Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

17172747677692

Comments

  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    I'm looking forward to getting away. I'm going to try the chat tonight - keep your fingers crossed.

    Side note for a giggle - on my way home from work tonight, I heard on the news that Colby, the guy on Survivor has DECLINED the Aztec prize. Seems he prefers the cars that he already has. Since they insisted on him taking his prize, he said he was going to just auction it off on e-bay. It might be an amusing bid to watch.

    Chat with you later!

    Patti
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    That's the first bit of news from that da*n show that I've enjoyed.

    Bob
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    a Firebird Trans-am instead. Basically, saying if they were going to make him take a Pontiac then that is what he wanted.

    Stephen
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    hehe

    what could you really get out of an Aztec on eBay anyway? not like there's a supply shortage...

    -Colin
  • 1subydown1togo1subydown1togo Member Posts: 348
    I'm going to give it another try tonight; Drew, what was the secret decoder ring you needed to use?
    Serge
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    OK Colby, my bid is you pay me $500 to take it off your hands! :-)

    Chat troubles - help, Drew. Can't get in. I get to the page and it loads 90% but not all of it.

    Anybody?

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Now I'm in but it's blank. All it says is the welcome line. Bummer. :-(
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    Try switching to HTML chat...go to your preferences at the top of your screen and there should be the option there. Also, try I.E instead. It may work. In HTML chat, you'll have to refresh the chat page to see the new text.

    juice, if you could provide me with your browser and any other details, I'll let the tech guys know too.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Funny thing is - I am using IE.

    I can get in but it's blank. I do not see the option you're mentioning. I'm going to try my other notebook...

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I did finally get in, but only when I used my notebook (instead of the wife's).

    Funny thing is, I'd been using hers for several weeks in a row, and we're on the same ISP with IE5 software.

    So it's a mystery to me, but I'll just stick with mine from now on. I'm sure the wife will be delighted! ;-)

    Meanwhile, let me know when that chat transcript is up so I can see what I missed.

    -juice
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    Apologies, my connection blipped (first time in a month) for a few minutes and by the time I got back, Todd had already shut the room down on my behalf. Hope I didn't miss too much :-)

    Not sure what happened to your setup, but let's see what happens next week (try both?).


    Drew
    Host
    Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    maybe clear the IE cache before the next chat?

    make sure JAVA CONSOLE ENABLED is checked on (in the TOOLS|INTERNET OPTIONS|ADVANCED)

    -Brian
  • 1subydown1togo1subydown1togo Member Posts: 348
    It's strange..last night, I was able to get on using Netsacpe with no problems, but last week, I tired both Nextscape snd IE; neither would work..I got the same thing that you did, juice, a blank screen..hopefully, next week will also go smoothly. I enjoyed my time on the chat. Thanks guys.
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    I think it's because you have AOL. People connecting via AOL had problems getting into the Java chat last week. I think something may have been tweaked prior to last night's chat, which may explain why you (and other AOL'ers) didn't have any problems getting in.


    Drew
    Host
    Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    juice: we heard you out there and felt your pain last night. Chat was fun, not always Sube-specific.

    Re Ford Explorer/Exploder/Xplod? : I guess it comes as no surprise to some of you but I learned yesterday that the Escape is sold outside the US as the "Maverick," reviving the name of that unlamented 70s-era compact. I was told (by some French clients of mine) that the name "Escape" is too close to the name of the Renault "Espace" (a minvan/MPV, I think) for Renault's liking, hence Ford's change.

    Ed
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Yep, it's sold in Europe under that name. When we were in England four years ago, Ford also sold a Maverick SUV. This model, however was a rebadged Nissan that was built in Spain, if I recall correctly. It had a small turbo-diesel. I've got a brochure on it somewhere. I'll try to find it.

    Bob
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    a job in sales. Biggest worry? All that mileage on the Soob! Maybe I can talk my wife into letting me get a WRX in a couple years after all, if I have to drive the GT into the ground calling on accounts.....
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    See if you can get a WRX as a company car. Hehe.

