Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I come in once a year or so I know them, but they don't necessarily know me. I also have never used them for a major purchase, I just show up with wheels and tires and have them do things. But that's all really besides the point.

    I'm not sure when I'm going to be able to get in there to settle things since my next day off work when they are open would be Saturday 11/20, and that's a long ways out from the original incident. I also don't even want to attempt to deal with this over the phone, their management needs to see the wheel (again) and the tire to fully realize the extent of what their technician did. Monday when just looking at the wheel, the service manager and my salesman were initially denying the damage was their responsibility. The manager (owner, actually) did the same, until I reassured him that I wasn't looking for a new wheel for a small cosmetic blemish... well that was before I saw the tire and realized that the person operating the machine when it happened MUST have known what they had done.

    I might do it tomorrow on the way into work but I'll have to make sure it's OK to be late because I doubt this is going to be a quick thing. Pics tonight-- maybe not good ones, but pics.

    ~Colin
  • hammerheadhammerhead Member Posts: 907
    Well, I admit to checking once or twice.
    He's got the virus-du-jour... fever, cough, etc., but we have to watch him a little closer due to his asthma. He's feeling better this morning - probably be good to go back to school tomorrow, but we'll probably wait til Monday, just to be safe.

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Too bad you didn't notice the tire damage until later on, that would have been real hard for them to deny. Really ticks me off when I hear about tire places denying wheel damage like this. You almost need to take pics of your wheels right before they start their work!

    Craig
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    I would make them replace the wheel and tire period!.

     Most wheel shops can dublicate the factory finish and I suppose that would be okay if you damaged the wheel yourself, but you didn't they did so ask for a new wheel.
     Now I have a question why don't you of all people have a second set of rims for winter tires?This way you avoid the hassle altogether of what you are experiencing right now.

     I might be wrong but I believe that repeatadly taking a low profile on and off will damage the bead eventually anyway.

      Cheers Pat.
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    as an "issue" has cropped up. I may be able to hop in for a few minutes, but please don't count on me. I'm sorry - it's a "kid" thing!

    Patti
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Pat,

    I looked for another set of stock wheels for cheap, but couldn't justify expensive aftermarket wheels when there's nothing to gain. I can't go smaller than 17" because of my brakes, and without changing the suspension I can't really take advantage of 17x9 wheels, either. (using my stock 17x8 for winter tires in that case.)

    the cheapest wheels the tirerack sells in a 17x8 for the evo would be more expensive than 3 years' worth of mount & dismount. I figure between now and then, I will find some cheap stock wheels.

    ~Colin
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    See your point there aren't a lot of EVOs out there to get cheap take offs, I am sure a set will present itself eventually.

     It's that seasonal mount and dismount is a royal PITA, plus you run the risk of damage to the tire, which you don't find until later such as bead damage contributing to slow leaks and all the rest of the associated headaches.

      Cheers Pat.
  • postmodernpostmodern Member Posts: 38
    After a great deal of thought and sanity checks with family and friends, this afternoon I'm trading in my husband's 2001 Legacy L and my beloved SueBee (2002 OBW) for a new Atlantic Blue Outback 2.5i. The change is practical but bittersweet.

    It's practical because SueBee and the Legacy are both performing well but I don't need 2 cars. SueBee has the amenities I've grown to like, but the Legacy has the auto loan. The answer is to trade in both cars to get one the way I (more or less) like it. I really liked the huge sunroof on the Limited (still not too crazy about leather) and the XT is a whole lot of fun to drive (what I want ;-), but I'm in the middle of building a new house and the 2.5i is what I need. And my existing snow tires will fit on the 2.5i.

    But I'm really bummed out about one thing that won't be in my new car. Subaru does not offer a 6 CD changer on the base 2.5i even as an option. I understand with my head that the components in the center console are seamlessly integrated, but there should be some way to allow this upgrade in the one model where the CD changer isn't standard. SueBee's CD changer was my treat to myself 3 years ago and I've really enjoyed it. It's become a necessity in the same way that heated seats have become a necessity. Because I can't have the same treat with my new 2.5i my heart says that I'm trading down ;-(((

    Subaru, split the base console for heaven's sake! I doubt if many would notice an extra seam in the console, but those of us who could now opt for the changer upgrade would thank you!

