Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    Good Morning all! FYI - Mike did not say that there would "never" be a turbo Forester or Legacy. Only that there are no immediate plans (or something to that effect). Please keep in mind that we (Mike nor I) cannot talk - at all - about future product information. By "immediate plans", that covers about 1 year.

    The dungeon is a bit hot and uncomfortable this time of year. We do our best to stay out of it!

    Graham - it would have been fun to see you participate. Maybe we should request a "Graham Chat" so we can all enjoy your wit and wisdom in a live exchange?

    Have a great Friday all!

    Patti
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    Happy Anniversary and thank you for the "clarification" about the turbot issue. It seemed a bit fishy. We certainly wouldn't want you (or Mike) to be stuck in dungeon hell during the summer doldrums. I imagine that the deepest dungeons must be below sea level making them very muggy in the summer.
    :-)

    Ross
  • cptpltcptplt Member Posts: 1,075
    you guys need to drive those suckers more often, the new ones are pretty fun to drive, ok, it ain't no WRX but they are real comfortable for long trips. Wife and mother in law have a Venture and Windstar. If its a long trip, no question a minivan is the ride rather than my Legacy or WRX! Had to make a day trip Chicago to Cleveland 2 weeks ago, spent half the night at the Chevy dealer (one of those open all night places) getting some things sorted out rather than drive the WRX or Legacy the next day! Also wait till there is a real bad hailstorm or rain storm one day and you need to get the kids all buckled in. You can get them all in one door quick, than walk around inside the vehicle, and stay dry, buckling them in! At least 2 neighbours (including the local "I only buy Lexi") who swore "no minivans ever" saw the light after such incidents left them drenched through to their underwear! Plus they are great for hauling stuff occassionally. As for the Mazda MPV advert zoom zoom zoom, they are smoking somethin and it ain't their tires!
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    You guys should know that we're more likely to read about a leaked future product on the i-club, than having an SoA rep. admit to it. :-)

    -Dennis

    juice - Congrats to you and your home country.
    I just finished watching the U.S.-Germany match. :-(
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    No shiftronic for '03 WRX :(
    Guess I'll be keeping Al'gator for awhile. :)

    Dennis-
    Want to do some AutoX 30Jun02 @ Meadowlands?
    I'm running the Outback :)

    -Dave
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Yeah, I knew it would be like pulling teeth to get some inside scoop, but I had to try. We did find out that, despite the cancellation of the GM/Subaru SUW, that a 7-passenger crossover is still in the works.

    BTW, did you all see Mike's gut response to my very first question? "Oh boy." Then there was a long pause, before a "carefully worded" follow-up ensued. From that moment on he knew he was going to be in for a tough night. ;)

    Bob
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    I may be in Pittsburgh that weekend, but I'm not certain. I haven't even watched an auto-X yet, so I doubt I would run it.
    Are the fun runs always after the competition and not before?
    Do stand-by's ever get in?

    -Dennis
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    The Town Hall operates on Pacific Time, but I'm sending your question to our site developer, johnv.

    KarenS
    Host
    Owners Clubs
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I think (hope) that Mike got the message, that we as a group, are hoping for big things from Subaru in the future. I hope that some of our requests may alter current plans, just a bit. For example, I hope SOA re-thinks their position on the dual-range tranny. Despite Mike's "corporate speak" about that feature not reappearing, there were a number of us, over the course of the hour, that requested that feature to come back; same with the request for more turbos.

    Bob
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Dave/Ed, you guys would love this on a WRX.
    This is by Simon Lines of Prodrive on the i-club (tranny forum):

    "OK, our WRC tranny does NOT use a stick of any sort any more, it was deleted a couple of years ago. Also, it's not sequential, it's a proper automated manual, the drivers have a switch on the dash that allows them to select reverse, neutral or 1st. With a sequential you have to go through the whole lot - so spin in 6th and you need 15 - 20 seconds to get back to 1st or reverse. With ours you just flick the switch.

    As for getting one...:-)"

    -Dennis
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    My prior committment ended early, so I was able to join the chat very late. Still I did get two questions in, one of which was answered.