    Bob
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    My parents use to own a Maverick. Four door, green (ugly green, but "in" at the time). 250 cu in straight line six (remember cu. in. designations??) Guess which car I learned to drive in and eventually adopted??? Hmmm, maybe that's why I didn't get many dates. Rebuilt the engine for the fun of it. Then came my 86 White Mustang GT. :-)

    Greg
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    I guess we won't find a copy of that review at our local BMW dealer. :~) Thanks, I enjoyed it.

    Ross
  • bigfrank3bigfrank3 Member Posts: 426
    Here is a link to an article I found amusing.


    http://www.cnn.com/2001/BUSINESS/05/01/q.mateja.gm/


    The best part is by Ron Zarrella, head of General Motors North American Operations.


    start quote from article:


    The rear end, mostly the unsightly crease in the huge glass hatch lid covered with an equally huge rubber strip, has been the big hangup. But, oddly, Zarrella says styling isn't the primary reason folks outside the GM family have held off buying an Aztek.


    "We blew it with Aztek on the price [$25,000 to $27,000 before options]. We priced it too high for youth to afford, and we've got to get the price down to get the volume up. We're doing that with some lease programs," he said.


    But Zarrella says that in addition to a lower price, some styling tweaks will help.


    "We have a design change coming for this fall, mostly bigger wheels and tires. But it's not a major redesign."...


    end quote from article.


    I am glad he zeroed right in on the problem, price too high and wheels and tires too small.


    OK, hands up. How many will buy an Aztek if they put bigger wheels and tires on it, and lower the price?


    Yeah, that's what I thought. It is insight like this that makes me cringe when I hear GM and Subaru mentioned together.


    Regards,

    Frank

  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    right down the street from the BMW in Seattle (Capital Hill area). I purposely drive the WRX wagon by really slowly. I either get the salespeople that turn and look or purposefully ignore me. I guess I will be getting more ignored by them now. :-)

    Stephen
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    When they pay me
    -and-
    the wheels are SO BIG, they have to cut ALL the bodywork away to accomodate them.

    Grin,
    -wdb
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    you are much easier to please than I am it seems. :~) They would also have to throw in a WRX wagon, a bag (for me to wear on my head while driving the Aztek), and a 5000 acre estate to drive it on so that no one would ever know I had one.

    Ross
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    would come in handy if you need more passenger room. It won't look too bad (towed) behind a Soobie.
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Drew,


    this is a link to pix I took at MBPowerTrip event in SanFran this spring.


    http://members.home.net/rehlost/mbpowertrip2001.html


    I can email you images if needed.

  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    image
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Nice pics, Kate. I brought my digital camera with me all ready to snap photos for Drew and found out that the batteries had died. That sure was a lot of fun, especially the pro drivers.

    Wish Subaru did something like that too. I'd love to see the limits of WRX handling.

    Ken
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Juice and I went to this event this morning, and had an absolute ball!

    First we went with a professional driver (crash helmets and all), driving an AMG E-55, over a twisty course. This guy didn't hold anything back—4-wheel drifts, power sliding, etc.—very impressive! We also pushed the vehicles we drove pretty hard. They were:

    S-430. Impressive, but very large, and you certainly could feel the size. A true fantasy ride.

    SLK-320 6-speed. A real hoot. It was the only manual there. I found the tach a bit hard to see, and my left leg was uncomfortably close to the bottom of the dash.

    ML-320 & ML-430 with Sport package. Both felt very large and ponderous after driving the cars. Still very impressive, as long as you remember that they're SUVs. I preferred the 430, because of the added power and better handling.

    E-430 with Sport Package. Very nice! One of my favorites.

    C-320. Also very nice. A very good handler, although a bit on the small size.

    C-230 Supercharged hatchback. I drove two of these, yet to be released models. Very impressive, although the engine seemed somewhat crude as compared to the 320 models. We both loved the way the moonroof worked.

