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Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    http://www.veh-tech.net/
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Thanks again! I will probably go ahead with the application when we get home (writing this from Williamsburg, VA).

    Oh, and BTW, I waved as I passed the Cherry Hill water tower last week, and will do so again this Tuesday on the way North!!

    Steve
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Bob: no, that was the IIHS crash test car, that broke through the wall like the Mercedes G class did in those commercials! ;-)

    Go Terps! Buh-bye Jayhawks, Hello Hoosiers!

    I just wish the students would chill out, though.

    -juice
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    I have not been paying attention to Edmunds a lot lately (putting a sprinkler system in my yard) but I hope you had a good time in Williamsburg! If you saw a green LL Bean Outback tooling around with a grubby driver that looked like Bill Murray from "Caddyshack", only with more whiskers, mud, and beer stains, that would have been me on a trip to/from the hardware store. I'm not much of a host or tour guide, but I could have given you some good recommendations for restaurants and places to see.

    Have a good trip back North tomorrow. I'd be curious to hear about some vacation highlights when you have time. I hope you got a chance to drive the Colonial Parkway.

    Craig
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Well, we finally took the plunge. The wife has a shiny new base Neon in the driveway! :-)

    We ended up trading in the Forester because it was worth the most as a trade in, even though resale was poor. The main reason was its terrible reliability and poor traction in the snow. I was sort of tired of it anyway, and Subaru's quality and safety scores have taken a plunge lately.

    The Neon won by a narrow margin over the Aztec and Sportage, all fine choices themselves. I figured even though I didn't need Chrysler's longer warranty because none of these ever break, that made me lean towards the cutting-edge design of the Neon. Plus it was only $25 grand!

    The first tank returned 85 mpg on regular fuel, but it's been perfectly reliable already! I took it off road and it got through nicely, with plenty of clearance and good angles of approach and departure. Skid plates are standard and got me through the really tough stuff, even with no low range.

    I think I'll spice it up with fake hood scoops, and paint it yellow, with flames on the hood, limo tint, a huge rear wing, coffee can exhaust for about 75 more horsepower. It'll fit right in with the Civics on import night, I'm sure those guys will welcome me.

    Though I am having trouble getting my chrome 22" wheels to fit. You think I got the offsets wrong?

    Any how, what do you guys think of my new ride?

    http://www.beaterz.com/

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
  • rblelandrbleland Member Posts: 312
    Did anyone really think that one of the greatest Subie fans/boosters and generally "knowledable" car buffs would do such a thing????
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    juice,

    It's April Fools day, not April "Totally gullible, don't have a clue" day! :-)

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Did anyone even begin to fall for it? :-)

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Today is my birthday, perhaps that explains a lot Ha! Ha!,

    Anyway today dawned wild and pouring with rain so I guess April has definitely arrived.

    In answer to your question juice not for a minute.

    Cheers Pat.
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    I think the combination of the words "wife" and "Neon" was a bit of a give away.
    :-)

    Ross
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Happy B-Day Pat, and anyone else who celebrates this week.

    How's the pup?

    We're dog sitting for a neighbor this week, an adorable little pug. Well, not so little, a lot heavier than Hadji.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Happy Foolday!

    Bob
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    I'm still lurking this topic and I must admit that you started to get me. The last few weeks have been an absolute mess for me here at the TH sludge topics and I tend to take things too seriously. As I started reading your post, I was in shock. I re-read the first several sentences a few times. Before I could read the whole thing, I noticed another poster wishing us all a happy April Fool's Day and I felt like an idiot.

    Thanks for the pick-me-up. I needed it.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I couldn't have said "Highlander" because people wouldn't have known it was an April Fools joke.

    I heard that Toyota will open a new Q&A style forum at Edmunds, to replace the topic dedicated to the sludge debate. I guess I should say congrats and wish you luck from this point on, seems like you're on track.

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Guys,no fool like an old fool,pups great juice,he got his second set of shots today. obviously he was less than impressed.

    Only blot on his copybook is he is a terrible feeder, does not take a lot. the vet is hoping he will grow out of it.

    Meantime we are almost having to force him, he gets distracted so easy anything that looks fun well the food takes a back seat.

    Cheers Pat.
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    Word travels fast. In fact, that is actually new information to me. I knew that various ideas were being kicked around, but had not heard that anything was finalized.
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Maybe it hasn't been finalized. My information was 2nd hand. I was hoping you'd know more about it.

    -juice
  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    And don't worry about the pup... he gets hungry enough, food will win over distractions!

    My last two career jobs both started on April Fool's Day... but the joke was on them!

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    Hey, have you tried Frosty Paws for your pup? It is in the Ice Cream section of most grocery stores. Maggie will only "sing" one song - Happy Birthday, because she gets ice cream. It's totally non-dairy so no stomach upset - plus it's good for them.

    Have a very happy year!

    Patti
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    Thanks for the great chuckle on a Monday morning. I didn't realize what day it was until I was half way through your post!

    Patti
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    A Very Happy Birthday and many more years coming your way :D

    April 1st is quite a memorable day (maybe not) for alot of us at the bank. On April 1, 1998 Head Office announced the merger.

    -Dave
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    juice,

    I had you at "Neon". :-)

    Ken
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    Ross
  • hardtop4hardtop4 Member Posts: 2
    I have become a happy Subaru Forester owner as of last Saturday. I am a Canadian and the price on the late model 2002 Forester was still more than I wanted to spend, so I bought a used 1999 S. 2002 S's cost more than $35,000 after taxes.

    Anyway, I fit the profile. I am a dinkwad (double income no kids with a dog). I have a 90 pound labrador retriever and I swear he smiled when he jumped in the back.

    Thanks to all of you for your enthusiastic sharing of information and views on this and other forums. It was a big help. A special thanks to juice; if it wasn't for him (and Scape2) I might still be pondering. The only problem that I have with this car is that it just doesn't corner like my previous ride. My spouse is happy though and that ought to be sufficient. She was driving a 1989 Integra that simply refused to die. She now drives the MX-6, which I shall sorely miss.
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    hardtop4,

    Congratulations on your new Forester and welcome to the Subaru Crew! Glad to hear there's yet another Forester owner among us.

    While the Forester won't quite corner like a sports sedan, it does very well for a mini SUV. One very easy and cheap modification you can do to improve handling is to upgrade the rear sway bar. The stock bar is 13mm. Several of us have gone to 18mm and beyond. The result is less body roll and more responsiveness in corners.

    Ken
  • jeijei Member Posts: 143
    Hardtop4 -
    Welcome to the crew. I have a '99 "S" bought new and still thoroughly enjoy it. 94,000 miles and no major trouble. You have another opportunity to upgrade handling: tires. If you are due for replacement, tires such as the Bridgestone RE 950 or Dunlop Sport SP2 will improve handling. I bought the Dunlop Sport SP2s a couple of weeks ago and am very pleased. They're a fine match for the Forester. Great in wet & dry - and suprizingly good in snow & slush for an all season tire. I live in eastern New York state and run true winter tires on 15" "L" rims. I was fooled by the mild winter here and changed tires in mid March - then got to test the SP2s in real winter weather. I found the original equipment Yokohama Geolandar HTs to be good in wet & dry, but poor on snow & ice. Tirerack.com is a good place to start your research.

    John
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    heh heh heh. Dinkwad. A new one on me....I'll share that with the wife and the dog.
  • jeff612jeff612 Member Posts: 3
    I've been lurking here a while getting lots of useful info. Much appreciated. Finally decided to log in.
    We just picked up an '02 OBW after handing in our '99 OBW at lease end. At the risk of jinxing myself, 3 years of no problems. None with the car, none with the dealer. We did a lot of checking of other vehicles before getting another OB but we never felt we were getting the same bang for the buck.
    The changes from '99 to '02 are subtle but they are there. I'd say it's a little more refined, definitely more pickup, certainly a nicer interior.
    once again, thanks for all the tidbits of Subaru knowledge.
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Thanks for the greetings. I certainly hope for many more birthdays.

    Cheers Pat.
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    Welcome, and congrats on your new OB!! did you end up with an H6 or another 4 cyl?
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Williamsburg was wonderful. Had a great time. I will elaborate over on the "CAFE" board as I guess it is now verboten to do non Subi stuff here??

    (but I did wave at Patti as I passed Cherry Hill...)

    Steve
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Happy Birthday. I turn 45 on April 6th.

    Juice - call me gullible (a long day of driving), but I swallowed hard when I read Neon and trade-in, then started to laugh.

    Steve
  • jeff612jeff612 Member Posts: 3
    We went for another 4. The goal here was to keep the outflow of $$ as close to the old lease as possible. We did add in a CD player, all weather package (still a little chilly here on Long Island in the AM so the heated seats are neat), air filter and the dimming mirror/compass. So far, about 1,200 miles and pleased. BTW, we also have an '01 Legacy L sedan. Safe, reliable, but boring. And what do you drive?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    You should hookup the 01 Legacy L. That could be a mover and a shaker given the right modifications :) Heck I took 44/136 in the last Englishtown SCCA Auto-x with my dad's '97 Legacy L with slush box, and 2nd in class losing only to a '90 or '91 Civic SI 5-speed.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Congrats Mike. Lots of us have (or used to have) a Mazda, including me. Plus - your name is Mike, you definitely fit the demographic, especially with the smiling dog! Smart pup! :-)

    John: 94k in 3 years? Wow, you a traveling salesman?

    Congrats Jeff. Hope the 2nd OBW is just as good as the first!

    A Legacy L is a great value and would arguably make a great canvas, i.e. starting point for a modded car.

    I'll take this opportunity to invite each of you to our live chat tomorrow night. I'd love to hear from you folks.

    NY Auto Show was great. Big surprise, too! See Future Models for more details, but here is a hint: 2003 Legacy GT (not Outback) impressed us the most!

    -juice
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    We have a 1999 Legacy OB 5speed and a 1999 Legacy GT sedan 5 speed. They both enjoy uprated swaybars and front strut tower braces. the GT additionally benefits from hardened swaybar links, RS front seats, S-03pp tires, KYB AGX struts and is about to get a 2.25" SS cat-back exhaust.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    all other Subies lines took a sales hit in March.

    Bob

    http://www.media.subaru.com./
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    Subaru sales were at an all time high for February - up 10.5% overall from last year according to www.subaru.ca

    Ross
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Forester is due for replacement, though, and most people know that. An 18% dip is to be expected. After May, no excuses, they have to pick up the pace.

    I read that in Japan the new Forester is selling well beyond sales forecasts.

    -juice
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Subaru sales were at an all time high for February

    Don't you guys have recession as well? Or is it because all hockey fans decided to celebrate Olympic gold in their brand-new Subarus? :-)

    I wonder if prices in CDN $ are somehow much more attractive than in the US. I know many people in the US are buying Nissans in Canada for that reason.
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    Haven't heard from you in a while. How's Silvius? List prices for 2 Subarus in Canada:

    2002 Forester Ltd, AT (your "+" with factory leather and a few extra goodies) $22,937US

    2002 WRX sedan, MT $21,995US

    Of course, there is the 7% GST tax on top of that.

    Ross
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    (the following is taken from the May '02 Automobile magazine, either quoted ' ' or summarized by me)

    the EVO uses a 'electronically controlled or active multiplate hydraulic' system for the AWD (hmmm, that sounds familiar). the STi uses a viscous limited slip type center diffy with Suretrac front & rear diffys.

    'the boxer deserves full marks for its melodious blend of throaty intake rasp, orchestral full-throttle thunder, and rhythmic liftoff burble'

    'the trucklike turning circle [of the EVO] borders on the ridiculous'

    they liked the way the EVO handled in the twisties, saying that the STi had 'too much understeer early in the game'.

    Subaru & Prodrive are working on bigger brakes for the STi, along with wider tires, more power, and possibly an adjustable suspension.

    -Brian
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Just read this in the NY Times.


    http://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/05/automobiles/05DRIV.html


    They were talking about the geographic locations for where certain cars sell the best. It seems Subaru is most popular in Boulder, Portland, and upstate NY.


    Mark

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hmm, snow country, snow country, and snow country. Those in the know, know.

    -juice
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    Great chat last night! I'm glad I remembered to log-on. :-)

    Stephen
  • sibbaldsibbald Member Posts: 106
    After I bought my Subaru O.B., I noticed the neighbour next door looking at it out on the street. Two weeks later he had the same car, just a different colour.

    I have a place on a local ski hill. After looking at my Outback, both owners on either side of me bought Outbacks. Another friend looked at my car and two months later had an Outback, same colour and all.

    The hard thing to believe is, after all this, my dealer stills charges me for service. ;-)

    Tom
  • sibbaldsibbald Member Posts: 106
    A couple of days ago, I noticed a 97 Outback in a parking lot with tow hooks on the front. The owner was beside the car so I just had to ask about it. Turns out he tows this vehicle behind his motorhome, all four wheels on the road. I wondered out loud if there would be a problem with the AWD system.

    He stated that he has towed this vehicle a lot, including across Canada and back with no apparent problems. He just leaves the motor running and in neutral while towing, states it only burns about two quarts an hour.

    I noticed in the manual it says that with all wheels on the ground, limit towing speed to 20 M.P.H. and distance to 30 miles. Otherwise, use a flat bed truck. Interesting......

    Tom
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