Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    OK, I thought my home was being infested or something. So they're pretty harmless?

    They probably did come from my veggie garden, in fact it's the window directly above. We probably had the window open a few nights so that's how they got in.

    My garden is organic, by the way, no pesticides plus I compost leaves to enrich the soil. :shades:

    -juice
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    same here, and yea, we have the same party crashers this week. :)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    My kids were completely fascinated, but the wife started to freak out when the humans were outnumbered. :D

    I had great cherry tomatoes this year but the cucumbers just didn't grow like they did last year (I picked 22 on one single day).

    -juice
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    We finally took down the garden this past weekend. The freeze we had last week killed the remaining tomato plants and hammered the peppers, even though I have been covering the garden in plastic at night. All told, it was a so-so year for large tomatoes, a good year for cucs, a crazy year for "sweet 100" cherry tomatoes (must have picked several thousand), and a decent year for peppers. Peppers (did Anaheims this year) always go into high gear for the fall, and I have been picking about 10-12 per week since late August. I canned some, and we had chile rellenos at least once a week -- one of my favorite meals. Unfortunately my wife is "over" that meal, so I may have to try a different pepper next year! I still have about 5 peppers in the fridge, which will be roasted and put on a pizza soon.

    Craig
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Lady bugs are pretty harmless in my experience. Apparently they're good to have hanging around the garden and your house plants. I have seen infestations before, but don't know the real cause. We always end up with a few in the house once and a while. The cats have fun with that.
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    Ladybugs control aphids and other pests like scales, mealy bugs, leaf hoppers, mites, and various types of soft-bodied insects.

    they are a good indicator for a healthy, pesticide-free garden.
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    Wow, lots of green thumbs in the crew! I envy you guys. I can't keep a plastic plant alive! :D

    BTW, Craig, how do you like your S2000? Now that I no longer have my LGT I feel like I need something fun- I'm either going to build a spec miata or rallycross impreza or buy an S2000 or a Boxster or something (Maybe get my dad to give me his C6). I have the winter to think about it and come up with a wife-proof plan. ;)

    tom
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    Our recent heavy rainstorms up here in the NW were ushered in by some strong winds. We had some storm windows temporarily stored in a carport where our Paradise Blue-Green '95 Honda del Sol Si is parked for the rainy season ('til June). A big gust pushed two of those windows (one about 6'x4') over onto the del Sol, shattering the storm windows and putting hundreds of scrapes and scratches on the hood, front fender, passenger door & mirror, and rear fender. The car's so small that every panel on the passenger side was affected. Our insurance deductible is low, fortunately, but it's awful to look at the damage. :sick:

    We always get a large number of ladybugs in our lawn during the early summer - feel bad for the little critters when I have to mow.
  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day

    Enjoy the tenants. They indicate a healthy garden with good contol of aphids and other pests. They are fascinating and try to winter over by seeking refuge in protected spots. They particuallry like to get into the curled up dead leaves of beech hedges where they are protected from winter frosts. Our hedge in England was a major refucge but spring pruning was alwatys hell. They nip or pinch painfully and when you get thousands defending themselves from an evil hedge trimmer, it gets a bit painful. After being caught twice, I wore full protection gear for future prunings.

    Have a close look at them and work out how many pots they have. they seem to come in yellow and red with differing spot numbers.

    Cheers

    Graham
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Your garden sounds like mine.

    I too had fantastic cherry tomatoes. Coincidentally I also took the garden down this past weekend.

    You did better with the cucs, though. I don't think we got enough rain, there was a drought here in the middle of the summer, right when they should have started peaking.

    I got some cucs, tons of 'maters, a few green beans, and one baby pumpkin. Plus some mint and parsley.

    [ladybugs] are a good indicator for a healthy, pesticide-free garden

    I'll drink to that! :shades:

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    OK, since there are many green thumbs among us, the leaf compost didn't help as much as I had hoped. Any suggestions on how to prepare the soil for next year? Crop rotation?

    Something I should add? I can borrow Bob's trailer and tow up to 2-3 yards from the mulch/top soil yard if need be.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Tom,

    I saw in another topic (or earlier in this one) people talking about Rallycross.. it is fun, but MUCH more abusive on your car than autocross or even track days. The potential for dents, scratches, blown struts, bent wheels and even a rollover is tons higher.

    I did one event a number of years back but honestly destroying my car didn't appeal to me. I play in the dirt on 2 wheels. :D

    So, assuming you got a tarmac vehicle... I'd have to know your intended & maximum budget to have some ideas, but I suppose we should discuss in the Cafe.

