Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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Comments

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Is that bus driver's last name Andretti? Are there seat belts? :oO

    Speaking of meets and buddies, when does your friend return from his cross-country trip?

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Nope, no seat belts, but I wanna ask him if he wants to do Auto-x!

    I guess the next meet will be the covered bridge tour, unless you guys make it up for the NY Auto-show!

    -mike
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    Juice & everyone: I've been involved (w/the WRX), yes but still finding some time to post.
    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
  • danadana Member Posts: 36
    Hi all,


    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

  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    I don't know. Lemme find out though...might be a fun excuse to have a meet/party
  • soon2bsubeesoon2bsubee Member Posts: 137
    I got a call yesterday from a local Subie dealer telling me that they got in a WRX sedan..so I went to take a look.
    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.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Sounds like they forgot your mats. Make sure they find those.

    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
  • anibalbanibalb Member Posts: 193
    Thanks for listing the recall. I will have to call to get the passenger side seat fixed. I wonder why not both seats are power on the ltd. I bet that is next. A memory would be great too. Wife and I are so different!!!
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    I am very impressed that Subaru is changing all 3700+ seat rails to address 66 defective ones. Finally, a company that does it right. Can't wait to get my OB (end of April?).

    -Greg
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    Mind you this is a comparison between 00'OB Ltd & 02'WRX wagon.

    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
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Didn't bring my digicam to work today - but that didn't matter. That Subaru America Outback is exactly how those Rocky Mountain equipped ones were (at least from what I can tell). This Outback had the leather seats, the non-gold wheels (like my Outback), and the emblem had the mountain background just like you guys said. A rebadged Rocky Mountain edition, perhaps?

    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
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    There you go, Stephen. A wish list for the next Outback. I'd settle for just those fantastic seats.

    Good investigative work, Detective Brian. ;-)

    -juice
  • texsubarutexsubaru Member Posts: 242
    Ran across this and -- though my Forester doesn't have keyless remote entry and I live half a continent away from Bremerton, Wash. -- I thought it might be of interest just because of its sheer weirdness. Apparently, some mysterious military electronic equipment disabled keyless remote entry systems in a 50-sq.-mile area for about 5 days:

     

      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!
  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    Yup - it is weird situation. I has something to do with "kits" that were delivered. It's either passenger or driver, but never both? Anyway, I'm glad they are paying to do a larger number of cars rather then taking a chance. Recalls are inconvenient, but at least they are honest.

    Patti
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    A 66/3500 recall is also great PR as "good will" people like that stuff.

    -mike
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Brian- The one I saw might actually have been a "Subaru America" edition. It was almost a year ago and my memory ain't what it use to be. I do recall thinking that the sticker price for the package was awfully steep for what appeared to be only fancy leather embroidered seats and a couple of stickers.

    -Frank P.
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    I guess I was just interested because, well, it was a Subaru! You tend to notice when someone else has a Subaru (at least I do, am I OCD too? ;) ). Our '00 winestone OB was the only one at work. I've occasionally seen another OB, but it's at least a '99 model - and it's red. Then I see this OB that looks just like mine! So, I just had to take a peek. That's when I found the "Subaru America" stuff.

    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
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Hi crew,

    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
  • anibalbanibalb Member Posts: 193
    Folks,

    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.
  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    You can call 1-800-Subaru3 to see if your VIN is on the list.

    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
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Patti/all,

    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
  • bouldewrxbouldewrx Member Posts: 6
    This is addressed specifically to Patti, though perhaps others can answer. I just bought a WRX wagon two weeks ago, and I'm curious about how to gain access to a couple of the Subaru perks.

    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
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hey folks, join us tonight for our weekly chat. I'd especially like to hear from some of the new owners. It's 9pm eastern, 6pm pacific.

    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
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    You definitely have to read fast to keep up with Drew's typing. ;-)

    -Colin
  • bg18947bg18947 Member Posts: 184
    The recall only applies to 2000 model year Subies with automatic transmissions. I had mine replaced this past Tuesday on my 2000 GT Ltd.
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    juice, I probably won't make it; I'm meeting some i Clubbers for a brake installation (I'm just observing). For any locals, here's where I'll be:

    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

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    See if you can get pix. Sounds like fun.

