Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

ateixeira · February 2003

"The first generation VR6 has 2 valves per cylinder, single overhead camshaft (sohc) serving each bank just like any conventional 2-valve V6s, although the 2 camshafts are so close that they look as if a twin-cam design."

Can't believe I corrected Sir Colin on a technical error. Never before and probably never again. :-)

Group buy, LOL. I'm in on it though!

-juice

jay_24 · February 2003

My dad baought a Firestorm after the Dewalt quit. Its has lasted longer than the Dewalt and cost 1/3 the price. Gut at the hardware store says all they use is Firestorm for putting up shelves and stuff... lasts about as long as the others and much less $$$.

I have a Milwaukee and Makita. The Makita is better? but I find the forward/reverse switch gets in the way once in a while.

--jay

hondafriek · February 2003

here is a photo album of sculptures and ice carvings from winterlude in Ottawa.Every winter there is a competion for carvers and sculptors from all over the world.

Cheers Pat.

hypov · February 2003

those are beautiful sculptures.
Thanks for sharing Pat.

I like the carriage.

-Dave

ateixeira · February 2003

The angel playing the heart is my fave, amazing detail.

Did you carve a replica of your GT? :-)

-juice

subearu · February 2003

that first one of the carridge is impressive alone!

-Brian

ateixeira · February 2003

Snow storm on the way here - looks like a major one this time. They're talking feet, not inches.

I can't get this stupid grin off my face!

-juice

subearu · February 2003

ffsteve · February 2003

This link shows results of the Hong Kong government auction February 8 this year. I think they saved the hot numbers for this month...(coincides with the celebration of the Lunar New Year on Feb 1st this year).

http://www.info.gov.hk/td/eng/services/20030208ret.htm

If you go here, you'll find links to a description of the process, and also results of two previous auctions in January of this year.

http://www.info.gov.hk/td/eng/services/auction.html

Remember dollars are HK$, worth about US$7.75 each.

I haven't yet found the record-breaker. Have fun looking.

Steve

ladywclass · February 2003

and the missus ... lol

2 women, a waterbed, and a cordless screwdriver ... a comedy of 'errors' ...

Ok .. when I 'ran away from home' after 25 years of marriage I moved into an apartment without a stick of furniture of any kinds. A friend of mine had a few things in the garage and she brought them over on a trailer .. including a kingsize waterbed that had been put up and down a number of times. I was happy as that's what I had slept on for quite a few years before moving out. (Probably was 'against' apartment rules, but I was on ground floor and didn't check!) It was the kind with the soft vinyl mattress, the internal baffle, and the hard frame. The "platform" of particle board on which the bed sat had been attached a number of times to the frame. The base of the bed (for those who don't have this type of bed) does not come all the way to the edge, but is recessed a bit. Shortly after setting it up, I put too much weight on the end of the bed, which pulled the screws out of the platform. The bed proceeded to attempt to 'ooze' out between the platform and the frame around the sides. Waterbeds also happen to be extremely heavy. I managed to get the mattress basically back where it belonged and wedged a heavy pot underneath so that it would stay until a more 'permanent' fix (and help) could be arranged.
That weekend the owner of the bed came over to help me fix it. We knew the real problem was that the braces between the platform and the frame needed to be attached in a little bit different place since the holes had become too large with the several taking aparts and putting ups the bed had been through. We went to the hardware store and bought the "L" shaped connectors and new screws. She brought her power screwdriver which we'd already used when we set the bed up. (You might need to know that people who have known us a long time refer to us as either "Lucy and Ethel" , "Laverne and Shirley" or "Thelma and Louise" according to the circumstances.)
As you will readily see, the first mistake is that we thought we could fix this without draining the bed. I got ON the bed and pulled (rolled) the full waterbed mattress away from the end of the bed so that she could attach the bracket to the side frame. (That part went without a hitch.) However, I had to get off the bed and behind and almost underneath her to push UP on the platform in order for her to connect the bracket to the platform. SHE had to hold the waterbed mattress back with one hand while putting the screws in the platform with the other. Everything went fine until the very last instant when the mattress "slipped" .... right into the whirling blade of the screwdriver ...
So .. now we have a full king-size waterbed mattress with a HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE MATTRESS with water FOUNTAINING into the bedroom carpeting. She's frantically grabbing at the mattress trying to get the hole above the water and of course it's wet and slippery now. I'm running to get all the towels I can find to mop and soak up water.
She ended up with the mattress where it could be 'contained' and I had to go to WalMart for a patch kit!!!! Knowing me (and the fact that I had worked in this town in schools for 14 years), she's yelling do NOT stop to talk to anyone .. get the patch kit and get back here!
Got the kit, we patched the mattress .... and then drained it so we could make sure the patch was good and tight ... lol
Unfortunately .. that wasn't the ONLY waterbed story over about an 8 month period .. you'd think neither of us had any brains if I told them all ... lol

lucien2 · February 2003

I get 20 city, 27 highway, and a solid 21 average. Chalk that up to constant practice of heel-toe at every corner.

