carljwnc's '01 Outback

...not that I really ever went anywhere , but I traded in YotaRu last night for a 2001 Outback.:ebiggrin:

Got home as it was getting dark and couldn't get a good enough photo to post, so that is all you get for now.

 

[Tweaksta]

Hehe - they all look good to me - lol.....

For admirers of the FJ, check out this bit of ad agency propaganda. It is designed to look like an Aussie outback adventure but the two guys are actors (and it was produced by Saatchi & Saatchi) making it a long Toyota ad, however it still captures the excitement of the outback and is good to look at - so enjoy!

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn2qpRTJots"]FJ Cruiser. One Way In. One Way Out. Documentary - YouTube[/ame]

 

[carljwnc]

Rollin' on the black steelies I bought from E.J. a while back, Thanks E.J.!!!

 

[E.J.]

Looking pretty mean Carl.

 

[Kevin]

Must say they go very well with the rest of the colour scheme.

 

[carljwnc]

I like 'em.

Tires are oversized, 215/70-16, they really fill in the wheel arches. They are pretty worn, but still have some life in them. I figure I'll run them over the summer or until they wear out, whichever comes first, and save the nice Michelins for next snow season.

 

[Escher]

Nice to see you back in a Subie, Carl! Even if I'm about five years behind in congratulating you.

PS: So little traffic on ORS these days. I had no choice but to revive some threads from the dead. Sorry.

 

[Kevin]

:lol:

We do have a lot of "guests" viewing the forum though! Just part of the territory when the forum can be viewed without having to become a member I guess.

 

[NachaLuva]

That's fine, reviving old threads is interesting, good to see some old names again...

 

[Escher]

Always good to see old ORS friends, especially from the Aussie side of the Big Peaceful Pond!

As for all the "guests" viewing, I sometimes wonder how many of them are 'bots who signed up via a script. Be that as it may, it's a joy to see ORS is still up and running. I wasn't sure what to think when Tony passed ownership on to Silke and Co. But they're all good people! As long as ORS remains available, that's what matters most.

 

[carljwnc]

Nice to see you back in a Subie, Carl! Even if I'm about five years behind in congratulating you.

PS: So little traffic on ORS these days. I had no choice but to revive some threads from the dead. Sorry.

Thanks Escher!!! Of course, this is coming right after this car has gone up for sale. It's been a great car, but it is getting a bit long in the tooth. Just shy of 200k, and it needs some work. My biggest problem though is the AT, it works just fine, but it is NOT a manual. No worries though, it will be replaced with a 2005 or newer Outback with a proper gear box.

Hope all is well with you!!! I'm still here, but mostly lurking.

 

[NachaLuva]

Hey Carl, nice to see you'll still be in a Subie

 

[Escher]

Thanks Escher!!! Of course, this is coming right after this car has gone up for sale.

LOL, Carl! Did I jinx you into getting a newer Outback?

It's been a great car, but it is getting a bit long in the tooth. Just shy of 200k, and it needs some work. My biggest problem though is the AT, it works just fine, but it is NOT a manual.

200k is getting up there. My Forester is only about to hit 100k, which is not bad for MY06. I hear you about the slush box! The 4EAT is not a bad transmission. But it's outdated, and obviously not a stick. Hopefully, you'll be able to find a good one if you take your time.

Hope all is well with you!!! I'm still here, but mostly lurking.

You've got a leg up on me! I haven't even been lurking. Went to Moab to hike the SE Utah national parks with my daughter for spring break. Saw lots of nice 4x4 vehicles there, which made me homesick for ORS.

The Forester is running great and the 1" lift and King Springs are perfect. So I'm hoping I can get another 50-100k out of it. The SF/SG Forester is still my ideal car in size and shape, as I like a good, smallish wagon. And while the newer Fozzas are sweet (esp. the latest XT), they're large and too SUV-like.

