Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Grew up with a beagle on our cul-de-sac, "Lollipop" was adorable. Fast too, could never catch her.

    She had the advantage of 4 paw traction vs. my 2 feet, though. :-)

    -juice
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    My sympathies for your loss. At this time the pets out number the humans in our home. But they are so much more than pets to us.

    Take care.
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Loosh,

    My sympathies to you and Kirsten. Reading your story reminded me of my pet Siamese that passed away years ago. It's never easy.

    A big hug to you guys.

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    My favorite song from Disney, "We are Siamese, if you please..."

    Sorry, I'm brain dead from playing with toddlers too long! :o)

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    I am really sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved pet. After having to have my much loved Toby put to sleep last Jan. I can fully appreciate how you feel,my best to you and Kirsten.

    Cheers Pat.
  • twrxtwrx Member Posts: 647
    Loosh, sorry to hear about the cat. I've got one now on subcutaneous fluids. Wife and I have to inject her every other day because kidneys are failing. She is 18 years old and doc says she won't make it to 19. First cat, got her the year we were married. May be easier to accept because we see it coming. In the meantime courtsey of the treatments Yaz the cat is lively and still enjoying life. Such is the way it goes for a 50's something clildless couple with cats and dogs.

    Better topic. I've been saying how my WRX seems to be getting better mileage since 20,000. I drove from Evansville to Louisville and back on I 64. I averaged about 68 mph for 260 miles and got 27.5 mpg. Nice to beat the EPA # on this little beast. (That is at $1.34/gal for premium locally)
    TWRX
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    First off, re. Click & Clack- I heard the piece in question this weekend. While I won't argue with the validity of his points (I.e. Subaru is catering to testosterone poisoned young males with its irresponsible WRX ads) I was disappointed that Tom was so hard on Subaru. At least Ray pointed out that Subaru was only trying to remain competitive in the marketplace. I think that Tom was especially hard because Click & Clack have been strong supporters of Subaru in the past. In fact, they frequently mention a Subaru model as an alternative when callers ask for advice on what vehicle to buy.

    Baja reviews vs Crew-cab reviews- The local paper recently ran a review on the Baja followed the next day by a review of a mid-size crew-cab (the name of which escapes me). Two different people wrote the reviews making their biases even more evident. The first reviewer dinged the Baja for having a backseat that was inadequate for transporting adults in comfort while the second reviewer praised the backseat in the crew-cab. Oddly enough, while the reviewer gushed over the width of the rear seat and the plentiful headroom in the crew-cab, there was nary mention made regarding leg room. I suspect that the leg room was either comparable to or less than the Baja's but since crew-cabs in general aren't known for having much in the way of leg room, the reviewer didn't consider it a worth mentioning. Also, the Baja got little credit for having a car-like ride but the crew-cab's truck-like ride was basically ignored. My point to all this is that I consider the Baja as a natural competitor of mid-size crew-cabs and in many cases to be the better choice if perspective buyers honestly evaluated their needs. But as far as I can tell reviewers don't get it and continue to extol the virtues and ignore the drawbacks of truck-based vehicles while doing the opposite for car-based vehicles like the Baja.

    Lastly, finally got to window shop on a lot full of new Subarus (dealership was closed). I like the silver Baja best followed closely by the black. And why can't all Subarus get those nice tinted windows? I know that many of us have gone aftermarket so you'd think the SOA could at least offer it as an option. Hmm, now I think about it, my guess is that SOA is targeting the Baja towards So. Cal beach surfer wannabes (therefore the need for tinted windows) while the rest of the line is aimed at winter drivers in the snowbelt who don't have much need for tinting.

    -Frank P.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    My guess is the reason is the same as that found on SUVs with deep tinting—security. Remember, the rear seat area is the only secure "trunk" on the Baja, so anything of size/value will be put there, especially if the rear seat is folded down.

    The tinting doesn't offer 100% security, but it's better than no tinting. It does discourage prying eyes somewhat.

    Speaking of tinting: I noticed in the Baja brochure it mentioned that it met all federal car safety standards, except for the tinted windows. So, my guess is, if you offered deep tint windows on the Outbacks, etc., they would no longer be considered cars, but multi-purpose vehicles.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    27.5mpg is great. That's common - most Subies tend to improve in efficiency with age.

    Frank: here's an idea. Let's let a group of females review a group of Crew Cabs. Wanna bet the Baja comes out on top?

    Perhaps the reviewers are the same testosterone-hardened men Click & Clack talked about. ;-)

    I like the factory tint, too.

