My New Ride
- Thread starter buster
- Start date
- Status
JHZR2
Staff member
Cool, glad you got an MT.
Get a lift and some AT tires and youll have a nice little machine.
Get a lift and some AT tires and youll have a nice little machine.
Congrats on the new wheels!
Love the MT. Don't love the interior color scheme, but maybe the white balance on your camera is off.
Love the MT. Don't love the interior color scheme, but maybe the white balance on your camera is off.
Nice buy. I love the interior design. Plain. Simple. Functional.
I don't like these new cars with these "swoopy" interior styles with angular HVAC vents and contoured shapes. This is the type of stuff that ends up looking dated in a minute. Classy subdued styling like what's in your Forester will look good forever.
I don't like these new cars with these "swoopy" interior styles with angular HVAC vents and contoured shapes. This is the type of stuff that ends up looking dated in a minute. Classy subdued styling like what's in your Forester will look good forever.
Quote:
Don't love the interior color scheme
I feel the same way. I like the dashboard, but don't like the color at all. It's an ugly beige. I can live with it.
Quote:
Nice buy. I love the interior design. Plain. Simple. Functional.
+1. I like simple interiors too.
Don't love the interior color scheme
I feel the same way. I like the dashboard, but don't like the color at all. It's an ugly beige. I can live with it.
Quote:
Nice buy. I love the interior design. Plain. Simple. Functional.
+1. I like simple interiors too.
Originally Posted By: GreeCguy
Nice ride and like others, I enjoy a stick shift but it's getting to the point that unless it's an econo box of some kind, you're not going to find it. Congrats and many happy miles ahead.
Subaru seems to be one of the only car makers that you can find manual transmission.
Sadly, their manuals seem to be pretty sloppy after a few years. -Unlike my integra, which still felt crisp after 150K+
Nice ride and like others, I enjoy a stick shift but it's getting to the point that unless it's an econo box of some kind, you're not going to find it. Congrats and many happy miles ahead.
Subaru seems to be one of the only car makers that you can find manual transmission.
Sadly, their manuals seem to be pretty sloppy after a few years. -Unlike my integra, which still felt crisp after 150K+
Originally Posted By: buster
03 Forester, Melissa Etheridge edition.
Not a huge fan of the color, but I wasn't after that. I was more concerned with how well maintained it was. Buying a car this cheap you're really taking a risk no matter what. A few people said to my wife "Is Mike a l*sbian?" LOL.
Could someone explain the Subaru/Lesb. thing to me? i wanted to buy the wife a Crosstrek someday. She said she would have to grow arm pit hair and likely start playing for the other team in order to drive one. I was like "your crazy, subaru is a great Japanese car company and has nothing to do with those wierd stereotypes"
I wish she liked subaru cause i sure do. They last forever with a few modest repairs here and there. +awesome awd.
03 Forester, Melissa Etheridge edition.
Could someone explain the Subaru/Lesb. thing to me? i wanted to buy the wife a Crosstrek someday. She said she would have to grow arm pit hair and likely start playing for the other team in order to drive one. I was like "your crazy, subaru is a great Japanese car company and has nothing to do with those wierd stereotypes"
I wish she liked subaru cause i sure do. They last forever with a few modest repairs here and there. +awesome awd.
LOL well I'm honestly not sure where it comes from. I've always heard about it. True story. While searching the last month for one, I did have a Lesb#an couple contact me about one. They were located in VT. VT seems to have concentration pockets of Les*ian/G*y communites. Btw, why is that word blocked? So stupid. I don't know how true that really is or whether it's more than any other area.
Subarus are very popular in areas that see bad winters.
Crosstreks are nice and so are the Legacy sedans. I'd like to get a Crosstrek eventually. Great vehicle for the $ and it's quite capable off road compared to many of these other joke AWD systems that are out there.
Subarus are very popular in areas that see bad winters.
Crosstreks are nice and so are the Legacy sedans. I'd like to get a Crosstrek eventually. Great vehicle for the $ and it's quite capable off road compared to many of these other joke AWD systems that are out there.
If we're doing stereotypes: Jeep Grand Cherokee less than 10 years old is a ladies' carriage around here.
Only after that age do the guys take interest, or feel like paying the price.
Only after that age do the guys take interest, or feel like paying the price.