    ~Colin
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    We always had good luck with fish emulsion although the additive of choice since we moved to Idaho is a molasses and cheese curd concoction the local garden center sells.

    The recent additions to our yard are little "living stones" aka Pleiospilos. We plant them in gravel and have fun trying to find them again. :shades: The photos don't do them justice; they really do look like pebbles or rocks.
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Tom, the S2K is great! It really is a great/fun vehicle, and there really is nothing else like it on the market when you consider the fundamental design of the vehicle at that price point. I like the 28-30mpg too (mixed driving with a large highway bias). Interestingly, two other guys in my building at work bought S2Ks after me, so they seem to be a fad here. Who knew I would be a trendsetter.... I believe the 07 model will be the last year for the S2K.
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    My wife used some "tonics" this year based on a PBS special she saw with Jerry Baker. Had stuff like epsom salt, coco-cola, chewing tobacco, dish soap, etc. Real crazy concoctions. For a while, we had a jug of tobacco tea in the fridge that I had to remember to stay away from when getting myself a beverage. There was a tonic for enriching the soil in the spring before planting, a bi-weekly feeding tonic, a tonic for fungus control, and one for insect control. I don't think this qualifies as organic, but the purpose of the tonics was to target each problem with a specific ingredient, all of which are natural, so there weren't really any chemicals. I thought it was hilarious to see her mixing the stuff up and applying it, but I can't argue with the results.

    We also mulch in grass clippings -- the garden just got a heavy covering for the winter, then we'll stir some in next spring, and follow with a top layer (for weed control) periodically when the plants are in. I guess I like it because it's free and convenient -- some weeks I thatch-mow the clippings into the lawn, other weeks I bag-mow and put them on the garden one bag at a time. No big loads of anything to dole out.
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Yikes, that sounds bad. Is it confined to paint damage, or are there dents too?
  • rob_mrob_m Member Posts: 820
    Wow! I had a horrible time with the garden this year. Maybe a couple dozen cherry tomatoes out of 4 plants, and 1 bell pepper from 5 plants. We did have a very strange spring and summer in New England.

    Tommy, welcome back from the Camry side.

    Jeff, sorry about your car. I truly feel your pain

    Rob M.
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    Looks like just paint damage, which actually surprises me because that car dents very easily. I've been thinking about getting a car cover... maybe this will be enough incentive.
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    Ooh, sorry Jeff. Yeah, we had quite a bit of rain- but it was those winds that were killer! Well, to look on the bright side, you might be able to paint your del Sol another color? :)

    Rob, how's beantown? Any snow yet? I miss Boston in the fall.

    Thanks craig- I saw an S2000 when I had my wife's Pilot in the shop- it's a real temptation. I'm glad you're still enjoying yours.

    Colin- sorry to post in the wrong area. :P :D With these 2 threads I sometimes forget which one I'm in! I'll post again over there if it will make you feel better though. :)

    Hope you all survived election Tuesday- I heard the stockmarket already dropped. :(

    tom
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Those Living Stones look like brains growing out of the ground! :D

    I think I had one bell pepper from 4 plants. That was so pathetic I'd forgotten about those. :sick:

    What was that manure-and-newspaper thing that was discussed a while back? Or is that not for edibles?

    -juice
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Those Living Stones look like brains growing out of the ground!

    The neighborhood kids are fascinated by them. Heck, I am too. Here's one variety we have:

    link
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Same here, only three bell peppers grew, and only one made it to the table. I can't say if it was because the tomatoes overtook those plants somewhat or if it was just a bad year for them. Ususally I get a lot of bells.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    For me the cucumbers took over, but then they just petered out suddenly. I was hoping for a good crop of cucumbers. Oh well.

    -juice
  • hammerheadhammerhead Member Posts: 907
    Hope you all survived election Tuesday- I heard the stockmarket already dropped

    Another record high at the closing bell, actually... up almost 20 points.

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    That is one of the things I miss about living in Florida...we used to have a large garden in Norwalk, CT...lots of cherry tomatoes (Michael has been eating them since he was 2), cukes, beefsteaks, peppers, one year eggplants, and basil used to grow wild. Here in Florida, we only grow weeds (AKA lawns).
    As for snow tires, I've had mine on for 2 months already (ha, ha, today temps are plunging to 75)
    Serge
    from the land of make-believe
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Well my airbag light came on last weekend while we were sightseeing with my sister-in-law. I took it in to the dealer today and it cost me $100 to find out that the wiring harness to the side airbags was loose. Said harness runs under the front seats and according to the dealer, is stretched pretty tight and is susceptible to being dislodged by objects under the seats (I'm willing to bet that my sister-in-law accidentally kicked the wiring harness loose when she was in the backseat). So for another $250, the dealer can install a repair kit that lengthens the wiring harness and strengthens it so it's less likely to come loose again. My question is this: if it's such a well known problem that Subaru has developed a "repair kit" for it, wouldn't you think it would be covered under the warranty?

