Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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Comments

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I had the idea of test driving a riding mower, but I haven't done it. Yet. ;-)

    -juice
  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    Anyone & everyone wanting a test drive of a 1989 John Deere STX 38 mower, just wait 'til my lawn needs it, then come on over! I'll even install the mulch kit so you don't have to interrupt the drive & empty the grass catcher.

    Juice: agreed, 3 kids + Outback = unhappy big kid on center hump (the 2 little ones are still in boosters outboard). Short distances are OK. Most of the time it's me & some/all of the kids, or just me and the better half. "Whole fam-damily" outings require the MV, and since the big kid already has size 10 1/2 shoes at age 11, I'm not sure how much longer the van will be big enough!

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Eric,

    Nice comparison on the XT and WRX. Your article interested me since I'm in a similar position cross shopping the two. Your list of pros and cons are dead on.

    When I test drove the 5-speed XT, it became readily apparent to me that the stock tires and suspension were marignal for the output of the engine. Even on a relatively tame test drive, it felt that the limits of the vehicle's handling could be reached quickly. The WRX on the other hand is probably better matched to it's output.

    One other contender in the not-too-distant future is the Legacy GT turbo. I'm hoping that this vehicle will offer both the low-end grunt of the XT and the handling of the WRX while offering even more space than the two.

    Ken
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    Anyone wanting to perform driving tests on lawn tractors is welcome to come on out and use my yard!

    rgds,
    -wdb
  • erics6erics6 Member Posts: 684
    I'm thinking about the 05 GT turbo too. Plenty of space, handling and with the 2.5, plenty of power. The 05 Outback will also be interesting if a turbo is offered.

    Haven't driven a riding mower since I was a kid. No lawn to mow in my town home :-) Got pretty tired of constantly mowing the yard in our last house.

    -Eric
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Against the advice of my dad, I planted grass over my entire yard. It's only about 1/2 acre, but that's still a lot of grass, and I have a tough time limping it through hot VA summers. Of course, I put in a mega sprinkler system (my proudest engineering achievment) and got the requisite John Deere tractor (takes me 3+ hours if I use a push mower). All of which made my dad laugh even more! Lawns can be a big money pit and I have sucker tatooed on my head!

    At least the John Deere looks good next to the WRX in my garage. Next house, I plan to have isolated "islands" of grass surrounded by someting else....

    Funny story: last week, my neighbor's kid apologized for accidentally moving over the border between our lots. Of course, I gave him a hard time for only mowing 0.5% of my yard!

    Craig
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    At our residence, we have a 91 Mitsubishi Montero, a 93 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera S, and my 01 Subaru Outback. In the summers and holidays, we have my 20-year-old daughter, the b/f's 14- and 13-year-old sons, and a dog. When we go somewhere in town over about 5 miles, we take 2 cars. If we are going 'out of town' we all go in my car ... lol ... so far about the longest we can stand it is about 2 hours at a time. The kids are all as big as adults, so they are VERY cramped in the back seat .... as it doesn't happen often, they 'manage' ...
    I could never SEE using this car with 3 kids, though ... sometimes the SUBURBAN wasn't big enough for my 3 even though they each had their own 'seat row' ... lol
  • jay_24jay_24 Member Posts: 536
    my three kids (6mo., 4, and 6) just fit in the OB a couple weeks ago on a trip to great grandma's house. 2 boosters and a infant seat just fit. There was zero gaps between doors and seats! A perfect fit! However The infant seat is now gone and a bigger car seat is in use. I doubt they fit any more...got to use the (not so)Grand Caravan now. In another year or so it won't be a matter of fitting :0 Little brother between two sisters should make for fun car rides. :)

    Holding out for bigger OB or that 7 seater....or a suburban...

    --jay
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    We squeeze in whenever the nanny comes along. She sits between a baby seat and a booster seat. We just started using a smaller booster, which takes up less space. That worked out OK.

    But yeah, the 7 seater will be something we will definitely look at.

    -juice
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    A WRX wagon is perfect with two kids.

    I'll be loading up the Thule Excursion and heading to SC in a couple of weeks (with only one kid though) with the Rex.
    I really love the Thule, especially since it fits on the OB and WRX wagon with just a quick adjustment.

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

    How is the WRX wagon with child seats, especially the rear-facing infant seats?

