes, the SVX did have speed variable intermittent wipers. It was a neat feature.

    Don
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Also, the canopy allowed you to drive with the windows open.

    Reincarnate the SVX!

    Seriously, I think if it came out today, it would have fared far better. AWD is trendy, and there are lots of empty nesters that don't need a back seat.

    Bad timing.

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Yes, and I think Subaru has been able to establish a more upscale performance image over the last year especially with the H6 and WRX.

    How about an SVX2 with a turbochared H6?

    Ken
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