Lesbaru

I'm trying to go. Haven't heard back yet from Amanda (Bluesoob). I'll probably just pop down for Saturday. Kaja

I am terrible at bargaining for anything. Bought my 05 by asking for the Costco price, which is set and monitored by Costco. (I'm not a Costco member, but would've joined if I needed to.) That was $500 over invoice, and $2500 less than the sticker. I'm sure I could've bargained lower IF I'D KNOWN HOW, but I figure it was worth it to have a guaranteed no-haggle situation. They did end up giving me more for my trade-in than I asked, so I was pleasantly surprised there. I don't know if there is any similar program for used cars. Smart Service here in Seattle has a website linked to theirs (it's theirs, too) for selling and searching for cars. Maybe you could try checking that? Google "Smart Service" and hit the link from their website.

I love my 05...

This one is pretty common, my old wagon had it. I didn't bother to fix mine. I just hit the tripometer every time I refueled and kept track that way. Quite a few of the folks fixed theirs. Try hitting "search" for fuel gauge senders. Someone more computer literate than me will probably post a few links.

There were a couple other things various mechanics pointed out, that I forgot to add to the list. Then there's also the 10-years-in-midwest-salt issue. Overall a decent car considering, but more than I could handle fixing anymore.

Setright: yup, can feel a vibe with the light-sabre noise. Steering wheel and shifter. I'm not terribly fond of that noise. My AC light doesn't blink on when I punch the button and the air doesn't seem to get any colder. Gotta RTFM. As far as I can tell I haven't gotten the AC to work yet, dunno what that sounds like. Maybe something for the dealer to guide me through. (Hmmmm... I'm pretty sure I paid for AC....) Thanks, y'all. I'll try to be more zen about the Star Wars sound effects.

Just wandered over to Skagit Subaru's website to see how much they were asking for my traded-in Legacy. $6,999. Whoa. If anyone here is thinking of buying it, be careful. I'm assuming they reground and replaced all the valves and cylinder heads, replaced the messed-up valve guide, re-repaired the clutch and seperator plate, resealed all the engine seals, took out the dents, replaced the disintegrating timing belt cover, replaced all 4 sets of brake pads and the warped left rear rotor, replaced the worn-out driver's seat belt, and generally tidied up. But be careful. That critter had a lot of heart, but also a lot of rust. I wish Twobaru the best of luck in her new home... sniff! bye bye

Love my new car. (but I do miss the hill-holders my 86 and 96 had) It's got a couple noises that I can't identify. Can anyone tell me what they are? 1. Moooing somewhere in the engine. Very irregular. Sounds like a bumble bee, or a cow mooing, or someone blowing across a half-full bottle of beer, or a light-sabre from Star Wars. Kinda a thrumm or humm. Long humms, short humms, silence. Sometimes it seems quite loud. (is that the cooling fan?) 2. POP noise from the right front speaker (or glove box?) when I turn the headlights on or off. Very annoying. Is that a short, or does Subaru really think we need a loud POP to let us know we successfully turned on the headlights? Thanks, Kaja

I searched and looked and whined... but couldn't find out if there's a CB channel for folks driving to WCSS7. 'Course, with the new beastie I might just be too protective of the new paint to put my magnetic antenna on the roof. (chicken! That's me!) But it'd be fun to holler on the radio a bit. Can anyone tell me if there's a channel picked and what it is? Thanks, Kaja the computer illiterate chicken shht

I have a $40 adjustable barrier that I got from PetEdge.com (they are also at pet stores) It has two poles with smooshy plastic ends (kinda like suction cups) that adjust height with wing-nuts. The cross bars just slide to adjust length. My very anxious dog is well contained. It fit just fine in my 96 Legacy wagon and fits fine in my new Impreza wagon. It doesn't use the cargo-cover attachements, but I took the cargo cover out anyway cuz my dog would destroy it. Kaja

My son really likes "Blubaru". We'll see what we come up with as we get to know it. I've been looking for other Imprezas like mine, but haven't seen any around yet. Guess my eyes are still tuned to 80's GLs and 90's green Legacy wagons. (hee hee) Boy oh boy, this little critter has so much power and speed compared to the old wagon! Fun!

My first car was a 1969 Saab 96 "sedan". The front was remarkably similar to the Triblecha.

Nooooo! You can't leave! (it was cool seeing you in the delivery van on Greenwood!) I went to Michigan for 10 years, against my will. Moved back home to WA as soon as I could. At least you're going for the adventure. I think MN is a better place than MI. The people are more lively and it isn't quite as miserably flat.

