Car lovers?

Looking at Subaru Legacy or Forester for a gas friendly family vehicle. Any keys to watch out for? Probably looking 2006 to 2010 range.

Hobear wrote:

Looking at Subaru Legacy or Forester for a gas friendly family vehicle. Any keys to watch out for? Probably looking 2006 to 2010 range.

not sure about those models or years specifically, but Subarus rust right behind the rear wheel where the body panel meets the bumper panel, so check that

I don't have any Subaru experience first hand, but have heard that some boxer engines tend to leak oil from valve covers/head gasket area (not sure what models/years) other than that heard nothing but good things about them.

Any thought to a used Volvo X90? I never looked into them, but I've heard great things

Fastmav347 wrote:

I don't have any Subaru experience first hand, but have heard that some boxer engines tend to leak oil from valve covers/head gasket area (not sure what models/years) other than that heard nothing but good things about them.

It's only the 4 cylinder 2.5L from before 09 that have this issue.

Our '13 Outback is a fantastic family car.

Fastmav347 wrote:

I don't have any Subaru experience first hand, but have heard that some boxer engines tend to leak oil from valve covers/head gasket area (not sure what models/years) other than that heard nothing but good things about them.

I was helping a friend troubleshoot his WRX at one point, explained the symptoms on a Subaru forum and got a chorus of "blown head gasket, mine went at _______ miles" with random numbers for mileage.

Three people in my general orbit with those motors, two blown head gaskets below 80,000 miles. The other I believe hasn't built up the mileage on his yet.

I'd toss it off as bad luck among my friends, but the forum responses made it seem like a bit more than that.

That said if you have space and tools you can fix it yourself. There's worse common issues to have really. Especially when otherwise they tend to be so very good.

My dad still kicks himself for trading in his Outback. It was absolutely brilliant in bad weather.

Looking for recommendations for headliner fabric. I’ve looked around at Jo-Ann, Amazon, and places like Headliner Magic and frankly it’s hard to tell what doesn’t suck. I can just get a replacement headliner for my 2007 VW Rabbit for $570 and install it myself, but I feel like I can just do the actual fabric replacement for far less. I just can’t seem to find a good-looking fabric that’s available that I can trust won’t separate from its foam backing.

I way do not want to have to redo it three months down the line.

muraii wrote:

Looking for recommendations for headliner fabric. I’ve looked around at Jo-Ann, Amazon, and places like Headliner Magic and frankly it’s hard to tell what doesn’t suck. I can just get a replacement headliner for my 2007 VW Rabbit for $570 and install it myself, but I feel like I can just do the actual fabric replacement for far less. I just can’t seem to find a good-looking fabric that’s available that I can trust won’t separate from its foam backing.

I way do not want to have to redo it three months down the line.

Have you looked at ebay for fabric? Looks like there are quite a few headliner specific headliner options available for $50 or less.

From what I've heard, a lot of making it last has to do with the prep of the old headliner (getting off the old glue, rotted foam, etc.

Never done it myself.

I'm sure there are a ton of YouTube videos on doing it if I had to guess.

Oh yeah I'm totally comfortable with the process. I've watched a few YouTube videos and done other research. I have replacement clips should any bend when I pull down the current headliner. And I'll have a wire brush to remove the old foam, etc.

I've read some experiences people have had about fabric not working well, or whatever. I'm probably just going to go with this Headliner Magic stuff on Amazon. I just wanted to see if there was some existing wisdom on some brands or other.

Last time I fixed a headliner on a rabbit, I just found a pack of flat thumbtacks that more or less matched the color of the headliner and pushed them in in a pattern. It gave it a quilted sort of look, but that was an '84 that I paid $850 for so that was more period/price correct than it would be on a 2007. I did get some complements on it though.

I think I'm going to finally look at my car stereo. I've been putting it off for like a year but driving without music sucks. My car has what I think is a late 90s aftermarket stereo. It kinda works right now. The head unit seems fine, and it'll play music out of the front right speaker. The left front speaker sometimes shorts out (or something) and sounds like a gunshot went off in the car. I don't even know if the rear speakers are still there.

Somebody paid a lot of money at some point for this stereo. The wiring under the hood is very professionally done and clean, and there are two (!) amplifiers mounted in the trunk. Surely I can salvage something.

I'm a smart guy I think. I've built several PCs, I can figure this out. But I'm anticipating a lot of work and a lot of instructional youtube watching.

If aftermarket wiring is already installed then the hard part is already done.

