Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

1…305306308310311…692

Comments

  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    After a whole week of total lack of interest, I suddenly got unindated with people wanting to buy our Accord. So, it's gone to the first person offering the full asking price (KBB Private Party). Not too bad for today's soft used car market...
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    hopefully, tomorrow!
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    ..and congrats on the WRX.

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Who said it's a dog?! I found it absolutely wonderful -- and I'm quite picky when it comes to low-end off-the-line torque. That particular XT (White, at Carlsen Subaru) just totally blew me away. It was soooo quick, it was scary. It had no lag whatsoever. We drove it back-to-back with WRX AT, and WRX was a bit slower off the line, though picked up power after 3K rpm. In terms of handling, rex still beats 'em all, but accelerating in XT -- wow!

    So, where do I sign for those "XT Envy" therapy sessions?
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    congratulations, and, congratulations. Make sure you teach your hubby the OCD ways of Subarville.

    Greg
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    If I were not so busy trying to organize my life - moving to new digs, etc, I would be happy to put on an "XT Envy" session. Actually, I am suffering "any Subie envy", so I think I am uniquely qualified to provide such a service. Perhaps in the fall.
    :-)

    Ross
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Kate,

    Congrats on selling the Accord. So, were all the inquiries from Craigslist? I'm thinking ahead to when I need to sell.

    So it looks like your hubby is going for the WRX. Great!

    Did you try the manual XT Carlsen has on their lot? The auto isn't a dog but you haven't experienced the engine in the XT until you've tried the manual. It's really that different.

    Ken
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Craigslist did not get me any good leads. And the "low tech" way -- the ad in SJ Merc News -- did not get me any leads at first... then by Fri I suddenly had to line up the prospective buyers.

    A very nice middle-aged lady ended up buying our Accord. It turned out, she was already negotiating with a dealer (on the older model, in the worse condition, with more miles on it) for FIVE (gusp) thousand more. No wonder she kept on telling us we are the angels, and our ad was a blessing :-)

    We got the deposit on Fri, and went Subaru-shopping (my favorite past-time in case you did not know :-).
  • oregonboyoregonboy Member Posts: 1,650
    Once when shopping for a used Accord, I concluded that the price of used Accords is one of the best arguments for buying a new Accord.

    Juice - re: kids on bike seats... I don't know where I bought it or what it was called, but the best kid's bike seat I've ever seen was a cheapie plastic seat that mounted to the top-tube of my bike. It had foot posts that mounted on the front down-tube part of the frame-triangle.

    The kid sits in front of you, between your arms. He/she can hang on to the handlebars and see the road ahead (instead of the back of your shirt). You can converse with each other because his/her head is just beneath your chin. The child gets a real sense of the joy of riding (minus the pedaling) and can even "lean into the turns".

    Ah yes, brings back fond memories.

    -james
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Wow! What are the odds, Kate, Mike S. and Ross all posting not only on the same day but 10 minutes a part! I should go out and buy a lottery ticket :-)

    All kidding aside, so Kate, what did you finally decide on, the WRX or the XT? The crew members are dying to find out.

    -Frank P.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
  • ohmy2ohmy2 Member Posts: 16
    Brian - I was surprised by the information you were provided about Direct Control. I checked into it a bit further since the "marketing" thing is not very "Subaru-like". Here's what I found out:Direct control refers to a new valve body design available in 04 on Turbo Baja and Turbo Forester only. The new design eliminates accumulators and has 9 solenoids supply direct pressure. In fact, the new valve body even has its own control unit mounted on it and eliminates the need for the transfer valve body in the rear extension housing. This will be more widely available in 05 MY.

    I'll clarify this for the Rep. that provided you with the information. Sorry I'm not posting much. I'll be more active soon!

    Patti
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    I can send you the actual email I received if you like. Just let me know.

    I think everyone was a bit surprised with that answer. Have we told you how glad we are to have you back? ;-)

    Better yet, how about telling development to put the sport-shift 5sp AT in the XT! 8-)

    -Brian
  • ohmy2ohmy2 Member Posts: 16
    I'm pretty sure I know (by the initials) who the responding Rep. was. It looks like he got bad information.

    It's nice to be back!! I'll share the Sport Shift request!

    Have a good one.

    Patti
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    I did *mask* his name by only putting in his initials when I quoted him. After all, I was posting it, not him. ;-)

    -Brian
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Patti: Thank you for that information. As you know I've been clamoring for the Sportshift in Subarus other than the Legacy GT (specifically the Forester and WRX) for some time. It would be nice if the VTD system available in automatic WRXes was available in Foresters (at least the XT) as well. Those features would make the XT as close to perfect as I could hope. I can understand, however, that providing those features in both the WRX and the Forester might not differentiate them enough for marketing purposes. I'd argue otherwise; as you can read from recent posts, ride height, ground clearance, handling, shape and volume of the cargo bay, number and size of storage compartments, and even styling are the major factors that send people to one or the other car.

