Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    10 minutes to the NH seacoast

    What all 20 miles of it? :-)

    -Frank
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    we're heading to Vegas for the weekend. Guess you could say it's our 5 year anniversary 'vacation'. Kids will be at home with the MIL. Have a safe holiday everyone.

    -Brian
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Have a great time, and bring your BIGGEST wallet. ;) Where are you staying? Check out the Bellagio's fountains. That's where juice and I stayed in May.

    Bob
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    and staying at the Mirage. I went to a conference early last year (first time in Vegas too) and stayed at the Venetian.

    -Brian
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I'm heading to Dallas tomorrow morning, mini-vacation for me. :)

    just hanging out with friends, the highlight will be catching the Chiefs' last preseason game on Thursday in Dallas.

    first roadtrip in the Evo, I'll be sure to report the mileage!

    ~c
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I'll be sure to report the mileage!

    And speeding tickets! ;)

    Have a great time Colin! How long is the drive?

    Bob
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I'm going to Keller, northwest edge of Dallas metro. about 350 miles... should be less than 5.5 hours. maybe less than 5? :)

    ~c
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    No way, leave your wallet at home! Gotta save up for your next Subie.

    Colin: try to stay off the boost. ;-)

    I am beach-bound on Friday once again. Might even get my sister out there with her Forester.

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Over at Legacysti.com one member has the results of the upcoming C&D comparo including the Legacy GT.

    The results are disappointing:

    1. Acura TSX
    2. Volvo S40 T5
    3. Legacy GT
    4. Audi A4

    And it appears they did test a 5MT Legacy GT:

    0-60 in 5.7
    1/4 in 14.2 @ 96
    0-120 in 26.2

    Ken
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    LGT
    0-60 5.7
    0-100 16.0
    0-120 26.2
    1/4 mile 14.2@96
    skidpad 0.81g

    TSX
    0-60 7.5
    0-100 19.9
    0-120 33.7
    1/4 mile 15.7@90
    skidpad 0.83g

    S40 T5
    0-60 6.7
    0-100 16.6
    0-120 25.7
    1/4 mile 15.0@97
    skidpad 0.85g

    A4 1.8t
    0-60 8.1
    0-100 23.7
    0-120 40.2
    1/4 mile 16.2@87
    skidpad 0.85g

    Ken
  • volkovvolkov Member Posts: 1,306
    I'm never a big fan of these ratings "shoot-outs", because I often disagree with some of the logic stated to make their decisions.
    Still think that someone looking for performance as a prime consideration will like the numbers of the GT.
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    Thanks for the info Ken

    It looks like the LGT is by far the fastest in a straight line- and could use a little more grip. I agree with this- I'm not surprised by the skidpad numbers- I feel like the tires start breaking away earlier than expected. I also think this is easily remedied by a few hundred dollars in tires.

    I could see the TSX being ranked higher because it's a lot cheaper, but the Volvo? It's smaller, more expensive, and slower. Maybe points wise they were very close? I'll be interested to read the article myself.

    Too bad they didn't add a 325i. It seems like it should have been there- although it would be outgunned like the Audi. And I'm sure BMW wouldn't like that. ;-)

    I guess it will be hard for Subaru to get some respect. Maybe if they repeat the test in the snow? ;-)

    The ranking is dissapointing, but my car isn't! I don't regret not buying any of the other cars tested (wierd sentence, I know). If anything my only regret at times is that I didn't get the wagon (Ususally when I'm at Costco) or the OB (every time I hit a pothole) ;-)

    BTW, why the 0-120? Is this a legitimate concern among american carbuyers? It doesn't seem to be a big deal to me, but maybe I'm just wierd. ;-)

    tom
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I suspect some of the GT's lower rating is due to the fact that it lacks some of the premium "frosting" (NAV, HIDs, etc.) the others might offer.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It's the tires...worst skidpad result of the bunch.

    Acceleration blows the others away, though.

    I also bet it was dry, else the order might have been reversed.

    Bet it also lost a lot of points in the "features" category. What kills me is they don't subtract points for competitors lacking AWD.

    -juice
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Since my wife owns a TSX and I am intimately acquainted with the Legacy GT, I have to say I am surprised by the outcome of this test. I have no experience with the Volvo and Audi, so I am only focusing on the relative ranking of the TSX and GT. I'll have to wait for the article to see what they were talking about -- right now the only things I can outright say are in the TSX's favor are the spectacular 6-spd manual transmission, the high content level for the price, and the nimble feel. In every other sense, I honestly think the GT is superior. I am surprised C&D did not like it more.

