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Comments
Did you get your Hakk 1's studded? I just got a set of Hakk 2's for SueBee. They're prestudded, newly available in the US, and make me think of Jaws with braces!. I'll be able to check them out tomorrow on the drive into work -- the Hudson Valley is in the midst of a blizzard at the moment. The latest call is for 7-10" of snow covering the ice left by the earlier sleet and freezing rain this AM. I thought that 'White Christmas' meant that we would wake up to snow left by an overnight storm, not having to be awake though the blizzard!
Have a Safe and Happy Holiday everyone!
Lyn
Consumers Reports has always had favorable reviews of the Legacy/Outback and in the last car reliability survey, Subaru tied Toyota for first place and was ahead of Honda.
Don't buy an Outback, buy a Legacy GT, much more fun to drive than the OB!
No I didn't get them studded. Between all wheel drive, and the regular Hakks, I'm thinking that's enough. Plus, we haven't had any snow to speak of here yet.
David
The 03 Outback Wagon did excellent in the snow/ice, but the heated windshield wiper deicer was sort of wimpy...still got some ice build up on the wipers. I cranked up the heat on the defroster and opened the driver window a tad to keep cool. I had the defroster on entirely.
This was a heavy snow...I am sure the heated windshield helped, but it was not the total solution. I still had to do the infamous wiper snap maneuver to knock off the ice of the blades...I know, I could break the windshield. Maybe I should try that deicer wiper fluid too? How do you Subie fans in serious snow country handle this problem?
IMHO, SOA should be very interested about your unfortunate situation!
Michael
-mike
IdahoDoug
Cheers !!
Good luck!
Good luck with some legal action once you get the definitve results and once again glad you got through this without injury.
I have a 98 Outback and the heated wipers are the one feature that I find to be a total farce. I don't think there is a heck of a lot you can do other than maybe winter blades, like montreal1 said.
Eric
The element in the glass heats the area under the wipers. I think it mainly does a good job of keeping the wipers flexible. The arms will still accumulate snow/ice. Seems that the area with the deicer also tends to not accumulate the snow/ice that the wipers collect.
-Brian
-mike
The biggest cause of wiper failure in the winter is when the wiper freezes to the windshield or is covered in snow, and some idiot doesn't clean the window BEFORE trying to use the wiper motor. They try to use the wiper to clear the windshield. They turn on the motor, it can't move, and the motor burns out.
It's great for business though.
The wiper de-icer allows the ice under the wiper blade to melt, that's all. You still want to clear the windshield of any snow, the motor isn't made to move that kind of weight anyway.
Dukephoto
2001 VDC
39,000 miles in 15 months
When I begin the tedious process of cleaning snow off my car, I start the car as soon as possible, let it warm up while starting the defroster and defogger. The De-icer would be, pardon the pun, icing on the cake.
I was also thinking that the OB has a lot more ground clearance than my present car which means a lot less shoveling to do to get out from city streets.
All of a sudden, Florida looks like a real nice place...
Guess we will all be fascinated in the detail of the accident given that you are listed as a Pontiac owner and another post shows you have been researching a Honda purchase for a time. Not a troll, by any chance?
Cheers
Graham
Bob
Yes, it has a 15 min. timer, but it doesn't bother me to press it again in case ice starts to accumulate again ;-) Very nice feature!
The OB just laughed at the snow storm :-)
Bob
I have a brother and nephew visiting from Atlanta telling me that a K&N air filter will improve fuel efficiency and horsepower. I checked today at Advance and it seems that the available filter is for the 4 cyl. engine. Does any one know if this particular filter will fit the 3.0 6 cyl. engine? Are there any potential warranty issues associated with the use of this filter?
Thanks in advance.
Tom, Pittburgh
Now it gets complicated. I would like a similar vehicle (or pure SUV), with the following specs:
AWD
heated seats
above average (or better) reliability
compact (no more than 5 seat capacity)
Neither the CR-V nor the RAV-4 has heated seats, as best I can determine, and the Mazda has terrible reliability problems. I'd rather not go up to a Highlander or RX300, because the vehicle will sit on the street after its first year (long story).
Even went to the DC auto show yesterday, but all it did was confuse me. The new Murano and QX45 (or something like that, anyway the new Infiniti SUV) are *grossly* overpriced (IMHO) in the upper 30's to mid 40's. Can't have that kind of metal sitting on the street.
