Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,728
    Nice! And, not even a GT; how cool is that?!

    While I am not a fan of the general trend toward "flat-spotting" along the sides of current car offerings (such on the fenders), I still think the Legacy is a very attractive car even though the Outback was butchered.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,728
    That sounds like it should be an adventurous trip! I do hope the younger child likes cars.... ;)
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I also think the Legacy turned out a bit better. I bet the Valet thought it was the new Infiniti.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    For Subaru ... wow! :surprise:
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 267,612
    Kristin Chenoweth..

    She did a guest spot on the show, Glee, this year...

    I'm a big fan, too..... she is hot!

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  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Correct... My bad.

    We watched that episode on TIVO several times, and she's coming back again this season (so says my oracle of a daughter on all things Kristin). We also watched every episode of "Pushing Daisies". She'll die happy if she gets to meet her tomorrow.
  • hammerheadhammerhead Member Posts: 907
    She also did a stint on The West Wing. One of the best shows in all of television history :)
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    She got it! With the help of another avid fan, they went to one of the back doors at exactly the right time and were first in line for signatures! The smile never left her face the rest of the night. More about the car show later... Breakfast first.
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    edited April 2010
    Basically, she seems to like what I like. Cars, gardening, outdoor stuff, etc. And she was a real trouper overall. We took occasional breaks, and she did the energizer bunny thing most of the day. We got there around 11 AM, but towards 6 PM she was walking on autopilot - sort of bouncing off of objects, and headed in a new direction. Funny how little kids get when they are exhausted!

    We did the antique car hall, which was only there this weekend. Plus we took a ride in the Mitsubishi electric car. That was a nice little indoor track space. To bad we couldn't fire up the Tesla they had sitting in the infield.

    I think the best display overall was Ford. Very creative with the two robotic welding/assembly machines waving around engines and trannys and other big stuff as they described it. Plus the Mustang on it's side (despite the live rear axle) was cool. As a new car buyer of a '79 Fiesta, it was nice to see the model return to these shores.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Sounds like fun.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,728
    Quite the full day! My children would have been so nuts by the end of the day that they would be long past bouncing off walls - they would be busting through them!

    It sounds like it was a worthwhile trip for the whole family, and certainly a memorable experience - correct?
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    edited April 2010
    And it wasn't over yet! Annie and I made our way back to the Theater District a little after 6 PM. We intended to use the M42 bus, but... it never showed up. Bummer....

    Now the day started off beautiful and was supposed to be close to 80' in the afternoon. Then suddenly, the winds changed direction and blew in from the chilly Atlantic. The temp plummeted to around 60' with a damp 20 mph wind. We weren't dressed for it. I put her in my light jacket, picked her up (lucky she is a tiny peanut) and carried her a good part of the way from Javitts to Broadway/42nd. We bought some sweatshirts & long pants for both girls (street vendors are good to have!), walked back to 9th & 50st for some terrific Korean barbecue at Bann, then headed to the parking garage.

    Broadway subsidizes parking, so 10 AM to 10 PM was only $15 (inc tax). Can't beat that for a good deal. We were home by midnight. Still all smiles!
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,728
    Wow. It is time now for some new shoes! :P

    I cannot imagine having a good time in a city; sounds like I should tag along with you on my inaugural trip!
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    I'm very happy living out in the woods, but a few days a year in the City adds spice to life. It is a very very different experience, and can be quite exciting. And it is so much better today than 25 years ago! NYC has had an amazing transformation.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    http://www.drivingsports.com/site/2010/04/bmi-4-rotor-rx-8-hillclimb-challenge-h- onda-crosstour/

    Outback 3.6R: Excellent
    Toyota Venza: Average
    Ford Explorer: Fail

    :D

    I'm surprised, I would have predicted Fail for the Venza, and expected the Explorer to climb the hill without issues.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    I'm surprised, I would have predicted Fail for the Venza, and expected the Explorer to climb the hill without issues.

    As am I. Not that I'm a fan of the Explorer but something seems wrong. The reporter didn't even bother to talk about the Explorer not making it.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,728
    Well, did you notice that he stated every other press driver had failed to get the Venza to the top? It was sheer grit and determination that put that car to the top of the hill! ;)
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    edited April 2010
    In defense of the Explorer, they used the AWD (high-range only), and not the 4WD (which has a 2-speed transfer case as well as a part-time 4WD mode).