That's like the Mercury Grand Marquis - I tried to get my wife to drive one about ten years ago. Found a great deal on one in perfect shape with all the options. Took her to look at it and she kept saying "that's an old ladies car." It wasn't till then that I noticed most little old ladies in these parts were driving Mercury Grand Marquis.
Cool car! Sounds like you came out ahead!
I like the color. Will reflect heat well in summer, and won't show dirt and scratches. When I was looking for my Tacoma, that color was my first choice. A local dealership had one, but we could never get together in price, so I ended up going with a black one at a dealer about 60 miles away. Looks good, but tough to keep clean.
I like the M/T. I wouldn't have an auto in any car smaller than full-size. The 4-bangers just don't have the oomph to run a slushbox.
I talked to a guy who has one, and had the HG problem. The previous owner had replaced the HGs without removing the engine from the car. The repair was unsuccessful, as he likely did not properly torque the head bolts, in the correct sequence, which, I understand, is critically important.
He removed the engine and performed the HG revision properly, and has had no problems since. Said R/R of engine was a snap, and the HG R/R was easy with the engine out.
As far as batteries, I have a lot of experience on that front, as I have R/R'd hundreds when I worked for Auto Zone while I was in A&P school. Battery cable corrosion is an annoying problem that can be easily prevented. All you have to do is apply a liberal coating of a dielectric grease compound (composed of petroleum jelly with silicone thickeners) to the cable clamps after they've been tightened. That will prevent any spilled acid from coming into contact with the steel clamps. Also, regular under-hood inspections will catch any electrolyte that has spilled and run down the side of the batt. That should be cleaned up immediately with a solution of Arm & Hammer and water, which will neutralize the acid and prevent corrosion to the frame or other metal parts.
As far as sealed, AGM batteries, the Optima is good, but usually over-priced. If I bought one, I'd go with a Yellow Top, as it's a true dual-purpose batt.(has deep-cycling capability). They're pricier, but worth it.
IMHO, the best batt. on the market is the Odyssey. It's an AGM, but uses a traditional, vertical-plate cell design instead of the spiral-cell design of the Optima, which results in wasted space. Also, the Odyssey uses 100% pure virgin lead in the plates (it's better, trust me
.
All that said, the Sears DieHard Platinum is a re-badged Odyssey that you can buy for $219.99. Occasionally they go on sale. If I'm not mistaken, that Forester, and most Subies, take a 35 series batt., which is available in a DieHard Platinum. I wish they made them in a 34R for my truck (although the 35 has more juice than my current, standard wet-cell unit).
Funny about the lesbo stereotype. I wasn't aware of that one, although I did know that Subarus, along with Volvo and especially VW, are considered hippie cars. When I've been to Bohemian, hippie towns like Boone, NC, Madison, WI, etc, all I've seen is VWs and Subies. Funny, in Boone (nice town, BTW), the largest auto dealership is a VW/Subaru store.
I like the color. Will reflect heat well in summer, and won't show dirt and scratches. When I was looking for my Tacoma, that color was my first choice. A local dealership had one, but we could never get together in price, so I ended up going with a black one at a dealer about 60 miles away. Looks good, but tough to keep clean.
I like the M/T. I wouldn't have an auto in any car smaller than full-size. The 4-bangers just don't have the oomph to run a slushbox.
I talked to a guy who has one, and had the HG problem. The previous owner had replaced the HGs without removing the engine from the car. The repair was unsuccessful, as he likely did not properly torque the head bolts, in the correct sequence, which, I understand, is critically important.
He removed the engine and performed the HG revision properly, and has had no problems since. Said R/R of engine was a snap, and the HG R/R was easy with the engine out.
As far as batteries, I have a lot of experience on that front, as I have R/R'd hundreds when I worked for Auto Zone while I was in A&P school. Battery cable corrosion is an annoying problem that can be easily prevented. All you have to do is apply a liberal coating of a dielectric grease compound (composed of petroleum jelly with silicone thickeners) to the cable clamps after they've been tightened. That will prevent any spilled acid from coming into contact with the steel clamps. Also, regular under-hood inspections will catch any electrolyte that has spilled and run down the side of the batt. That should be cleaned up immediately with a solution of Arm & Hammer and water, which will neutralize the acid and prevent corrosion to the frame or other metal parts.
