Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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Comments

  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    I think his mind is pretty set on Impreza-size car. He says he drove "family wagons" since 1990, and now wants smth smaller and more agile: vroom- vroom, zoom-zoom :-)
  • jlemolejlemole Member Posts: 345
    Steve: Sorry 'bout that. No violations intended, Paisan asked -- I told him, that's all.

    Jon
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    It was a joke - a pun on soliciting, solicitors, ... ah, never mind...

    no harm, no foul!

    Steve, Host
  • snowbeltersnowbelter Member Posts: 288
    I got your pun, so it wasn't wasted. But then , I'm one of them.
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    How about the STi? It keeps it small and gives you the most torque available in a Subaru today.

    What's he think about the Forester?

    Ken
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    what about swaps? Like M3 into 318ti (there's a couple around my way)..... or 2.5T into BD sedan... j/k
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    never cared for the 3 series hatch...

    swaps are fine though, so long as it's either a totally stock swap or you have something reliable as a daily driver.

    -Colin
  • leo2633leo2633 Member Posts: 589
    In post #15304, Mike wrote: "NJ will take tickets from other states, NY will not accept tickets from other states. So basically with a NJ lisc. you are SCREWED! hee hee. NYers are lucky except if they drive in Ontario or Quebec."

    Mike, I refer you to New York Vehicle and Traffic Laws, Title 5A, Article 20, Sections 516 ("Driver license compact"), 516-a ("Reciprocal driver license agreement with provinces of Canada") and 516-b ("Reciprocal agreements concerning reporting of traffic offenses and administratvive action thereon") These refer to the Reciprocal Agreements between States (and Canada).

    There are two applicable New Jersey Administrative Code sections. They are: 1) The "Nonresident Violator Compact", which "requires drivers to fulfill the terms of traffic citations received in member states or face the possibility of license suspension in their home state". There are 44 member states (excluded are AL, CA, MI, MT, OR and WI)
    2) The "National Driver License Compact", which "exchanges violation information with other states", and "ensures that out-of-state violations become part of your NJ driving record". There are 45 member states (excluded are GA, MA, MI, TN and WI).

    As I posted a few days ago, out-of-state violations ARE reported to the home state by New Jersey and New York.

    Len
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I guess they are, in theory, if the system works efficiently. I'm just sure a lot of them fall through the cracks.

    -juice
  • damish003damish003 Member Posts: 303
    Hi folks!

    I am brand new to Subaru, as of last Thursday, so I wanted to introduce myself. Several folks in the Imprezza/Outback Sport board helped me with my questions, especially Juice, and I'm most appreciative. I hope to be of assistance to anyone inquiring about the OBS.

    First name's Dan, living near Erie, Pennsylvania. I am leasing a 2004 OBS, auto, in green, with the usual add-ons. I've put 250 miles on it since Thursday night, and am having a blast! Coming off a lease of a Jeep GC, this car is so much more fun to drive. I find myself hunting down twisty roads, and dirt roads, just for the fun factor. I'm breaking this one in the right way, and it just kills me to baby this car. Hopefully, this self-discipline will pay off down the road.

    Of course, the OBS got a bit dirty this weekend. Lots of insects have met an untimely end on the windshield and front fascia. Hopefully the carwash will do a good job. Living in an apartment with restrictions on cleaning a car in the parking lot, I don't have a lot of choice. Maybe I can rent a garage somewhere so I can clean it right. We'll have a Delta Sonic this fall, so full detailing will be great then.

    No complaints about this car so far. Some things will take some getting used to, such as the gated shifter, but that's just part of the new car experience, right? The ride is quite comfortable to me, road noise is insignificant. I might upgrade the speakers, but it's not a necessity. So at this early stage, no buyers remorse.

    Good dealership to work with, in New Motors. Seemed fairly straightforward, for the most part. Will see how the service is at first oil change.

    Does anyone know how long it takes Subaru to send the PIN so that I can use my.subaru.com? That's the days only question :)

    Dan
  • xccoachlouxccoachlou Member Posts: 245
    About three weeks. :)

    - Lou
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Congrats and welcome to the Crew.

    I think your gas station stops will also be fun, and take half the time you used to. ;-)

    -juice
  • Congratulations on the purchase, Dan!

    I used to spend a bit of time in your neck of the woods. I work remotely for a large cable company that was headquartered in northern Pennsylvania until a short while ago. I would fly into Buffalo airport and then drive a couple hours south and east into Potter County. Absolutely beautiful place, and perfect for a Subaru! I tried to find a rental place that carried Subarus, but had no success.

