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Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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  • How important are offroading capabilities in your purchase? Both the CR-V and Forester are great vehicles, but neither is a serious offroader. They lack low-end transfer case gearing, tough transmissions, decent approach and departure angles, frames, solid axles, and true offroad suspensions. If you're looking for something to take on washboard dirt roads with a few small bumps, either vehicle will serve that purpose just fine. The CR-V will have more ground clearance and wheel articulation, but the Forester will have a superior full-time AWD system. The Honda and base Subaru engines are comparable. If you want to take on more challenging offroad terrain, then you should be looking at completely different vehicles, like something from Jeep. In offroad terms, the Liberty is good, the old Cherokee and Grand Cherokee better, and the Wrangler Rubicon tops. They all stink in on-road handling, though. Generally, anything that handles well offroad is going to sacrifice on-road handling, so be prepared to make some sacrifices if offroading is important to you.

    If offroading isn't one of your most important criteria, then you really need to test drive the Forester and CR-V since they feel completely different. No one on this board can tell you which will feel best to YOU; that's a personal preference. Test drives can be fun with the right attitude, so go out there and have a great time.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Anyone have C&D handy? Check the 0-60 on the NSX for us?

    The XT is ahead of the Ferrari Enzo all the way to 30 mph. It's ahead of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo all the way to 50 mph. Up to 50 mph, it's the quickest SUV C&D ever tested.

    The CR-V does not even play in that league.

    -juice
  • njswamplandsnjswamplands Member Posts: 1,760
    i just checked the web site. they mentioned testing a MODIFIED nsx at 4.8 but i cant find anything on stock.

    "The last NSX we tested (July 1999) was an Alex Zanardi limited-edition model, which scaled in much lighter (2970 pounds versus 3153) than the curb weight Acura lists for the 2002 model. It sprinted to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, covered the quarter-mile in 13.2 at 106 mph"
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'll stand by my statement.

    Unless I'm proven wrong. LOL

    -juice
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Ed,

        Congratulations to you and your wife on the birth of Paul! Now you have a navigator for those SBD's.

    Mark
  • njswamplandsnjswamplands Member Posts: 1,760
    i picked her up at the airport last night in the xt. blasted out of the tolls booths leaving I78 to the turnpike north. around that sharp 230 degree corner whizzing past cars. she looks over at me and screams "I LIKE IT."

    so mom and i took the long way home. "subaru, bringing families together"
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Didn't get your email at work. Our email has been giving us problems lately. Will speak to you soon.

    -Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Little guy looks *exactly* like his daddy, minus the glasses. :-)

    -juice
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Frantically trying to make last minute purchases and cram 150lbs of sh** into small suitcases! I think we are on round 5 of weeding out the non-essentials. Baby stuff dominates, while I am relegated to a few cubic inches and down to a single change of underwear for two weeks of travel. ;-)

    Plus we had invasion of well meaning family that wouldn't take the hint to leave. Part of the Fredricksburg, VA clan arrived at 2am on Friday (Saturday)! By the time we got them bedded down, it was 3am. Then we had to drive them to a Bar Mitzvah on Long Island later Saturday morning (tooth picks holding up eyelids). About 3:30pm yesterday I politely (I think....) ordered them to leave! GO HOME! So Beth & I were up past 2am last night to make up for the days lost. Airport pickup is early Wednesday morning, and we should be in Hong Kong late on Thursday. That is our first staging point for meeting up with the rest of the exhausted travelers.

    Steve - too bad. I was looking forward to my flag.... Thanks anyhow.

    ED! Way to go... Glad to hear everyone is doing well, especially "PET".

    Steve
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    ...to you and family! Another warm welcome and new addition to the Subaru family!

    Alittle late but you guys are killing me... hard to keep up, even coming back from a weekend. Do you guys ever rest anywhere besides by the computer? lol.
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    wow, it's a busy life...

    Serge: glad to hear Susan's doing well!

    Lark6 (Ed): Congratulations (re: PET)!

    Juice and Bob: way to go!

    Steve (fibber1/2): Best luck with your trip!

