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upstater

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Everything posted by upstater

  1. If you obey the speed limit and don't push it much in the corners or on curving onramps a sway bar upgrade is not necessary. If you drive a little more aggressively, you will certainly feel the difference with the upgrade to a stiffer rear sway bar, and you will feel it immediately on your test drive after you put it on.
  2. One month in and a thousand miles later, I am loving the Mazda3. Unlike early adopters, I haven't had any issues requiring recall repair or trips to the dealer (probably because mine was built in Japan in June, after the recalls got sorted out). I bought a premium FWD hatch, auto trans. Of note: The mpg's are right at the EPA estimates (31mpg combined), the 2.5 in the smaller and lighter car gives it enough oomph for me. This thing coasts forever (in gear), the auto transmission just does its thing, acceleration from a stop is peppier than the Legacy, I rarely use the "Sport Mode" but that does hold gears and give a bit more pep from a stop. I have paddle shifters but almost never use them. The safety systems never require fussing, they stay on and in the background so I don't need to turn them on every time I get in the car, the Adaptive Cruise is a bit harder on the brakes and accelerates slower than the Legacy did, but I actively managed Eyesight so I just started doing the same with the Mazda. The Lane Keep Assist works but is not obnoxious, and is not lane centering. The car beeps if you signal and there is a car in the blind spot which is great. It does not have the "car in front of you moved alarm" Apple Car Play is great, and it works very well with the commander knob and the high screen, no need to take my eyes off the road. Voice texting also works, and 'hey Siri' is always working to make a call or get nav info, the Subaru voice command set up was pretty bad (probably better in the new gen). My car has adaptive front LED headlights, and the auto high beam system works seamlessly, I always shut that off in the Subaru because it was so delayed in responding to other cars, especially with curves in the road Climate control in the Mazda is weaker than in the Subaru, style over substance in this case. I have mounted snows ready to go (TireRack has Blizzaks on sale). It cost me less to buy snows than to upgrade to the AWD version of the Mazda3, but the main reason I went with FWD is it felt peppier and lighter to me when I was test driving it, and I knew I would mount snows for FWD whereas I would have been lazy and just kept all seasons for AWD. That and I wanted better MPG's, The AWD version feels very solid, like a Subaru, but I like the slightly sportier FWD, maybe just for the change. the heads up display is great, projected out over the hood. the paint (I have polymetal gray) came with some blotchy patches on the hood, that I found the first day home as I claybarred it in preparation for wax. Subaru paint was flawless. That said, I love the look of this car and the polymetal gray is amazing, so no regerts (sic). The residual value is lower, meaning when the car comes off lease I will have more incentive to buy it, unfortunately the Legacy would have cost me more to buy out than it was worth. anyway, last post here, I made my final payment to Chase for the Subaru and am now an ex suby owner.
  3. i-stop isn't equipped on USA models. Mazda's are known for exceeding the EPA mpg's without it. Meanwhile my Legacy since new has averaged 26.7mpg's (not the EPA estimated 29mpg combined), I never hypermiled, but I never really got the EPA numbers at any time, and mpg's in the winter were pretty damn bad. FWIW Carmax offered the same amount to buy out the car ($17k), which is less than I owe on the lease ($19,300 residual), so I pay my $300 and Chase will take it back, someone will buy it off auction and put it on a lot at $22-24k.
  4. I am returning my 2017 limited in a couple of weeks, in my case I am picking up a new FWD premium trim Mazda3 hatchback in polymetal gray/black interior. My car only has 26,000 miles, and even with the lower miles the trade offer would not cover the remaining loan ($19k + change) so it is back to Chase with it, $300 return fee and I can turn it in at the Mazda dealer since Chase also handles Mazda leases. Though I will make one stop at Carmax and see what their offer is, I have seen cars similar to mine with Eyesight, lower miles (sub 30,000) selling for 20k+ there. This car still looks and runs like new, but frankly I am bored to tears driving it.
  5. Start/Stop works well in the EPA testing to bump up the fleet mileage. In real world driving it really does not save much unless you spend a lot of time stopped in traffic, which it only seems like most people do, in reality the gas use at idle is minimal for most people. and the system isn't without its downsides: So much for all that $$$ savings....