    Craig
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    An interesting point made over at Legacysti.com was that perhaps it was the fact that they tested manuals that caused the Legacy to drop in rank. Honda's well known for their excellent manuals. The 6-speed on the new S40 is also very good (drove one at the Ride and Drive). The 5MT on the Legacy doesn't really stand out. Sure it's good for a Subaru MT, but nothing outstanding given the competition it was measured against.

    Given the clear power advantage, an auto-to-auto comparsion may have done better.

    Ken
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Maybe the price of the Legacy GT turned them off. it is getting up there if they are thinking of it as your typical old Subaru. I'm not sure even I buy the idea of the Legacy moving upmarket -- it lacks too many features for that to be true. It is really a very well executed mid-market vehicle in my opinion.

    When I add a few features to the Leg GT 5MT sedan, it is about $2400 more than a TSX but is still missing many of the TSX's features. SO that's a potential turnoff. For someone like me, AWD is a big plus in the Legacy's favor but it may not be enough to offset the $2400 premium and lower content level (it wasn't for my wife -- not that I would expect C&D editors to think the same way!).

    Craig
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    I couldn't agree more. I was kind of underwhelmed by the shift action in the Legacy GT. It wasn't even as good as my WRX, which itself was not as good as Honda's brilliant shifters. In a past test, C&D said the TSX 6MT was probably the best mass-market MT available on the planet (or something to that effect).

    Craig
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I dunno, an automatic might have hurt all the turbos. Well, VTEC needs revs, too, it probably would have hurt all the contenders.

    What shocks me is that the Volvo ranked so high, I found it decidedly so-so. Cheap and cramped interior don't even put in the same league as the other 3.

    -juice
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    If anything, the Legacy's 5EAT would have distinguished it from the others (certainly the TSX). The 5EAT is one of the best autos I have driven. It was good enought to lure me away from the MT!

    Craig
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Craig: As former MT drivers turned 5EAT, I think our opinions are a little biased. And it's nice to know that our 5EATs are still quicker to 60 than the competition with manual trannies. :)

    juice: My point exactly. Even though the GT has the highest pressure turbo of the pack, the fact that VTEC requires high revs, the extra HP of the GT engine and the features of the 5EAT may have resulted in different standings.

    I totally don't get the S40 ranking though. We'll have to see what other qualitative measures they factored in.

    Ken
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    I don't think the 5MT is inferior to the other cars in the test other than the TSX (Honda does make some smooth trannies). It's certainly better than anything VW/Audi or Volvo has, maybe not quite up to par with a 3 series. I would say about the same as the new Mazdas I have driven, which is better than I expected from Subaru.

    Maybe because it wasn't a 6sp? I feel like this car is 9/10s there, and just needs some tweaking. 9/10 is fine by me, but these car mag guys are a finicky bunch- especially since they can be picky without actually living with the car on a daily basis. But if this was a shootout among 'performance' sedans, I think something is quite skewed in their final placement.

    Juice, you're probably right. It's just missing some of the options that a $30+K sedan ought to have available. Too bad, I think AWD is clearly worth the difference in price.

    Maybe FHI needs to put a high torque at a useable RPM 6 cyl engine (like Nissan's) to really get some respect. It sure made the Altima popular.

    tom
  • jfljfl Member Posts: 1,399
    At a first glance, I was thinking they included 0-120 mph just to get the LGT down to 2nd place.

    I've always disliked (and mistrusted) skidpad results because I feel it measures tires as much as it does cars. Let's put the same size and make tire on all four cars and get an apples-to-apples number!

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

    Saw this on FHI's Japan site. They must be planning big for competition with the STi Spec C this year

    http://www.fhi.co.jp/english/news/press/2004/04_09_01e.htm

    Cheers

    Graham
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Drove base trim model as a rental about 3 weeks ago. I really disliked the instrumentation - Day-Glo orange using the "Star Trek - Next Generation" font. Steering feel, braking like a mid-sized rental from Ford or GM. Trunk release lever on underside of driver's door arm rest - the most bizzare location I've ever seen.

    I guess as with most cars a dose of power and a stiffer suspension makes it better.