    To someone who asked CR-V vs Forester (brings good memories from the past: hondabro99, where are you?): NO COMPARISON. Forester beats CR-V hands down. And it's a better off-roader too.
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    0-60: 5.0 Transmission: Manual
    1/4 Mile: 13.4
    1/4 Speed: 106
  • njswamplandsnjswamplands Member Posts: 1,760
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, that's the ticket, in snow...

    LOL

    -juice
  • goneskiiangoneskiian Member Posts: 381
    Congrats Ed and family!!!

    -Ian
  • jfljfl Member Posts: 1,397
    Congrats to Ed, wife, and the little fella! Remember advice #1: You sleep when the little fellow sleeps. Don't go around trying to do all your chores when he takes a nap. If you do, you'll be a zombie when he awakes.

    Steve & family have a safe journey. Hope you can sleep on planes...it's a great place to catch-up on your sleep if you're able to.

    Jim
  • mre4mre4 Member Posts: 15
    On Nov. 17, Shunsuke Takagi, Executive Vice President of Fuji Heavy Industries, told a news conference that interim and full-year earnings estimates were being cut. Takagi-san attributed the revision, in part, to "the weak performance of its Forester sports utility vehicle."

    This weekend, three or four dealerships in Oregon were having sales on Foresters. Anyone think it is a coincidence?

    I do not think it is a bad product, just a bad economy, so I put my money where my mouth was and when one dealership offered a XT PP for about 1200 less than invoice I drove it home.

    I would call this a compact utility performance vehicle. Drives great ... personally I expect the auto trans. to save me about one speeding ticket per year...

    Anyway, anyone considering a Forester might want to see if their local dealerships have had similar reactions to this news. Forester sales in the U.S. declined from Sept 02 to Sept 03 and from Oct 02 to Oct 03 even though there is a new, clearly superior, model. This cannot be encouraging for Fuji, as Takagi-san's comments imply. I think they would like to avoid this in November 03 and might be willing to find significant new discounts in order to attain this goal.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I'll be heading to Rhode Island sometime today for the holiday. So I wish everyone a happy holiday and safe travel. I will most likely be incommunicado until Sunday.

    Bob
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Ed: The next two weeks or so is the time to catch up on sleep. Nearly ALL newborns sleep, get up to feed and sleep during this time. It gets a LOT more exciting a few months down the road (and a lot more fun!).

    NSX: You won't even need snow -- how about some damp pavement!

    Bob: Safe travels and Happy Thanksgiving.

    Ken
  • bsvollerbsvoller Member Posts: 528
    -Ed: Congratulations! Parenthood is what makes life worth living.

    -All: Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels if you're on the road this holiday season.

    -brianV
  • njswamplandsnjswamplands Member Posts: 1,760
    i have many twistees around my house. it is great fun to drive with confidence thru them which surely lacks from my supercharged mr2. the subaru just pulls thru those wet corners whilst mr2 starts thinking of heading for the trees.

    just another reason i got the subaru ( snow and rain handling with speed )
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I think he was referring to slow Forester sales in the home market, i.e. Japan. In the US they've been good, in fact I think September was a record month.

    Still, you got a great deal, congrats.

    For once, no road trip for Turkey Day this year. We'll host my lil' bro and sis. Gobble gobble.

    -juice
  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    Well for the most part the trip to CO was great. Got here last night. We did however have a heater core leak that started in Grand Junction. Soob dealer there did not have the part. We ended up driving on to Penrose (near CO Springs) over Monarch pass in 20 degree weather with no defrost or heater. Bummer. Took the GT into Heuberger Soob in CO Springs. $700 to replace the $70 core! They have to pull the dash.

    Nice dealership with huge service facility with freee espresso bar, lounge and even PS2 running GTA3. Get the GT back tomorrow.

    Seems odd to blow a heater core after only less than 3 years (2001) and only 46k miles. I think it freaked at the cold weather after spending so much time in CA.

    bit
  • bsvollerbsvoller Member Posts: 528
    Bummer. I hate it when something buried under the dash goes - it's always a fortune to get it fixed.

    Hope the new one lasts longer!

