mtsmiths

Hmmmm, another Subaru virgin down.

Personally I favor Legacies over Outbacks. Don't need the extra 2" and the handling is infinately better on the highway. We've got a 2000 Legacy A/T, bought at 99,850 miles when it was 13 months old. Did all the front case stuff as soon as we got it home, and we're religious about service, especially tranny. It's now at 153,000, and the only repair has been a right front wheel bearing. High 20 mpg road mileage, no odd tire or brake wear probs. We run studded snows in winter, and it'll go through anything NW Montana can throw at it. I love the way it handles, and fully expect it to go to 250K while we own it.

I would loved to do it with that one Mudrat. Cheap, local, looked OK. We've decided to not return to Hawaii, so an island project is off for four or five years. We sold our condo, and bought the kids houses, on in Honolulu, one in LA ... OUCH! But have no fear, one of these days I'll be ringing your bell to make my retire-to-Molokai kah. Still 'really' need a plastic body tho, damn tropiccal cancer. But, I've always wanted a Thing, an a Subaru powered one would be tres kewel. Someone will do it now, and we can learn from all the goofs. Have a happy "The Potowatamies should'a let the pilgrims starve day!" (I'm an enrolled tribal member, nyuck, nyuck).

After I (hopefully) get back from my round-trip over the divide going from Whitefish, MT to Cardston, AB and back for a business trip during a major winter storm snow warning. Wait!, you say, tomorrow is a holiday ... not in Canada it's not. SIGH!

I removed all the vinyl from my airplane with a hair dryer set on high, followed by cleaning off the glue residue with regular carb cleaner. It didn't hurt the paint (regular enamel) on either the metal or fabric. Check on the inside of a door jamb or someplace where it won't show if it eats the paint.

gbhrps, I've been driving an AWD Sybaru for three years (when The Pretty One lets me have it). This was the first snow time in my 'new' '95. The gear/speed check was a response to an earlier query by someone asking about the 50/50 vs 90/10 traction split. We've had 4WD Subarus since 1982 or so, and by far the AWD system beats the 4WD in snow. To quote Ronald McDonald "I'm lovin' it!"

Pulled right up the driveway from hell, with nary a spin (fresh snow over ice). Just to try I ran up in 2nd to low highway speeds. With my 15's and studded tires (no don't ask, I *don't* remember the size), fifty mph in 2nd is exactly 4,500 rpm. So, if you feel you need the 50/50 lock you're good to 55 or so, which is fast enough in heavy snow. That said, in regular drive I was quite comfortable and stable at 60. Now fishtailing during lane changes across fresh snow, and the roads hadn't been plowed or sanded. By the time work is over we should have a foot or so ... YAY!

Mr. Insider, if it comes with that gawdawful Edsel/neo-Bugatti grille *I'm* definately not buying it! Never mind that the rest of the car looks like a running shoe. And this comes from one who bought their first Subaru in 1981, and currently own numbers five and six. If this is the styling direction the marque is taking, it's sayanora from the mtsmiths.

Do some research and find out how it was maintained, and why it was salvaged out. Some states require a car be salvaged just because tha air bags popped off. Maybe it was stolen and joyrided from an otherwise responsible owner/driver. Maybe it took a bath (flood damage), if so and it was restored by a competent company it may be fine. Yes, selling it may be problematic, but if you intend to keep it and drive it yourself, and if you've got the do-re-mi, it's certainly a cheap fast ride.

OK, all fixed. The light unit is marked "Kotto", looks to be a factory job, but whadaiknow? NAPA 1255/H3: $4.95. Thanx Guyz.

A VW Thing, sans engine in Spokane ... just picture it guyz. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=15295&item=4504423256&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW You figger out how to build this, and I'll buy it from you when it's done. This would be my perfect retire to Molokai car. That's if you could let it go! Nyuck, nyuck,nyuck.