Hope you guys are doing well down in WNC! Now that we're back Stateside for good, I hope we can meet up at some point after all these years. Let me know if you're ever in the mood for a visit to DC with the family. We've got a safe and comfortable place for you to stay!

 

[carljwnc]

Hey Carl, nice to see you'll still be in a Subie

Yup, I'll be sticking with Subie for a while. My work just moved quite a bit further from home, so I need the better MPG. I'd love another off-roader, but I just can't afford the 4x4 lifestyle. I have my mountain bike for trail adventures, much more cost effective, and trail access is much closer to home.

LOL, Carl! Did I jinx you into getting a newer Outback?

Oh, it has been up for sale for a few weeks now. WNC is flooded with old Subies though, they are about a dime-a-dozen around here, and most are in better shape than mine, so no quick sale and the price keeps dropping. Hopefully soon...

You've got a leg up on me! I haven't even been lurking. Went to Moab to hike the SE Utah national parks with my daughter for spring break. Saw lots of nice 4x4 vehicles there, which made me homesick for ORS.

Jealous!!! I'd love to get out to Moab for some biking...and I'd have to find a 4x4 to rent. So much awesomeness out there.:ebiggrin:

Hope you guys are doing well down in WNC! Now that we're back Stateside for good, I hope we can meet up at some point after all these years. Let me know if you're ever in the mood for a visit to DC with the family. We've got a safe and comfortable place for you to stay!

Yup, we're doing very well. DC is definitely on our list, when, I don't know, but sometime. Glad you're back statside, Welcome home. Can't say we could put your family up, but you are always welcome to come visit. Gravel Tour de Pisgah awaits!!!

 

[Escher]

Yup, I'll be sticking with Subie for a while. My work just moved quite a bit further from home, so I need the better MPG. I'd love another off-roader, but I just can't afford the 4x4 lifestyle.

IMO, modesty and efficiency are a huge part of Subaru's appeal. It's "good enough." Much better than that, actually. And there much less peer pressure to get caught up in ever more expensive and radical upgrades. FozRoamer is the hard-core Subaru exception, which (dis-) proves the modesty rule.

I was also thinking it's interesting that you've gone from being a two-Forester household to being a two-Outback family. Maybe if you consider another Forester, in addition to Outback, you'll find a few more options. Of course, it's all conditioned on selling your current one still. While you're at it, the Impreza gets even better mileage. Plus you can stick Forester springs on it to get an easy lift. :ebiggrin:

I have my mountain bike for trail adventures, much more cost effective, and trail access is much closer to home.

Being able to enjoy a hobby close to home is hugely important! This is true even without consideration for cost. It's kind of like going to the gym and working out. If it takes too much time, distance, and effort to do, it's virtually impossible to keep it up long term.

Oh, it has been up for sale for a few weeks now. WNC is flooded with old Subies though, they are about a dime-a-dozen around here, and most are in better shape than mine, so no quick sale and the price keeps dropping. Hopefully soon...

I was definitely kidding. The used Subaru market is interesting, esp. in areas where they are popular, like your area, the Northeast, or Pacific Northwest. More recent used models are almost as expensive as new Subarus. The middle-aged ones are very scarce. And then there's a larger volume of the older (15 years plus) models, which are then more affordable. Case in point: Used SF and SG Foresters from 1997 to 2005 (pre-facelift) are plentiful and relatively affordable, including XT. But try to find MY06-08 at a reasonable price, and it's like looking for hen's teeth. I still dream about an MY08 FXT with manual. But realistically, I'll just have to stick with the MY06 N/A auto.

Jealous!!! I'd love to get out to Moab for some biking...and I'd have to find a 4x4 to rent. So much awesomeness out there.:ebiggrin:

Moab was a crazy spur of the moment thing. I felt quite unworthy. Other than visiting a friend in Denver a few years ago, I've never been anywhere near that area. And I really had no business going all the way out there. But it was an eye-opening experience. As much as I love DC, there's so much more out there! I'd move to Moab in a minute, if I could find a sustainable job there. That said, there's much to see here in the Mid-Atlantic region (and better chances of work). Plus I really hate traveling by plane. Would much rather load up the Subie and explore within driving distance of home, which is the plan going forward.

