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Comments
Had a longish trip yesterday travelling to a large sheep station about four hours away. My trip included one tank fill of petrol where I averaged 12.5l/100km or about 36mpg on the imperial scale from my Outback Limited over 521km. I can never remember what the conversion to US gallons is but this was done with the car mostly set on 100kmh (62mph) on cruise control.
I feel absolutely exhausted this morning as it was not a fun trip and the return, done in the dark, included near misses with a kangaroo, a hare, a dingo (wild dog) and being "rounded up" by a cattle dog who was attempting to use its skills on all the vehicles driving through its small town. The car also appears to be wearing a thick layer of insect life after I hit a swarm of grasshoppers.
I am definitely feeling my age this morning.
Cheers
Graham
Ross
Cheers Pat.
Cheers, Tom
p.s. I think we have a 60 litre tank.
I classify it as a moderate problem because it requires a trip to the dealer and its annoying. I put it in the same class as when an O2 sensor bites the dust before its time. The CD changer is making some noises but will not load or play any of the CDs. It will not eject them either so I'm guessing one got stuck and now the whole thing is jammed. Not a huge deal because the single CD player still works fine and so does the tape deck but I have an appointment the dealer on Monday to get it fixed and an oil change while I'm there.
Other than having to go to the dealer what annoys me most is that I can get my Metallica "Master of Puppets" or Public Enemy "Fear of a Black Planet" CDs out....Two of my favorites are stuck in there until monday. That's annoying.
I brought the car to the dealer thinking it was an alignment problem (though the car tracks perfectly). A technician looked at the car before the advisor even wrote it up and said it was "normal", especially with Firestones. He did point out another higher mileage Outback that looked similar but not quite as bad. The tech said this never happened when Subaru used Michelins.
I called the Subaru 800# and asked what they could tell me about this tire wear and he told me to get the alignment checked as he wasn't aware of any issues. I'm frustrated. I took nearly 2 hours of my time and still don't know what's up. I usually expect a minimum of 40-60K on tires as I maintain them well. It looks like the Firestones won't come even close. These tires seem very poor. Even the black part of the sidewall by the white letters is coming off despite no curb scuffing. Anyone else notice this? Any Suggestions appreciated.
Live Happy,
Chris
How to make an Accountant feel silly. Yes, I made 8l/100km or 12.5km per litre.
I'll plead the fact that I felt absolutely exhausted by the day.
Cheers
Graham
My question: is there anyone out there who canoes and has secured their canoe up on the factory roof rails & rack? We plan to use the OB for our canoe trips and my husband thinks we don't need any other accessories to put the canoe on. Just secure it and be on our way. In the past we have used a special rack on our Chevy Silverado but want to start using the OB for the trips with the canoe. Not that we'll be canoeing anytime soon because it's STILL snowing here but though I would check. Thanks.
Lauren
Ross
in period of a new car...? I now have approx 1400 miles on this car.However, they did give me another 2001 Outback to drive while my car went to Firestone, and that car did the same thing, so I guess it is "normal". I suppose that I will accept this as long as it doesn't get worse.
Graham, I am using supreme gaasoline, no difference, thanks for the suggestion, tho.
I used the stock alloys on my 97 OBW for snow wheels this past winter, then bought a set of American Racing "Crossfire" wheels (15x7) - retail for $119 each, and I paid $89. I had heard that Subaru wheels were spendy, but wow! You have until next winter, so take your time & get the most bang for your buck!
Cheers!
Paul
Cheers!
Paul
Chris: I would ask a more reponsive dealer to check the alignment. Do you drive very aggressively?
Jim: I found aftermarket wheels at http://www.discounttiredirect.com/. Go to Specials, and then call to see what fits. I paid just $75 per wheel, and mine are 16"x7", slightly wider than stock Forester S wheels.
Also try the tirerack. You may just want steel wheels for snow tires, FWIW.
Lauren: yes, I've seen a canoe on a Forester without any special hardware. I had a picture of it on my web site, even, but homepage.com went out of business as of yesterday.
Still, that means yes, it's possible.
-juice
Tara
insert title here
brecko #956: your car is still under 12k miles. INSIST that the dealer do an alignment, front AND rear. Misalignment is another minor complaint with Subies; if your car is feathering the tires and yet drives straight, my guess is that it is toed in too much.
smokeybaer #963: I haven't heard of anyone doing that kind of reprogramming. I actually like the way the remote works. The first push unlocks only the driver's door, which is probably done for safety; imagine that you are female, that you are in a big parking garage, in a rough part of the city, and that no other people appear to be around. How many doors do you want to unlock?
