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Comments
My brakes are still squeaking just the same after the dealer cleaned and lubed them. Guess I'll just have to learn to live with this "normal" sound. And the clicking sound is still there when I shift into 2nd gear even though the dealer lubed the shifter rods. These are minor problems...overall, I love my new Outback!
--ShoobSube
We went out to visit Dulles Motor Cars in Leesburg to look at the OB LL Bean. We really liked the car. Went in to talk to the salesman, and he said he'd give us the car for $27,992 -- including the $475 freight. The options on the car are the 6-Disc in-dash CD changer, subwoofer and amplifier as well as the "rough road package" which includes front and rear wind deflectors and a rear differential cover. Invoice for the car was $27,891 including freight -- so I feel we got a really good deal.
The best part, however, was the dealer experience. I have NEVER had a better car buying experience than I had with this dealer. You can be sure that I will consider going back there again in the future should the need arise.
Jeannette
This hard braking helps clear some of the glazing that can happen. I only get the squeaky brake noise maybe once a week now - and whenever it happens, I give the brakes this cleaning. Works every time!
Remember, don't do this on a busy street. Go somewhere safe; a side road, parking lot, etc. And it may take a couple of runs to get the squeaks to go away. (disclaimer: YMMV
-brian
Bob
To the best of my recollection, all SVXs were AWD. There were two models; one with leather, a rear spoiler and all the goodies and the other with cloth. So, obviously, mine was AWD!
Don
Bob
Best wishes
Thanks.
Don
Thanks joeb24 and ateixeira. I'll have the service guy flush and re-fill the transmission fluid on my next service.
--Suresh Raman
So it is with great blocks of salt I entertain mileage stories. What you get is what you get and quite frankly it usually doesn't amount to a hill of beans. For example: the H6 is supposed to use prem gas which is about $.10 more per gal around here. I drive about 15000 miles a year (about 500 gallons) so that's $50 bucks a year. Big deal.
All that to say this: A friend of mine bought a new Dodge diesel and he routinely drives from the coast to eastern Oregon. He is a person whom I trust with mileage stories cause I've known him for 20 years and he has proven he tells the truth. He was ecstatic about getting 21+ mpg trip after trip (this is a 6300 lb rig guys) After a while winter started coming on so he decided to put on some aggressive snow tires because you get some pretty nasty weather in the cascades and eastern oregon (btw it is a 4WD truck). He came to me crying the blues that his mileage dropped to 18 something. Just from changing tires. And keep in mind that diesels are famous for getting almost the same mileage when loaded. He put his other tires back on and the mileage went right back to 21. Is it possible that there can be that much friction generated just by a different tread (he says both sets of tires are the same diameter)
Anyway it's something to consider. The guy did seem very thorough about what he has checked and it seems like his mileage has been terrible since day one. But your never know, sometimes the answer is right under our nose.
O.T> my wife just said they have 6 to 8 inches of snow in Seattle (it's 45deg here) Enjoy folks
To anyone who takes the time to read this thanks for letting me rant
Guy
You could put them on all four wheels but it isn't necessary. If it came to needing chains on all four wheels of an Outback, you don't want to be there! Most vehicles just get stuck going up hill but going down is another matter. The cable chains on the front wheels rather then the rear would help prevent any unintentional off roading while going downhill by improving steering and braking (that awful thing called understeer).
-juice, I agree about your assessment of the Firestone tires. I think they went with a less aggressive tire to cut back on the road noise. The Michelin tires worked better.
Tom
Mike
Oh Yeah Ramey Subaru here in Princeton WV has 12 LL Beans that they are selling at invoice. The salesman told me their Sub rep told them the sales are down nation wide , they will be offering deeper finace cuts and more cash back as time goes on
Anyway I am hearing that you should be able to buy at invoice just about anywhere. Offer it and walk if you don't get it.
Good Luck
Guy
Cheers Pat.