  6. I could post about 20 scientifically tested reviews of All Seasons vs Snow tires. It would be pointless, because 'seat of the pants observations' always win over evidence provided from testing the same car on the same surfaces back to back using different tires. All Seasons are ok in many conditions, they do not have the grip of snow tires on icy roads or snow. It would be impossible for them to do so, because the tire compound is completely different between the two, tread patterns are also different but it is mainly the hardness or softness of the rubber that comes into play (assuming both sets of tires have the same treadwear left, I have actually heard on good authority that new winter tires are much better than worn out all seasons... ha ha ha ha ha). For some weird reason nobody can understand, Summer performance tires work really well on hot pavement, and suck balls in the snow or winter. I can't understand this, myself (/s), but I am sure when summer rolls around we will have a new discussion about how all season tires really do perform much better than summer tires on your wifes WRX... ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, checking out of the ridiculousness now...
  7. I tell you not to judge a subaru AWD's performance in the snow unless you have snow tires installed. So you counter with, 'whatabout' snow tires that are worn out? Don't criticize how your car handles in the snow without snow tires that have adequate tread. In some parts of Canada (Quebec) snow tires are actually mandated for winter driving, I'm sure there is zero reason for that? Will the silliness continue next summer when you complain about hydroplaning in the rain because your all seasons are bald? Seriously, first world problems and a new hobby is needed...
  8. unless the car has snow tires on it commenting about how it and its AWD systems perform in the snow is dumb. I have the OEM tires, they lose traction fast, especially in roundabouts with slush/snow. Overall, the car is still predictable in the snow even with the crappy all seasons on it. Where I used to live (hilltowns outside of Albany) I would mount snow tires, and every Subaru with snows I drove there was a tank and excellent in the snow. i.e. It's the tires, don't talk about how it could perform better with all seasons.
  9. I would pop the bumper off and reset it, maybe it needs to be aligned slightly better to keep it in place. Just because you don't see any damage, does not mean something hasn't bumped it, or it might have been slightly misaligned from assembly. It is better as a two person job, but I did the bumper, multiple times off and on, while doing my headlight retrofit on the WRX.
  10. Yes, it will beep, it will try to steer you back into your lane if you cross the center lines to steer around a cyclist. But this automatic correction is not all powerful, you can easily steer against it when you need to steer around a cyclist/runner, etc. It is mainly for when you aren't paying attention, and drift a bit toward the line, the steering will correct for you, you will feel it, but in that case you won't be fighting it since it will be helping you go where you need to go. When you go to exit the highway, if you don't signal, you will also have to add some oomph to the steering wheel, which again is easily done when it is purposeful.
  11. clay bar? or try a dryer sheet with a bit of water...
  12. sounds like the Whiteline bar is not a correct fit for a Legacy, since you have to install it upside down. I am sure it is worth it for the extra 1-3 mm of stiffness over a 20mm bar that costs $100 dollars... Just not for me.
  13. my system was originally malfunctioning when there was snow/ice. But this week has been 40-50 degrees, and no ice/snow, and it still takes a while to come back online. i.e., it ain't the weather.
  14. I had issues earlier this winter, warning tone, disabled, etc. Now it works every time, but it seems to boot up slow, and the indicator light may not say ok, but it gives me a warning if cars are approaching as I back out of a spot.
  15. My wife's 2017 Acura RDX has the Acurawatch system, similar to Eyesight. In her car, adaptive cruise is not full range (shuts down at 20mph as you decelerate I think), but her lane keep is more effective -- it can follow many curves that the Subaru does not, and when it is working to keep you in the lane it actively and subtly centers you in the lane, it does not ping pong you back and forth like the Subaru. I agree if you want to preserve brake pads and get the best mpg's not to use Eyesight ACC during local short commutes, the system cannot predict ahead of time like a human can and manage the brakes and throttle input super gracefully in a minimal way. That said, ACC accelerates from a stop a lot more conservatively than a human does, and does not get angry in traffic, so it probably saves a little gas on the other end vs a human driver. I am about half way thru my 3 year/36k lease, 13,600k on the odometer, and don't plan to buy this car out, so I am not worried about wear and tear on the brakes or the mpg's (now at 26.7 lifetime) But when I shop for my next car (probably a different brand and a hot hatch) I am definitely going for the full safety suite and full range adaptive cruise. I use it daily, even on my short commute, and override the acceleration from a stop part when I get the urge...