    -Lyn
  • postmodernpostmodern Member Posts: 38
    While my existing snow tires will fit on the new 2.5i, I've had to get a new doggie/cargo gate to safely transport Moose and Shadow. So I now have 2 cargo gates that fit 2000-2004 Legacy and Outback models without a sunroof that are available free to good home(s). If you or anyone you know in the lower Hudson Valley or I-84 corridor would like one or both gates, please send me an email so we can arrange delivery. My email should be in my profile...

    -Lyn
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Congrats, Lyn, I'm sure you'll enjoy the new one. You gotta get pics up when you take delivery, K? :-)

    You can probably E-bay a 6CD changer out of a 2005 Legacy GT, a lot of those folks will upgrade eventually. We'll keep an eye out for one for ya.

    -juice
  • graygray Member Posts: 9
    I've owned 4 Subarus: A '99 Legacy L Wagon 4EAT that became my wife's when I bought an '04 Outback Sport 4EAT. The Legacy was then sold when I bought a '99 Impreza L Coupe 5MT and my wife took the 04 OBS. The L Coupe was sold to buy a '00 Outback Sport 5MT (I missed the wagon)which has recently been traded to buy a Mazda3 (better mileage and a nicer/quiter ride for my long commute) We still have the 04 Outback Sport that my wife drives. Clear as mud? Anyway, I like Subarus. Hello
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hello gray, welcome to the Subaru Crew!

    I have a Miata as well, so we have something in common.

    Is your Mazda3 a 5 door or a sedan?

    -juice
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    You can probably E-bay a 6CD changer out of a 2005 Legacy GT, a lot of those folks will upgrade eventually. We'll keep an eye out for one for ya.

    Unfortunately that's not even an option -- the radio and HVAC are integrated (even sharing circuit boards). Any model that gets the 6CD changer also gets the auto climate control, but models with the single-CD get the manual climate control. There's no way to combine 6-CD with manual climate control unless they start selling that option in a vehicle.

    Lyn brings up a good point -- with the 00-04 models, you could always add on a separate CD changer to any of the radios if you weren't happy with the standard setup. No such option exists anymore, so Subaru has limited our choices with audio on the 05 more than I originally thought.

    The good news, Lyn, is that the 05 is a much nicer car than the previous models, so all else will be an upgrade for you! Maybe this is a good opportunity to get an iPod -- even with the 6-CD changer in my XT, I prefer using my iPod and having my entire music collection on tap. Having only 6 CDs is kind of limiting now! There are a few steps required to install/connect to the stereo, but at least it's a possibility.

    Craig
  • graygray Member Posts: 9
    It's the 3i Sedan. I really like it so far and it has the Sport shift AT. It looks, drives and feels more like a luxury sedan than an econobox. Having driven Subarus and AWD for the past 5+ years it is a change, but at least I still have one Subie in the family. :)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    No wonder so many people ask about iPod hookup. Thanks for the clarification.

    Subaru needs to put SportShift on more models. The Forester XT still doesn't have it, even Hyundai SUVs in its segment do.

    Conversely, I'd like to see Mazda offer more of their AWD offerings sold in Japan here in the USA.

    -juice
  • graygray Member Posts: 9
    iirc either the '06 MZ6 or MZ3 is going to have an AWD option and will be in the spec range to compete with the STI and Mitsu EVO.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The MazdaSpeed version of the 6, indeed. But we've heard $29k base and $31k for the limited, with moonroof an extra cost option you're talking $32k, more if you want Nav.

    Though it's nice to have options...

    That puts it at a premium compared to the Legacy GT, and really would stretch my budget beyond what I'm comfortable with.

    I was actually hinting towards an MPV with AWD.

