Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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  • volkovvolkov Member Posts: 1,306
    We have the built in camera on Dra's Prius and I installed one on the Yukon. They are very useful, but I'd switch them both for the proximity sensors on our VW Sharan rental van. They were invaluable manoevering around the tight confines of UK laneways and parking lots. Sensors were front and back and included the corners of the fenders. A little monochrome diagram of the van and proximity lines popped up on the dash along with variable frequency tones. It became intuitive very quickly. Ford Fusion is supposed to have something similar, but in my test drive it was nowhere near as good.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I've offered, and no go. Wifey likes keeping her Forester clean, and in her possession.

    That means it would have to go on the van. Nowadays it would be more for a bike rack and maybe one of those cargo platforms to put beach stuff and a cooler.

    I honestly think it's overkill for my needs at this point.
  • rob_mrob_m Member Posts: 820
    band camp

    Uh-oh, we all know what happens there...

    American Pie reference.


    ... and this one time ... at band camp ...

    I just had to do it!
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,735
    You've "offered." Haha; you mean asked?! Or, begged maybe? :P

    The value of those cargo platforms cannot be over-estimated for fully enclosed vehicles. I use mine regularly; it's fantastic! The best part about it, aside from the ease of access, is that I can add that storage capacity without sacrificing fuel economy.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    my girls really DID go to 'band camp' .. a week in the summer at a university about 120 miles from home every summer during jr/sr high school ...

    when they say .. 'this one time at band camp ... " they really mean it, but then they just dissolve into giggles ... because they also know the reference ...
  • hammerheadhammerhead Member Posts: 907
    I'm going to have to rent that movie to refresh my memory :)
    Band camp here has been marching in the morning (relatively cool) and music inside after lunch. Mostly marching tomorrow, so I'm told, then the group goes to a baseball game (short-season single A) They do a lockdown/sleepover at the school next weekend - fun, games, music, team-building etc. He's liking it. For what it's costing, he better! :surprise:
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The value of those cargo platforms cannot be over-estimated for fully enclosed vehicles

    I'm jealous! I want one for those sandy beach chairs, bikes, wet stuff, etc.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,735
    :D

    I imagine most folks here cannot relate to this, but we do not have garbage service. Instead, we pack our trash out to a "transfer site", which is a collection point where the municipal waste service collects the trash and takes it to the landfill, etc.

    I used the tray just last night to take another load of that stinky stuff to the transfer site. Thankfully, we don't generate much trash so it takes about three weeks to fill our single trash can, but that's one thing I really like about winter... the trash is frozen for six months (no leaks, no smells)!
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Sounds like it's required for you...

    Dad used to own a lake house, and we had to haul trash to a dumpster about a mile away. It was a private community with no trash pickup.

    So I can relate! The smell was awful.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,735
    edited August 2011
    Well, I still used the Subaru for this task even before the tray. :cry:

    I did, however, tend to take the garbage to the transfer site more often. With the tray, though, I maximize the use of the bags. Now I only have to buy a box of 55-gal liners once every year instead of 8-10 months!

    Hey, anywhere I can pinch a penny... :blush:
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Hello all my old friends here at the Crew.
    I'm still around. Now on my 2nd Forester (2006), and husband is on our 3rd Forester (2008). I continue to love our Foresters, but recently turned big 5-0 and started thinking about my own mortality :cry:

    I started wondering if I'm missing much in my life by never having driven extensively any of the famous expensive brands. I see pretty cute little SUV by MB on the road (GLK350), or maybe to try the ultimate driving machine (BMW X3)?

    If anyone in the crew has experience with those two models, can you please describe pro's and con's as compared to Subaru?

    thanks!
    --kate5000, proud owner of Subies since 1992
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Kate, good to see you back, now the only thing you have missed is the expensive maintainance on those vehicles versus the Forester. If you plan to keep them for a long time or put lots of annual milage on them, an extended warranty is Mandatory.

