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Balloon Juice

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Do not shrug your shoulders and accept the normalization of untruths.

Too often we hand the biggest microphones to the cynics and the critics who delight in declaring failure.

President Biden is doing good where he can, and getting it done.

Biden: Oh no. We’ve upset Big Pharma again.

Baby steps, because the Republican Party is full of angry babies.

Somebody needs to explain to DeSantis that nobody needs to do anything to make him look bad.

Republicans are radicals, not conservatives.

Anyone who bans teaching American history has no right to shape America’s future.

Let us savor the impending downfall of lawless scoundrels who richly deserve the trouble barreling their way.

One of our two political parties is a cult whose leader admires Vladimir Putin.

Technically true, but collectively nonsense

If you still can’t see these things even now, maybe politics isn’t your forte and you should stop writing about it.

They fucked up the fucking up of the fuckup!

Republican speaker of the house Mike Johnson is the bland and smiling face of evil.

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

Let’s delete this post and never speak of this again.

When the time comes to make an endorsement, the pain of NYT editors will be palpable as they reluctantly whisper “Biden.”

Jesus, Mary, & Joseph how is that election even close?

Come on, media. you have one job. start doing it.

Fight for a just cause, love your fellow man, live a good life.

An unpunished coup is a training exercise.

He seems like a smart guy, but JFC, what a dick!

“And when the Committee says to “report your income,” that could mean anything!

When you’re in more danger from the IDF than from Russian shelling, that’s really bad.

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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Home At Last

Home At Last

by John Cole|  October 29, 20117:46 pm| 97 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

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A lovely five hour drive through a snowstorm. Have I ever mentioned how much I love my Subaru?

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Reader Interactions

97Comments

  1. 1.

    arguingwithsignposts

    October 29, 2011 at 7:49 pm

    Warmist!

  2. 2.

    cathyx

    October 29, 2011 at 7:49 pm

    I figured you must have been on the road again today.

  3. 3.

    cathyx

    October 29, 2011 at 7:52 pm

    What kind of Subaru do you have? I want the Forester if I could have one. Maybe my next car.

  4. 4.

    Cacti

    October 29, 2011 at 7:54 pm

    It was 85 here today.

  5. 5.

    WereBear (itouch)

    October 29, 2011 at 7:55 pm

    We got the world’s worst Subaru. It fell apart before 70,000 miles.

    However, when it worked, it was great.

  6. 6.

    realbtl

    October 29, 2011 at 7:55 pm

    Just put the snow tires on my Subie today. And yes, even with 4wd you need them here in Montana.

  7. 7.

    Yutsano

    October 29, 2011 at 7:56 pm

    I liked the one I rented. Dealer wouldn’t work with me though. Such is life.

  8. 8.

    JCT

    October 29, 2011 at 7:56 pm

    Public service announcement — for you ahem, older guys out there. Pay someone to shovel this snow, do not do it yourself. This is one of the wettest snows I’ve ever seen and the combo of first serious cold + heavy wet snow is a huge heart attack setup. No joke.

    I’ve been getting messages all day asking me about backup schedules at my hospital tomorrow to make sure we have staff as they are expecting “snow MIs”.

    The teenage boys on my block have already divided up all the driveways!

  9. 9.

    John Cole

    October 29, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    @cathyx: I have the outback wagon. My mom has a Forrester, and it is a great car, but I love the wagon more.

  10. 10.

    cathyx

    October 29, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    @John Cole: The Forrester has a cuteness factor that we women can’t ignore.

  11. 11.

    cathyx

    October 29, 2011 at 8:03 pm

    So how much snow did you all get?

  12. 12.

    Brian S

    October 29, 2011 at 8:04 pm

    @JCT: I already planned on doing that, even though I don’t have a driveway. I figure 43 (if it doesn’t snow before November 7 here) is too old to learn to shovel snow. Not too old to learn how to pulla twenty out of my wallet though.

  13. 13.

    gogol's wife

    October 29, 2011 at 8:05 pm

    I can’t believe I had to do the whole Irene-sitting-around-hoping-the-power-doesn’t-go-out thing on October 29! What a pain! But the power didn’t go out. It snowed heavily all day but it’s warm so I don’t think there are too many inches. But is it over? I can’t tell.

  14. 14.

    Yutsano

    October 29, 2011 at 8:06 pm

    @cathyx:

    So how much snow did you all get?

    This is mounting evidence for my theory that it will snow in Seattle by Thanksgiving. I personally can’t wait.

  15. 15.

    realbtl

    October 29, 2011 at 8:06 pm

    @cathyx:

    I don’t know about that. My 26 yo daughter keeps trying to talk me out of my 09 Legacy GT, says it hauls ass.

  16. 16.

