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Subaru Impreza Outback Sport & TS
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-juice
Brekke: You are so right about those pictures of that wrecked OBS. Everyone interested in seeing a 2002 OBS involved in a high speed collision, rolling several times, go to the Yahoo OBS club and look at the photos. They are quite tragic but it's gratifying this guy and his sister walked away. The Corsica (other car involved) had the whole front end taken off!! And those folks were still in the hospital although the accident happened around Sept. 8. See the photos--this car held up admirably well!!
Juice--that was a great comparison between the Forester and OBS, but now you need to let us know how the new 2002 OBS would hold up on the off-road conditions you experienced not too long ago!
Dennis' 1997 model did fine, so I'm sure the new ones would only do better.
-juice
You know though, now I can see the significance of having an old beater you can just junk around in like that. Talk about kicking your heels up!
So who says you can't take a Subie off road? I've been to places 99% of SUV owners would never go.
-juice
Quick question, where do you put the a new air filter once you take out the air box?
About the air filter- You don't actually remove the air box! That would mean some major trouble. You just open the air box and remove the stock filter, replacing it with the one that you will get in the mail. It just offers much higher airflow than the stock one did.
Anyhow, the 20mm bar makes a world of difference compared to the 17mm std bar. The back end doesn't roll nearly as much and seems to stay planted more. I tried to be more objective about it as I had read many peoples driving impressions of the upgrade and wanted to make my own. I'm going to let a couple of friends drive the WRX to see if it made a diffy to them as well. To summarize....do the upgrade, it's worth it! :-)
Stephen
I've got a "black" 2002 obs. really love the blue-black midnight color. However, after only 4 months of normal washing, my midnight paint job now looks like the milky way. SO many swirls! Any one else notice this fault? What can I do? (celeste, i think you have a black OBS :-)
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Revka
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Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards
Ah well, I'm compiling a list to bring to my dealer if my part ever comes in...
-juice
I am also getting a 22mm front sway bar by Whiteline from a fellow on the i-club. This one is a bit more difficult to install based on the conversations I've had w/folks. The clincher is that the fellow selling it to me is going to help me install....yea!!! :-)
Stephen
Yours probably isn't a strut because that's usually a knocking sound.
Try to get to some of the Tri-State i-club meets. Usually, people do minor work at meets. They could probably help you with some of your problems.
Good luck,
Dennis
Go online and get their catalog. It's pretty educational, too: www.meguiars.com
Brekke: You know, I had a squeak in my right front suspension going over bumps while turning sharply at slow speed but now that I have my tires inflated properly, it's gone! 32 front, 29 rear. Really, check your tire pressure, see if it's right.
Both are extremely useful. WD40 and lithium grease, that is. No garage should go without them.
-juice
Everyone, thanks for the advice.
I was a little concerned about my dealer because I've been waiting for the solenoid thingy for four weeks now and they don't know when it will come in. They said it's safe to drive unless it snows (???) because of the limited slip (???) and I'm wondering what that has to do with the solenoid and my CELs. Also, I said I didn't think there was a limited slip differential and the response was: the mechanic says there is.
-juice
When you sell your car, that reassures any buyer that you've taken care of it.
Beyond that, I think you can enter the data at mysubaru.com, IIRC.
What filters? Subaru uses Purolator, and those are good, plus you can get them aftermarket if you prefer.
-juice
Dennis
Just peer at the part where you sway bar is boldet to. The stock end link is black and looks like a big C. The ones I got looks like this....
All miles were in-town driving: 22.79 mpg!!!
Man, with my manual OBS I just couldn't get up to 22 even in the winter without any A/C. This car is automatic, and supposedly heavier than the earlier model. What gives? I do have an intake now, but....
Hey Ramon, how are those wedding plans going? Are you learning to just nod and sweetly say, "Oh, yeah, that would be just right..."
Finally got a chance to hear the famous boxer "growl" the other day. Had to pass a pick-up doing about 30 in 45 zone. I just smiled from ear to ear as I drove by, best sound I ever heard from any car I owned.
Guess I have to start getting the car ready for winter now. It was about 35 degress when I got up this morning. Brrrrr...
Invitations--funky?? How funky do you mean? You don't mean that it would say something like,
Yo dog, check dis' stupid nuptial?
Personally, I like the type that are kind of traditional but not overly stiff and formal. They make some lovely ones embellished with flowers like calla lily and magnolia (you don't know magnolia though, do you? That's a southern tree). Anyway, I like dignified, but not too stuffy, with some tasteful embellishment. No Subaru stars and swishes, tho' (he he he)
To be serious, here's a photo you HAVE to get after the wedding: Her in her wedding gown sitting in the passenger side of your RS, door open, you outside on your knee removing the garter on her leg. Champion shot, I can see it now, and you would have that lovely photo of your car for posterity's sake to show your grandchildren (be sure to get the whole car in the photo if possible from the back rear quarter. Great idea, huh? Then you have to post the photo here. You guys planning any trips down this way?
Brekke: Man, I don't know how you get so many mpg out of your car!! As I said, with my manual I never got the gas mileage others spoke of (guess I'm heavy on the pedal). Did you get that intake?
As for your Scooby idea.... I'll ahh submit it for review ok. ;-) She really digs the car quite abit. I'm debating whether should I pass this car to her and then get myself an STi (if it ever comes) or keep my RS and have her get something else.... Oh well.
"Oh, honey, you know, I'm just so in love and blinded by your heavenly beauty, that you know I can't think straight, so you'll have to make some allowances for this weakness of mine and help me make a choice that will fulfill your every desire." How's that sound? In a melodramatic voice--at least it'll get a laugh!!
A couple of weeks ago many of you responded kindly to hearing of the accident in which my Forester was totalled, and offered thoughts on whether to replace it with a newer Forester or go with the OBS. Thanks in part to Brekke and Celeste's comments - as well as my instinct for something a bit different - I went for the Sport, and am now the happy owner of a beatiful Ruby Subie.
It took me a few days to get used to the different look and feel of the inside (it feels cosy now) tho i felt right at home with the (manual) shifting and handling of the car. What i like most is the way this car turns much more swiftly and solidly than the Forester. It still feels very solid on the road, despite the loss of that slightly "big" feeling that came from the height and space of the F. What I like least is the crappier reception of the OBS radio antenna, and it feels to me that the brake has a lower floor (I need to check this out with the dealer, but i have to depress further to get brake action than i did on the F).
Also, re. the rpms. I think it was on this thread someone compared the OBS unfavorably to the Outback or the Forester. Mine seems to run at 2800rpms at 65 mph, and 3000 at 70, which i think is higher than my Forester, which would happily cruise at 80 at no more than 3000rpm. Any chance this will change over time or does it remain a constant?
Gas mileage was astounding for the first tank o' gas: nearly 21.5 mpg!
Will keep you posted every now and then, I'll go on reading your posts and enjoying this forum.
Rachel
Stephen
celeste : you rock maam! I will most certainly try that out when I am in a bind (which I seem to be quite good at getting myself in). well there's afew pix of her with the car. But I don't think she wants to pose with the scooby with her wedding gown.
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
I think the difference you feel in the brakes between the forester and the obs is the forester I believe has four-wheel discs, while the OBS has rear drum brakes. You will feel the difference between the two if this is the case.
Seth
Celeste: I don't know how I got 27mpg with a/c. Hasn't happened since, I've been averaging 24.5 mpg for the same type of driving (mixed).
I believe the gearing on the OBS and Forester are the same, but the Forester wears bigger tires, so it's effectively geared taller. Your OBS will rev a little higher on the highway, that's normal.
Let's see, the tires are 5.1% bigger in circumference, so it'll rev about 5% higher in the same gear.
The trade-off is more noise and fuel consumption for better passing power. The OBS is lighter so there probably is no real-world difference in gas mileage, and it's more aerodynamic so overall noise is probably about the same.
I guess I mean to say, "Don't worry, be happy!"
-juice
Is there anything that can be done by service to help with that.
I'm shopping for a Subaru. Looking to find out if anyone has any experience with the Impreza, Forester or Wagon as a towing vehicle.
What's an "OBS" ?
Juice has towed my trailer (no brakes), with several yards of mulch (1500 pounds perhaps) with his Forester. He said it did fine, but you need to allow for much greater braking distances.
Bob
OBS = Outback Sport
Here was my load. I wouldn't haul anything bigger without trailer brakes. It pulled OK without slipping the clutch much, though an auto would be better suited.
I think for light-to-medium duty uses, Subies are great. Just don't go too crazy and you won't be dissappointed.
-juice
is there any benefit to ordering more than one set of bushings for my swaybar?
Rubber bushings "give" more, so consider urethane ones. The trade-off is they are more prone to squeeking.
-juice