Frank
Does the Subaru bike rack come with clamps for the standard round tube or is it a Yakima MightyMount clamp for the ovalized factory Subaru crossrails?
Thanks!
Thanks,
- Doug
I then went to my independent mechanic. (Where I should have gone in the first place, except that his shop has a four-week waiting list.)
They installed a set of pads from a company called Axxis, called Deluxe Plus "high performance disc brake pads." They are Australian made, and the box says "formulated from the latest premium quality non-asbestos organic materials."
I no longer frighten small children and pets with my squealing . . . and the brakes are quiet, too!
I don't know if these pads would help on a Subaru, but it might be worth a shot.
BTW, I got a call from my salesguy to tell me that my car is officially on order (complete w/internal SOA order#) and should arrive about the middle of March. I have yet to call him back to get more details but will shortly.
Stephen
MBNA has a lot of deals with many vendors. I'm getting rid of my Chase Continental card for a MBNA/RCI card because RCI (the timeshare exchange coop) has more airlines to redeem air miles with than Chase and there is no annual fee. I also get the flexibility of redeeming for car rentals and other services. I found being stuck with 1 airline too restrictie when trying to redeem miles. It does require a few more miles per redemption, but the trade off is worth it for the added flexibility.
Cheers Pat.
They have alredy changed the terms once and probably will do it again. It used to be a decent card...$3500 max over 7 years at $500 max a year with 5% return. Roughly the same as the GM card so I got it. Then they changed it to $2000 max over a shoter term AND a lower rate of return AND you have to deal with coupons which are only good at dealers. Yes you can do your oil changes and buy Subaru stuff at the dealer with them. Yea, so I can leave my car there all day and buy an overpriced cargo carrier????....no thanks. They pitched it like they were helping me....yea right. Reduce the max earnings by $1500 and making things irritating....thats helping. Yea right! They refused to let me keep the old terms where you can earn $3500 over 7 yeras so I cancelled the card that minute. The card had $300 in Subaru cash on it over the 3 months I had it and they were shocked that I would just give that up. Even called me back!!! Give it up??? Now I have a GM card. I just GAINED $1500 the way I see it. Since we are going to be seeing GM use some Subaru platforms and technology and perhaps some blatantly rebaged models.....I dont think I LOST a thing.
donbenson - I believe (someone correct me if I'm wrong) that there are two main reasons for engine starting problems at very low temperatures - poor battery performance and frozed (gelled) transmission fluid. If you regularly deal with really cold temperatures, it might be worth getting a battery warmer (its like an electric blanket for your battery) although you'll need access to a power outlet. I've only experienced frozen transmission fluid in older model Montero, but it was a very weird experience (the damn thing actually slowed down if I took my foot of the gas even when heading down a steep hill at 70mph until it warmed up). You can get engine heaters as well, but I think they're really only necessary in really severe winter climates (e.g., like northern Alaska).
Bargle
Has anyone got any experience with upgrading from Subaru's standard AWD to the new VDC H6? Can you really notice the difference in poor road conditions (e.g., snow and ice) and would you consider it worth the $2K+ price difference over the LL Bean H6 version?
Cheers,
Bargle
Bargle
Cheers,
-wdb
The invoice that I saw at the dealership was $25,100. Thought I did good then I saw some of the posts here which made me think I could have done a few hundred $$ better. Any thoughts on $25,400???
I also like the coupons, they send them to you and you turn them in... Instead of calling the company and trying to get someone for your points etc. They work like signing over a check.
I went over to the GM site and I lied, you can only use $1,500 for a Pontiac Aztek (they must be hot!), Now you can use $2,500 for a Cadillac Eldorado. (Even the Oldsmobiles I looked up were only $1500) perhaps the GM card is being overrated?
Frank
As for the advantage of the VTD AWD vs. the normal AWD.... well, all I can say is that my Dad tried all winter to get the VDC light to come on on the dash. No success, no matter what crazy stuff he did on slippery services. But that's still inconclusive, since at least I've never done similar things in a non VDC model (2000 model +) to see the real difference.