    They also had the new C-Class wagon there. It has a very steeply raked rear window, which cuts down on the cargo area considerably. Vehicles we didn't get a chance to drive (ran out of time) were: SL-500, CL-500, E-320 and the C-240 sedan.

    They had some competitors there for testing too: Lexus IS300, Audi A4 2.8 (Juice drove), and a BMW 325.

    Patti- SOA should put on events like this to promote their products—and AWD. This is the third event of this type I've been to (Jeep 101 and a GM driving event). They've all been great. Driving (pushing) vehicles like this, back-to-back with other models, both the same and other brands is a great idea.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    One of the reasons I enjoy going to these events—especially ones put on by a premium brand such as Mercedes, is that you see features you just don't see on "mainstream" brands. However, in time, some of these features may trickle down to mainstream brands. Here's a few items I would like to see Subaru consider for the future:

    • A cargo net/guard that retracts into the cargo cover. This is not a MD exclusive. I know Volvo and BMW(?) also have this feature, and Honda offered it on their first Accord wagon, a few years ago. I think it's a very useful feature, and is a better solution than the current optional rigid dog/cargo guard that Subaru offers.

    • Adjustable side bolsters for the front seats. Drew—correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe I saw that feature in the E-Class brochure. This is a great idea. You can adjust the side bolsters to fit large or small people.

    • Auto up and down on all windows. We've discussed this before here. MB offers it, so should Subaru (I know they used to years ago).

    • The S-Class offers power-adjustable rear seats with memory and heated features. Could possibly a feature on premium Subarus?

    • A standard first aid kit. Could be an option for Subaru.

    Bob
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    here's another feature you might like to, I know I do, see-
    Cockpit display of left/right/rear view.
    Mirrors replaced with lenses (like mini cams - wide angle of course) mounted on sides and rear utilizing fibre optic technology to project views onto a panel/screen with grid reference where the driver can see all three sides without turning heads and gauge distance of fellow vehicles around.
    Rearview could use birds-eye lense (comes in handy when backing up).
    No more mirrors to adjust, blind spots, or rearview mirror in the way of your line of sight (or seeing letters backwards).

    Shouldn't we go over to "Future Models"?...
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    I'm continuing this over in "Future Models" as David suggested:

    drew_ "Subaru Crew - Future Models II" Jul 1, 2001 10:08am

    On an unrelated note, Happy Canada day! image
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Bob,

    SOA did do an event like this-- for employees and dealers only... almost. The Subaru Internet Performance Panel (SIPP) went to Firebird Raceway outside of Phoenix, AZ *first* a few months back and got to flog the WRXs a bit, and ride along with professional drivers. I believe Glenn Wallace (of www.new-impreza.com) beat or nearly beat the pros' times on the autocross course!

    Even with GM money, I have serious doubts SOA could do a larger scale events like that.

    -Colin
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Maybe Subaru could do it with Edmunds then. Weren't the Edmunds Live things last year a success? Subaru could just 'borrow' some vehicles to Edmunds.

    -Brian
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    :-) Brian, that sentence sounds very much like 'Singlish'.

    Drew, your thoughts? No lah, not the 'Singlish' thing lah. I mean, Edmunds co-hosting with Subaru on a 'Power Trip' or the likes...
    A winter meet to AWD frolic in the snow?
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Got my first hand experience this evening coming home on the Long Island Expressway, well actually merging on it from Queens Boulevard.
    Mirror tells me what looks to be a black Ford Explorer in the lane I'm merging into, <70ft back. I'm merging with a vehicle in front onto moderate traffic and the moment I committed, the Explorer sped up and almost rear-ended me. Needless to say, high beam, than when passing me its passenger proceeded to sent off projectile(s), of which one found its mark (no damage - micro scratch) followed by passenger sticking out of window uttering whatever (my windows rolled up). Now, by nature I'm hot headed (reason I don't own a pistol), I was 'P'ed that my beloved was assaulted on and instinctively was about to stick out a glorious finger (actually a lot more went through my head like "eat my steering wheel lock!")...then maturity set in - "be calm stay back, don't escalate the situation and look for an out. Got my out no sooner, a clear path at a bend to punched it. Man, Al'Gator got 'umph' tonight (there is a difference between 93oct and 94oct) and I was off whilst the Explorer was sandwiched between cars in the passing lane. As I whisked pass, ooh the urge to do the "ta ta" scene... but Confusius says, "Get the hell out of there! They may not be done with you yet" so I didn't hang around under 70 to find out.