Would appreciate someone pointing me in a new direction.
Gary
Greg
Steve, Host
it's a shame that you couldn't have faith in Subaru. Even after your '98 OB demonstrated and achieved its primary goal, protect.
Mechanical failure,... let us know of the Insurance's finding(s).
Good Luck
-Dave
I am thinking of replacing my '99 Toyota Sienna XLE (116,000 kms)with a new 6 cylinder Outback to be a two Subie family.
Someone has suggested a Saab 9-5 as a replacement for you. If you want to become best buddy with the Saab service department, that is a good bet. Also increase your line of credit on your VISA card because Saab parts are priced way up there>
Good luck in your search...sorry to hear that it messed up your birthday!
Put into service October, 2001
Front rotors turned at 1500 miles (warped)
Back rotors turned at 8100 miles (last week) (warped)
Both of these corrections were covered by the warranty but the dealer rep informs me that no future repairs will be honored because this type of repair is a once and done under warranty and the last 8100 repair was a "goodwill" gesture by Subaru because of lower mileage.
Whatever happened to the 3/36 coverage? I see nothing in the warranty booklet indicating a once and done for wear items. Is this a hidden warranty "scam" which surfaces after your sales rep brags about the 3/36 to "seal the deal?"
I mention to the service rep that this is my wife's car and she certainly doesn't abuse a vehicle. He says the "cautious" drivers can actually cause premature wear (brakes, rotors). She's been driving for almost 30 years and we've never had a problem like this before. My response was that that comment is a cover-up for poor quality rotors. No response except to re-mention that this is the last work on the rotors under warranty.
Is this a problem with Outback rotors? And...is this an accurate warranty assessment?
Thanks!
While at the dealer, I also picked up an acrylic hood deflector and installed it myself last night. Looks sweeeet, especially against the timberline green.
Jon
I would like to hear some suggestions and comments about what brand/model of tires other owners have had experience with.
Thanks,
Ralph
As for tires, I installed the Dunlop Sport A2s. Very pleased with the tires with the exception of turning on snow covered roads. However, they are all season tires. Driving during the worst part of the Christmas storm (13"+) the car with the Dunlops did fine. To truly get the best out of your OB though, you should consider dedicated snow tires. I might get them next year.
Greg
They cannot deny warranty service if it's still under warranty. If I were you, I'd call Subaru and create a claim against the dealer and explain to them the situation and what the dealer told you. Subaru covers your rotors under the 3/36 months warranty. Tell them you're not comfortable with their service either and you're considering going somewhere else.
That way, they have a record of this, so if they ever get warped again, Subaru will be aware of this and you'll be good to go. But call Subaru regardless, you need a record of the service provided or lack of.
bit
Greg
- Lou
It to is time for new shoes for the Outback, I am leaning towards the Nokian NRW. I read the article in Consumers Reports, now for real people reports.
I have all the recommended services done by the dealer .. which the b/f sometimes sees as a 'waste of $$' but it's MY car and MY $$ .. lol
Drive around Pittsburgh (hills) with 4 adults and a bunch of stuff in the back. I got 15 and 16 mpg on winter fuel.
Highway:
Strap a Thule Excursion cargo carrier, 2 adults, 1 dog, and a whole lot of stuff inside and drive over 70mph. I got 19 mpg 5 times in a row driving a constant 75mph.
Recently picked up my new '03 Outback H6. I am really liking it so far.
I have noticed that braking performance on dry roads seems a little poor. Maybe it is just my perception, seeing how this car is over 1000 pounds heavier than my previous car, but does anyone else get this feeling? The ABS does work well on icy roads, I'll give it that.
My second question is regarding aftermarket security systems.
I would like to integrate into the existing keyless entry system and keep the same key fob. I would also like to have a starter kill function on it, as well as the usual assortment of flashing lights to really embarass the thief.
If anybody has a recommendation to which system would fit the bill, please let me know on this board.
Thanks,
A happy Outback owner. (I still need to name the car, any ideas?)
I think it is worth spending the little extra money to go for a factory install on your security system. This way, you will have all of the functions you are interested in and they work flawlessly.
Tom
Isuzu Axiom
Kia Sorento
Both are relatively in-expensive (~25K)
Isuzus (especially the drivetrain in the Axiom) is bulletproof.
And they have an outstanding AWD system.
-mike