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  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    You didn't read the article about Isuzu and CR, did you? Any of the other topic at all?

    -Colin
  • befishmanbefishman Member Posts: 8
    Thanks, Dave, for the informative reply to my inquiry. In particular, I wouldn't have thought to go so easy on the engine at first.

    I am the proud owner of the world's most wonderful, beautiful 100 lb yellow lab puppy (tall, not fat) who has turned the inside of my current car into a fur factory. Can anyone recommend a back seat cover for the 2001 Forester that fits well? I intend to love my Forester as much as I love my dog and don't want to trash the car with dog fur!

    Beth
  • amishraamishra Member Posts: 367
    Don't know if this was mentioned .. but an obvious thing you should do when picking up a new car, is take it for a test drive and then return to the dealer and let them know if you have any concerns.

    ash
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I'm familiar with that case. Isuzu won a few points, as did CR. The verdict was essentially a draw.

    I know this is a Subaru topic area, and we've gone on about the CR issue long enough here, so I want to finish my defense of CR with my experience with an Isuzu Trooper, since you brought it up.

    First of all, I used to own a 1986 first-generation Trooper, so I'm familiar with the breed. When the second-generation Trooper was introduced (I am now the owner of a '91 Ford Explorer), I went to test drive one. This was long before the controversial CR Trooper test hit the news stands. The one thought that really stuck with me, after the test drive, was that this vehicle did not feel secure in coming off the off-ramp of the expressway. It really leaned a lot more than my Explorer would have under similar circumstances. It was months later that the infamous CR/Isuzu test came out. I agree with CR 100% on their opinion with that vehicle.

    Now can we get back to Subarus?

    Bob
  • krzychokrzycho Member Posts: 16
    Been to the NY Auto Show last Saturday and I've seen new H-6 OB's.Making long story short I've felt in love with them. But, does anyone know the price on them ? Girls presenting them were talking $30.000 to $32.000. Can anyone second those prices ? Chris.
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    First of all, I apologize for the off-topic rant to all of you who may have been put off by it being off-topic. Second of all, I entreat those of you who bothered to actually read it to please consider it a rant, an opinion, my opinion, and form your own by all means. Finally, no personal affront was meant by me towards any other individual (with the possible exception of the CR boob who dreamed up that lame freezer test).

    As to Troopers being tippy: tain't near as tippy as a few old Jeeps I've driven too fast around corners in the past. I remember one four-door model in particular, the name of which escapes me at the moment. That thing would heel the outside front wheel over, right down to the rim, on the slightest provocation, and ghod help you if you were going 1mph too fast because the whole deal was going over. The big difference near as I can figure between then and now is that now there are a whole lot more people driving around in a whole lot more of those top-heavy things these days. Speaking for myself I don't see much difference among the whole lot of them, and that includes my sweetheart's Cherokee out in the driveway. They all carry too much of their weight too far off the ground. If I may inject just one more opinion, it's not the vehicles - it's the lawyers.

    Regards,
    WDB
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I too apologize. I didn't mean to to go on and on.

    Bob
  • miche4miche4 Member Posts: 26
    Hi,
    I finally got into the city of Los Anchorage and test drove a 2001 Forester S Auto with Prem. Pkg. I loved it. It was white, which was beautiful but due to everything around here being white 6mths out of the year, I have decided on the Black. I will begin negotiations and looking for dealers but one question came up: do you need to have the undercoating done or is it a ploy? We have long winter months with all the salt, etc., but I had the rustproofing and undercoating on my 84 Sube and it still rusted! One of the reasons I need a new vehicle. My Sube engine is still going but I have so many holes in the floorboards, etc it is like sitting in a car made out of tinfoil.
  • pgibianpgibian Member Posts: 7
    This may be a bit off topic. I drive a '00 OB. Can I add an after-market amp and a Bazooka powered subwoofer to the stock radio (head unit)? I know the Subaru upgrade can add an amp and subwoofer unit but I would like to use my own gear. Thanks for your help and advice.
  • abhidharmaabhidharma Member Posts: 93
    Well, I blew it with the '98 Forester S I was looking at...sold my '92 Touring Wagon on the Thursday afternoon before Good Friday, and decided over the weekend that I would purchase the Forester -- and they sold it on Saturday just before closing time.

