Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Happy thanksgiving to all you guys south of the border. Eat well and stay safe.

    Cheers Pat.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    I'm especially proud because I coached her!

    Shouldn't that be "I'm especially proud that despite my coaching she made the team."

    :P
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,730
    How about those of us west of the border? Sheesh; I feel so left out. :cry:

    Hahah; thanks for the sentiments, Pat. I certainly plan to eat well! :D
    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
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,730
    Touché! Were that my child, I could not honestly respond in any other way. :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
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Gobble, gobble everyone!

    Bob
  • volkovvolkov Member Posts: 1,306
    To those South of the border and those who can see Russia from their kitchens.
    I had great plans for today too. I had the week off and planned to create a large Volkov shaped dent in my couch watching football with my kids at school and Dra at work. ( Not antisocial, it is just that they don't like football and despite the fact that I'm pretty sure my $$ paid for the flat screen and the PVR, I always get last choice of what we watch until they go to bed. )
    Anyway, scheduling mix up saw me being called in to cover this week :-(
    Still recording everything....hope to be home early.
  • hammerheadhammerhead Member Posts: 907
    And we are putting off our celebration until tomorrow, since my wife has to work today. I will be putting a similar dent on the couch, watching football & whatever, but also catching up on a couple narratives from work. Very quiet house today, but a couple extra friends & family will make for a crowded and happily noisy table tomorrow.

    So much & so many to be thankful for, this day and every day. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Despite my efforts, indeed!
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    I cooked from 7 PM last night until midnight .. up at 6:30 and cooked and cleaned until 2:30 ... filled a plate and ate .. sat a little while and visited with daughters ... then up and washing dishes, pots, and pans ... and now I'm finally sitting down again about 5:30 ... my back hurts! I'm getting too old to do all of this, I guess ... even though my DH helps me LOTS in the kitchen and cooks some of the dishes, too ....

    one of my stepsons took the 90 mile trek in husband's car to pick up husband's parents and bring them here .. we'll be taking them back home a bit later ... not looking forward to the car trip since the son and mother in law SMOKED in it all the way HERE ... when husband realized they had, he came in and said .. "who smoked in my car?" and looked at his mother .. she said .. you and Brenda weren't in the car .... (rolling eyes) .... oh yay ....

    good dinner ... good family ... in laws, stepsons, daughters, grandsons ... a couple of the kids were sick and couldn't come so the daughter brought a video of them for us to see ... lol ... they live close so we'll see them soon ...

    hope you all had a fine turkey day .. or have one tomorrow ...
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,730
    My goodness... you can even manage to make your home life sound crazy, Brenda! You should, indeed, be thankful! Well, except for the MIL; I might have punted mine out of the house right then and there had she pulled a stunt like that. At the very least, she would have found her own ride home.
    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
  • hammerheadhammerhead Member Posts: 907
    Our 6 for dinner has swelled to 9. It's nice to be flexible :)
    The roaster is out on the deck table, since there's not enough room in the kitchen.
    Going to go pick up the BIL shortly - in my now partially head-shield free car! Wow, I had no idea it was THIS quiet! :surprise:
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    so far today .... we slept til 9:00 (I usually can't sleep past 6 or 7, sitting around doing not much on the computers, Kindle, tv, etc. , eating leftovers from yesterday's dinner. DH's Kindle Fire delivered today so we played with that a bit, went to library for "real" books (I like "real" and e-books, both ...), back home, more leftovers, more tv, a nap ...

    doesn't this sound awful? lol .... I need a few more days like this!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    edited November 2011
    Kindle Fire delivered today so we played with that a bit

    That's gonna be popular. At $200 even kids will be buying 'em. It costs less than some portable gaming platforms.

    Got my shopping all done already. Anyone else do the crazy Black Friday thing?