    Bill

    October 29, 2011 at 8:07 pm

    My next Scooby will be the Outback. My current Forester has done things in the snow that leaves people slack-jawed. Last winter, I pulled a loaded, fullsize van out of a ditch, uphill, on glare ice. No traction or control facing down slope on the brakes, just a toboggan like everyone else. Got it pointed uphill, still sliding backwards on the brakes, apply throttle, now I have traction. 5000 rpm, turbo screaming, no wheelspin. 5200 rpm, the Fozzy yanks the van out of the ditch and pulls it sideways up the hill. Then I went back down and got his 14′ enclosed trailer. The guy was actually speechless. My snows were not yet on the car at that point, did it on all-seasons.

  17. 17.

    cathyx

    October 29, 2011 at 8:08 pm

    @realbtl: She’s after speed, not cuteness. That’s because she’s young.

  18. 18.

    cathyx

    October 29, 2011 at 8:10 pm

    @Yutsano: What is this theory? I don’t follow you.

  19. 19.

    realbtl

    October 29, 2011 at 8:11 pm

    @cathyx:

    Well, after the first time she drove it I asked her if she had stomped it to see what it would do. When she said no I accused her of not really being part of the family. The next time she just came in grinning.

    So yeah I guess.

  20. 20.

    nalbar

    October 29, 2011 at 8:13 pm

    We had SubieFest last weekend in Los Angeles. Hundreds and hundreds of them. I was an instructor at the autox they put on. I never saw so many subies.

    nalbar

  21. 21.

    John Cole

    October 29, 2011 at 8:13 pm

    @Bill: It’s really amazing what they can do.

    The only car I have ever seen near as good as this Outback in the snow was my friend’s 80,000 dollar top of the line Audi RS4, and I would still take my outback in the snow over it.

  22. 22.

    JCT

    October 29, 2011 at 8:13 pm

    @efgoldman: Hah re: halloween, that holiday annoys the hell out of me, I would be quite happy if the snow stuck around and kept those little marauders away from my door.

    @realbtl: I own one of the last Legacy GT wagons and it is my favorite car ever (says a lot coming from a Californian). Everytime I take it to a mechanic’s shop someone tries to buy it off me.

  23. 23.

    Yutsano

    October 29, 2011 at 8:13 pm

    @cathyx:

    my theory that it will snow in Seattle by Thanksgiving

    Maybe I’m saying it wrong.

  24. 24.

    clayton

    October 29, 2011 at 8:13 pm

    Has anyone seen this video?

    Here’s a link to an article about it.

    Anonymous vs. Zetas. The most interesting thing I have read about in a great while. Think about it. Anonymous taking down a drug cartel and who knows who else via their keyboards.

    That would show Malkin and Brietfart a thing or two.

  25. 25.

    Roger Moore

    October 29, 2011 at 8:14 pm

    @Cacti:
    Very nice here in Pasadena, too. High 80s but very dry, so it’s still pleasant, and you know it’s going to cool off into the 50s or high 40s overnight.

  26. 26.

    The Dangerman

    October 29, 2011 at 8:16 pm

    Clear and 90+ in SoCal with forecasts for scattered road rage after Stanford rips USC a new one tonight.

    And UCLA’s winning 17-7 now; not much better than UCLA winning and USC losing.

  27. 27.

    Allen

    October 29, 2011 at 8:16 pm

    @cathyx: All 4WD Subaru’s have the same drive system (unlike Audi) so driving one is like driving them all. My snow experience is, torque is your friend, horsepower is your enemy (broadly speaking, no pun) unless your name is Sebastian Loeb.

    Have I mentioned how much I like my SAAB 9 (in general) in the snow? Two winters ago we got two feet of snow in a couple of days here in Portland, OR. My SAAB, with Michelin X-Ice on it all the way around got around like a champ. Tires could be your friend.

  28. 28.

    Yutsano

    October 29, 2011 at 8:19 pm

    @efgoldman: I won’t be home for the vast majority of the invaders as it is. Plus you can’t get into my condo without a key or an in and there is no coordinated trick-or-treating announced. I like where I live. A lot. :)

  29. 29.

    Dustin

    October 29, 2011 at 8:25 pm

    So John, now that you’re home, inquiring minds want to know if you’ll still continue to cower in the corner at the might of the last few days of troll arguments and slurs who have been arguing against you in absentia. They’re all having such a good time thinking they’re the shit that I almost can’t bear the thought of you breaking their little egos.

  30. 30.

    cathyx

    October 29, 2011 at 8:27 pm

    @Yutsano: It seems to me that as the rest of the country has more violent weather, we in the Pacific Northwest have milder weather. Do you see it that way?

  31. 31.

    Bill

    October 29, 2011 at 8:28 pm

    @realbtl: Legacy GT- 0-60 in about 6 seconds.

