Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

kyfdx · April 2012

While the all-inclusive resorts are nice, it's sad to go to a foreign country, and it not be safe to get out and enjoy the culture...

Sort of makes it a beach vacation that could be anywhere in the world.. Heck, even in Cancun, you can't leave the Hotel Zone. When we took a cruise in '95, we went to Caracas, and toured the city and beyond. They sort of recommended against it, even then... you sure couldn't do that, now.

lilbluewgn02 · April 2012

I want to wish all of you and your families a wonderful holiday weekend.

Michael had an interview last week for a paid summer internship at Satchi and Satchi's New York office. He heard from them today that he got it! He was so excited; what a great start to a new career as a Mad Man. Can you tell that I'm super proud of him?!

ateixeira · April 2012

We really just wanted to unplug and chill out, so this was perfect. The kids are small and complain when they have to walk a lot.

I love the ocean, always have, so that's where I tended to go.

We did Duns River Falls on our honeymoon, so this time we passed.

My favorite activity was probably snorkeling. Beach volley ball and sailing close behind. My wife? Reading on the breezy beaches!

I dragged them out a couple of times, but we didn't get very adventurous.

xwesx · April 2012

Sounds like fun, nonetheless. My dad is going to be in Puerto Rico for a couple of months next winter, and invited us to come down for a visit. My wife flat refuses though, so I doubt it will happen.

ladywclass · April 2012

spring break started on March 30 ... got home from work about 4 ... nothing packed and left by 5:30 to drive to Texas ...

dropped dog off at husband's parents' house (about 90 miles away) and then off we went ... stopped in Effingham for the night, then back on the road ..

were in husband's 97 Lincoln Town Car with a 'known' minor transmission issue (but confident it would survive the trip) ... (mine is still waiting for the AC to be fixed!)

somewhere in MO I'm driving and we had a warning 'beeping' that is the same as the signal for 'low gas' but I KNOW we have plenty of gas ... realize the car is overheating .. pull onto shoulder (nothing around ya know) and blast heater and gauge immediately drops to normal ... back into traffic and things are fine ... for another hour or so ... and it happens again ... another quick cool down and .. back on the road ...

across Arkansas on I-40 (with all the huge number of semis) and ... it happens again - only THIS time I just got on a bridge and it's not coming down as fast ... I'm slowly moving on the shoulder with the trucks zipping by and we got the heat down (as we're burning up) and got back on the highway to get off the bridge and check it out a bit more thoroughly ... only the bridge turns out to be about 6 miles long and ends in ROAD CONSTRUCTION .. so now I'm in a single lane with NO shoulders and praying to get through the construction area .. (about 12 miles long!)

we got off the road (finally) and we had plenty of coolant, hoses all seemed fine, etc so we figured it was a thermostat problem ...

drove on with the heater full blast (did I mention the outside air was 88 degrees at that point? - the HIGHEST I saw the entire trip, of course!) ... through Little Rock (cause who knows where there is a auto parts place? ... not me! - yeah .. no GPS ... lol) ... finally pulled off in Malvern and found a place to buy a thermostat and cheap tools to change it ... husband put it on the hot car and we finally had AC again! ... worked fine rest of trip ... but that 100 miles or so with the heat blasting was NASTY !!!!

(so we're not good car mechanics ... we managed ... ) .. i called him a 'genius' for fixing the car ... he said he didn't know much about fixing cars ... my response is that he KNEW what to do in this case so that made him a 'genius' ... lol

we had a good trip .. enjoyed visiting with family and friends, but got back late last night .. lots to do today and I have to work tomorrow (boo hiss ... we didn't win the big lottery!)

see ya!

stever · April 2012

Fun, fun. Love your packing techniques.

We spent the night in Effingham last month on our road trip south.

ladywclass · April 2012

we operate under the philosophy that as long as we have the prescription meds we can buy anything we forget at WalMart .... (the only thing I forgot was my TOOTHBRUSH!)

xwesx · April 2012

That's funny. I call my place "Effinghome," but I think that's for a different reason. :P

ladywclass · April 2012

not necessarily ... LOL

ateixeira · April 2012

We went to Puerto Rico last year. That was even easier than Jamaica...no passports necessary, no currency issues, and your cell phone works for free.

Tell her I said you should go! It's really just about the easiest place to travel to.

xwesx · April 2012

Thanks, juice; I'll do that!

Somehow, though, I don't think it will make a difference.

Then again, with the price of flights, it might not make a difference even if she *did* want to go!

ateixeira · April 2012

Yeah jet fuel ain't cheap!

ateixeira · April 2012

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/04/edmunds-new-list-of- -best-vehicles-for-holding-value/1#.T48JeXraLTp

ateixeira · May 2012

Just found out.

