Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

1…550551553555556…692

Comments

  • toboggantoboggan Member Posts: 283
    Gee, it only took 3 tries to log in today. Yesterday it took 2 tries.

    MNSteve
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    for the final 12 minutes!

    Logon today was better. 1-2 tries was all it took. Fed the gerbils?

    Steve
  • jfljfl Member Posts: 1,399
    I've been opening the window and hitting refresh once or twice as my log in method for months...

    Do we need to put a sticky note on your forehead Bren?

    Only if she's going to look in the mirror.
  • hammerheadhammerhead Member Posts: 907
    Only if she's going to look in the mirror.

    And then you'd have to write the note backwards.

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    ynnuF!
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Nice try but you put the exclamation point on the wrong end :P
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    you guys .. just cause I'm female you think I live in the mirror? ...

    I'm one of those women who get ready in the morning ... and then don't take another look until i'm ready to go to bed ...

    and sometimes that's scary !!!!
  • jfljfl Member Posts: 1,399
    !AH HA

    correctly written for the mirror...
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Hi gang,

    Greetings from Singapore. Just got in early this morning after an 18-hour non stop flight from LA.

    I walked around town a bit this afternoon and noticed quite a few Subarus! When I checked in there was a Legacy GT sedan parked outside. I've spotted quite a few WRXs around town as well as two turbo Foresters driving around in tandem. I even saw the R2 at an intersection. My co-workers are laughing at me as I'm paying more attention to the cars than to the sights.

    Ken
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    My co-workers are laughing at me as I'm paying more attention to the cars than to the sights.

    How funny -- spoken like a true car guy. I get a lot of grief from my wife when I take photos of cars on trips, but sometimes they are as interesting as the sights!

    Craig
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    My wife has come to appreciate the fact that I'm looking at cars (and sometimes bicycles), rather than women!

    Steve
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    On our honeymoon in Bermuda, I took 50% of the pics of the sites and what not and 50% of the cars! :)

    -mike
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    I'm seldom on these boards anymore; the last two years have been somewhat difficult for me, mostly professionally but also healthwise. Sometimes, however, a dose of perspective is necessary to realize what you do have.

    Pat, my heartfelt condolences to you on the loss of your brother. I cannot quite say I know the feeling; I had a brother who died before I was born so the situation is quite different. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Ed
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Good to hear from you, Ed. Hope you've been feeling better lately.

    Thought about you the other day, actually, when my sister told me she got a job (she had a 13-month search).

    Our first snowfall is here, about 1.5" at my house. I just mounted the snow tires so my timing was perfect. Froze my hands, but still. Can't wait to try those tires out, probably tomorrow morning.

    Any tips for a snow-tire newbie? Besides having realistic expectations?

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    They aren't as good as you think, but they are much better than no snows. :)

    No snow up here in NY yet, getting here soon.

    -mike
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    I really don't follow sports, but do know enough to know that many people around here will have a hard time knowing which "local" team to root for in the Super Bowl ...
  • hammerheadhammerhead Member Posts: 907
    Juice: Are they studless, or advertised as an alternative to studded tires, or more mainstream?

    They'll probably feel softer, almost mushier, if you're accustomed to a higher-performance tire.

    Between my Toyos, the 50/50 F/R power split, and ABS, it's a very comfortable drive in the snow. So much so that when the opportunity arises for my next Subaru, I'll probably be torn between the MT & AT. Is the AT power distribution seamless, or can you feel it working?

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Depends on the AWD system. If you get VTD (typically on the 5EAT but not exclusive) it's quite smooth because of the nominal 45%F/55%R distribution. If you get active AWD (typically with 4EAT but there are exceptions) it's a bit more abrupt because of the nominal 90%F/10%R distribution. You will hear a slam as the clutch packs engage under serious slippage and send power aft.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They're Dunlop Graspics. Definitely softer tread, lots of sipes, says "studless" on the sidewalls.

