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Comments
bit
Thanks! Jan in Bend Oregon
Is mail order, or the dealer , a better choice for purchasing these types of accessories?
We really strive to satisfy customers and not put them through the loops involved with LL actions. I think if you give us a chance, you could be satisfied, but you're within your rights to go the route you choose.
Since we are committed to customer satisfaction, I just don't see the need to jump to an attorney before the manufacturer is involved. If you check your states LL (you can find information on the web), you will probably find that they require manufacturer involvement in the resolution anyway.
I'd suggest that you not skip this step and save yourself some money. You can call us and let the Rep. know to see me so I can review the details surrounding your dissatisfaction. I'd be happy to help turn this situation around.
Patti
Thanks for your patience!
Patti
A short time ago, I was driving along and had the radio on. Suddenly, the volume was going up, up and up and on it's own! It got quite loud before I had to manually turn it down. I thought it was maybe a freak occurrence and hadn't seen it happen ever again. However, this morning on my way to work, I inserted a cd into my one disc in-dash cd-player and it played the first song as expected. Suddenly about 3/4's of the way into the song, the volume went out of control again. I looked down and it was saying 7 then 8, 7 then 8, etc. and it did this for about 15 seconds while I watched it go back and forth and then it went down to zero volume level and then went completely silent. I tried to turn the volume back up with the dial but there was no volume now. I shut off the cd player, and went to the radio and it worked just fine. I was able to play the cd normal right after. I keep my cd's very clean and in a protective case at all times so I don't think it's a problem with the cd (which I have played many times before).
Has anyone experienced anything like this? I feel like I am cursed with radio problems because I had major problems with my last car's stereo which caused me to ultimately get my new Subaru.
Since you have the catalog, can you tell what tires are used? And what size? Rumor has it they are switching to Potenzas, but I'm wondering which model and size they'll be.
Jimbo: try subaruparts.com. It should be a snap to install and they are wholesalers.
Lauren: that is hilarious. Your stereo is possessed by gremlins that are also margarita fans and crank up your Jimmy Buffet tunes!
It's the first I've heard of it, so I'd let a dealer have a look. Sounds totally bizarre to me, though.
-juice
I've never had to deal with anything like this before. As far as awaiting information from me on my case, I have no idea what you're talking about. My car is at the dealer's now awaiting info. on the computer down load. I know SOA is on the case, I just don't trust the car any more since it's obviously not an easy fix. We bought the Outback because of all of the wonderful things we've heard, safety, and we wanted the additional room without having to resort to a mini-van. We don't want to make payments for the next five years on a car that has many different noises (we have the brake squeak, roof rack howl, driver's window whistle, rough idle, and the persistent engine stutter). All I want is the same wonderful subaru outback I keep hearing about and I haven't gotten that yet.
Thanks again
Ross
I can vouch for SOAs commitment to customer satisfaction. If there is one thing that has impressed me with my purchase of a Subaru it has been the responsiveness of SOA (and Patti of course) to keep customers happy. That alone sets this company apart from all the other manufacturers. I had a problem and my dealer (with the help of SOA) resolved it in a fair and equitable fashion.
bit
You will have a better shine than when you drove it home. I prefer the hard yellow to the gold class line for durability.
To Peterpan: Looks like the only new color on the Outback wagon is Regatta red, but I'm not sure. There are other colors in the catalog I haven't seen before, but it looks like those are probably on the Outback Sport. Or maybe the new VDC sedan. Or both.
Jan
Jan
I'm betting Bridgestone Potenza RE950 225/60HR16s. They are a new all-season tire, also H-rated like the Wilderness tires on the 2001s, offered in the same size.
-juice
Jack G.
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=50406
bit
Any others would be appreciated.
Jack G.
Any others would be appreciated.
Jack G.
bit
Ken
Thanks!
Jan
Someone spotted a 2002 Outback Sedan, so keep your eyes peeled over the next few days.
-juice
I tow an older (mid 80's) Jayco J 850 with my 2000 H4 5spd OB. Not sure about the weight but it is under 1000 lbs because it has no brakes (maybe the 850 refers to the weight?). Anyway, it's well within the abilities of the car. We did a 2000 km trip round BC last year. I have posted previously (Oct 2000) on my towing experiences around BC.
armac13 #1871
The heated seats turn off automatically? I have not experienced this on my 2000 OB, but maybe I haven't left them on long enough.
ateixeira & originalbitman #1901/2
Bumper cover? For the OB too or just the Forester? I've never seen this. The OB has sort of painted on mat black stuff but it's a bit small and only covers the upper surface.