I met him in 2006 at the NY Auto Show, and he even signed a press kit for me for the GT350. He was very controversial but that's the type of person who pushes the envelope and leaves a lasting legacy in automobile-dome.

RIP.

irish_girl · May 2012

Can anyone tell me (or tell me where to look online) if a fully assembled bicycle will fit inside a 2011 Subaru Impreza hatchback. Has to fit with the front wheel attached.

dcm61 · May 2012

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/impreza/impreza2011.html#dimensions

volkov · May 2012

depends on the bike and the size, but I've done it with mountain bikes for sure. Just need to drop the back seats.

jd_24 · May 2012

It will fully depend on the size and type of bike. I have the 2012 Impreza (5 inches longer with seats down). My 19inch frame size and 29er wheels on the mountain bike just barely fit. Its much easer with the front wheel off. It will not stand upright (front wheel off). A more traditional 26" wheel sized mountain bike would probably fit with the wheels on, but still be close. Best bet is to try it.

irish_girl · May 2012

I am going to buy either a 2010 Outback or Forester. Other than cargo dimensions, what are the major differences between the two?

ateixeira · May 2012

Transmission - most Foresters have a 4 speed auto, while the 4 cylinder Outbacks get a CVT. Both offer manuals, 5 speed for Forester, 6 for Outback.

I think the feel of that alone will help you choose.

saedave · May 2012

The Forester will not lean as much as the Outback in turns and the ride quality is at least as good. The Forester has 1/4 inch more fore and aft seating room and 1/4 inch less seating width. Wind noise seems greater in the Forester. I'm not sure whether the 2010 Outback got folding mirrors like the Forester.

The four speed is fine in the Forester XT turbo and ok in the non turbo model. The CVT whine in the Outback is quite noticeable.

ateixeira · May 2012

2010 did not, those only arrived in model year 2011.

rsholland · May 2012

I agree with what's been posted. Also the Forester might be more fun to drive (smaller and more agile), but the Outback a bit more comfortable (quieter, softer riding, roomier). Both are excellent choices.

Bob

ateixeira · May 2012

Gotta love the sibling rivalry...

If you get 'em loaded up, the Outback's Navi screen is bigger (8") and I think comes with a backup cam.

Back then the Forester's nav didn't have the backup cam, and the screens are smaller even now.

stever · May 2012

I much prefer the Forester.

That's why I drive an Outback. :confuse:

ateixeira · May 2012

Believe it or not I don't think I've driven a 2010+ Outback. Wow, can that be true...yeah, pretty sure.

They're really nice inside, but we got our Forester in 2009, before they came out, and haven't been in the market since.

My salesman jokes that he sees his Subaru customers once every 7 years, to buy a new one.

xwesx · May 2012

I just returned from Morgantown, West Virginia, and was surprised that Subaru was so well-represented there.

By far, the lion's share of Subaru vehicles I saw were Outback - all four generations (and seen regularly, at that).

kyfdx · May 2012

Makes sense to me.... that's a college town, right? WVU?

xwesx · May 2012

Yes, that's right.

rsholland · May 2012

They also get a lot of snow out there. It may be a "Southern" state, but winters are more like New England.

Bob

ateixeira · May 2012

Mountain-y and beautiful. Lots of trails.

A buddy has a farm out there. There's no address. It's not even listed on my GPS. We had to use latitude, longitude coordinates!

robr2 · May 2012

If you get 'em loaded up, the Outback's Navi screen is bigger (8") and I think comes with a backup cam.

Juice - what is it with you and screens/back up cams? 20% of your posts revolve around them...

ateixeira · May 2012

My portable is up to 7". I don't like that the factory Navi screen on the Forester would be a step down from what I have now, not to mention 4 times the cost.

colin_l · May 2012

If you have a 7" portable about you *not buy* and not worry about factory navigation? :P

I have a 4.5" tomtom which is crap but does the job on road trips, and my android smartphone can handle any navigation in town to a residence, restaurant, etc without any problems.

What does annoy me, though, is that I can't get premium audio without navigation and a boatload of other stuff.

xwesx · May 2012

I don't know that it qualifies as "mountain-y," but it is definitely hilly. I really enjoyed all the little windy, no-shoulder roads in the area. I didn't get to use them as much as I wanted.

ateixeira · May 2012

Not compared to the Rockies...

hondafriek · May 2012

Why the hell are car manufacturers going to the damn CVT trannies.

No matter how much I wanted any particular car, if it had CVT it would be a definite deal breaker, a four speed auto tranny would not float my boat either. Given that auto tranny is a must for me, this trend towards CVT is troubling. I have driven a couple of CVT equipped cars and thanks but no thanks.

Cheers Pat.

dcm61 · May 2012

I've only driven 3 cars with CVT, but I liked them all.

