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Comments
I'm happy to say that the LGT Wagon is still running strong at 44K miles and I have no plans to get rid of it.
The girls are getting bigger with Emi now at 14 months and running around. Erina is in her last year of preschool.
The event of this summer for me was The Police reunion tour. I've been a huge fan and got to see them live in Oakland. So crazy am I that I am going to another concert in Atlantic City come November. I got my older daughter singing all their classic hits with me in the car.
Yesterday, I had a chance to test drive the new WRX as well as an 08 Forester Sports XT as one of my friends is in the market for a new car.
The new WRX was just ok. The model I drove was a red 5-door, 5MT with the optional grille. I liked the exterior styling but the optional grille left something to be desired. While the black mesh was an improvement over the standard grille, it looked a little too spartan -- as if some trim piece was forgotten.
The interior was much more roomy than the outgoing model. Headroom, legroom were all improved. The interior trim materials were a bit of a letdown, however. Subaru decided to use a hard plastic all around the dash and while the styling was fine, it left one with a sense of economy.
The power delivery was similar to the outgoing (I didn't hammer it for respect of a brand new unsold car) but the ride did feel a tad softer.
The Forester XT Sports on the other hand, looked fantastic. It was a dark grey model and the blackened headlights and taillights really worked well. The STi wheels also made it look very sharp.
The interior of the XT was well done. The cloth pattern was very nice and had a much more refined feel than the new WRX. It drove and felt like a Forester, however I did notice the taller 1st gear ratio. Unlike the first FXT I ever drove, this one had a much more relaxed power delivery. What a difference gear ratios make.
Bob -- so sorry to hear about Deb. I hope all turns out well.
Ken
Bob
-Brian
I'm sorry to hear that. Your family is in my thoughts.
Alicia
I hope everything works out for the best.
Charlie
Bob
-mike
-Frank
My cousin's mom is a breast cancer survivor and just welcomed her 4th grandchild.
Tell her to hang in there.
So, did you get the feeling an 09 Forester update would be an improvement, or not? It should get similar updates to the new WRX.
We're looking at one of those for my wife.
She traded up - before the movie finished filming!
I have a feeling the 09 Forester will be fairly different from what it is today based on the renderings (from a Japanese car mag) I've seen at NASIOC. For starters, the article mentioned that the chassis will resemble more a wagon and be more conventional looking.
The article also mentioned that in addition to the usual NA and 2.0 Turbos there may be a H6 model (again, JDM reference). It is still not known if Subaru will continue the Forester STi model.
If there are lots of carryovers from the new Impreza/WRX, I have a feeling the interior and exterior trim might not necessarily be an improvement. While the styling is refreshed, I didn't get the sense that the quality of materials improved.
I just received my latest Automobile magazine -- in it they do a review of the new WRX. Much of what they wrote was spot-on with my impressions.
Ken
-Ian
Glad to hear you're still enjoying your LGT Wagon as much as I am! I've got you on the miles though as I'm up to 48K now.
Still haven't done anything to it besides the tint and the Euro center armrest. I do have an '07 HU in the garage waiting for installation though. I wanted to be able to plug in my iPod and I know this unit has the aux input ability. I'm waiting a bit longer though as it looks like the '08 Impreza's going to have a kit that will allow you to control the iPod through the stereo controls. There's a thread at LGT.com and likely more on Nabisco that talk about it.
It appears that as long as you have a stereo with satellite radio capability it should work. I'll be getting one soon though to test it out.
Cheers!
-Ian
An H6 model would be great, but I hope it's the 3.6l. With more power and a regular fuel requirement, that might perk our interest. Depends on how quick and how efficient it turns out to be, I suppose.
Bob
Hurry up and wait
I'm planning a blog entry on the Crew, so the more the merrier!
The Subaru Crew Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule
Haiku'd you?
--kate
I too am overwhelmed with work at the moment and don't post or read that often.
I hope Subaru does not screw up with the Forester'09 too badly.
Hubby's eyeing WRX'08 for his next car - do you know if they have them anywhere in the Bay Area to try out?
Glad to hear your LGT's working out well. My new (06) Forester has 10K miles by now and hubby's WRX - 90K (just got it serviced in santa cruz today).
--kate
Do you guys ever park your Subies? :P
Serge
Bob
Cheers Pat.
Bob
The Subaru Crew Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule
Bob
Man, I have to do a blog on the Crew one of these days. Everyone bring the best stories you know about other Crew members tonight so I can take notes!
I'll take a room-temp (or slightly cooler) cream stout or chocolate stout almost anytime.
http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1255562
More Lucas fun stuff, such as as the "Lucas Replacement Wiring Harness Smoke Kit" and subsequent Q&A.
http://www.mez.co.uk/lucas.html
Bob
From the Q&A section.... just too darn funny! :P
Q: Can I use this device to replace the smoke in my Alfa Spider? Is Brit smoke the same as Italian smoke?
Jun-09-05
A: Only if it's pre-Bosch.
What does it say on the gates of Hell?
Air-conditioning by Lucas.
Since it came out, I've loved its lines and the power hardtop. There was no way I was going to get a new one but told myself that if I waited a couple of years till they started coming off lease, I might be able to get a well maintained one for a decent price. Well that time has arrived and lo & behold, someone just traded in a hard-too-find 6-spd manual (a must have) at the local Benz dealer.
I know that CR hates the reliability but I’m hoping that the first owner worked thru most of the issues (assuming there were any) and it’ll be a CPO so it comes with a 5/100k manufacturer warranty. And seeing how I’m now living in the desert southwest, this is a great place to have a convertible roadster.
Sure the Boxster or S2000 provide a more pure driving experience, but for the best combination of performance and luxury, the SLK is hard to beat. Most reviewers will ding it for being pricey but getting an 05 negates that argument.
Of course I realize that I’m not considering this rationally so want some objective input. Am I crazy, do I need an intervention? :P
-Frank
P.S. To keep it OT, I’ll still have the Forester
Life is short. We should enjoy it, within reason. This sounds perfectly reeasonable to me.
Jim
Sounds like you're going in with your eyes open, so go for it!
p.s. Glad to hear the Forester's staying. Forester & sports car... that's a good combo to have in the garage. Just ask Juice!
Bob