Feet!? What crackhead do you have for a weatherman? Right now they are saying 2-4" tonight, another 2-4" tomorrow. I do notice there are no predictions for Sunday, however. So maybe there's the rub.

ladywclass · February 2003

took the Outback into the dealer for its oil change and tire rotation ... they wash it too ... wow .. first time in AGES ... I almost didn't know it was mine ..
Brenda

ateixeira · February 2003

Wife said she heard a forecast of a foot today into tomorrow, and another foot Sunday. They had revised the estimates upward just then. We'll see, but I'd take the Outback if I were you. :-)

-juice

bsvoller · February 2003

Not to spoil your party, but could you arrange to send some of that abundant white stuff our way ?

Man what I wouldn't do for a couple of feet of snow around here...

Cordless: 18v with a 1/2" chuck is the minimum I'd consider after having a 9.6 volt 3/8" unit and upgrading to an 18v Skill Warrior. The Warrior was built by Bosch and is nearly indestructible - $100 on sale. Battery is good for several hours of near continuous use (drywalling).

bsvoller · February 2003

Our formerly reliable '95 Sentra (90k) hit us up for another $750 today - airbag controller unit failed with internal circuit error.

This car just is not willing to let me pay off the Sube before getting into another loan... We've put $2k into the Sentra over the last 18 months - left front axle, right front axle, alternator, tires, rotors, airbag control unit, oil pressure sending unit, not to mention the leaking front crank seal and left axle seal which I'm ignoring for the time being. It's getting to be a car payment.

I'm looking at used Sube's now. Might not be able to wait and buy that mini-van I've been looking at for the last 2 years. Sigh.

hypov · February 2003

ladywclass Feb 14, 2003 4:53pm

Brenda-
AGES?!!!
No wonder they washed it...
the techs didn't want to get themselves dirty. ;-)

-Dave

kens · February 2003

More snow out East? Can you send some this way? Winter out here in CA has been very mild this year. We started out with a series of big Pacific storms in December, but since January, it's been quite tame. The snow up in Lake Tahoe isn't very good from what I hear.

I was looking at some cordless drills during lunch. The 18V models are pretty heavy and clunky. Is there much of an argument for going for a smaller capacity drill just because the size and weight is too much? I'm just getting started with this home repair stuff so I don't think I'm going to be jumping headfirst in using the drill to sink holes into concrete! Or, will I regret not getting a bigger drill later on?

Ken

lucien2 · February 2003

ok www.wunderground.com just changed the outlook, and it sounds bad. Looks like, for the first time ever, I am heading to the store along with the usual milk and TP herd for some extra provisions

ateixeira · February 2003

Brian: the signals are clear, time to trade it in. Same thing happened with our '95 626, it was just time. No regrets.

We got just 2" here, but it was packed snow and slush. It's above freezing, so we're OK for now, but tomorrow it's supposed to be in the teens, with the big storm, maybe a foot.

I bet you had more a little north of us, we were right on the snow/rain line, sort of.

-juice

locke2c · February 2003

Brian,

There's no way I would've paid to replace that part. If it was throwing an airbag warning light, disconnect the light instead.

The rest of the items in your 18 month shopping list, yeah you can't probably do without those.

-Colin

eric102 · February 2003

I have 9.6 and 12 volt Makita's and an 18 volt Bosch. I usually end up using the 12 volt most of the time because its got just the right combination of power vs weight for most of my home projects. It also came with a flash light which I use all the time, haven't bought flashlight batteries since I got it. As others have noted get a kit with 2 batteries, the NI-MI's don't give you much warning before the go dead.

My brother is in construction and has had bad luck with the yellow brand (mostly bearings going out). Go with blue and you will be happy.

Eric

originalbitman · February 2003

12 volt is plenty of power. And again I recommend the Makita Impact driver. It can drill but has a lot of torque for any thing you might want to fasten. They are small and light and very well balanced:

http://www.makita.com/html/impact_drivers.asp

bit

hondafriek · February 2003

I am with juice dump the sucker, you are getting rapidly to the point were you cannot afford to keep it because it is a money pit and you cannot afford to get rid of it because you have so much in it.

Cut your losses now and let it go.

