Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

rsholland

Enjoy!

Bob

armac13

Hope you put a lot of snow filled miles on the GT and enjoy everyone of them.

Ross

paisan

And welcome to the family!

-mike

barresa62

Pat: I bet you're smiling like the cat who ate the perverbial canary at this point! :-) I know that I've certainly enjoyed the smoothness of my 00'OB Ltd.

I'm still waiting for my WRX wagon. I got a call from my salesguy letting me know that my car did not come in on the first batch of the first allocation. Apparently the cars from the first allocation are trickling in everyday. I did stop by the dealer yesterday to check out a new OB sport and TS wagon so that I could see the dash and the overall exterior shape first-hand. It's true that the new Impreza looks much better in person than the photos do justice.

I can't wait to get the smile I'm sure you have at this very moment!

Here's to many enjoyable, carefree miles...clink, clink.

Stephen

francophile

Another GT owner! We are a rare breed, and you wagon owners rarer still. Time to change your Edmund's moniker I guess ;-)

You are going to love the car. It should give you the same sense of mechanical build quality that your Honda gave you, and the roadholding and overall road manners should feel better than the Honda--on dry roads--and quite a lot better on any other surface. Plus you'll never get stuck in the snow!

Cheers,
-wdb

lucien2

Way to go, mate! Have fun!

gvmelbrty

Ok, I guess I'll chime in on the Forester improvement discussion, especially since I already have a list I've been adding to over the past few months.

Some ideas come from test driving Foresters and other SUVs; from suggestions listed on various Subaru boards (including this one); from three co-workers who own Foresters; and some just dreamed up.

I don't know if I have the energy to defend every item, but here it is anyway .

-Tom

Make as many items available as *options* as possible so that customers can still purchase low-priced models. Relatively LOW PRICE (and good gas mileage!) is a major selling point for the Forester.

(In order of importance)

-(Optional) 2.5 H4 TURBO and at least 220hp (w/ hood scoop for intercooler... I used to have a '68 Shelby, and I love functional scoops
-Increased rear passenger leg room... +2-3 inches (use OutBack multilink rear suspension and/or increase wheelbase to gain space)
-More comfortable front seats (difficult to get specific about this one)
-Softer rear seats (current seats are rock hard!)
-Better placement of front cup holders (current ones block vents when deployed)
-(Optional) Moonroof optional on all higher-end models
-(Optional) Leather seats optional on all higher-end models
-(Optional) Side curtain air bags optional on all models
-Sun visor upgrades: Lighted vanity mirrors (most girls love these and gotta have ‘em ; Sun visor sliding extensions (added driving safety); Secondary, mini flip-down sun visors (added driving safety)
-Improve insulation (or whatever is necessary) to further decrease interior road noise
-(Optional) Low-range transmissions (The Aussies have 'em, why can't we? - Plus this would set apart the Forester as a TRUE SUV, appealing more to the male demographic.)
-(Optional) Towing Package that includes slightly higher suspension and other additions/changes necessary to increase the towing capacity to Class II (trans cooler, beefier springs, brakes, skid plates, etc.)
-(Optional) VDC

**The rest of these are just icing on the cake - some items possibly reserved only for the mythic Grand Forester**

(in order of importance)

