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Comments
Speaking of meets and buddies, when does your friend return from his cross-country trip?
-juice
I guess the next meet will be the covered bridge tour, unless you guys make it up for the NY Auto-show!
-mike
I had some static w/financing and I threatened to give back the WRX and get my OB Ltd back, never to darken the steps of the dealership again! I was pretty depressed yesterday afternoon and wondering how I was going to do the PR spin to you all, LOL. Anyhow, long story short, I will be paying essentially the same monthly amount for the WRX as the OB Ltd (about $20 more a mo than I agreed to on Mon PM). The finance guy felt bad about the back and forth thing (yeah, right) and is throwing in free oil changes for as long as I own the car. The big question is whether or not this is per the SOA maint schedule or would he honor it every 3k miles. Regardless, I thought the oil change was a nice touch considering the importance of changing oil regularly, especially w/the turbo. He mentioned that if I own the car 10 years then he goes broke....insert laughter here. I replied, "Well, considering the financing you gave me, I guess I'll be owning the car 10 years and you'll go broke, sorry".
I go tonight to resign the paperwork. I noticed that I only had front floor mats but there were none in back. I met up w/some other new WRX owners last night and they have all 4 mats. I'll be inquiring about this tonight as well.
Still loving the car. We had our traditional rainy, misty evening last night and the WRX ate it up. Still hard to keep this jewel under 4k, it really comes alive @ about 3700 rpms. I'm doing pretty well after talking to some of the new owners last night. One guy said he was cruising along the waterfront and a new GT Mustang pulled up at the light. It was wet out. The WRX brothren reved the puppy to 4500k and dropped the clutch. There was a nanosecond of all 4 wheels spinning then....whoosh. The Mustang didn't have a clue what just drop kicked his manhood! :-). I won't be doing this anytime soon but it's fun to hear nonetheless.
A couple of minor features on the WRX wagon that I didn't have on the 00'OB Ltd are the intermittent rear wiper (nice touch) and the delayed feature interior light (slowly dims to off when the doors close). Still discovering things.
Later,
Stephen
Got this from our PR department and thought it might interest some of you.
Subaru of America, Inc. Announces Voluntary Recall of 2001 Legacy Models with Manually Adjustable Front Seats
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010328/phw011.html
Have a great week!
Dana S. Livingston
Manager, Community
Town Hall
Edmunds.com
First, it is much nicer than the pictures. I find the proportions to be perfect. The headlights are cool, not Neon-like at all. This was a black 5-speed, serving only as a display; no test drives. I turned it on and was very pleased with the sound, a low rumble and a growl combined. The seat fabric is very nice also and those seats are very comfortable, perfect for a small guy like me. Good size trunk. Hopefully, they will be getting more cars in soon. I am thinking about a blue automatic wagon(so Susan can drive it too), perhaps towards the end of the year.
I'm curious - what did your OB have that the new WRX does not?
Also, can you see if you can get a photo of your Rex parked next to an E-class? It would be a bit much to ask for the lights to be on, but people would see my point about how similar they are.
-juice
-Greg
The OB Ltd has automatic, leather, heated seats (driver's pwr'd), heated mirrors, dual sunroofs, lumbar support for driver, bigger center cupholder, dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors, rear seat bottom folds forward, more spkrs, stadium rear seating, rear cupholders. Additionally my OB had upgr stereo system, cargo net, & rubber cargo area pad. Can use regular gas(WRX requires prem.)
My WRX doesn't have any of the above. What it has that my OB Ltd didn't:
Trip odometer/odometer viewable @ same time.
Rear intermittent wiper
Delayed dimming interior lighting
Sport front seats
More HP, lighter weight (3165 lbs vs over 3575 lbs)
Better handling/steering
More headroom front/rear
More legroom front
More storage compartments in cargo area
Rear center belt guide instead of center belt resting against headrest
Lower center headrest(doesn't require removal to improve rear visibility)
Stick shift
I probably left some things off...
Overall, for my driving preference the WRX wins hands down and the pluses outweigh the minuses for me.
Stephen
So, the quest is over. It's a dealer package (leather in a base Outback).
If only someone at work would drive in a WRX. I'd probably have that person meet me outside for a test drive!
-Brian
Good investigative work, Detective Brian. ;-)
-juice
http://www.thesunlink.com/news/2001/march/03283keyless.html
I guess this could be potentially helpful to the U.S. military if they wanted to keep Saddam Hussein from getting into his Mercedes right before an airstrike!