    I doubt Subaru will have a minivan any time soon.

    Another thing I just read - did you know the Mazda6s automatic will now have a six speed automatic? That really puts the pressure on cars at its price level, that has got to be a first.

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    One of my beefs with newer model cars, the sterio being integrated seamlessly in the dash.

     It may look slightly more esthetically pleasing but it limits options, Re upgrading or replacing the head unit with an aftermarket.

      Or as in Lyn's case you cannot even swap it out for the factory 6Cd head unit.

     Although the Ipod is a nice option it requires some ingenuity to be more or less integrated, unless the factory unit has an auxiliary input which I understand Subaru head units at least don't have.

      I am completely happy with the six disc as I am sure many others are.

      Cheers Pat.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Come to think of it that would be an obstacle for my wife also. She really likes her 6CD changer now. She usually doesn't want to hassle with switching cars because her music is in her car.

    -juice
  • postmodernpostmodern Member Posts: 38
    I came late to CDs and I'm not quite ready to embrace an iPod as yet especially as I'd have to buy one, then pay someone to install it. I'd rather have a factory unit and be done with it.

    While it would probably cost Subaru a bit more to dis-integrate the radio/CD from the HVAC for the base models, they could most likely sell many more CD changers. Pat and Juice's wife and even Craig help to prove my point -- we want our musical hardware served up ala carte.

    But in general the 2005s are very nice cars -- much more refined overall than the previous generation. I didn't do too much driving today as it was dark and rainy when I left the dealer's lot, but she's already growing on me. I really liked the dashboard lighting. It's time to start thinking of a name for her -- maybe Skye as she's blue...

    -Lyn
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Congrats on the new ride! We need to get together one of these days for lunch.

    Got an excuse to get together..... How about I buy you and Greg lunch in exchange for one of those dog gates? It is one of the reasons Madison has not been in the Subi - too much dog in the event of an accident.

    How is the house going? Are you going to commute to EF??

    Steve
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Hi Rob,

    Thursday was pretty nice overall. After a long day at the plant, we went downtown Bean Town for a great seafood dinner (Atlantic Seafood ???).

    But Friday was the pits. I hit the road about 5 pm, and it took 5+ hours to make it back to NY. Heck, Peabody to Framingham took about an hour by itself with a wreck on 128/95. Snow & freezing rain the whole way. Really missed the Subi (driving a Hertz Taurus with tires about as bad as hard RE92's).

    Heading to Wocester, MA on Monday for the week to attend and give a paper at an ASM technical conference.

    Steve
  • rob_mrob_m Member Posts: 820
    Steve, I don't envy you one bit on that one. 128 is a pisser in the snow to start. Combine it with the first snow of the season, and the fact that the weather people totally blew the forcast. Prediction was 1 inch of snow on the grassy areas. I had 6 inches on the deck and driveway by Saturday morning.

    On the up side, this week's forcast is to be nice. Enjoy your trip to Worcester! Rob M.
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Else having trouble with spyware when using Edmunds? I thought Edmunds did not have this problem but!

      I have adaware installed and I cleaned it off yesterday and as an experiment I opened some site I use regularly lo and behold every time I open Edmunds there is a new spyware blocked by adaware.

      Cheers Pat.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I haven't installed SE Personal yet, but I've never had ver. 6 quarantine anything remotely related to Edmunds. Is it tracking a cookie or what?

    Feel free to review the Privacy Statement.

    Steve, Host
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Skye is a cool name. Our 626 was Emmy because she was Emerald Green.

    Congrats.

    -juice
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    I spoke to JohnV about this. There is a difference between spyware and tracking cookies. We use tracking cookies from 207.net which get purged every time ad-aware is run. There may be other cookies as well. If you are finding something other than a cookie, we’d be interested in hearing about it.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Interesting; I run a HOSTS file and 207.net isn't on my list and it doesn't show up in adaware.

    Steve, Host
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    huh, I'd never heard of blocking spyware / ads / cookies with bogus hosts entries. that's interesting.