    A very good friend of mine was a Euro Auto nut. he has owned an ML 350 his last Euro vehicle incidently, this one literally drove him nuts with constant problems. He has also had Merc 320, BMW331i, BMW540i, Volvo VR70. He finally gave up on getting hosed on maintainance.

    His latest vehicle is a Lexus RX350, he is loving it although since he has only had it for several months he cannot attest to it's reliability.

    Hope this info helps.

    Cheers Pat.
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Hi Pat,
    Nice to see you here too. Back from the house on the lake already?

    I was thinking of maybe getting one of these in some sort of short lease, so that I get that bug (no VW pun intended) out of my system and go back to foresters happily.

    No way I would commit to one of those cars for a longer period of time - also heard horror maintenance stories.
  • colin_lcolin_l Member Posts: 591
    Kate,

    I've owned a BMW. I wouldn't get one now at 50, preferring instead to save the extra money above a Subaru or go on fancy vacations.

    Same for M-B though I haven't owned one. You're not missing anything.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Hi Kate! Good to see you back.

    I think there are some places in which you can rent luxo-cars for a short time (Hertz?). You might want to do that, to see whether your interest is there first. So you spend a few $$ up front, rather than committing to to a long-term deal. Try-it-before-you-buy-it, so to speak.

    Bob
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,735
    Frank has a Mercedes or two, doesn't he, along with this Forester XT? I haven't seen him around in a while, but he could certainly offer an excellent first-person perspective on that brand!
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    edited August 2011
    Kate we sold the lake house last year, it was getting a bit much looking after two places. I had several health issues in the last while, plus Rita shattered her right wrist in a fall in January of this year and she is having big time problems. She has lost literally the use of her pinky and wring fingers due to nerve damage.

    It was the right time to sell, we are rediscovering Ottawa and finding lots to do on our doorstep.

    Considering a short term lease would make sense if you really want to scratch that itch. Otherwise I would say forget it.

    Cheers Pat.
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    Shouldn't a midlife crisis be a red convertible sports car??? ;)

    I would take a look at the Audi Q5 and Infiniti EX too.

    I will say Subaru leaves a bit to be desired in terms of interior comforts/luxury/quality, and as someone who hates little squeaks and rattles, stepping up to a near luxury/luxury brand things inside are just nicer and more solid (for the most part, of course YMMV). That being said, the long term ownership experience can be frustrating/expensive if you are unlucky. Of course, the service people/waiting areas are much nicer with snacks/espresso/etc. :D

    It's a cost thing. It costs more for the 'experience'. Depending on how much time you spend in your car it may be worth it. I personally don't feel like a 'better' person just because of the brand of car I drive but some people do, and it may be worth it to feel better.

    Good luck!

    tom
  • volkovvolkov Member Posts: 1,306
    Yes, I too was tempted by the darkseid (sp) but stayed in the Subie fold. We test drove a couple of MB's for the family and Bimmers for individual cars for both Dra and I. The test drives were very tempting all around and we were in the financial position to treat ourselves, but further research reveals that the German marques have fallen behind in basic QC in the past few years. Out of warranty their maintenance and repair costs get rather $$$$. We don't have a dealer here in town, so warranty issues would have been a real PITA when/if they arose. If we did have a dealer, I expect I would be coming to the end of a 36 month lease on a 335xi right now. Who knows how it would have turned out, but the fact that BMW dumped the dual turbo configuration after only a couple of years speaks volumes. I think that a lease would be a good consideration here as it minifies the downside at the expense of a little higher capitalization. The good news of course is that there is always a strong market for them if you want to sell.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    edited August 2011
    Frank is in the military, and has been "deployed," which is why we haven't heard from him. Not sure where, but I think we can make a pretty good guess as to where he is. I think his tour is one year.

    Bob
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    you know, the 1st weekend after the start of school feels pretty darn good ... a chance to at least 'catch a breath' before hitting the work that got brought home .... (yes, we DO work at home ... a lot!)
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Lies lies lies.

