Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Greg
And don't get me started about Imprezas. My wife's 2000 2.5RS has had the ECM unit, the transmission, and the front oxygen sensor replaced in just the last nine months. The first two were under warranty, but took a week each to get, and they were ordered VOR. The third wasn't under warranty, but the dealership had the part.
Guess I'm having a bad year. Thanks for your input. I do appreciate it.
Steve
I have a 6 year old Forester that has cost me zero out of pocket. Our Legacy is under an extended warranty, we just had to hedge our best after the Mazda fiasco.
-juice
shoot paisan an e-mail. He might be able to set you up with a skid plate on the OB
-Dave
Greg
Craig - All the threads fully engaged, so the bottom of the nut is evan with the bottom of the post threads.
Seberry - I know Primitive Racing(http://www.writerguy.com/primitive/catalog1.htm) makes a front skid plate, but most people here seem to think they aren't worth getting unless you rally of road.
Looks like we will get 12" of snow tonight in MA - time to get the Subaru gassed up for the "snow day" tomorrow!!! :-)
Cheers,
Matt
If anyone is familiar with this, please respond with the low-down on this issue.
Thanks
Don
Most steady CELs are from items such as loose fuel cap, knock or O2 sensor, or misfire.
Greg
Craig
On my Forester, the low point is actually the front cross member. It's actually a good 2" lower than the rear diffy, so yeah, a front factory skid plate would be a welcome option.
paisan is going to try to fit a custom skid plate on my Forester when I go to Philly on 2/6, so ask me about it in a couple of weeks!
Don: usually it's something minor, just have the dealer read and reset it. If you are past warranty, AutoZone will do it for free.
-juice
Mark
Thanks....
-juice
Also, has anyone bought tires from Costco? Thoughts on experience and suggestions for the tires they carry.
I think it'll be OK, it's a pricey item IIRC. For the '99, it's something like $370.
Costco mounted my tires. I bought Falken ZE-512s from Vulcantire.com, which had better prices and those top-rated tires. Costco carries Michelins and they'll have a big $60 off special for a set of 4 once in a while, so you can get a good price if you time it right. The offers was expired when I shopped, but it was back last time I checked.
-juice
They often (2 - 3 times a year)have a $50 or $60 off coupon on a set of 4 Michelin or Bridgestones. There is one on now or coming up soon -- the coupon is in the little booklet they mail out a couple of times a year. On the Sienna, I needed the new tires immediately (belt fibers poking out and leaving on a long trip in two days) so I didn't wait for the next coupon deal. It came out one week later -- Dohh! But Costco sent me a letter with a check for the $50 bucks anyway, without my even asking. Then, with the OB tires, I got the $50 off from Costco and the next week Michelin starts offering its own $50 off, so they sent me a check for that, too.
Absolutely the best prices you will find, and the price includes everything -- mounting, stems, lifetime rotation and balancing, road hazard warranty.
Service is pretty good, although wait times can be long if you get there at the wrong time of day. Either be the first one in line when they open in the morning, or talk to the guys who work there to find out if/when they have a regular time when things slow down.
Highly recommended.
--K9Leader
I've been very happy with 4 sets of tires, including most recent Michelin Pilot Sport A/S's for my LLBean. I've also lucked out with the timing of coupons so far.
Can't beat going to get tires rotated/balanced at 8:30pm on a Tuesday night...fits my schedule perfectly...
Ralph
Steve
-juice
Ralph
If the player has an emergency ejection "hole" you can stick a paper clip into it to force it to eject the disk - IF it **has** the hole. Check the manual first.
Other than that, you pretty much have to pop the player and take it apart to get to the disks.
I think juice has mentioned those players turn up on e-Bay? juice can you confirm that - or was it Forester compatibles?
HTH
Larry
Greg
My first reaction is that 40deg is very steep, and I would not try to tackle that without dedicated snow tires. Even with AWD, the most important factor is tires. In fact, a FWD car with snow tires can actually do better than an AWD car with worn all season tires.
With good snow tires, I would expect the VDC to be among the best AWD vehicles out there. If it can't make it up the hill, I wouldn't expect other vehicles to either (perhaps a true 4WD vehicle with locking differentials, but that's not exactly something you'd want to live with everyday).
