Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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Comments

  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    (BTW, did you ever do that dome/map light mod I described on the LGT website? I am loving that every day (or rather night)! I still need to go back and modify my original job with some diodes to extend the functionality some.)

    Craig What mod did you do the dome light?, I had a clifford alarm with dome light supervision which left the dome light on for about 30 seconds after the door was closed. I loved this feature but lost it when I swapped out the alarm for a 2 way paging alarm. I would love to figure a way to do this again simply.

    Cheers Pat.
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Pat,

    This mod turns on the map lights (up front) when the dome light turns on (ie, when doors open). The 05+ models with moonroof are really dark up front because the dome light is far back in the vehicle -- almost none of the light gets up front.

    The mod first alters the map lights to be switched on ground, and then ties the map lights to the dome light's door-activated ground circuit. So now, opening doors turns on the dome light and both map lights. You can put diodes in strategic locations within the circuit to preserve the independent switched features of the lights, or alter them. Though I have not done it yet, I plan to make one of the map light switches turn on only the map lights, while the other will turn on both the map and dome lights. Since I can't reach the dome light switch from the driver's seat, this will be a nice feature.

    Craig
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I wonder if Subaru added the Sports XT model just to qualify the Forester for that award? :confuse:

    It's funny how they had ABS standard in 1998, yet for model year 2007, 9 years later, stability control still isn't standard, and only one model even offers it (even then only with the automatic!).

    While we're asking for improvements, has anyone tried digital FM radio? I heard an ad for it and it got me curious.

    We have XM as the beach condo with DirecTV, but for the car it's a paid subscription, and digital radio is supposed to be free.

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Thanks Craig, mine is fairly good as regards light, I did have a friend make me a little board that adds a 30second time delay on the ignition ring. The 2001 models did not have an ignition light at all so I added this mod to mine.It operates via the door switch.

    Cheers Pat.
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Absolutely still enjoying the LGT. It's been solid as a rock with no problems whatsoever. And I still get grins from it's performance. My milage also has been a bit lower mainly because I work from home now 2x per week. That shaves about 120 miles per week on average.

    I am starting to think about some new wheels to freshen up it's look, however. I'm on the fence with staying at 17" or going to 18". I'm also debating to stay at five spoke or move up to ten.

    Ken
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Pat, did you have to make your own ring, out of plexy or lexan or something similar?

    I wonder if a simple capacitor could be used to provide a delay for the dome light? On my 05, I noticed that the fade happens on the ground side. Unfortunately I don't know enough about resistor/capacitor circuits to fully understand how to make one. But I bet your friend could work something up.

    Craig
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    I made my own ring initially, then got a factory one from a wreck,my friend could have worked something for sure but he moved to Australia, havn't heard from him in a while though.

    Cheers Pat.
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    I miss my LGT Ken. (Seller's remorse? :confuse: )

    I was trying to decide on new rims before I sold it. I liked the idea of having 18" rims, but they were heavier and less "pothole" resistant. There are a lot of 17" rims that look big, while there are 18" rims that look small, if you know what I mean.

    I suppose if I live somewhere where the roads were smoother I probably would have bought 18" though.

    Hope everyone has a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

    tom
  • rob_mrob_m Member Posts: 820
    I'm still loving my GT. 33k in 18 months, just commuting back and forth to work. Not a single problem.

    And the big news! It's going to Dent Wizard on Monday to get the hail damage fixed. PDR on every body panel, except for 2 huge dents on the roof which cracked the paint and need to be filled. All said and done, just the roof needs to be repainted. They estimate 2 weeks. I'm praying I don't get a Caliber for a rental. Rob M.
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Yes, I know what you mean. A 17" rim without a lip can look bigger than a 18" with one. I may go with a slightly wider 17" where the spokes go all the way to the edges instead.

    Ken
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    Go for the Caliber! You'll never forget it! ;)

    Glad you're finally getting your car done! Hope they do a good job!

    tom
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Hey Tom, we tried to warn you... :P

    -Frank
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    Yeah Frank, it was one of the few times where getting a new car didn't outweigh the loss of my old one. :(

    Oh well. I'm sure there's another subie in my future. Maybe when they finally decide to put stability control in all of their cars!

