Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Sorry I missed the chat, we have guests visiting from out of town. Have to play host.

    Letters are still trickling in so I think I'll wait 'til Tuesday to submit the letter.

    -juice
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Today while waiting for my Outback to get some fluids replaced (AT, diffys, coolant, fuel filter), I decided to eat up some of that time with a few test drives. The list: '04 WRX sedan, '03 Forester XS, '03 Outback VDC sedan. All were AT's.

    The rally blue WRX was up first. Firm road feel (blaming some of that on the overinflated tires). Seat was fine, comfy. Car felt bigger from inside. Feels very nimble and solid. Hood scoop takes some getting use to seeing up there. Can hear turbo starting to spool up after 2.5k RPM's. It's like saying "Psssssssssst, hold on!" While I didn't take the tach above 5k, it does throw you back a bit in the seat. Below 3k, it doesn't feel sluggish (or no more sluggish than my Outback). Did I mention it kept whispering to me?

    Up next was the XS. I picked this one since it's the closest to an XT right now content-wise (minus the engine). The moonroof it friggin' huge. Opens 75% first, then a second push opens it fully. Could definately feel the ride difference over the WRX - the XS was a bit softer, but still felt nimble and solid. Engine/tranny made it feel just like my Outback. Wasn't cramped inside, felt roomy. Driving position was fine, seats were comfy.

    Lastly was the VDC. The leather is nice and soft. McIntosh radio is something too. First thing I noticed when I started driving was how quiet the car was (H6 Outbacks have extra insulation). Could barely hear the H6 with the moonroof open. Feels heavier than the Forester and even my Outback. Driving position no different than my Outback either. Engine power wasn't neck snapping, but it surprised me. Definately the softest ride of the bunch. I'd have to say even a small turbo or a manual tranny would give the VDC a nice edge, probably won't happen though.

    I can't justify a WRX with 2 car seats in the back. Although, it would be fun.

    I'll have to take a Forester XT out later this year and see how it compares. At this point, it still is on the top of my list due to it's 'sleeper' personality and family versitility.

    I could live with a VDC as well. Maybe it was just the sedan that was getting me hooked in. Could have been the leather as well. The body style and interior is too similar to my Outback - and I think my next vehicle should be different. (C'mon, work with me, I'm trying to justify the XT, or is it the WRX, or is it...)

    BTW, the route I drove the vehicles on is heavily wooded. Guess what I saw on the way back with the WRX (besides 3 state troopers)? A doe! Crossed in front of the car ahead of us.

    *sigh* back in my 'plain ol' Outback I go for now.

    -Brian
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Brian,

    Nice write up and wow -- you certainly got some test drives in. Kudos to the dealer!

    I agree that the WRX doesn't feel too bad under 3K RPMs. Perhaps it is because I have a Phase I engine and I already need to rev past 3K to get some power.

    That turbo spool up does sound sinister, doesn't it. I had a blast on my loaner WRX when I had my Forester in for service.

    I'm also debating what my next vehicle would be. While the practicality leans towards the XT, I'm still enamored with the WRX handling. I'll just have to drive both again.

    BTW, did you see the new Legacy?

    Ken
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Ken - that new Legacy is beautiful. That dark blue metallic is the perfect color!

    We're probably in the same boat as far as decisions go for the next vehicle. Decisions, decisions.

    It would have been nice to see the boost I was getting (I know it was low as I wasn't really pushing it trying to stay under 4-5k RPMs). It was almost like the turbo was tempting me with it's whispers. LOL!

    The back seat of the WRX sedan sure looked like I could throw 2 car seats in it. But that moonroof in the Forester XS (and XT for that matter) is just huge! That's really swinging things towards an XT.

    While my old '86 LeBaron GTS turbo was fun at that time, I can't remember having as much fun driving the WRX today. For any of you who thought the WRX has turbo lag, you likely never drove a GTS turbo. The WRX has no lag compared to the GTS.

    Also, this dealer had all of the STi's allocated except for 1. Guy backed out due to financing problems. And they won't let any of the salespeople drive 'em unless they sign a waiver that basically blames them if anything happens to the car in the future.

    -Brian
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    I was surprised I was able to test drive an AT WRX. I expected the sales guy to pull up in an MT. It was the only one on the lot too.

    -Brian
  • gregmiscgregmisc Member Posts: 17
    Hi everyone. I'm looking for a small 4WD vehicle and test drove a Forester with MT and AT today but had a problem with the "hill holder' clutch, it worked OK at first but then hung up (would not release properly) when we got back to the dealer. They said it just needed adjustment and was not a problem. Is this a common thing with this clutch?
    Greg
  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day

    Strictly, the Hill Holder is not a clutch, but rather a further brake interlinked to the clutch system. When the brake pedal is applied and the clutch pushed in the brake remains actuated until the clutch pedal is fully released. They are very reliable and have been used by Subaru around the world for about 20 years.