I've mentioned this before but had no response. Has anyone else experienced the raised white letters on the OB Firestones looking as if they are coming off? In fact the letters are still securely attached but the white is showing through around the edges where the black rubber seems to have perished. Every letter, but just one tire.
And here's another complaint. The interior plastic side and rear liners of the luggage compartment have turned out to be very flimsy, entirely inadequate for the wear and tear the back of a wagon might expect. The back panel is marked and cracked in several places and the little plastic doodads that hold the lamp access covers in place have both been pushed right through into the hatch, damaging the covers in the process. They are very difficult to retrieve from in there too. This is after only a year, whereas my 78 Dodge wagon's interior held up with only a few scratches for 22 years and was still going strong when I sold it.
On another topic, I saw a Ford truck this morning with turn signal repeaters that seemed to be built in behind the side mirror glass and are, I presume, a Ford item. They were undetectable unless they were actually flashing (a big bright red LED chevron) and they were very noticeable, ideal for lane changing. I was most impressed and wonder if such a thing is available after market. Anyone know?
They're designed not to be seen by the driver, but only by vehicles coming up from behind. I think it's a clever idea.
Bob
Maybe they need to recall that Firestone? :-)
Sorry, bad joke. I've never heard of that, but you could remount them inside-out to get blackwalls all around. Costco charges $7 per tire but they balance it as well.
Those turn signal mirrors are a very neat idea. Mercedes also has some, and YES they are available in the aftermarket. I'm not sure they'll have applications for a Subaru, but check in Car & Driver and Autoweek magazines (anyone have one handy?), because I'm sure I see it all the time.
-juice
Ford has somehow designed it so that the driver doesn't see the flashing arrow. One advantage to the MB set up, is that other cars don't have to be "behind" the mirror in order to see it
Bob
-juice
Thanks
They have an application for the Forester S it seems.
-juice
...at 6-7pm Pacific/9-10 pm Eastern. Hope to see you there!
http://www.edmunds.com/chat/subaruchat.html
OK, enough about that. I wanted to give my general impressions after our first longish trip in the 2001 OB Ltd. 5-speed wagon. We went to Sesame Place in Pennsylvania -- great fun, our 3-year-old loved all the water games, as did his 4-year-old cousin. First of all, gas mileage: It's been hovering right around 25mpg ever since we bought the car at the end of April, and I assumed it would miraculously blossom on a long interstate highway trip. Well, I calculated at each fill-up, and it was still between 25.5 and 26mpg. This was only moderately loaded (luggage and portable crib and stuff in the back, but not packed), A/C on, highway speeds around 60-75mph. I'm not complaining, as the car has plenty of power for my taste (I do think the 5-speed helps there), but I guess a larger, heavier car with a bigger engine is just never going to make the 39mpg that the Sentra does on highways. On the plus side, it has a reasonable-size gas tank, so the range is good.
Comfort: I really like this car's ride, interior, seats, etc. The wind noise I noticed at highway speeds is tempered by the extra sound insulation and suspension isolation, so overall it's very quiet. Visibility is also excellent all around! Say, here's something convenient: Even though the cross-section of the car is roundish (tapered at the top, slightly bulging doors with that cladding) I don't have any trouble reaching through the window to use the bank ATM. In some other people's cars I've ended up so far away I have to lean out, or get out of the vehicle entirely. Maybe I just drive better than they do and can pull closer to the machine. :-)
We bought (as a dealer accessory) the stretchy cargo net that goes across the rear gate area, attaching with loops to four clips. I'm sure one could get a similar item at an auto parts store for less than $31 (without SUBARU stitched on it), but man, that thing is handy! It's not just a flat panel like a volleyball net, as it looked in the accessories catalog; it's a two-ply "sandwich" open at the top, so it's like a car-width "string bag" that holds anything. With the big open space in the back of a station wagon, it's challenging to carry anything that would slide or roll around, but as long as it's not too big or heavy, the cargo net holds it. My sister (2000 OB wagon) saw it and immediately wanted one. Highly recommended.
One quibble: We opted for the auto-dimming rear-view mirror, which is really neat and does work well to reduce the distraction from cars behind. But it's mounted really low down on the windshield! It might be just to get the magnetic compass sensor somehow away from the metal of the roof or something, but darn it, sometimes it's just right in the way. They could have shaved off a half-inch or so by moving the compass display up to the top of the mirror, but perhaps the lower edge is the best place for the photocell sensor to "see" cars' headlights. Can't do anything about it, I guess, and it's not that bad.