    Anyone wake up early and go shopping? I actually drove my friend to Best Buy at 4 am, saw a line of about 400 people, and promptly went back home to bed!

    I'll never do that again! :sick:

    tom
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I popped down to the Home Depot about 2 miles away at 8:30 am and got a $27 Ridgid shop vac (and a $1.49 poinsettia) and then swung over another half mile to Ace and got a Workmake for $14. Home by 9:15. No way was I getting anywhere close to the mall and main shopping district around here. :shades:
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    about 3 years ago, we decided to hit Best Buy early in the morning .. we got there about 5:15 am (opened at 5:00) not realizing you'd need to camp out to get IN the store at 5:00 ... at the time we did the "drive by" it was about 15 degrees with a 20 mph north wind and the line was snaked all the way through the parking lot ... we went and had breakfast, then hit a local Radio Shack to the tune of $1000 worth of really good Christmas buys ... we were the only ones in the store and the manager took everything out to the car for us ...

    our last time at "early morning day after Thanksgiving" sales ... lol
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Working from home, Ken? Cool. My wife does that part of the time.

    Just be careful to be visible when you are in the office, because people have a tendency to forget your contributions (even when you do very well).

    No shopping for me yet. I'll wait and take a weekday off and then go in the AM when it's not mobbed.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I worked wed night 6p->3am and thurs 6pm->3am :(

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Finally got the time to clean all 3 cars in the fleet, boy were they gross. My new brake pads seem to leave more dusty residue than the old ones. The front rims were almost black!

    Pretty soon I'll slap the snow tires on there.

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Good for you, juice! I also detailed the Legacy GT this weekend to get it ready for the winter. Washed, clayed, cleaned the paint surface and applied two coats of sealant. Unfortunatley, it's rainy here today so my freshly detailed car already looks dirty!

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I only had time to wash, it's harder when there are 3 cars to take care of!

    At least I now get the wife to help clean out the interiors. :shades:

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Car Wash? What's that? Haaaa I can't remember the last time I washed my cars!

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I have a friend that says they wash their car once a year, "whether it needs it or not". :D

    I'm sure yours sees some rain. ;)

    -juice
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    I did the OB XT last weekend, first time in almost 5 months. It looked great for a couple days! Then on Thanksgiving, we traveled over the river and through the woods (really) in the tail end of the Nor'Easter rain. Lots of muddy sections where the road had been underwater the previous day. And now the car looks *dirtier* than before I washed it!

    I did the S2K yesterday, which needed a wash badly. I left it in the garage today so that I can admire my work before getting it dirty again...
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Yeah the Ramada got washed just before the wedding, cause it was being used to ferry folks around. The race car was washed 2 or 3 races ago and will be clean before we go to VIR in Feb.

    -mike
  • hammerheadhammerhead Member Posts: 907
    I was lucky to get wax on both our cars before the cruddy weather hit - even luckier to get the snow tires on the day before I needed 'em!

    Winter may not be here officially, but it sure is here nevertheless. Heaps o'snow in the hills, and subzero temps forecasted for this week. And the coffin box is on top of the wifemobile, so it's ski season too!

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I never wax anymore; that stuff is just for glamour. I rarely wash cars anymore either, but that's just inertia.

    Bogus opens Wednesday so I may break down and wax my boards. :shades:
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    What is Bogus? :confuse:

    -juice
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    skiing
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    And snowboarding. :shades:

    Here's my '97 Outback Ltd. (my glamour ride) at the hill.
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    I can't seem to find a string of 2 days it hasn't rained here to wash my car. It doesn't really look dirty unless it's dry (which has been rare the last month!)

    Oh well, hopefully i'll be able to wash all the gunk off next spring.

    Been skiing yet, Paul? I don't think I have any time until next year, but it looks like skiing is going to be pretty good this year! :D

    tom
  • hammerheadhammerhead Member Posts: 907
    No room at work anymore to wash the car (they filled the open bay with an air trailer), so mine will be dirty more than it's clean 'til spring.