    In the snow.

  32. 32.

    cathyx

    October 29, 2011 at 8:32 pm

    @efgoldman: I don’t know about Jeebus, but Reality Check said so a couple threads back.

  33. 33.

    Villago Delenda Est

    October 29, 2011 at 8:32 pm

    @cathyx:

    As far back as I can remember, it always seems to be that way.

    Remember when everyone was dying of the heat back in June? Not in the PNW, we weren’t! We were all wondering if it would ever hit 80F around these parts.

  34. 34.

    techno

    October 29, 2011 at 8:35 pm

    I can certainly understand why there are Subaru fans after a snowfall. I remember when I got my first Saab in 1975 and how much fun it was to drive in snow—like wheeeee fun. Watching others slip and slide while you are having fun is amazing.

    However, I never understood the idea of a boxer engine in the front end of a car so I never have really understood the appeal of Subaru. In this house, our Minnesota “winter beater” is a Lexus GS 300 AWD shod with Conti Extreme DWS. It goes through snow like nothing I have ever driven and when the roads dry out, it’s still a Lexus. Wife bought it—she is the daughter of a mechanic and shops for cars exceedingly well.

  35. 35.

    gogol's wife

    October 29, 2011 at 8:36 pm

    My comment at #15 was really stupid, a product of not being able to stand weathermen so just looking out the window to see what’s happening. It looked as if it had stopped. But apparently it’s going to continue all night, heavily, with strong winds. So saying “the power didn’t go out” was a serious violation of the “evil eye” rule that has been deeply instilled in me by Russian culture. Never say you’ve avoided some bad thing until you’re absolutely sure you have. If you say you have, you certainly won’t. So goodbye all, I don’t expect to have any power for the next 3-5 days, if the performance at Irene time is any indication.

  36. 36.

    Linnaeus

    October 29, 2011 at 8:36 pm

    @Villago Delenda Est:

    Remember when everyone was dying of the heat back in June? Not in the PNW, we weren’t! We were all wondering if it would ever hit 80F around these parts.

    Yeah, the Lost Summer of 2011. I was not happy about that.

  37. 37.

    Bill

    October 29, 2011 at 8:37 pm

    @Villago Delenda Est: We visited Seattle last summer, and after a few days I noticed that many of the homes still had their original wooden sash windows, all without screens. I asked our host why there weren’t screens, and he said, very matter-of-factly, “Oh, there’s no bugs.”

    And it rarely goes below freezing in the winter. Guess where I want to retire.

  38. 38.

    arguingwithsignposts

    October 29, 2011 at 8:38 pm

    @clayton: Man, that writer can’t even bother to check wikipedia:

    Anonymous draws its roots from an online forum dedicated to bringing sensitive government documents and other material to light.

    Frequenters of a certain image board would lol at that.

  39. 39.

    Yutsano

    October 29, 2011 at 8:41 pm

    @cathyx: Every global warming model I’ve seen has the Pacific Northwest coming out on the positive end of climate change along with most of Canada. The fact that downtown Seattle would be flooded past 1st Street doesn’t seem to count.

  40. 40.

    MazeDancer

    October 29, 2011 at 8:42 pm

    Subaru’s have one of the loyal-est fanbases in cardom. There really is nothing else that provides so much car for the money.

    My Forester is 10 years old and has 39K miles. (No, don’t drive much. But when it snow’s – like the foot and a half out there, now, while it’s still Daylight Savings Time – I can go if I want to go.) Since Subaru’s last for 200K or more miles, we’re likely to be together a long time. Hope so.

    There is also a big Subaru overlap with Mac owners. Similar, once you’ve tried it, you have that “it’s the only one for me” feeling.

  41. 41.

    PurpleGirl

    October 29, 2011 at 8:46 pm

    @Yutsano: At my Co-Op they began to make signs that people could hang on the apartment door that say “I’m treating” or “I’m not treating.” There are a good number of kids again as original residents die off and new families are moving in.

    I’m treating this year and wearing my Yarn Monster costume when I answer the door.

  42. 42.

    clayton

    October 29, 2011 at 8:51 pm

    @arguingwithsignposts: So, you think it’s a big nothing burger? I’m asking honestly.

  43. 43.

    suzanne

    October 29, 2011 at 8:54 pm

    Ugh. It’s still tank-tops-and-flip-flops weather here.

    I gotta move. I love winter.

  44. 44.

    amk

    October 29, 2011 at 8:54 pm

    Didn’t subaru go belly up recently ?

  45. 45.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    October 29, 2011 at 8:56 pm

    Athens has a Wild Rumpus

  46. 46.

    arguingwithsignposts

    October 29, 2011 at 9:00 pm

    @clayton: oh, i don’t know about that. it certainly has potential to throw another wrench into the horrid gang war situation.

