Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

rangerron7

and the whole family. Please express our gratitude for serving his country.
Ron

lucien2

Blech. Corolla. One that's been rode hard and put away wet, too. I was hoping to get the FXT back, although I was honestly surprised when they told me it would only take a day. So they offered me a rental. I aaaaalmost got a Baja from the dealer pool but the guy ahead of me got it, and that was the last Loaner.

So anyways, the Corolla:

Arguably what I should be driving for my line of work. Comfortable but spartan, handles reasonably well, miserly, no power. A well cared-for example I could live with I suppose. This one, replete with scratched paint, cigarette burn, and some god awful air freshener, is not my favorite. What is the saying? "Drive it like you stole it?" Might as well, since this one is going nowhere after its service life but the scrapper. Oh, it threw a CEL 10 minutes after I got it.

subaru_team

we all really appreciate what our military is doing and the sacrifices they and their family members make.

Patti

ateixeira

How does it go? "Oh what a feeling..."

Musta been a Friday build.

Chat's starting. Oops, what's that software I gotta install again?

-juice

ateixeira

Think I found it - Java II Runtime Environment, lessee if this works...

(I ought to know, I mean, I do this for a living!)

-juice

goneskiian

OK folks! I am officially off the fence and a member of the crew!

That's right I came home this afternoon with a GT Ltd. Wagon with 5MT in Brilliant Silver Metallic. It's got Popular Equipement Group #1 (Perimeter Security system and Auto-dimming mirror with compass) and the Subwoofer/Amplifier. I got a screaming deal on it with the IMBA VIP program. Out the door at just over $31K.

I hear the questions already...What the heck am I doing here posting and not out driving?!? Well, I'm being a good boy and waiting until it's insured, or at least until our State Farm rep knows about it. ;-)

I'll post pics in the photo thread.

Brenda - Pass my thanks along to your son in law as well.

Cheers!
-Ian
(ecstatic in Seattle)

p0926

I believe you win a kewpie doll for being the first to take delivery of a GT. We're all waiting with bated breath to hear about your initial driving impressions.

-Frank P

P.S. So what about the bike rack?

goneskiian

Thanks Frank!

Drives just like juice and bob said it would! ;-)

I know, that's a cop out. It's true though. ;-)

Really, it's wonderful to drive. Gotta remember what I'm coming from though (1997 Honda Civic coupe). It's so quiet and smooth I've got to remember to look at the tach so I don't take those revs too high (yet). The tranny is just as smooth as my Honda but a bit more positive feeling. Love the stereo. Not much to say about the huge moonroof that hasn't already been said.

I was the first to drive it and took delivery with 27 miles on the odometer. ;-)

I'll be sure to post some more impressions as I rack up the miles.

LOL! I just realized how many smilies I've used. Can you tell I'm happy?

I've got crossbars and bike mounts coming off my old car. Just need to get new towers to mount to the roof rails and I'll be all set.

I'll be tinting for sure and will probably have Stongard put on as well.

-Ian

jfl

Brenda - also extend my thanks to your son-in-law. I'll pray for him and your daughter as it's difficult for both of them.

Ian - congrats on the new wheels. I'll understand if you post less often for a while. 8~0

Loosh - it could be worse...I've been driving an old Protege rental while my Subie is being repaired for the rear-ender. It's now projected for completion next Wednesday. Between this and the tranny repair, I think I've driven the Legacy only eight days since May 1st!

Jim

subearu

IIRC, with State Farm you get 30 days to get coverage on a new vehicle if you were paid up on an existing policy. You should be ok to drive 'er, just bring your existing insurance card! Get out there!

-Brian

kens

Ian,

Like Brian wrote, I believe you get 1 month coverage on a new car before registration. DRIVE!

BTW, do you know which towers will fit the roof rack? I'll need to shop for some when mine comes in.

Oh, I am SO glad I ordered silver. It looks sharp!

Ken

volkov

Congratulations! If they'd been out one year earlier, I just might have done the GT over the WRX. Who knows? Enjoy.

subaru_team

I'm really excited for you. I hope you have many happy and safe miles!

Patti

ladywclass

thanks for all the kind words and wishes ... I'll make sure he gets the messages -
He will be leaving on the day after his 26th birthday. Daughter and boys will come here to visit after he goes and stay until she has to go back to get the oldest one in school .... unless I can persuade her to just stay here ... at least she does have family less than 2 hours from her where they live now (her sister, her dad, and his family)
thanks - it's a nice bunch in here ...

damish003

Have loads of fun in the GT Ltd., Ian. Congrads on taking the plunge.

-Dan-

subewannabe

Great choice! Get used to seeing folks in your rear view mirror! Once you get used to reading lips backwards, you'll figure out they're saying, " Wow! That was a Subaru that just blew by us, Ma!"

Mark

bluesubie

I think NJ is officially the last state to get GT's and OBXT's.