They might Outback, but I really want just bulbs. I'll pop one out this weekend (after I get my garage cleaned up so I can work on my airplane that has kicked my poor 'Roo outdoors for the winter), and go see what I can find that fits (or can be MADE to fit). I just don't see where SOA gets off charging what they do for bloody lightbulbs.

ATM, on this BB the tire/wheel resolution depends on where you live. F'rinstance, *I* live in Whitefish, MT (far northwest corner). Both our Legacies get studded winters that are mounted on extra wheels. Could probably do without the studs except for our killer driveway. But, OTOH, I really like the sure-footedness we get on our oft VERY icy roads. It's SO-ooooo much fun to blow by an SUV lying on it's side in the borrow ditch!

OEM driving (not headlight), (not fog 'cause it's white). yes round, 'bout 3" diameter, hides down in the nostrils close to the ground, so all the chipseal can kill 'em (which is what happend). And I KNOW that SOA wants way too much money for 'em. If someone hasn't already found one that fits, I'll go figger it out. I want to replace with fogs, not white driving lights.

What Sweet82 said (very well, I might add). Dealer salespeople LIVE by touting monthly payments, not intrinsic value. Also, check the relative insurance costs, since the vehicles are in the same catagory and class the additional costs will reflect only the new vs used car cost to insure.

Parisitic drag doesn't really come into play until you're over sixty or so. So, on the interstate you may feel aerodrag, going down deadman's hill in your local neighborhood, not.

... what's my alternatives, certainly NOT an OEM replacement. Who's found a fit?

1967 Jeepster Commerative Edition (ours was known as the Mustang in combat boots). Buick V-6, old fashion hub switched 4WD, AT, continental kit, power convertible top, great heater, good highway car and went through unbelievable snow. Got mid-twenties on the highway at 65 mph. Wish I had mine back.

I've got just the little green dots. I don't think the icons are illuminated. Grab the dome light. ALso our '00 Legacy has illuminated AT position indicators on the dash, but not the console gate, alles wondered 'bout that one.

Paid $3,200 for an almost identical '95 Legacy from Chicago area. Mine had new brakes, T-belt and tires ... wish it had been taupe tho', the dark blue sure shows Montana mud! It was worth it to take the train to Chitown and drive her home to Whitefish. 'Prolly bring $5,500+ here.

We've tried to keep our tanks above 1/4 in all our cars, not just the Subarus. For all the stated reasons, especially in winter. But don't obsess about it, it sure doesnt hurt to get low once in a while. If I'm cruising at 80 on I-90, I'm sureashell not getting gas in central Idaho panhandle just 'cause I hit 1/4 on the guage. I'm goin' on to Montana where the gas is $.03/gal cheaper and I can get a good buffalo burger at the truck stop! And 'member, now that you have bought your Subaru staythehell out of the stealership, except for warranty work. Oh, welcome to the board. Many of us are here to just keep our stock 'Roos and wallets happy ... and kick up a little fuss now'n'then.

Haven't driven on Cooper auto mudnsnow tires, but I've always had very good luck with regular Cooper tires. I did replace the OEM POS tires off several fleet Dodge Ram pickups with Coopers all weather truck tires and we abused the hell outta them with NO problems whatsomever.

Urabus, before I would let the warranty run out (and the dealership off the hook) I would pay for an inspection and take the results back to the dealer and DEMAND a field rep. I still say, from a total of 65,000 miles of driving in two different AT, AWD, ABS 'Roos ... sumptin aint right. And that's not counting the approx. 150,000 in three different MT 4WD 'Roos, of the older generations.

Your brake should sound like a quiet little buzz saw, with barely noticable pulse in the pedal. Something is amiss there. Neither of our auto Legacies clunk at any time, and the shifting is almost unnoticable at any speed (did we just get lucky, twice?). In low and second you are locked into 50/50 on the AWD. Try that next time you're in snow and see how it goes ... good to at least fifty MPH in 2nd.

You could hardly find any other way to shorten your engine life than to drive it one mile twice a day in winter. Hook it up, and leave it parked and WALK the mile each way. It'll do the car AND you a world of good. Use the car on weekends.