    I was remarking about the writer’s synopsis of Anon’s origins, which he seems to equate with Wikileaks, since 4chan isn’t really about exposing gov’t secrets.

  47. 47.

    cathyx

    October 29, 2011 at 9:03 pm

    @amk: You’re probably thinking of Saturn.

  48. 48.

    MeDrewNotYou

    October 29, 2011 at 9:04 pm

    I’ve been gone all day, so I’m just catching up on threads. A certain troll* crept into DougJ’s earlier post that referenced K-Thug. I finally got around to installing cleek’s pie filter. Let me be the millionth to say that I love it.

    cleek- If you’re around, is there a charity that you like that I can send a couple bucks to?

    *I don’t want to mention who, lest it works something like Beetlejuice does. But they were talking about climate change. ‘Nuff said?

  49. 49.

    clayton

    October 29, 2011 at 9:05 pm

    @arguingwithsignposts: Nitpicking, I see.

    Nevermind about the other possibilities, nitpicking is best.

    I thought that the overall point of the video and the article was something new and different.

    Nitpicking one sentence in an article, priceless.

  50. 50.

    Waynski

    October 29, 2011 at 9:06 pm

    I bought a used Outback last March and like it so far and can see how it will be good in the snow, but it doesn’t seem to get the greatest mileage. I drive mostly local roads, but it still seems to be a little less efficient on gas than I had thought it would be. Anyone else experience that?

  51. 51.

    Yutsano

    October 29, 2011 at 9:11 pm

    @Waynski:

    I drive mostly local roads, but it still seems to be a little less efficient on gas than I had thought it would be.

    The all-wheel drive system is a bit less fuel efficient than a front only or a rear only would be for the size of engine Subaru has. But the traction from hell compensates for it rather nicely.

  52. 52.

    arguingwithsignposts

    October 29, 2011 at 9:12 pm

    @clayton: It’s not “nitpicking” to point out that a writer for a major US newspaper can’t bother with 2 minutes of reading to find out the history of the group he’s reporting on.

    As for the substance of the effort, we’ll have to wait and see. Anon taking on a drug cartel is certainly an interesting development, if it plays through. It’s also a big gamble in a high stakes game.

  53. 53.

    gaz

    October 29, 2011 at 9:13 pm

    While they’re not cute, in terms of practicality, gas mileage, reliability and parkability to interior space ratio (important if u live in an urban setting)…

    You simply cannot match a 1991 (or earlier Subaru) w/ Front+4 wheel drive. They are such wonderful little cars, and you can drive them up a wall.

    http://www.edmunds.com/subaru/loyale/1991/

    best goddamned car there ever was, and even good for some driving in mud and trails – the kids around here have a 4×4 club that is just these cars (lifted, w/ mud tires ‘natch)

    You can put a baby seat in them, and still keep up with the larger offroading jeeps and trucks… hehe

    good gas gets u up to 38mpg based on my own experience (in fwd mode on the freeway, w/ the stick version)

  54. 54.

    Waynski

    October 29, 2011 at 9:20 pm

    @Yutsano: Thanks for the info. I’m not really looking forward to winter, but having reliable snow wheels should make it easier.

  55. 55.

    gaz

    October 29, 2011 at 9:22 pm

    @Waynski: Yes. AWD sucks for gas. That’s why I prefer the 20 year old models like the Loyale and the GL

  56. 56.

    Cliff in NH

    October 29, 2011 at 9:27 pm

    If you place a a risk free preorder for the 2012 Impreza before Oct 31, you can get additional $500 from Subaru and around a $1000 or so off msrp (varies by dealer of course)

    it gets 36 mpg hwy with the cvt too. (30% better than last years model)

    I can’t wait to get it =)

  57. 57.

    Cliff in NH

    October 29, 2011 at 9:40 pm

    @Cliff in NH:

    I found the list of incentives to choose from:

    By placing your order before October 31st, you may choose from one of the following incentives from Subaru of America.

    · 2 year, 24,000 mile maintenance plan – all you pay for is gas for the first 2 years or 24k miles, whichever comes first

    · 4 year, 60,000 mile Gold Plus Subaru Added Security Plan w/$100 deductible – great for high mileage drivers who exceed their 3 year, 36k mile bumper to bumper coverage early

    · Coupon for $500 off Dealer Installed Subaru Parts and Accessories including installation – Use voucher to add a remote starter or other desired accessory after delivery

    · $500 off Subaru Gear

    · Choice from a selection of Trek bikes ($500 value)

    · Choice from a selection of Nordica skis ($500 value)

  58. 58.

    freddie

    October 29, 2011 at 9:47 pm

    @John Cole: 4runner, still the best. And its a REAL 4-wheel drive, like for going OFF-ROAD.
    MPG’s, just did a 10,000 mile trip, with 1500 lbs., and still averaged 22 mpg.