    He who snoozes, loses, especially when it comes to gently used Subarus.

    So, I'm now between Subies, and with the dearth of used ones around, it may be awhile before I rejoin the land of happy people.

    To those of you who have made this such a wonderful and educational place, and who even enjoy a touch of banter and frivolity once in a while, I thank you. If no one objects, I'll still poke my head in once in a while, and put in my 2 cents worth (devalued Canadian currency, unfortunately!)

    Take care, all.

    Randy
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Michelle: I think you've answered your own question. My Escort also had undercoating (I did NOT ask or pay for it) and it also got rusty.

    JP: congrats on the new Subie.

    Dave: congrats, and join us on Saturday at the Riot Squad @ i Club's meet at Jeff's house, this Saturday at 1pm. More details are in the Events topic.

    Skip: you can order the OE armrest and tweeters from QSubaru or other mail order shops. It's cheaper, too, since they charge wholesale price, shipping is free, and there's no sales tax.

    There is a CR topic under News & Views. They're controversial because they give poor reviews to lots of products, hence the heavy criticism.

    My Escort would lift the inside rear wheel during hard cornering, as do some VW's. Never felt like it was tipping though.

    -juice
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    Sorry to hear about your "loss" (a turbo too, sniff, sniff). You're always welcome here, Randy.

    Re: undercoating (miche4)

    Hi Michelle: Most recent (hmm, post 1990? -- this is just a wag, a wild [non-permissible content removed] guess) have the rust problem licked, including Subaru. Subaru comes with factory undercoating. Adding aftermarket undercoating could, if improperly applied, block the weep holes that allow water that normally collects (hey, it's not a boat ;) to drain, causing more damage than if nothing were applied. Someone will correct me if I missed the "boat" (excuse: haven't been under the car yet).

    ..Mike Smith . Silver Spring MD USA

    ..Mike

  • tincup47tincup47 Member Posts: 1,508
    Michelle,
    The only reason for undercoating is to fatten the dealers wallet. Cars today use galvanized body panels that are much more effective than a sprayed on tar product. Undercoating has always been a boondoggle, even before the newer coatings. The only thing it has ever been proven effective at is a slight noise reduction.
    tincup
  • jamespowerjamespower Member Posts: 42
    Two days into the new Forester, I now have my first paint chip. About 2mm square, quite deep but not through the primer and very conspicuous on the upper part of the hood. Now I know I will get plenty more, but how do I best fix this one? Get a specialist to do it (cost, effectiveness?) or go the touch-up route (e.g.
    www.carcareonline.com/paint_chips.html) and rely on my own incompetence.

    Randy: Have you thought of stretching to a new 2000 Forester? These are being dumped to make way for the 2001, but the changes are not that significant. I got my L in Calgary at 3.8% over 60 months which is cheap money. Bet you can buy a 2000 L for under $25K (no AC model) and around $26K (with AC). The Phase II SOHC engine is amazing in the 98-99 Forester (smooth, quiet, powerful, torque aplenty). The 98 you were looking at had the DOHC that I had in my Legacy GT. Although I haven't driven a 98 Forester, for me there is no comparison (you are used to a turbo, right?). Also, I am a bit wary of lease-back cars after the run around with the GT.

    JP
  • jamespowerjamespower Member Posts: 42
    Phase II (SOHC) is 99-2001, Phase I (DOHC) was 98 only
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    JP: try a touch-up, and if it looks bad, they'll have to repaint it anyway.

    Practice on a hidden area first, perhaps a door jamb or under the hood.

    -juice
  • commessocommesso Member Posts: 3
    Help:
    I read somewhere that by joining the American Canoe Association, as a Forester owner, you're entitled to free Maintenance during the first 3 years of ownership?

    Any one aware of this? Details?

    Thanks,
  • 2ndwnd2ndwnd Member Posts: 145
    >>I read somewhere that by joining the American
    Canoe Association, as a Forester owner, you're
    entitled to free Maintenance during the first 3
    years of ownership?<<

    Everyone who buys a Forester gets three years of free maintenance. It's called the Subaru standard warrenty. Unless you were talking about maintenance on the canoe?

