Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

hondafriek · April 2001

thanks everybody for the prompt input as usualand I appreciate the frankness of your replys I knew I could count on honesty here rather than listen to a salespersons bland speel.

Anibal the clear tube is so you can actually see the air bubbles, and the end is immersed in fluid so that you do not suck air back into the system when you are bleeding, hope this answers your questions.
Cheers Pat.

armac13 · April 2001

at all of you who have spoken about the seats in the WRX. I finally couldn't stand it any more and went down to my dealer to sit in one. BIG mistake. Rufus and I are barely on speaking terms now and I can't blame him. I want those seats!! Actually one will do. I love the precision and added fore & aft range with the power lifter. The bottom cushion is great (I never realized how poor the Forester's is by comparison), the side bolstering super. I even fit! Either Rufus will need a transplant or I'll have to get a 2003 Forester which I'm sure will have similar seats. Thanks a lot gang. :~( I sat in the TS too and the seats were almost as good.

Ross

drew_ · April 2001

Poor Rufus :-) Does Rufus have side impact airbags? Don't forget that the Rex has side impact airbags in the seats.

drew_ · April 2001

I personally have a Canon Powershot S100 Digital Elph that I picked up a couple of months ago. I chose it over the Kodak DSC4800 that I narrowed my choices down to because its tiny footprint won me over. The camera is about as large as a credit card (except for width of course). I bring it just about everywhere since it is so convenient. It has a 3X zoom, and an addition 4X digital zoom. It too needs a fair amount of light indoors because of the so-so strength of the small flash. I've found that setting the main problem is that the auto setting for the exposure is too optimistic and ends up setting the level a notch too low. By resetting the exposure setting to +2/3, or +1 (max of +3, I believe) this compensates for the problem very well.

With a 48MB card, I can take about 79 pictures at 1600X1200 in medium quality; I still have the 8MB card that came with the camera, and that's good for about 14 pictures at the aforementioned quality settings. Definitely no regrets getting this camera and I'd do it all over again.

For more info on the Digital Elph, check out http://www.powershot.com

Drew
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armac13 · April 2001

Rufus is an S and not even the Limited gets the side air bags in Canada. The Limited has leather seats (which I can't stand) so I missed out on the sunroof. Maybe I can get a skid plate to make it up to him. ;~)

Ross

drew_ · April 2001

hondafriek · April 2001

Thanks for the input.
Cheers Pat.

pattim3 · April 2001

But I know long post are boring. The drive was great - only braked when my passengers screamed. I can't post speed information 'cause I like my job.

Neat things I didn't know:

Great new subframe for body rigidity - hopefully it will help in offset front end crashes.

2-stage energy absorbing steering column

Design note I liked - front grill design/shape mimics interior vents - (trivial but neat)

Front Hood - Aluminum alloy for heat dissipation (that turbo gets hot!!)

A/C receiver dryer is attached to the condensor instead of it's previous mount towards the back of the engine.

Very cool tow hook set-up in the front bumper.

Anyway, if you have any questions, I'll try to answer them.

Have a great weekend!

Patti

armac13 · April 2001

our Canadian guardian angel. I received an email from Greg in response to my question about O2 recalls in Canada. He checked Rufus out by VIN and reported no recalls for my friend. I continue to be extremely impressed that Subaru in both the US and Canada seem to really care about their customers. I know that such service is really outside Greg's job description which makes it all the more special. Thank you Greg. Thank you Patti.

Ross

francophile · April 2001

Glad you had fun! And thank you VERY much for validating what I've been saying; that the reason for the aluminum hood is heat dissipation, not weight savings.

Cheers,
-wdb

lark6 · April 2001

Hi all,

Sorry I missed the chat - working late and too much time at the CRT. I'm here again now (project deadlines, ugh) because I was out of the office yesterday. (In Philly near Independence Hall, where some wacko attacked the Liberty Bell with a sledgehammer yesterday.)

Ross - I think the Forester seats are fine but yes, the WRX seats are outstanding. Both would benefit from the faux suede called alcantara. I sat in a Forester S Turbo in England that was upholstered in it - very comfy and it feels like it'd grip you better than leather or typical cloth. I think the SVX had similar upholstery. It looks like it'd be very tough to keep clean, however. Still a viable SoA option - Patti, what do you think?