    ~c
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    The infamous L race car looks like it'll be leaving the family if I can find a buyer. Found a great deal on a low milage legacy turbo that has a blown AT. Going to pick that up and put in a 5MT and build it from the ground up. Not sure who's gonna buy the L yet hopefully someone grassroots in the area that wants to get into racing. We are starting to get a bunch of subies with race cages maybe our dream of an AWD series could come through!

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah? Roll cage and all?

    If my daughter were old enough to learn autocross I might consider it. I love primer gray. :o)

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Mike: Questions/comments:

    1. Lack of sponsorship a problem?

    2. Broken Leg Turbo replaces L as race car?

    Lots more than a collection of caged Subies needed for a successful AWD road racing series (see Q1; maybe also participation from Audi folk?).

    Ed
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Karen, when we go in and ckeck whatever is loaded when I open Edmunds is a tracking Co. called data miner not 207.net.Data miner is a cookie, we do not auto purge Ad-Aware we prefer to do it manually so we can track what is going on.

      Actually the domain 207.net is for sale.

      Cheers Pat.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Actually it's 2o7.net from www.omniture.com and it is in that hosts file.

    Data miner is usually a generic name for a program that collects information fwiw.

    Steve, Host
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    The Subaru Impreza did great on the whiplash/seat design issue in recent test. Legacy did well. Why does the bulk of the press go to Saab and Volvo? It was good that on the Today Show, after Katie Curic bobbled the name Impreza it was pointed out that it isn't just the expensive cars that get good ratings, but I feel slighted!! Even on that stupid "AIM" introduction with "news" - they don't even mention Subaru. Okay - Rant off - thanks for listening!

    Patti
  • snowbeltersnowbelter Member Posts: 288
    Patti: I was annoyed this morning when I read the NY Times online story about this which lead with "Only eight earned a good rating" and listed 3 Volvos, 2 Saabs, a Jag, a VW, and the Imprezza. The story failed to mention that one of the Saabs was really a Subaru. The story also discussed how poorly GM cars fared and that the only two cars which scored a "good" were the 9-3 and the 9-2x Saab. Again, the story failed to note that the 9-2x is really a Subaru. Martin
  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day

    I think there might be a spate of dodgy pop-ups at present that some of the ad busters have not caught up with. I had recurrent problems until I loaded Zone Alarm and individually checked each program that wanted to get access to the Internet. Found several with three digit numbers that i deleted. Subsequently traced the programs these relate to and deleted. Then ran Sby Bot Search and Destroy.

    I supect its not Edmonds but just general junk

    Cheers

    Graham
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    No lack of sponsorship, just that we have run into the issue of not enough power in the L to really do what we want with it, we were gonna go full bore with a motorswap etc but realized that a motor swap in a racecar is just gonna cause us more issues than it's worth. If I can get the '91 Legacy turbo, we can start with a very sound car and build it up etc.

    As for the AWD series, we are looking to hopefully get about 10-15 cars with AWD to come out and eventually make it into a Honda Challenge like series for AWD cars including but not limited to:

    Mitsubishi- Evo, DSM, etc
    Subaru- Any and All
    Audi- Quattros
    Cadillac- STS
    VW- 4-motions
    BMW- 330ix and an older 3-series AWD model

    We may wind up raffling off the racecar if we can't sell it outright.

    -mike
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    huh?

    I fail to see how an engine and transmission swap is more complicated or more expensive, than starting from scratch on a Legacy that uses the same powertrain. The Legacy lacks a cage, racing seats, suspension, brakes... and its only advantage is an engine that, while better than the L's current engine, is woefully low-tech for competition. The turbocharger is tiny and the cylinder heads flow very poorly compared to WRX or WRX STi heads. (hell, even n/a 2.5 SOHC heads!)

    This has to be about desire rather than real potential. You just want to race the Legacy instead, I'm guessing.

