1 Lucky Texan

But if a larger vehicle is actually carrying several people, the fuel use per person could be beneficial - you can't just draw the line at 20mpg. Our old Windstar van usually had 2-5 people in it. for instance. At 20mpg it would be better than a smaller vehicle carrying one person at 39mpg. I don't completely disagree - obviously many folks feel Subarus get poor mileage and may replace them in hte future - but those alternate technologies are not free from fossil fuels either. The very cost involved indicates extensive and sophisticated manufacturing - likely involving electricity generated by fossil fuels, or nuclear. And the move to more plastic components (ironically to make cars lighter so they increase economy - which may also COST lives by making them less safe) means using oil. Nuclear, BTW would save a LOT of lives, scores of coal miners die every year from black lung disease for example. But the hybrids we have now cannot even be 'topped off' in the garage at home. They rely on the gas engine for all battery charging. Batteries which, BTW, are toxic to dispose of and a threat to rescue workers trying to use the 'jaws of life' and other means to extricate occupants of wrecked vehicles. There are 2 Prius - es in my in-laws family. My BIL has one which failed in a way completely unexpected by Toyota - he still has problems with it. And if the traction batteries are completely discharged (they told him it can never happen - but it did.) there are only 4 machines in the US to recharge them! That technology may be 'hot' right now in marketing terms, but it is immature in technical terms. As for foreign sources - I say let's use theirs and keep ours in the ground as long as possible! Again, I just feel its exagerrated in general - and for me personally a very miner issue. No problems with folks who disagree. You're right, when whale oil became too expensive, we got kerosene. When the Brits burned up most of the trees in England for charcoal, we got coal. The market place can find solutions and meet folk's demands. I just hate to see the gumint try to pick the winners and mandate prices,etc. I truly hope we never start growing food for cars while people are hungry! Fossil fuels can be and are mostly used responsibly. sorry for the long reply

Bumping to let folks know there could be as many as 34 soobs there now - more everyday! come on out! (need some old school love though, got a Brat or a Justy?) fyi

I have also begun 'rating' better threads. Might make it easier for folks in the future. Kinda a shortcut around creation of 'stickies/faqs'.

Additionally, you could argue that, Subaru's lineup AS A WHOLE is way ahead of most other companies in 'corporate' gas mileage. (I haven't seen any numbers though - i dunno)They don't make a Titan, Expedition, Hummer or cadillac sized vehicle. i see nothing wrong with them keepin the 'niche' they occupy, even if there are more fuel efficient cars out there - there are many quite worse as you pointed out. And, when it comes to light delivery vehicles or occasional light/moderate hauling - wagons are underrated. Subaru at least has not abandoned the 'wagon' style.

I second the rotors. And I'd get new ones probably for a '93 with severely 'warped' rotors. High quality aftermarket or OEM. good reading on brakes at;http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_warped_brakedisk.shtml Jamie at http://www.subarugenuineparts.com has OEM parts from a discount dealer. there are others too of course. fyi Carl

I have just the muffler on my WRX wagon, kept the same diameter pipe - couldn't be happier. Its a Strommung twin tip. Not raspy, doesn't wake the neighbors or attract the squeezers. Deep, throaty sound with authority on acceleration. Noticeable on the highway but not annoying I'd say. Bolted right on. got mine from http://www.boxer4racing.com/ no connection blah, blah you might cruise the reviews at http://www.subarureview.com/engine.php?PHPSESSID=8c2243735f4daeb7f72459b9e25d984d also - there MAY be some sound files around. look for a 'sticky' or FAQ by unabomber at http://www.nasioc.com

I used to work (just under 12 years) in the oil exploration industry ('logging' equipment - no not trees) and I NEVER, and likely will never, complain about the price of gasoline. I wanted a sport wagon from a company with a decent repair history. I got a WRX wagon. People ask me what kind of mileage it gets all the time. ITS UNRELATED TO ANY PART OF MY PURCHASE DECISION! Its a miracle of science and marketing that gasoline isn't $20 a gallon. It has to be one of the cheapest liquids on planet earth. Just below water - almost a tie with milk. And, how much would it be if there weren't 38 cents a gallon tax on it? (in Texas) And milk is subsidised. A friggin GLASS of soda is like $1.50 at restaurant! How much are drinks by the gallon at the movies? Yeah, I know the comparisons are a little misleading - but if gas were REALLY expensive, there wouldn't be so many people driving alone. You guys would pay $8 a gallon for gas and you KNOW it. So does OPEC and EXXON - and the gumint. If the price of gas comes down any more significantly - watch for some poltician to suggest raising the tax because 'we're already accustomed to a higher price - we'll fill in with a small tax and you won't even feel the difference'. It's worth watching your mileage to monitor for changes that may indicate a problem and to possibly correct some bad driving habits. One thing folks could do - don't buy a new car, you lose thousands the instant you take delivery. that money could put 2-3 years worth of gas in a 4 year old car. Walk, get a bicycle, combine trips. But really, you'd pay twice as much for gas and STILL not carpool to work. come on, fess up, you KNOW it.