Mike
Options Selected Invoice MSRP TMV
PIO- CD Auto Changer $390 $520 $420
PIO- Rear Gate Bar $45 $69 $50
PIO- Spoiler SW Black Granite Pearl$192 $295 $216
Premium Sound Package 3 $475 $635 $513
Total Options $1,102 $1,519 $1,199
Invoice MSRP TMV
Base Vehicle Prices $26,687 $29,495 $27,356
Optional Equipment $1,102 $1,519 $1,199
Destination Charge $495 $495 $495
Total $28,284 $31,509 $29,050
Tara
Host
Station Wagons Message Board
Thanks for the info. Someone mentioned to me, though, that there was a specific problem with "ECT" in some Outbacks that led to problems starting at extremely cold temperatures. They further advised that the dealer would fix this defect.
Has anyone heard about such a known defect.
Don
1-More standard equipment such as security system, dimmer mirror w/compass, wood grain trim
2-4x4 system is proven as dependable system while VDC is new technology
3-the price is at least 2K dollars lower.
For all of the above I selected LLbean. Sidly
The reason I changed from the LTD to the LLB was simply because I wanted the H6. I drove both and the H4 with auto just didn't cut it with cruise control engaged. The H6 was much smoother and no slowdown on uphill runs.
I think you did great! I paid 26 for my LTD. But I am in Bay Area. It seems that prices vary in different areas. I bought mine in January to take to Tahoe. I am sure that I could have done a few hundred dollars better, but is it really worth the time and effort?? If you had to pay yourself for that extra time it might not be worth it. Hey for me it would mean a 35 mile drive to the next nearest Sub dealer. And this one, is 5 mins away and even closer to my job! And the good thing is that the State of CA is rebating money for newly registered cars in 2001. So not bad! For those of you that can wait......I would. Mkt seems to be doing horrible and you will most likely get some nice rebates!!! For under $60 I added the acrylic hood deflector! Doesn't look bad and protects from all that stuff that knicks your hood! After trip from Tahoe, I realized I needed it. I would love info on the upcoming bigger Subie!!! Anyone have it? And what is the web page for parts from Darlene??? Anyone? Thanks
After quite some time lurking, and quite a few questions too, I finally (yesterday) picked up a new 2001 Outback VDC in Wintergreen. Gosh, I can see why so many people say the more they drive it, the more they love it. I LOVE this car, although I haven't put many miles on it (yet). Can't wait for the next dump of snow...
Theob, thanks for your posts about your experiences buying your VDC in the Denver/Colorado area (both here and in the owners forums). I eventually got Burt Subaru to sell me the VDC for about $700 over invoice (including their D&H fees) after arguing with them that I could get a better deal at lots of other places, so I'm pretty happy about that. BTW, I like the Burt Subaru dealership a lot (and its nice and close to me) and the people there are pretty nice too (no hard sell, etc.) but just don't believe them when they tell you they won't sell for any less than MSRP ;-)
Like many other people before me, I'd like to say thanks to everyone on the Subaru boards for making this such a pleasant place to hang out...
Cheers all,
Bargle
Eric: Sorry about your VW lemon. Glad that was resolved, and I certainly hope (and believe) your Soob will server you better.
Jeanette: just got back from a road trip where I used the Samsonite carrier. It was the 3rd time I used it, and this time the rain was heavy enough to soak it from the bottom up, so some contents were a little damp. Not soaking wet, but damp.
That was $50, though I've seen it at luggage outlets for $40, so shop around. If you really need something water-proof, stick with the hard tops.
Anibal: call Darlene for the quickest service. It's 800-287-1281, ask for parts, then tell Darlene juice sent you (and say hi for me). The oil filters are $4 and you get a drain plug gasket free, and yes they ship to CA for no charge.
-juice