    Teachers only "work" 6 hours a day and only 9 months a year. ;)

    JK - I give teachers so much credit for what they do. There are some bad ones - just like in anything - but the vast majority love what they do and do a great job at it.
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    Good thing I knew you were j/k ... lots aren't ....

    You know the politicians love to point fingers at the teachers and education as the root of the country's woes ....

    At least we show up to work and WORK TOGETHER to get a job done .... can they say the same?
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    "At least we show up to work and WORK TOGETHER to get a job done .... can they say the same?"

    Got that right!!

    Bob
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    My 110 students (at least for now!) show up tomorrow. Besides the usual gaggle, I'll be co-teaching a 90-minute block of reading within the Social Studies area to a class of very low level students (Level 1s). This will be done with the reading teacher on our team. The two of us are still not sure what we'll be doing yet, but we were given a classroom set of new books for them that go to the basics of both reading and comprehension. A new adventure!
    Florida keeps getting lower in terms of per-student spending. With the budget cuts of the Legislature and Gov. Rick (Skeletor) Scott, we might even be #50 by now. It's just such a sad and frustrating time for teachers across the country.
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    My 110 students (at least for now!) show up tomorrow. Besides the usual gaggle, I'll be co-teaching a 90-minute block of reading within the Social Studies area to a class of very low level students (Level 1s). This will be done with the reading teacher on our team. The two of us are still not sure what we'll be doing yet, but we were given a classroom set of new books for them that go to the basics of both reading and comprehension. A new adventure!
    Florida keeps getting lower in terms of per-student spending. With the budget cuts of the Legislature and Gov. Rick (Skeletor) Scott, we might even be #50 by now. It's just such a sad and frustrating time for teachers across the country.
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    I think Gov. Daniels and Gov. Bush are running a race to see who can completely privatize public education first ...
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    As an observer of the insanity that just went on down there Re the dept crisis, here is my thought.
    If the folks in the states had any sense you would show the whole damn bunch the door when the next round of elections come up.

    These guys care no more about the problems than the man in the moon. How the hell can they, they are campaining for their jobs 24/7 year round.

    The compromise just agreed upon is nothing more than a band aid solution, there are none of the politicians with the honesty and fortitude to do what is necessary.

    Cheers Pat.
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    I happen to think that you are an "excellent" observer ....
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Test-drove GLK350 4Matic today, sticker $44K, invoice $41K. Monthly lease is essentially in high $500+ / mo, depending on how many miles you plan to put in per year.

    I drove Palladium Silver (or was it Palladium Grey) 4Matic 2011, souped up with Premium packaging, nav, heated seats.

    I liked power lift of rear gate and many various adjustments to the driver's seat, with telescopic steering wheel.

    I could not care less about built-in nav (which has an embarrassingly - for MB - small screen). I prefer a freedom of having my portable Garmin with 5" screen and lifetime free maps update. I'd also like to try other brands of GPS over time.

    It was warm day, so I did not try heated seats. MB Tex vinyl felt good, I like that it's perforated. A/C worked well, with a strong "power option" which could cool the car in seconds.

    Controls look cool at first, but when driving on a sunny day, I had real problem seeing the controls. It's white on white .. I had to take off my sunglasses, to see my MPH. Not good. (I guess it's probably lit up nicely in the dark...)

    Now, driving and handling. I was overall satisfied but not overly impressed with either. Yes, transmission is smoother than in my Forester (4 speed AT is an embarrassment at this day and age, Subaru, do you hear me?), but it was not as quick as I had hoped.

    Handling was OK, but given it was a warm dry day, I really couldn't tell if 4Matic is working. GLK was not as nimble as my Forester, but nimble enough for its size.

    Ride was smooth, but a bit less interactive than I like. I like to get a bit more feedback from the road, as long as it's a sporty feedback and not an annoying one. But let's give it to GLK - it handles pot holes pretty well.