  59. 59.

    RossInDetroit

    October 29, 2011 at 9:48 pm

    I spent 4 days this week prepping and testing snow equipment for a school system. Plow tractors, all sizes of snow blowers, pavement brushes, etc. Not done yet, but if it snowed Monday morning I know which buildings would be in trouble.
    I must have spent too much time squatting in cold sheds breathing gasoline and exhaust. My lungs feel messed up now.
    Not looking forward to the cold weather. late winter ’10-’11 was really lousy here.

  60. 60.

    Ben Cisco (mobile)

    October 29, 2011 at 9:50 pm

    Loving the Steely Dan reference. Cued up Aja at work today.

  61. 61.

    RossInDetroit

    October 29, 2011 at 9:51 pm

    I’ve been driving a Honda CRV for the last 9 years. Lotsa room inside, bulletproof reliability and 4WD when required. I’m not delighted with teh driving position (I’m long-legged) or the dynamics (tall & tippy) but it’s never put a foot wrong through some really dreadful weather.

  62. 62.

    Cliff in NH

    October 29, 2011 at 9:57 pm

    @gaz:

    those old things are durable as hell, saw a guy fooling around in a field hit a deep rut too sideways and fast, rolled it onto the roof, everyone rolled it back over and he kept going, drove it a few hundred miles home afterwards too.

  63. 63.

    Cliff in NH

    October 29, 2011 at 10:04 pm

    @freddie:

    My old impreza was Much better than my Tacoma in the snow, its the center diff and balanced wheel spin that make all the difference.

    Of course the truck is still fun and can do it in deeper snow, so there is that.

  64. 64.

    Poopyman

    October 29, 2011 at 10:05 pm

    First Sube wagon was an 84 stick shift wagon. After I’d signed the papers the saleslady asked if I’d driven it. “Nope” sez I. “I can’t drive a stick”. Drove it off the lot and didn’t buy another automatic until a PU this year. That Sube lasted 220K miles and I only bought another one because we were driving to Nova Scotia and I wanted something nice and new. That one lasted 210K and when I went to get another one I found the seats all made my butt hurt. That was ’98.

    I’d get another one if it got better mileage. I’m hanging on to my diesel Jetta (48 mpg) until an electric with at least a range of 150 miles comes along.

  65. 65.

    Seanly

    October 29, 2011 at 10:08 pm

    Wife & I got a 2011 Outback last year. No real need for the AWD in SC, but should like the AWD here in Boise, ID. It’s a great car – just my second Subaru, but will probably always have a Subaru now.

  66. 66.

    Bill

    October 29, 2011 at 10:10 pm

    @RossInDetroit:

    Hondas and Toyotas that claim to be AWD are actually 2WD. They use traction control to limit wheelspin, but they’re not real AWD like Scoobies. The only cars that can match a Subaru for traction are the 4Motion Mercedes, and the Audi Quattro, and neither of those cars are anywhere near the Subaru in reliability or price. They’re lovely cars, but the maintenance is outrageous. 4Runners and Pathfinders are great too, but it’s an apples to oranges comparison, full on 4wd truck vs. passenger car. The new Impreza with the CVT trans will be a very tough package to beat, in lots of ways. Subarus offer a level of performance that equal cars that cost 2-3 times as much. Folks who drive them understand, and very few Subaru owners switch from Subaru to another brand. I love love love Hondas, my bike is a Honda, as are two of my tractors, and my wife drives a Civic. If Honda made a turbo true AWD wagon, I would very likely have one. That said, my driveway will ALWAYS have a Subaru in it.

  67. 67.

    RossInDetroit

    October 29, 2011 at 10:13 pm

    The thing I like about Subaru wagons is the combo of near-SUV cargo area with great traction and a car-like driving position. I had one as a loaner at one time and had a hard time giving it back.
    More and more when the weather gets bad I’m willing to just say ‘screw it’ and not go. If I landed in the hospital because I just HAD to get to work I’d feel like a real jackass.

  68. 68.

    JCT

    October 29, 2011 at 10:14 pm

    The mileage is without a doubt the only negative to my Subie.

    About a year ago the turbo blew and I thought it was a goner. I was so sad my son asked if someone had died. While my husband started digging around to see if we could save it, I started to look for a new car, figured I would at least get better mileage. Now *that* was a discouraging weekend as I couldn’t find a damn thing I liked, especially since I was hooked on 4WD AND that turbo. The Legacy GT is freaking fast.

    Luckily a Subie enthusiasts forum tipped us off that the bad turbo was a known problem and Subaru replaced it out of warranty!