    On a brighter note, while I was waiting on my Forester, I asked if I could test drive a new 07. They gave me the keys to a shiny new XT Limited with manual transmission and sent me on my way (definitely the way to earn my business :) ). I immediately noticed how much smoother the clutch action was so I may have to get mine looked at (even more $$$ :( ). Aside from that, performance and handling were on par but the 07 had a number of minor but definite improvements:

    - Power driver’s seat
    - Homelink integrated into the rearview mirror
    - Aux input for an Ipod
    - Ability to stow the cargo cover under the floor (at the expense of having a full-size spare)
    - 17” wheels standards
    - Improved design of radio and AC controls and radio display was easier to read in bright sunlight
    - Turn signal mirrors
    - Auto delay off headlights
    - Rear seat fold-down armrest
    - Oversize drink holder built into front door pockets
    - And last but certainly not least, a sizeable improvement in the EPA numbers (20/27)

    Overall I was quite satisfied with the 07 Forester. Coming from an 04, it certainly had a familiarity to it but all the incremental upgrades definitely make it better. If Subaru gets radical with the next Forester redesign, I’ll probably grab one of the last of the current generation.

    -Frank
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    Hey juice, thought you may be interested to hear...

    The family & I took an '06 B9 Tribeca for a lengthy test drive recently. 7-Pass Limited w/Nav, about 9k miles on the odometer, dealership's "rock bottom" price... drumroll, please... $26,500! Invoice on this vehicle was $34k when new.

    The dealership purchased about a dozen of these from the Chicago area. Miles ranged from about 6k to maybe 15k. Some had DVD as well... salesperson said they're all basically the same price.

    The great deal on the Tribeca was tempting, especially w/the guaranteed trade value program, but still a bit of a stretch for us right now. I'm eager to see the '08 anyway, though the deals will likely be nowhere near as good. I keep hearing the phrase "really come into its own" regarding the B9's redesign... I'm kinda optimistic and excited to see how it turns out.
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    Wow, that's quite a hit on resale value. (for the unlucky buyers of new ones)

    I can guess where those Tribecas are.

    They didn't happen to have any STi's for really cheap did they? :D

    Hope you're enjoying the rain too, Jeff! My house is a bog! Hope you guys are doing better! :)

    tom
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Cool, Frank. We'll have to send you over the to Chronic Car Buyer's Anonymous thread soon. ;)

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I may just pick up one of those. There's one locally with 8k miles for $26k, same as you drove - 06 Limited w/Nav.

    Keep in mind they're nearly 2 years old now, so figure it should depreciate 20-30% or so, but that's still a huge bargain.

    My rule of thumb is 10% driven off the lot, then 10% per year after that. 26k on a 34k invoice is 23.5% off, so believe it or not that's about right where it should be.

    I'm waiting to see if my brother can pay me back some money he owes me, then we'll see how the timing works out. We can use the Guaranteed Trade-in Program on the 02 Legacy, but not on the 98 Forester, it's too old to qualify.

    The dilemna is this - I felt the Tribeca is too big for city use, so I wouldn't use it all that much, just evenings and weekends, plus trips, basically. I told my wife it could be her primary car and the family trip car, but she says its my turn to get the new(er) car.

    Then of course I want to see what the 08 looks like. I like the styling of the 06, it's edgy plus you don't see yourself coming and going so it will always remain unique. But if the 08 gets major functional upgrades, such as more space in the 3rd row and a bigger engine, it may force me to wait.

    Plus I'd also like to see what the next Forester will be like.

    Tough call. If it were up to me I'd trade the wife's 02 Legacy for the low-mile 'beca, and then I'd wait for the next Forester, because I tend to prefer smaller vehicles.

    I'm sure I'll deliberate over this decision for the next, oh, 2 years or so. :D

    -juice
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    I'm sure I'll deliberate over this decision for the next, oh, 2 years or so

    So perhaps we need to start a Chronic Fence Sitter Anonymous thread? With you as the charter member... natch :)

    -Frank
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Oh, The Fence is alive and well, believe me. :D

    I did rule out one short-list option: Honda Odyssey. See the Cafe for the full scoop.