    My meeting took me to Haddonfield, NJ, very close to Cherry Hill. Afterwards I had dinner at Red Hot & Blue, a Memphis-style barbecue joint literally in the shadow of SoA headquarters. I drove past slowly, looking to see any external evidence of the dungeon. None to be found, though I did notice a gated entrance and two Chrysler minivans in the parking lot.

    Ed

    PS: Dennis: lol. That style tranny would give us the best of both worlds. I would like something I can leave in D on the Garden State Parkway, NJ and PA Turnpikes, and my lovely daily US 1, then use as a manual once I hit those nice back roads you saw in my neck of the woods. I'll take whatever hit in fuel economy or 0-60 times it delivers, I don't care.

    Those WRC trannies: don't they cost at least 2 US WRXes and last about 1000 km?
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Boy am I bummed. Not only missed the chat but no turbo Forester for 04? I was really looking forward to getting one. Well looking on the bright side, now there's nothing stopping me from getting a WRX wagon. Woo hoo!

    -Frank P.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I kinda got the sense, before Mike got totally bombarded with future product questions—and when the moderator tried to steer the discussion from future products—that some of Mike's responses seemed geared more towards a PTA-type of audience, and not towards a bunch of knowledgeable Subie gearheads, like us. I hope I'm wrong.

    Bob
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    that my question about any details about the '05 Legacy was going to be a canned response, but I had to try, didn't I?

    It would have been quite a thrill if he responded "subearu, we're coming out with a US-spec Blitzen sedan in dark metallic blue". It would have been like he read my mind. ;-)

    -Brian
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    we didn't scare off Mike with our "direct" questions. He must have felt like a goalkeeper in one of the World Cup soccer games last night.

    Bob
  • tincup47tincup47 Member Posts: 1,508
    Is kept as quiet as possible as long as possible. Any details on a site like this can be picked up by competitors. Heck, Mike has to consider that any one of you could work for a competitor and is pumping him for info. Also, if it got out that next years Forester is going to be turbocharged or have a sportmatic shift, what do you think that would do to this year's sales. Not saying asking is a bad thing, just trying to give a different viewpoint on the answers.
  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    Minivans can be fun... we bought our 95 Villager (vs. the other MV's out there at the time) at least partly due to its fun-to-drive quotient - handling, performance, relatively small size. Even back then, there was a clear difference between the Merc/Nissan twins vs. the Windstar & Chrysler products. The size thing is coming back to bite us now with our 3 kids, and with future towing interests in mind, I see a larger SUV in our future. No problem there... mama gets the big rig, I get to commute in a zippity-doo-dah Subaru!

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Overall, I thought the chat went well last night. It wasn't overcrowded and the time it took to get your question posted was reasonable.

    I wasn't expecting any breaking news to be released at the chat so I'm okay with Mike not being able to give definte answers. Like Bob pointed out, many of us 'regulars' ask questions that are beyond what our friends at Subaru are prepared (or are allowed to) answer.

    Perhaps one way we could improve chats with guest speakers is to prepare a list of questions beforehand. By following this method, the speaker will have some indication as to the type of questions they can expect.

    Another way would be to separate the sessions by audience type. I believe the general frustration from the Crew regulars comes from the fact that we already know a lot (maybe even too much!). I don't know how feasibile it would be but it would be great for both the guest, general audience and Crew regulars if there could be two different sessions.

    In any event, thanks again to Edmunds and Subaru for setting up the chat.

    Ken
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    hee hee....Im in the middle of a training class but just discovered this browser works... sorry I missed the chat. Uh oh here comes teacher gotta go
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    We understand that. In any event, it's still fun trying. You never know when the guest might accidentally let something slip out...

    Bob
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Ken- Good points. It would be great for us if we (the Subaru Crew) could get our own chat session. But looking at it from Subaru's point of view, it would be too one-sided with us asking nothing but difficult questions and Mike being unable to respond.

    -Frank P.