Cheers Pat.

lilbluewgn02 · February 2003

Sent you an email
Serge

lilbluewgn02 · February 2003

Corded: 12 yr old.Craftsman - works great
Cordless: 12v Porter-Cable and 12v Ryobi, in case we have to put up our hurricane shutters during season

rsholland · February 2003

Weather forecast says we may get up to 20" of snow in the next day or so! Sounds like Subie weather!

Bob

hypov · February 2003

Hmmm... that name sounds familiar.

Hey, didn't we meet her @ the Auto Show? ;-)

So far we got zilch up here in NYC.

-Dave

ladywclass · February 2003

Since when does Bob sound like Fred Sanford?

rsholland · February 2003

that a Subie turbo would make a great cop-car (copster?). I know WRXs have been used in Australia, England, and even in Canada. I now think the new 2.5 turbo Forester would be ideal as a cop car.

I doubt we'll ever see one though... Who knows, perhaps when they start building turbo Legacys in Indiana, maybe that state will use a fewto help support the local economy, of course.

I do know that when Subaru started making cars in Indiana, there were a few Subie Indiana "copsters."

I think the time may be right to re-investigate that possibility.

Bob

rsholland · February 2003

LOL! Glad to see someone besides myself around old enough to remember that show!

Bob

hypov · February 2003

I'm sure the Fire Chiefs of local Fire Departments could use the Foresters.

2.5l turbo WRXs for the PDs would be awesome. Forget the legroom in the rear. Felons don't need the legroom.
Hee hee they might even enjoy the ride to Central Booking.

-Dave

rsholland · February 2003

I should have posted the "copster" thought over in future models! Oh well...

In any event, I think the power characteristics of the low-boost 2.5 turbo found in the Forester, combined with an automatic, would be perfect for police (or fire) workespecially with AWD. The Forester, of all Subies is the easiest to get in and out out, and would probably make for the easiest transition for those used to the hulking Crown Vics.

Bob

royallen · February 2003

Brian, If you haven't already made the purchase, a recycler might have the part for about 1/3 of new. Besides dealers, many auto body shops have the computer to set the unit for your vehicle. I did this last year after my son had a hit and run in my '92 Camry. The used air bag also was about 40% of new price. Roy

c_hunter · February 2003

One other point: when I only had my 12V drill, I needed to use a wired drill from time to time (more guts). With an 18V drill, I haven't pulled out the wired drill in over a year. I can even drill 1+" holes through pressure treated wood with a chisel bit using the 18V drill. A 12V drill would choke on this. So, you might want to consider whether or not you have access to a wired drill when considering what size wireless drill to get.

PS: comparing 3/8" chuck drills here...

Craig

grahampeters · February 2003

G'day

For Paul's interest, Forester GT Turbos are used exrtensively her in Australia for ambulance and police work. The local ambulance service has a pre order for 26 of the first Forester XT as soon as they are available to replace their now aging fleet. The Police are also after soem new ones.

Cheers

Graham

declansdad · February 2003

I just went out this morning in the wonderful white stuff. I had to get out before the darn plows come along! Powdery stuff is no problem for the Forester. My wife thinks I'm crazy; maybe I am, but I really enjoy driving in the snow.

The Dunlop Sport A2s handle great in the snow--it's just the slushy tire ruts that make driving a little tricky.

Let me see if the Giant is open...and return those DVDs to Hollywood Video...ah don't you just love Suby-weather?

Suby = No shovel required (except on my sidewalks)

Michael

rsholland · February 2003

on my rear deck. I put out a yardstick, and it's still in place. The 16" includes some snow from previous storms. The latest reports are predicting 24" or more, as the storm won't be out of here until tomorrow afternoon. They say the heaviest snow many come tonight!

Bob

subearu · February 2003

rsholland · February 2003

I was just out playing in the snow with the Forester, and it was a piece of cake. No problems whatsoever, even with my all-season Yokohama Avid H4s, which are not great in the snow. This vehicle would be unstoppable with a good set of winter tires!

Bob

leo2633 · February 2003

That's how I feel about my '01 S with the Blizzak's. Amazing!

Len

rsholland · February 2003

The governor has declared a state of emergency, and has banned all non-essential vehicles from the state roads till at least 4:00 AM, so road crews can plow. Apparently there were just too many accidents and people getting stuck...

So far we've got well over 20" of snow, and it's supposed to continue until sometime tomorrow. Weathercasters are saying this could turn out to be one of the biggest snowfalls to hit Maryland ever, possibly 36" or more! In fact a few are saying this snow storm could end up being the biggest this state ever recorded!