    Also, the Outback appeared to be going up the hill at some speed, whereas the Venza and Explorer seemed to be going up the hill more slowly. So momentum may have worked for the Subaru, and against the other two?

    I wonder how a 2.5i with the CVT would have done? Probably not as well as the 3.6 Outback.

    So with the Outback, they used the most capable automatic-equipped AWD Subaru offers, and for the Explorer they used the least capable 4WD/AWD that Ford offers. Me thinks the results here are somewhat misleading...

    Just playing devil's advocate here. :)

    Bob
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    edited April 2010
    ...and for the Explorer they used the least capable 4WD/AWD that Ford offers.

    Although that is the more comparable Explorer isn't it?

    Then again, they said they were comparing crossovers - why is the Explorer there at all? The Edge would've been the better choice. Unless of course the Edge made it up the hill when tested by Subaru and that wouldn't have been cool.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yes, I definitely noticed that.

    I think that's pretty cool, actually. He was keeping Subaru honest.

    Bob's right about the momentum, but let's remember the Outback made it up repeatedly, every time.

    Explorer failed every time.

    Venza made it up once, with a stubborn, determined driver behind the wheel.

    Kudos to him. :shades:
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Edge probably would be more comparable, for sure.

    I do think the AWD Explorer would be closest, though, definitely, wrong model. It's still a truck and it's about to be replaced with a unibody.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Bob's right about the momentum, but let's remember the Outback made it up repeatedly, every time.

    He never said that. He only discussed his run.

    Explorer failed every time.

    Ditto or ibid if you prefer.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They didn't say that outright, but I think that was implied.

    The exception was when he made it up in the Venza - and he sort of made a big deal about that.

    I think if there were any other exceptions he would have mentioned them.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Spin spin spin!! Your wife's job is rubbing off on you juice!!

    :D
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    She's trained me well. ;)
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    my car has an extra special sensor ... it knows when we're going to have some vacation time together and just might take off on a long out-of-town trip ...

    last July, we were getting ready to go to Texas when the "check engine" light came on ... after consulting with the garage, we ended up having a tune up (new plugs, etc.) and everything has been fine since ...

    2 days before we were due to leave for Texas for spring break, the "check engine" light came on ... after diagnostics at the garage (the only code was the catalytic converter) we had the oil changed and took off .. the light was mostly on, but went off after several tanks of higher octane gas ... right now it's off ...

    it performed just fine for the almost 3000 mile trip ... one more time ... (almost 10 years old, 126,000 miles)
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    Kinda like how cars and trucks seem to know they're about to be traded for a new one. My 2005 Ram was built and in transit, so my 1996 Ram decided it was high time to blow a brake hose and slaughter a rotor. Back then, I was commuting about 70 miles a day, so renting a car for the remaining 2 1/2 weeks would have cost me more than the brake job.

    kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Tricky stuff, this OBD-II system! Certain conditions will throw an immediate code, others will log a pending code and will change it to a true failure (and put on the light) if it repeats a certain number of times in a given duration. At the other end, if it doesn't repeat, it will clear out by itself after 40 'cycles', and go away (hopefully forever).

    Your experiment with better gas might have done the trick, or it could have been bouts of rapid acceleration and sustained high speed driving that flushed out some carbon buildup (the Italian Tune-Up, as I've heard it sometimes called!).
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    actually I wondered the same thing about the accelerations and sustained driving at higher speeds than normal ...
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    http://wardsauto.com/ar/interior_winners__deliver_100412/

    This year’s winners:

    Subaru Outback (Popular-Priced car under $29,999)
    Infiniti M56 (Premium-Priced car)
    Lexus HS 250h (Hybrid car)
    Chevrolet Camaro (Sports car)
    Chevrolet Equinox (Popular-Priced truck under $39,999)
    Volvo XC60 (Premium-Priced truck)
    Acura ZDX (Design Breakthrough)
    Mazdaspeed3 (Brand Expression)
    BMW 550i Gran Turismo (Design Versatility)
    Porsche Panamera Turbo (Inspired Design)
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,728
    I agree! From the inside, the Outback is a beautiful car. ;)
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Definitely looks better inside. I'm not a fan of the front. Oddly enough I like the Legacy just fine.