Tara #967: your sig says, "Insert title here." Thanks for your help on the boards; for title, may I suggest, "Sharp Cookie"?
Cheers,
-wdb
Ross
Francofile - Thanks for the suggestion to check the alignment. I will do that.
Ateixeiria - No, I don't drive the Out back aggressively at all. I save that for when I get the chance to race. I'm kind a car buff and am very fussy about how we drive and maintain our cars.
Goosegog - It sounds like the same thing. I think the freestone tires are very poor. I spoke with a Subaru technician who told me the Bridge stones that are put on some Subarus are much better - Figure that one out! This just reinforces my obsession with Michelin. I wish Subaru would offer even a modest compensation to change tires.
Live Happy,
Chris
How would I track down a 98-99 CT wagon with AT? (I'm lucky to see a AL in the paper on a given week.)
OR
If I buy new, should I expect to pay a premium because I have to order it? (I live in Texas, and the dealers laugh at me when I have the nerve to request a CT wagon.)
and for grins,
Has anyone else noticed that 100% of the new Legacy I wagons in Texas dealer lots are Wintergreen?
--Scott.
--scott
Thanks, Bill
-- Bill
Regarding vehicle break-in period, although you hear the 1000-mile standard tossed around, I personally think that different systems break in at different rates - hence the improvements in gas mileage (and probably performance) noted elsewhere in this group. However, I'd expect brakes, clutch, suspension systems, etc., to be fully "set" by 1000 miles. I must have missed your "stuttering" post - is this the engine, or the brakes? Is it an automatic? My '97 Maxima (a 5-speed), with a fabulous engine, has always been a bit squirrely at very low RPMs/power settings - like creeping along in a traffic jam - like it's hunting between dead idle (around 600 RPM) and about 8-900 RPM. I suspect it's an emission control artifact and is a normal feature of the car.
Bill - I always ask people with clutch problems whether they're an "old-hand" manual transmission user. It's amazing how some truly (apparently) benign habits can kill a clutch - just resting your foot on the pedal at red lights with the tranny in neutral - likewise with your hand on the shifter whether in gear or not. Plus the obvious things like over-revving the engine before getting the clutch fully engaged or using the clutch to "hold" the car in place on a hill (say, didn't old Soobs used to do that automatically somehow? Or am I thinking of another brand?). But if you've had a bunch of manual trannies with no clutch problems in the past, then I'd say you've got a materials/design problem with your present setup. Either that or your teenagers are sneaking the car out for autocross rallies while you're at work!
Well, back to the Mariner's/A's game - they're sneaking up on the A's 2 to 4 at the bottom of the 6th.
Cheers from Seattle!
Ken M.
So there was a bit of an over-reaction to your question, and some answers that could have been worded more clearly. However, by getting angry and stomping out, you are arguably doing the same thing they did - over-reacting. Blast 'em for grinching you, and then stick around. As you can see, these folks need someone to keep 'em in line .
#979 elliowb: I know clutches better than I know older Subies. If your clutch is actuated by a hydraulic mechanism, as your comment about the master cylinder indicates, then the excess play you are experiencing is from air getting into the hydraulics. The master cylinder could be the cause of this; so could the slave cylinder, and so could the plumbing that connects them. Usually if one of the cylinders is leaking there is fluid to be seen.
OTOH if your clutch is actuated by a mechanical system, a cable for example, then having it adjusted every year or so is normal. (NOTE that hydraulic clutch actuating systems NEVER need adjustment.)
HTH,
-wdb
No harm intended by my statement. RTFM is a common term in geek-land, but I shouldn't have used it anyway. I certainly didn't memorize all of my manual; I actually noted down the things I didn't already know (see what a geek I am?).
I'm sorry you took it that way. My apologies! FWIW, I will delete that post.
Scott - 2 year old Legacys do not depreciate much at all. They'll still cost you $18k or so. A new one can go for $22k, so I'd spring for that. Even consider the Legacy L, which has the same 2.5l with more torque than the '98-99 GT, and also has AWD, ABS, power everthing, etc.
Ken: the timing belt is scheduled for inspection at 90k miles, and a change at 105k miles (unless the inspection reveals it's worn).
Yep, Subaru used to have a hill holder clutch. I think they still make it in some markets, too.
-juice
The other odd part about it is that when I try to bleed the system, I can only get one pump on the clutch. Then the master cylinder apparently doesn't take any more fluid from the resevior. In fact, I just removed the master cylinder last night and find the same result when I depress the pushrod on the master cylinder. Any clues????