    Kids will get these cool 3 wheeled drifting scooters that can go sideways. :shades:
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    heh ... DH is such a 'shopper' .. he had some credit card points he used and bought the Kindle Fire and a leather case/cover for $17. I checked my points and I can't do 'quite' that well ... I could get the Fire for about $60 ... still not a bad price! We'll see how much I like his. He bought me a $79 Kindle about a month ago and I like how lightweight it is!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I got a Playbook from work back when they cost the same as an iPad. Now RIM is clearing them out for $199, ouch. Kindle Fire really put price pressure on the smaller ones.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Did you read in today's WSJ that RIM is introducing a new service that allows corporate clients to keep track of employees' BlackBerrys - as well as iPhone and Android devices?

    I wonder if this is the beginning of the end of their hardware offering and they'll become strictly a software provider?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I've been thinking that would happen for a while. They'll focus on software and servers, basically.

    They priced the BlackBerry Bold 9900 at a ridiculous $299, and the Torch 9810 at $249 (with T-Mo). 2.8" and 3.2" screens. Meanwhile, droid devices are hitting 4.7", even ones with keyboards are 3.7" now, and they cost LESS.

    Premium pricing for small screens and a weaksauce App Store.

    The tablet is already 60% off (oh, and still no native e-mail and no UMA wi-fi calling), how long before these phone prices drop? I'm not sure they'd be successful at half the price!

    It's been a frustrating year for BB users.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    It's been a frustrating year for BB users.

    And a frustrating 3 years for RIM. They were caught with their pants downs by the iPhone and expected the corporate world to support their sales plans. Unfortunately Apple and Android was accepted by the corporate world.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They are so, so screwed...sell your RIM stock, if it's still worth anything.
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    Wednesday morning ...proctoring ANOTHER standardized test...I wonder when we are supposed to teach???
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I feel that way about my kids' education, too. They must do 6-8 standardized tests per year, yet they bring homework to do and I have to show them how to do math.

    Straight A students, mind you.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    The MCAS tests are done 3-4 times per year depending on grade and subject. I too have an issue with teaching to the test but that's what "No Child Left Behind" have created.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah but there are other tests that they administer as well, not sure if it's county or state or whatever, but it seems like they spend about 10% of the time in the classroom testing and not teaching.
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    I am so totally with you on this one ...

    our students are now taking a series of "predictive" tests to know if a student will pass the state tests and to gather info on the skills/info that they still need to learn before taking the tests ... at this point we are doing them 3 times BEFORE the state testing which starts in Feb for writing and "long answer" questions ... reading and math where they have to write out an answer and not just choose from multiple choice answers ... then the round in april when they have to do the multiple choice math, reading, and either social studies or science (depending on grade) ...

    as a special education teacher, I will spend a good part of a 2 week period each time giving these tests since our students have test accommodations that include having portions of the tests read to them and also having more time to complete the testing ... add that up over a year's time and see how much instructional time is taken away ....
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited December 2011
    My sister went down to Winchester Subaru to get a side marker light bulb for her Forester and was basically ignored and treated rudely by the parts person. Naturally she called me to rant since she knows "I'm in the biz".

    Does the whole country have cabin fever at the moment or what? Snarkiness abounds.

    (Heh, just checked out some dealer review sites - one of our posters said "Avoid this Unethical, Dishonest Dealer!" My sister certainly is going to. Wonder why the manufacturers can't get rid of the bad apples?).
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    edited December 2011
    ... and was basically ignored and treated rudely by the parts person.

    The parts department at my local dealer treats me well ... they give me 20% off. :)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    He probably has no parts to sell after the tsunami cut supply...

    Still no excuse to be rude.
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    I’ve been traveling and just crazy-busy the past few weeks, and had little time for reading and posting. So here’s an update on my life:

    Mid November found me at my annual ‘education week’ out in San Jose, CA at ASM’s ‘International Symposium on Testing & Failure Analysis’. I taught a 3 hour class, gave a paper on some of our recent research, and absorbed information like a sponge the rest of the time (along with food and alcohol…). It’s great to get to hobnob with your fellow wizards once a year!