-Articulating headrests on front seats (meaning they tilt as well as move up and down - comfortable!)
-Defroster wires on right-rear quarter window
-(Optional) Trip computer w/ miles 'til empty
-(Optional) HID headlights
-Improved foglights - make them brighter
-(Optional) WeatherMax Package: [in a location viewable by all passengers] electronic compass, outside/inside temp, outside humidity, altimeter. Also, NOAA weather radio in-dash receiver w/ standby alert mode integrated into stereo system... if set to standby alert mode, advisory will generate an alert tone and flashing light; Hella Raintronic auto windshield wiper system (www.hella.com); Heated seats for rear passengers; VDC (not required and separately optional). ** I believe the "WeatherMax Package" would help solidify the Forester, and Subaru in general, as THE all-weather vehicles in the minds of the American public. Think of all the fun marketing Subaru could do.
-(Optional) Deep tinting for all rear windows (investigate using reflective tinting similar to the Lexus RX300)
-Add voltmeter gauge and oil pressure gauge as standard equipment. Place in the instrument panel cluster; just make them smaller than the fuel and temp gauges so that they fit into the layout.
-(Optional) CD-R, CD-RW, MP3-compatible, in-dash, 6-disk CD changer (this option would be a big attention getter; potentially over 700 custom-recorded songs!) [This is less expensive than you think. Single-CD units w/ these capabilities are now just over $200.]
-Hill-holder clutch on vehicles w/ manual trans (never used this before, but sounds kinda handy. How does it work?)
-(Optional) Air conditioning/heater vents w/ fan speed and temp. controls at rear of center console for back passengers
-(Optional) Steering wheel mounted radio controls (added driving safety plus convenience)
-Continuously variable intermittent front wipers and faster hi-speed (current one is not *continuously* variable)
-Variable intermittent rear wiper (current one is not variable)
-Move optional gauges to pods mounted low on A-pillar, leaving the handy storage bin on top of the dash available. Optional gauges are: oil temp; boost pressure (w/ Turbo Foresters); transmission temp (w/ automatic or manual trans)
-Lighted glove box (this one is a no-brainer)
-Add adjustable lighting for ALL controls, stalks, switches and ignition key surround (and any other control not lit now). So that you only need to change a couple of easy-access bulbs when they burn out, connect lighted controls to fiber optic wires that carry light from a central light source. You could even make such things as door handles have a slight glow using fiber optic lighting.
-(Optional) Electrochromic (auto-dimming) rear-view mirror and exterior side mirrors
-Move retractable cargo cover so that it retracts into a side panel. This way it won't be in the way when you fold down the seats like the current one is.
-Move cruise control ON switch to end tip of cruise control stalk
-Move foglight ON switch to end tip of headlight control stalk
-(Optional) Muth LED signal mirrors (www.kwmuth.com) (added driving safety)
-Maybe think about changing the instrument panel lighting to that COOL blue color that VW uses?
-12v plug at rear of center console for back passenger use
-Add even more secret hidden compartments and pockets! (is that possible?
-Fixed-beam map lights for rear passengers (doubles as baby-monitoring lights)
-Interior fuel door release
-Under-hood light
-Allow rear passenger door windows to go all the way down (make this a user selectable setting: all-way down or child/dog safety setting)
-(Optional) GPS NAV system

paisan

Well, I personally feel the opposite of most of you about options. I feel the less options available the better. I rather not be nickle and dimed on options and heave a bit more cash over in the first place for a complete package, not to mention every option as minor as it is, drives the car's cost up because they can't just mass produce them. That was one of the things I always liked about subarus and isuzus for that matter, almost everything was std. equipment (A/C, power windows, door locks, etc. etc.) when at the time most other companies were whacking you for each individually.

-mike

armac13

on the options question I have to totally agree with you. Keep the options list small. Honda, GM, etc can have mile long options lists. With the economy of scale they can afford to and the cost to the customer is minimal. In Subaru's case, the cost factor would be substantial even for those of us who choose a "plain" car. My S came with almost everything that I wanted as standard. Of course the Canadian package is more complete than the American (e.g. I was amazed to find out that the cargo cover isn't standard in the States nor is the "armrest extension".) The front seats could use some improvement although my back does like them on long drives. I'll get to my list of minor improvements later.

Ross

paisan

Yep, I'd say that 90% of the "ordered" vehicles were built long before the people actually ordered them. The manufacturers have a rough idea of how many X color will sell, etc. etc. And with a short list of options for each trim level L, S, GT, etc. they can just crank em out and have em sitting around waiting to be "ordered". I think if they were truely being "ordered" somone would have come up with an idea of personally engraved items in the car, or a note from the last person on the line "dear mr. and mrs. so-en-so, I just finished the last bolt in your car, hope you enjoy it, signed Joe Isuzu" That would be a cool marketing tool though.

-mike

pattim3

I'll add these to our "list". While I can't promise we will see all of the changes, I KNOW your post are being read and considered. At least we have a shot??

I appreciate all of your enthusiasm. It's a big help.

Thanks to one and all!

Patti

pattim3

I got your answer. The XT6 has an "open" differential. Hope this helps!

Patti

pattim3

Thanks for the thread. I do understand their concern. The problem I'm having is that our Reps. aren't the ones who print the brochure.

Some colors photograph very differently. We tried to explain that it will probably be a bit darker than the yellow sample in the back of the brochure, but not as dark as the photo in the center because of the lighting effects. We suggested that folks check it out in person when the dealers get it, but most stated that the dealers were looking for deposits before they could order more to have available. Since there are only going to be about 400 brought in (and I think it was a late decision to do the yellow), I guess the dealers are jockeying for more of the allotment.

One caller even stated that he didn't have the money for a new car, then got very profane. I know that the i-clubbers are younger, but being brutal to folks on the phone doesn't help. Plus, if people refuse to give their names, we cannot even create a file to let the folks "upstairs" know about the issues.

Thanks for your help. I'm trying not to worry about it, but we do want to do things right.