    Dave
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    You were close, but actually the 99 Impreza and Forester did have the Phase II engine. The models built in Indiana didn't get it until the 2000 model year.

    -Colin
  • dsattlerdsattler Member Posts: 135
    You can add an amp and a subwoofer to almost any car stereo. Many amps include both line level and speaker level inputs, so even if your existing head unit has only speaker outputs you can still add an amp and subwoofer. (Typically the amp will have a filter that routes the bass frequencies through the new amp and subwoofer, and sends the non-bass frequencies to your existing speakers.) Pull your head unit and look at the back or check Crutchfield (www.crutchfield.com).
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Just to clarify, I believe Subaru offers roadside assistance for free during the 3 year bumper-to-bumper warranty, but this does not include maintenance. Right?

    Someone did offer the ACA link and info, that may have been on the Pricing topic.

    Make sure to check if your amp can take speaker level inputs. Mine couldn't, so it was a pain, and even when I found a solution the sound was distorted.

    -juice
  • dsattlerdsattler Member Posts: 135
    If your stereo sound is still distorted it might be because your amp is still getting too much power from your head unit. Can you wire in a resistor, or am I barking up the wrong tree?
  • grugrugrugru Member Posts: 20
    Anybody know how to adapt the 6-pin trailer box on a Forester to a standard flat, 4-wire trailer harness? The Subaru part is $107; my attempts at "deductive wiring" resulted in a blown fuse on the brake circuit. Which, by the way, will put your Sube into permanent Park by engaging the Shift Lock - which requires a working circuit to disengage. Ideas/comments?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Thanks for the suggestion, but that was my previous car.

    Now I have the basic factory stereo, which plays "Elmo" just fine, believe me! An amp would be torture!

    -juice
  • dsattlerdsattler Member Posts: 135
    Baby Beluga is worse. Although our four-year-old has developed an interest in King Crimson, of all things. I played him "Abesent Lovers" and he said he really liked it because it was "snake music". Go figure.
  • prouloproulo Member Posts: 26
    Their address is http://www.acanet.org


    I received my free maintenance booklet in the mail this week.

    Phil
  • soobersoober Member Posts: 11
    Randy -- I hope you stick around this bulletin board. Why not keep sharing your clever sense of humor with this Subaru crew? I'd miss the laughter I get at my computer screen if you do go into semi-lurking mode.

    Phil -- I checked out the canoe website -- any clue about a link re. the maintenance offer? Does it apply to OB's, as well as Foresters? Thanks for the tip!
  • dzartmandzartman Member Posts: 112
    I love reading the posts here. I'm 30, male, single, and bought the 2000 OB after a 76 Ford van, 76 Datsun 710 and a mint 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 (what was I thinking selling that?!). What makes me laugh is, Subaru has nailed their sales demographic perfectly! The owners here post messages about dog protection, worrisome paint chips, and the relative merits of Consumer Reports. Sounds 'typical' Subaru...(except for Impreza RS owners, of course. I opted for the Outback wagon to tote my filmmaking gear). Me, I'm souping this rig up. New hood with functional hood scoop from a B4 out of Japan, Weapon-R intake, Prova strut bar brace (front), Raceline 17x7 rims with new slotted and cross-drilled rotors by Brembo, Michelin rubber, steel braided brake lines, ZeroSports N1 oil cooler (Subaru kit looks decent but wimpy) Tanabe G Power Wagon exhaust (http://www.rd-tanabe.com), aluminum crankshaft pulley, 18mm rear sway bar. That keeps the exterior essentially unchanged but keeps off-road capabilities, plus adds some 40 horses to the powerplant. Kind of a sleeper, but potent and unique. Now before all y'all send flamez, remember I'm not harshing on you!!!! I do feel like I'm the youngest one in this forum sometimes, though (hehehehe). I'll see you on the dirt roads...take those Subies out and get 'em dirty! It's a blast! I may trade in my 2000 on a 2001 with the VDC...sounds good for driving fast on gravel roads. Check out some pics I took from my last trip: http://www.wave.net/diveguy/Dave
    Couldn't have gotten to some of those places without my Subaru. If ya want to see some parts links to trick out your Subie, go to the Modifications part of the Subaru Crew or to the Accessories and Aftermarket section and look under Subaru.

