[My '05 Outback is a UT?]

SUV's sell, there is nothing wrong with designating Subaru's as SUV's for the marketing ploy that they generate - it's not like the gas milege has plumetted or anything on Outbacks, nor is there any threat that it will, most of us "tree huggin hippies" who drive Subaru's wouldn't buy them if the gas milege began to mirror that of an H2, a 4Runner or even a CRV. The co. has been marketing the Forester as an SUV for years, the fact that Subrau has expanded this marketing strategy to it's Outback line should come as no surprise. Remeber Paul Hogan (crocadile dundee) that's the whole image that the company is trying to create with these cars, and as long as the SUV designation helps them with that, and the gas milege stays where it is, there is no problem. Just b/c Subaru has started to designate it's cars as SUV's does not mean that the CARS have changed or that tommorow we'll get massive gas guzzling monsters with the label of Subaru (well maybe the B9) that are going to kill the trees that we Subaru drivers enjoy so much.

[Play the Name Game]

And mabe they could start selling affordable cars again, like ones under

$20K. Nice reliable high power AWD cars, without the yearly styling changes and woodgrained chrome trim BS.

 

While yes, Subaru has been making inroads into the higher end market in recent years (and there is NO reason for them to stop), it is important to keep in mind that they continue to make relatively inexpensive cars to this day. A new Impreza without all the turbo and woodgrain "BS" can be bough for a reasonable price under 18K. My brand new Forester X cost me less than 18K when I bought it last July (no woodgrain or chrome BS). While 18k is not cheap, you do get a bullet proof car with AWDas well as a min. of 165hp, and considering the fact that a stripped down Hyundai will cost you around 12K, the premium paid on Subarus is not that great keeping in mind all the car you get.

While a 30k+ Outback Limited XT with all the bells and whistles is clearly not cheap, this is not the only model and trim level that Subaru offers - shop around a little - there are good prices to be had on these cars if you forego the woodgrain and chrome BS. Just because the company makes some more expensive options, does not mean that you can't get a great car at a reasonable price.

My suggestion for the high end line - "Subarnice" (okay that sucks, but whatever).

[2005 Forester X Road Noise]

I have an 04 forester X - my last car was a 97 mb c230 which was really, really quiet - and the forester has not been bad comparetively - all stock, I have not found that the road noise is bad, I never have to put the music (which is always on, prob. why the road noise isn't an issue) above 10 on the radio.

In those few moments that the radio is off, I noticed that the car is quieter when you drive the cargo cover closed - but hey that's just me.

[How deep?]

Drove my 04 Forester through 12" this morning, and backed out through 18"+ thanks to the friendly plow man who left his wake behind my parked car. No problems at all, very surprised.

[forester engine dirt]

I have an 04 forester X that I bought in July, now that there has been some snow and ice on the road (the car handles it incredibly) as well as salt to melt it away I have noticed that some this road grime is getting under my hood, white salt splatterings abundant. Is this common? How should I deal with the problem? I there anyone else who has had this problem with their forester?