    I would guess that you hit an isolated problem which just needs to be adjusted.

    One issue is that some drivers find it hard to adjust to the Hill Holder although I found it is instantly picked up.

    Cheers

    Graham
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Good things come in threes? :-)

    '04 WRX, too, one of the early ones.

    Check out that new Legacy! Sweetness, man. The wagon gets one huge moonroof a la Forester, too. The sedan's is smaller, so Subaru continues it's emphasis on wagons. Let's move this to Future Models, but boy am I ever excited about it.

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Did my letter arrive Via snail mail yet?

      Cheers Pat.
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Brian,

    Did you get to try a manual WRX? Quite a different experience, IMO.

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Well, my sister is doing paperwork on a Silver 2003 Forester X automatic as I write this! :-)

    In the end they decided against the Premium model, because she really only wanted the moonroof, not the heated seats and alloys. They saw the plain X as a better value, and can always add a moonroof later, like we did on my wife's car, for $900.

    IMO it makes more sense, since it's her first new car, to shop for value vs. loaded up content.

    The rain has persisted so the Camry became less and less attractive to her. I swear, the planets have a certain way of aligning themselves whenever a Teixeira is shopping for a Subaru!

    Pat: yes, got it a while ago, actually. Got Ed's priority package too.

    -juice
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Ken - no, I didn't try a MT WRX. I was giddy just from the AT WRX (where was that whisper coming from ;-), so I can imagine it is quite a hoot! Plus, when the time comes to pick up our next Subie, it's gotta be an AT (dw's request). *sigh*

    When I get around to testing an XT, I'll make sure to drive the MT WRX that day as well.

    -Brian
  • gregmiscgregmisc Member Posts: 17
    Graham,
    Thanks for the info; I'll give it another try. I really enjoyed driving the MT Forester in the mountain pass.
    Greg
  • jimmyp1jimmyp1 Member Posts: 640
    doesn't recognize my VIN. Anybody else with older Subarus had that trouble?

    Jim
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    because mine is used I have to send them a copy of the title and registration to prove I own it, even though it's been dealer serviced by me half a dozen times now, before the site will allow me to login in. Too much trouble for a marginally useful site.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Maybe because the former owner was registered there?

    I signed up for mysubaru.com when I got the VIN but before I had purchased my used Outback. I got in ok the last time I was there a couple of weeks ago. The original owner had never registered there and her dealer didn't participate in the maintenance recording stuff. It did tell me that the recalls had been done.

    Steve, Host
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I actually really like it, because it's what I use to keep service records. Later on that'll help resale. I have a 3 ring binder notebook with all the service records printed out from that site.

    Since I do most everything myself, this is a way of getting "official" papers. I also keep receipts but this makes it specific to my Forester and not just any car.

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    My daughter had a lucky escape on Saturday, she was going away for the long weekend with a couple of her girlfriends, one of her friends was driving.

      It was pouring rain somebody cut them off and the truck did a 180 turn then flipped and rolled 4 times, she is banged up some but thank God she walked away from it.

      Cheers Pat.
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Glad to hear she (and hopefully the others) are ok.

    Curious - what kind of vehicle were they in? Side airbags deploy (if it had 'em)?

    -Brian
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    There were three of them, all walked away all banged up but alive, daughter has bleeding gallbladder, bruised kidneys, and one cracked rib, as well as internal bruising, the other two girls are about the same.

      It was a 01 Chevy silverado extended cab no side airbags, but they were all belted in, truck is completely totalled.

      Just shows, we were worried about her going to Iraq but you can be killed just as easily in a stupid traffic accident.

      Cheers Pat.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Boy is she lucky! It could have been so much worse. What kind of recovery will she need?

    Bob
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Thank God your Daughter and friends are OK.
    My "Get Well Soon" wishes I send :)

    -Dave
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    For the best wishs, Bob I think it will be basically just time I do not think there is much treatment persay, they are basically just going to monitor her.

     But its a fair bet she will be sore for the forseeable future, but as you say it could have been so much worse, as least she is alive to feel pain.

      Cheers Pat.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Hope she gets better soon. Seatbelts no doubt helped the situation not get any more grusem.

    -mike
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Yeah the seatbelts definitly kept her from being thrown out even though it was the seatbelt that caused the cracked ribs, we just got off the phone and she has two ribs cracked not one.

      Cheers Pat.
  • jfljfl Member Posts: 1,399
    Glad to hear your daughter's injuries are not life threatening. My prayers are with you.

    Jim
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    to the daughter and her recovery ..
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Awful news, Pat, but could have been much worse. Best wishes to her for a quick and trouble-free recovery.