As far as sealed, AGM batteries, the Optima is good, but usually over-priced. If I bought one, I'd go with a Yellow Top, as it's a true dual-purpose batt.(has deep-cycling capability). They're pricier, but worth it.
IMHO, the best batt. on the market is the Odyssey. It's an AGM, but uses a traditional, vertical-plate cell design instead of the spiral-cell design of the Optima, which results in wasted space. Also, the Odyssey uses 100% pure virgin lead in the plates (it's better, trust me
All that said, the Sears DieHard Platinum is a re-badged Odyssey that you can buy for $219.99. Occasionally they go on sale. If I'm not mistaken, that Forester, and most Subies, take a 35 series batt., which is available in a DieHard Platinum. I wish they made them in a 34R for my truck (although the 35 has more juice than my current, standard wet-cell unit).
Funny about the lesbo stereotype. I wasn't aware of that one, although I did know that Subarus, along with Volvo and especially VW, are considered hippie cars. When I've been to Bohemian, hippie towns like Boone, NC, Madison, WI, etc, all I've seen is VWs and Subies. Funny, in Boone (nice town, BTW), the largest auto dealership is a VW/Subaru store.
Same color and model as my MIL's Forester (Hers is 05 same body style). Congrats! I like driving it when we visit her in TN.
Nice find.
I'm concerned with the airbox. Can you take a clearer photo of it and such?
To me it looks like the filter IS the wrap on the end of the tube?
With the manual you will have a hard time getting ANY traction loss. Its 50/50 and with the motor and chassies you have a excellent combo.
I love that style. I just can not fit inside that vehicle. The 2007 Outback we had was larger and I still was a tight fit.
One of the reasons (and a major one) why we no longer own ours. Miss the power train though....
Year or two with that.. Easy with no worries. Just drive it and enjoy. (and make sure the air filter is up to protection)
Bill
I'm concerned with the airbox. Can you take a clearer photo of it and such?
To me it looks like the filter IS the wrap on the end of the tube?
With the manual you will have a hard time getting ANY traction loss. Its 50/50 and with the motor and chassies you have a excellent combo.
I love that style. I just can not fit inside that vehicle. The 2007 Outback we had was larger and I still was a tight fit.
One of the reasons (and a major one) why we no longer own ours. Miss the power train though....
Year or two with that.. Easy with no worries. Just drive it and enjoy. (and make sure the air filter is up to protection)
Bill
Subaru did target that community in its marketing at one time.
It's mainly the Forster that has this association.
Something like a WRX is as macho a little sedan as you can buy, and an XT Forester is a pretty stong machine, if you need that.
Subarus in general are a little off-beat and their owners are assumed to march to their own drummer, kind of like Volvo was in the 140/240 days.
It's good to own something a little different in looks as well as mechanical makeup.
You also can't argue about the snow performance of a Subaru.
You'll be amazed the first time you get your Forester out in the white stuff.
Welcome to the cult, Buster.
It's mainly the Forster that has this association.
Something like a WRX is as macho a little sedan as you can buy, and an XT Forester is a pretty stong machine, if you need that.
Subarus in general are a little off-beat and their owners are assumed to march to their own drummer, kind of like Volvo was in the 140/240 days.
It's good to own something a little different in looks as well as mechanical makeup.
You also can't argue about the snow performance of a Subaru.
You'll be amazed the first time you get your Forester out in the white stuff.
Welcome to the cult, Buster.
Buster,
Have you tried the hill holder system on your new Forester yet? I've found it to be useful when on a steep incline as I never worry about backing into the person behind me.
http://drive2.subaru.com/Spr03_HillHolder.htm
Have you tried the hill holder system on your new Forester yet? I've found it to be useful when on a steep incline as I never worry about backing into the person behind me.
http://drive2.subaru.com/Spr03_HillHolder.htm
^ Yeah it works well.
I took it off-road today and on the beach in Brigantine. It handled the sand easily. I was impressed. I've been on this beach before with a Jeep and F-150 with the Off-road package. I lowered the air pressure down to 20psi and it cut through it with ease.
I took it off-road today and on the beach in Brigantine. It handled the sand easily. I was impressed. I've been on this beach before with a Jeep and F-150 with the Off-road package. I lowered the air pressure down to 20psi and it cut through it with ease.
- Status