    Best,
    Dave

    PS: To any lurking VW Passat wagon owners....don't even try......muhahahaaha
  • prouloproulo Member Posts: 26
    When you receive your welcome kit from ACA, an ad from Subaru is included for the free maintenance. I live by a river and the magazines that they send are good. You have to be a member of ACA when you buy the Subaru. You have to call ACA with your ACA membership number and they send you a form that you fill out and send to Subaru. ACA also gets $160 from Subaru for each member that buys a new Subaru.

    Phil
  • commessocommesso Member Posts: 3
    Proulo, thanks. What is the extent of the free
    maintenance book? What is covered?
    Also, my purchase of a Forester is imminent (3-10 days). Could I join on line, get credentialized
    (membership # or whatever) and buy the car and
    get the free maintenance in this short period of time.

    Thanks for your advise.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Phil: thanks for that link.

    Dave: nice pics. What are you doin' with the OE rims? Discount Tires Direct went out of stock on the 16" rims I wanted, so I'm bummed.

    However, I may be interested in yours if they fit (anyone know?). Also, I'm near DC, where are you?

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Dave, it's cool what you have planned for your 2000 OBS but I'd hedge my bets a little about adding 40HP with an intake, exhaust and underdrive pulley. ...Even if the intake is using a real hood scoop.

    -Colin
    (the naysayer)
  • aakersonaakerson Member Posts: 71
    Loved your pix, also the idea of doing some (gentle) off-roading with the OB. Where were you when you took these. Incidentally, happened to see a Forester at a local dealership over the weekend which apparently was taken over the off-road edge. Crushed roof, smashed hood,shattered windshield, wheels full of mud. Not a pretty picture.
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    DUDE! I gotta have pictures when you get those wheels on. I have been scouring the web looking for someone who has souped an Outback, to no avail. I want to, but my budget is limited and, at 30, I am not a fan of the boy racer look anymore (actually, never was). Also I am going to round two of driving school, but it is sponsored by a BMW club, and I would love a little extra shovel...so does a pulley help, and is it reliable?

    17X7 wheels are on my list too, assuming there isn't any rub...

    I know I know, "don't get an OB if you want performance" well, I got the car, THEN I got into this, and like Dave, I need the room.
  • ramonramon Member Posts: 825
    dave those are nice pix. the Sube sure blends in nicely.
  • amishraamishra Member Posts: 367
    Hey Dave,

    I think I beat you as the youngest owner of a Subaru Outback! I'm 26. Funny thing happened the other day when I took my car into service (not at my local dealer). The service manager asked how my parents liked their OB!! Had to straighten them out.

    I've mostly done just internal changes, ie. new head unit, rear cargo speakers, a powered amp, and now adding the security kit. Added pinstripes and tinted windows on the outside, but that's it so far...

    Could you give us more info on that pulley, ie. how much it cost, and where you got it from? I'd love to add some extra horses :)

    -- ash
  • 2ndwnd2ndwnd Member Posts: 145
    OK, I admit it, I have no clue what you people are talking about when it comes to this free Canoe Association maintenance thing. How does this help you in addition to the regular warrenty? Does it allow you to get free maintenance at any repair shop or something? If I remember correctly, the Subaru roadside assistance will tow you to the nearest Subaru Dealer for three years, where you can get your maintenance done under warrenty. What am I missing here?

    Dave (the slightly older than the other Daves)
  • prouloproulo Member Posts: 26
    I joined online on March 22, I ordered my 2001 Forester on March 23 and picked it up on March 30. Because I joined online I was able to get the free maintenance package. It covers all routine maintenance and oil changes for three years. Supposed value up to $545.

    Phil
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    Dave,

    It covers scheduled SERVICE. Oil changes, tire rotations, yada yada. The standard warranty package doesn't cover that stuff. and the road service warranty just gets you towed and repaired out on the road.

    Cheers,
    WDB (guess what the D stands for!)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Will 17x7"s fit? Do they make those? They're usually wider still.