    -juice
  • jay_24jay_24 Member Posts: 536
    Frank,

    A dodge dakota quad has 36 inches of rear legroom compared to 33.5 for the Baja.
    The dodge has another inch of head room and 4 more inches of hip room too.

    At 6'5" I've sat in the back of a dodge quad cab and I'll call it adequate. Subies need more iin the back. I never sit in the back of my Outback. Its more fun to drive.

    However the subie gets 6 mpg better on the highway and rides much nicer.

    --jay
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, but the Dodge is about 87 feet long. Have you seen them up close? They are longer than a Durango, it's absurb how huge they are.

    They are too big for city use. Try a U-turn in DC, and good luck. The Baja would be far more at home in the city.

    If you like Dodges, might as well get a Ram Quad Cab, IMO.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I just did the math - the Dodge is 21.8" longer, almost two feet!

    215.1" is no longer "compact", I feel.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    has less rear leg room than the Dakota Quad Cab, I think. The Dakota is not that big. It's still a mid-size truck, not full-size.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, but 90% of the time you drive alone, 9% just one passenger, and the other 1% it's just kids.

    So get the full-macho big boy Ram, all the way. Diesel while you're at it.

    -juice
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    I appreciate the kind thoughts, and have forwarded them to Kirsten at her work today. Riley has a good 6 years to go, so we'll be o.k.!
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Juice- Surprisingly, I think the crew-cab reviewer was a woman. The raised "commanding" driving position seems to carry a lot of weight with women. This is unfortunate because we seem to be headed towards an every escalating war of which vehicle offers the best view of the road (and over other traffic). The more trucks there are on the road the more pressure there is on car owners to switch over in order to both "see" and to "feel" safe on the highway. The Expedition owner you see commuting by himself/herself on the highway pays a daily penalty in poor gas mileage, loss of maneuverability etc. and is still going to lose out in a collision with a semi. ;-)

    -Frank P.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    My wife loved the view from the Expedition. It towers up there.

    Oddly, she didn't like the Highlander or the MPV. Guess those aren't as high and don't have the tough image?

    Consumer Reports got 12mpg and took 10.7s to hit 60, so it's a double-whammy.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    The reason for no-tint on the rest of the subaru line is that they are qualified as "cars" Cars can't have tint and qualify for 5-star safety ratings. Since the Baja is classed as a truck factory tint is available.

    -mike
  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    Loosh: Condolences. Brought back memories of having to put our horse down a few years ago. Sad days, but suffering is over.

    Ram Quad cab has a surprisingly small back seat in relation to the overall size of the truck. Chevy & Ford crew cab back seats have much more room, and as we all know, more is better!

    Click & Clack: If indeed they consider cars as "appliances", with minimal powertrains & maximum economy, it's no wonder they rant! They have no fun! Too much PC is not a good thing.

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    But that's what keeps the Ram at a reasonable size, with a useful bed.

    How many people here haul adults regularly? I bet it's usually kids, if anyone at all.

    -juice
  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    Kids, mostly, here... although the oldest is rapidly approaching adult dimensions. I like to ride in the back once in awhile, to sit with the kids or to open up the front seat for older folks. Adults occasionally, when mom-in-law's visiting, or weather's bad & Dad chooses not to drive. (Wish he'd choose that more often - 78 y/o with "parking by braille" scrapes on all 4 corners of his car).

    To me, reasonable size means getting it all to fit & only having to make one trip! We don't have the big city turning, parking or general driving difficulties here that a large vehicle would exacerbate in other places. We shop at the malls or Costco, don't go downtown very much, and if I have to park a ways out in the lots & walk, I chalk it up to "I need the exercise anyway"!

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    Since I'm a teacher I work EVERY minute I'm at school ... you guys must have a LOT of time durin the day to POST!! .. came in today to a ton ..

    Juice - thought it was funny since the first one I saw on the screen when I clicked in was the We Are Siamese song .. my uncle used to sing that one to me when I was a kid .. we just got a big kick out of that part of the movie!

    Sorry about the pet .. we lost a dog that had been with us 17 years once ... longer than our kids at that point .. was also raining as we buried her in the back yard as I remember
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Paul: a Durango would better suit those needs than a Dakota Crew Cab, anyway.

    Lots of people make a big fuss about back seats, but they remain empty most of the time. I dunno, I think the comfort and the space in the front seat is far, far more important.

    Having said that, I'd love to see a Subie with a wider center armrest. They are made for one person, not two. I'd like to see them wide enough for two elbows or my laptop, so the kids can watch a DVD resting there.