    P.S. Just imagine yourself being locked in a room discussing
    towing issues with Bob for an hour :(o)
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Frank,

    I know. It's a bit of wishful thinking on my (our) part, but I think that's what would please everyone. And you're right; we'd probably ask questions that couldn't be answered anyway.

    I guess the only thing that would truly work is a one-way trip into the dungeon! We'd all get to learn Subaru's secrets, but would never be able to tell another soul outside.

    Ken
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    P.S. Just imagine yourself being locked in a room discussing
    towing issues with Bob for an hour :(o)

    Imagine being locked in a room discussing towing issues with bob and Paisan for an hour!!!!! Now that would be fun fun fun. It might actually be entertaining for the person stuck with us!

    -mike
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Bob: when will Subaru be able to tow like Silverado SuperDuty HD truck?
    Rep: um, ahem...
    Paisan: and don't use any Ford parts on it!
    Rep: ok...
    and so on :-) :-)
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    More like Chinese water torture, I would think!

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    :):) Haaaaa that is exactly how it would go, then it would be...

    bob: and these #s with brakes are ridiculous, I can't buy any trailer in MD with brakes under 3000lbs!
    Rep: Ok...well...
    Paisan: While you are at it, put in an Isuzu diesel engine, so bob can tow like a 3500 Chevy HD Dually and get 35mpg on the highway!

    :)

    -mike
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    If it's not too far away, try Liberty Subaru in Libertyville. While I did not buy ours from there, I have heard nothing but praise about the experience there. And the service area is also good (I find out exactly how good when I pick up my Outback from a 're'alignment tonight). YellowBikeDon bought/serviced his subie there and recommended it strongly.

    -Brian (the first one?, at least the first Bear)
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    Town Hall Downtime Notice
  • bsvollerbsvoller Member Posts: 528
    Thanks, I'll pass Libertyville on. Sounds like there's a new dealership opening in the Northbrook area as well. Her third option would be Schaumburg.

    -brianV
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Patti,

    I have a great idea for a new "corrective action" tool for SOA: If someone is misbehaving you could threaten to sentence them to a one hour chat with the Crew regulars. ;-)

    Ken
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    but wonderful bunch.

    I had real problems getting in last night - strange since I am a regular Thursday attendee. Thanks to Brian for posting a link that worked. By the time I got there, I had no idea what had already been covered, so just inserted a few quips when appropriate (like Patti & Mike sharing space in the dungeon).

    Steve
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    The most fun is taking Emily to a drive-in movie in the Van. Lots of romp room, plus a bed in the 'way back' to sleep on when she has had enough.

    Steve
  • yellowbikedon1yellowbikedon1 Member Posts: 94
    Thru the years while living in Evanston I used Liberty Subaru for purchase and sale of three Subarus. At least 10 of my acquaintances also purchased and serviced their Subarus there. They are really a great dealer and "easy" to work with. Speak with Elmer Hansen, their Subaru Product Manager and tell him I told you to say "hello." The service department is dedicated with two really skilled mechanics, Elisha and Axel. One needs only to look at the license plate frames on cars of other dealerships being serviced by Liberty to understand how this place is regarded.

    I used to pass the dealerships in Evanston and Highland Park to use Liberty. As Highland Park is just North of Northbrook, I'd be surprised if a dealership would be located there unless Highland Park no longer is a dealer. Evanston and Libertyville are too close, in my opinion, to establish another outlet.

    Good luck in your selling job. If it results in the "sale" of a Subaru, it will mean another satisfied customer!!!

    Don
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Actually, I would love to have another chat session with Mike Whelan. I feel we, as a group, could really offer some good one-on-one input, for him and Subaru. In a sense, I feel a bit guilty of plummeting him with future product questions (I plead temporary insanity, I just couldn't control myself!).

    If a "Mike Welhan2" were to occur, I would suggest a "theme" for the chat to be: What we would like to either see from Subaru, and/or see Subaru improve upon; rather than overwhelm him with future product questions—of which I plead the most guilty.

    Just have it be a open, free exchange of ideas, rather than putting him in a corner from which he has to defend himself from the "Edmunds Subie Sharks."