  16. you probably won't feel the difference that much between a 19 and 20mm sway bar, you will definetely feel a difference if you switch to either from the stock bar (I went to the 20mm) The main difference you will feel is in your wallet, the 19mm is less common and more expensive than the 20mm, at least when I shopped.
  17. 17lb is definitely a labrador retriever puppy, probably left over from the last Subaru commercial...
  18. Suspension does not need to be loaded, you can put the rear on jackstands and it will be easier to get under the car to install it. Can it also be done on the ground? probably, but it is a lot easier with a little more room to move around, imho.
  19. so when you add up the exhaust, tune, and intake, it probably costs more than the difference in price between 3.6 and 2.5 legacys, however, the HP difference is not comparable (2.5 sees its 174 hp bumped to ~180-190 hp with the aftermarket additions, while a 3.6 starts at 256 hp, and comes with a more robust CVT). IDK, seems silly to me to do this work. I doubt you will resell a tuned legacy for more than a stock one, probably you will lose money since nobody wants a car that was potentially abused, and tuned cars tend to see harder use...
  20. Intake on a 2.5 will increase power by how much? What tuning is also required? Does this assume you also have a full exhaust installed? Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but intakes of themselves are eye candy and noise, and may actually reduce your engine performance. Power mods on NASIOC for the WRX come with dyno charts, I would look for those before you spend a ton of money on an intake for a 2.5, or just trade for a 3.6, at least the several thousand dollars more you pay for the 3.6 will give you proven increased power output.
  21. I went for my state inspection (at a Jiffy Lube) and the dotards removed both my air and cabin filter (which I had just replaced a week earlier) because it is part of their standard "upsell" to sell you filters. Basically, they remove it, wave it in front of you, say how dirty it is, and ask you to pay to replace them...I was a bit pissed, they have no reason during a state inspection to remove my glovebox, and I let them know this. In any case, easy to remove, and put back, but remember when you go for your inspection to tell the morons to leave it alone.
  22. none of which matters to the fuel filter, but the sediment that you might pick up from a poorly maintained gas station storage tank is what that filter is filtering out. So yes, buying a top tier gas from a well maintained station probably makes some difference in whether your fuel filter gets clogged.
  23. One month (+) in, I just lifted the car onto jack stands and thoroughly inspected the 20mm rear sway bar upgrade I had installed using the new bushings but OEM stock end links/bushing brackets (and I reinstalled the OEM nuts/bolts). I don't do auto crossing, but normal 'spirited' onramps and offramp... Zero issues, everything tight and unbent. I won't bother upgrading end links/bushing mounts unless I see an issue later, but I won't be inspecting it that often since I can't see anything askew now. I don't think standard commuting will destroy the OEM endlinks or mounts, even with a 20mm upgraded sway bar, but YMMV, use your OEM parts and recheck it after a month or two to be safe..
  24. The 6th gen Legacy is very quiet, and luxury car like, compared to the current generation WRX. that said, it is a bit noisy on the highway, but nothing too bad and I can hear the stereo fine. If you wanted quieter, spend more (get that Audi you secretly wanted your Suby to be) or put more sound insulation into it. Good 'nuff for my taste as is.
  25. Not to mention, if eyesight prevents one accident, it pays for itself. If it minimizes one accident, it pays for itself. Yes, it costs more to have it in the car, it gives you sometimes unnecessary corrections or signals, but it should be included in all trim levels and probably will be in the future, like airbags and abs used to be only offered in luxury cars, but now are in most autos sold. self-driving cars are coming in our lifetime, most likely. With ride sharing I would imagine some urban areas will have almost no car ownership, self-driving uber will take over...so much for parking lots, and two car garages being necessary in new construction...
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