1 Lucky Texan

I guess Bill Gates needs hyper-drive! or does this mean I can break the sound barrier if I quit my job? (actually, you'd hear my WIFE's sonic boom if I quit my job!)

In the case a of a hurricane, I'd say the potential for damage is MORE than the square increase in force due to increased mass of flying debris!

Some soobs have a seat base adjustment/thigh support. I'm not familiar with the Forester and I'm sure you know your car - but just in case, make sure another driver hasn't mis adjusted the control if your car is so equipped. just a suggestion

Possibly a piece of gravel between the backing plate and the rotor. But, to be safe, a knowledgable person should inspect the brakes.

Might actually be easier and just as much fun to make a sand rail or dune buggy. Soobs are light and with the right tires can swim up dunes that other 4-bys have trouble with.

Yeah, I agree, most photos are taken from a low angle that sorta exagerates it. I'm not convinced its a winning look for Subaru - but there are worse vehicles out there. I'm kinda a 'form follows function' guy personally, though I appreciate aesthetic elegance. Not sure Subaru ever achieved that. Some cars I would have kept longer, but you sometimes have to make sacrifices for family reasons. Didn't make sense to keep the Datsun SRL 311 at the time I sold - but I wish i could've kept it. Technically, my wife's Sube is my first, though we probably split the miles put on it between us. It's unlikely my WRX will be driven by anyone else except in an emergency - so yeah, it's as much my car as a car could be. Looking forward to enjoying it for a long time.

What was the conclusion? Carl

If I understand how the ECU and knock sensor work - that technique would be worse than just switching to mid-grade. There will be several start cycles where you've paid for for the hi-grade but the ECU has not changed the map back to advanced timing. Plus, there is 'some' eveidence that not running hi-grade gas is a false economy due to poorer mileage with lo-grade.

Unless there are other symptoms like carbon deposits on plugs or noticeably poorer gas mileage - maybe it's just the vapor recovery system? A cracked plastic connector or purge valve issue? just a wag.

I understand the concerns in this issue - and it's possible I could get into a heated argument someday, but it's fairly well known that you can change you own oil or have other service done outside the dealer network and still get warranty service. The dealer doesn't want scrutiny from SOA over a bunch of illegitimate claims, but they don't want to scare away a future customer or source of sales referals. There ARE folks that will chip their car, swap out up pipes, install NOS, blow it up, swap all the mods back out for stock, and go back the the dealer for a new transmission. I hate that. But Subaru used to give away SCCA memberships with new cars - and now they even sell a car THEY call 'tuner ready'. I doubt a muffler, a boost gauge or some wheels would be a big issue. I could be wrong and I really don't like confrontations. But maybe I won't have to find out the hard way! Carl

I've read that tires for snow (I guess snow on pavement) should ideally be narrower than stock - certainly not wider. But off road I'd expect you want a serious lift and/or rolled fenders to accomodate very large tires. Then again, less offset in the rims will stress the bearings. Again, not an issue with a 'beater'. getting a dual range tranny from overseas or something would be a huge blessing but others may know if thats do-able. sounds like you're planning a fun project! Carl

I live at Green Oaks and I20 (on the poor side of Perkins) . Work near the stadi - the Ballpar - Ameriq - whatever! lol! You in a sedan or wagon? Carl

Thanx. Although I do have history of more short term than longterm ownership of vehicles, I suspect this one will be with me a long time - more like my '81 Civic Wagon was - 16 years. And I only dumped it when my Mom couldn't drive her Avenger anymore. Carl'

Yeah, it seems to be the engine and drivetrain from the Forester as near as I can tell. maybe different final drive ratio or something. I only repeat wjat I've read as the only other soob we have is the wife's '03 OBW. I suppose that vehicle caused me to wast..uh....INVEST too much time in online soob forums - which led to catching the 'fever', and I finally had the means to treat myself. So, many of the arguments about how ugly the new nose was, etc. just didn't matter to me. I can see how, if I already owned an '02-'03,etc. that I was happy with, well, yeah probably not worth trading in. But it was kinda no brainer for me. Biggest issues were stick or slush and what color. It only has 30 miles on it right now but, no problems yet! Carl

Well, you may be right. But I doubt they'd fight too hard to not replace the CD player if it went out after I installed a muffler. Or replace a seized A/C compressor after I put aftermarket wheels on. I guess we'll see.