    Anyway, if you see a black SUV with NYC license plate CC1 42L - it has a driver who demeans SUVs... as for me, you know I'm going to remember it. Maybe I might not be too mature then... >:/
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    I'm not sure about the laws in NY, but here in Wisconsin, the cars in the right lane must yield to cars merging in. Too bad there wasn't a sherrif (state trooper in your area) around to bring them to justice.

    Actually, I've been noticing more and more people just doing really stupid things. (I guess our new baby really has brightened our senses especially when we're on the road - we want her to be safe.) Cars pull out in front of you, when they should have waited for you to go past them. Instead, you have to slam on the brakes to 'let' them in. I've had to swerve out of the way a couple of times to avoid these 'idiots'. At least we haven't felt unsafe performing these emergency manuevers with our Outback - in fact, I think we've felt the safest while driving it.

    Is everyone on vacation this week? Am I the only one at work?

    -Brian
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Brian-
    but I doubt it. I would be first to admit it if I was being an idiot doing stupid things (not saying that you're saying I am). Traffic was moderate, evenly spaced about 1-2 car length @ 30-35mph (slow moving vehicles six cars upfront), I see <70ft clearance behind me, which is ample for that condition. I've been taught and constantly backseat driven if Mom is riding with me, "slow down, let them in".

    Don't I wish I had a M113, but then it won't make me a better driver. :)
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    Today is a holiday in Canada - yesterday was Canada Day - but some of us do actually use Edmunds on our own time. :~)

    Ross
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Take that, BMW. Isn't it nice to see a luxurious nameplate comparing unfavorably to a Subaru?

    I for one think the Aztec will look even uglier with bigger wheels. Does it really need to attract more attention? Why does GM kill cars they finally get right (Fiero, Allante), yet they are too stubborn to give up on this bomb?

    Kate: nice pics. That's actually an SL. The SLK is the smaller hardtop roadster.

    The PowerTrip was fun, but I felt very differently about the same cars Bob drove:

    E55 AMG: sweet ride-a-long with a pro. Kind of like driving with paisan or The Cat, just in a more powerful car. Very fun. :-)

    S430: felt like a yacht. A luxurious yacht, but just not something I'd ever drive. Gimme an E55 AMG any day over this behemoth.

    SLK320 6 speed: I was surprised at how much I liked it. I thought it would feel heavy, but no, it was agile. Sweet engine (zzzzzz-ing!) with a true manual made this easily my favorite for the day. Light clutch, wood shifter, nice steering wheel, luxurious interior. If I hit the jackpot this could replace the Miata in my driveway.

    ML320 & 430: too big and too heavy for me. Felt painful through the slalom, with slow steering and major lean. By far I prefer how my Forester handles (not a fair comparison, I realize). I did like that I felt like I was sitting on a throne, with acres of space, nice engine even on the ML320. The 430 had the sport package, but honestly, it was just stiffer, so I preferred the ML320 and its smooth ride. Overall, not for me, but if the wife wanted one and we had the cash I would not object.

    E430 Sport: Yuck, I felt 100% different than Bob. Too heavy and big for me. Nice, roomy, and luxurious, but not sporty by any stretch of the imagination. Felt like a family luxury car, not a sports sedan. AMG really does magic, since the E55 felt vastly different.