    In two months my Subaru and I will head out west, no more snow for either of us.

  69. 69.

    RossInDetroit

    October 29, 2011 at 10:21 pm

    @Bill:

    I know all about vehicle power transmission systems and their variations. The CRV has a center differential that hooks up to drive the rear wheels – that’s 4 wheels total – when wheelspin is detected. Traction Control is a different set of technologies.
    I’ve never liked FWD. My preferences would be RWD for most purposes and 4WD in cases where traction is extremely poor. Around here, that’s about 10 – 20 days a year. The weight, cost, maintenance and extra fuel consumption for full-time 4WD just don’t pay off very well in this climate.

  70. 70.

    RossInDetroit

    October 29, 2011 at 10:24 pm

    A friend has a family connection to the Press on Regardless rally in northern MI. He runs a WRX Turbo with a race-spec motor as his street car. I installed some big competition lights on it for him and he took me for a spin at extralegal speeds on a back road. Absolutely terrifying and hilariously fun.

  71. 71.

    Cliff in NH

    October 29, 2011 at 10:32 pm

    @RossInDetroit:

    Here is a good video demonstration of the diference in AWD systems

    http://www.subaruofkeene.com/subaru-all-wheel-drive.htm

  72. 72.

    RossInDetroit

    October 29, 2011 at 10:34 pm

    @Cliff in NH:

    Thank you, but I’m a mechanic.

  73. 73.

    Bill

    October 29, 2011 at 10:38 pm

    @RossInDetroit: Ross, you’ll notice that I said 2WD, not FWD. The CRV drives one wheel on the front axle, and one wheel on the rear axle. It does not use clutched differentials, and is neither 4WD nor AWD. A CRV simply cannot match a Subaru for traction, and if you think it can, you’re deluded. Forester VS CRV, same tires, the Forester wins 10 out of 10. The CRV is a very reliable, well built car, and certainly has more traction than a FWD (one wheel drive) car, but it’s not in the same league with Subaru.

  74. 74.

    Cliff in NH

    October 29, 2011 at 10:50 pm

    @Bill:

    that’s what the video I linked to shows.

  75. 75.

    Yutsano

    October 29, 2011 at 10:56 pm

    At a Halloween party with the lesbyterian lawyer. The view here is beyond killer. I haz a mad jelus.

  76. 76.

    Wag

    October 29, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    I live in Colorado, including 13 years in Eagle County where we averaged 350 inches of snow per year. Lots of Subarus, but I never caught the bug. My Passat with FWD tha four snows rocketed me through anything for years. I’m now in Denver (we got our first snow with this same storm on Wedensday) but drive to the mountains most weekends to ski. I drive through anything in our Honda min-van and have never felt the urge to go 4WD. In fact, most of the cars flipped in the median on icy roads are SUVs driven by testosterone loaded jack asses who believe 4WD makes them invincible.

    Although I must admit you don’t see flipped Subarus, either.

  77. 77.

    rikyrah

    October 29, 2011 at 11:05 pm

    driving in snow? God bless. I just refuse to do it

  78. 78.

    JGabriel

    October 29, 2011 at 11:14 pm

    @Cacti:

    It was 85 here today.

    My sympathies. I’m so glad to live somewhere that doesn’t still need air-conditioning in late autumn.

    .

  79. 79.

    BD of MN

    October 29, 2011 at 11:16 pm

    I remember the Halloween blizzard of 1991, the Twin Cities got 26″ of snow (Duluth got 37″), I was driving a ’78 VW Rabbit (last year of the Rabbit being produced in Germany before VW’s US plant opened) that would drive through everything until the snow was deep enough to lift the wheels off the ground…

    Now my work vehicle is a 2006 Sterling day cab with switches on the dash to lock both the differentials and axles, so I can get all 8 drive wheels spinning together at the same time. Without a trailer, it’ll spin shitties better than my son’s ’84 Camaro…

  80. 80.

    JGabriel

    October 29, 2011 at 11:24 pm

    I love snow, but even I’ll admit this is an unpleasant storm. My least favorite weather is windy rain in the 33-50 F range (1-10 C, for you metric converts). This storm falls much more into that category, at least here in NYC, than it does a typical Nor’easter.

    It’s cold, wet, gray, and uncomfortable, instead of white and fluffy. There’s no accumulation in midtown except for scattered quarter-inch thick patches of sleet/slush/ice. It’s just dangerous, ugly, and miserable out there. Safe wishes and safe home to anyone forced to be out in this weather tonight.

    .

  81. 81.

    PeakVT

    October 29, 2011 at 11:30 pm

    No snow here whatsoever. Can’t say I’m disappointed.