    Gotta get a car review in here somewhere:
    Poughkeepsie to JFK – Mazda 5 minivan – a bit rough and underpowered, but decent in concept.
    California – Dodge Journey – lots of electrical gremlins. Radio & HVAC stack is an ergonomic mess. Drove OK for its size, but not much fun.
    JFK to Poughkeepsie – Chevy Malibu – Loved it! The new 2012 is a great midsize car. If this is the future of GM, they might have a chance yet.

    Thanksgiving week was in Lee, NH at my sister’s place. Funny, but we barely speak most of the year. But when we get together the house rocks with laughter, and it’s like we were together only yesterday.

    Last week I attended a day long technical meeting down at our TJ Watson Research facility. The keynote addresses were given in the auditorium where we hosted the Jeopardy! games earlier in the year against mere humans Ken and Brad. If I could easily post a picture, you’d see me on the stage also getting my [non-permissible content removed] kicked by Watson. I worked on several of the chips in the box, so it's nice to see the outcome.

    Redoing two main rooms on the first floor – family room & living room, so I’m plenty busy each night. Just finished (finally) the roof and exterior wall repairs from the summer/fall storms. Fortunately the weather has been mild so completing the outside tasks this late in the year hasn’t been a problem. But it is pretty weird to see flowers still blooming in several places in the yard. We haven’t had a really deep freeze yet, so just last night I mowed the lawn yet again! This climate change stuff is getting scary.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,730
    edited December 2011
    This climate change stuff is getting scary.

    Sure is. Only three weeks ago we were at -30ish and colder, setting some record lows for a week and then hovering near said lows for another week, and on Sunday it was so warm it was raining most of the day! Of course, all that does is make the roads incredibly slick, but I like it that way. I'd like it a whole lot more if everyone else would just stay home, but I'll take what I can get. :D

    I love, Love, LOVE having heated floors in the house now! In hindsight, I can't believe I waited nearly nine years to get the heating system up and running. I'll never make that choice again!
    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
    Got my Kindle Fire today ... I think I'm gonna like it ...

    One thing I'm not so sure about is the "carousel" when you open it, but there are other ways to get to what I want quickly. I think the carousel is unnecessary ... and from what I've read online there are quite a few who agree with me ..
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    My computer illiterate sister got a Kindle Fire a couple of days ago and a mifi gizmo so she can get online from her house in the country. Can I put your number on her speed dial?
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    edited December 2011
    LOL ... so you're hearing from her all the time?

    And ... I'll confess ... for the first time ever I'm playing "Angry Birds". I have resisted downloading apps on my iPhone but I'm already hooked ...

    I do like the lighted screen for reading, although I'm not sure it will completely replace the $79 Kindle I've had for almost 2 months. I really like the lightweight Kindle for reading in bed ...

    maybe the 'best' part of the purchase is that I used AmEx points and paid just under $60 for the Kindle Fire ...
  • pugjoypugjoy Member Posts: 14
    Hi Crew,
    I hope you can help us. We need to replace DH's 2003.5 Volvo XC70, which now has 185K + miles, due to a 100 mile/day commute. It is also the usual weekend family vehicle because hubby drives (fwiw, I have a 2001 QX4 -- love, love, love her). We love this car -- the space, the ride and more than anything, the big comfy seats. However, this last year has been an expensive one for maintenance as we have crossed that line from replacing things that wear out to things going wrong.

    I mention the commute here because mileage is an important factor in a replacement vehicle, which is why we are considering the Outback. DH is not looking to trade down in terms of size, HP or appointments (I have tried small car suggestions and don't even think about suggesting the 4 cyl. Outback). I understand you want a certain amount of car around you/under you on a long commute. Also, a simple car won't do -- it needs to be a wagon/cross-over/SUV thing -- but can't be a "chick car" (i.e. RAV-4 or Santa Fe). I know -- you are now thinking these people are out of their minds! -- but please keep reading...

    A love of big wheels/tires is behind some of the angst. We were THIS CLOSE to buying a Toyota Venza (6 cyl/AWD/20 in wheels). Had the pricing all figured out and everything. We had driven separately and really liked it; but once we went together we were able to pay more attention to the lack of interior quality and how uncomfortable the seat was (really -- should leather look fake in a car with a sticker of nearly 40K????). Hubby is in love with the Mazda CX-9 (would only consider it with 20 in wheels) but has come to accept that it is a thirsty vehicle and probably not the best for his commute. And oh the cost of replacing 20 inch tires!