    -juice
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Hey, you can buy my '04 F-XT so that I could get an '07 L-GT. :-)

    -Brian
  • tupintupin Member Posts: 71
    I'm loving our 06 Tribeca 7 pass limited nav which had 12K on the odometer and cost us $25,800. Not a dent on it....one little scratch on the engine bonnet which I buffed out. Great deal and I'm very happy...had it 2 months now. It doen't feel overly large or awkward for everyday driving....we had a 98 Forester before. My dad likes it so much he is buying a new 07 5 pass limited with no nav for 30,000 after rebate.

    The Tribeca's were rated as gold for depreciation by some agency....right up there with Lexus and other high resale rated vehicles. Worst for depreciation....several north american models as well as some Kia and Hyundai.
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    There's no grammatical reason to have a comma after the first Subaru. This ad campaign is driving me nuts with this niggling error. :mad: ;)

    (3 attempts to login this morning, by the way)
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    It's the pause that refreshes?

    (the comma, not your login attempts). :shades:
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    lol, Steve.
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    ...I felt the Tribeca is too big for city use...
    Surprisingly, it felt easy to maneuver to me. Turning radius seemed tight, and I had no problems when I backed the Tribeca in at an angle after a 3-point turn in the tight confines of the dealership's lot. For whatever reason, I was comfortable with the agility. Size-wise, yeah, might be just a bit large for everyday city driving, but no more so than an Outback. Was a little disappointed with the noise level - fair amount of engine noise at low speeds reminded me of a minivan. Everything else seemed good. Would I pay $35k? Prob'ly not, unless the '08s offer something more. But for $26k it's a great value.

    With Subaru trying to differentiate more between models, I'm pretty curious about the next Forester, too, juice. I assume it'll be off the current Legacy chassis, so should gain some nice usable interior space.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The Impreza will get a longer wheelbase, so you can bet the Forester will, too. Perhaps even a bigger stretch.

    Glad to hear you've adapted well to the Tribeca after owning the same Subaru I've had for the past 9 years.

    I did have a loaner for about 4 days last year and really liked it. It did feel big in the city, but I'm used to a Miata so even a Honda Fit would feel big to me. :D

    How were your insurance rates affected? And what about the gas bills?

    -juice
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    The current Forester's underpinnings are from the Impreza chassis and I surely hope they don't switch to the Legacy's with the next generation.

    -Frank
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Well, the Impreza itself is switching to the Legacy platform, so I think the Forester will too...
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Nooooo!!!!
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Hey guys, just wanted to check in and give you all a quick update...

    Cars:
    1994 Turbo Legacy ->Currently being converted over for NASA road racing in 2007 season
    1990 Nissan 240sx ->Daily Beater in Manhattan
    2004 Nissan Armada LE ->Tow Vehicle, weekend car,
    1994 Baja 22TC ->Weekend toy, 454 425hp :)

    Life:
    Got married in Sept.
    Still working hell job overnight trading precious metals overnight.
    Bought a boat (Baja 22TC 22ft High Performance boat) been out on it a bunch of times this summer
    Working on getting the Legacy ready for next season, decided to go the team route so Adam who's been racing for at least as long as I and is way faster in the Subaru will be driving, Alex will be crewing and I'll be co-driving the Enduros, organizing, managing and doing the behind the scenes stuff for the team. Hope to go to nationals this coming Sept.

    Hope all is well!

    -mike
  • rob_mrob_m Member Posts: 820
    wb, mike.
  • njswamplandsnjswamplands Member Posts: 1,760
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    nice boat-- my stepdad sold Baja in Phoenix for a long time and I've been in most models. I remember a 223 Bandit or something like that with a 502, it's probably similar to what you have. any big block is going to make a 22 footer flat-out move. :D

    you must be trading with the LME. I went there in May for work and we have a trading office in the old Barclay's Bank building, a few hundred yards from the Metals Exchange. if you're on their time that must mean you're working like 2AM - 10 AM eastern. brutal!

    good to hear from ya, don't be a stranger.
    ~Colin
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hey mike, good to hear from you again.

    Congrats on getting hitched. To that lawyer girlfriend you've had for a while, I suppose?

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Rumors vary but one had the wheelbase the same as the Legacy, another had it slightly shorter overall.

    As long as they keep it aluminum-intensive to keep it light, I'll be happy.

    Just don't do what Ford did with the Edge - it's obese.

    -juice
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Hey Mike -- congratulations on the marriage, but condolences to your wife of course ;-)

    Craig
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    :D
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