    @Wag: 4WD basically helps you start. Like FWD it helps somewhat when you’re under way, but at that point tires matter more. Most people don’t understand that, and auto industry advertising doesn’t help.

  82. 82.

    Wag

    October 29, 2011 at 11:34 pm

    @BD of MN

    I was in the twin cities for that storm. What an amazing storm. Entire city shut down. We admitted one patient all day, an unfortunate guy with a heart attack shoveling snow. The only reason he made it to the hospital was because he lived 4 blocks away. Nobody else came through the doors.

    And the streets were fucking luge runs for the rest of the winter

  83. 83.

    Thoughtful Black Co-Citizen

    October 29, 2011 at 11:37 pm

    I guarantee that thing will save your life at least once before it gives up the ghost.

    Maybe you should let it clean your bathroom and walk the dog for you.

    My only problem with Subaru is at the corporate level. They must be kind of slow if they’re just increasing the size of the cars now. A 2011 Outback makes our 2001 Forrester look kind of wimpy.

  84. 84.

    madmommy

    October 29, 2011 at 11:42 pm

    The first car I bought brand new was a Subaru Justy. Bare-bones it was, with a 5-speed. I didn’t know how to drive it, so my boyfriend drove it home. We went to a big parking lot, he showed me where the gears were and how to work the clutch then got out of the car. I drove around for a few hours to get comfortable and drove it to work the next day. I did avoid stopping on hilly intersections for a while! I moved to Telluride CO with that car, and had no trouble whatsoever driving up and down the mountain from home to work every day for 4 years with nothing more than studded tires in winter. Put nearly 150K miles on it, then drove it from CO to Louisiana. It died a quiet death in my dad’s driveway the day after I arrived.

  85. 85.

    Corpsicle

    October 29, 2011 at 11:58 pm

    The true power of Subaru comes from limited slip differentials.

  86. 86.

    the dude

    October 30, 2011 at 12:25 am

    I got a 2010 Suburu Forester for the snow handling but it did slide a couple of times last winter. Not much you can do when you hit a patch of ice on the road when braking, I guess.

    Can’t put snow chains on it so I guess I need to buy some snow tires before heading up and down the canyons to the ski resorts.

  87. 87.

    Bret

    October 30, 2011 at 1:04 am

    Oh, I didn’t know you were a lesbian.

  88. 88.

    Yutsano

    October 30, 2011 at 3:50 am

    Out at a Halloween/good-bye party for the lesbyterian lawyer (she’s going to do immigration casework in New York, boo) come home to discover my cat had knocked over a lamp I forgot to turn off before leaving. Now there’s a nice burn circle in the carpet and an amazing smell in my condo right now. Someone is NOT getting salmon any time soon.

  89. 89.

    HeartlandLiberal

    October 30, 2011 at 6:17 am

    Nice, but for bad weather I love our 1995 Volvo 850 turbo. It still has less than 70,000 miles on it, and drives like a prancing pony, but with front wheel drive and winter mode it is great on bad roads. And of course it has the wing on the back edge of the trunk. We refer to it as our ‘tail feather’. It is not wise to speed on the Interstate in this bright Volvo Fire Engine Red car. I have the speeding ticket to prove this.

    Of course for my retirement I treated myself to Mercedes E320, a burgundy red one with a cream interior. I found one just a few years old used with very low miles at a dealer via the Internet, and drove all the way to Nashville, TN, 220 miles from here, to buy it.

    I fondly refer to it as my GeezerMobile. Most comfortable sedan I have ever driven or been a passenger in.

  90. 90.

    Chris T.

    October 30, 2011 at 6:39 am

    I have an old Forester (no turbo) with the limited slip rear differential, which gives you what amounts to “3 wheel drive”. Works great in snow. Plan to get extended-range electric vehicle for most local driving, and keep the Forester for snow and off-pavement.

  91. 91.

    chopper

    October 30, 2011 at 7:48 am

    don’t have a lesbaru, but my element has been solid in the snow. dealt with every and all “-mageddon”s we had the last two years, including the ones where i had to help out big suvs and shit stuck on the highways.

    helps to have a manual and some self-confidence.

  92. 92.