'09 Nissan Altima 2.5S
'11 Subaru Outback 2.5 Premium
'12 Subaru Impreza Sport Limited

I actually crossed the '11 / '12 Forester off my list because it didn't have a CVT.

It's kinda like a MT, you gotta learn how to drive it to like it.

rsholland · May 2012

Pat, maybe the older CVTs were deal breakers, but some of the new ones (Nissan, Subaru, etc.) are pretty darn good. Yes, they are a bit "different," but in this case different is good. If you feel a need to hear/feel gear changes, you can always play with the Subie's 6-step paddle shifters.

As to why the switch? Better fuel mileage, along with good performance.

You should test-drive a new CVT-equipped Outback, Legacy or Impreza. You just might be impressed.

Bob

hondafriek · May 2012

.'The Outback was one of the CVT equipped cars that I did drive, the incessant whine from the tranny at highway speed, was like having a root canal done on a tooth. I just did not like the whole experience.

As the Mazda is still only a year and a half old I have about eight more years before I will be car shopping again, so we will see what's available then.

Cheers Pat

redsuv4 · May 2012

Hello everyone. I'm in the market for a new SUV (currently drive a '98 Jeep Grand Cherokee) and after having test driven more than a dozen models am seriously considering a 2012 Forester. Given that my preference is an automatic transmission, my question is, any thoughts on whether the turbo is worth the extra money? The non-turbo seems a bit under-powered (but only tested on surface streets) although to be honest I won't be doing any towing. Just want to make sure I have enough power for hilly driving on road trips and can pass as needed on frequent two lane highway driving. Also really wish I could get the 2.5X Premium with the option of dual-zone climate control system to minimize frequent spousal temperature spats but sadly it is not available without upgrading to the 2.5 Touring.

saedave · May 2012

The real difference in the XT turbo is effortless accel. from a stop with minimal engine revs. The four speed is more than adequate with the XT's low end torque. Transmission whine seems less than in the normally aspirated version because of shorter time in 1st and 2nd gears. (I am comparing my 2010 XT with the 2012 NA model.)

Consumer Reports' fuel economy difference showed 2 mpg less overall for the turbo. (20 vs. 22, I believe)

Now that the normally aspirated engine has new heads and is not likely to have gasket failures, the NA model will cost less to run because of cheaper 87 octane, fewer oil changes, no timing belt changes and possibly longer engine life.

ateixeira · May 2012

That's how they get 29mpg highway out of a fairly large AWD wagon...

The CVT lets them keep the engine in the sweet spot, instead of letting RPMs drop between each shift and letting torque/HP fall with it. Also, some have a very wide spread from lowest to highest ratios, as much as 7 to 1 gear reduction, so highway RPMs are low and they can get good numbers. At 80mph a new Outback revs at something like 2000 revs.

The new Altima can hit 60mph in 7.1 seconds and still got a 38mpg highway rating. No way could Nissan have pulled that off with any other trans.

Hopefully we'll see the tuning improve as they gain experience here, plus you can use the paddle shifters if you really want to vary the RPM.

redsuv4 · May 2012

Thanks for the reply, that's helpful. Have done an on-line search of new car inventory and difficult to find the turbo in Premium model (within 500 miles). May have to go with NA model to get the color I want.

ateixeira · May 2012

Look for me at the game, folks. Wifey and I have a red heart-shaped poster, cut in half. She's American, I'm Brazilian. I hope will get us on TV.

I have a white shirt with the Brazil logo on it, she's got some red/white/blue costume that she refuses to show me until she wears it tonight!

Go Neymar! Jogo bonito! :shades:

lilbluewgn02 · June 2012

I am coming up to Jersey and NY as usual this summer and would love to get together with the gang.
I'll be taking Veronica on the autotrain both ways, but the better time would be to meet on the way back down to FL; I need to be at my brother's house on the 28th. I'm looking to stay one and a half to two weeks, a bit shorter than my usual escape from the oppressive Florida heat, so we're talking Mid July. I'll have a better date once I get up there and see what the story is with Big Bro. Any tentative takers, let me know here or email me at bluerex02@yahoo.com. Looking forward to seeing you guys again.
Serge

rsholland · June 2012

Hey Serge. Would be great to see you again. We're in the early stages of selling our house, but should still be around by then I would think. We're moving over to the Eastern Shore of Maryland to be closer to our daughter and her husband. House went on the market yesterday.

Bob

ateixeira · June 2012

I'll be in Brazil, but hopefully you guys can meet up.

ateixeira · June 2012

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/subaru-of-america-inc-breaks-may-sales-r- ecord-156380495.html

Impreza is hot, but the WRX was also. My theory is people go to browse a BRZ but buy a WRX.

Also, last year was tsunami affected.

xwesx · June 2012

Love the spam. So salty.... :P

Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles