Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day

    Looks like it's not working. I'll have to go and join the hot cross Bun feast up the street. Some folk fomr our church host this each year and get about 180 people through their home. Really nice time for all.

    Happy Easter. Joyous passover etc.

    cheers

    Graham
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    We'll be back in the chat action soon Graham!

    Now I have to go through chat withdrawal tonight...LOL
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    I found some damage to my bumper today when I was getting into my LGT to go home. It looks like someone must have backed into my bumper and the screw from their license plate dug a deep jagged chip that not only peeled away the paint but also pushed away the plastic.

    I tried some touch up paint, the the surface is a bit too rough and varied for a simple fix.

    I'm considering having a touch up paint professional at it. Anyone have experience with these?

    Ken
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    I'm finally home AND remember it's chat time ....

    bummer ..
    see ya
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Soooo ... what's for dinner?

    Steve, Host
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Bummer Ken, if it has gouged the plastic then you definitely need Pro help. There is an epoxy now for repairing gouges in plastic bumpers, you could try one of the touch up professionals they are usually pretty good at small repairs like this, they have to guarantee their work.

    BTW. most of them will tell you up front if it is outside what they can do, then your only alternative is a body shop.

    Cheers Pat.
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Hate when that kind of thing happens. Don't you just love some people's driving skills?
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Yeah, whatever it was has unfortunatley gouged out some plastic. It's not too big, maybe 1/2" but it's right smack in the middle of the bumper.

    A colleague of mine had used one of the professionals and his work was very impressive. I saw a before and after in person and could not tell that there was a repair done.

    The thing that disheartens me is that I think this happened at work.

    Ken
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    obviously I need to do some shopping ..

    I had a can of green beans and a can of cream-style corn for dinner ...

    lol
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Bummer Ken.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Well, that stinks. :(

    We're still waiting for insurance to sort the "flying hub cap" issue. They found the owner of the vehicle, a rental company. So now the issue is who is at fault, the renter or the rental company.

    We'll sit back and let insurance handle it. At least we have found them.

    -juice
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    Bummer Ken. Really annoying to have to deal with it. I had my front bumper scraped (also at work) far beyond just touch up paint. My dealer recommended one of these touch up guys- he did a decent job. Not quite perfect, but hard to tell unless you get real close. It did take him 2 tries, the silver is a little tricky. It sure beats painting the whole bumper though.

    You could think about it this way, now you don't have to worry about your rear bumper and can repaint it before you sell it. (I kind of feel this way about my front bumper now) :D

    tom
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Thanks, tom. It's always the first "scratch" that hurts the most. I was bumming the first day but I've already come to terms with it. My front bumper is already covered with small dings and chips from rocks. The rear bumper, on the other hand, was prisitine until now...

    Ken
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    wow, I'm clearvoyant (well, almost)!

    In my Apr 1 "press-release" about VAZ and Subaru - if I only wrote GAZ and DaimlerChrysler instead, I'd be right on the mark! ;-)

    http://www.automotive.com/features/90/auto-news/19851/

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DaimlerChrysler Corp. today announced it has reached an agreement to sell tooling and other assets from its Sterling Heights (Mich.) Assembly Plant to East Coast Trading Company (ECTC), a U.S.-based intermediary exporter. The agreement does not include buildings or real estate.

    Russian carmaker Gorky Automotive Works (GAZ) will purchase the manufacturing assets from ECTC. The assets were formerly used to build the popular Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus sedans, which will be replaced by new models later this year.

    ...

    In addition to purchasing manufacturing assets, GAZ will be granted full- vehicle production rights in Russia and other Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine). The license will allow GAZ to build and sell cars based on the mid- size Chrysler Group body style under its own brands, with different product names and styling changes to the fascias.

    ...

    GAZ also will enter into an exclusive, multi-year supply agreement for the purchase of 2.4-liter four-cylinder engines from Chrysler Group's Saltillo (Mexico) Engine Plant for use in production of the mid-size vehicle in Russia and other CIS countries. GAZ also will utilize this engine in the company's Volga and Gazelle vehicles.
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Okay, so I called around and it's about $300 for a bumper repaint. It's kind of a shame since it's the gash is the only damage on my bumper. But then again, the reason why it stands out so much is because it's the only damage...

    Since my LGT is fairly new, I'm thinking of biting the bullet and doing it.

    Thoughts?

    Ken
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    To the crew: Having had a ride in Ken's car only 9 days ago, I can attest to the near faultless condition the vehicle is in. Ken deserves an OCD commendation.

    Ken: I feel your pain. My first bumper ding was self inflicted when I backed into a low object the first week of ownership. But my advice - don't do it. Fill it with a touch of epoxy, and cover with a few strokes of touch-up paint. Consider this ding to be a badge of courage. It has earned its stripes, and now no other bad fortune will follow. Use the $300 towards those additional car seats that will be needed in a few short months!