If anything, this storm should do wonders in helping to put our drought behind us.

Bob

declansdad · February 2003

this storm keeps going and going! I've shoveled 3 x already and my sidewalks are still covered.

Bob, my early estimates were about 1.5 inches per hour. Who knows how deep the snow is now? I did see one plow in my neighborhood, but that was around 9:30 a.m. At least my work is closed tonight!

Michael

hypov · February 2003

Nothing biggie up here in NYC...

yet.

The Weather'persons' are projecting a foot or more.

-Dave

fibber2 · February 2003

and not a flake up here in Dutchess County, NY yet. It barely got above the single digits here today, so the high pressure is keeping the snowy 'low' to our south. But that should change overnight, making tomorrows commute fun! Give those snows a workout! Yes, best investment I have made in ages.....

Brenda - really enjoyed your story. Two women, a screwdriver and a waterbed lived up to the hype!

Lab reports on my daughter came up positive on the Lyme Disease, so she is on anitibiotics and Advil. It is hard seeing my little girl moving like an old woman from stiff joints.

Steve

fibber2 · February 2003

Tell me more about the impact cordless. I love the compact body on that model. It is one of the reasons I have resisted replacing my old 9.6v unit, as I didn't want the extra lenght and weight. But I have some reservations about running in impact mode all of the time. Can it be switched off? I have a corded impact unit I bought for masonary use, but it has a hammer switch.

Steve

fibber2 · February 2003

I gave Beth a Sony Clie SJ30 (color Palm Pilot like organizer). She gave me a certificate for the Tweeter Kit and Sub-Woofer for my Subi!!! She was afraid to order them as she was not sure about which ones, would they fit, etc...

So now questions for the experienced: Application is '02 OBW - base model. I pulled the rubber covers off the mirror mounts and the wires for the tweeters are there. But I checked under the drivers (power) and passengers seat and cannot find an unused harness. Where does the sub-W go, and should it be pre-wired?? Will I like my present??

Steve

c_hunter · February 2003

We got about 2" of ice/slush here in Williamsburg, followed by about 2" of snow. Primarily a mess, and I hope we don't lose any trees (planted them all myself). Temps are rising, so I think we will see a switch to all rain soon.

Steve, I hope your daughter gets better soon. Sounds scary! When I lived back in CT, I knew somebody who got Lyme disease (and they actually live near Old Lyme, where the name originated). They caught it before it got too serious, and seemed to make a full recovery. I can't remember -- I don't know if you can actually rid it from the body or just keep it in remission. In any event, my friend is doing fine many years later.

Craig

c_hunter · February 2003

The sub comes with a harness that you must route from the radio to under the passenger seat. It tucks under the center console. Doesn't seem too tough, but you do have to pull the radio to plug in the subwoofer harness. I will be adding a sub to my WRX in a few weeks.

Apparently there are two adjustment knobs on the sub, probably for the crossover frequency and dB/octave slope. I need to tweak the unit in my wife's Forester, as it seems too boomy sometimes.

Craig

postmodern · February 2003

It's 10:30 PM and still not a flake of the white stuff in northern Westchester, about 25-30 miles south of Steve (fibber). My brother-in-law in Brooklyn reports 6 inches so far near Marine Park, so it's only a matter of time until we start getting our share up here. I planned ahead on Friday, so any driving tomorrow will be strictly local -- assuming that the driveway doesn't drift too badly. SueBee's Hakk 2's have performed flawlessly so far, well worth the investment. She's the best ice/snow vehicle I've ever had, but 18 inches + drifts may be too much for her ;-(.

Steve, Sorry to hear the news about Emily, but she should begin to feel better shortly. Lyme is a nasty disease if left untreated. Most cases happen in warmer weather, but you can get Lyme at any time of the year. My mother was bitten by a tick several years ago in February! She had already had it once before so she quickly went for treatment as soon as the rash developed.

Lyn

c_hunter · February 2003

When putting speakers in my WRX this weekend, I got some data on illuminating the lock switch in the driver's door. First, it turns out that the door switches are a Nissan product! There's a Nissan logo right on the assembly.

The 4 window switches are grouped in one module and the lock button is another module. So, it would not be possible to share the lighting between the window button (AUTO) and the lock switch with a fiber optic cable.

I did not dissasemble the lock switch module, but I would bet there's a place inside for an LED. There is actually an unused connector on the lock module with 3 pins. It may be that this connector would be for illumination, I don't know. It was getting cold and late and I decided not to take it apart. I think the bottom line is that it seems to be an easy project if someone wanted to add illumination to the lock switch on an Impreza or Forester.

Craig

Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles