Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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Comments

  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    You cannot get a 5 speed Gt wagon in Canada period, only in auto.

    The manual trans is a moot point for me since I can no longer drive stick because of my back still it would be nice to have the option, intead of the car maker deciding you cannot have it.

    Thats a difference between here and the states, I do not know why Manufacturers cannot offer the same models here and in the states.

    We get models that you cannot get like the forester sport, and now the Legacy SE model.I am sure both of these models would sell well in the states so why not offer them.

    Cheers Pat.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ed: don't lick stamps - use a wet sponge! :-)

    The US gest 5 speed GT wagons, but they are hard to find. Fitzgerald has zero in stock, for example. In 5 speeds, they have two L sedans, one GT sedan, and 9,834,632 Outbacks.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Pat, I've often wondered, aside from legal issues, as to why they offer different models in both countries too. From what I can see, the target audiences are very similar, if not identical in terms of desires and preferences.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I agree. Look at heated seats on the WRX, for example. Subies are red-hot in the snow belt, so why don't we get them?

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Who said anything about stamps? I have peel-and-stick address labels, and will take the lot of them to the PO and have them metered. Besides, lickable stamps are the exception, not the rule, now.

    Ed
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I stand corrected! Meter those babies! :-)

    -juice
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    I haven't tried the last generation of Accords (98-02) but our 97'EX is sooo boring I have to hide Forester's keys from my husband, to prevent him from stealing my ride. I also second Pat's opinion that Honda's running on past reputation, and by now there's nothing special left about Honda cars.
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    With that comment abount Hondas, you now officially have to change your name to

    SUBIEFRIEK
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The 3/36 warranty is one of my main concerns. It's done almost before you blink.

    I'm at 45k miles on the Forester, and I'm really glad I didn't go with a CR-V, which I cross-shopped at the time, because if anything went wrong I'd be up the creek.

    Mazda's is still weak. Toyota, Nissan, and Subaru at least give you a little breathing room. The makes that offer longer warranties don't tend to build reliable cars (Isuzu being the exception, but they make trucks).

    -juice
  • ray_cray_c Member Posts: 36
    Hi,

    I'm looking to install a Tow Hitch for my 2001 Outback. Any recommendation on what kind I should get? And is it hard to install it Yourself?

    Thanks,

    Ray_C
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    In defense of the Honda Accord, it's supposed to be boring. How else are you going to appeal to such a broad range of drivers? One person's "sportiness" is another's "harsh ride". Actually, that seems to be Honda's strategy for a lot of vehicles.

    The heated seats and mirrors are something I would miss if I were to go to a WRX. I hope SOA brings them to the US in 2003.

    Ken
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Dave, my dealer thinks July (August maybe) for the '03 WRX. We'll probably find out more after the dealer meeting in May.

    -Dennis
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Some areas will get them in July, most won't see 'em until August-September. It should be a perfectly normal delivery time for a 2003 model Subaru!

    btw, heated seats? no need when they're cloth IMO. I could use a heated backrest though, I think I may have pinched a nerve in my shoulder.

    -Colin
  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    at the chat tonight - but once again, a better offer came along, but please, don't feel the least bit slighted. Taking the bride out for pizza or pasta and then to the traveling Broadway production of "Music Man". Good group of folks (a lot like the Subaru Crew!) we're going with, and Grace says she needs a drink :)

    After almost 15 years being married to me, I can understand that. :)

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    in the East Coast would be good (crossing my fingers).
    That would give me some driving time to break it in before my tentative track down to Fort Lauderdale (IFSA conference) in September.

    Thanks for the info guys (Dennis/Colin) :)

    -Dave
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    When in September? When you get down here, we have to get together...let me know a week or so in advance or e-mail me...
    Serge
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Serge-
    I know it is still months away, and I still could be pulled out of the conference. Assuming all will go according to plan I'll be there Sept. 06/07, the conference is Sept. 09 -> Sept. 13.

    Dennis-
    Get your boss/Bank to send you there. :D

    -Dave
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ray: I installed the OE hitch on my Forester (moderately easy), but the OB is a little different. I do know that the OE hitch comes with a plug-in harness, so no wires to splice. Aftermarket hitches from Draw Tite and Hidden Hitch also have fit. Someone was just discussing these on the Legacy/Outback threads, so check there for details.

    Colin: imagine a wife carrying around a big belly, 6 months pregnant, aching back from chasing another toddler. Makes your pinched nerve seem like a hang nail. ;-)

    626 buyer is seriously interested - he's already calling for insurance quotes. The sale is in the bag.

    -juice
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I think I just need a massage. Preferably a blonde, scandanavian one. ;)

    It's been a searing pain for the last two days. Icy Hot and a lot of stretching plus some exercise helped a little last night, but it's killing me again today.

    -Colin
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    No wonder you sold those coilovers. LOL!

    I prescribe a week in a Forester. It'll seem like a limo after that sports suspension you're used to.

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    I know exactly how you feel and you have my sympathy, my lower back and both legs are like that twenty four seven, and will be for the rest of my life.

    Thats why I love my heared seats, would not be without them now.

    Cheers Pat.
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Hope that Mazda goes quick, and that you get your price.

    Cheers Pat.
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    I was going to suggest applying hot/cold compress alternately to the area, but I can't remember which first. :(

    -Dave
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Looks good, asking price was $6950, he noticed a tiny chip in the windshield so I got a quote for it, ended up knocking $240 off the asking price.

    Put it this way - I may be late for the chat. :-)

    I'll be painting tomorrow, at the beach this weekend, and then car shopping next Wednesday. But I'll try to squeeze in tonight's chat.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    The shoulder that's hurting was partially dislocated at least once in my younger dirtbike riding days.

    It's not dislocated though, I have a searing pain at the top inside portion of my shoulder blade. From there it spreads upwards diagonally to the left-back of my neck, which admittedly has been a lot of trouble for me since I was a teen. I've thought that it might have started in my neck from just sleeping on it wrong, but when my neck has hurt before it's never done anything like this to my shoulder.

    Anyway since the icy hot didn't work I'm going with the ice pack and then heating pad idea tonight... and more stretching.

    -Colin
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    OK, so maybe it's a little more than a hang nail. ;-)

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    The searing pain that you have in your shoulder blade sounds to me like the muscles are in spasm, it is a real viscious circle the more the pain the more the spasm.

    Then everything in the area contracts and nerves get pinched, I know of which I speak I have suffered with this for years.

    You need to find a physiotherapist that is adept at fiding the trigger points in the spasm and then releasing them, it may take several visits before things settle down.

    Cheers Pat.
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    No problem...when the time get's nearer, just let me know...just in time for the holidays too
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    juice -- $240 for a windshield replacement? That's pretty generous. I'm sure you could have had the chip repaired for $70. Hope you can make the chat tonight.

    Colin -- Ever try accupuncture for the pinched nerve?

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I had a feeling the guy wanted to lower the price - so I found an excuse to give it to him, while addressing a valid concern at the same time. He may repair the chip - that's fine with me.

    I used KBB's values, because they are the highest. Edmunds own service pegs the value at just $5163 private party sale, $6422 from a dealer, so I'm doing pretty well if I can actually get $6700.

    Maybe I should sell cars, eh?

    -juice
  • hardtop4hardtop4 Member Posts: 2
    deserve heated seats. It was not an option that I would have thought was necessary with cloth seats, but I am now a believer. Each day this past week I have had to take time out to lay on the floor to stretch out a spastic lower back. The Forester is also a heck of a lot easier to get into and out of than the MX-6.

    - Mike
  • jimmyj1945jimmyj1945 Member Posts: 141
    Juice: you said: "The US gest 5 speed GT wagons, but they are hard to find. Fitzgerald has zero in stock, for example. In 5 speeds, they have two L sedans, one GT sedan, and 9,834,632 Outbacks."

    Well, it took me all day but I just finished and want you to know there are now 9,834,631. Better hurry if you want one!!!!

    LOL,

    Jim
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Congratulations you finally decided on what you wanted.

    Cheers Pat.
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    I took an LL Bean car home tonight because my shoulder needed some heat and care. I'll really push for this in the WRX, for selfish reasons but also for folks like Colin! Gotta keep the good folks happy!

    See you all at the chat?

    Patti
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Got a deposit and everything, the 626 is sold. Final delivery is Tuesday, but it's just paperwork from now on.

    Got $6500, but all cash, no strings, as-is condition. Sweet.

    So Wednesday is D-Day.

    -juice
  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    As you all know I love my 5MT 01 GT wagon. My wife's car is a 92 Civic si and she loves the GT wagon. When we take our road trips I can barely pry her out of the driver's seat. She likes the handling (though not quite as much as the si) and the visibility and utility of it. My dealer ordered mine at $300 over invoice.

    bit
  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    Have a great summer. Does this mean I have until fall to get my butt in gear and deliver those map pockets? : )

    bit
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    but I got booted out and could not get back in? The server seems to work fine this morning. Oh well. I hope I didn't miss anything big! Have a great Friday.

    Patti
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    I've been missing the chats...
    Maybe I should sent my GF home earlier.

    -Dave
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    I screwed up my shoulder, neck and upper back in a car accident some 20 years ago and had a decade of episodes of debilitating pain. So bad that I remember one time crying as I slithered across the floor between bed and bathroom. Torn muscles calcified pulling the spine off center, pinching nerves, creating muscle spasms - a terrible cycle. Cortizone shots helped along with massage therapy, but was told there was really no cure. Took lots of muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatories - felt like a regular junky.

    Finally I tried a chiropractor with great hesitation. Within about 8 weeks I felt like a new person. Of course they want to sign you up for a lifetime of visits. You have to know when to say enough. I continued to go maybe a few time a year for the next few when I felt spasms starting again. They are now pretty much under control although I sometime get a 'warning' twinge and have to back off some activities.

    I do feel your pain......

    Steve
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Colin - Ken has the same question that I do.
    Have you tried acupuncture?

    I've had back pains since I was 17. Nothing has helped as much as acupuncture about 5 years ago. I've been to a chiropractor, an orthopedic doctor (cortizone/novocaine shots), and MD's (muscle relaxers). Haven't been back for acupuncture in about 2 years.

    -Dennis
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Steve, yikes! You feel/felt way more than my pain.

    Dennis, Ken: I've thought about accupuncture, chiropracty (heh), and regular old massage. You're talking to the guy who never went to the doctor when the shoulder was dislocated and finally went in for wisdom teeth extraction only after it started misaligning my jaw! So I'm stubborn, stupid at times even. ;-)

    Anyway my concern with these methods is that I don't have a very high opinion of the majority of the practitioners. However I do see one listing here in the yellow pages for an accupuncturist who is actually Chinese. If it's not feeling better by Monday I pledge to my Crew mates that I'll get something done about it.

    -Colin
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Colin,

    You're right. You do need to be more careful when selecting alternative medicine practicioners. There are plenty of quacks out there because it's not as regulated as standard western medicine. The best way to find good ones is by word of mouth. Many medical plans also recognize accupuncture and chiropractors as legitimate forms of treatment and will list "prefered" offices.

    Two years ago, I slipped and fell on an icy bank of stairs and injured my back and neck. That's when I learned the shortcomings of western medicine -- the treatments are mainly based on just trying to mask the symptoms using drugs. I got tired of taking painkillers and muscle relaxants and went to get help from a friend who is a chiropractor. He also had an accupuncturist working at his office so I had combination therapy. It worked wonders in jumpstarting the healing process.

    Ken
  • ffsteveffsteve Member Posts: 243
    I'll echo fibber's comments - it's real easy to enter a cycle where unrelieved back and shoulder pains build on themselves until you're a real mess - speaking from experience also!

    For me, too, a chiropractor finally straightened me out (no pun intended) and put me on the road to recovery. Sometimes we just need to be told what is wrong, and what needs to be done.

    Good luck,
    Steve
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    If anybody is interested there is a dealer close to me who deals exclusively in used imports, at the minute he has 97 Gt wagon auto in Rio Red,with 60,000 miles.

    Asking price is $12,995 Cdn. thats a hell of a good deal if bought in US funds, are far as I can see the car is mint.

    He also has a 98 GTwagon Ltd. with leather $14.995Cdn. this car has 70,000 miles.

    Cheers Pat.
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    I have absolutely no use for chiropracters,had one treat me for several months with no improvement.

    When my back finally exploded it was found that the cause was two fractured vertabrae.

    If I had consulted a proper orthepeadic doctor in the first place I would not now have my lower back fused, and neither would I have my spinal canal narrowed with scar tissue as a result of the surgery I required because of a chiropracters screw up.

    If anyone gets CTV in the US watch W5 at 10pm eastern on Sunday night if you want to see horror stories involving chiropracters.

    Cheers Pat.
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Whenever you find the time for the map pockets is fine with me.

    As I said in a previous post I am gonna have this car for a while.

    Cheers Pat.
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Pat's story is a good example why you need to be careful in choosing a chiropractor. As with any treatment, standard or alternative, there are always risks involved.

    Pat -- hope you're okay now.

    Ken
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Unfortunately I will never be okay, I had to take early retirement on medical grounds, because of the severity of damage to my back.

    Because I was relatively young when this occured,46 years old and I had only been in a pensionable job for 10 years it left us in a pretty unstable monetary situation.

    Thank God we survived that and put it behind us.

    Cheers Pat.
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