    Now the company is headquartered in Denver, so no more twisty roads through Potter County forests for me.

    Enjoy the new ride!

    -Ty
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Well, I built a porch at my inlaws' house out in the country this weekend. Started out by slogging lumber, tools, and some cement blocks/mix over to their cabin, which is only accessible by an off-road trail. I had the Yakima rack and hatch of my Outback loaded up. While driving through the woods to the cabin, it felt like I was in a Chevy truck commerical, only I was driving a Subaru wagon! Who needs a truck anyway!

    Every so often, the Outback does something else to impress me. What a great car.

    Craig
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Cool, you shoulda taken some pics!

    -juice
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Congratulations Dan! Enjoy the new ride.

    Mark
  • leo2633leo2633 Member Posts: 589
    As far as working efficiently, remember, we're talking about Motor Vehicle agencies here. I don't know how it is in MD, but New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (formerly known as DMV) has a bad reputation. Ask any long time NJ resident the places they LEAST like to transact business, and I'm sure that DMV would be high on most of their lists. Horror stories abound. As for New York, I can tell you about many people who have been arrested for driving with suspended licenses and/or had their vehicles impounded for suspended registrations due to errors in NY DMV's computerized records system. Talk about falling through the cracks!

    Len
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Spent the last week in France on business - stayed in Paris, worked in the suburbs. Got back yesterday evening and am jet lagging big time. Friday and Saturday were my days off; on Friday I went to Versailles and on Saturday to the L'Age d'Or vintage races at Linas/Montlhery Autodrome outside Paris.

    One of the highlghts of the event was the 40th anniversary of the introduction of the Renault Alpine A110. Over 60 Alpines were present, claimed to be the largest gathering in history. (I know I've never seen two in one place at one time.) Neat machines with great rallying provenance. There were two Chevy Corvettes racing there which really captured the crowd; at full chat they sounded like WWII fighter planes in comparison to most of the European machinery.

    I still haven't driven in Europe but got to play passenger in three European cars, ironically none of them French. The first was an Alfa 156 Sportwagon in midlevel trim. I love how they look and after the ride I have to say I wish they were offered here; they'd be an interesting option to the other European wagons (and maybe even to Subaru). Nice interior, decent ergonomics, a little more interesting to look at from the inside than most cars on the market. The second was an Opel Corsa 3-door hatch, nothing to write home about really. The third was a Skoda Octavia sedan. Better than I expected until I found out that it's basically a VW Jetta under the skin.

    Anyhow, I still have a lot of catching up to do on the boards; I'll be interested to read how the new Forester XT owners are enjoying their rides and if any problem spots have been discovered.

    Ed

    (edit: Oops, for Subaru relevance I have to say I only saw 2 Subies this time: a debadged silver base WRX sedan sans wing and with 18" wheels, and a blue last-gen Impreza sedan with 18" wheels and typical boy racer body add-ons, debadged and parked so I wasn't sure which model.)
  • xccoachlouxccoachlou Member Posts: 245
    Where you get to stand in line for a half hour to turn in paperwork, then get to sit (if you're lucky) for an hour or two, then wait in another line to pay, then finally get the registration/license you went to get in the first place.

    The dealer charged $79 for the Documentary fee which I gladly paid. I know some dealers in NJ are charging over $150, and I heard of one high volume store which charges over $200.

    I find $79 high, but not unreasonable, considering the time saved.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Alfa 156 Sportwagon: schweet!

    Corsas are all over Brazil, think of a slightly more refined Geo Metro.

    Skodas sell for cheap, so you do get good value.

    Welcome back. I'm dying to hear what you think of the XT auto. Don't drive the 5 speed first, I think I was spoiled completely.

    If you're close to chassol, bribe him into letting you do a test drive of his broken-in XT auto.

    -juice
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    You came back too soon - the Tour de Lance starts this week (in 5 days?).

    Many DMVs have gotten tons better since they got computerized and on the net. I had to get a new license, registration and title when I got my Outback, and the whole process took an hour. That included taking my written driver's exam; otherwise it would have been 35 minutes. And this is in the backwards of Idaho. AK had gotten lots better before I moved south.

    Or maybe it's just another advantage of living in a small (population wise) state?

    Steve, Host
  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day

    Actually, I have to reregister my 99 Outback today. It takes all of fifteen seconds as I key in the details to my online banking account. Putting the sticker on the windscreen is harder and they have decided to scrap that. Seems there is no reason for it so it will just require payment once a year.

    Cheers

    Graham
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    He prefers AT, so I guess STI is out of question... He always liked my Forester (much more than his Accord) but did not love it. He seemed to fall in love with WRX. Those men... never can figure them out :-)
  • kajecokajeco Member Posts: 14
    Last Monday I braved the Cape Cod rotarys for Mom's birthday - Christmas Tree shop and lunch at Betsy's Diner - and a mouse for my boy's iMac. Now I YEARN to drive every day. Today I made it to the S'baru dealer (near sister #2's place - during my visit I learned I may soon be the recipient of a 6-month old Boston Terrier!) for a clutch pedal pad - FOUR TOWNS WEST! I really can't relate to much of what you all are discussing, but the love is coming through and I so enjoy it all. Thank you.

    ...my boy doesn't want to learn STD after watching me challenge myself for a month, but I do think he'll change his mind if he ever drives a FORESTER.

    BTW, MA DMVs have improved greatly: 20 mins.
    -K
  • wrxsoon1wrxsoon1 Member Posts: 158
    Host Steve,
    "You came back too soon - the Tour de Lance starts this week (in 5 days?)."

    Don't go jinxin' him by giving him the win so quickly! LOL! ;-)

    Yup, starts on Saturday! I'll be in Paris for the Prologue, and on l'Alpe d'Huez for the finish of that stage and then catch a couple other stages in the Alps as well. I'll keep a lookout for any Subies so I can report back here and be on topic. ;-)

    GO Lance! (Tyler and Levi too!)
    -Ian
  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day

    Perhaps a more formal "Welcome" is appropriate. Glad to hear from you. I guess that Cape Cod rotarys are what I would call roundabouts, or am I missing something? In England there are a couple of roundabouts (Swindon and Hemel Hempstead), I think where six roads join at one roundabout and the traffic flows in both directions. This is most disconcerting for the inexperinced.

    I'd be very grateful for a Boston Terrier - lovely dogs. My dog (half Pharoah Hound, half Kelpie) is feeling neurotic after spending last night guarding me from my mother-in-law. Poor dog is exhausted after sitting sphinx-like on the bed, listening for any sign my mother-in-law might break in from the lounge. Poor woman does not get a break from this dog.

    Nothing to do with Subarus.

    Welcome aboard

    Cheers

    Graham
  • leo2633leo2633 Member Posts: 589
    I think the most memorable scene from the otherwise mostly forgettable movie, "National Lampoon's European Vacation", had to be when Chevy Chase and family were stuck driving around the "roundabout" for hours, unable to exit back into the normal traffic flow. Here in New Jersey, we are known for our traffic "circles". A lot of the circles on major roadways have been replaced by a proper intersection, but you can still find them on many of the highways leading "down the shore".

    Len
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Ed - Welcome back! Hope to see you at an event one of these days.

    Roundabouts and rotaries - I just returned from a long weekend in Cape Cod. They seem to handle the rotaries better than NJ drivers as far as keeping up to speed.

    -Dennis
    (also a town on Cape Cod)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    DC has a bunch of traffic circles (that's how they are referred to here). I might be the only person that likes them.

    -juice
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Welcome to the crew. Congrats on the new Subaru.

    Ed - sounds like my time in Paris. Stayed in Paris and worked in Essonnes. Drove a Renault. Cirlces were fun - I stayed on the outside to avoid the "European Vacation" problem. Otherwise, I walked almost all of Paris over the 6 weeks I was there (Stayed at Place d Italie).

    Greg
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    I like 'em...except when you're behind a dim bulb tourist who is too afraid to merge in. Just GO, fercryinoutloud!

    Happy 4th!
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    if you want that Alfa, just hang in 3 more years, and you can have it......
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    Tour: go Lance! And please, anyone who is actually lucky enough to see it in person, DO report here. It's on topic because Lance is the spokesperson for Subies in the US ;-)

    Rotaries: I love 'em. They're so blasted logical! If US driving skills were better they'd be a non-issue here just like they are elsewhere on earth. BTW, some of the rotaries that were removed in NJ were replaced not only by 'normal' intersections, but also by 'feeder' traffic light systems on the approaches to the intersection in an attempt to smooth out traffic flow. Is all of that complexity actually better than a traffic circle?

    DMV: The one here in PA is tops. They actually think of residents as customers, can you imagine that! Online driver's license and registration renewal are easy as pie and the resultant official doc shows up at your door usually within two days. Fantastic.

    rgds,
    -wdb
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Ed: Welcome back. I was wondering what happened to you. Lots of info on the XT here and at NASIOC.

    Kate: So your hubby is okay with the AT WRX? I guess it isn't all about power then!

    Ken
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    re France: Yes, too late for the 24 Heures du Mans, too early for the Tour.