    EdTheRed

    October 30, 2011 at 8:07 am

    Great, now this is stuck in my head: Fountains of Wayne’s ’92 Subaru

    I bought a car off a couple o’ ladies way upstate
    Took off the Greenpeace sticker and the New Hapshire plates
    My friends are saying that I may have made a mistake but I
    I tell ’em have a little faith now fellas, just you wait
    Puttin’ in the new shocks and the anti-lock brakes
    One touch ignition for convenience sake
    And when I’m through it’s gonna look and run better than new

    So baby don’t make a move
    Because I’m coming for you
    I’m coming for you
    You better make way cause I’m coming through
    In my late ’92 baby blue Subaru
    Ooh ooh ooh yeah yeah

    My cousin Gary’s taking a look at the transmission
    Puttin’ in the lime green plasma screen television
    Seats feel like leather, you can’t even tell that they’re fake
    And I only got a couple easy payments left to make
    Just a little alcohol in the glove compartment minibar
    Open up the moonroof so we can sit back and watch the stars
    Oh yes and the GPS so I always know where you are
    So baby don’t go too far

    Because I’m coming for you
    I’m coming for you
    You better make way cause I’m coming through
    In my late ’92 baby blue Subaru

    Pumpin’ in oxygen for some Swiss mountain
    Alarm system so confusing you can’t even get in
    This thing is a beast
    Value will only increase
    Been negotiating turns like peace in the Middle East
    There’s only three of it’s kind, they’re never easy to find
    Got people waiting in line to pay me double for mine

    So baby just let me know when are you read to go
    Come on sugar let’s roll

    You know I’m coming for you
    That’s what I’m gonna do
    You better make way cause I’m coming through
    In my
    You know I’m coming for you
    Yeah, you know it’s true
    You better make way cause I’m coming through
    In my late ’92 baby blue Subaru

  93. 93.

    Lojasmo

    October 30, 2011 at 9:32 am

    @Bill:

    Last year I sold my 2003 Audi a4, and bought a 1995 legacy wagon (to get out of payments)

    Subie was hands down better than the Audi. I have since sold the legacy to my aunt, who lives in Duluth.

    Currently driving a Chrysler town and country AWD. Will have to see how that behaves once the snow flies here in Minnesota.

  94. 94.

    Jay C

    October 30, 2011 at 9:35 am

    Heh – late to the thread again: mainly cuz I was too beat last night to check in at BJ. I was, like John, stuck for five hours on the road (Berkshires to NYC – 120 mi +/-); and I only made such “good” time cuz the snow had eased off to wet/sleet/slush/rain by the time I got down near the City and could zip up to a breakneck 45mph or so. Big fun.

    And even more fun was the lack of roadside amenities on the way: large swaths of Dutchess and Putnam Counties were without power due to fallen trees, ice, etc on the lines: so no rest stops, either. Fortunately my car (Porsche Cayenne) is big, heavy and comfy: though oddly slippy for a big SUV on snow. Good brakes, though: one thing Porsche does fit to their cars are bad-ass brakes: a good thing yesterday….

  95. 95.

    MFA

    October 30, 2011 at 9:41 am

    I’ve owned nothing but Subes since 1982. (Well, except for a brief fling with a used ’79 Alfetta GT 2000, but, I was in California then…). One of the few brands I recommend without hesitation, and I think still the best at affordable, quality 4WD road vehicles.

  96. 96.

    danielx

    October 30, 2011 at 10:27 am

    Traded in our 1999 Outback (at 176,000) for a 2006 Outback at a dealership in suburban Chicago with a predominantly Polish clientele. Was my spouse’s vehicle, so while she was negotiating I was BSing with other customers. I was talking with this one woman maybe 40 who was looking at a brand new Outback and wanted to know what I thought. I said we’d been very happy, were there trading one in, had driven ours in all weathers including 15 inches of snow, never had a problem, etc.
    She had her father with her for support/advice, this hardbitten old Pole who looked like you’d break a toe if you kicked him. She turned to him and said, well, so-and-so had a Forester and got stuck here last winter, how could that be? He gave her the kind of look that teenagers give to parents who ought to be in detox and said, very distinctly and sort of grinding out the words: “Because – we – had – 24 – inches – of – snow – here.” I had to turn away right quick to avoid laughing out loud…but she ended up buying. Another Subie customer…and they’re built in West Lafayette, helping what’s left of the Indiana automotive industry hold on to life.

  97. 97.

    Libby's person

    October 30, 2011 at 11:06 am

    I loved my 97 Subaru Legacy Outback wagon. When I bought it, I lived in Pittsburgh where it actually snows during the winter, and I had to cart two big dogs around. It was the perfect car for me, and got me safely through some very dicey weather and road conditions. I now live in central NC (where 1/2 inch of snow brought Raleigh to a complete standstill for 3 days (!) a couple of years ago), and don’t need the AWD, and I only have one medium-sized dog, so I can get by without the wagon. The Subaru was still going strong a year ago at 175,000 miles, still getting 24 miles per gallon. However, I started having to drive a LOT for work, and the Subaru’s seat was wearing out. And it smelled like wet dog after 13 years of hauling wet dogs around. So I reluctantly gave away the Subaru and bought a Ford Fusion Hybrid, which I love and which is perfect for how I live now. I still think wistfully about that Subaru, but I really like getting 40+ miles per gallon (with no wet dog smell, at least not yet!)

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