    I haven't test driven an XT for the same reason I waited over a year to test drive a WRX - I'm afraid I'd like it too much. Given that there truly is a difference in the Direct Control 4EAT, I may have to give that a try sooner than later.

    Thanks,
    Ed
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    In Patti's first post (since being in the dungeon), she's clarified an issue that's been bugging Crew members for months!

    Good to have you back Patti. :)

    Questions: Are you now back full-time or part-time? I see you're not using the "Subaru Team" screen name. Is that by design?

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Sounds fun, James. I wonder if I could get *both* kids to ride with me? Nah, a little too heavy up those hills!

    Our 4 year old is learning to ride her own bike, so I'll probably just get a 2nd helmet for the little one. He turns 1 on Friday, time flies!

    Sweet, Kate. Looks like both buyer and seller made out nicely on that sale. Why not get the XT instead of the WRX? Don't go to the dark side! :-)

    Nice to see Patti back to her old self again, offering a correction almost immediately. There's the value added SoA needs.

    I'd still love to drive a broken-in XT auto, hint-hint, for anyone in the DC area lucky enough to own one.

    -juice
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    You've been sorely missed.

    Now crew, pardon my ignorance but the following statement left me scratching my head:

    "the new valve body even has its own control unit mounted on it and eliminates the need for the transfer valve body in the rear extension housing."

    I didn't even know that there was such a thing as transfer valve body in an automatic transmission, much less what it does. I think I'll just stick to uncomplicated manual transmissions :-)

    -Frank P.
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Well, if it was MY car, I'd choose XT in no time. I love Foresters for their combination of utility and sportiness, and XT enhances the sportiness aspect. I don't even understand why people are buying all those different cars out there, when they can buy oh-so-cute Forester?

    But hubby was set on WRX. He liked acceleration of XT, but he enjoys cornering and sharp handling, so WRX was his choice. He even refused to give a chance to 2.5 TS or OBS, saying he just loves the look of the hood scoop.

    And you know what? After 20 years of driving boring family wagons (and putting up with me and the kids :-), I think he deserves to choose any car he wants, no matter how impractical. Well, he did choose the Wagon body style even for WRX.

    Hopefully, today... cannot wait! Though break-in period is very restrictive on WRX, from what I know.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    A WRX wagon will be fine. You already have a Forester, so his car can be slightly less practical and slightly more fun.

    A lot of us think a WRX and an XT would be the ideal fleet.

    -juice
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Welcome back! But I miss your previous moniker "Subaru Team". It sounded so official!

    If you have a chance, could you look at some posts on "Subaru Crew - General Maintenance & Repair II" during the past week. Specifically 7513/7519/7537/7557/7561/7566/7567/7572??? I have had a bad week, and wonder what your thoughts are about this type of stuff.

    Thanks,

    Steve
  • ohmy2ohmy2 Member Posts: 16
    for some reason, I can't get in with that so I created this when I was in stealth mode. See - I was missing you all and had to find a way to get in!

    FWIW - I'm now back for 1 hour per week. I'm working on improving on that. For now, I'll be on the chat, but I'll try to do what I can during my free time at home (whatever that is!!!).

    Steve - I'll check your post and advise.

    Patti
  • ohmy2ohmy2 Member Posts: 16
    Do you think you could help me "re-set" the Subaru Team log on information?

    Thanks in advance!

    Patti
  • ohmy2ohmy2 Member Posts: 16
    I posted a suggestion on that board. I'm sorry about the problems you had, but I'm sure we can help.

    Patti
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Patti,

    Welcome back and thanks for answer that Direct Control question that's been bugging us all!

    Take it easy -- don't over do it catching up with messages!

    Ken
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    Patti,

    Take care of your first family before spending too much time with your second family.

    DaveM
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Thanks Patti!!

    Steve
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, don't try to read all the posts you've missed, just click the "Catch Up" button in the Message Center once our hosts get you your new password.

    -juice
  • ohmy2ohmy2 Member Posts: 16
    I don't think I'd ever catch up!

    Patti
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    "don't try to read all the posts you've missed, just click the "Catch Up" button in the Message Center"

    Juice- But think of all the interesting news she'll miss! We've had births, deaths, accidents, you name it, the list goes on and on. I know Patti would want to catch up with all that's happened.
     
    Patti- Perhaps you could just skim through the Meet the Member and Subaru Crew topics? I agree that you could skip the rest. If someone still has a question that hasn't been answered or over come by events, they can always repost it.