    Steve
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Kate,

    What lottery numbers should I play on the way home tonight?

    Steve
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Try
    1 2 3 4 5 6 ;)
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    I second this advice. There is a first time for everything, dings included. So I'd say $300 for later!

    PS I had a pleasure to ride in Ken's Legacy GT too. It's an amazingly smooth and powerful car. It even made me to think of maybe including Legacy GT on my shopping list (which so far has only Forester in it).
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    I agree with Steve. Now you don't have to be so compulsive about getting bumped in parking lots or parallel parking. Just save the $300 for when you trade in your car for a new one. Spec B wagon? ;)

    tom
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    ...for the comments. I'll sleep on it some more.

    I guess there is always a first time, but the problem is that it's rare I get scratches like this thanks to the lack of parallel parking in California. In fact my Forester had a pristine rear bumper when I traded it in.

    Yes, $300 could be better spent elsewhere, but part of me is saying that I'll get more out of it doing this now than later once other damage builds up on the car. Again, I think I would have decided otherwise if my car were older.

    Unfortunatley, even if a Spec B wagon were to be in my future, it's for a far distant future.

    What to do, what to do...

    Ken

    PS. Kate -- I knew you had to have added the GT to your list! :-)
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Ken,

    My problem with it is really less about the money to fix it, but with the idea of painting the entire bumper. Somehow, down the road, it may cause you many more regrets. Things like cracks, chips or color fading, having to explain it to a potential buyer, etc.

    Steve
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Steve,

    Perhaps. Nothing ever comes close to factory paint. But I've seen this guys work and he's very good. The local BMW dealer uses him to repair used cars for sale. My co-worker (who is even more OCD than I) has used him for his vehicles for a few years and never had a problem.

    Also, I spoke with the fellow and most likely he'll just repair the area and blend it in with the rest of the bumper (not a full repaint).

    Still, yes, something to think about.

    Ken
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Nah, I seriously doubt this would be a problem. The front bumper takes a lot of hits from stones and bugs and thus generally mismatches a car after a short while on the road --less than 20k miles if you look closely and by double that you don't even have to look that close. I also have absolutely no doubt that any competent body shop could properly match the color and make it look brand-new again.

    So if the $300 is worth it to you, Ken, I would get the work done without hesitation.

    ~Colin
  • goneskiiangoneskiian Member Posts: 381
    I feel your pain Ken. A few months ago I had the garbage collector put a couple nice gashes in my rear bumper with the mechanical arm they use to pick up the cans. Fortunately insurance covered it.

    FWIW, the body shop did a great job and I can't tell the difference. I hope it holds up well!

    Best of luck with which ever way you decide to go.

    Oh yeah, I'd trade in my '05 wagon in a heartbeat if they offered the spec B in a wagon! ;)

    Cheers!
    -Ian
  • goneskiiangoneskiian Member Posts: 381
    This is a reminder to everyone out there. Please get your heart checked regularly.

    A week ago Sunday a local cyclist passed away due to cardiac arrest while in a bike race I was competing in. He was 37 and a very fit individual.

    It's been a very difficult week as he was a very outgoing and friendly guy who had many friends. The whole Seattle cycling community has shown much respect with about 400 riders joining in on a memorial ride yesterday and filling a small local church today.

    Anyway, just wanted everyone to make sure their tickers are healthy.

    -Ian
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    That's tragic. Did they find out what the cause was for cardiac arrest? Any symptoms leading to the failure?

    Ken
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Sad news indeed Ian.

    Bob
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    Sorry to hear that, Ian. It is quite uncommon for someone so young though, he must have had some other risk factors.

    It's a good idea to see your doctor yearly, especially as we get over 40.

    tom
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    So I drove up to Bob's house yesterday, then we rode up together to NY. Left my house about 8am and got back around 11:30pm, so it was a full day!

    Got to drive the WRX Limited, and boy, that thing is ni-iiice. Just an abundance of power, and it seemed happier at 80 than it did at 60. It was hard to go slow. Ride is a little firmer than I'm used to but not bad at all, and handling far better than my Forester.

    He filled up on the way back and got almost 28mpg, hard to believe since we were going 75-80 the whole way.

    Any how, we saw the '07 spec.B, loved it! They also had the STI Limited and the Tribeca SE, all 07 models. Bob snapped a few (not many) pics, so hopefully he can share those.

    The spec.B was our favorite. From the beautiful dark dray color, to the black/blue seats, to the seat memory and SI-Drive controls, not to mention a 6 speed and a Torsen rear diff. Just heaven. I don't want one, I want TWO. One for the wife.

    The new STI is toned down a lot, a lot more subtle, and should appeal to a more mature crowd. I think they'll have an easier time pulling people out of S4s and the like. Better yet, they were hinting the price would not go up, since the deletion of the pricey BBS rims and spoiler would mostly offset the leather and moonroof. It'll be a hit if that's right.