    Ed
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Thought you might like to see Mac taking a bike ride;-)

     image

    image

    image

      Cheers Pat.
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Mighty fine weather you've got up there, Pat :)

    -Dave

    p/s third image doesn't come up.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    It looks like juice's cat, er dog Haji... ;)

    Bob
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Dave, this is the one that didn't come out, and yeah we have been having pretty decent weather the last little while.

     image

      Cheers Pat.
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    Mac's got himself a nice ride! What's the 0-60 time?

    Hope you're relaxing and enjoying the weather, Pat

    tom
  • rthompson10rthompson10 Member Posts: 75
    I took my 6 yr old son down to Myrtle Beach from NJ in the 03 OB, the first road trip since I got it a year ago.

    It was a very comfortable ride, and my son had the portable DVD player plugged into the switch in the rear so he had a great time.

    Even with the 4EAT no trouble keeping up with traffic on the I95 autobahn in the the carolinas doing 80-85. In fact on one stretch I averaged 26 MPH- not bad with a/c on, Nokian tires and going 80+ MPH.

    The car got blasted last sunday with tropical strorm gaston and we saw lots of Power Co. trucks on I95 heading south as we returned on Saturday but otherwise very happy with the OB on the trip.

    After driving a Plymouth voyager for 9 years and a 93 exploder for a year I'm pretty pleased with the car.

    Not to say that I haven't lusted after a new 6C or a turbo AT given that I'm stuck with AT due to defective body parts- maybe in a couple of years...:)
    Robert
  • expy02expy02 Member Posts: 23
    Patti and/or the Crew,

    Anybody know how I can score a maintenance coupon for my GT Limited? This is our second Subaru purchase within the past 12 months and after giving my dealer almost $60,000 you would think he'd have something more original to say other than "wait and see if they send you a coupon". Any suggestions out there?

    Ray
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I just got back from my road trip too. I might post more about the trip in general in the Cafe, but the short version is:

    - no tickets
    - average speed was 73.7 mph
    - average fuel consumption was 23.7 mpg (best leg 24.8)
    - some idiot in TDOT decided it was a good idea to close about 3-5 miles of I-35 south down to ONE lane just north of D/FW on thursday while they did something to the left shoulder. good time to have a nice stereo.
    - Rostra aftermarket cruise is better than nothing, but pretty crappy compared to OE units.

    I thought I'd get better mileage. I think it was running the AC and stereo (significant current draw = more demand on alternator).

    ~c
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Pat: Your landscaping reminds me of your car - impeccable. I guess OCD applies to many aspects of your life?

    I'm currently breeding experimental weeds all over my house. Scientists could study them.

    Good call on the harness for your pup.

    Mac looks lighter, his coat is more grayish now. Wasn't he black as a puppy?

    Hadji is still black/brown, but his face is gray.

    We got back from the beach last night, sounds like a lot of us did road trips. I have to share the mandatory Forester plug - my 5 year old daughter's bike didn't fit on my bike rack (odd shaped frame), but it did fit in the cargo area - fully assembled. Room to spare.

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Yeah juice, I guess I just like things neat, I find when you get things into good order it is much easier to keep it like that.

    Yep Mac was black as apup but it seems every time we have him groomed he gets lighter in colour.

      Cheers Pat.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Absolutely, Pat. You gotta keep up with it.

    I'm now at the stage where my kids don't really let me - they demand my full attention in the evenings. I need to take days off to work on the yard (or on my cars).

    I use that as an excuse to buy tools to help me do my work, though. Got an awesome yard vacuum last year, made some compost and now I have the best cucumbers you've ever seen.

    Bob - come by if you want some, I picked 34 last week!

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    juice, here is a shot of the lake, just to prove that the landscaping up there gets the same attention as the house.

     image

      Cheers Pat.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I see a patio and a shed? :-)

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Yeah, I was showing off my landscaping, you can just see the front of the Florida room to the right of the picture. The lake is to the front.:-)

      Cheers Pat.
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    My fescue looked great in April, but the combination of a hot/dry May and rainy humid July and August has taken its toll. Time to thatch, aerate, and re-seed in a couple weeks.

    Craig
  • goneskiiangoneskiian Member Posts: 381
    Howdy all!

    I'm still trying to catch up on all the posts since I've been gone. Happy B-day to all you August babies! September too while I'm at it! ;-)

    The wife and I had a great trip. Almost stopped in to see hammerhead in Spokane but it was late and we hit a downpour in Kellogg ID that would have been worse if it was any later and me any more tired. Sorry Paul, maybe next time! Especially now that I know you and Mark know each other. Actually had dinner with he and his lady friend at the Elk in Spokane that night (part of the reason we didn't have time to get that tour of the Liberty Lake firehouse).