    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
  • bigfrank3bigfrank3 Member Posts: 426
    Be careful with that clamp. I saw someone put the clamp right through the piston (not a Soob). He didn't know some are plastic. It didn't look plastic, but it was.

    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
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I did em on my dad's '97 L in the front in about 45min including clean-up! :)

    -mike
  • prouloproulo Member Posts: 26
    It is hard to believe that I've had my 2001 L. Forester for one year (March 30, 2000) This has been the best automobile that I've owned. The last car that I had was an Audi 1.8T that I had leased for 39 months. I could have bought the 3 year old Audi for $17,500, but I chose to buy the 2001 Forester L. for $19,500. Since I bought the Forester I have upgraded the receiver and speakers and added the Sub woofer and Tweeters for a much better sound. I also added remote start and key less entry from Crime stopper.
    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
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    is on in about 30 minutes! (6-7pm Pacific/9-10 pm Eastern). Hope to see you there!
    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
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    tonight. Good fun. It was nice to be able to hang around for a change.

    Ross
  • krzychokrzycho Member Posts: 16
    Can you recommend any good window tinter on our lovely island or in the Brooklyn. Many thanks, Chris.
  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    If the membership application is not in the glove compartment, call us at 1-800-SUBARU3 and we can send you one. Some vehicles were missing them in the OIK (Owner Information Kits).

    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
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I got the fronts on my Trooper done @ Barry's Auto-Glass in Eltingville. Excellent Quality, and relatively cheap. I know of a few people who have had it done there as well all with good results....

    Hmm would 3 Staten Islanders be considered a club?

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Phil: sounds great, especially coming from a former Audi owner.

    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
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    http://www.dcrally.com/rallycross/oa2_results.htm


    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.

  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    I never had tinted windows, so I can't really help. A friend went to a place in Brooklyn. I can't remeber the name, but it is at the corner of 18th Ave and 84th St.
    -SI Sube Club sounds good to me:)

    Mark
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That's wild, Loosh. So Mike drove and then his brother took his car and drove again, eh? Not bad, you split their times.

    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?
  • kleinkidkleinkid Member Posts: 5
    I live in Bremerton and work at the Naval Shipyard and my remote entry/alarm worked fine on my 2000OB during the recent mysterious crash of keyless entry systems in this part of town.
  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    (not you, specifically, Bit)
    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
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
  • thecatthecat Member Posts: 535
    Our French visitor got a call from her mother today. During the conversation she inquired about the kind of vehicles we had, apparently anticipating the typical American monster "Yank Tank". When she was informed that we had 2 Subarus, she concluded that we are wealthy. Apparently, only wealthy people can afford Subarus in France. So much for the .. "Subaru needs a more upscale image" discussion. At least in Europe, they are already considered Upscale.

    - hutch
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    France is severely messed up Hutch, even worse than Europe at large with respect to cars.

    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
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It's the same way in Brazil, though. A Forester costs $44 grand in a country whose minimum wage is under $1,500 per year!

    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
  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day
    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
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Colin, the price of cars and just about everything else in the British isles would be more than twice the US equivalent, it is more than twice the Canadian dollar and the Canadian dollar is only around 60cents US. when I was over in Ireland in March 2000 the cost of gas was the equivalent of almost $7 Canadian a gallon.
    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.
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    I enjoyed the chat last night,unfortunately I type so slow I miss half of the chat, and to add to my regular problem of slow typing, last night the damn thing froze twice and I could not post, as well I got bumped twice to the point where Juice jokingly asked was I being cloned as I was eventually logged in as hondafriek 3, still despite the problems I really liked the live aspect maybe in about 5 years when my typing is of an acceptable speed I may be able to participate fully.
    Cheers Pat.
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    Friday Freeways chat is on now! (5-6pm Pacific/8-9pm Eastern). Hope to see you there!

    http://www.edmunds.com/chat/freewaychat.html
  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    Figured since it's where I was conceived... :)

    Let's see if it works...

    Cheers! (and hoisting one your way, Drew!)
    Paul
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