mtsmiths

I'm not going Subaru-specific here, but any good pepper tree mechanic knows that doing head work on a high mileage engine has a great possibility of causing previously adequate rings to fail. Head and valve work invariblky increases compression and ... instant blow-by. The dealer did not: 1. do due diligence on determining the internal condition of the engine, 2. pay enough attention to the condition when they opened it, or 3. give enough of a *************** about the customer to give him a call when they realized it needed rings too (which would have been no big deal when the engine was already open. I'd be right back in their face, and if I got no satisfaction be climbing the Subaru corporate ladder raising hell until i did.

http://jalopnik.com/391145/subaru-legacy-sti-s402-adds-power-fender-vents

Sharply bend hoses and belts to see if they are cracking. Check in hidden areas for water-staining, dried mud, weeds, mummified catfish or crawdads ... avoid Katrina Kars. On Subarus check tire pressure for evenness. Do a torque-bind turn set, both forward and backwards in both directions on dry pavement. Watch when you turn on the ignition and confirm that the check engine light comes on, then goes off. If no light, it may be disconnected to hide problems. If you can't do a compression check hold a thin strip of newspaper so it hangs over the tailpipe, if it gets sucked in during idle - bad exhaust valve. Stick your finger in the coolant and see if it feels oily, sniff for compression gas smells.

Those are the daytime driving lights (lower power). It's generally acknowledged that they are for safety purposes, and may be required by law (on a state-by-state basis). I think that the consensus here is if you don't want them on drive with one notch of e-brake to activate the off-switch, but not the brakes. Call us back when you can't get he parking lights to turn off, and we'll explain that too!

http://jalopnik.com/389998/subaru-forester-washed-in-sexy-sumo-sudsfest And no, I won't think you are 'iffy' if you watch it. Pretty good parody of car wash hotties. Notice the identity tag at the end?

I keep thinking that a 360 would make a great platform for an electric conversion ... for when we retire in Hawaii. We'll never have to leave the general area we'll be living in, and there's nothing we need that takes a more than ten a mile each way trip. Course, I'll have to have the convertible version.

Don't visit the PNW with those racks, at least don't take a WS ferry. We did and got hit with an oversize vehicle charge that was worth more than the bike we had on the roof! :-\

http://jalopnik.com/382949/engine-of-the-day-subaru-ej

http://jalopnik.com/383023/the-new-subaru-ee20-boxer-turbo-diesel-in-detail

We usually just buy a can of Techron when we get into Chevron Country (AKA Washington state). Lately I have noticed that when you stomp it from a dead stop (like when trying to beat out an approaching logging truck when you're pulling out of a street or driveway) that our normally aspirated '06 Outback has a total dead spot. It prolly takes a full second to start to move, then it's like a turbo lag response. Needles to say, since I have discovered this quirk I no longer attempt to cut off logging trucks. Maybe I should move up the dino-juice food chain.

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/04/that-blissfully.html

I suspect it's an old design study, it still has a pig snout ... on it's a$$.

http://jalopnik.com/377713/first-sketch-of-the-rear+wheel-drive-subaru-impreza-coupe:eek:

First, I must say I like the Sedan overall, despite the Chrysler front end. I'm far less fond of the five-door (whatever they call it) Mazda clone. But yesterday I saw an Impreza 'Outback Sport', overwrought painted on two-tone that has nothing to do with the lines of the car ... bleccccch; only one word can adequately describe the car 'horrid'!

http://jalopnik.com/ A whole series on the new WRX and Forester, and a funny bit on the Ghostbusters Outback.

My first car, a 1948 Ford business coupe. Bought if for $75.00 from a couple of Mormon missionary guys that were finished with it and going back to Utah. $15.00 worth of change in the ash tray ... they had never opened it!

I folllow grossgary's method. We have a great young service writer at Simpson's in Kalispell, and he lnows I know, if you know what I mean. When I take it in for an interval onspection we write the specific items to be address, and that's all. I don't know if it's because he is basically honest, or because he knows I will be reviewing the service order, but The Pretty One can take the car in knowing that ONLY the necessary work will be proposed and done. The funny thing is this; if you do a task-specific work order, they will end up inspecting all that other stuff anyhow, because they're there, and if they find something that really IS off, let you know.

Lotsa Subaru shots (LOOK QUICK) in here ... http://jalopnik.com/362535/professional-hoonage-a-history-of-rally-jumps

Would make a nice car. I'm no expert, but I believe that the 914 is basically a rebodied VW platform, so the basics of a VW-Soobie conversion should prevail. At least on the 914 you've got somewheres to puit the radiator.

I konw it's been seen before. http://jalopnik.com/360134/subaru-with-tracks-opens-up-new-world-of-hoonage?autoplay=true Whoo-Hoo

If that Maloor8 (thatthehell does that mean anyhow?) was badged and sold as an El Camino in the US they couldn't keep 'em on the showroom floor. The Ford version as a Ranchero would be a dud, far to stodgy looking.

Hoon of the day! http://jalopnik.com/358709/hoon-of-the-day-maximum-wagon-day-edition?autoplay=true

Then we may, I presume, assume that is not your Impreze lying tango uniform in the borrow ditch? For the record (keep this to yourself) I'm from Los Angeles.