    I'm going out soon but the snow has mostly melted now. Some of it will re-freeze so we'll have icy roads tomorrow morning, so the Miata is parked for a couple of days at least, as you can imagine.

    -juice
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Juice - I run snows all winter here in Boston. If they are a rated tire - the Graspics might be - the handling will be pretty good on dry roads in temps under 40. Above that, it'll feel mushy.
  • leo2633leo2633 Member Posts: 589
    juice,

    I run Blizzak WS50s on our '01 Forester S and '03 Outback, usually from mid December through late March. They are great in the snow on these vehicles. Mine are 205-70-15 on Forester L steel takeoffs, which gives a noticeably softer ride than the stock 215-60-16s. My wife's OB runs the stock size (225-60-16) on '03 Forester X steel take-off wheels (which, ironically, are the same wheels used on the 2007 OB base model). The Blizzaks are definitely noisier than our 3-season Contis, but not enough to be a problem. I justify the negatives of running the snows all winter by the peace of mind it gives knowing our cars are ready for a big snow storm.

    Len
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Ed, welcome back to the boards! Good to hear from you!
  • hammerheadhammerhead Member Posts: 907
    45/55 is close enough to what I run now that I'd guess my numb buns wouldn't even feel the difference.

    Juice: If the temp gets back up above 50F, get those snows off - the warm roads just eat those studless winter-rated tires alive. Mine have worn well - this is their 7th winter!

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Not to mention you get diminished emergency handling capabilities with winter tires in warm weather!
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Tires deteriorate over time and several car companies (Ford/DC) supposedly say tires should be replaced after six years (I've seen 8 and 10 years too).

    Starting September 2009 tire manufacturers will have to print the build date in an easy-to-read, four-digit code on the outside of tires, instead of the tiny little sidewall markings they have now. (link).

    May as well use them up. ;)
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    6 years is a long time IMO too. I usually replace them every 2 years or 30k miles on my cars. I just don't feel comfy driving (the way I do) with tires older than 2-2.5yrs 30-40k miles on them.

    -mike
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    I switched to the steelies and the no-name all seasons the OBS came with....but I don't know why I bothered. Scintillatingly awful, they are. Terrible in the snow, marginally better in the wet. Borderline unsafe, as far as I am concerned. The sooner I get them off the better. A friend of mine has snow tires he may want to give me. They're off a '94 BMW 5 series, with maaaybe 6k on them. I think they are going to be too big for Subaru 15"s though...225/60/15, and might rub to boot.

    I gotta do something though, these things are crap. I'll take a set of WRX takeoffs and RE92s ANY DAY over these...uh, Hercules? I think that's the brand. :sick:
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Lucien, want me to bring a set down with the brakes and seats????

    -mike
  • hammerheadhammerhead Member Posts: 907
    I say 7 seasons, but they're pretty short - usually not on the car until around December 1st, and always off by April 1st, so there's only 28 months of driving. Until I started ski patrolling, that wasn't a lot of mileage, but add a 160 mile round trip 6 or so times/month, and I'm guessing I won't get another 7 seasons out of them. As of now, though, still tons of tread depth left, and they still handle the snow & ice very well.

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    It's not the miles, it's the months. Aged tires can look perfectly fine but can "delaminate" on you - just like a perfectly ok snowboard or pair of skis. :D

    When I got a set of Toyos.... er, Yokos? (whatever KenS recommended), I made the guy show me the date stamped on the tires. They had only been in the warehouse for ~6 months.

    Here's yet another link for your viewing pleasure. :shades:
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Also note the storage of the tires is key as well, make sure to store them in cool, dry, DARK places. Sunlight will break them down significantly quicker than if kept in the dark.