I can't recall where the pic was, but the center diff on the Imprezas (except most STIs with the dccd) is viscous locking. There are viscous plates, when the slippage heats them up, they lock the mechanical diff. I dunno how it unlocks. yeah - check the bottom of this page; http://www.autozine.org/technical_school/traction/tech_traction_4wd_2.htm (how does it unlock?)

Show your parents the 'urban dictionary' definition of 'hummer'. That might do it.

Um, I think the stock stereo in my '06 WRX is poor - I think you should replace yours with a nav system. If you have the same unit I do - the 6 cd changer, it has limited functions (won't remeber random setting when you turn it back on, random only on one disc NOT random through the whole stack, not loud enough,no aux/Ipod input,etc.)just my 2 cents

Man, this is great! Um, please share the following with us; About how many miles under what conditions did you drive with the torque bind? (this might help us know how long the clutch pack can tolerate the failure since your shop said the clutches weren't burned up) Was the solenoid actually bad or was the wire broken? What is the name and location of the shop you used for the repair - sounds like a good shop and others in your area might be helped there too. thanx

Is the A/C working? The defroster engages the a/c compressor - and the refrigerant system has oil in it - a sensitive nose might smell it if the coil has a leak. Though it wouldn't smell 'burnt'. If it smells 'sweet'/toasted marshmallows that would be coolant. Doesn't take but only a drop or 2 of grease or oil to make a big stink on the exhaust!

Maybe a door or fender drain is blocked and rain has collected in the bottom of a body panel? I dunno

Perhaps the manual will mention which parts of the seats are heated?

They should consider the Tribeca as well - though some folks say it isn't car seat friendly. Besides, and H3 I mean, if they have money ,why go from a jag to an H3? Why not Range Rover? I dunno

Well, I personally feel the Outback wagon is a little stiffer ride than the Legacy. Our '03 also has a little noise but I think it's the auto tranny whining so that's likely not an issue witha stick. Tires can make a big difference on noise. The stock B'stones on my WRX were much quieter than my Kumhos. One idea, If you want the leather but can't get it in the car you buy, some folks in the south and southwest want the moonroof but DON'T want leather because of the heat - you might find someone to swap seats with (at least the fronts or??) There is a marketplace forum here and many folks post WTB or WTT posts over at http://www.nasioc.com . And there may be some wrecking yards that would swap out leather for your seats and some cash - I dunno.

Yeah, Subaru claims it's there just to catch junk after final assembly of the tranny. Howver, I think replacing it after a high mileage service (or anytime the transmission has been 'opened' or power flushed,etc.) couldn't hurt anything and might just catch some varnish or inadvertent hunk of crap that got in off the dipstick or something. I dunno

I swear on a stack of Buddhas some folks are just plain lazy! They could inspect ONE corner of your car cheaper than giving you a rental PLUS the time of a test drive! Besides, they KNOW they didn't put the correct parts in. Why not just own up to it? idiot - gosh!

Looks like a fun day of driving! We can't even get any rain! It's 82 F right now! I like those wheels too - were they stock? Carl

MAN! World rally Blue too! LUCKY!!! OK, just because I said I would;

If I'm a transplant, it's only from Arlington to Ft.Worth and back again - maybe yah got me confused with some other inhospitable southerner?

If a '90 model Honda had a knock sensor (anyone?) the above tests should've had the ECU reset before switching to the higher octane. I dunno

Meh I'm just going because; a. Its the steal - er - dealership I got my WRX from and the one lilely to work on my soobs and ,b. Maybe free stuff! were you gonna give me free stuff in Grapevine? I think NOT! hah!