Yup, we're doing very well. DC is definitely on our list, when, I don't know, but sometime. Glad you're back statside, Welcome home. Can't say we could put your family up, but you are always welcome to come visit. Gravel Tour de Pisgah awaits!!!

Happy to hear all of you are doing well! Hey... all our camping gear came out of storage again, and you guys have a lovely piece of land. What more do you need? Very much hope to do some camping and gravel driving in the coming years, incl. down your way. While I never made it down for the ORS drives, Pisgah National Forest isn't going anywhere.

 

[carljwnc]

I was also thinking it's interesting that you've gone from being a two-Forester household to being a two-Outback family. Maybe if you consider another Forester, in addition to Outback, you'll find a few more options. Of course, it's all conditioned on selling your current one still. While you're at it, the Impreza gets even better mileage. Plus you can stick Forester springs on it to get an easy lift. :ebiggrin:

The size of the kids that need to be stuffed in the back seat has grown, a lot. Really need that back seat space. If I was planning on off roading it, I would certainly consider another Foz, I also like them because they are easier to work on. It is also easier to stuff my bike and gear in the back of the Outback, I always carry the bike inside the car whenever possible. And, I like that the Outbacks are built in Indiana. If I'm not going to drive an American car, at least I can drive one that employed American folks. :ebiggrin: Imprezas are just too small, I like them, but there are times when what I have to carry, just wouldn't fit.

Happy to hear all of you are doing well! Hey... all our camping gear came out of storage again, and you guys have a lovely piece of land. What more do you need? Very much hope to do some camping and gravel driving in the coming years, incl. down your way. While I never made it down for the ORS drives, Pisgah National Forest isn't going anywhere.

Yup, plenty of camping space in our yard. Y'all would be welcome to it. Pisgah is an Awesome place, and plenty of other stuff to do besides drive the gravel.

 

[Escher]

The size of the kids that need to be stuffed in the back seat has grown, a lot. Really need that back seat space.

Damn kids grow like weeds! But until they drive, and I have to sit in back, I won't care about leg room in rear.

If I was planning on off roading it, I would certainly consider another Foz, I also like them because they are easier to work on.

Didn't realize there was a difference in ease of wrenching between Forester and Outback. That's good to know.

It is also easier to stuff my bike and gear in the back of the Outback, I always carry the bike inside the car whenever possible.

Yes, carrying bikes in the back is not easy. OB has longer load floor. But I really like the extra headroom of the Foz. Like when you need to carry a big box containing a toilet.

I remember a guy on SubaruForester.com made a plywood platform, which let him carry his triathlon race bike upright inside his Forester. Slid in neatly with just one side of the rear seats folded down, so he could retain use of the second backseat. He had to remove the front wheel, but had a mounting bracket so the front wheel could be stowed safely.

And, I like that the Outbacks are built in Indiana. If I'm not going to drive an American car, at least I can drive one that employed American folks. :ebiggrin:

LOL! I like that the Forester is Made in Japan!

I'm still suspicious of American cars. Before my first Forester, we had a 2002 (?) Ford Focus. Mechanically, it was a nice European design. But the manufacturing quality, i.e. fit and finish, was just atrocious. We ended up giving it away to my brother-in-law, who drove it cross country when he moved to SF. Somewhere in rural Wyoming (?), he broke an axle and was stranded for days. :lol:

Imprezas are just too small, I like them, but there are times when what I have to carry, just wouldn't fit.

But you have (access to) that other Outback...

Yup, plenty of camping space in our yard. Y'all would be welcome to it. Pisgah is an Awesome place, and plenty of other stuff to do besides drive the gravel.