-- Bill
However, I feel that if there is one bit of advice that can be offered universally to anyone who visits this list it would be to read the manual. There is lots of great information in there and it will make the relationship with your car a much more enjoyable (and perhaps less frustrating) experience. Along with the printed manual there is an online version that covers maintenance and service available at Subaru.com when you sign up for MySubaru. It is in pdf format and very nicely indexed. In addition you can download it to your hard drive and have it always available. Also at MySubaru you will find a maintenance schedule for you vehicle and recall notices.
bit
-juice
Bob
VW's got good powertrain coverage, but the B2B is indeed the worst in the industry. Plus, the 10 year powertrain warranty only applies to the original owner, so I wonder how many claims they'll actually have to pay for 9 years down the road.
-juice
kmclean: my original post is #878, it desribes the problem I am having. Thanks
bit
Best of all, each of us can learn from the other, be it Subarus or whatever!!!
Don
Plus, since it handles very well and has AWD and ABS, you may well be able to avoid the accident in the first place, which has always been my preferred route ;-)
Cheers,
-wdb
My dad also has a 2001 Outback auto (a Limited though), they are realy nice.
You originally mentioned you were taking it to the shop on 3/21. Is it with the dealer now?
I would guess it's either the ECU, fuel injectors, or spark plug wires.
Anthony: sit inside the Outback - it even feels safe. The 2000 and later ones in particular have bulked up well. If you can afford a Limited, that adds side air bags.
If you cashed in on your stocks before the recent slide, get the VDC for the skid control - talk about preventing accidents in the first place!
-juice
I'm taking an Audi A4 out for a spin this weekend. More bucks and a bit less room, yet guessing it'll be more responsive and fun. We'll soon find out.
Pros and cons for either are certainly welcome. This is going to be tough.
The A4 I drove was equal to or less peppy than the GT I bought. That was a 150hp model, the new ones are 170hp. Subies loosen up over time; my year-old car is peppier and gets better gas mileage than it did when new. I don't know about Audis in this regard, just realize that the Subie you drive at the dealer will get better with age.
My opinion of the handling of the two cars was that they were equally fun to toss around. The Subie is a good cruiser too, solid as a house and quiet. I suspect the Audi would be too.
Subie GT's are rare vehicles. You won't see yourself coming down the road. Audi A4's are all over the place! This is the last year for the current A4; next year it will be a new model.
The GT interior is roomier front and rear; the Audi interior is plusher looking and has more buttons to play with on the radio and climate control. If you want a wagon there is no contest; the Legacy is monstrous inside compared to the Avant, and its back seat is palatial.
The Subaru is a value purchase. The Audi is a prestige purchase. My bet is that the Subie will cost less to own than the Audi. However parking attendants won't fight each other to take your keys (hmmm, maybe that's good). Also your relatives won't trip over each other for a ride in your new Subie when it is parked right next to your other relative's new Audi (this actually happened to me).
An A4 equipped the same as the GT would have cost me $5k more in March 2000. This year, with A4's being discounted, that difference is likely to be less.
Cheers,
-wdb
Bob
I like the look and room of the Passat, but the 4motion gives up 5 cubic feet in the trunk, knocking it down to 10cu.ft. AND the 4motion option does away with 60/40 split rear seats. Not to mention the 2yr. warranty worries me.
Looks like we need to get down and dirty with the A4 and GT this weekend and see which comes out on top. Dealer came at me with $25,200 for the GT; looks like the A4 set up as desired is going to be roughly 27,500.
I'll report back on Monday.....
JB
I'd at least wait to see/drive the new one. It's supposed to address the main deficit - the rear seat.
Get a wagon, though! Triple the cargo room for the same money.
-juice
PS Drive a WRX sedan, for the heck of it. You're gonna love it.
The day I test drove a GT, the salesman stated that he was flying out the next day to race a WRX. I had no idea what he was talking about. I saw the commercial for it the next day. Interesting.
As for the "old A4" comment, I guess I don't really have an issue with the current style. I've seen photos of the "new" version and actually am not all that sure I like it. As for room, apparently it offers up an extra 1.25 inches in the back seat. The "old" version has clean, stylish lines... classy, but not opulent. The fact that it's the end of the line for that body style may make it a more affordable option.
It's really going to boil down to how the A4 feels and whether it performs $2500-$3000 better than the GT. I just can't get the GT test drive out of my mind.....stepped on the gas and the car acted like it had to "think" about it for a second before deciding to get movin' Probably deserves a second try.
JB