Ed

lucien2 · April 2001

I have the same one, and am quite happy with it. So convenient. Actually, I have the S10 which, although a little bigger and an older model, got better marks for indoor performance from the reviews I read.

subearu · April 2001

FYI: Just got a notice that PhotoPoint will no longer be a free service starting in mid-May.

Bummer. And a lot of us have pics up there. Oh well. There's other sites like http://www.zing.com or http://www.imagestation.com. At least there still free as of this message...

-Brian

pattim3 · April 2001

I'll let our "product planning group" know your thoughts. I'll also check out the SVX interior (we have a couple of them around) and see. But, I'll send your post directly so "no interpretation" can be messed up.

Thanks!

Patti

ron3805 · April 2001

FrankMc · April 2001

but the "really good" seats might be reserved for the WRX since it is the "top of the line". I drove by the Subaru place in Hanover PA yesterday and they had 5 WRX's on the lot (4 of them automatics!). No RS or TS though...

Frank

dsackman · April 2001

Here is an interesting report on racing a WRX against BMW's in South Africa:

http://dieburger.com/News24/Wheels24/Motor_Sport/0,3999,2-15-48_987150,00.html

Also see the very good report on the WRX Wagon:

http://dieburger.com/News24/Wheels24/Road_Tests/0,3999,2-15-50_989124,00.html

Daniel

lucien2 · April 2001

Yea, but $19.95 for a year seems not too bad. Banner ads just aren't paying off for anyone right now, I guess...

locke2c · April 2001

Actually it's only 9.95 a year for the basic service. I'll probably pay it, webspace is more expensive and photopoint's thumbnails are worth it. IMO I'd rather pay my ten bucks and have them around then have something free for another 6 months and then have them dot-bomb.

-Colin

francophile · April 2001

Colin: ditto that! 10 bucks a year--for up to 1000 pictures!--is a rock-solid bargain. Now if they would only let me actually PAY them :-) The email I got was filled with links that do not work, and even their website's support page form would not deliver for me. I wound up sending them an ordinary email detailing my wishes and woes.

Cheers,
-wdb

ateixeira · April 2001

DOH! I homepage.com dumps me, and I spend a day moving to PhotoPoint, and now they change policies! ARGH!

Oh well. This time I'll bit the bullet and pay the ten bucks. Hopefully they'll stay in business. Let me know if you figure out the payment, WDB.

And BTW, great call on the aluminum hood's purpose. You had told me that at the Philly Show, months ago. It is lighter, also.

The thing that peeved me about naming the Mini the Best of the Best was that they still have not DRIVEN the thing. OK, it's cute. OK, the OLD one was fun. But the new one is a lot heavier and very different, and the engine is made by my fellow countrymen, who cannot even spell kwalitee kontroll.

That said, I'm sure it will be fun, and it will become the next "it" car.

Patti: if the work becomes too much for you and you want to outsource, let me know...

Digital cameras? I agree that they supplement 35mm without replacing them. I use a Mavica because it uses floppies, easily the simplest setup. No software, adaptors, cables, nothing. I can take photos for other people and just hand them a floppy.

Plus, I was using NT 4.0 and USB was not supported. If you have a working USB port, that open up a lot of options.

-juice

rsholland · April 2001

I wonder if this will affect North American Subarus?

Bob

http://biz.yahoo.com/rf/010409/t117947.html

francophile · April 2001

Has anyone seen the GM recall for the new mid-sized SUV? They are actually telling people to PARK the vehicle, to STOP DRIVING IT ALTOGETHER! The dealers are going to come out and pick the cars up.

http://public.wsj.com/sn/y/SB986517705319502932.html

Incredulous,

-wdb

rsholland · April 2001

This vehicle, with a tow package, can handle trailers weighing over 6000#. Sounds pretty good, right?

WRONG! I was just looking through the Trailblazer brochure, and on the spread regarding trailering, it states very clearlyany trailer weighing over 1000# MUST HAVE BRAKES!

Now this is an SUV built on a truck chassisand it has this kind of restriction!?!? No other mid-sized, truck-based SUV, to my knowledge, has that restriction. I know Ford doesn't. Even the Escape, with the trailer-tow package, doesn't.

Here in Maryland, only trailers with a GVW of over 3000# are required to have brakes. Finding a trailer with a less than 3000# GVWand with brakesis almost impossible to find. So... if you buy one of these new GM's SUVs; and live in Maryland, and plan to tow a small trailer; be prepared to upgrade your trailer (and downgrade your wallet). I've looked into this it is NOT a cheap upgrade.

Bob

paisan · April 2001

The new envoys lower front control arms are failing... Why don't these people just buy troopers? 5K towing, $8-$10K cheaper, bigger, better fuel economy, better warranty.... ugh!

-mike

rsholland · April 2001

Took out an new 5-speed OBS Saturday. I liked it it. Felt plenty peppy, certainly much more so than our '96 2.2L Impreza Outback automatic. It also handled better than either our new Forester or our '96 Impreza.

It's certainly not as utilitarian as the Forester, but for a young single or couple, without the need of a huge cargo area, it's a fun ride.

While I was at the dealer, I picked up a "Road & Track Subaru Guide." It had a typical R&T road test of the new WRX plus other interesting articlesand when you flip the publication upside down, you get articles and road test on the Outback H-6 VDC, as well as an article on the new OBS. It's an interesting read.

Bob

ateixeira · April 2001

Whoa - cracks in the fuel tank? Someone had a really bad fuel smell in her Forester - I'll try find her ASAP.

C'mon, SoA. A Towing Package with a tranny cooler, beefier, springs, and maybe upgraded brakes would be sweet.

-juice

kameele · April 2001

Now that I own a sedan, I realize how many wagons and how few sedans there are driving around the Boston area. I'm guessing 15-20 to 1. Is it really like this in other Subaru hotspots?

Just wondering.

Kevin

anibalb · April 2001

Patti????

I called my dealer about the Seat rail recall on the 01 legacy's. Subaru made public news that they would replace all of them. I called my dealer and he said that they were only told to inspect them. I have an appt. tommorow. What should I do???? Patti? Anyone?

Anibal

rsholland · April 2001

Yep. Like Volvo, Subaru wagons rule the roost, as far as sales are concerned.

Bob

ateixeira · April 2001

I always see wagons. Sedans are few and far between. Besides WDB's and one Outback sedan at my work, I've probably only seen one or two others.

Wagons are abundant.

-juice

ateixeira · April 2001

Had another busy weekend, this time helping out a neighbor. His fence had been devoured by termites, so we replaced two 6' tall, 8' wide sections of pressure treated, solid fencing.

He thought we'd need to rent the trucks Home Depot offers, but we manged to secure the old stuff on Sandy's roof. Hauled them to the dump, picked up two new fence sections plus 8 bags of mulch, and made it back in no time.

His wife wants an X5 and I just about talked her out of it. Could you imagine even trying that with a $50k vehicle? Not me.

-juice

hondafriek · April 2001

Guys this may seem like a minor niggle but it is driving me nuts, I have noticed that my GT, seems to have a 100% static charge on the inside all the time, it attracts dust like flys to you know what,it seems like I need to have a swiffer permanently in my hand, honestly guys I am not exagerating, I wonder if anyone else had this problem and if so how did you deal with it. Also was congatulating myself on not having the nasty breakin smell that everybody else seems to have had, well it started in earnest the other day smells like what I would imagine barbequed dog pooh to smell like.
Cheers Pat.

grahampeters · April 2001

G'day

This may sound very silly but you can try wiping the static affected areas over with one of those tear off paper sheets that you throw into the tumble drier with the clothes. Here and in the UK they are called "Bounce" but not sure where you are.

Essentially they are impregnated with an anti static compound which hangs around for a long time.

Cheers

Graham

subearu · April 2001

Graham: we're not that different than you guys down there! Stores in the states have Bounce and other brands. We refer to these as fabric softener dryer sheets. Any brand will do though.

A newer product (within the last couple of years) is Swiffer and Grab-it's - these are similar to the dryer sheets, except you use them for cleaning floors, shelves, etc. They work great in the car too! There's even a moist version too.

-Brian

pattim3 · April 2001

Good Morning! Just to double check, call our 1-800-SUBARU3 number and give them your VIN. They'll check it against the VIN list and give you and the dealer some direction.

Thanks!