If you have the stock RE092 tires, that may be part of the problem. They are mediocre in the snow when new, but the snow performance really deteriorates when they wear down about half-way.
If you get a lot of snow in your area, definitely consider a set of snow tires. They have excellent performance in snow and ice and will help braking as well as forward motion.
Craig
Don't know about the ejection problem but to clean your laser lens go to Best Buy or a similar store and pick up a "Laser Lens Cleaner". Mine is a SCOTCH brand and it works wonders on all of my CD and DVD players. Cost is about $15 and they claim it will last 100 cleanings.
OK guys - a question. Does the VDC system invoke the brakes on a single spinning wheel to proportion torque? Is there still a center diff helping to distribute and control F to R torque? Would turning the VDC off (newer models have a switch?) maybe help in a straight line spinning wheel situation? Reason I ask: once I get the new van going, I sometimes turn off the traction control as the brake drag can interfere with forward momentum.
Steve
I too have wondered about the VDC, whether it actually hurts rather than helps. As I understand it it's supposed to transfer power left and right as well as front and back. Will try turning it off next time. Also, what about starting in second (it's an automatic)?
Starting in 2nd is a good idea. Ease onto the throttle, too. It's better if you don't force the traction control to engage.
Yeah, you can e-bay a 6CD from a WRX for about $150. I paid $250 a couple of years ago, but they are cheaper now, I think someone got one for even less than $150.
-juice
I've used Bridgestone Blizzaks for 5 seasons now. Put them on in late Nov., take them off in late March. When brand new they are superior on ice.
BF Goddrich now has a Traction T/A tire (all-season) as a possible replacement for your current tires instead of dedicated snow tires.
MNSteve - -26° this morning, brrrr
if you don't want dedicated winter only tires, get some Nokian WRs which are snow traction rated but can be driven in summer without losing all your tread. I have the WRs predecessor, the NRW, on my Legacy and they are much better than the Re92s even in dry , warm weather let alone snow.
VDC is significantly different, so I don't know much about it. I do think it uses brakes, however, as Steve noted.
Craig
Greg
With the driveway Nanci describes, that would be my biggest fear.
Steve
I have a long(ish) driveway, about 5-6 car lengths, slight uphill. When it gets icy I actually sand it down. I use a broadcast spreader and regular play sand, the stuff you get in 50 lb bags.
While the Subie could probably make it up, I don't want my kid falling down. Plus I have to do the walk way.
I don't like using salt or chemicals, so usually I'll shovel what I can, then spread some sand to get traction.
-juice
Steve after sliding down the driveway and crashing into the house - "Beth, I'm home". he he he.
Actually, I need to clear my dw in the AM so any ice / snow melts when the sun hits it or am in trouble the next morning trying to get the Sienna out.
Greg
-juice
G
That being said, did the Rep. offer to look into your situation? They should check it out with your dealer. Dang - I hate not being able to access our database from home right now. I will check it on Monday. Sorry if it caused you frustration.
Patti
Mark
The owners manual says that if the "light flashes after the engine starts it may indicate that the automatic transmission control system is not working properly" Whatever that is-That I should go to the nearest Subaru dealer immediately-There go my plans to drive to the Berkshires tomorrow-It being Saturday I plan on being there tomorrow when they open at 7:00am. Any feedback before or after is appreciated. Thanks
I'm sure all will be well. Thanks for your patience with us and I'm sorry about the problem.
Patti
mike, what does azp charge to install new plugs. I'll bet you're below market if $111 is market rate!
Jim
The car has 41,000 miles on it at this point, the tires are in OK condition and the rotors are intermittently acting up but not needing replacement yet. Is this a serious engine issue? Any insight is appreciated.
All 4EATs have a cooler built into the radiator on the subies. My guess is there was a pin-hole leak in the hose and it sprayed the cat (as was previously said) the reason why there was no slippage til you turned was probably cause there is close to 10quarts of fluid in there, even if it sprayed out 1 quart on the cat for the fire portion, it is not likely to slip til you hit a curve or really build the pressure up.
-mike