Someone in my building started driving this to work last week:

IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/eEQWmxL.jpg)

IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/lNUyeyL.jpg)

If the plate holder is accurate, it's a '68.

It is indeed a '68. My dad is resto-modding the same year right now. It's been in and out of the family for nearly 40 years!

I'll see if he can't send me some pictures soon.

Pretty pony!

Yeah, they've done a great job maintaining/restoring it. Didn't see any flaws in the paint job.

Another car that I like, but isn't coming to the US. Subaru Levorg. It's really just an Impreza Hatchback with the turbo charged boxer engine. A grown up WRX.

IMAGE(https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims3/GLOB/crop/800x450+0+0/resize/800x450!/format/jpg/quality/85/http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/midas/47d0fa24e29880da9526f72069f33cf/203404778/Subaru+Levorg_800+px+x+450+px+rgb.png)

Aw.

I want that!

My 2005 Honda Element is coming up for replacement in 2019/2020.

I'm considering going plug-in electric. We have a fairly new conventional minivan as our other car, so range anxiety isn’t a huge thing. I know almost nothing about EVs these days, and would gratefully accept being pointed towards some good sources of information on making the switch, or comments/things to consider.

If I don't go electric, I'd be looking at some kind of mid-to-high end conventional-engined sport wagon - good for being an outdoorsman, but is also fun to drive. Impreza WRX wagon, Audi A4, that kind of thing. 4 wheel drive a bonus, because The Cascades are just over there *points* and I do like to go play in them.

I suspect that I might struggle to find an EV that ticks all those same boxes. Thoughts?

Thin_J wrote:
Fastmav347 wrote:

I don't have any Subaru experience first hand, but have heard that some boxer engines tend to leak oil from valve covers/head gasket area (not sure what models/years) other than that heard nothing but good things about them.

I was helping a friend troubleshoot his WRX at one point, explained the symptoms on a Subaru forum and got a chorus of "blown head gasket, mine went at _______ miles" with random numbers for mileage.

Three people in my general orbit with those motors, two blown head gaskets below 80,000 miles. The other I believe hasn't built up the mileage on his yet.

I'd toss it off as bad luck among my friends, but the forum responses made it seem like a bit more than that.

That said if you have space and tools you can fix it yourself. There's worse common issues to have really. Especially when otherwise they tend to be so very good.

My dad still kicks himself for trading in his Outback. It was absolutely brilliant in bad weather.

We had a 2002 Outback that started leaking oil through the engine block.

Product recommendation: Meguiar's Ultimate Fast Finish

A few weeks ago, I spent almost a whole weekend washing, decontaminating, clay (mitt)-ing, compounding, polishing, and sealing our 2015 Pathfinder with 80,000 miles. Probably been waxed once, and my wife constantly runs it through car washes, so it's not been loved on a lot.

Since I'd gotten a new car recently and upgraded from from 15 year old 350Z, I've been re-upping my detailing game, and had been trying new products. I'd seen this Fast Finish spray recommended by multiple youtube detailers, as well as in the reddit detailing subreddit. Thought I'd test it on the Pathfinder before putting it on my S4:) I plan on ceramic coating the S4 first, anyway.

Anyway, this stuff goes on extremely easily. Just spray a microfiber towel a bit, wipe over a section of the car, then hit it again very lightly with a dry microfiber to level off any high spots. Done. Water shedding is great, and even though the Pathfinder is white, it's probably shinier than it's been since new.

I'll see how it holds up, but this stuff is like $10 sometimes at Walmart.

I'll throw on another Walmart Meguair's recommendation. Their wheel cleaner called Meguiar's Ultimate Wheel Cleaner for $8 is great. I don't use it every time, but it's kind of like an Iron X type of product, in that it binds with metals like brake dust, turns purple, then sloughs off when you rinse. I just knock mine off with my pressure washer then hit the wheel with a mit in the areas that might still look dirty.

It's also usable on paint like an Iron X. I did it on the Pathfinder instead of the way more expensive Iron X prior to claying. The Pathfinder, like most SUV's, just sucks up dirt and contaminants in it's wake, which end up embedding themselves in the rear paint. The whole back was purple before I rinsed it.

Iron X is $20 a bottle or more, and smells horrible. This is a good alternative for less than half as much.

Jonman wrote:

We had a 2002 Outback that started leaking oil through the engine block.

IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/lKjKZEJ.gif)

MannishBoy wrote:

Product recommendation: Meguiar's Ultimate Fast Finish

A few weeks ago, I spent almost a whole weekend washing, decontaminating, clay (mitt)-ing, compounding, polishing, and sealing our 2015 Pathfinder with 80,000 miles. Probably been waxed once, and my wife constantly runs it through car washes, so it's not been loved on a lot.

Since I'd gotten a new car recently and upgraded from from 15 year old 350Z, I've been re-upping my detailing game, and had been trying new products. I'd seen this Fast Finish spray recommended by multiple youtube detailers, as well as in the reddit detailing subreddit. Thought I'd test it on the Pathfinder before putting it on my S4:) I plan on ceramic coating the S4 first, anyway.

Anyway, this stuff goes on extremely easily. Just spray a microfiber towel a bit, wipe over a section of the car, then hit it again very lightly with a dry microfiber to level off any high spots. Done. Water shedding is great, and even though the Pathfinder is white, it's probably shinier than it's been since new.

I'll see how it holds up, but this stuff is like $10 sometimes at Walmart.

I'll throw on another Walmart Meguair's recommendation. Their wheel cleaner called Meguiar's Ultimate Wheel Cleaner for $8 is great. I don't use it every time, but it's kind of like an Iron X type of product, in that it binds with metals like brake dust, turns purple, then sloughs off when you rinse. I just knock mine off with my pressure washer then hit the wheel with a mit in the areas that might still look dirty.

It's also usable on paint like an Iron X. I did it on the Pathfinder instead of the way more expensive Iron X prior to claying. The Pathfinder, like most SUV's, just sucks up dirt and contaminants in it's wake, which end up embedding themselves in the rear paint. The whole back was purple before I rinsed it.

Iron X is $20 a bottle or more, and smells horrible. This is a good alternative for less than half as much.

This is what I use. Great product.

Just thought this was an interesting historical artifact.

Fun with car mods:

I bought a cheap aluminum transmission mount insert for the Audi S4 that supposedly makes a noticeable difference in shifting off of Ali Express ($10 vs name brand $80).

I get it in Saturday, and drive the car up on ramps and can just reach back underneath to get to the transmission. Remove the two bolts and old part, put the new part in (fits great), and start retorquing the stock bolts to 15 lbs ft of torque. Second bolt breaks off in the transmission mount.

Find a thread on Audizine, and it seems semi-common. No parts store or big box store has a bolt over the weekend.

Take the car off the ramps and put it on jack stands so that I can reach it and get another jack under the car to support the transmission while working on it, remove the cross member brace and transmission mount, and get the broken bolt out. Luckily, after taking all that stuff apart, the bolt broke up well clear of the mount and can be turned out with vice grips.

Now Audi of Nashville will have my replacement bolts by tomorrow morning. Glad I didn't sell the old car yet, as the wife's out of town with her car.

So with what literally would have been a 10 minute part install including putting up tools, I've now spent about 4 hours, most of it reading forum threads and driving around town or calling places to see if they have a part

Offending bolt sticking up on the right:
IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/L9bsbgD.jpg)

Sounds like standard gearhead challenges = lots of fun had by you??

Glad the bolt broke in a way you were able to deal with easily!

Dakuna wrote:

Sounds like standard gearhead challenges = lots of fun had by you??

Glad the bolt broke in a way you were able to deal with easily!

Just glad the wife isn't here so she's unaware Not that she'd care, just probably roll her eyes.

The bolt cost $1.90 from a dealer, too. Much frustration on something that costs less than an energy drink.

Progress report: I've had my 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee (replacing my SUV that got Harveyed) for about a year now and I'm liking it more than ever.

Now, I may or may not buy another Jeep one day, but I will almost certainly only buy vehicles that have Android Auto or something similar. I absolutely love it, and don't want to be without it ever again. When it stopped working for a day recently I nearly had an emotional breakdown.

Fedaykin98 wrote:

Progress report: I've had my 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee (replacing my SUV that got Harveyed) for about a year now and I'm liking it more than ever.

Now, I may or may not buy another Jeep one day, but I will almost certainly only buy vehicles that have Android Auto or something similar. I absolutely love it, and don't want to be without it ever again. When it stopped working for a day recently I nearly had an emotional breakdown. :lol:

For your emotional health, Android Auto can run just on the phone itself. So if you lose it, you can always fall back to that mode

(Says the guy that bought a used car model a year before the manufacture added it...after saying he wouldn't buy a new car without it).