    -brianV
  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    Yeah... and all I can smell is antifreeze... even a day later and while no where near the car. It's in my nose.

    bit
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    That blows Bit! Did it still leak if you shut the heat all the way off, or did that stop it temporarily?

    Craig
  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    It seemed to stop with the heat turned off. It was steaming big time when it was on. All the vents were spewing steam which (even in a short time) fogged the windows with antifreeze. Nice and streaky... like smeared with vaseline. I wasn't sure what was going on at first. Temp was 16 degrees at the time. No visable leaks under the dash.

    bit
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Happy thanksgiving to all South of the border our thanksgiving is long over.

      Bit, thats a bit of a bummer (no pun intended)

      In all the cars I have owned including the time I could only afford junkers, I have never had a heater core let go.

      Cheers Pat.
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Again, thanks all for the kind words and advice. My micropowernap skills should improve rapidly.

    mre4: That's bad news for FHI/SoA and a bit surprising. I hope the XT doesn't go away because I'd like to buy one next year. Hopefully it will make it into the '05 model year with changes in colors and added features. I joined ACA earlier this year with hopes of using the VIP plan to buy an XT at invoice, but if this trend holds it may not be necessary.

    bit: Bad news, hope you can get it addressed to your satisfaction. I had a heater core go on my old VW Jetta years ago and VW covered it even though car was far out of warranty. Granted that was an acknowledged problem on VW's part - a recall item IIRC - so maybe not an analogous situation. Good luck.

    Ed
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    Bit - I spoke to your dealer. They're working on it and I'm sure all will be well.

    Thanks!

    Patti
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Ed/juice -

    Was the Forester's width a concern on those PB trails. I've received a couple of minor scratches out there with my OBS and was curious how your Foresters fared.

    Better than my friend's Tundra, I presume. :-)

    -Dennis
    pondering the lighter side

    P.S. - Ed, get off the computer and go tend to that young 'un!
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    I've only seen 2 XT's on the road, both red, so I suppose they could be the same 1 vehicle.

    I'm a founding member of the OTF club, where one joins if they're unsure what to persue - a WRX, a Legacy Turbo, or an XT. (pardon as I've said this all before) Really the only thing stopping my persuit of an XT is the lack of a MT PP down here in the states. I know that I could add a moonroof and leather aftermarket, but it's just easier coming that way from the port. So are the days OTF.... ;-)

    I too signed up for the VIP discount through IMBA. Hey, if I don't need it, so be it!

    -Brian
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    I'd just finished a feeding when I posted. ;-)

    To answer your question, I had a few minor scratches in the clearcoat on the PB run - they buffed out fine using polishing compound and/or swirl mark remover, followed by the wax of your choice. I get worse from driving on the highway with a bunch of 18-wheelers kicking up debris. There were a few scratches on the plastic side mirror housings and C-pillars, which I was able to either buff out completely or at least down to very light marks using the Novus system.

    Ed
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Bummer, bit. At least it doesn't seem to be a common problem. I would have freaked out, too.

    Pine Barrens were fine with Sandy. The only time I went up against the bushes was when we all congregated and I pulled off on the "shoulder", if you can call it that. Even then, a wax job cleared up the minor scratches.

    Make sure someone has GPS or you'll be as lost as Paulie in that Sopranos episode.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    About 10 miles into our trip to RI, we were involved in a 5-car pile-up on I-70 East heading towards Baltimore! To make matters worse, both our Subarus were involved!! Fortunately nobody in our family was hurt, however several people were carted away in ambulances.

    It turns out there was a traffic jam, and the traffic came to a halt. I was in the lead car (our '01 Forester), next was a '02 Corolla, then my son in his '96 Impreza Outback, then a '01 4Runner, and finally a '91 Explorer which caused the accident by plowing into the four stopped vehicles.

    The Explorer and 4-Runner were totalled. Three people were taken to hospitals, one with possible broken bones.

    Of all the vehicles the our Subies suffered the least damage. Our Outback's rear bumper, rear hatch, right tailight and right rear fender sustained damage. It also got a cracked front amber parking light lens. The Forester suffered a scuffed rear bumper skin. The Corolla, which hit the Forester suffered a crunched front bumper and hood. Our two Subies were the only vehicles that could driven away from this accident!