    Greg: I worked in Rueil-Malmaison, stayed very near L'Etoile.

    I bought a Subaru-specific magazine ("Sub Magazine") at a store called Eldorauto in Paris. Five-story building that sold parts, automobilia, racing equipment, bling, and had its own service bays - sort of a combination Pep Boys, Racer Wholesale, Crutchfield, and ewacars.com all under one roof. Neat place; I almost bought a pair of Sparco driving shoes but for the fact I couldn't find any to fit my wide feet.

    The magazine focuses mainly on tuner Imprezas though there are articles on the Subaru Rally Team France, a new Forester trim variant (Iroko), and a cross-country tour taken by a web-based Subaru club, Les Subaristes du Sud-Ouest - sort of like the 48 Hours of Tri-State ;-). It also has a substantial parts and cars classified section. There's a small section of personal ads and adult phone line ads not unlike the UK's Max Power, but no nudity or adolescent humor like that magazine.

    Loosh: I should send it to you once I'm through attempting to read it. I'm in no rush for the 156 Sportwagon, though I'm strongly tempted to buy an old Giulia Sprint or Alfetta for some vintage rallying. I'm aware of Alfa's quality history yet I still find them attractive. I need help, must stay with easily serviced, farm implement-like Studebaker.

    wdb: PA DMV is good in that respect, but the process of buying license plates from various brokers strikes me as silly. All the paperwork goes through Harrisburg and the price of the tags is uniform so why have these individual shops charging all over the place for handling fees? Reminds me of this state's liquor and beer laws - some odd combination of political patronage, organized crime, and its Quaker heritage.

    Dennis: Keeping my eyes peeled for events. I told paisan I would try to go to the next installfest since it's very close to me. Unless you've made a purchase we still need to get together to test fit the Saris Bones to your car. Not going to Cape Cod but actually have a vacation to Maine planned in late August.

    Ken: Seems like every thread in nabisco Forester Forum has XT in the title. Starting to feel left out, especially by the tuner community. Nothing to add until I actually drive one; at this rate maybe hoping for a short MY04 run and some added content for MY05 *cough*VTD*cough*Sportshift*cough*.

    Ed
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The Baja turbo has it, so we know it mates up nicely. I think our next family car might be automatic (never thought I'd say that).

    -juice
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    -----
    wdb: PA DMV is good in that respect, but the process of buying license plates from various brokers strikes me as silly. All the paperwork goes through Harrisburg and the price of the tags is uniform so why have these individual shops charging all over the place for handling fees? Reminds me of this state's liquor and beer laws - some odd combination of political patronage, organized crime, and its Quaker heritage.
    -----

    To the best of my knowledge you can get your plates direct from Harrisburg; the 'brokers' speed the process, for which they charge a fee. An odd nod to capitalism, perhaps mixed in with remnants of the days when the DMV's service level was, ehrr, not as good :-)

    The state-run liquor stores started out as a true Quaker-style endeavor, however they have turned into little more than an annoying jobs program for government unionistas. The last guy who tried to privatize them via direct assault was Tom Ridge and he got his nose thwacked for it. The effort now is to make them stay open all kinds of days and hours; maybe that will make the jobs less lucrative and the unions will lose their hold, who knows.

    Cheers,
    -wdb
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Ed: The Nabisco Forester forum has certainly been overrun by Johnny-come-latelys attracted by the XT. I know what you mean.

    juice: Are you going to give up the control of the 5-speed for the turbo?

    Ken
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    The tag brokers don't speed the process that much from my own experience. As for the liquor stores, you'd think continually losing revenue to the border states would change the system.

    The beer laws are even wackier. For those of you who aren't aware, here in PA beer is not sold under the same roof as wine and/or liquor. The stores aren't state-owned but are only allowed to sell beer by the case or keg. If you want to buy a six-pack of beer you must go to a bar which has a license to sell beer for takeout.

    It ranks with my home state of SC's mini-bottle liquor law as one of the oddest I've encountered.

    Ed
  • jlemolejlemole Member Posts: 345
    I went to college in Pennsylvania (Villanova). We used to get a case of Esslinger 16 ouncers for $4.99. It was rot-gut, but cheap!

    Jon
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Depends on what we end up with. The wife is pushing towards a bigger vehicle, so the 2005 SUW might be the ticket. I imagine that'll only come in automatic, making the choice easy.

    I prefer something the size of a Forester, but she still remembers that awful trip last Turkey Day, 10 hours in the car with a crying baby. I remember a sore knee, but that's one day in 5 years of ownership.

    So, I'd like to wait for SoA to wake up and offer a 5 speed Premium packaged-XT.

