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Comments
Consider a no-haggle place like Car Max if you don't like negotiating.
-juice
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,588-424500,00.html
Just wanted to thank everyone for their patience w/ my eternal questions. I finally took the plunge and bought a '97 Outback w/ 62k (for $12,000- not a super bargain, but not as bad as a lot of what was out there). The guy I bought it form is a Subaru freak, so he replaces the tranny fluid, etc with synthetic aviation grade stuff, so I'm hoping that's a good thing.
My question now is: has anyone retrofitted their wagon w/ the now-standard car seat tether latching system. If so, how much did it cost,and how big a hassle was it?
Thanks so much!
Before you get too hung up on the issue, try looking at the roofline just forward of the tailgate. Can you see some plastic covers about 3/4" in diameter? If so, try pulling one off and see whether there is a threaded hole underneath it. If so, the basic item for fitting a baby seat anchor is already fitted. If so, there should be a very low cost anchor kit available which is basically a bolt wit a washer fitted to it, the washer having a hook/hole to accept the seat tether. Normally there are three fitted to allow fitment of up to three child seats across the rear seat.
These anchor points have been standard for cars made in most of the world (apart from the USA) for between fifteen and twenty years. There is a fair chance that they are already fitted to your Subaru.
Might not be as expensive as you think!
Cheers
Graham
Here's the deal:
Outback 5spd with Dust deflector and Security system.
....
MSRP $23,865 Invoice $21,627
Even after subtracting 3% holdback ($716) and $300 dealer incentives, the cost is $20,611. so they're taking a $623 loss on these cars? I called them and they do have them in stock, and I would buy it at that price, but I really want an automatic. Of course, over the phone the salesman told me they would sell an automatic to me for around $1000 more than that advertised price but wouldn't guarantee the price over the phone. But I don't want to waste my time and drive over there (it's about an hour drive), so I'll wait until they advertise the automatics (if ever).
Why are they advertising it so low? (I know, to get you into the dealership and sell you a more expensive car) Is there some super secret dealer incentives that we don't know about?
IdahoDoug
Beware of the ad cars, when you show up those cars are never actually available. It's a common technique called "Bait and Switch".
Also, the prices usually don't include freight and some other fees, like processing or advertising fees.
Call and ask what fees they add, if they add freight, and if the car in the ad is still available and can be held for you. If not, don't even go there.
-juice
Try this...on a rainy clowdy day...when you are driving with your headlights on: During these conditions, the read-out on both the radio and the auto a/c unit become hard to read since they dim with the headlights on. Solution: Press and hold the OFF button on both the A/C and Radio. The read-out un-dims back to pre-lights on brightness.
Did anyone else know about this or is this one of those software easter eggs?
-r
Very nice feature so I can keep my headlights on w/o loosing vision of the instruments.
-mike
But why put your headlights on on a rainy cloudy day? That's what DRLs are for. Unless you want your tail lights on too.
This would be useful anytime you wanted taillights on during the day. Hope it works on other models.
mike, that is a very nice feature...saves you needing to press each one individually.
jfl, you don't need to press them together...just press and hold each for over a second and the lights will change dim level (if your headlights are on).
BTW I did find it in the manual...it clearly states that this is a feature for when your lights are on.
-r
In Dec 1998, one was advertised for $13,425. I called up the dealership to ask them if they still had it, they said yes, so I went and bought it. Easiest car buying experience I ever had.
MSRP $18,510
Invoice $17,050
3% Holdback - 550.
Dealer cost $16,500
So they sold me the car for $14,925 and subtracted the $1,500 cash rebate to arrive at the $13,425 figure, then added in $75 fees. So I figure that they lost $1,500 on this car. Do they do that just to bring customers in to the dealership? Maybe the dealership gets a bonus if they meet certain quotas? I guess it must work or they wouldn't do it.
-juice
Second, before putting any used tires on an awd Subaru, measure and write down their cirumference with a tape measure. If there's more than a quarter inch variance among them, Subaru recommends they not be used. What happens is the center diff clutch mechanism operates improperly.
IF they measure equal, and if there appears to be plenty of winter compound tread then you're good to go.
IdahoDoug
Is this about the mileage I should get new tires?
Jerry
215/60 tires have a much smaller side wall vs. 205/70, so one thing to consider is that you'll lose ground clearance. In reality you'll be down to about normal clearance, instead of the Outback's raised setup.
The other thing is you'll have shorter gearing, so it'll feel quicker off the line, but might use more gas, and will have higher revs on the highway.
But you can use them if you use all 4 and they have roughly the same wear.
-juice
B
-juice
As a matter of fact this is my second Subaru, also have a third, 2002 Forester, currently at 12k.
No problems with any of them.
Strange thing though. After pulling all the double sided foam tape off the bumper cap, I laid it on mine just to be sure I'd like it before putting fresh tape on it - and it doesn't fit!! The Outback bumper protrudes out about another 3/4 inch than mine does. Who'd have thought - they look identical to the eye?
Anyhow, if anyone needs one, speak now or forever hold your piece. Next week I'll trim 3/4 inch off it and install it if I get no interest.
IdahoDoug
Like Juice said, lots of smooth and straight highway miles. Good on tires but not as fun : )
This morning it seemed like hurican lilli had made its way to the northland. Love that sube! traction and control never an issue even with lots of water on the road.
--jay (wishing the ~2 inches of rain was snow....)
02 obw
purchased sept 01 14,500 miles
thanks mike
--jay
S
Jim
Born: 1/12/01
Delivered: 2/1/01
(20 months old)
30,800 trouble free miles (except free front rotors and free front brake pads).
Time for its 30K service (trans. fluids are only listed as "inspect"??)
Ralph
Mark
For a cheap place to get them, go to TireRack.com. After you get them, go to Costco where for about $10/tire they will balance and mount them. I believe that also includes lifetime Tire rotation.
Mark
-Brian
If you load the car up with stuff on the roof or in the back, though, you will notice the lack of HP...3400 pounds (plus people, gear, etc) is a lot of weight for a 165 hp motor to pull around. Personally, I'd get the WRX if I were doing it again. I could deal with the tiny interior of a WRX wagon if I could have that turbo motor! The WRX is priced similar to the base Outback, and I think it would suit my driving style better than the Outback.
Also, the horrid clutch problems that my Outback has exhibited since it was new (and have still not been resolved) would keep me from recommending a 5sp Subie to anyone I know. The WRX's seem to be less prone to clutch shudder than the Legacy models.
Brian
Sorry for long post .
Mike k
About 4k miles on our Legacy purchased in May.
If you do not get snow, my Nitto NT460 tires are good in the dry and wet, and last forever. I have 19k miles and they're barely worn at all. They are not good in snow, though.
-juice
Tires: I've had nothing but good luck with Toyo Spectrums... good ride/handling combination, great for dry & rain, but they aren't the best in snow, although the "Observe" studless are fine for that. Not sure about who carries them in your neck of the woods.
Cheers!
Paul
IdahoDoug
According to the Tire Rack site, the A2 is rated for 50k miles.
Tire Rack is good as a refence tool as well. You tell them what year and model car, they tell you what is recommended. They even break it down by categories like performance, year-round, etc.
Mark
Since there has been talk recently about tires here, do you have snow tires?
Either car you choose, though, will be a HUGE change from the Jeep! I haven't driven a WRX, but I can tell you the Outback is a fantastic highway car (super quiet, stable, and comfortable).
B
Steve
-mike