    Which brings us to where we are today -- can we both be happy with a Subaru? The seats, space, mileage, ride comfort? It seems we are out of options otherwise. I'm onboard but this feels like "more than a compromise" and a "mommy mobile" to DH due to the mere 17" wheels. I know a Subaru can be the 200K car we need it to be.

    What do you think, Subaru Crew?
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    My sister got one a couple of weeks ago. She had to buy a router to get her cable internet to a wireless signal it could pick up, but once that was done, she's been happily downloading books, checking Facebook, and other mindless tasks :)

    kcram - Pickups/Wagons/Vans+Minivans Host
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    LOL ... so you're hearing from her all the time?

    I called and left her a message yesterday afternoon razzing her because I hadn't gotten another email from her.

    Turns out she was at the store returning everything. Her frustration level is pretty low. I keep trying to get her to go the the community college and at least play on the public computers (she keeps telling me she doesn't want to take a course).

    Most likely the senior center has a class, but she'd kill me if I recommended that option. Even if she is eligible. :D
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    oh my ... a few minutes with me ("the master teacher") and I would have found SOMETHING she'd like about it! ... ok .. maybe not .. there ARE complete Luddites out there!

    at any rate ... I don't know for sure what I'm recommending because I haven't downloaded it ... yet ... but I will

    in the amazon Kindle store, a search will bring up "Windfall" by Faith Friese Nelson .. Faith and I were in the band together in high school. She was the senior drum major when I was a freshman (but she still managed to be 'nice' to me) ... I ended up playing the piano accompaniment for her solo at competition. She was a good musician - even spent a summer at the Interlochen camp. She had other talents, including being a dancer and a writer. This is a new novel - just out at the end of September. If you have Amazon Prime, it is available as a 'free' loaner ...
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited December 2011
    My nickel diagnosis is that she's ADHD. Maybe you could make a house call. ;)

    Lots of free Kindle eBooks out there too, and not all of them are the out of copyright ones. (link and link)
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    so far, I have not paid for a book on the Kindle. My husband and I didn't really see the 'need' for one since we still use the brick and mortar library ... and I will continue to do so, but I do like the Kindle ... I also borrow books from the library online ... might decide it's worth the yearly charge for Amazon Prime ... there are quite a few things with the 'membership' including borrowing books, access to tv shows, movies, etc ...
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited December 2011
    borrow books from the library online

    That's what we do (for the iPad and laptop).The laptop is a bit clunky for bed, where I usually read. Don't have to have a nightlight though, like you do with the original Kindles.

    Our current library is ~3 blocks away so we walk over there at least once a week. It's not real big but they have a good interlibrary loan system going for anything I can't find.

    But yeah, Prime is probably worth it just for the free shipping alone.
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Hey Wes, sounds like you guys are getting lashed pretty badly up in your neck of the woods this week. Extremes in weather conditions - not a good thing! Hope you and the family are safe and warm.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,730
    That's what I hear, though apparently Anchorage is taking the brunt of it. The weather has been fantastic, even if unseasonably warm, the past many days in Fairbanks. We're getting a little wind and some snow which, combined with the warm weather, is resulting in slow driving conditions, but nothing too bad.

    At worst, I imagine I'll have to get the plow truck out again this evening or tomorrow.

    Thanks for the thoughts!
    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
    OK, I'm going to be blunt and honest .... I do not think the Outback is the ideal choice for your DH.

    Huge wheels and tires add unsprung weight and hurt the ride and handling balance. To do a Plus Three on an Outback would without a doubt have adverse effect on it, and you'd give up the ride that is one of its primary strengths.

    Also, big wheels + tires mean he's probably in to some bling, at least a little, and Subaru is just about the opposite of that - understated, not flashy, get-the-job-done with no-nonsense type of car.