    Ken
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    we need you here in the Forester family!
    no going to the "dark side" please :-)
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    I too thought about a WRX wagon, but it lacks the moonroof feature I'd prefer. Of course, I know that I could always put an aftermarket one in. But, the stealthy-ness of the XT has become a major draw for me, especially with that OEM mongo moonroof. I still need to take an XT for a drive and see for myself, but it seems like the MT version is quite the silent rocket. So, I would also likely get an aftermarket ASC roof in the XT MT. So, I guess I'm a potential 'convert' as well...

    FWIW, the WRX sedan ('04 AT) I drove earlier this year did seem roomier inside than it appeared from the outside.

    -Brian
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ken: WRX wagon for the wife now, then an XT for you later, when the moonroof is available with the manual trans.

    The XT is drawing me in, there's just this gravity pulling me towards it like a black hole...

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Ha, ha, ha! You caught me being tempted by the dark side!

    No worries -- the power of the 2.5T is keeping my XT interest quite high.

    So does a Legacy GT wagon fall into the dark side too? ;-)

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    No, that's exempt. Some argue a WRX wagon is exempt; it's kind of borderline. Anakin in the 2nd Star Wars, maybe. Tending to dark, not quite there yet. ;-)

    -juice
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    from Subaru, as well as my summer issue of Drive. It's the full '04 Forester lineup brochure. The XT graces the front cover and the following 4 pages. The back where all the options are laid out include all variations (X, XS, XT, XT Prem). The 'direct control' tranny is only available with the XT, but I haven't seen any other information on it in the brochure.

    Page 2/3 is that gorgeous Java Black XT....must...resist...

    -Brian
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    OK, folks, I can't wait any longer...

    BIG announcement at the chat tonight. 9pm eastern. :-)

    -juice
  • jlemolejlemole Member Posts: 345
    Wow, Juice, you're gonna have everyone at tonight's chat, for sure. Except me, unfortunately :(. I'll check in afterwards for the post-announcement celebration, though. Save me a glass of bubbly!

    Jon
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    could an XT be on juice's menu for tonight? He's had a really bad case of XT envy...

    Bob
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    that Juice doesn't refer to "Sandy" any more? It's usually "my Forester". I smell a divorce in the works! Who's the "other woman" Juice??

    ;-)

    Ross
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    with the teasing! If it was an XT you surely would have spilled the beans in the forums. It has to be something else. *shrug*

    I've scoured the 'new' brochure for any insight into the 'direct control' debackle. No explanation other than it's 'smooth shifting'. *sigh*

    -Brian
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Brian: check out the photo "through" the moonroof on the brochure. What do you see in the upper right corner?

    juice: Hmmm. Wonder what it could be? ;-)

    Ross: LOL! He probably feels guilty of mentioning her name after his fling with the XT.

    Ken
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Both the 'teaser' brochure from the autoshow and this new '04 Forester brochure share the same picture you speak of - it's a picture of the mongo moonroof with a woman at the wheel. However, when you look closely, there appears to be a stick shift and not the gated AT shifter. Promising? Don't know, but as usual, they have disclaimers on the brochures.

    There is another picture of the mongo moonroof in the XS section - and it clearly shows the gated AT shifter.

    -Brian
  • ohmy2ohmy2 Member Posts: 16
    I'm so curious???
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    maybe Patti's coming back.

    If that's not it, any feedback on the letters that were sent?

    DaveM
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    clicked on link to chat, waited a few minutes, "page not found" message... argggh!
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    "Page cannot be displayed"
    "Page cannot be displayed"
    "Page cannot be displayed"
    ...
    what's the Big Announcement? tell me! tell me!
    --Kate, desperately trying to log on
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    I tried about 8:45 Indiana time (same as CDT) to get into the chat a number of times ... every time it was the same thing ... showed me in chat 6 all alone ... I tried going out and coming in different directions, but nothing seemed to help ... finally have the computer back on track and REMEMBERED and it's still not letting me in ... <sigh>
  • jlemolejlemole Member Posts: 345
    Man, I raced home to get to the chat, and here I am with 10 minutes left to go, and I'm stuck in room 6 all alone! What's the news, Juice????

    Jon
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Papa Bear was onto me, and Dave called it.

    That's right, Patti is back, she's chatting with us right now! :-)

    The letters worked, what can I say? It got real attention and Patti really appreciates it.

    She's going to ease back in, so let's not ask for too much at first. She's also on vacation next week, so most likely she'll re-join the week after. But we had to have a suspenseful welcome back!

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Computer crashing caused me to miss the last 15 minutes of the CHAT!

    Bob
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    The multiple chat room bug struck again, and then Bob got kicked off entirely for 10 minutes. Too many bugs tonight. Apologies!

    Steve, Host
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    What a great chat. Lots to talk about, but best of all Patti was back!

    Too bad juice didn't get an XT. Better luck next time, buddy! :-)

    Ken
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I was even in there! Bummer we missed Kate, Jon, Brenda and others. :(

    -Colin
  • jlemolejlemole Member Posts: 345
    Great work Juice! I'm sure everyone here appreciates the effort you put into getting Patti back. I wasn't here long enough to know about Patti, but it sounds like she was -- and will continue to be -- a great a resource for the Crew.

    Jon
  • ohmy2ohmy2 Member Posts: 16
    I could tell there were issues. But, thanks to your efforts I'm back.. I'm working out the details, but I want to make sure to thank your support. It really made a difference.

    I wish you were there - but next time---if I can only keep up with Brenda!

    Patti
  • ohmy2ohmy2 Member Posts: 16
    I know that all of the "letter" writers could not make it onto the chat, but I want you to know that your letters were truly touching. They made a point with SOA and with me (and my family). I really appreciate the feedback and the rest of us a Subaru recognize what a valuable resource all of you are.

    I feel like I'm home again. Thank's and I'll be on as much as I can while we work out the "bugs". I also have to work on not using" " so much and !!!! I guess it's an internet thing?

    Patti
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    I got kicked out of the chat...it locked up and then wouldn't let me back into any edmunds.com sites. I had other IE windows open to weather.gov and MPVCLub which all continued to work fine. Even closed all the browsers and flushed cache. Still couldn't get to Edmunds.com. Finally did with 2 minutes remaining in the chat.

    Must have been a DNS problem with my provider, Time Warner Road Runner. *shrug* Even MPVClub and MSN Messenger were working still. Oh well.

    Glad to have Patti back, btw! Yay!!!

    -Brian
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    I missed that chat...
    amongst other things :(

    Welcome home Patti :)

    -Dave
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    DaveM - it is the first time I've had trouble with the chat. For all I know, it could have been the neighbor d/l music or something. I even was able to logon to my work email during my edmunds 'downtime'.

    I'm extremely happy with the service I've gotten so far with my cable modem. Unless this happens regularly....LOL

    -Brian
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    Yeah, it seems like the problems are w/ Edmunds, not individual ISPs.

    DaveM
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Well, I'm glad to know it wasn't just me who was having problems. I did run Disk Doctor, however, and rebuilt the desktop, so the G-4 is running better. :)

    Bob
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Go to OS X! My laptop has been up and running trouble free for over 70 days. No restarts or shutdowns, just sleep.

    Uptime command in the terminal gives: 11:31PM up 74 days, 58 mins, 12 users, load averages: 0.96, 0.37, 0.30

    It would be longer except for a hard drive swap in early April.

    I have nearly forgotten all those old OS 9 tricks, and I'm glad to say I have not needed any similar tricks in OS X.

    Craig
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    not until they get more software native to OS X, like Quark! There are other issues too, printer compatibility, etc.

    Bottom line: I will get it, but just not now.

    Bob
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    http://www.quark.com/products/xpress/mac_osx.html

    I don't use the software, however, so I can't vouch for it.

    Craig
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    Nice to see what 'happened' in the chat, but I am still sorry I couldn't get in ... knew it was Edmunds as I wasn't having problems with any other sites/servers ...
    Looking forward to getting to know you, Patti ...
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    but Quark has a history of putting out buggy software, first go around. I could run my Quark 5 on OS X, but it will be slow, as it's not native.

    I'm more concerned with the other unknowns in terms of hardware/software/compatibility, my color and B&W printers being two. I also do work for a PR firm, and they would need to upgrade too. For me, it's a rather expensive upgrade, as it will involve upgrading other stuff as well. I will no longer be able to use ATM, for example.

    Bob
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    Juice,

    What do I win for guessing the surprise? How about lunch with Patti? I'll even drive the 40 miles or so to meet her. I'll let Ed come too since he's close by. :-)

    DaveM

    P.S. Picked up the '04 Forester and WRX Sti brochures at the dealer this morning. Now I have something to read at work. :-)
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Ken - The kids are my steps, and they were grown out of seats when we met. I've read about seats in the WRX wagon forum (I think) and definitely on nasioc (try a search there).

    WELCOME BACK, PATTI !!!

    -Dennis
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