Patti

pattim3 · April 2001

I believe that this only involves Legacy's made in Japan. I double check later today. I believe our fuel parts come from a different supplier.

I'll post this afternoon.

Thanks!

Patti

kameele · April 2001

I guess I can feel special for having something that not too many people have. I have had a wagon for at least 10 years and decided it was just an excuse to accumulate junk. Of course the trunk in the Legacy is pretty close in size to my late Escort wagon, so I'll still have to be careful about junk.

Kevin

ateixeira · April 2001

I can see my wife looking at me like I'm crazy, while I walk outside with a sheet of Bounce in my hand...

OCD lives!

You guys see Dateline last night? Another group of SUVs was put through their bumper basher tests. Some performed pitifully (RAV4), with over $8000 in damage after four measly 5mph bumps!

http://www.highwaysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/low_speed.htm

Forester is still among the best. The Escape did better, but probably because the bumper was recalled and they didn't have to pay for a new one! ;-)

-juice

paisan · April 2001

I think it it a pretty bogus test, especially the backup test. Since they test it against a pole, any vehicle with a spare-tire rear mounted will always incur lots of damage, that normally would not occur in a standard collision. Last weekend though I had my Trooper fitted for a rear "corvette killer" as we dubbed it. A 2"x2" steel tube 1/4" thick walls, that will go into my hitch, 54" wide and level with the bumper, so that when parrallel parking, I won't have to worry about anyone pushing my tire in or scratching the paint on the bumper. The guy doing the steel work is even going to put a traction strip on top to use it as a step! It'll cost around $125-$150

-mike

ateixeira · April 2001

Well, the RAV4 shattered it's rear glass in BOTH the pole and flat wall test. That's scary. The video was wild. I can't imagine carrying kids in there.

So you'll have matching nudge bars, front and rear? Remind me not to park in front of or behind you! ;-)

-juice

paisan · April 2001

Yep, front and rear

Well if you are dumb enough to back into a freekin wall, then you deserve to have your tire come through the glass window in the back! If you are rear ended, i'd say 90% chance it will be bumper to bumper rather than tire-bumper, although I'm not sure on the RAV 4, IIRC there is zero bumper on it at all.

-mike

ateixeira · April 2001

You haven't seen how drivers around here drive! ;-)

-juice

tincup47 · April 2001

I've know several people who have backed into similar poles in parking lots. If you have a vehicle with a spare mounted on the back, you could sustain a sizable repair bill. Nowhere does the IIHS say this is a safety issue, but cost of claims impact all drivers with insurance. IMHO this information is just as valuable to consumers as the access to invoice pricing on sites like Edmunds, goes to cost of ownership.

paisan · April 2001

My point is that if someone backs into a pole, they are gonna be rated for that accident if they claim it on their insurance, and I'm sure they Insurance company will get their $ back for the damages. Even though the IIHS doesn't claim it's a safety issue, it is played up as one in the media, when in actuallity it is not. I guess I'm just an above average driver since in my 150K+ miles of a vehicle with a rear mounted tire, and countless parrallel parks (I live in NYC) I've never had damage done to my rear door by the tire.

-mike

ateixeira · April 2001

They actually didn't talk about safety - it was insurance costs they focused on. At least in the video segment I watched.

-juice

rsholland · April 2001

I've never been a fan of vehicles with rear-mounted spare tires because of the damage caused in rear mounted collisions, be it driver error or not.

IMHO, all vehicles with rear mounted spares should have (strong) rear bumpers that extend beyond that of the tire, so folks like Mike don't have to go out and spend extra money to get rear bull-bars.

Bob

paisan · April 2001

I agree, that would be a nice touch to have the bumper extend out beyond the tire. I think the range rovers actually do. I rather have the steel bar though

Far better for when tailgaters are close to the bumper

-mike

rsholland · April 2001

Even though I don't have a rear mounted spare like Mike does, on my Explorer, I still have a weak rear bumper. What I've done is simply left my tow hitch receiver on the vehicle, which extends well beyond the bumper. In the three years since I mounted the tow receiver, I've had two people tap that from the rear, with no damage to the Explorer.

Bob

ateixeira · April 2001

What about one of those novelty hitch covers? ;-)

If I could find a trunk monkey, I'd put that on!

-juice

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