    ~Colin
  • damish003damish003 Member Posts: 303
    I can certainly appreciate Patti's rant about the coverage of this issue. Some may remember that my 2004 OBS was rear-ended a year ago. I was stopped, the big truck behind me was traveling 45-50 mph. Understand that I'm fairly tall (6'-2") with a long neck. The design of that headrest CERTAINLY kept me from any whiplash problems. When I drive, there is very little room between the back of my head and the headrest, in addition to it's height. It's the best design I've ever seen. It's only downside is it's tough to see around when changing lanes. No big deal, it's an easy adjustment to make. Considering how badly the car was wrecked, I'm amazed that my neck and back came out just fine. Shouldn't the Forester get the same rating, or is the design in it different? Anyway, I just thought I'd share.

    -Dan-
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Noticed that too, Patti, Saab 9-2x got the credit for the Impreza being rated highly.

    -juice
  • ozman62ozman62 Member Posts: 229
    Headrests must be properly adjusted to be most effective. Most people don't have them in the correct position, heightwise, to be very effective. It's one of those seat adjustments that you don't really think about, maybe because it doesn't affect your comfort as directly as the seat height or fore-aft adjustments. Maybe, when Subaru decides to add memory seats, they could be the first to include memory headrest adjustments as well.
    Owen
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    On early Foresters, you could swap them front to back.

    The ones in the front were fixed, upright, while the ones in the back could be tilted forward.

    So I have them swapped, I like them as close as possible to my head, so I can lean on them and so that there is little travel before they would start to function.

    Even if you tilt them all the way back, they're in the same position as the fixed ones.

    Strange. But I like the ones that tilt towards you.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Colin,
        The plan is to swap over the coilovers from the L to the legacy, so that's easy. The idea is that doing a swap with all the wiring harness crap etc and the cost involved in buying a GOOD USED wrx motor is significantly higher than the cost of getting the legacy. EMRA which is a local racing group has the legacy classed better than the spot where the L would fall so we can actually be competative. As for the cage, we will use a WRX Auto-power cage which will be relatively inexpensive to install.

    That's the plan for now. Of course this is all dependent on me getting the legacy for the project.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Really, it's in a better class than a 2.2l automatic?

    Or you mean after factoring in the engine swap and new tranny, i.e. that would that put you in the class with stock WRXs?

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Well the AT doesn't make a difference they don't differentiate on that. But amazingly the Legacy turbo falls in the same class as the 2.2L impreza, only problem is that IIRC the Impreza L as it stands is bumped up a few classes due to some mods we've done to it. So if I run it as is it's in a much harder class than it can really compete in due to lack of power. I could bump the legacy up to the class the L is in now, but put on larger turbo, IC etc and have some decent power.

    We also want to start from scratch on this project as well, so we can plan out and lay out eveything the way we want it.

    -mike
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    So if I run it as is it's in a much harder class than it can really compete in due to lack of power. I could bump the legacy up to the class the L is in now, but put on larger turbo, IC etc and have some decent power.

    um, couldn't you turbocharge the Impreza L or even do a WRX swap and stay in the class you are in now?

    ~c
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Nope that would thow me into "unlimited" class. Road racing is weird like that, not to mention to get a WRX driveline will cost me the upwards of $5K, I won't spend nearly as much to get the legacy as fast or faster.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I know this should be in the Photo thread but I just had to share this pic Hutch sent to me...

    http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4290819759&p=4131052672- &idx=11

    Hilarious.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I'd like to see a copy of the rules just for curiosity's sake. If you cannot freely change the exhaust components (specifically turbocharger plumbing) then your Legacy is NOT going to be capable of reaching anything near stock WRX speed, let alone modified. the IHI RB52 turbocharger is tiny and won't support much more than 180 HP, and nothing larger will bolt directly in its place. plus you have poor cylinder heads which as anyone knows, is where the true power of an engine comes from. anyone can turn up the boost or raise the compression, but without good heads it's folly.

    but hey, why am I arguing logic with someone racing a caged naturally aspirated 2.2L with an automatic. ;) that makes perfect sense! hehe

    ~c
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