Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

ateixeira · November 2001

That's wild. I've heard of VWs lifting the inside rear wheel, but not rolling over.

-juice

locke2c · November 2001

It takes a special alchemy of opportunity and bad driving to roll a car on an autocross course without leaving the pavement or hitting something.

VWs do have some 'assets' that help though-- soft suspension, high center of gravity. Add sticky tires to the mix and you've got a good foundation of opportunity, although autocross is still very safe.

-Colin

barresa62 · November 2001

I'm doing same w/stock WRX wheels. I haven't decided between the Blizzak LM22 or the Dunlop Winter Sport. I like both over the more serious winter tires like the other Blizzaks and studded tires because they offer better handling on dry/wet as well as snow than the stock RE92's. My sister and her family are coming out from Indy for X-mas. She mentioned she would like to go to Leavenworth, WA. Don't know if you've been there on your travels but it's a Bavarian theme town just on the other side of the Cascades. They offer horse drawn sleigh rides in the winter. Sometimes the passes can be pretty hairy in winter so I figure it would be best to get the winter tires mounted on the stock wheels before the trip.

Stephen

lark6 · November 2001

...without seeing or knowing what you've done? ;-)

Never been in WA east of the Cascades - stuck to Seattle and north and over to the OP. I swear I've spent as much time on the OP as in town. There's an "Alpine theme town" in Georgia (Helen) that I've been to several times going all the way back to college days up until two years ago.

As for tires: from what I can gather a good many WRX owners are doing the same, since (1) RE92s aren't very good (2) the factory 17" BBS option is prohibitively expensive (3) many very good 17" wheels can be had for much less.

Ed

bluesubie · November 2001

An i-clubber is selling 15" Forester steelies:
http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=110973&referrerid=767

Dennis

ateixeira · November 2001

Those tires look new. They are 205/70SR15s, rated 180BB, IIRC. The wheels are 15"x6" with an offset that will fit any newer Subie.

I'm quite familiar with them, because that's exactly what I used to have.

-juice

hondafriek · November 2001

Anybody who suffers from even mild OCD.should seriously rethink his or her decision to buy a black car.

While black is beautiful when clean it also magnifies every little imperfection, swirl marks will drive you absolutely crazy.

Having had 5 black cars before finally wising up I consider myself an expert on the hardship involved in keeping a black car looking its best.

Cheers Pat.

bluesubie · November 2001

juice - I think that's just "a" picture instead of a picture of his wheels.

Pat - I've thought about that and it's the only thing keeping me from getting black. Fortunately, I don't suffer from OCD. I still have scratches from an off-road meet in the spring. :-)

Colin - Here's the post about the VW flipping. Hoosier tires and stock suspension. He eventually posts on the second page (brandonvw).
http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=13933&referrerid=767

- Dennis

lark6 · November 2001

Especially with the Subaru paint that leaves something to be desired. I have plenty of swirl marks which I added to when polishing out the scratches from the Pine Barrens run.

When talking WRXes, though, it's my favorite of the current colors. Having had two silver cars, I know they tend to look dull after a while. The metallic red is boring. White is as hard to keep clean as black, plus it looks like you bought an ex-rental car. The rally blue, while beautiful in its own right, is just too much for me and makes you look like a WRC wannabe.

The WRX black has nice metallic blue undertones; my Forester's black has metallic red undertones. Both really look nice that 10% of the time that the car is clean and the days are sunny...erm...okay, point taken.

Ed

bluesubie · November 2001

If I get black, I could just have you over about every 6 months for Lark6 Detailing.

Dennis

hondafriek · November 2001

For the first year at lest even you do not suffer from OCD. every little mark will annoy you only on a black it is magnified by about 100%.

My wife threatened to divorce me if I ever bought another black car, I almost drove her insane, I literally buffed and glazed them once a month to hide the swirls and they were right back again first time I washed it, no matter how careful I was.

All cars get swirls they just show up more on black,black is definitely tha best colour on a car IMO. but you have to be a masochist to own one.

Cheers Pat.

ateixeira · November 2001

Oh, so no tires? $200 for just the wheels is a bit much, IMO. My alloys were $75 a pop, so that's $300 for 16"x7" light alloy. Easy choice, IMO.

This is why a low center of gravity is important. The link appeared at the end of that thread.

-juice

lark6 · November 2001

That Golf is of the same vintage as my old Jetta. I had that "urinating dog" rear wheel lift happen a couple of times. Never could understand why anyone would engineer a car to do that.

Now I'm beginning to wonder about those Foresters the SWRT used to run recce on the rallies. How were they modified? How fast did they run the recce compared to the rally cars?

Ed

barresa62 · November 2001

cosmic wavelength or something. :-)

I like the black WRX color as well. I almost got that color (especially like the blueish undertones) but I traded in a black OB Ltd and the thought of trying to keep it clean (I should say "looking clean") was too much for me. I like the silver on the WRX as it really shows off the lines well. I couldn't imagine myself living w/the blue color for a long time plus I like the stealth feature (read: Police eyes) of the silver. In other markets than N.America the dark blue is available on the WRX. That would have been a good compromise color between my two choices of black and silver. Maybe SOA will offer it here next year (?).

Stephen

ateixeira · November 2001

Those recon Foresters were basically GT turbos from other markets, with special wheels and rally tires. The link I had is now outdated.

They're used to map out the "hard left, hard right" turns on the route, not timed for speed.

-juice

kens · November 2001

On the contrary, I think black is a perfect choice for people with OCD. Nothing looks more satisfying to a person with OCD than a perfectly polished, waxed and buffed black vehicle. All the other colors pale in comparison.

If you've got OCD, you're gonna be detailing a lot anyway. Between my silver Jetta and my black Forester, I get lots more satisfaction from putting in the time on making Raven look nice.

Ken

ateixeira · November 2001

The real question is...has Ed waxed his wheels yet?

;-)

-juice

lark6 · November 2001

I wax the installed 16" wheels at the same intervals that I wax the rest of the car, usually every three months. I haven't waxed the uninstalled 17" wheels yet.

So there. :-p

Ed

ateixeira · November 2001

The P7s aren't waxed?

You slacker! ;-)

-juice

lark6 · November 2001

What? And have wax come off on the inside of the boxes?

Ed

ateixeira · November 2001

OK, as long as the boxes are weather-sealed, you're still a card-carrying member of the OCD Club.

-juice

hondafriek · November 2001

The only one to clay bar their wheels yet is Mike Smith, and on the inside at that, that should be good for one free visit to a shrink.
Long live OCD.

Cheers Pat.

hypov · November 2001

has anyone got wind of this on-line invite to Subie owners from JD Power & Assoc. to chat with them, I think, 08Nov01 or 13Nov01. It's like, I go SoA's website (on pc) and this applet opens with some questionaires and then a choice of the two dates to yap away. Didn't get the applet when I tried on the mac. Anyone?

-Dave

hypov · November 2001

KarenS... anybody.
I understand there was maintenance performed on Edmunds' website recently and after that service I am no longer able to login via work pc (not that I was suppose to). The pc has explorer 5.5 wit firewall, and I get this 404 error (or was it 303... I'm losing it) like y'all ain't there.

-Dave

twrx · November 2001

Yup, I got the pop up when I went there on my mac last week and signed up. Got a call from JD Power that I was selected and will be chatting about Subaru's web site the hour before I join the rest of you for the S' crew chat.
TWRX

hypov · November 2001

Bruce- cool, maybe I get to see you there. 08Nov01?
But...first, I've got to return their call. Got their call today. Mr. Hypov :-D

-Dave

lucien2 · November 2001

tell 'em it continues to suck dingo's kidneys for me, will ya? I STILL can't access it. Tells me I need Flash, although I already have it. Hafta open it via Netscape; upon vewing it, I turn to stone from the horror and have to wait for someone to cast the anti-spell (like showing me the VW site, for instance)

fibber2 · November 2001

Well, I have been driving an AWD car for the past few days, but it isn't my OBW. My dear uncle passed away a few weeks ago, leaving my father as executor of the estate. He was a wonderful man, and I already miss him very much. Anyhow, it is liquidation time, and as the car guy of the family, I was given the task of dealing with the '92 Mercedes 300E 4-Matic (AWD) w/45k miles. It needs some minor body work and detailing prior to trying to sell it. Which gives me an excuse to try it out......

If I hadn't bought the OB only a week before his death, I would be seriously tempted. I grow to like it more each day. Very powerful engine, wonderful brakes, puts the power to all 4's about as well as my OB, spacious interior, all the power toys, handles like a sports car, rides like a luxury car. Everything a $55k car (current new equivalent price) should be! And at 10 years old, the Merc dealer ballparked it at $10k wholesale (Edmunds does also), so they hold their value reasonably well.

But I don't think I have the Mercedes lifestyle to go with it. One trip to the parts counter told me that! I can pay the mortgage this month, or buy the bumper rub strip, but certainly not both on my salary........ OK, slight exaggeration, but you get the idea. And I thought Subaru parts were expensive!

Steve

twrx · November 2001

i agree it is still bad. The build your own thing always has text superimposed over text. Pop up windows won't allow mac drag arrows to scroll them etc.

TWRX

I am using Netscape 4.7 on a Mac to get there.

ateixeira · November 2001

Oh my, I forgot to clay the wheels! Now I gotta take them off again! I need therapy... ;-)

We can't have a Subaru owner named Dave with trouble accessing the Subaru Crew! Any help?

Cool, Steve. So how long will you have the use of the 4Matic? You may want to sell to CarMax, which will likely pay you more than a M-B dealer would.

-juice

bluesubie · November 2001

You guys are killing me! ;-)

I'm a very indecisive person, but I've always wanted a black car. When I got my OBS, black wasn't available so the decision was easier.

A friend of mine had a black Accord. He found out later that the hood had been smashed and they replaced it with a previous years' hood. Anyway, he ended up getting a silver one because the black was a pain.

I also like silver, but like Ed, I feel that it just doesn't have that bright shine.
Maybe there'll be a dark blue Rex next year. That way I won't have to change my username. :-)

Dennis

ateixeira · November 2001

I usually get whatever they have, as long as I don't dislike it. Having said that, I'll usually go with a color that stands out(blue/green), rather than one that blends in(black/white/silver/beige), but without attracting too much attention (red/yellow).

Also, certain cars and brands look good in certain colors:

Subaru: rally blue
BMW: black
Audi: silver (TT especially)
Mercedes: silver
Mazda: yellow (think Miata, Protege5)
Porsche: red
MG: green
Nissan: pearl white
Honda: dark gray
Toyota: silver (Matrix especially)

Thoughts on the subject?

-juice

miksmi · November 2001

Re: hondafriek Nov 6, 2001 2:30pm

Shh, that's supposed to be secrets for readers of Subaru Crew - Cleaning Interior & Exterior Surfaces.

Hey, I was just experimenting with clay. I never inhaled.

..Mike

ateixeira · November 2001

Got an e-mail from Subaru of Australia mentioned that all three Subies had won a "Best Cars" award. The WRX, Liberty RX, and Forester Limited were all honored.

Or is it honoured? ;-)

-juice

bluesubie · November 2001

I love the looks of the Rally Blue, but would never own one. Definitely attracts attention IMO.

Not crazy about yellow cars at all. Agree with most of the other colors although I don't like a Honda in any color (good car, just too common and too plain).

Dennis

mrk610 · November 2001

I've only had my 02OB since sept 01 and i've already waxed it and yes I did the wheels . I also have a product to wax the tires and it works great . I wash it at least once a week if not more depending on if its get dirty . I've also taken out the tray over the spare donut and wiped down that area .I even clean and vacuum the little storage spaces on the side of the wagon area .
And of course q-tip the entire dash area and carry a 3m dust cloth in the glove compartment to wipe down the front interior everyday . I've always taken very good care of my other cars but,with my new baby Im really getting myself worried .

mike k

nygreg · November 2001

We'll set up an appointment with Ross (resident shrink). As one who just waxed the diffy protector, maybe I'll go with you.

Greg

Karen_S · November 2001

hypov Nov 6, 2001 4:31pm

Hmmm...since this is only with your work computer, I would venture to guess it may have something to do with the firewall. Are you accessing through a bookmark? In the past that has been an issue. Try accessing the Town Hall from the home page to see if you can log in that way.

Do you know if any other co-workers are having problems accessing similar sites...not that they are suppose to. ;-)

KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs

ateixeira · November 2001

Mike: welcome to our OCD support group!