See ya!

Patti

paisan

now I can go into STS! which is an "easier" class than Gstock! Cool beans.

-mike

tincup47

The Grand Forester would cost more than a Range Rover with all those items.

lucien2

Sorry to hear that. Please pass it along that not all Soob enthusiasts are that way. Also let them know some of these kids are just that, 17, 18 years old. I know it has been said already, but if you spend a lot of time looking at i-Club, you'll see a fair degree of ridiculous behavior taking place. I posted as such a few times, but just got flamed, so I pretty much keep to the Legacy and the Mid Atlantic Forums now, both of which operate a lot like this place I imagine Juice would say the same thing about the Forester Forum as well.

The scary thing is these guys think the Civic Si site is barbarian. Yikes, can you imagine what THAT place is like?

jres

Sorry I'mjuming in late on this one and I hope I'm not opening up something that's been beaten to death but, What is the disadvantage of a timing chain ?

John

locke2c

Rotating mass. The EJ series timing belt is perfectly functional as long as it is inspected according to schedule, and it's light.

It's also very long, probably at least 6 feet in total length. Can you imagine how much more a chain would weigh?

I think Bob is making a mountain out of a molehill. I can remove and inspect the timing belt in 20 minutes, and I'm not a paid Subaru mechanic.

-Colin

ateixeira

i Club's Forester forum is pretty quiet. One moderator's wife owns one, he's slamming it (lowered, blacked out, clear lense lights, etc.)

Pam from iSR is slapping on a turbo on her Forester, but she doesn't post often. You can hear an echo in there if you yell! At least there is no infantile behavior.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: if Subaru uses GM engines I will immediatly resign as Subaru Crew Chief. Let's keep Subaru as Subaru as possible. GM ash tray? OK. GM engine? No way.

Though I doubt it will happen. They could not meet CAFE standards if they did. Also, it's a truck engine.

The H6 offers plenty of power. Slap a tubo on that and you couldn't justify needing any more. An H8 isn't going to fit under any hood and allow for the balance Subaru brags about so much.

Pat: congrats, glad you're enjoying it. Pretty soon you'll catch the fever and have your name legally changed to "Dave", get a dog, start teaching at a University, and suddenly learn how to program your VCR.

Bob hinted at something for the Forester, then Paisan expanded on it. Why not have 3 basic packages?

Value model (L): pretty much like the current one.

Luxury model (Premium): basically an S Premium with leather, plus a turbo or H6.

Utility model (Sport): add a towing package and a low range, plus the big engine, to the L.

What do you guys think?

-juice

subearu

The 3 basic packages sound simple enough to implement. Patti - my official vote is for something like this for the Forester.

-Brian

bat1161

Pat: Congrats on the GT!

Juice: Re New Forester: Sounds like a good way to differentiate the models for the different customers. This would also enable Subaru to cater specific options to the specific models.

Mark

natescape

The cupholders (front AND rear) need improvement. I'm constantly afraid the cups will fall out, I can't fit most of my drinks in (large iced coffees are the drink of choice), and they block the vents.

paisan

One of the items totally absent in my '88 XT6. There isn't one single cup holder, although I usually jam it between the pass seat and the console and that works fine. I love how all these improvements that are being suggest for interior are almost all on my XT6. (our head rest also move up/down, and forward/backward)

-mike

c_hunter

Hey gang,

Hope everybody is doing well. Where can I find real info about the WRX wagon, and some pictures? The Subaru website doesn't have anything, and the www.imprezawrx.com website is basically a fluff site with lots of flash effects but no real content. It was nice to find out that mirrors are standard, but how about some "real" specs?

thanks,
Craig

originalbitman

There is a great German cupholder available. I put one in mt GT Wagon as the Soob holders are not great. The dash mounted holder is too small and the console on is in the way of the manual shifter. This one mounts anywhere and folds up.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_2500&L2=L2_2530&SKU=77830

bit

ateixeira

Craig: at this point, they are in dealers, so the best place is at your local dealership!

Seriously, a test drive and an up-close and in-person look at a WRX wagon will be far more useful than any web site.

You can even create your own "real" specs, as in SOTP. *

-juice

* seat of the pants

barresa62

Craig: Check out www.new-impreza.com. Go into the US/CA tab then the Detroit 2001 tab. Also check out the Archive sections, Area 51. As Juice said, the best place to go would be the dealers, especially since the WRX (sedan and wagon)look much better in person.

Stephen

Karen_S

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Owner's Clubs

lucien2

"Certificate Uses Unknown Algorithm" error. Can't register, at least not with IE 4.5

bluesubie

Pat - Congrats on the GT!

juice - Won't the GM/Subaru vehicle in a few years have the H6 at Subaru dealers and V6 at GM dealers? Or are you ok with that since the GM will be badged as a GM.
I emailed Patti an amusing link on the i-club. I never get angry at anyone there except this guy with his misinformation on the viscous coupling. Here's the link http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/Forum27/HTML/000641.html

WRX Pics - Check out the above mentioned i-club. There's a WRX Forum there http://www.i-club.com Try a search there for pictures.
One of the members has great exterior pictures of his Black WRX wagon here: http://www.choberi.com/impreza/wrxphotos/

Dennis

c_hunter

Thanks for the info, guys, it's very helpful. My local dealers are so lame, they don't have a clue about the new Impreza line. Maybe that's good ... I feel this odd force field haze coming over me, and the voice in my head keeps saying "trade in the OB, buy a WRX". Seriously, the WRX wagon looks like the perfect all-around replacement for my often missed Prelude and my practical OB wagon. Now, if I can only convince the wife ...

Craig

ateixeira

I don't mind GM using a Subaru platform. They already do that anyway (Prizm, Metro, etc). I just don't want to see a Subaru Blazer.

Craig: get her to a dealer for a test drive. If she won't go, do yourself and then drive one home for her to see. It'll be a nice surprise!

-juice

barresa62

Craig: I know what you mean. There are at least 2 of us that are trading their 2000 OB's in on WRX wagons. My trade-in is a excellent condition 2000 OB Ltd w/auto and just about every option. I bought new Feb 2000 and have about 11820 miles on it. Just waiting for the WRX. Should be any day now....please......!

Stephen

c_hunter

Juice: The only kind of surprise I could really pull off is the "total" surprise, like "honey, this is my new car, and it's too late to do anything about it, so just be happy for me and let's go for a ride". Anything less than that and she'd veto the plan for sure. Then I would have to get really creative. I figured out I can buy a lot of cool stuff if I just keep quiet . . .

Stephen: well, I should of known this would be the perfect "support" group. You guys will get me in trouble for sure.

Anybody know about towing and the WRX wagon? I remember several other manufacturers not recommending towing on their turbo cars.

What about cargo space? Anybody have a hands on feel how much room is back there? Obviously less than the cavernous OB wagon, but is it still useful?

I'm going to be moving in June, and figure I should keep the OB until then, at which point switching over to the WRX will make more sense. Unless I can get my wife to trade in her 626, give her the OB, and slide over to the WRX now. That would be the best of both worlds. Hmm, the wheels are turning . . .

Craig

aussieroo

do it now. Our dollar has slumped to the low 49 cents to the US$.

cheers

Gus

locke2c

Are you volunteering to ship stuff for a small cut, Gus? ;-)

-Colin
(only half joking as I calculate the money I'd save on a Haltech ECU)

paisan

Not sure if this is good, bad or ugly pricing, but here is the no-haggle pricing my dealer is offering for WRXs...

5 speed
Sedan
spoiler
speakers
compass/temp mirror
air filtration
amp/sub
every other factory option except: Rubber Floor mats, upgraded security system, and carbon fiber dash

Total with shipping: $24,375 just at Tax and Tags.

SI Subaru/Isuzu ask for Mark or Ira 718-979-9595

-mike

francophile

Dunno what the official word is. The new-impreza.com website lists tow hitches under their accessories list, but the WRX is specifically excluded.

Cheers,
-wdb

paisan

also has "no towing should be done with this vehicle" in the owner's manual.

-mike

subaru_team

Yup - it is not recommended for the WRX. There is a concern about the ground effects from what I have heard.

Patti

subaru_team

but, from what I understand, GM is more interested in our engines and drive-train. We're very interested in GM's studies related to new clean air standards that are right around the corner. So, I don't think we have to worry about losing any of the good stuff!

Patti

subearu

Just got back from the dealer - only for an oil change and tire rotation. Only one WRX on the lot - a silver wagon marked sold. So, no test drive for me They also had one TS wagon.

On a sadder note, we received no snow. The storm went south of us. Perhaps we'll get one inch over night. Oh well, I guess winter is over.

Won't be able to chat tonight - am going to the Bucks/Sonics game (free ticket!).