Patti
-mike
-Frank P.
On a side note, I've begun to see more OBS driving around our area. Still no new OBS or a WRX's driving around here.
-Brian
Based on all the talk of oxygen sensor recalls and people getting/not getting letters from SoA/SoC, I inquired about the status of the recall via subaru.com's MySubaru feature. In the interest of disseminating the info I'm posting my reply here verbatim (cut and paste):
Dear Mr. Johnson:
Thank you for recall inquiry and for participating in the MySubaru Owner's site.
This recall is being handled in three separate phases with mailing being February 7, March 1st and April 1st. Once all letters are mailed to owners' that are involved in this recall campaigin, we will post this recall to MySubaru.
According to your VIN, my records indicate that your vehicle fall within this campaign. I realize you do not have a letter yet, and request that you wait until you receive this information from us. Our records currently do not have this campaign listed in our database under your VIN. Our records will be updated once the final phase of letters are sent.
The front oxygen (air/fuel ration) sensor is part of your vehicle's emission control system and is monitored by the on-board diagnostic system. Should this component operate improperly prior to the replacement the 'Check Engine' warning light will illuminate steadily while the engine is running, advising the driver of a malfunction and the need to seek repairs service.
In order to have an adequate supply of parts at dealerships, we are adhering to this announcement schedule. Please try to refrain from going to your dealer until you have this announcement from us.
Thank you for your understanding regarding this situation. Please let me know if I can be of future assistance, or you may contact us directly at 1-800-782-2783.
Best wishes!
Pam Federer
Subaru of America, Inc.
I thought this would be of interest to those of you (like me) who haven't received a letter yet and still want to get the sensor replaced.
Ed
As I understand it, the O2 sensor recall deos not affect my 01 OB. Am I correct? Because when I bought the car they ran the vin for recalls and nothing came out. I was more worried about that Fuel line problem. Maybe it is like the post says, they have not updated it yet. Can someone who knows tell me if this affects the 01 OB. Thanks a lot.
One note, however, if you are currently having a problem with your CEL, your dealer can take care of it now. If you are told otherwise, please call us and we can explain to the dealer how they will get paid.
Thanks!
Patti
I'm not having a problem with the O2 sensor that I'm aware of; I'm one of the fortunate ones who has never seen the CEL come on. I suppose I should be fair and allow others who have actually experienced the problem to get theirs repaired first, since the local dealer I called told me that they didn't have the sensors in stock and would have to order them. That seems a little odd given that the first round of recalls was issued in February. I'd think that the dealers, being put on notice, would order the sensors in advance rather than risk negative PR. Then again, maybe the sensors aren't available to pre-order.
Thanks,
Ed
1. Do you have any information on the SCCA memberships? I've seen the press release, but don't have any official information. I heard conflicting reports that it would show up in the mail and/or it would be in the owner's manual packet. Well, it's not in the manual; should I sit tight or do I need to contact someone?
2. Am I doing something wrong when requesting a PIN at my.subaru.com? It tells me that the VIN entered is not valid or not supported. Is this due to the WRX being a new model?
Thanks in advance for any info. And thanks for a great, great car! I haven't had this much fun driving since I had a Brat back in the mid-eighties. In fact, I'm a long-time motorcyclist (I've logged more miles on two wheels than four), and this is the first car that has lured me off the bike in nice weather; I can't believe it also has room for my wife, skis and dog!
Sean
Last week there were 14 people at one time, and you had to speed read to keep up.
Shopping around and want 14 quick opinions? Join in. I believe Drew is still hosting, too.
-juice
-Colin
European Auto Service Inc.
8806 Monard Dr
Silver Spring, MD 20910-1815
301-565-9023
Beltway (495) to Georgia Ave South; pass Staples on R; R on Seminary Rd; pass light at 2nd Ave; bear L on Brookeville Rd; cross RR bridge & Walter Reed annex on R; R on Pittman Dr; dead ends into Monard Dr, make L.
..Mike
..Mike
I actually have a very specific question. Just before they insert the new pads, how do they push the piston back into the caliper? Clamp? All other instructions are straight-forward, but this step seems less intuitive to me.
If they'll allow it, take your camera along.
I'll expect the rest of you at tonight's chat.