    I think you can get 20"s on a Murano, FWIW. Nissan may be another option. I've also seen big chrome rims on a Ford Edge, FWIW.

    You sound more practical (smarter?) than your sig other so come back when it's time to shop for your car, I think you'd love a Subie. :shades:
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,730
    I think that's a pretty fair assessment, AJ. I honestly don't think he would be happy with it for long. The worst thing to do when buying a new car is to "settle" for something.

    Funny enough, my personal opinion is that 17" rims are oversized for a car like the Outback. :blush: Putting larger rims on it will make for a harsh ride, and add the weight in... you're looking at a significant amount of punishment to the suspension components, which might mean increased repair costs over the 200,000 mile life.

    The 200K you want to get out of it, though.... I suspect it would take you there without complaint.
    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
    We had a damaged tire on our Forester, also mounted on 17"s, and that made me wish it had 16"s. :D
  • pugjoypugjoy Member Posts: 14
    Thanks for the replies and I will take the smarter compliment :). Hubby has gotten Outback happy in the last 24 hours. I think I underestimated the mourning period on the Venza.

    We have an offer from a dealer on this with Moonroof + Nav (there's the bling) and all the protective coverings/moldings you can add for $33,800. That was less than we were expecting for an opening offer, so we'll see where it goes from here.

    Hubby has been spoiled by the loaded Volvo, which we only have because we bought it from my in-laws after only 2 years (my FIL tires of cars very quickly). The Volvo has 16 in wheels, so I'm not sure where all this monster wheel and tire business is coming from.

    This may seem odd from my post, but DH (who is really a pretty simple/understated guy) and I almost always agree on exterior styling -- we like kind of boxy with rounded corners (as evidenced by the Q and Volvo). The Murano and Edge are a little too round/curvy for us. I work with some people who have the Edge and they are lukewarm at best. The back end of the Outback is my favorite part.

    Going up to an 18 inch wheel is a thought and I like the Rial Como on Tire Rack, as it looks like it could be OE. One inch should not make too much difference in the ride and would pair it with Michelin MXV-4. Check it out here:

    http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runWheelSearch&initial- PartNumber=CO80835B32BSAT&wheelMake=Rial&wheelModel=Como&wheelFinish=Bright+Sati- n+Sil+Paint&showRear=no&autoMake=Subaru&autoModel=Outback&autoYear=2012&autoModC- lar=3.6R+Limited
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,730
    That could work, actually. I agree that the wheel looks like it could be OE; it is simple and elegant. If the road surfaces you regularly drive are decent, you should have enough sidewall to still provide adequate protection to the tire in normal driving. That might be a good compromise if your husband really likes the larger rims.
    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
    Right, forgot that you are quite a distance inland and this has been largely a coastal series of storms. I guess you really can't see Russia from your particular front window!
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    I had a similar looking set of 5 'double spoke' wheels from Tire Rack on my Outback for a few years (winter tire/wheels set). A nice set of wheels adds a custom look to your car, and sets it apart from the crowd.

    If your roads are well maintained, then I agree that 18" might still work for him and this car. Anything larger would probably be a mistake.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,730
    The weather continues to be warm with road conditions decent. Traffic has generally been considerate, so I haven't had to crawl along behind those who feel most comfortable at significantly slower speeds. The snow topped out at about an inch of accumulation, despite brief periods of heavy snowfall, so not enough to even consider plowing yet.

    My neighbor slipped off our local feeder road yesterday morning, though, just a minute or so ahead of me. I stopped and gave her son (senior in HS) a ride to school, while she walked home (I offered her a ride, but she opted to walk since the house was less than 1/4-mile back and the weather was so warm) to wait for a tow truck. Unfortunately, her SUV was way down in the ditch. I thought about going home for the Forester to pull her out, but I'm not sure it would have done the trick given the grade of both the road and ditch.
    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
    The 8" Navi screen is some nice eye candy.

    I actually like those rims, they even have the OEM look. And as a Plus One they shouldn't hurt the ride too much. Thumbs up.
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