    C240: actually, Bob, I think we did drive one. We just drove a C320 later and it was more memorable. I liked the C240, even the baby Benz has exemplary materials. It felt agile, but the tranny was just oh-so-slow to shift and spoiled the fun. The size was perfect for me.

    C320: sweet, sweet engine. Talk about mid range, this thing sang to me. My favorite engine of the day, believe it or not, despite the tranny's best efforts to spoil the fun (again, too slow to downshift).

    Coupe: 100% hatchback. It doesn't even remotely resemble a coupe, so the name is completely ridiculous. I like hatchbacks, though. Liked the interior, just like the C class. The moonroof is ingenious - you get two and the front slides up and over, giving the rear more shade. I actually like this better than the Outback setup, 'cause the driver gets the open feel. It drove sporty and light, so I liked it. The engine is crude though, nothing like the V6s, not even as refined as a Subaru boxer. $25 grand for a Benz sounds great, but I'd buy a WRX in a second.

    Audi A4 2.8 Quattro: I just had to drive the only AWD vehicle there besides the M class. Nice but the engine had no low end at all. Had to rev the daylights out of it to get going. Overall not bad, but I prefered the new C class, which surprised me.

    Conclusion: I still prefer light cars with manual transmissions. Subaru gives up nothing to these in terms of handling or sporty feel, only in materials and luxury features.

    -juice
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Yeah, I felt the same about M-class! I also ended up liking ML320 a bit more, inspite of Sport package on ML430. ML 430 felt somehow even slower than ML320.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    To me, it just felt tall and tippy, so you tend to slow down even before you reach the limits. The Sport package is then wasted and you have a harsher ride.

    A plug for stability control: on the ML it was coming into play again and again. I'm sure I would have knocked down some cones had I not had it on.

    Don't you love it when you prefer the cheaper item! ;-)

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Even though these are very "sporting" models, and&#151;even if I had the money, I would probably not purchase one&#151;at least not as a daily driver. Too many expensive parts (tires) to maintain. Maybe, it's because I'm a bit older (the geezer factor), but the E-430 (or C-320) with the Sport package is sporty enough for me.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Continental actually had a tire trailer there and was swapping tires throughout the day for the hot-lapping AMGs. It was pretty wild.

    AMCI ran the event, though D/C funded it of course.

    -juice
  • bobo39bobo39 Member Posts: 11
    Bit, Patti, Juice, greg and anybody else I missed,

    Thank you all for your sage advise for a new '02 Forester owner.

    Another question:

    I can't get the cassette door to open to accept a tape. Any ideas of what could be blocking it? I have not put any tapes or other foriegn objects in there. Do they ship with anything in there that the dealer should have removed?

    Thanks, Bobo39
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    fun fun fun! Not as fun as rallycross, but still way fun. This was a BMW CCA event, so lots of e30 M3 and 325is, lots of M coupes, a few 5s and a couple e36 M3s. And me. :)

    Did o.k., not great. One run I was off course..missed a gate. Ran 52 and change on my first, 51 and change on my second, actually just shy of 50 by a couple tenths. Did manage to best a Contour SVT, an e30 325is, a stock civic, an S40 and a 528i. And a 330Ci that was Off Course 3-for-3.

    Still have lots to learn, though. I learned that I hate RE92s more than I could possible imagine. Learned that 18mm is just fine on the otherwise stock suspension. Learned that I want a new suspension, and the modest gain from an exhaust would still be quite welcome.

    Also learned that the WRX has uplifted us all. Everyone was curious about the stranger in their midst..too bad that scoop is just for show.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Hehehe...now you know why my RE92s came off with 3,000 on them. Be careful with new suspension, my Teins don't feel at all stiff autocrossing-- just perfect. They can be a bit brutal on the streets though, unforgiving at the least.

    -Colin
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    That Ford guy was clearly in the wrong. Sorry, I wasn't placing the fault on you, nor was I calling you the "i" word.

    -Brian
Sign In or Register to comment.

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.