    Our son (and his car) were incredibly lucky, in that the 4-Runner only hit his car with a somewhat glancing blow. My guess is that the Explorer that caused the accident probably hit the 4-Runner at 30 - 40 mph, if not faster.

    Oh well, we will try again tomorrow around 7:00 AM to head to RI, this time in one car, and going a different route...

    Bob
  • subarusaleshousubarusaleshou Member Posts: 161
    Wow! Talk about being watched over! I hope you guys aren't too sore tomorrow. Good to hear everyone came out ok. Not quite so surprising considering the durability of Subarus but great of course.
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Bob-
    glad to know that y'all are OK.
    Indeed a Thanksgiving moment. :)

    Happy Thanksgiving All :)

    -Dave
  • subewannabesubewannabe Member Posts: 403
    bit and bob, sounds like travelling this holiday is as dangerous and as fraught with catastrophes as every year in recent memory. thanksgiving is certainly the right word: between a 5 car pile up on a freeway and a heater core letting loose at 16 degrees, both could have been disasters of the worst kind. we are all very glad you're both here to post news of your mishaps ;-). Be well

    mark
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Between Bit's heater core failure and Bob's accident, I'm glad I'm staying put this holiday!!

    Glad you're all OK Bob, and that the cars are not damaged too bad. Better luck tomorrow!

    Craig
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    Oh wow...sorry about the accident, but glad no one in your family was injured!
  • subarusaleshousubarusaleshou Member Posts: 161
    I guess I'm lucky our house is being invaded after all. At least I don't have to face the road perils.
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    I'm glad you guys seem to have come out 'lightly' Bob but what a hassle!
    and the heater core ... the only one I've ever had to replace was an incredibly old junker .. lol ...
    MY car is at the dealer having the brakes done. I called back and asked exactly what would be done for the $340 I was quoted before and lo and behold it was .... $259 ... hmmmmm

    Patti, if you're reading, I've had REALLY good experiences with this dealer, but I also know they recently were sold to a mega super dealer conglomerate here recently .... the thing that really bothers me about the service department is that more than once over the last few months, I've had my car in for an oil change and been offerred a service that I ALREADY HAD DONE ON THE CAR IN THIS DEALERSHIP!!! I know they have the records on the computer of what's been done, and it really IRKS me to be offerred something that's been done for hundreds of dollars ....
    (rant over ...)

    on an "update" .. my dad is slowly improving but still in the hospital (3 weeks now) ... my brother says he's healing fine, but is very "weak" and doesn't want to get "mobile" ... he's gonna have to decide to make some effort to get back on his feet and get his health back ...

    Happy Thanksgiving everybody whether you are staying put or traveling
    Brenda
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Whoa, Bob, glad you guys were OK.

    I think everyone is in a hurry but going nowhere. I'm kinda glad I stayed put, too.

    -juice
  • Sorry to learn about the accident, but glad you and your family came through OK. Subaru has done a fabulous job with engineering safety into their vehicles.

    Here in Utah we received a healthy storm in the last week. On Friday there were over 300 accidents reported in a 24-hour period. It became so severe that the Utah Highway Patrol pleaded with the public to stay home, and when people were involved in an accident with no injuries, to not call the authorities.
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Bob,

    I'm glad to hear that you were okay. What a way to start the holidays! Also, good thing it happened close to home.

    Hopefully, the worst is behind you now!

    Ken
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Wow bob :( Sorry to hear about the accident(s). Glad everyone is ok.

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Congrats Ed!!!!! Glad the little guy is home. As the subaru godfather, I'd like to wish him the best! Hee hee. When do we start on the Gocart with the VW H4 motor in it for him?

    -mike
  • jlemolejlemole Member Posts: 345
    Sorry to hear about the acident, Bob; but glad to hear everyone is ok.

    Hope everybody has a great holiday. Try not to eat too much!

    Jon
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    11p-3am on Wed
    6pm-7am on Thurs

    -mike
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    are all okay. Cars can always be fixed a lot easier than people!

    Mike - I hope you have time with your family in between the work!
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