Since I was a kid I always thought it would be cool if a car engine could be designed that would be cooled, lubricated and fueled by the same liquid. Might require a catalyst and some exotic engine materials but it seems like we may be close to it now. Carl

hah! Maybe its 135 after its warmed up!

Additionally, likely Toyota is losing money on each Prius. My bil and my fil/mil have Prii. My bil's just went to the shop with a problem they said couldn't happen without warning - the 308v battery pack is completely dead. Requires a 'special tool' to recharge when in that condition. Seems there is only one of these devoces for every muti-state area and his car had to wait a coupla days for shipping the thing into D/FW area. Got his car back Monday morning. Dead again Monday night. haven't heard what the new diagnoses is. 80k miles on the clock. the inlaws love their prius and I had some pressure to get one instead of my WRX wagon. I'm happy with my new soob. So far.

These kinda projects have been done in the past. I think using aircraft starter motors. For a light car, probably don't need more than 18-20 hp. Because electrics are rated at continuous duty - they can take bursts to much higher output but you can move a full size Chevy truck down the highway at 55mph with only 12 hp. It's inertia during acceleration that really sucks up the power. If you include a way to 'top up' in the garage overnight from household 120ac, you might do well. I'd consider a propane genset too. If you research the wayToyota did it, you'll see some cool engineering (I doun't want to start a debate over the questionable econimics of hybrids here). Light weight motor built for constant output at narrow rpm coupled through CV transmission to motor/generator. Very nice.

Thanx everyone - I've waiting on this for some time. First 'new' car I've bought for myself - well really, ever. Though I have had plenty of used cars purchased just for myself. And the other cars were all bought for 'family' use so were somewhat compromises. I think i can do a little work on it. Subaru would have to prove that any mod I did caused an isue to be deniable. Actually, I'm not interested in drag racing, street racing anyway - though I do have a few plans for it. Probably put the muffler on this weekend. Might shop for wheels in a few months. Can't decide about waiting on window tinting or not. Might be some 'specials' running in dec/january before spring. It's WAY more car in STOCK dress than I need!

Yep, picked up my Samurai Faced '06 WRX wagon afterwork today. There was one little glitch but Teape Subaru treated me well and I'm very happy to have my new ride. maybe some pics in a few days if I can figure all that out. MAN - does this thing PULL! (sorry - gloat mode off now)

I have heard of folks using an air hose - also heard htey can shoot across the room!

The US will, eventually convert - maybe require another 2-3 generations. I'd like to point out that the metric system could've helped itself by starting with either the yard - or better - the foot, instead of some arbitrary distance from the equator to the pole divided by 10 million-whatever. And it was our NATO pals that mostly were whining about it. Plus it was falsely promoted as more accurate! Accuracy has nothing to do with the measuring system. It relates to surface finish and repeatability. Hmmm, wonder if your cameras still have 1/4-20 tripod sockets? (but I do kinda like having a 15.875 'little carl' nudge nudge,wink wink)

I do like to run my tires 10-15% over the 'door' number. But in all 4. I think commuter's advice is good.

I once got new shoes for the rear of a '78 Civic that had too much material on them! The guys at the parts store claimed they never had any complaints. I insisted they give me some different ones. The new ones worked. BUT I did not have the drums turned - so perhaps the replacement (rebuilt, cheap) shoes have a little xtra figuring folks have turned their drums. Maybe this is why yours are binding. Slightly over size new rotors AND slightly over 'thick' new pads? Are there any sources for dimensions of new OEM parts to compare? I dunno