    Anyway, Montana was windy, Yellowstone cold and wet (but amazing of course), Jackson Hole full of memories (I grew up there), and Denver was warm and sunny. I'll put some pics up on the imagestation account soon.

    About the woes... cracked the windshield on the new GT, D'oh! Isn't that a warranty item? (I wish). I also discovered that I've got mismatched door panel inserts. I was in West Yellowstone when I noticed. The driver and driver side rear door have cloth inserts and the other two have the leather inserts. Too funny!

    Pretty good mileage on the way out to Colorado with a strong tailwind (best tank 28.47 mpg), but worse on the way back to Seattle into the headwind (best tank 25.22 mpg).

    Cheers!
    -Ian
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Sorry to hear about the windshield!

    So, which do you like better, the cloth or leather door inserts?? :-) I will be very interested to hear how the dealer reacts to this.

    Craig
  • goneskiiangoneskiian Member Posts: 381
    Good thing I've got some subaru bucks saved up. Then again, will I be able to use them for the windshield? I should shouldn't I?

    I think I like the cloth ones actually. ;-) I'll take the leather though as I think that's what the limited model is supposed to get.

    I made an oil change appointment today and mentioned this to the service person and he said they'd order some different panels up. Hopefully it's that easy. I'll definitely share the whole story later.

    -Ian
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    via "contact us" at Subaru.com? No promises, but we can see what we can do for you.

    Thanks!

    Patti
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    work for this. If not, get in touch please?

    Thanks!

    Patti
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    arrived back safe and sound. Loved the photo's Pat!

    I really enjoy reading stories here about folks trips/vacations.

    I actually got to go out on a fishing charter last Friday night. We had a blast. Our "group" (brother, sister-in-law, husband, friends) caught 14 keeper sea bass and a couple of snapper blue fish. I caught 4 of them. We had a blast!

    How do I share photo's on-line now that I finally have a digital camera?

    Patti
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Patti, seems like you should takeover some of Subaru's webspace to host your photos ;-)

    You'll need a host to upload your photos too. Many here use ImageStation, there are other free sites out there, some allow direct links, others don't.

    Once you've uploaded them, you can link to the album or to the photos in your message. Adding the [img]http://putpicturelocationhere[/img] will make the photo appear in the message. NOTE: replace the [ ] with < >

    The Edmunds folks have a quick little how-to somewhere I believe as well.

    -Brian
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    There's a FAQ in the Town Hall Help link, but you've covered it better.

    Steve, Host
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    That should be Ivan...
    After having gone thru 3 1/2 days of twilight, I took off some hurricane shutters.
    For those of you who have never been in a house with all the shutters on, it is like a perpetual twilight, there is some light coming in from the top and bottom of the shutters, but the claustrophobia and cabin fever comes quickly, as does the boredom. There were times that I would open the front door to get some fresh air and see the outside world again despite the 50mph winds and strong rains. Finally got out on Sunday and surveyed the damage; just one ugly tree down and a large branch of our Chinese Orchid tree split in half, plus lots of loose debris. Saturday night were the strongest winds and Michael came in to sleep in the closet, which had been designated our safe room (our house is cinder block and rebar constuction, with hurricane strapping for the roof beams, so its is quite strong). We dodged another bullet here in our development; others weren't so lucky. We had power throughout the whole ordeal as opposed to Susan's mother who is staying with us because she still doesn't have power.
    Hopefully Ivan will stay on its' current path and remain south of here; I would like to get those shutters off, but it won't be til Thursday at the earliest that Ivan's path will be clearer. For now, I have three very large piles of tree branches that need to be cut down to smaller pieces so they can be removed by the sanitation people.
    As far as I am concerned, I'd sell the house immediately and get out of Dodge ASAP. I don't look forward to the rest of Hurricane season, which is just now reaching its' peak and desn't officially end until November.
    Serge
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ian: we can have a whole cloth/leather debate to help you decide which two to swap out. ;-)

    Cloth breathes better, but leather is more durable, unless you never treat it then it cracks....

    Patti: catch any turbot? :o)

    Windshield - does your insurance cover it? It does in MD.

    Serge: I guess what matters is that your family is intact. You can plant a new tree!

    -juice
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