    Finally, the Tribeca SE was there, and while I didn't care for the chrome grille (I prefer the new black one), the memory seat buttons were clearly visible. We did not get up close to the 'beca, only the spec.B, but it looked good. New color there, too, I think a lighter gray (I'm sure Bob will remember).

    Work is busy but once I catch up I'll post more in other threads, probably Future Models the most.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Bob snapped a few (not many) pics, so hopefully he can share those.

    Check out Straightline.

    http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/

    The color of the spec.B and Tribeca SE was Diamond Gray Metallic. It's gorgeous! :)

    Bob
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Ken I would fix it, but then I am nuts anyway, But I feel your pain, my eyes would be drawn to the damage every time I would go to the car. The rear bumper on The Titan was damaged and repaired 5 years ago when the car was only 3 weeks old.
    Never had a problem with mismatch or fading or peeling. Last spring the bumper was hit again the bumper cracked in the hit but the paint didn't. It was repaired again and looks pristine perfect match.

    Cheers Pat.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I remembered a funny moment.

    I brought my toll payer thingy, and would hold it up to the windshield at each toll booth. Bob would pull away. Well, a couple of times, he nailed it and really accelerated coming out of the booth.

    I was trying to lean over and place the FasToll reader in the center console, but I couldn't lean forward enough! :D

    That 2.5T has some torque, baby.

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Thanks for the feedback Pat. I'm going to keep my appointment and have it retouched tomorrow. I'll try and post before and after pics if the photos come out okay.

    Ken
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    That's funny. I do something similar with my EZPass. I don't use it often so I don't have it velcroed to my windshield. Instead, I just put it up on my dash when I approach the toll. As I pass the toll and accelerate, the EZPass just slides of into my hand -- no need to reach forward!

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Are you good at catching it? :shades:

    -juice
  • rob_mrob_m Member Posts: 820
    I keep my ezpass in the dashboard cubby. Never had a problem with it not registering at the toll booth. Rob M.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah? It doesn't need a line-of-sight?

    What technology does it use? I've never inquired about that.

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    No, it's RFID. I've also found that it works when stashed in my cubby hole (Nav hole). But it's more entertaining to have it slide off the dash!

    Ken
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Just had my bumper repaired and the guy did a fantastic job. As suspected, he didn't need to repaint the entire bumper and blended it in. I looked at the bumper from all different angles and could not see where the work was done. It was smooth and pristine, just like new.

    The guy also repaired a rock chip on my driver's side mirror at no extra cost. That too came out looking amazing.

    Will post before and after pics if possible.

    Ken
    (now a happy camper)
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    congrats Ken! money well spent, I'd say.

    ~Colin
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Good news. Fitz did a great job blending my wife's bumper when that got scratched, so it's possible. I still can't tell where the touch-up ends.

    LOL about the toll thingy.

    -juice
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    Cool, Ken! Glad it turned out well.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Good news Ken. I hope it works out in the long run. A few years ago, when we were in the multi-car Thanksgiving pileup, the Subie dealer repainted part of my son's Outback Sport. It too looked great, but the paint started to flake off in a couple of years. I hope that doesn't happen to you.

    Bob
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Bob, that was just a poor paint job, there is no reason now not to be able to paint a bumper cover properly. If it doesn't hold up then it wasn't prepared properly.

    Cheers Pat.
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    The fellow I used came very heavily recommended by a friend who is even more OCD than I. He's had several of his vehicles repaired by this person and years later, the paint still looks like factory condition.

    I honestly can not tell where the paint was blended in. It's that good.

    Time will tell, but the person I used has been doing this for over 20 years and is contracted by the local Ferrari and BMW dealers. He even went on to lament that many painters today don't properly prep and use plasticizers in bumper paint -- one of the reasons for cracking and peeling.

    Ken
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Ken, that is great news. Glad to hear that it worked out so well, and so fast.

    BTW, my friend Kourosh said that Chelokababi is high on his list, and was glad to hear that we enjoyed the restaurant too.
  • goneskiiangoneskiian Member Posts: 381
    Thanks. Yeah, pretty tragic.

    Found out today there where some warning signs (chest pains, shortness of breath when exerting himself) and that diet may have been a contributing factor.

    I guess leading an active lifestyle can't make up for other poor choices.

    I'll be getting a check up soon though nonetheless.

    OK, back to the car talk.
  • goneskiiangoneskiian Member Posts: 381
    OK, juice need some clarification.

    Is the standard GT getting the Aux in on the stereo or not? Seems the wording on that press release wasn't very clear.

    Wonder if that center console will be transferable? Could be just the ticket.

    Sure wish they'd offer that spec B in a wagon. :confuse: :cry: :shades:

    Sounds like you two had a fun trip to the show!
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    congrats!

    I'm always skeptical about those touch up jobs, but I guess technology has improved so much -- now it's almost as good as a factory paint!
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