    On the highway, road noise still came in. Definitely not as noisy as my Forester but much noisier than I expected in this class.

    Sideview mirrors were really too small for a car this size. It felt like an important piece of the upper corner of the mirror was cut off. I was in love with big mirrors on my Forester 2001. I miss big mirrors.

    Rear window looks very big from outside but the real see-through part is smaller than in my Forester 2006. Rear and side back windows were all nicely factory-tinted on GLK.

    Climate-controls were awkward to reach behind the gear shift. They're hard to read too (mind you, I'm at the age of needing reading glasses!). Yet they worked very well.

    I hated the fact that you cannot really close moon roofs. I mean, they're closed in terms of air sipping through, but the shades that you pull in are too transparent - they let so much light to sip through. Mind you, GLK's rear moon roof is not open-able - it's just a piece of glass in the roof. Then again, it's just that I personally do not like and don't enjoy sun/moon roofs.

    There is a lever on the left of steering, which has something to do with cruise-control - I kept hitting it, when trying to signal left/right which is a different lever below. Why not to put cruise on the buttons? I almost never use cruise control anyway.

    However, all those telescopic and up/down adjustments on the steering were quite pleasant to use, and effective too.

    Back seat was miserable. That thick rear door sill and a narrow space in the back made it hard to ingress and egress for a passenger who was only 5'7".

    GLK350 looked very sporty and boxy (yeah, I'm stuck in the 80-s) look that I liked from a distance. Close up, it was still a bit too "pregnant" looking. 19" inch wheels looked ok, but uninspiring -- almost the same as on my husband's 2008 Ltd Forester. I liked the looks of GLK with 20" which have that polished steel spikes, but you have to pay extra $$ for those.

    Even if money was not an object, I'd say those "always letting light through" moonroof shades were a big no-no for me. Next biggie was hard-to-read speedometer, and close next - small-ish mirrors.

    Next weekend - tune for Kate's report on X3.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Excellent report Kate. Very juice-like.

    Bob
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    *I* thought the same thing .. lol
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Thanks, Bob.
    I learned from the best ;)
    Sorry I did not research into towing capacity of the beast. :blush:
    --kate
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    edited August 2011
    Towing? 3,500 pounds, which is par for this class of vehicle. :)

    http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicles/model/class-GLK/model-GLK350W2#specificat- - ions

    Bob
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    For the schools that compete, especially in National Class, the two week summer camp is like boot camp! Emily was in the best physical shape of her life last year. It is a varsity sport, and they get a letter for it. Arlington placed 4th in the NY State Field Band Competition in Syracuse last year.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxZWS_fDCzg&feature

    This year she's warming the couch while her leg sets. The director basically dismissed our appeal to let her play from the stationary pit along the sideline. Once he gave her "dot" away, he was no longer interested in her. Real nice....
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    edited August 2011
    Since you have the 08 Forester, a couple of improvements you'll like on 2009+:

    * Telescoping steering wheel
    * Factory tint

    Funny thing is it seems like the best things you liked about the Benz you can now get on the new Forester. ;)

    Our 09 Forester Limited has the tint, but not the telescoping wheel. In 09 only the XT had it, I think. Now more models get it, though.

    The '11 Forester gets the new FB engine series but I agree, a CVT or more ratios is overdue. What about a stick?

    PS mid-life crisis = used Lotus Elise!
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    If you weren't impressed by the MB the interiors of BMWs are worse. VWs have nicer interiors than the cheaper BMWs.

    I forgot one more SUV to add, the Acura RDX. If you can get over the weird nose, it's a nice SUV.
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Benz' interior was looking definitely higher end than Subaru, but I just did not find it user-friendly:

    gauges should be easier to read
    so are climate controls
    gear shift handle gets in the way when reaching climate controls
    too small a screen for navigation

    on a bright side, when radio played the nav screen was showing computer graphics depicting old radio with a red slider moving over the line with notches. Very old time, very nostalgic.