I went to Suburb. Once. I prefer Smart Service (everyone is awesome) and Skagit Subaru (Glen in the Service department is cool). Did Carter play nasty with their slogan "Carter is Smarter"? Seems like a dig at Smart Service. Oooh, I'm so tempted to send back all Carter's service update letters with a cheery note about how I traded that Legacy in for a new Impreza at Skagit, and how Carter missed that deal because Todd Colman is such a rude booger I swore I'd never go back to Carter.

05 Impreza. 72 miles. No headgasket problems yet! (I've had the car for 5 hours now)

Saw some Tribecas today at Skagit Subaru when I bought my new Impreza. (Celebrate! Dancing bananas for everyone!) I thought the Tribeca was a travesty, and told the salesman so. It was very weird inside, and very weird outside, and I can't see anyone using those 3rd row seats even for preschool kids. And no manual trans, I mean goodness gracious what WERE they thinking? The dealer said the Tribeca was aimed at the Lexus SUV owners. Bleh. Kaja

Wooo-hooo! Hey, this calls for the dancing banana! My Legacy was a goner, so I finally took the plunge and traded it in for an Impreza RS. (Look Ma, no midwest rust!) I love my bank, I love Skagit Subaru (thank you Tommy Tapley), I love my Impreza. Now I need a name. Anyone got any ideas? I'm pretty hopeless at names, see- - - 1986 GL: Subi. 1996 Legacy: Twobaru. 2005 Impreza: ??? Oh, it's Regal Blue with black interior. Lovely with my Target Hawaiian print seat covers and CD holder. Kaja has her very first own brand new car and its a SUBARU! Let's go out for beer! See you at WCSS7!

Well, I gotta weigh in and say that THIS lesbian won't be going after a Tribeca. I agree, it looks like a Kia. (oh, and I'm also a bicycle nut... and a nutless bicycle rider! hee hee! ) I really liked my dual range 86 GL. Do ya think Subaru would ever bring back dual range? Gotta have manual trans. What's the fun of a boxer if you can't shift it?

I saw the most appealing 360 van at Smart Service today! (kinda made leaving my suub a little less painful) The guys were talking about it, and 3 or 4 of them were out looking at it and they just towered over the little thing. It was such a cool car! I hope I get to see more 360's at WCSS7...

Oh, I'm so proud of Twobaru! If she's gonna do something, she does it BIG! Emissions test yesterday... I was smug, thinking it'd be no problem. Well, the hydrocarbons at cruising speed toasted my dreams of a quick tab renewal. Allowable was 220, we got a glorious 1,058! (idle was no problem, allowable 220, and we got 70) This is with a six month old cat. Went straight to Smart Service, they were suitably impressed by my over-acheiving 96 Legacy. They'll try to find the problem next week. Meanwhile I'm suspecting a thermostat or oxy sensor. Car runs fine, no misfires, no engine lights. Gas mileage sucks (17-19 mpg). I'm thinking maybe the car thinks it's always cold, so dumps lots of gas all the time. What do y'all think?

96 Legacy manual trans: 17-19 mpg city, 22-24 highway.

I also have a Draw-Tite. (96 Legacy) Only used it once so far, but no complaints. Once you take the hitch-ball thingy out it's pretty low profile, though I have dragged it on a bad curb drop once. (Better the hitch than my exhaust system, eh?) Kaja

Ok, I got the info. The seller is calling it a "1986 GL" (doesn't look ANYTHING like my 1986 GL!) It looks to me more like the picture of the XT6 All-Talk posted. It has that wacky curved back windshield, and the same sort of bodylines. There is front end damage, so it's a little hard to tell. I've posted the info in The Marketplace. ($300, manual trans, 119k, (206) 850-8437) Kaja

Ok, I pass an older gen red Subie (at least it has the sub badge on the back) for sale when I take my son to school. It's parked along the road at the corner of 8th and Richmond Beach Rd in Shoreline WA. Anyway, it looks like mid 80's but I've never seen a sub like it. Two doors, and a trunk! Actually looks more like an old Toyota Tercel I had once. The front end is smushed so I can't get a good look at it. I haven't stopped to read the details on the "For Sale" sign, but if anyone is interested I can check it out tomorrow morning. Kaja

I looooooove Smart Service. My 96 Legacy looooooves Smart Service. I've been to Carter, and to Suburb Service. Well, I gotta tell ya, Smart Service is my choice. In fact, I just had my car worked on today. (Thanks, guys! Twobaru is a happy subie now!)