    -mike
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    Whatchya got? Remember, nothing 15" will clear the brakes.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I've been hoarding WRX rims for years :)
    If I sell you my 4-pot Racing Brake calipers they will fit under them.... :)

    -mike
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    You ought to begin thinking about how much $$ you want for everything, and any parts I might need to source (rotors, pads, etc). If you really wanna come on down, then we should also look at a date and maybe turn it into a Subaru Crew mini-meet....
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Rotors and pads are not a problem, let me know and I'll get em at cost for you. (I'm a supplier of DBA, Hawk, Mountain) and we might as well do SS lines while we are at it. :)

    -mike
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    kewl. Maybe email me what you want for the calipers/brackets. I'm going to need the whole schmeer.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Thanks, Paul, remember I have a 2nd car. The Miata gets driven on warm days any how, and we're not planning any road trips until spring. By then I'll mount the regular tires.

    Lucien/mike: I'm in, just let me know what day. I have a car port but Baltimore is probably closer for mike so I'll drive up, no problem.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Sounds good guys. Luc. I'll shoot you an e-mail with the details on it all.

    Seats
    Rims (and tires, let me know if you want any particular rubber, I can get from TR if you want)
    Front calipers, pads, rotors
    SS Lines

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Those calipers are pretty nifty. Aluminum 4-pot, they use the FHI 4-pot pads, weigh 1/2 of the FHI calipers, and fit under the WRX rims. Only downside we found was they were a bit loud with HP+ pads.

    Oh yeah you want slotted rotors and HP+ or smooth rotors and HPS pads?

    -mike
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    smooth, HPS I think. the car isn't going to see anything more intense than auto-x and maybe an HPDE. Maybe. And we're talking about a car that's 30hp down on a GC 2.5RS, ya know?

    Plus cost is a real issue; this is definitely a grassroots motorsports project. :blush:
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Okie, will do. Have to see how low I can go on the calipers, but they've just been sitting around since I went back to the FHI calipers on the race car.

    -mike
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    you need to cover yourself though, Mike. If you want I can source used WRX calipers and brackets.

    BTW, for some fun reading, check out the "Project Grocery Getter" thread on Nabisco. In the Brakes/suspension forum, search under "outback poo" :D seriously, those are the best search terms.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Yup I ran with that car at a few NASA events. No worries, I'll make it work out, just be aware they are noisy. Stop equal to or better than the FHI 4-pots. These are the ones I was testing for RB on the legacy Gold with red lettering on them, and got them for a good price so I'll pass that on to you.

    -mike
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    well alrighty then! Now all we need is a date (no garage btw), a tanker truck full of Liquid Wrench, and some other Crew members!
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Well I'll look at the calender and see if perhaps we can work it into an event at Summit Point, then you guys can come out see the legacy race car and we'll crank out your brakes with a full crew there. Since I'm an instructor I'll take folks for ride alongs too.

    -mike
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    schweeeeeet. Send me a ball-park tally (not including tires) so I can budget. lucien.walsh at verizon.net
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    Sooooo....after 2 horrible days on the Hercules tires that came with the car, one of the steelies threw a weight. That clinched it. I went to our storage unit and hauled out the OEMs from Q's BG. Luckily, the 205/70/15s don't rub. Ride is comfy and, um, well, let's just say I'm having Forester-ja-vu in terms of ride height :D

    And on a side note, reason #567 not to run steelies in the winter: after just 2-3 days on the car and lots of Salt (I live in Carthage, where the local gov't puts down 5" of NaCl for every inch of snow), the suckers were stuck to the hubs. I had to kick every one of them off.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Oops, mine are on steelies. I have an 8 lb hammer if needed. Just don't get under the vehicle! :surprise:

    Take some pics, I bet the big tires look hilarious.

    -juice
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Sheesh guys - apply some antiseize to the hubs to avoid the sticking.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Too late, they're already mounted. Guess I could R&R but I probably won't bother.

    The hubs were clean, at least. I don't think the steelies had any rust, but they weren't clean, shame on my OCD Club-Probation-self.

    -juice
Sign In or Register to comment.

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.