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Two lengths of black square stock steel tubing between the crossbars and box - - IF the u-bolts are long enough to get you the critical inch. At the least you can shim the box up off the crossbars as much as the u-bolts will alllow and thereby minimize the distance you have to push the box forward.Quote:
Originally Posted by El Chupacabra
Or, to avoid rust, I think Home Depot/Lowe's has square stock aluminum tubing in approx. 1" diameter. Not nearly as strong as steel, but in this usage, I would think it would be fine -- sandwiched between the roof box on top and the rack crossbars underneath.Quote:
Originally Posted by DJMingus
So all you people need a wagon and a roof box? I think at that point you should look at getting a bigger vehicle :D
depends on the mounting method too. Yakima rocketbox is a clamp, not a U bolt. Thules have U bolts as do some of the yakima's right?
My Thule Evo has special u bolts that are about 3 1/2 inches wide, I guess to accomodate some of those wide factory crossbars.
I've got the Outback XT 05 MT, and I can say that fortunately I've had basically none of the problems listed here, aside from fuel economy. In fact, the best it ever does is just under 25 mpg, if I drove it exclusively in the city I could see it getting 18 or worse. I average about 22.
Everything else (gotta use the expensive fuel for the turbo, too) is fine, absolutely no problems--just drove 500 miles in it today to hit 12k. I did find that it took about 500 miles for me to get used to shifting as it was quite different from my shitbox 95 Altima--I think what made it difficult at first actually was that I almost never go above 1500 rpms to get the car going, and in the Altima I used to rely on the sound of the engine engaging with the clutch, but the Outback is so much quieter that I couldn't do that. Not a big deal.
Can't think of any other problems, maybe the brakes aren't quite as good as they should be, and I'm not a fan of ABS, but I guess that's a given with any car these days.
I'm also not sure about fitting four with skis in the car--Laramie, were you thinking of doing that with the left seat down? That would have to be a really skinny person (phunK skinny) to fit in the middle seat. The only way I could do it is to put the skis over the middle which is awkward and hell on the interior.
If you're OK with the fuel economy I can fully recommend it.
I also have a 2005 2.5 XT (manual). Gas mileage and premium gas are annoying, but it's been gradually getting better - which the Subaru tech I talked to said to expect.
I just use a regular roof rack. If I load the skis backwards, I can't open the trunk all the way, but I keep my boots and such up front with me, so that's very rarely an issue. I did have to move the crossbars just to fit skis in the rack (not enough distance between them to allow for bindings). But that was a 5 minute fix.
Heated seats, and heated windshield wipers absolutely rock. And it's fast and fun as hell to drive. I had been eyeballing a black one, but common sense took hold (plus they gave me a discount because they had several in the sand/beige color that I ended up buying in stock and they were getting rid of the '05s).
My only complaint is that I got a cracked windshield recently. Damn rocks.
Here's a pic of mine.- :biggrin:
I own a 2006 Outback 2.5XT, auto.Quote:
Originally Posted by El Chupacabra
This is my second Subaru...traded-in my 2001 Outback which had about 100,000 miles on it. The only work I ever did on my 2001 was to follow the schedule, one new set of tires, and one complete set of pads and rotors. That was a reliable car! And I usually ran 85 octane.
I also considered a 2006 Audi A4, and a 2006 BMW 325xi. I settled on the Subaru because it just seemed to be more practicle for my <skiing> needs.
Now, about the XT.
What I mostly dislike:
- The auto climate control system, AKA Hal. What a POS. Give me a comlete manual system anyday. And I hate digital HVAC controls. At least with with an analog system, I could change the settings without taking my eye off of the road. With the digital system, I actually have to look at the LED read-outs. Pain in the ass.
- Minimum 91 octane fuel requirement. Oh well, the price one pays for performance.
- My Yakima Rocketbox was too long (rear spoiler interference), so I sold it and mounted a conventional rack.
- Stock M+S tires (Potenza's) suck. Will put some good ones on once these wear down.
- Radio Antenna. The radio antenna is embedded in the rear hatchback window, and reception sucks compared to the antenna (external) that was on my 2001 Outback.
- Speaking of the radio, it really sucks that an NOAA Weather Band is no longer included, or even available as an option.
- Needs more driver leg room combined with a telescoping steering wheel.
- Braking performance is fair.
What I mostly like:
- It'll smoke anything in it's class in both price and performance, and probably reliability too.
- Performance. 250HP turbocharged flat 4 Boxer that can be safely upped to 290HP/305 ft lb via a simple ECU map flash:
http://cobbtuning.com/legacy/power-s.html#stage1
- Excellent AWD system.
- Auto/Sport/Manual 5-speed transmission.
- Winter weather package.
- Daytime gauge illumination.
- Stock trip computer.
- The ability to blow-away a Volvo XC70 turbo on dry pavement, and on the snow and ice.
I think that's about it.
-Astro
Do the Kerry/Edwards bumper stickers come included with the cold weather package, or are they an added cost?
No, they're included at no charge, but any car with a "W'04" sticker has been reduced to free, with the caveat that you need to pay for hauling, crushing and landfilling. Still, a good deal for all concerned.Quote:
Originally Posted by Repoman
Fucking twit.
Mine just has the big 'W' sticker (text: Worst President Ever).
I really like the auto climate control, personally. Not to mention I REALLY wish we had the dual controls (and heated seats) in all of our vehicles, not just mine. Also excellent for warming up boots on the floor of the passenger side when I'm heading up the mountain by myself.
Just an observation. Don't see too many "W'04" stickers on Subees. Tend to see those on the big Daddy Chevy's. Just think its rather strange....
I would so some research on the 2.5 L engine. Subaru had major problems with that motor blowing the Head Gasket on earlier 98-01 generations for that engine. Had to dump about $1800 into my wifes 98 Legacy. Subaru could have fixed the flaw by now?
Also, a Subaru over a Jeep? :nonono2: So many more places you can explore with a Jeep.
But dude, station wagons are so much cooler. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Kya
The early Phase II 2.5 liter engines are affected, 1999-2002, and that specific recall was due to the possibilty of an external coolent leak at the head gaskets:Quote:
Originally Posted by Kya
Jeep? Reliability? Bwaaahaaahaahaaa!...it's still an AMC product, at heart. :)Quote:
Certain 1999 through 2002 2.5L equipped vehicles may experience an external coolant leak at the head gaskets. As a precautionary measure, SOA is adding a special conditioner to the engine cooling system. This conditioner prevents leaks from occurring and corrects existing leaks.
Only early Phase II 2.5 liter engines are affected. Phase I 2.5 liter engines (some 1999 model year and prior years) are not affected. Countermeasures applied to the manufacturing process for those 2002 and later VINS not affected by this campaign have eliminated the need for this campaign to be performed on those vehicles.
-Astro
Never owned a Subaru, but don't knock the good ole Jeep Cherokee. Ours was impossible to kill, so we sold it to a friend who drove it for 5 more years before HE sold it.
That straight six motor and bomber drivetrain made for one solid ass vehicle IMHO. We sold it because it was my wife's workmobile, and it started looking too ratty for her clientele (she's a remodeler.)
although i don't have a turbo, i can tell you the imba discount is a nice touch, they tend to fck with you less. Of course do your homework prior to arriving, but you already know that. I can tell you, from my research the awd is more "active" in the mt and the 2.5 is a safe bet. You will have to run high test, actually you "should' run high test in the regular 2.5 as the compression is almost 11:1. I'm 3000mile road tripping my 2.5 standard beater outback this friday. If it makes the grade, which i'm assuming it will, loaded the hell up....i'll be even a bigger fan.
good luck the new one's look slick.
This would be to replace the '02 WJ Grand Cherokee. The biggest concern to me on the WJ is the 42RE transmission, which I learned (after buying it) has a reputation for failure. Damn. No problems so far, but may be better to sell it while it's working fine, rather than after the transmission lunches itself.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kya
Also, the WJ is now redundant for offroad use; it's pretty much been relegated to a road trip mobile and ski car since the arrival of this last year (now with OME lift & misc bumpers/ skidplating):
http://blogdayafternoon.com/images/s...tedRubicon.jpg
I used towels to protect the seats from the ski tips, and layed the skis side ways. Fit 4 just fine for the short trip up the canyon (granted 2 smallish ladies in the back seat). Long trips, no go, but 3 would be fine.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dexter Rutecki
Nice, if you have a modified Rubicon for trail rides and exploring, then swapping out the other Jeep makes sense.Quote:
Originally Posted by El Chupacabra