-Dennis

njswamplands

pricing details plz

bat1161

Congrats Ian! Enjoy and have many miles of fun.

Mark

stever

"When Fred and Carolyn Fritchman decided to renovate their backyard barn, they found a hidden treasure.

Underneath the second-story floor, the couple uncovered more than 60 turn-of-the-century wooden signs advertising Studebaker wagons — a find worth thousands of dollars."

Idaho Statesman (I think that's a free reg. link Ed, but www.bugmenot.com may work if you don't want to sign up).

Steve, Host

nygreg

Congrats. I must admit, it is getting harder and harder to visit here without feeling really envious. Boy, would I love to sink my teeth into a GT - but can't justify it....yet. The 01 OB is doing just fine.

Greg

ateixeira

Ian: that's my pick exactly right now, except I'd want the Atlantic Blue color. Congrats. The Fence feels a little roomier now. ;-)

Glad to hear our first impressions were accurate.

I'm a bit envious too, but I guess I can go drown my sorrows at the beach! )

-juice

nygreg

is the one I would pick. Second is Silver.

Greg

c_hunter

Lets see some pictures buddy!!

Craig

goneskiian

Thanks for all the congrats folks!

Craig - Pics are in the Photo discussion.

Swampy - I'll go over to the Prices Paid... thread to post that.

-Ian
Thoroughly enjoying the HUGE moonroof on a gorgeous day in Seattle

Karen_S

Congratulations!

The other day as my 17-year-old son and I were going into Borders there was an Atlantic Blue GT parked next to the door. I said, "Oh look, there's the new Subie." My son literally tripped over the curb when he saw it. He's in love...and only lacks $30K. :-)

hondafriek

Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and you family.

  juice it could be worse they paying well over two dollars a litre in England at the minute.

  Cheers Pat.

goneskiian

OK, Nevermind on the Prices Paid thread. I thought that was for all Subaru's but it's labeled "Forester Prices Paid and Buying Experience".

Anyway, to answer your question swampy. I paid $31426 out the door. Which was invoice for the GT Ltd. Wagon and factory installed accessories (auto-dimming mirror, security system and sub/amp). Destination fee, licensing, etc. The only charges not listed here on Edmunds was a regional advertising fee passed down to me from SOA ($275), B&O tax overhead ($130 or so) sales tax, which here in King County WA is 8.8% plus a .3% car tax for all of WA for a grand total of 9.1% sales tax and a paperwork fee ($35).

I'm not sure how standard the B&O tax overhead charge and the paperwork fee are, but I'm not going to complain very hard about $170 on a $30k purchase. Espicially with the invoice pricing I got.

The whole process took a bit longer than I would have liked though. Part of that was my fault though when I brought my Honda into the picture as a possible trade in. They really wanted it and the negotiating took probably an hour, but they just couldn't come up to what I wanted for it. We'll see if it works out when I end up selling it.

Overall the experience was very positive. The dealership was Eastside Subaru. They even have a program for new cars sold there that includes an increase of the drivetrain warranty to 100k miles (same 5 years though), 72 hour exchange policy, free service loaners and lifetime oil changes.

-Ian

njswamplands

before all those fees, what is invoice?

the ride will be much kewler with those tinted windows. i gotta get some bike haulers for my fxt, i need to move 4 bikes, suggestions?

btw you should have seen my fxt with 13' 10" of boat on top, it went almost end to end.

goneskiian

Invoice is $27281 plus the $575 destination fee (the New England destination fees may be different) for a total of $27856. The accessories were $183 for the PEG #1 (mirror and security) and $178 for the sub/amp.

BTW. Edmunds shows you all the invoice prices when you go to a new car info page.

I'm a Yakima rack man myself (www.yakima.com). FWIW, all the Subaru branded stuff you can get as accessories is all rebranded Yakima equipment. Thule is another make I can recommend. I think there may be some smaller players out there as well but these two are the ones I know best. I use the fork mount bike trays (Copperhead, Steelhead, etc.). I may be interested in doing a hitch mount this time though.

-Ian

c_hunter

I like Yakima too. Used to sell both Yakima and Thule when I worked at a canoe shop, and both are good. I prefer Yakima's round crossbars myself.

Craig

stever

Ha, if you worked in a canoe shop, you know Quik-N-Easys make the best racks.

Too bad nothing has external rain gutters any more besides Geländewagens and some full size vans.

Steve, Host

c_hunter

We did sell a buttload of those. Get some 2x4 lumber and you're all set. I had a pair with *carpeted* 2x4 crossbars, now that was a classic!

Craig

stever

I had three sets just like that :-). Gave them away in '99 when I ran out of cars with rain gutters. Total investment for all three racks was maybe $75 and they were bombproof. Then I got a Yak rack with an employee discount and still paid ~$300, and it whistled until I put some 1x4's up there (no carpet though <G>).

