Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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Comments

  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Sorry to hear about the job. You'll find its for the better when the situation comes back to bite that consultant!! Yuo would have gotten the blame for that. Good luck with things.

    Mark
  • davechendavechen Member Posts: 41
    Arghhh! I've been away for a long time and there doesn't seem to be a way to search back thru the thousands of postings I've missed...apologies if this has been asked/answered already.

    Does anybody have a hitch on their Subaru Legacy/Outback and have any experience, comments, suggestions on what kind of hitch-mounted bike rack is best?

    There are many features that would be nice: anti-wobble & locking rack-to-hitch, secure holding of bikes-to-rack, fold-down rack arms for compactness, fold-down rack for access to liftgate, and price.

    A frustrating thing I've found is the capacity ratings. Thule Expressway says you can carry 4-bikes on a Class I hitch. On the other extreme, Hollywood Racks Team Rider says their 2-bike carrier is not usable with Class I, only Class II or higher hitches. huh?
    To add to that confusion, the Subaru hitch is load-rated as a class I, but is built exactly like a class II.

    Anyhow, if anybody has had any actual experience with hitch racks, I'd appreciate hearing about it! Thanks!
    Dave
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Dave- Yes the lack of a search feature is very frustrating.

    I've got a Yakima hitch mountable rack. It folds down so you can open the hatch but you have to remove the bikes first. I've seen ones that are articulated so that you can lower them with the bikes still mounted (a really nice feature).

    Regarding how many bikes you can carry and wobbliness of the rack. In most cases the two go hand in hand. The more weight you have and the smaller the hitch, the more wobble you're going to have. Some amount of wobble is pretty much inherent with any hitch-mounted rack. Mine wobbles/flexes some with two bikes but I'm confident that they're not going anywhere. Of course one advantage of a roof rack is that they are more stable.

    I know Yakima makes locking hitch pins to prevent anyone from just walking away with your rack. Even if the manufacturer you go with doesn't offer that option, I would think that the pins are interchangeable so you could always buy one separately.

    -Frank P.
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Good luck and hang in there.
    Dennis
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    image

    ...at 6-7pm Pacific/9-10 pm Eastern. Hope to see you there!
    http://www.edmunds.com/chat/subaruchat.html



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  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    Sorry about the job, but hey - Cherry Hill isn't that far away. Nice housing, good company to work for...........

    Patti
  • larlarlarlar Member Posts: 2
    I'm considering the purchase of an aftermarket 3rd rear-facing seat for my OB wagon. Does anyone have any experience or advice in this area?

    Thx,
    Laura
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    loosh: Do hang in there. I'm close to being in the same boat myself - painted into a corner trying to develop a biz unit that sales reps won't sell (no commission sales due to nature of product/service) and marketing won't publicize, all offshots of an overly aggressive biz plan by exec management. Get resumes out ASAP and try to find a job that won't rely on someone's spin as much as tangible results.

    hypov: Unless I missed something I think that bit and I are the only ones out here stocking Studes (a/o/t Subes) ;) .

    Ed
  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    Drove mine today. Almost generates a bigger smile on my face than my GT.

    bit
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    No, you didn't miss.
    Just a metaphor - maybe I should had said Yugo/Ferrari.
    In my realm of Customer Service, I see this day in day out - promises by Relationship Managers of Ferrari whilst we are only equipped to delivery Yugo. Heck, some don't even know their product!
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    Doh! That sounds like little fun too.

    Patti- heh heh heh...tempting to be sure, but Kirsten is doing too well here to ask her to leave, methinks. :)

    AND, remember that BMW CCA Driver's School I attended in the Outback? well the car must have made some sort of impression...my instructor sold his 318ti (NOT his M Coupe, duh! :) ) for a Winestone 2001 Outback. He's a kayaker who likes to drive- I think the OB was a great choice, and Iit is a compliment to the car that he went with Sube over a used 5 series wagon etc.
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    loosh: thanks for the commiseration.

    I've never seen a kayak atop a BMW, but I see more kayaks atop Subes than practically all other car makes combined. Only Jeeps, maybe VWs, come close.