    My wife wants the 7 seater (of course for *ME* to have to drive) and even offered getting a newer Miata as a consolation prize.

    I'm thinking, just maybe, that an auto (VTD+Sportshift) Forester would be a fair compromise. At least the auto is better in traffic.

    I dunno, we're all over the place. I'm sure I'll do nothing for 2 years, and agonize over the decision until then.

    Who knows? Maybe the new Legacy GT will knock our socks off, and being slightly bigger will appease her, while the turbo engine appeases both of us.

    -juice
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I grew up in Miss. when it was "dry" and made many a trip to the bootlegger in my daddy's Subaru. Ok, it was a '53 Buick. Even though illegal, the state managed to tax the booze, and the sheriffs all made a killing from the bootlegger payoffs.

    What a system, and people roll their eyes at Mexican bribery stories. Actually growing up in Miss. in the 50's was a lot like parts of Mexico - lots of two lane roads with dead critters along the sides, and if you didn't grow up there you had difficulty understanding the locals.

    Rotaries are popular here in Idaho, btw. Gives the SUV drivers a chance to do some off-roading as they cruise straight to town.

    Steve, Host
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    But I have to point out when someone is blatantly wrong....

    This is re: Post # 15329
    http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/dmvfaqs.htm#tickets

    If I get a ticket for a moving violation in another state, do I receive points on my NYS driver license?

    The NYSDMV does not record out-of-state violations committed by NYS drivers in other jurisdictions. The exceptions are alcohol-related violations, drug-related violations, and moving violations committed in Quebec or Ontario. Under special agreements, traffic convictions in Quebec or Ontario are recorded on NYS driver license records and carry points. Except for violations in Ontario and Quebec, points are not added to your NYS record for out-of-state violations.

    If you do not respond to a ticket or fail to pay a fine for a moving violation that you committed in any state except Alaska, California, Michigan, Montana, Oregon or Wisconsin, the DMV suspends your NYS driver license until you respond to the ticket or pay the fine. If a driver from a state except these six states fails to respond to a traffic ticket issued in NYS, their driver license will be suspended until the driver responds to the traffic ticket in NYS.

    Drivers from other states must contact the DMV in their home state to get information about the effect of a traffic violation conviction that occurs in NYS.

    If you receive a conviction for an alcohol-related or drug-related driving violation in any state, your NYS driver license is revoked for at least six months.

  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    Still alive, but in absentia & missing this a bunch.
    Dad fell down some stairs at my sister's house last week, thus a round trip flight to rescue him & get him home. Nothing broken, but perhaps some nerve damage. Long story short: The good news is he gets to move into the assisted living complex he's been eyeing for awhile anyway, but the bad news is we had to cancel a camping trip to get the move started. He took care of me for a lot of years - guess it's my time to return the favor.

    Think good thoughts, Crew. Hug your parents when you can!
    Cheers!
    Paul
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Paul,

    I'm glad to hear that your dad's okay. That must have been a scare for you.

    Yes, it's such events that remind you that one's parents are mortal too. My dad recently had to go to the emergency room for a heart beat that was too slow.

    Ken
  • leo2633leo2633 Member Posts: 589
    You wrote: "But I have to point out when someone is blatantly wrong...."

    If you re-read that post, you'll see I said that these violations are REPORTED to the home state. Whether or not the home state adds points is up to each state.

    I would also recommend you read the actual cited Vehicle and Traffic laws. You will notice that they cover the reporting of violations to the home state.

    Len
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Len-
    I think the reporting you speak of is a central databank owned by none of the States but shared by all. The PDs; FBI; CIA; and what-have-yous have access to records reported to this databank.
    Out-of-State Traffic infraction(s) other than DWI, DUI, etc... are NOT reported to the NYS DMV except when due are unpaid, the Collecting State will solicitate the aid of NYS DMV to recover such dues by way of license suspension. The only time NYS DMV will search into this centralized databank is during vehicle registration renewal and license application/renewal/update, and that's not to see if you ran a red light.

    In part, I believe you're correct. As for the DMV portion of the reporting, you might be off. :)

    -Dave
  • leo2633leo2633 Member Posts: 589
    I believe you're referring to the National Crime Information center (NCIC). I'm very familiar with this. Regarding the reporting of MV violations, I rely on what I am told by our municipal prosecutor, judge and court administrator, and by the written laws I referred to earlier.

    Len
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Ah... I see.
    We share the same type of source, but our juridiction might be differing. ;-)

    -Dave
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    This stuff is standard reciprocity among states and totally off-topic here in MTM, guys. :)

    -Colin
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