Well, I've rambled enough. The clutch pedal has broken in a bit now (or my leg is getting used to it!), and the shifter seems to balk a little less, although neither is as smooth as the Sentra's, which has 72,000 miles on the original clutch. Fit and finish is superb in this car... I can't think of one little missing screw or popped piece of trim or anything. We're just so pleased, and I again want to thank all the folks on this board who commented and answered questions -- and continue to do so. I'm a happy Subaru owner. Like many others here, I can't wait for some snow or a rainstorm or other nasty weather to see how the thing handles! Boy, what masochists we are!
You can see my previous posts regarding the car. If you're interested in looking into the lemon law (if you haven't already) check out this site http://www.jus.state.nc.us/cp/lemon.htm
and here's another one http://www.nclemonlaw.com/.
Lots of folks on this site really love their subarus and have had little problems. We haven't been that fortunate. Good luck.
-r
Subarus in other markets have higher trailer ratings, although I don't know of any market where 5000 pounds is recommended. If you pull a trailer that is over what SOA recommends, and get in an accident, you may(?) be leaving yourself open for a lawsuit. Any lawyers out there??
Bob
Sorry about your electrical problem. Here's a thought to consider. In my experience, most "regular" auto shops, whether a dealer or an independent, have very limited expertise in trouble-shooting electrical problems - especially squirrely ones. May I suggest that you negotiate with your dealer to send your car out to an automotive electrical systems specialist - I'm certain there would be at least one in a city the size of Charlotte. The visit (and fix) would be at the dealer's expense; this would be easier and faster than going through the lemon law approach, and you'd have what I assume you want - a fully functional new car. What do you think, Patti? This seems to have no downside in view of the car's history, and you'll come out money ahead and salvage at least some of your reputation with a customer.
War story of the day: I have a 1989 Caravan which I purchased new. Just before the winter months of 1999-2000, it developed an odd electrical problem in the liftgate (hatch). Using the rear windshield washer, wiper, hatch release or rear window defogger intermittently caused the single fuse on that circuit to blow. I obviously needed all those systems working for the coming winter. My normally excellent local Goodyear guys couldn't figure it out, and had trouble reproducing the problem with any regularity. Ditto the Dodge dealer (a not-too-bright bunch) where I tried next. They'd "fix it" - and it would blow again. Finally, I decided to trouble-shoot it myself (not much to lose at this point). I popped the panel off the inside of the liftgate (a true pain - which is why I suspect nobody else had done it). After about 15 minutes of groping around in between the interior and exterior sheet metal with my hands and a flashlight, I found a disconnected plug connector - which was causing the problem by intermittently shorting out against the sheet metal inside the liftgate. (Think about how many times a liftgate is opened and closed over the years. Duh!) Reconnected it, wrapped it with electrical tape, checked all the systems (they worked), put the panel back on, and to this day (about 20 months later), everything is OK. Took a couple of hours and some scraped fingers. No cost. I think lots of mechanics are loathe to get into this stuff - so give it to a pro (sorry, not me - I'm in Seattle).
Hope it works out - keep us updated.
Cheers!
Ken M.
Does anyone know if the Forester mirrors fit the OB?
http://www.subaru.com/shop/LEGACY/GTWAGON/accessories/rearbumpcvr.html
It is a very tough plastic that wraps slightly of the rear edge of the bumper. Works great when sliding things in and out as you can't hit the actual bumper. Not sure how it would fit the contour of an OB but it might be worth checking out. I'm sure your dealer would have one in stock.
bit
Thanks for you interest in Signal Mirrors for your Outback!
The only kit that we currently manufacture that will work on your car is the WASM. The one for the Forester is a different design. The reason that we do not offer a kit for your car is that the manufacturer of the drive motor is Ichikoh. This manufacturer attached the original mirror with a screw. The only way to access the screw is to break the glass. For this reason, we consider this type of setup to be unserviceable.
If you have any additional comments or questions, please contact me.
Thanks!
Chris Wedge
Sales Specialist
Email: cwedge@kwmuth.com
Web: www.kwmuth.com
Phone: 800-844-6616 Ext. 34
Mail: Muth Mirror Systems
PO Box 418
Sheboygan, WI 53082-0418
Aren't they a tat early?
I was really suprised with his behavior. But I asked the local news channel to handle my case and I am also reporting this to BBB as they are a member. I one time had an electrical problem with my Pontiac some years back and they sent it out to a specialist and they were upfront and told me but I was paying for it but this is a new car and warranty and they aren't going to pay anyone to do anything. I learned from being over there that there were 3 unhappy other customers and--we heard one say--how many times do I have to bring my car in before its fixed!! I really fell into a mess with this dealer.