    -Frank P.
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    <drum roll...>
    Ta-da! New Platinum Silver WRX wagon 2004 is now officially ours! Hubby drove it all the way from Santa Cruz trying to be very careful not to rev it over 3000 rpm... he says it's a bit torturing, to have a performance car you cannot (yet) push to the limits, but otherwise he seems to be quite happy.

    Now, once break-in period is over -- how much should we budget for speeding tickets? :-)

    Actually, CHP is really "hungry" now: they lost 20-30% of the budget, and seem to be on the hunting path for even smallish infractions... I see more CHP cruisers on the roads then ever before :-(
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Kate, I thought the owner's manual stated no more than 4k RPM for the break-in? 3k RPM would be just plain torture!

    -Brian
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Congratulations Kate.
    So, how many more miles till break-in is done? ;-)

    revs <3000rpm. I can see how it is torturing.

    How much to budget? Well, how many points before license suspension? :D

    -Dave
  • ohmy2ohmy2 Member Posts: 16
    I remember when I had my WRX as a test vehicle. It was like torture! I've asked to drive an STi for a few days (so I can report on it of course), but I've asked for one with a few thousand miles on it already so I can get a "true" feel for it!

    I'm aching for a manual transmission anyway. While I've taught my automatic Baja to behave the way I prefer, it just isn't the same.

    Once again - CONGRATULATIONS!
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    Ah, the perks of the job..

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Frank: I kept her informed of major happenings. Ken's and Papa Bear's kids, for instance.

    Kate: tell him congrats! :-)

    -juice
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Kate- That's a 5-speed WRX wagon right?

    -Frank P.
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Congrats! When the GM at the dealership I am having a problem with asked me what he could do to fix the relationship, I thought about asking for a long term (few months???) loaner car. Perhaps an STi, or similar machine.....

    Steve
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I think Kate's husband got a WRX automatic.

    Bob
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Kate,

    Congratulations to you and your husband. How was your buying experience at Santa Cruz? I would definetly buy my next Subaru(s) there.

    Now that you have a Forester and WRX wagon in your fleet, you can give us in-depth back-to-back comparisons. :-)

    Ken
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    was quite pleasant one... For comparison, we shopped at Carlsen first (largest selection). Carlsen was dead-set (aka no-haggle) for 2.5% over total invoice price (base+options).

    Santa Cruz gave us flat fee of $400 over base price, all options at invoice. PLUS: they have "Customer for Life" program where you get 10% discount on all regular services, free oil-changes and a free loaner.

    There was absolutely no pressure, no attempts to push "coating" or any other dealer-imposed add-ons. Straight and simple.

    New WRX (they brought it from Carlsen Subaru) had a few minor yet visible scratches on the front of the hood. Our salesperson made a note of it and told us that they'll take care of it at next service, even if they have to repaint the hood (hopefully not!).

    Anyway, all I dream about now is how to steal hubby's ride after the break-in is over :-)
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    I noticed that Forester XT (all Foresters 2004 I think) do not have a cassette unit in stereo. Just 1(or 6) CD and AM/FM radio...

    I'm not a senior citizen (yet :-) but I do have a lot of stuff on cassettes, from good old low-tech times...

    anyone encountered this problem? Any easy solution to it?
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    no idea .. I'm still trying to figure out where to put the LP's ...
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Kate,

    The easiest solution would be to get a Walkman or similar portable cassette player and hook it up to a FM radio transmitter. You then can tune into the cassette player via the FM tuner.

    Ken
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    no idea .. I'm still trying to figure out where to put the 78s & 45s ...

    Bob
  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day

    Just got an invite to the launch of the Forester XT down-under on 30 July.

    It's powered by the 2.5l Turbo with 155kw and 320Nm torque. can anyone translate how that compares to US spec models. I think it translates to somewhere about 208bhp.

    Looking forward to it

    Cheers

    Graham
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    I started to put all three in MY post. I suspect I'm not the only one in here who still occasionally listens to those on the turntable. I even special ordered a stylus for my old player not too long ago ...
    (Does have a Victrola from 1918 for the 78's ... lol)
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    You beat me to it. I was going to remind you that you must change the steel needle with every record you play. Worn needles damage recordings!

    Owner & restorer of antique windups:
     
    Disk models: Victrola #4 tabletop, a Victorla #9a tabletop w/record stand, Victrola #11 floor model, Victor #1 w/brass & black horn,
    Edison 2 minute cylinder: Standard square top, Standard model A

    Some day - A Regina 15" music box???

    Steve
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    ROTFLMAO Brenda. I'm picturing a funny chat theme: 8 track or LP, which will make a comeback first?

    Kate: FWIW, since I got the 6CD I've mostly phased out cassettes, even though I have both in all 3 cars. Especially if you have a CD-R, do you?

    Or find a friend that can transfer the old stuff to CD, they're about 50 cents per blank CD. You'll never rewind again.

    -juice
Sign In or Register to comment.

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.