    I can't even explain why I like one better than the other.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,728
    Same here - the Legacy looks fairly nice but not so with the Outback. Primarily, I think the grille is poorly matched (it juts too high into the line of the hood, breaking the flow of the line between the headlights - the '08/'09 was the same way, though not quite so pronounced), and the lights swoop too high on the sides thereby giving the front end a "pinched" look (Forester executes both features much better, even though they are not all that different otherwise). The flat-sided wheel arches also do not work well with the body proportions, though many of the vehicles in this class suffer the same visual malady. Finally, the junction of the roof line and the body panel at the D-pillar is grossly awkward - something common in many "wagons" but not in the Legacy/Outback until this generation.

    All that said, if they make any exterior changes for '11, I hope it will be to eliminate the gimmicky roof rails and add the folding mirrors. They will surely adjust the front end mid-cycle anyway since they often do.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It was hard to improve on the 05-09 models, both simply looked great.

    I couldn't believe when the 05 Legacy came out some people thought it was boring and compared it to a Camry. I liked it from day one.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,728
    That's true. I still think they are very nice little wagons; the styling is just unbeatable. I think the thing that really crippled their sales was that the interior passenger space did not improve over previous generations. For the 2010, that was the real winner - especially when combined with the transmission and engine changes.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    I agree Juice, I like the Legacy front end much better than the OB. I think it's simply the grill. The Legacy wagon looks much better than the OB- and the roof rails are much more useful if you actually use them for something!

    Maybe SOA will bring back the Legacy wagon? Otherwise, I think I need to buy a Volvo or a CTS-V wagon!

    tom
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Another thing I've noticed is Legacy prices are a lot lower than Outback prices. Legacy wagons used to be about a grand higher, so they'd come in at lower prices, as well.

    Funny that a company known for AWD wagons no longer sells a single true wagon. The Impreza is a hatch, Forester and Outback are crossovers.
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    You'd better hurry, Tom, if you want a Volvo wagon. They and BMW recently announced that they will only do sedans and cross-overs next year. No wagons!
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    edited April 2010
    Yep. It seems both Volvo and BMW have learned what Subaru has known for several years: the market for a conventional wagon is too small, and not worth the effort here. The Volvo V70 wagon (but not the Outback-like XC70) will disappear. There are also rumors that the V50 wagon may disappear. BMW will no longer bring over the 5-Series wagon. No word on 3-Series wagon as of yet.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Gosh, last one out close the door, please. :(
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    ...on a positive note:

    Volvo is supposed be bringing over the new V60 which replaces both the V50 and V70. The XC70 will be offered in FWD.

    Saab is talking of bringing the new 9-5 Sport Combi.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    edited April 2010
    So what you're saying is you'll be fine as long as you like Swedish wagons. :D

    Ironic, too, because the Swedes were known for their hatches. At least Saab was.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Oh all right - VW is keeping the Jetta Sportswagan as well.

    With any luck, the NMS - new mid-size sedan, will be offered in a wagon as well.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Why don't they just call it a Passat?
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    edited April 2010
    My understanding is that the Passat name doesn't mean anything to consumers.

    They will be coming up with a new name that resonates with the public - something along the lines of Tiguan and Phaeton. You know, names that evoke a feeling of euro superiority and that are impossible to pronounce.

    BTW kids - this is sarcasm.

    Actually the Passat name will live on in Europe on a new model. It may also remain on the CC.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    names that evoke a feeling of euro superiority and that are impossible to pronounce

    :D

    How about Passeuroegg.

    I'm sure they'll come up with something even more obscure.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    I'm sure they'll come up with something even more obscure.

    I think they haven't used the Icelandic word for "Wind" yet. But "weather pattern that disrupts air service in Europe" won't fit on the back of the car!!

    Actully its "vindur".
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    People may learn the word as that's happening right now.

    Some of my co-workers are stranded.
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    If you bought a new Subaru in the past few months, a reporter may want to talk with you. Please email pr@edmunds.com no later than Friday, May 14, 2010 with your daytime contact info and the make/model you traded in.
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    ...Crew chat tonight! :shades:
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