I too waxed the diffy protector before installing it. The strut brace, too (twice now).

-juice

amishra · November 2001

Hey juice, you forgot those stunning red Ferrari's, which have probably the most luscious color on a car I've ever seen.

I even get to see a couple here daily

ateixeira · November 2001

I still want a 308/328/348 one of these days. The 355 and especially the 360 don't have as much character as those.

-juice

hondafriek · November 2001

You definitely qualify, I must admit I am guilty of doing all the things you are doing.

Mind you I have done this with every car I have ever owned, it pays in the long run because I have never ever had trouble selling a car and alway for top dollar.

My last car was a 93 Accord EX wagon and I got $2500 dollars more than red book retail when I traded,OCD. aside taking care of your car pays off.

CHeers Pat.

ateixeira · November 2001

Where's Ross? I thought we were supposed to talk people out of OCD? ;-)

-juice

thecat · November 2001

Mike S - "I was just experimenting with clay. I never inhaled"
Well, I guess it depends on what your definition of was..was.

Our Forester is white. I like the color (colour) when it's clean. Keeping white clean isn't easy but it's easier than black. I can't think of a car that looks bad in black but I couldn't deal with the maintenance. The WRX is silver and with a couple of good coats of wax does indeed shine. Plus it doesn't show dirt very much.

Juice- you waxed the strut brace? Twice? You are hereby awarded the honorary title of Anal Retentive Comander. Oh wait .. I use to wax my golf balls .. ah .. hey how bout' those D-backs?

Well, I guess I'll go spit shine some shoes .....

- hutch

locke2c · November 2001

Good list Juice! Gotta fix this one though: Mazda: yellow (think Miata, Protege5)

Mazda: yellow (think 1993 RX-7 R1 Competition Yellow)

There was exactly one year of limited edition Miata that was Sunburst Yellow, otherwise nada. Protege... scoff. 3rd generation RX-7, yeah baby.

-Colin

armac13 · November 2001

I've been enjoying all of the OCD displayed here. If you remember, I offered two services: one to reduce OCD and one to perfect it. Obviously I'm really not needed. Quite a few Subie enthusiasts seem to enjoy OCD and are very very good at it. Why mess with success? ;~)

Ross

fibber2 · November 2001

I thought about car buying services that supply the used car superstore chains. Unfortunately, the closest CarMax office to NY is in Maryland, about 275 miles away. It is interesting, though, that they refer you to Kelley Blue Book for an estimate. Kelley asks far more detailed questions in the self appraisal section, and in the end came up with a value of about $1500 more. I also called CarCash in NYC (about 75 miles away), but they must be using Edmunds, as they again hit on the $10k number based on my inputs. If CarMax actually uses the Kelley numbers as their guide, it might be worth the drive down and train fare back. I just don't want to waste a very long day and drive a 550 mile round trip if they were to low ball me once I got there.

Steve

paisan · November 2001

My buddy and I drove down to Carmax in white marsh, md from NYC to ditch his T-bird last fall. It wasn't a bad ride. It was only 150 miles from Staten Island, not sure where you are located. We were in and out of there in like 2hrs.

-mike

ateixeira · November 2001

OK, time to remind folks to check their air pressures again. It's a good 30 degrees colder here than it was in summer, and my pressure was down, so get out those pressure gauges!

Survey: waxed your car or had a dentist clean your teeth? Which have you done most recently?

Reminds me...gotta schedule that dental appointment!

Colin: did you see the sunburst yellow Miata in the previews for the Corky Romano movie? Hilarious. I want to convert mine into the Mach 5 (Speed Racer fans would get a nice laugh), with a big "M" and pontoon fenders. ;-)

There is a CarMax in Rockville, but White Marsh is much closer for the folks coming from the north.

-juice

barresa62 · November 2001

The platinum silver color for 2002 is definitely a "shiny" color. It's a different silver than the silverthorn(?)silver of past. It's has a more steel blue hue to it instead of a beige hue. I thought at first that it might be a boring color but I'm constantly getting compliments and apparently, along w/the rally blue, it's the most popular color on the WRX. BTW, did I mention it's easy to keep clean.... :-)

Stephen

Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles

Your Privacy