    Ed
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Think of this as an "opportunity" and turn it into a positive thing.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Saw an interesting ad in US Today. It seems that Toyota is getting into the car rental game. Now, if you wish, you can rent any Toyota you want from a (participating) Toyota dealer. As they say, try it before you buy it.

    I think it's a great idea. Subaru should be doing the same.

    Bob
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    I've been "available" since the beginning of April, so maybe we should start a club ;-) In my case I was a victim of the dot.com bomb. The company cut back its staffing levels by more than half, and I got caught on the wrong side of the axe :-(

    The job market isn't as soft as some of the news people would like you to think. I've been pretty picky about where I send resumes, and I've had an interview each day this week; I expect at least two offers to come out of them.

    So! Figure out what you want, and I'm sure you'll be able to find it. Good luck!

    Among the ranks,
    -wdb
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    image
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Just got back from Wilmington NC. The wife and I took our daughter to UNCW for her freshman orientation.

    Stopped to fill up the Toaster, and noticed that regular gas was selling for $1.39/gal! When we got home, there was a news item on TV saying that gas prices were also very low over on the Eastern Shore of Maryland too, under $1.50/gal.

    BTW, our automatic Toaster averaged about 22.5 mpg, which was mostly highway driving with the cruise control set between 72 and 76 mph. That's with 3 adults, luggage and the A/C going.

    Bob
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    ...or have we been "leaderless" for a week? :)
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    a week and counting 8-)
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Methinks one fearless leader is currently busy entertaining relatives while there are reports that the other has abandoned us for the land of entertainment systems. Perhaps it's time for a palace coup?

    -Frank P.
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    :-) Yup, that is pretty much the story. Mike has resisted a stereo upgrade for something like 2 decades, and is now pulling out all the stops on the mother of all PC based systems. he is building it himself from the ground up, CPU and all. All in one home theater/stereo/cable via computer.
  • texsubarutexsubaru Member Posts: 242
    Thought this was kind of a hoot; the Sunday New York Times has a pro rally driver, Tim O'Neil, take a WRX out with an (apparently slightly frightened) NYT reporter riding shotgun: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/17/automobiles/17RALL.html.

     

    The Sunday NYT also has a new, somewhat belated (but glowingly positive; the headdline is "A Wolf in Sheep's Sheet Metal") WRX review: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/17/automobiles/17AUTO.html.
  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day

    And there was me wondering why everything was so quiet. From this side of the world we are never sure when people have public holidays.

    I've sort of given up on the hi-fi thing. We spent nine years living abroad with a boom box cassette player and a portable CD. When we came home it took two years for me to get the stereo working again. I ultimately traced the problem last month, discovering that my four year old had helped Daddy by disconnecting some wires when I had first put it together.

    The novelty factor has not worn off. Kids are fascinated by the record player. "Did they used to put those round things on for music, in the olden days, Daddy?" ages you before your time.

    I have however come to the realization that as you get older the accuracy of your hearing deteriorates approximately in line with your age. Mind you, you still need a really good bass system to cope with a desperate urge to play Van Halen. "Jump" needs to be really loud. (Its wonderful to wreak revenge on the kids!)

    I therefore wonder about the benefits of spending huge money on the sound system, either at home or in the car.

    Genuinely, and I think you have to be over 35 to really understand my question, is it worth spending the money on a sound upgrade?

    Cheers

    Graham
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Graham- It depends. On a vehicle like the Forester that isn't the quietest and wasn't designed with acoustics in mind, an upgraded sound system can make a noticeable difference, even for blokes of advanced age such as yourself :(o)

    Of course drivers who insist on installing those megawatt sound systems that can be heard (and felt) 3 blocks away are more interested in quantity over quality and are caught up in the "mine is bigger than yours" competition (this is almost certainly the exclusive domain of the under 35 crowd).

    In regards to the home entertainment system arena, I think that anyone can appreciate the benefits of a good surround sound system. Especially those who want to enjoy a movie theatre like experience. However, I also believe that there's a point of diminishing returns that some homeowners cross when the get caught up in the moment and lose their objectivity. I suspect that the majority of those who are persuaded into buying the latest high tech gadgetry eventually realize that they seldom use, much less need, said gadgetry.

    Just my opinion, I'm not trying to offend anyone.

    -Frank P.
  • rangerron7rangerron7 Member Posts: 317
    As one who has finally let go of the sound system upgrade bug after 25 years, I can answer your question with a resounding "YES". In my days, I have gone through 5 recievers, various turntables and tape decks and finally chucked it all and bought one of these "Lifestyle" surround systems and couldn't have been happier. I wish they had been around in 1980, I could have saved alot of money. Stereo gear is one area where technology REALLY has made some amazing improvements in the last 30 years.
    Ron
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    I have a friend who is a true and genuine audiophile. He builds his own amplifiers from tubes and wire, even making his own circuit cards. They are so good that people buy them from him for many thousands of dollars. This guy's ears are so finicky that he doesn't like digital music; he can hear the bits. I walked into his house one evening and I would have sworn that Maria Callas was standing in his living room singing an aria, it was that realistic. I was in love with that sound! Then I looked at the wall-sized speakers and the room full of equipment it took to make that happen, and I fell out of love immediately ;-)

    I like music, I like movies, and I like to be able to hear stuff clearly and cleanly. I like to be able to understand what people are saying. I have significant hearing loss, especially in the higher frequency ranges. (This is consistent with "normal" hearing loss as folks age, but in my case the loss happened earlier and is more pronounced.) Therefore good, clean mids and highs matter a lot to me. So, yes, I do upgrade sound systems in cars, to a degree. Same at home. I make them good enough for me; by no means however are they audiophile systems. And I really think that surround sound effects add to the experience of watching movies, so I have a surround sound rig on the home theater - including subwoofer, which I also think adds to the realism. Again, not audiophile stuff, just good enough.

    I've avoided the DVD upgrade, but it appears that they are becoming ubiquitous and so I will probably get a player soon.

    As for an all-in-one rig: sorry Mike, I must be a neanderthal. My computer is over here, my home theater is over there, and my music stereo is on another floor. That's fine by me. I must admit however that I briefly toyed with using a retired PalmPilot as a remote control unit :-)

    Cheers,
    -wdb
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    OT here, but I recently decided to hop on the DVD bandwagon. I've been meaning to do this for a while now, but kept putting it off since the earlier models were pricey.

    The picture quality alone is worth it. If you have component video or S-Video inputs on your TV, you'll see the clearest, sharpest pictures you've ever seen on your screen. Newer DVDs give you a lot of bonus features that tapes don't have.

    Now, I'm thinking of upgrading my home audio. While I would like to have surround, I also want a decent sounding audio system for just listening to music. Anyone know how home theater setups do as regular stereo speakers? The home theater speakers often look so small.

    Ken
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Not well. It is hugely expensive, but for space reasons I prefer to buy the two main stereo speakers you like best, after much auditioning and budget-flexing. My personal feeling is that in the heat of a good movie, as long as the voices are well-placed and the sub is appropriate, I'm happy. I am infinitely more critical of my music listening.

    After a great deal of auditioning, I bought a set of B&W 604S2 loudspeakers for music and absolutely love them. I'm slowly building a home theater around them. Things that go fast have tended to siphon away discretionary funds. Anyway even with half of a surround setup I'm very happy with movies. I spend a lot more time listening to music though.

    Oh, and if you can't hear the difference between speakers you might just need someone to go with you and tell you specific qualities to listen for. Bring your own music, obviously. And if you still can't tell, then maybe a HT setup will work fine for music too. ;-)

    -Colin
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Colin,

    Your story supports my concern -- that HT speakers are not really optimized for music listening. I'm also one who puts pure audio before HT so I think I'll start with a decent set of speakers first. I've heard that the most difficult thing to do in this case is matching the sound between the L/R and center speaker.

    Any thoughts on a good receiver, or are you a discrete component purist?

    Ken
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Discrete means true channel separation... Nope, I have no problems with a single amplifier driving everything. I absolutely hate the "warm" tube amplifier sound. (I call it another name instead of warm, "distortion".) However I can't hear any digital artifacts in well-recorded material on reasonably priced equipment though, so maybe I can't hear squat compared to others. I did take Circuits though, and I refuse to buy the mega-dollar silver speaker wires. ;-)

    Anyway, the usual story applies here... your budget determines what I'd recommend. However our Subaru brethren may not want to hear about stereo stuff, so you can email me.

    -Colin
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    I finally test drove the WRX this past weekend. I was at Flemington Subaru getting my OB serviced and asked if I can get a test drive. The salesman gave me the keys, told me some local roads to try the car out on, and said see you in a litlle bit. The car drives great! There were a couple of points where I was able to get the turbo to kick in, and boy was I pleasantly surprised. I've never driven a turbo before, and I felt it kick in big time. It took the curves nicely, and all around handled nicely. Talking with the salesman, he said that they are planning to put in the next size rally engine (276 HP?) in 2 years. That gives me 2 years to teach my wife to drive, so that she can have the OB, and I can get a WRX for myself. I would still need to keep the OB for driving family around as the WRX felt a little cramped in the back seat, especially for a long trip.

    Mark

    BTW The salesman said the WRX is becoming more available, and they are discounting them.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    What the salesman was referring to was the WRX-STi, which is currently on sale in Japan. Yes, it puts out about 276 HP, and is hooked up to a close-ratio 6-speed manual. The engine is a highly tuned version of the current 2.0 WRX engine. This is the car that Subaru modifies for world rally racing.

    And yes, there are strong rumors that it will be here in about two years. Expect to pay at least $30K for it when it does arrive. It will be an addition to the current lineup, and not a replacement for the existing WRX.

    Did you drive a 5-speed or an automatic?

    Bob
  • jimmyp1jimmyp1 Member Posts: 640
    I was told (here in Houston) that the Legacy was the next model to get the Turbo and it might be the twin turbo from Europe. Is that the same engine? Your comments match the timeline he was talking about.

    Jim
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    There's a 2-stage twin-turbo Legacy RSK sedan, and GT-B E-Tune II wagon on sale in Japan. If you visit the SOJ web site below, and go to "Showroom," you can find both the twin-turbo Legacy and WRX-STi. I think the twin-turbo is a Japan-only model, at the moment.

    http://www.subaru.co.jp/

    There are strong rumors that the Legacy will get a turbo shortly. The question is: will it be 2002 or 2003? Most of us here think it will be '03. None of us here know [except maybe Patti—and she's not telln' ;(] whether it will be the current WRX engine, a twin-turbo, or a rumored 2.5 turbo.

    Bob
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Ken - not all HT speakers are small satellite speakers.;-) My mid-size JBL's handle HT and music nicely.

    Mark, did you get a chance to try some of the twisty roads around Flemington? There's a fun one a couple of miles north of the dealer on 31. Flemington has been discounting the WRX since it arrived. ;-)

    Dennis
  • personjpersonj Member Posts: 1
    Anyone know if Subaru gives dealers a returning customer discount if a customer comes back and buys a second car from the same dealer? If so, what are the terms?
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    Currently showing on Speedvision is "Subaru's road to a rally" programme. So far the footage has been great! The show will re-run again this evening at 8:30pm Pacific. They're doing a comparo between the old and new models (rally cars) right now. Don't miss it if you have Speedvision! WRC Cypress rally on Speedvision showing at 6pm and 10pm Pacific as well!


    Drew
    Host
    Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    I can say, for sure, that it will not have the turbo engine. It should be available (including a VDC 6 OB Sedan) by the end of July - beginning of August.

    We'll have to wait to see what 2K3 will bring. They really don't tell us that much in advance.

    Sorry ;~{

    Patti
  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    We do not currently offer any discounts for multiple purchases with the exception of "fleet" discounts = more than 2 vehicles at a time.

    Hey - I have to find some positive post for you, don't I!

    Patti
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    5:54 a.m.? I guess you guys are a little more settled now, but I satill marvel at how early you get up! :)
  • lakepoplakepop Member Posts: 221
    Hey lucien2...1:54 + 3 = 4:54....patti is some early riser!
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Bob - It was the automatic that I drove. They didn't have any 5spds- as a matter of fact he said if I wanted a 5spd, it was $500 down and they would have the car in July.

    Dennis - There were a couple of twisty roads that I was on, but unfortunately there was traffic. I really didn't get onto 31, as they were doing construction so it was slow moving. The only way I was able to try anything out was to go slow until there was a gap, and then speed up. I was very happy that the dealer did not go with me,as I always find that frustrating with the saleman sitting and chatting about the car.

    Mark
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hi folks! Sorry for my absence - well, not really, it was a blast!

    Hosting 4 guests is tiring but fun, and we made it out to Bryce Resort in Virginia, which was a hoot. Lots of gravel roads, super-steep inclines, and even a creek crossing! Sweet! We took a caravan of 3 Soobs with us (my Forester, dad's 2001 Outback, and my cousin's 1999 Outback), carrying 14 people in all. Here I thought finding gas for $1.49 was great, but Bob has me beat!

    BTW, we did the Small World ride twice too. I don't know who cried louder, our 2 year old getting off, or me getting on! ;-)

    Ken: I suggest The Cat's Edmunds Live Driving School. Just bring some Depends undergarments and some dramamine. You'll learn to bend a few laws of physics.

    Alternately, paisan's School of Rallying and ad-hoc off roading is quite a lesson as well.

    Dave: I have the OE hitch rack (meant for 2 bikes) with a Class I OE hitch. Class I allows a 200 lb tongue weight, so weigh the rack and your bikes to find out the capacity. I've actually carried 3 bikes strapped on, no problem. They move a little but never touch the car, nor were any of them damaged.

    Loosh: looks like you taught the BMW instructor a lesson or two in consumer economics. Not everyone has $45k laying around for a 5 series wagon.

    Sorry to hear about the job, but I'm sure in a month you'll be better off than you were before.

    -juice
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Welcome back, juice! Sounds like a great time.
    Been kinda quiet here lately. People on holiday I suppose.
    Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Here is what I did. I figured I'd use existing components as often as possible, and buy a few add ons. Worked for my non-audiophile ears.

    I started with a basic amp, tape deck, and 2 speakers I had since college. My VCR was already connected to it, and my cable runs into my VCR.

    To that added 2 speakers from Costco for $50, and a DVD/CD player for $180.

    At work we had an old LCD projector lying around that only had 640x480 resolution, i.e. not good enough for computers but plenty good enough for home video (VCRs only use 320 lines). It projects a whopping 91" image, too. The price was hard to beat: zero.

    So I went to the art store and bought 3 yards of canvas, making myself a movie screen. I think it was $20 or so.

    So for $250 I have 4 speaker surround, VCR, cable, DVD, and a 91" image. Not bad, eh?

    I kind of laugh when people say they have a "big screen" TV that is a mere 60" in image size.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Wow, wish I could have brought home an LCD panel! :)

    I am similar to your setup. Up at my house in the mts. I have an amp from like 8th grade, 4 top-shelf Radio-shack speakers (those cool metal ones) that I bought on discount when I worked there, coupled to my Satellite receiver and it sounds great. Just need to get a bigger TV for up there to go along with the Sat.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Actually, it's an LCD projector. No panel. Nice thing is how little space it takes up - it basically rests on a bookshelf. The whole setup takes up zero floor space. The speakers are mounted on the walls, and the rest is on the shelf.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Yeah i know the projectors you are speaking of. Quite expensive in the day. I ordered a few when i was working at the electric company in NJ. Good stuff, especially for TV/movies.

    -mike
  • davechendavechen Member Posts: 41
    Welcome back, Juice.

    Can anyone shed some light on this potential problem?
    My 2000 OB makes a 1-2 second, medium-pitch, groaning sound that I can feel (barely) thru the floorboards. It does this very intermittently, and only when the A/C is on *and* I'm driving slowly (<10mph) *and* it is hotter than 80 or 85 outside...
    I'm afraid to take it in because the problem is (so far) very intermittent and will surely disappear when I try to demonstrate to a mechanic.

    BTW, changed the cabin air filter after 18 months (okay, little behind schedule) and it was FILTHY! I now would strongly recommend the filter to anyone. Takes about 15 minutes to add or change (obviously designed-in at the last minute).

    Dave
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The LCD was $7 grand when I bought it 3-4 years ago. They are now under $4 grand, even for the far better ones.

    Reminds me - it's about time for me to change my interior air filter.

    Could that noise just be the fan kicking in?

    -juice
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