    I just measured - 12 inches. Tell product planning to give the 2005 big SUW a bit more width.

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Sounds like the center armrest in a full-sized pickup, juice.

    Ed
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    is not really a "full" crew cab. It was never intended to be a full crew cab. It falls in between a full crew cab and an extended cab in terms of rear seat room.

    Bob
  • cptpltcptplt Member Posts: 1,075
    I just listened to it. Having been an avid fan of theirs for like maybe 10 years plus, this "rant" was about as mild as those bozos get!
    I also saw that advert, though not all of it. It is stupid and irresponsible. I think having Jo Lo draped over a WRX will get them a lot more business, maybe they can use a JDM advert over here! Or does she only get drapped across B4s ?
    Click and Clack is great,in fact its the funniest thing on the airwaves which is not Xrated!
    They are not always correct though! Their car'oscope says I'm a cheap bum for having Subies and I should be driving an Infinti! An Infiniti?? Barf!!!
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    I didn't say they weren't funny, just that they put humor first and accurate automotive information second. Tommy has a soft spot for arcane old cars like his now departed '63 Dodge Dart (a rival to my namesake car) and that's a plus in my book.

    I also took the car-o-scope and got a similar response to yours: Subarus too cheap for me and that I should be driving a Range Rover. As if...

    Ed
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Here are some of the professional pics from the Limerock Event. A guy from I-club who mysteriously shows up at the events and then posts them up for us. We never know when or where he'll be til 2 or 3 days after the event!


    image


    image

    image

    image

    image

  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Behind in my reading. I too am very sorry about Kovey. Having buried three dogs in the late '90's, we are well acquainted with the grief of losing family members. Take care....

    Steve
  • yellowbikedon1yellowbikedon1 Member Posts: 94
    Your photos take me back to the days of my '92 black SVX and even earlier (late '50's-early 60's) when I "played" at Limerock in MGs. Thanks for the pics and the memories! Don
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    I still have my Outback to run that day. :(
    That mysterious photographer takes great pics.
    Who's that masked man? :)

    -Dave
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    on wheels and winter tires at Tire Rack. After much deliberation and discussion with Beth, we decided to buy snow tires for both my Outback, and her Odyssey. Winter conditions in the Mid-Hudson Valley of NY can vary all over the place, but as we live pretty remote, we often have to venture out before the plow & sanders. Snow traction is important, ice grip even more so. Yet I didn't want to give up good dry road handling, as after all, that is still the situation 90% of the time.

    Both vehicles take 225/60-16 (H speed rated). I picked the Dunlop SP Winter Sport M2 based on both Consumer Reports and Tire Rack's good reviews for balanced performance in dry, wet, ice and snow. Beth couldn't care less about looks, so I went with steel wheels and covers ($590). I just couldn't do it - had to have alloys! Their FOX-5 wheels look sort of like WRX wheels - five narrow double-spokes (lots of brake visible), for a total of $820. Add shipping and it just topped $1500.00. So today I am having a bit of "buyers remorse". Please tell me I did the right thing!!!

    Steve
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    The stock wheels are 16x6.5, while most of the aftermarket stuff is 16x7. That changes the offset from stock of 45mm (I think) to 50mm. Tire Rack assured me that it is OK - guaranteed to fit, no excessive wheel bearing wear, etc. Any opinions??

    Steve
  • jimmyp1jimmyp1 Member Posts: 640
    that car is beautiful. I am a bit behind in my reading/posting also, so, congrats on the trophy also.

    Loosh, very sorry for your loss.

    Jim
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ed: I measured 7" between the seats on the Forester. The Legacy might have a little more. So I want 12" between the seats. The console itself could be 8-10" and it could hang over the edge.

    OK, here is conclusive proof that the WRX ad is no big deal: a new BMW Z4 ad has a couple hauling down Pacific Coast Highway, and when a massive downpour starts, he....speeds up! We're talking with cliff drop-offs, top down, going super-fast, redlining every gear. In a RWD roadster.

    The WRX ad is nothing, NOTHING, compared to how irresponsible the BMW ad is.

    mike: cool pics. You're right, the SVX appears to have much less body roll than any other stock Subie I've seen.

    Steve: Tire Rack is actually very conservative on what they'll sell, so I'm sure it'll fit. They would not sell me wider-than-stock tires, even though Discount Tire did, and even those fit.

    You made a smart buy. Alloys have less unsprung weight and look better. Wheel covers are cheesy, and combined with steelies they weigh more. You'll have better handling 'cause the springs aren't fighting all that mass bouncing up and down. No regrets necessary. $57.50 extra per alloy? Total no brainer.

    I'd have a little buyer's remorse about NOT getting alloys for the Honda.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    C'mon you shouldn't be worrying about unsprung weight for SNOW TIRES!!! :)

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Can't wait to bring the Leggy Turbo to the track when/if I get it eventually!

    It was soooo funny Juice, in the last round I gave the pointby to a supercharged Integra GSR then proceeded to stay up his butt through the whole twisties. Afterward he came running over asking what mods I had and how did I stay up his butt with such a porker car! I told him it was stock, less the brake pads/lines and ATF cooler! He posted up on honda-tech.com about it even! I was quite proud.

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    who have "studied" the WRX commercial, it comes off okay. However, at a quick glance—by non-car people, which is by far, the larger TV audience— I can see how it could be construed as being irresponsible. Ask a typical soccer mom,* what her opinion is. I bet it will be wildly different from those defending it here.

    We're too close to the subject to be really objective, IMO.

    * = Not picking on soccer moms, it could be any non-car-type person.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Sssh, mike, I'm trying to help justify the purchase.

    Here's another, perhaps more valid point. Ice used to stick to my steelies. My alloys are smoother and don't have the same problem, plus they're waxed. There are fewer crevices for slush to form and throw the wheel off balance. That does happen.

    GS-Rs are set up for the track, so keeping up with a modded one is impressive.

    Bob: it could be if you stretch a bit, but the BMW ad is without question completely irresponsible. Let me know if/when you see it, I'm sure you'll agree.

    Point is, there are targets far more worthy of the negative attention.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Most people who watch TV do not study the commercials. It's like seeing a billboard on the road, they (for the most part) just get a fleeting glance. It's that "glance" that will turn you on or off. I still think most non-car-types out there could get the wrong (bad) impression.

    The first couple of times I saw that commercial, I was turned off by it. I didn't "get it" at first—and I'm one of the WRX's biggest fans! Once I "analyzed" it, my opinion changed. That's why I think it could have unintended results for SOA.

    And, yes, there are other commercials out there too, that could come off the same way.

    Remember, we're not exactly an unbiased group here...

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    OK, but why target a little guy like Subaru, with 1% market share, for a relatively tame ad, when the Mountain Dew guys are flipping cars?

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    they're selling cars, not soda.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Yep, that's "Japlish." ;)

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    What about BMW?

    Who knows, maybe Click & Clack will bust on them next.

    -juice
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Juice- I think they decided to pick on Subaru because the WRX commercials are so opposite the previous "tread-lightly" marketing approach exemplified by the saving little bunny rabbits and deer commercials.

    Speaking of commercials... has anyone seen the new Passat one where the guy is pondering the advantages of an LSD while his car does repeated 360s on an icy stretch of road? It's pretty good. Too bad Subaru didn't think of it first.

    -Frank P.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    But they pulled the bunny ad. ;-)

    Saw that ad, Frank. I think they show a FWD Sable spinning. Why not show a FWD Passat? Hee hee.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    in marketing: Don't make things difficult (or too obscure) for customers. This is especially true for direct marketing advertising, where you want the customer to "respond" in some way. If you make it difficult—they won't respond...

    The same holds true for TV commercials. If you make it difficult—or somewhat obscure, as in the case of the WRX commercial, it could have a negative impact. Yeah, the WRX crowd may love it, but everyone else could hate it. And—"everyone else" is a MUCH larger audience, with a lot more marketing/political clout than the WRX crowd. It could backfire...

    Just the fact that it's generating far more discussion here on the Subaru forum(s), than any other previous WRX commercial, is a good example. Imagine what kind of discussion it might be generating on all the anti-car forums...

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Fair enough, but everyone else isn't buying a WRX. Maybe they're OK with a love/hate thing, as long as the ones that love it buy it.

    We're discussing it because it was singled out to be the scape-goat for all car commercials, which IMO isn't fair.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    << We're discussing it because it was singled out to be the scape-goat for all car commercials, which IMO isn't fair. >>

    Think how many other (politically influential) groups may also be discussing it in the same fashion. In the past the government came down hard on car companies that promote high performance in their advertising. This is a decades old argument, and Subaru just re-lit the flame.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Why Subaru, though? There were ads before and after it that are far worse.

    I think once they see the BMW ads, the heat will be on them.

    -juice
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