    Ed
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Is this your daughter who was shipped to Iraq?

    Bob
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Guys, thanks for all your good wishs, Bob I posted a while back that when she was just several days from going her orders were to stand down so she did not go.

      Cheers Pat.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I must have missed that post. I bet you were happy. :)

    So instead of going to war, she's in a car wreak! Sounds like Murphy's Law is alive and kicking.

    Bob
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    Glad to hear your daughter and her friends will be okay. I hope they all heal quickly.
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    Sorry to hear the news about your daughter (and friends) but it's good to hear that she's on the road to recovery. Good luck and best wishes to her and the others on speedy recoveries.

    And on top of that, the Senators lost. :-(

    DaveM
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    *WOW* Pat, thank God she has only minor injuries. We wish her a speedy recovery.

    I cracked a rib while snow sledding a few years back. Took about 2 weeks to feel normal again, but sort of had to re-hab myself back into shape after that. I'm sure she'll bounce back, she's gotta be in better shape than I was.

    Tell her friend to buy a Baja next time, please!

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Pat,

    I was taken by the news, but glad to know that she wasn't hurt badly. You must have flipped out when you heard the news. I hope the best for you and your family.

    Ken
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Pat- Sorry to hear about that. Thank goodness that they were belted in and that no one was more seriously hurt. I wonder if a vehicle with a lower CG would have flipped and rolled like that?

    FYI: A fatal accident locally in the past week certainly proves the value of seatbelts: Woman driver ran off the road and was ejected from her car into thick woods. They actually had to bring in a cadaver sniffing dog to locate the body which turned out to be 60 feet from the vehicle!

    -Frank P.
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Pat,

    Sorry to hear about your daughters accident, but am glad to hear that she (and her friends) came out with no major damage. I'm glad they were all wearing their seatbelts.

    Mark
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Sorry to hear about your daughter. Hope she makes a speedy recovery.

    Steve

    PS: Let her commanding officer know - don't want them chasing her down as AWOL! ;-)
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Everybody,once again I have to say this is absolutely the best group of friends I know, more family than just a group of folks with common interests.

      Steve- that is taken care of, I think she has to give an update on her condition in 48 hours.

      Bob, yeah we were glad she did not have to go, but as I said in a post to Brian, we were really worried about her going to Iraq, but this incident shows you are not safe anytime, we could just as easily have lost her in this accident.

     She said she will send photos of the wreck when she is up to it, her friends father took some pictures, so when I get them I will try to post.

     We are in town this week as we have some friends arriving from Ireland today, so after today do not know when I will get back on the boards.

      My wife is upset that because of our company she canniot fly down to be with our daughter, but it is impossible to be in two places at once.

     Cheers Pat.
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    The Senators have nothing to be ashamed of this year, they gave it their all right to the last minute, I really thought they were going to prevail but one bad break is all it takes to be on the outside looking in.

      There is always next year, they now have what it takes to go all the way,not like is previous years.

      Cheers Pat.
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Hope your daughter has a quick recovery.

    -Dennis
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Here we were all worried about Iraq and she gets into trouble in an auto accident! That's how life goes, I guess. Hope she gets better soon.

    Craig
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    E-mail me a quick note about Patti if you haven't already sent snail mail, to:

    de_juice_man@hotmail.com

    Please send it by 3pm Wednesday, then I'll send it off to SoA. The holiday weekend caught me by surprise, and they're still coming in, but I'd like to beef up the package as much as possible. I have 11 or so now, but I'd like to send 16 or so.

    So any quick e-mail, we support Patti, bring her back, blah blah blah, a quick note is OK.

    Thanks folks.

    -juice
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    Sorry to hear about your daughter...here's for a complete and speedy recovery
    Serg, Susan, and Michael
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    As everyone else here, I wish your daughter a speedy recovery. Sounds like someone was watching over them.

    On a sadder? note, my mom passed away last week, thus, the reason I haven't been around. She went into the hospital 3 weeks ago with a mild heart attach and things went downhill from there.

    Greg
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. There's nothing much worse than losing a parent, except maybe a child. Did she have a history or heart problems?

    Bob
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    So sorry to hear of your loss .... words are inadequate
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    She had high blood pressure and didn't always listen to the doctor. They found clogged arteries and cleared up the worst one. From there it was a blood disorder (cleared up), congestive heart failure (who knows), and she continually lost O2. Turned out to be protein buildup in her lungs. 3 in 1 million. She couldn't handle the procedure to flush out the protein. Makes you wonder.

    Thanks for your kind words.

    Greg
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    so sorry Greg...our sincerest condolences to you and your family.

    -Brian
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    Sorry to hear about the loss of your mom.

    DaveM
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