    Ski-wise, I was there Saturday, and looks like this Friday is a strong maybe, if I can find some Smith TurboFan goggles between now & then. :( Snow at Lookout is plentiful & awesome. I'm doing my hill training for the Ski Patrol there now, so it's free skiing & giving something back at the same time. They only ask for 3 days per month, so it's not a horrible time drain either, which is a good thing considering all the other irons I have in the fire!

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    I'm with mike over here with the unwashed car .. isn't that a layer of "paint protectant"?
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    which one is the 'glamorous' one?

    (runs before steve can retaliate)
  • toboggantoboggan Member Posts: 283
    As a ski patrol alumni (37 years service), where are you training? I was a registered toboggan trainer for a number of years. I still miss doing training (Wed. nights & Sundays all day). It was gratifying to watch the progression to the final examine 2 months later.

    Toboggan
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    It's like a spa treatment, warm mud covering the body!

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I see, so it's a long-term facial? ;)

    -juice
  • hammerheadhammerhead Member Posts: 907
    Hey, Steve,
    I'm auditing the OEC class now, just to get a feel for how they want things to run. On-hill training is at Lookout Pass (ID/MT border), which is where I'll be patrolling.

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Here's a good reason not to wash your car - looks to be a new CarSpace member (97obw) who hasn't posted on the forums yet:

    imageSee more Car Pictures at CarSpace.com
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Nice boat. Dad had an Aristocraft ski boat, just 120hp or so, but it was good enough for water skiing and tubing. I still miss it.

    We got to go on a friend's boat this summer, which was cool. At first I got up on 2 skis, but the old slalom instinct kicked in and I dropped a ski. It was fun to slice the water again.

    I'm out of shape, though!

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    97obw eh? looks more like a '04-'05 WRX to me. ;)

    ~Colin
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Nice! I used to slalom too. Eventually my arms could no longer get me up, I gotta hit a diet if I ever want to ski again. The 454 in there pumps out about 425-450hp :)

    -mike
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    It takes a discerning eye to be able to figure out what's under all that mud. :shades:
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    400+hp? Hold on for dear life, then.

    I spent one summer on the Lake of the Woods Ski Team, and those guys were pretty hard core. Barefoot skiing, jumps, the works.

    In that arena I was a novice, but I learned a lot.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    The baja does weigh in at 3500lbs + 40gal of gas, so a lot of the power is lost. Last summer we got it up to 64mph on GPS with full tank and 2 people on board.

    Lookin at a 33 with twin 502s next spring 415hp each for a total of 830 at the prop. :) Of course it weighs 7500lbs dry but it will do 73-74mph on the GPS which isn't too shabby!

    -mike
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Yeah but the huge wing on the back provides a good clue ;)

    -Frank
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    husband worked at an amusement park on a small lake when he was a teenager ... seems there was some night time skiing... and .. as he always says ... alcohol was involved ..

    man, I'm glad he survived growing up!
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    64mph is extremely fast on the water! I remember hitting 60mph in a ski boat when I was a kid, and damn that felt fast (way faster than 60mph in a car). That boat also had a big honkin V8. I believe it was a Correct Craft Mustang, but don't quote me on that. Back then there was no GPS of course, so we relied on a stopwatch and landmarks to compute the speed (the pitot-tube speedos are worthless at high speeds).

    Craig
  • toboggantoboggan Member Posts: 283
    OEC is like EMT except for some different protocols (can't remember the differences).

    Never have seen Lookout Pass by eyeball. But they were written up a number of years ago in the Patroller magazine. Generally have good snow compared to the boiler plate we ski on in Minnesota. Plus the hills we trained on were only 2-300' vertical. A wee bit of difference in taking a toboggan down the fall line.

    But then we had over 1000 accident reports per year with at least one helicopter run every 2 weeks at my former home area. Plus we used a snowmobile hauling a cascade toboggan behind because of the horizontal differences (18 chairs with about 50 runs along a valley).

    Have fun and enjoy yourself. Really enjoyed patrolling and sometimes miss it greatly. :cry:
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Correct Craft Mustang sounds correct, for an inboard ski-boat. We call the tube-speedos "Dream-o-meters" haaaa

    Amazingly a lot of new boats come with a GPS speedo in-dash that is a needle style.

    64 is pretty zippy, have to admit, and 74 in the 33 is quick!

    -mike
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