-juice
I have had good success using a very large screwdriver to pry the old pads apart, re-seating the piston. The back of the old pad is perfect to distribute the load applied. Oh, it helps if the cover is off of the master cylinder, which might overflow as the fluid is pushed back into it.
I have never done a Soob but it has worked on every vehicle I have tried it on. I am also interested in Mike's report.
Those i Clubbers really know how to party, don't they!!
Regards,
Frank
-mike
I just got the letter for the Oxygen sensor and will have it replaced next week. My mileage has been averaging 21 mpg, which is low but here in New Hampshire they have the winter gas. Last weekend we drove to Cape Cod to play golf. 280 miles with 4 over 200 pounds golfers. Got 26 mpg on the trip, averaging 80 mph on the turnpike.
In the year, I've experienced no problems with CEL coming on, no rattles, no complaints. I expect to get many years of use with this Forester, however they had several WRX's at the dealers....
Phil
http://www.edmunds.com/chat/subaruchat.html
I've decided that I like all of you so much that I'll (probably) be hosting all of the Subaru chats for next month ;-)
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
Ross
Also, for PIN problems, send an e-mail with your VIN to Subaru.com. They can fix it.
Hope this helps!
Sorry I could not join your chat last night. I had planned on it, but my daughter had a paper due. I think it's time to get 2 computers.
See you!
Patti
Hmm would 3 Staten Islanders be considered a club?
-mike
Our chat was great. I think we had 9-10 people in there at one point. Toward the middle it was hard to keep up.
paisan: yeah, Station Island Subaru Club for Owners - SISCO. Oops, that's already taken!
-juice
thought you might like to see the diversity of vehicles. Check out the one at the bottom of the page...I like the color choice.
-SI Sube Club sounds good to me:)
Mark
A primer Volvo? LOL! Wonder if that was due to rally damage?
Hope a few WRXs show up at the next one to put up the good fight.
-juice
PS There was a link to an in-car video on i-Club. I watched it and it looked fun. Did you have a co-pilot reading you the turns?
Sorry for not chatting last night... actually had a chance for an evening home with wife & kids, home cooked meal included, so no offense, but I thought that the better offer. After dealing with Dad in either hospital or nursing home the past month, it was welcome respite.
Rexii (plural for WRX?) arrive Spokane Tuesday! My sales guy says he'll call me when he goes for a drive
Recalls: My alternator apparently got replaced prior to my ownership, so didn't need another one. They did, however, find bad welds on the front a-arms as part of a different recall. All done, no charge, free wash, very nice!
Word of caution to the crew: Might have digicam access soon... old bald guy with Subaru pictures may be forthcoming!
Cheers!
Paul
- hutch
They have extremely stringent tax laws on displacement, so the average person is driving around in a 1.3L piece of crap.
In the UK though, you would have to make somewhere around 1.5-2 times your current relative salary to afford a WRX over there.
-Colin
On the very, very rich can afford them. I tell people I own a Subaru and they say "wow!"
So people there drive the Fiat Uno Mille. Anything under 1000cc gets taxed much less. Those are motorcycle engines here in the US!
-juice
Relative pricing is funny. Here in Australia, Subarus are affordable, competitive in pricing to other Japanese or Australian sourced cars. InBritain, I could afford to lease a Mercedes, but not a Subaru.
Colin's point on cars in France and Juice's on those in Brazil is actually a bit more complicated. As I've travelled, I've found that each country has a particular style of drink (cold,watery beer in the USA, wine in France, ales in England), their special cuisine (fast food is done best in the USA, Britain can only run to pub food - calling it cuisine is stretching the point a bit) and a style of cars.
Here in Australia, the average size of car is much larger than in the UK. The larger Australian Falcons and Commodores would be very difficult to fit down the country lanes of England and when you get to the tiny tracks of rural France would be entirely inappropriate. I can recall seeing some huge Yank-Tank in France which was effectively limited to the main roads.
In England, large cars like jaguars and Mercedes S class cars are similarly restricted as to where they can go.
Economic impact is also significant but I am not sure if it is a case of the chicken or the egg coming first.
Cheers
Graham
Because of the cost of fuel diesel cars are very popular over there and the price of gas cars used is depressed accordingly.
Cheers Pat.
Cheers Pat.
http://www.edmunds.com/chat/freewaychat.html
Let's see if it works...
Cheers! (and hoisting one your way, Drew!)
Paul