    Aftermarket wheels that are wider also come with a lower offset. For example, if OE has a 55mm offset, a wider aftermarket wheel may have a 40mm offset, so the hub it 15 mm further away from the vehicle. That's just over half an inch, so you could get wheels a full inch wider.

    I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but a lower offset pushes it further away from the vehicle, not the other way around.

    Dave (the slightly older one): the warranty does not cover regular maintenance, like oil changes, tire rotation, etc. The ACA gives discounts off things like that.

    -juice
  • dry_flydry_fly Member Posts: 12
    I just got my 2001 Forester last Friday. Thanks for all the information the board gave me. One interesting thing about this purchase was the understanding by some of the dealers that the web has given customers a better understanding of the "real" price. For my part, this was about $400 over the invoice price which was not the cheapest but something I could work with.

    I hadn't understood that the Forester S came with heated seats, so now I have another question. Is there a safe covering for these seats that I can use to protect them from wet waders and the like and still be able to use them on occasion? Also, are there bench seat covers for the back seats that are split?
  • austriash1austriash1 Member Posts: 12
    If you live north of 49, you can get a 6-4 wire mod kit; little box with 6 wires on one side (marked for what they should be) and 4 on the other for the flat four plug at Canadian Tire for about $30cdn. The size of an old matchbox (wooden matches), pretty user friendly. I cracked one open and it's only a couple of relays, but still, I think, worth the trouble. I used one on my Maxima for 9 years.

    I imagine folks in the great green south should be able to find something similar at a good auto parts store.
  • trioxystrioxys Member Posts: 16
    been looking for a late model, low mileage Outback in Oregon..... and amazed at the high prices for 3-4 yr olds! now i'm faced with a tough choice: a 1996 with 55,000 miles on it for $14,000, vs. a 1997 with 30,000 for $17,500. (both automatic, 96 has a CD player)

    i've heard the '96's require premium gas, and the horsepower is lower. have also heard about some problems with an oil seal ($$$) at around 50-55k. on the other hand, $17k is more than i wanted to spend.

    but i gotta decide real soon..... anybody got any good advice? thanks........
  • trioxystrioxys Member Posts: 16
    p.s. does anybody think it makes sense to pay inflated Northwest market prices for a used Outback to take to Hawaii (where there's not much snow........)
  • myforestermyforester Member Posts: 11
    I would just like to thank
    this forum for steering me
    towards what is most
    certainly the best vehicle
    I have owned, the 2001
    Forester. I have had it
    about two weeks now and I
    love it. I find myself
    dreaming about washing it
    and wiping it down, which
    I suppose makes me sick,
    but I get the feeling
    there are than a few of
    you out there who know
    what I'm going through.
    I had the windows tinted &
    a Clear Bra put on the
    front end and mirrors. The
    stuff's kind of strange
    but I think it will be
    worth it. Thanks again
    everybody!
    for a look:
    http://community.webtv.ne
    t/myforester/my2001foreste
    r
  • myforestermyforester Member Posts: 11
    The correct link is:
    My2001Forester
    Sorry about that! I'm new at this stuff.
  • myforestermyforester Member Posts: 11
    I give up. Goodbye everybody, I'm not worthy.
  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    Alright, maybe I am thick but what is an Underdrive Pulley and what benefit does it give?

    Cheers

    Graham
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    Hey myforester! You don't have to put carriage returns in, the system will take care of that. Just type! And do stick around - you'll find lots of waxaholics around these parts.

    Underdrive: The pulley is lighter - a lot of factory pulleys are heavy castings designed to dampen engine vibrations - and it spins all the accessories (alternator, power steering pump, AC pump) at a slower speed so they don't sap so much power from the engine. The possible downside is that those accessories won't produce as much oomph - especially at low RPMs - so sometimes the lights will dim at idle or the AC won't blow cold air while you're waiting for the light to change. This effect varies with where you tend to keep your engine RPMs, as you might suspect.

    Cheers,
    WDB
    (who remembers revving generator-equipped 6-volt Vee Dubs just to keep the lights bright enough to see)
  • jagarlandjagarland Member Posts: 26
    Dry Fly: Try this site http://www.wetokole.com/ They may have what you are looking for.

    Jack

    end
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