Thanks! One of these days, we'll have to explore Southern VA, Western NC, the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian Trail, Tennessee Hills, and all those beautiful parts of the Mid-Atlantic. Kind of embarrassing that I've lived in the area for 17 years, yet have only driven through NC on I-95. Really need to change that in the coming years!

 

[carljwnc]

Didn't realize there was a difference in ease of wrenching between Forester and Outback. That's good to know.

Biggest difference is in the amount of bumper overhang. Getting a jack under a Foz is quite a bit easier, front and rear, than an OB. As is rear diff access and oil drain plug access. Not too big of a deal, but it does help.

LOL! I like that the Forester is Made in Japan!

I think the build qualities, over the years, have somewhat reversed. Laurie's '09 Forester fit and finish were OK at best, we never really did like that car. The two Outbacks she has had since then have been such solid quality cars. I think they have invested a lot in that plant (perhaps with some Toyota help) and it shows. I have driven some earlier cars out of the Indiana plant, my recently former one included, and they could have been better. But, I think they knew that and worked to improve quality.

In the news...the '01 is sold!!! Didn't get doodily squat for it, but I got what I really expected. Got pre-qualified for a small loan, and handed off my list of desires to our good friend that works at the Subaru dealer, the search is on!!!

The used Subaru market is interesting, esp. in areas where they are popular, like your area, the Northeast, or Pacific Northwest. More recent used models are almost as expensive as new Subarus. The middle-aged ones are very scarce. And then there's a larger volume of the older (15 years plus) models, which are then more affordable. Case in point: Used SF and SG Foresters from 1997 to 2005 (pre-facelift) are plentiful and relatively affordable, including XT. But try to find MY06-08 at a reasonable price, and it's like looking for hen's teeth.

There is much truth in this.^^^ Especially in MT format. They are out there, but few and far between. I found a few between '05-'09, but they were quite a distance away. I'm going to give our friend a week or two, but then I will have to broaden my search. Fortunately, I have my Dad's truck to drive in the mean time, so I don't have to be in too big of a hurry.

 

[NachaLuva]

The Forester is much plainer whereas the Outback is an up-spec model, it really shows in the interior

 

[Escher]

Biggest difference is in the amount of bumper overhang. Getting a jack under a Foz is quite a bit easier, front and rear, than an OB. As is rear diff access and oil drain plug access. Not too big of a deal, but it does help.

Thanks! Learn something new every day.

I think the build qualities, over the years, have somewhat reversed. Laurie's '09 Forester fit and finish were OK at best, we never really did like that car. The two Outbacks she has had since then have been such solid quality cars.

Very interesting! I just like the Forester more in terms of size and shape. The Outback is very nice, but just too long for me. But maybe an Outback XT could change my mind.

In the news...the '01 is sold!!! Didn't get doodily squat for it, but I got what I really expected. Got pre-qualified for a small loan, and handed off my list of desires to our good friend that works at the Subaru dealer, the search is on!!!

Congratulations! Curious to see what you end up with. Wish you could get an FXT again. But not with the "good mileage" requirement.

There is much truth in this.^^^ Especially in MT format. They are out there, but few and far between. I found a few between '05-'09, but they were quite a distance away. I'm going to give our friend a week or two, but then I will have to broaden my search.

I always keep an eye on Craig's List. Last year, a friend found an MY07 FXT with manual on CL. But it had 100k miles and was in Oregon. I didn't have the courage to go that far to replace the Green Bean. Probably for the better.

Fortunately, I have my Dad's truck to drive in the mean time, so I don't have to be in too big of a hurry.

Nothing like a good old family truck! If you can take your time to find a new Subaru, you'll hopefully be able to find what you're looking for. Biggest reason I ended up with my 4EAT Forster is that I was under time pressure.

 

[Kevin]

In the news...the '01 is sold!!! Didn't get doodily squat for it, but I got what I really expected. Got pre-qualified for a small loan, and handed off my list of desires to our good friend that works at the Subaru dealer, the search is on!!!

Good luck for the search Carl!