    Unfortunately, one hour with him was just not enough time to get our ideas across in a very productive manner. In a sense, last night was sort of force-feeding him our desires, which could have been counter-productive. I hope that wasn't the case.

    Bob
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    I just took our Subaru to Liberty for a 'realignment' and they did it perfectly. And I drove 30 miles to them, when my original dealer is only about 15 miles away. But, they couldn't get my alignment correct.

    It was well worth the drive through construction on route 176.

    Also purchased the HVAC air filters and put them in tonight. Boy, were they overdue for a change. Lets just say that the new ones are bright white like this background screen and the old ones were not black but close! They do work!

    -Brian
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Since he has info we want to know, but both He and We know he can't tell it, there is no need for us to waste time asking questions that we can't get answers for. Rather an info gathering session for him to get input from us would be a great idea.

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Maybe they finally are listening to us! Heard a great one tonight coming back from my 3rd I-club Subaru meet of the week (Wed, Thurs, Fri)

    The commercial was saying how the AWD system is great to use in wet/snowy conditions and Off-road and that the AWD system is constantly on duty and is usefuly in the dry as well as slippery stuff, to help control cars during evasive manuvers. Thought it was a good commercial.

    -mike
  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day

    Thanks for listening to suggestions. It's one of the pleasures of Edmunds

    Cheers

    Graham
  • mrk610mrk610 Member Posts: 378
    I always have to work and miss the good chats . Sounds like it was a good one . Patti again thank you for all you do and happy 2 years .

    mike k
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    USA was robbed. The Germans stopped the ball at the line with their own "little hand of God". Intentional or not, it changed the outcome of the play and should have been ruled a penalty.

    But oh well, the Koreans got a little help, too.

    Sorry to stir the van pool. I really was OK with the wife getting one. We drove several.

    Edmunds Subie Sharks? Like this:

    paisan: when can we get the H16?
    Bob: can I tow Cleveland?
    juice/Frank/Ken: turbo Forester?
    lark: turbo Forester with shiftronic?
    Pat: factory plastic lining for floors?
    All WRX owners:
    Dave: when does the "Dave Edition" arrive?

    -juice

    PS See Mods for details - but I got that 6CD installed nicely! :-)
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    juice: Could modify my line to "turbo anything with shiftronic?" ;-p

    Ed
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    How about, "Tow Maryland?" Gotta remain loyal to my Terps!

    ;)

    Bob
  • jfljfl Member Posts: 1,399
    I think I missed something. Did you really mean H16?

    Such an engine actually existed. 3 liters, 2 flat eights one atop the other. (The true H configuration.) Built by BRM. Won one Grand Prix race in the late 60's or early 70's. Waaaay toooo heavy!!!

    Are you sure this is what paisan wants? Wait till he needs a valve job. $$$$$
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    James-
    I don't think mike (Paisan) would worry about that. The H16 would be ran to the ground before it needs one ;-)

    -Dave
  • jfljfl Member Posts: 1,399
    Dave, You're right, I forgot about that. 8~) Still, it won't be as nimble as his XT, then again, it'll still mow down the competition! How many small turbos on an H16 four or eight?
  • bsvollerbsvoller Member Posts: 528
    Hey guys, thanks for the feedback. Once again the Edmunds Subaru community comes through ! Just got off the phone with my mom, and she sounds pretty set on a 2.5 TS wagon. She's also in a bigger hurry than I thought, looking sooner rather than sometime this fall.

    She's going to try the dealer across the street from where she works first, then go to Libertyville if they're not willing to work with her.

    If this happens, it'll be the 2nd Subaru in the family in 2 years. Not bad, not bad a'tall... :-)

    -brianV
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Nah I think I'd settle on an H8 or H10. :) Something slightly larger than an S8, but more power and AWD. Also needs to hold lots of stuff in the trunk (at least 3-4 bodies) ;)

    Yum Yum.

    -mike
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Hehe :D
    don't think it'll need turbos. The propulsion from the exhaust should be more than ample boost :D

    -Dave
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