I think I'm picking up a Wenonah Rogue come September - hardly worth it since I only boat about once a year anymore, but it'll be a trade and no cash out of pocket. Maybe I'll use it for an arch over my garage.

Steve, Host

salbaby1972

Yakima make a hitch mounted bike carrier that holds 4 bikes. Someone on our cycling team had one whe they did SAG for us. It was very cool, during stop he put a small table on it and fed up on it.

c_hunter

You can usually cure Yakima rack noise by spiral wrapping a bungie cord around the crossbar 4-5 times.

The Rogue is a great whitewater boat.

Craig

ladywclass

b/f bought a 1997 Lincoln Town Car ... and i have to say it's a nice, plush ride ...

locke2c

they're a good value secondhand because they depreciate like mad.

~c

stever

Don't say spiral wrapping too loud or Juice will pop in with one of his periodic periodic vortex shedding posts :-)

Steve, Host

fibber2

Oh how he loves to say "PVS"..... ;-)

bat1161

For a bike rack, and other bike supplies, look at bike nashbar and performance bike. I picked up the 3 bike hitch rack from Nashbar for around $79 - they have a sale this weekend on a Swagman 3 bike hitch rack for $49.95. I don't know how that compares to Yakima or Thule, but I know mine works fine.

Mark

goneskiian

I've heard this before too. I'll have to try it as I want to be able to use my moonroof as much as possible! ;-)

-Ian

subearu

was the premiere issue of Subaru (Drive) Performance. This issue seems to be directed at the WRX and STi, as there's an article about the difference the short-shifter has, a how-to-install an SPT muffler for the WRX, and a little article about auto-x.

-Brian

ateixeira

Carpeted crossbars...seen a few of those!

Steves: I CAN'T BELIEVE you beat me to the phrase "periodic vortex shedding". Oh, I said it anyway!

So Brenda, do you pay property tax on the Town House? :-)

Brian: Bob and I picked up a copy in Vegas, definitely a more targeted publication, towards us that is.

-juice

ladywclass

heh ... actually this car was a good deal ... and partly my fault ... last summer, he started talking about buying a town car, but really was more interested in one 6 or 7 years old ... and a friend of mine drove one ... picking up on an idea from IdahoDoug here on the boards, I jokingly asked her one day if she was about ready to trade up and that I knew someone who might be interested ... this went on for a few months - every time I'd see her (we work in different schools) .. finally about Nov. her husband called and talked to b/f about the car, but couldn't decide if he was ready to sell it yet ... (in the words of the friend, he's like an 'old woman at a garage sale' in trying to make up his mind) ... anyway, he eventually decided to hang on the car until spring and we didn't think much more of it .. b/f wasn't in a hurry, but was still scoping out things on used car lots, in the paper, etc ... about 6-7 weeks ago, the teacher emailed me to tell me the car was for sale ... again b/f didn't move too quickly, and truthfully we knew they were asking too much for it ... once the price dropped (another email), we went over a couple weeks ago for him to look at it and to drive it ... he was interested and made an offer of a few hundred under the asking price ... the husband said he didn't think he could take that since it had a brake job the week before ... (in the last year, the car has had a new set of tires, the heater fixed, and the brakes done and they are the kind who fix things as they happen, and to do the maintenance) ... anyway .. within a week, they had traded in the town car to a local dealer and bought a newer town car, but had made the salesman promise to fix a turn signal problem and sell it to the b/f at OUR offer if he still wanted it ... lol ...
a week later, and the b/f went over there and bought the car ...

97 Town Car with 70,000 miles on it and beautiful condition inside and out ... for $6500 .. lol

lark6

Thanks so much for the link, Steve. I thoroughly enjoyed the article.

Our local chapter of the international Studebaker Drivers Club recently acquired an old dealer sign (though not as old as the ones in this article - it was for cars and trucks) and sold it on eBay. I'll make reference to the Idaho Statesman piece in next month's chapter newsletter (of which I'm the editor).

Thanks again,
Ed

stever

I used Idahodoug's trick for my '97 OB Ltd, Brenda. Dropped a hint on it and sure enough, the seller went to the Subaru dealer to look at new ones, and since she had an easy sale for the '97, she took the plunge.

Doug found one of his cream puff Subarus by canvassing older couples in store parking lots and asking them if they were thinking of trading for a new car.

Glad you liked the link, Ed!

Steve, Host

mrk610

Finally saw the new outback at the dealers today . I noticed that the outback"s I saw don't have the brush gaurd to protect the engine .
Mike

frog

I am double posting this but I have to know...

I just bought an 04 leg wagon and have read it is possible to get 1500 discount and 500 dealer cash if you self finance?>??

Is this true... even if there are other deals built in like factory incentives???

I was wondering why the "friendly" subaru dealer was pushing their financing so hard... heres hopeing I didn't get delt a bunk hand...

c_hunter

Check the Subaru website for the current incentives.

Craig