-Brian

barresa62

Brian: Ok, I'm not totally serious, I mean the Sonics really suck this year! :-)

Stephen in Seattle

hondafriek

Thanks guys for all the good wishs I really appreciate it, I know I am gonna love this car, Having said that I have identified an area that promises to be a royal pain in the butt, the bodyside mouldings on the GT are body colour but unlike every other car maker who mould the colour right into the plastic Subaru takes the cheap way and just paints the regular black mouldings, I know this for a fact as I already have two chips and you can see the black moulding underneath, for somebody as obsessive as I am about the appearance of my car this is ulcer inducing.
PATTI, ARE YOU LISTENING either use injection moulded plastic for your coloured bodyside mouldings or just use the plain old black mouldings I can assure you,
coloured mouldings with rows of black chips are going to look like crap and lets face it bodyside mouldings are meant to be more than decoration.

Cheers Pat.

rsholland

Why not have 3 basic packages?

Value model (L): pretty much like the current one.

Luxury model (Premium): basically an S Premium with leather, plus a turbo or H6.

Utility model (Sport): add a towing package and a low range, plus the big engine, to the L.

It makes a lot of sense. I've always felt that "S Premium" is a bit of an odd name. I would like to see that changed in any case.

Bob

ateixeira

Don't you love the WRX? It makes formerly sane adults act like kids again. It's a beautiful thing. Everyone's getting one. I want!

Craig - take her to test drive it!

I've also heard that in general turbos are not good for towing. Not sure of the reason behind this, anyone want to take a stab at it?

Pat: touch-up paint is $4 from Darl...oops, forgot. See, I miss her already.

Get mud flaps. That'll prevent future dings. Plus you'll be rally prepared! :-)

-juice

thecat

Sorry everybody, I've been really buried lately. Took a week off and ended up 2 weeks behind in my work. I need a Gov' job!

I picked up my WRX tonight !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Silver sedan 5M. I didn't get out of the dealer until almost 9pm and it's a rainy/foggy night so I didn't really get to play with it much. Probably won't get much work done tomorrow though.
The manual says to keep it under 4k rpm's for the 1st 1k miles. Man is that gonna be hard to do.

On the short ride home my impression is that it's a rock solid car that goes around corners like it's on rails.

Juice .. after 1k your seat awaits !

- hutch

barresa11

I went to my dealer this evening (sorry, tried to get back for chat and then couldn't log on) to test drive the blue WRX 5spd wagon they have. When I got there another guy was looking at it pretty hard. We got to talking. He's waiting on his order too. He ordered a blue sedan w/auto about a month ago. There was another guy standing around us and I thought he was a salesman. Turns out he was also interested in a test drive. Our salesguy (Joe) was in his office talking to someone who was trying to convince his wife to agree to buying the blue one we all came to test drive (does this sound like any of you all?). Anyhow, we all get in the car (2 buyers, one prospective, and Joe). It was a great way to see how the car handled four large adults; room, power, handling, etc. We all took turns driving it. Some of my impressions are the same as others but here goes:

Front seats are everything people say they are. I'll probably be spending a lot of time in them whether or not the car is in motion, :-)

The rear seat is roomier than I thought it would be and the headroom is much better than my OB Ltd w/the rear sunroof.

The car feels larger than it is when driving and I mean this in a positive way. The steering is spot on.

The clutch is a little more "fey" than I would like it to be but very Honda/Integra like in its take-up.

The sightline from the driver's seat over the hood is great.

The ride is not as smooth as my OB but not penalizing either.

I really didn't get to test out the brakes the way I wanted to. We didn't get a chance to take it out on the freeway or really open it up. The few times I attempted to wind it out a bit really showed me where the turbo kicks in. It does so in a nice linear, but solid (like no mistaking it)way. I'm jazzed as to how it will feel w/just me or one other person aboard.

The overall finish of the car is quite nice and not as econocar as I feared it might be, especially coming from my OB Ltd.

Now for the bad news (well, it's all relative): Subaru sent the last of the 1st allocation to Carter Subaru first. The next shipment (the original 1st part of the order) of the 1st allocation will be arriving to port on the 21st and to Carter a couple of days later. I'm trying to keep my odometer right at 12k miles (as per our paperwork) and would be successful if the car came in this weekend. Hopefully, 50 to 100 miles extra won't change things. I mean it's not my fault Subaru sent the order out topsy turvy, right??? One nice thing (I think) is that I will have made my Mar pymt by then so my payoff will be less than I originally calculated.

Restless in Seattle,
Stephen

locke2c

I'm getting pretty excited that there will be other Impreza owners here besides Ramon and myself! ;-)

And you guys will have faster cars too. Well, for a while at least. :-D

Seriously though, we'll heartily welcome any new WRX owners but it's great to have current / former Subaru owners upgrading.

-Colin

subearu

Stephen: darn them Sonics! Great seat anyway.

Weeeeeeee! We got about 1" of snow early this morning. Who said the morning commute can't be fun!

-Brian