mtsmiths

According to the Brits it is. They empatically deny that we speak 'English', and commonly refer to our speach as 'American'. As to what the Aussies speak, Who knows, mate.

Are you sure you didn't inadvertantely turn the dimmer switch down while reaching for another control?

Hmmmmm, ours has 15's ... still really low. In fact, I've been asked if I lowered it.

I noticed this on our 2000 last winter when we didn't have a heated garage. When it got in the -tens and below I heard the same thing. It REALLY howled during the week it was -20 to -27. I finally decided (with no actual proof) that it was the rubber belts. The '87 may have done the same thing, but I couldn't hear it for all the other noisy protests!

I think that's way too much money also. That said. I paid 10K for our '00 with 99,850 mi on it, but that was in November 2001. Keep looking.

I see that the site for the piston slap recording is related to GM ... that mus' be their 20% contribution to FHI.

LOL, in NW Montana that's called 'transportation' ... there's a TON of old Subarus running around here, not a single one has been restored or fixed up, just driven.

DRAT!, John I forgot my cell phone, will call when I get home from work. Dammitall. BTW, fresh snow in Whitefish last night, more predicted for today and tonight ... YAY!

Auto, and yes it it. The reason 'Berta wants to raise it is that she found it so much easier on her back getting in and out of the Outback (old injury, I think it's flared up after a couple days of hard. fast skiing). I'll call you tomorrow, John. BTW all you NWerners, the snow at Big Mountain in Whitefish is still great, hop the Amtrak (while it's still funded), grab the snobus at the station and come ski (or board)!

The Pretty One rode in a friend's Outback last week and want's one. Not for off-roading, but because it is easier to get in and out of than her '00 Legacy. Now, I would LOVE to opblige her (even if she DID draw the line at a Baja - TOO UGLY, where her words, I believe), howsomever, the family budget isn't ready for a newer car right now. So, this leads to the obvious, what will it take to lift her exBrighton two or three inches? I can take a couple of vacation days and come out to the shop if it will take custom work, or can we just swap out some Outback suspension parts and raise the green sea turtle? THANX, BTW, anyone else is free to chime in too, natch (as if I could stop you, right).

In the immortal words of Tevya, "Fiddler on the Roof" -- TRADITION!

Hi to all you BCers, Can you read and respond to my query down in the 'Off-Topic' forum?http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=30346 Thanks, eh? Smitty

Hi Paulie, yeah that was fun, altho' it finally killed the left front wheel bearing that had been complaining for a week or so. Made it back to Pasadena, MD tho', and got it fixed. Did anyone ever get any pics of the "soobie train" gang-pulling the Legacy out of the sand trap? 2-2-2's are Canadian over-the-counter aspirin with codeine and caffine, very effective for headache and fatigue.

You Guyz! They're SUBARUS. They're not 'leaking' oil, they're marking their territory!

No worries shadow, I didn't take it as an affront, my sarcasim is sometimes too dense. HEY, I did welcome you to Montana! But, now think I know who has been throwing out all those plastic bottles filled with liquid which doesn't match the labels. Man, when I was workin on I-90 from Billings to Spokane I musta seen a thousand of those 'deposits'.

I don't THINK so, shadow. Please re-read my post with a little more care. To wit: the following is NOT advice, it is related personal experience. Please point out any sentence in which I advise the poster to follow my actions. "You guyz. Summer of '03 (remember that?) I just climbed into my trusty '87 with over 200,000 miles and timing belt of indeterminant age in Whitefish, MT and drove straight through to Baltimore, MD in a total time of under fifty hours. I did prepare some road emergency supplies, basic tools a couple of road flares, a bag full of cassett tapes and audio books, a bottle of Canadian 2-2-2's a BIG commuter cup and thermos, and a couple of packages of my favorite cheap cigars. Four months later I did the same trip back home (after my design contract was completed), that time I took it easy ... fifty-four hours, but hey, I hit snow all the way across South Dakota." Now, HERE is my advice: it may be different, and more generalized than others, but I hardly think it deserves the approbate as "the worst advice evar[sic]" "Yeah, make sure the car is in good condition, and take care of the obvious deficincies ... but don't obsess. Hit the road, drive at a speed that is comfortable for you and enjoy the trip" And here is my finish: "... OH, and welcome to Montana." BTW, if you ever make the trip, you'll be welcome in Montana too.

You guyz. Summer of '03 (remember that?) I just climbed into my trusty '87 with over 200,000 miles and timing belt of indeterminant age in Whitefish, MT and drove straight through to Baltimore, MD in a total time of under fifty hours. I did prepare some road emergency supplies, basic tools a couple of road flares, a bag full of cassett tapes and audio books, a bottle of Canadian 2-2-2's a BIG commuter cup and thermos, and a couple of packages of my favorite cheap cigars. Four months later I did the same trip back home (after my design contract was completed), that time I took it easy ... fifty-four hours, but hey, I hit snow all the way across South Dakota. Yeah, make sure the car is in good condition, and take care of the obvious deficincies ... but don't obsess. Hit the road, drive at a speed that is comfortable for you and enjoy the trip ... OH, and welcome to Montana.

Yeah, you love it now ... just wait 'til the parking lights won't turn off ... then you'll be back here on the board crying H-E-L-P-!

Had you just eaten a Super Grande bean burrito? THAT would explain it.

Woah, find another shop if you can't do it yourself (I didn't). We had the left side done on our '00 Legacy, and it only came to about $215.00, including realigning the front end.

An extended warranty is nothing but a very expensive insurance policy. And, like most insurance policies, there are more loopholes for them NOT to pay, than there are things to go wrong on your car ... and that's assuming that the underwriting company will still even be in business if your car breaks someday. Far better to figure out how much that $1300+ adds to your monthly payment and put that amount into a dedicated savings account. If you need repairs you've got some money put away. If not, you're well on your way to a new car downpayment, your kids coollege fund, or dump it into your IRA. I wouldn't ever buy an warranty policy.

Pretty much fixed after 2000 (our 2000 Legacy has 160,000 and the only repair we've had is a bad wheel bearing, no HG issue at all). I favor the automatics, because I find that they are better in snow (yah, I know I'm gonna get flamed for THAT one), also 'cause I'm getting lazier the closer I get to geezerhood. Go test drive a 2005 and try both the manual and the sport shift auto, you may be surprised. I test drove a 2005 Outback, and a Baja, and loved them both, but I steadfastly refuse to buy a new car. I think you can't go wrong on any new 'Roo, and would be comfortable buying a clean used 2.5, 2000 or newer (whiich is what I would do, also because I like the '00-'04 styling better than the '05).

Well, I'm an average weight man, but damned if I can find a bumper to bounce on on our 2000 Legacy! This has always been my test, but the best I can do is put my full weight on the crossmember with the hood up, just no place to jump. That said, our 2000 Legacy is fine and it has 160,000 on it.

Scroll down and read: 2002 OBW with dreaded head issue...sell or keep?

I'm no big fan of stealerships in general, and my local has pulled a couple of boners. But they don't have $5.00/hr monkeys doing their oil changes, they have regular Subaru trained techs. And at least if the dealer screws up (not likely on an oil change or tranny service) it's not going to turn into a battle.