    Yes, BMWs are known lately for cheapo interiors, unless you go real high end.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Thing is, the Euro vs. Dollar has killed value, so they've been forced to move production to the US and shop around/outsource lots of parts. A 1 series isn't nearly as nice as a 3 series, for example.
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Hi Kate! Good to hear from you. I'll be back in San Jose for a conference towards the end of the year, so maybe we ping Ken & Jim and meet for dinner like in the old days? Still work down in the valley?

    My OBW turns 10 in September. Still chugging along. Within the past few weeks I spent a few nights 'refreshing' her with brakes, coil pack / wires / plugs, etc. Early birthday present??

    A new, expensive car would sure be nice, but then I just obsess over every scratch (even more that I currently do)! That wouldn't be any fun.... Maybe solid utility over luxury just makes more sense?
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    I gave up using the dump/transfer station not too long after selling the truck. I put garbage into the Corolla wagon (pre OBW) for about a year, but the occasional mess and smell was killing me. Eventually I switched to the newly offered collection service company (private hauler in this area).

    I use my tray more often than my trailer these days. For the smaller dirty load, it's wonderful. If there was such a thing 10 years back, I'd probably still be hauling it myself.

    I see Harbor Freight sells a light weight aluminum one for as low as $70 with coupon occasionally. My steel "Carry-On" brand unit is very heavy duty, but also very heavy! I had to fashion an anti-rattle 2" => 1.25" adapter to keep it stable and quiet.
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Hi Steve,
    me working on the Peninsula still (not in San Jose; my office is much closer to San Fran now) but will be so happy to meet and catch up when you are here!
    just let me know
    ---kate
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,735
    Private collection... that's a very good idea, Steve! Perhaps I should start up my own company. I have to imagine that business would be continually picking up! :P
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Remember when we used to call them Garbage Truck Drivers?

    Now it's "Mobile Transportation Engineer for Private Collection of Non-Recyclable Solid Waste Material." :D
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,735
    Hahah; talk about masking the truth! So, what color is the Pot, these days? ;)
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Nice job, Juice! Of course thanks to a little bit of freeze frame image enhancement, I now know your plate number and your street address, and what you keep under that fancy hat. Not that I'd drive down there and steal your setup to reinstall in my 2008 Sienna LE (gee, I wouldn't have to change a single detail....). I'm just saying....
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You'd be missing the video sender, unless you tear open the tailgate trim.

    I think I'll keep my mouth shut about how to do that! :D
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Nah, I'll just order a new camera. Cheap enough as a total package if I can get the head unit via '5 finger discount'!

    For your cargo carrier.... I put the Curt hitch on my Sienna.

    http://www.amazon.com/Curt-Manufacturing-13256-Class-Receiver/dp/B000JW3EDO

    This is one case where I like the aftermarket offering better than OEM. 6 bolts, no plastic cutting. I even avoided dropping the exhaust by using a little side pulling and a swivel socket adapter. If it wasn't that I had to chase the rusty threads with a 12x1.25mm tap first, it would have been a 45 minute solo job.

    Only downside is that the already low tail is now down to below 9", making some steep driveways a taildragging experience. So, next addition might be air lift spring bags. It never stops!!

    EARTHQUAKE!!!!! Just tried to knock me out of my chair!!!
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    USGS shows it centered between Mineral & Louisa, Virginia. A bit WSW of family in Spotsylvania Courthouse.

    So weird. I'm in an industrial bldg in NY, firmly tied by heavy steel to bedrock, and we rocked pretty abruptly. My wife and kids are 11 miles NE of here, and felt absolutely nothing in our wood frame house on a foundation.

    Mother-in-Law in Fredricksburg said they shook strongly. Phones seem to be out west of there at S. Courthouse.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Did that include a wiring harness? Or just the hitch?

    I could use that for the platform and a bike rack, which would be useful...

    What year is your Sienna?
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