Subaru Crew Cafe

14554 messages, Last post on Nov 24, 2009 at 10:56 AM

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#13733 of 14554 Australia and Snow by grahampeters Jan 13, 2009 (7:38 pm)
G'day I know it is not really the image that most people think of for Australia. Australia is geologically the oldest continent and most eroded, the maximum height being Mt Kosciusko at about 7,000 feet. However, the Great Dividing Range (which stretches from Cape York (the pointy bit on the top right of an Australian map), right down the East Coast, past Melbourne to the bottom of the mainland) sees snow every year, most heavily in the section between Melbourne and Sydney. We get three to six months of good snow cover with decent skiing within 60 miles of Melbourne. I fly between Sydney and Melbourne (about 600 miles) regularly and can usually see snow most of the way in the period from July to October. Because there is such a huge area of fairly undulating country covered with thick snow in the Australian Alps, it makes for fabulous Nordic Skiing, but you have to be very well prepared and self sufficient. Much of the country is tough for bush walking even in dry weather and very little of it has navigable roads. Practically, in the distance between suburban Melbourne and Canberra (about 400 miles), there is only one fully tarmacked road across the Great Dividing Range. There are about four roads trafficable by 2WD and several more tracks which are reasonable 4WD. Even some of the roads which are marked on the maps are marginal. I just looked at one road I have used with extreme care and the map suggests it is a highway. However a 4WD magazine's page is less complimentary suggesting it is poor 4WD. When I last used it, much of it was 5mph stuff with fallen trees being a big issue. One was sufficiently high above the road that by cutting off limbs, we could squeeze the car beneath. Despite living in the city, I always carry a small axe, folding bush saw and small folding spade in the car. Occasionally I have mentioned going bush in my Outback and my current Kluger (Highlander). I have one trail that I would like to try, traversing from the back of Mount Buller (a ski field near Mansfield), through wild country and across the ranges to Mount Howitt in Gippsland (the region of Victoria, where I hail from). However, I think I will try it with my brother in law who has a fully rigged out Toyota Landcruiser and the skills to use it. One part of the track is across a large rock slide and I would like to see it first hand before figuring out if it is feasible with a Kluger. There are also multiple steep switchbacks on rough dirt Both Sydney and Melbourne have very rugged country starting right on their doorsteps. Sydney is locked in by the Blue Mountains, a steep to sheer sided range which even today has only one real access route across it. It snows in these mountains frequently, even when Sydney is warmish. My parents lived in these mountains for some years and my father, a land surveyor (and superb bushman) reveled in tracing the marks placed by the first explorers who took 25 years, after first settlement, to find a path across the mountains. Despite 221 years of white settlement, there are still places within 50 miles of the Sydney CBD that have never seen white men's feet. A few years ago, some climbers happened upon a valley in the Wollemi with a group of previously undiscovered huge pines, hangovers from primeval forests. Some have been cloned from cuttings (and are being sold to ensure their protection from an environmental disaster such as a fire) but the valley's whereabouts remains secret. http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s1371627.htm The upside of the low elevations of the Australian Alps is that we get frequent snow but do not suffer sustained freezes. That means that there is an excellent airport in the midst of the Australian Alps which can accommodate a 737. If you ever want a good holiday, come on down! Happily, the cool change has now swept through and the pool is keeping the kids cool. You could still ship some snow to us, though. Cheers Graham Replies to this message: xwesx (Jan 14, 2009 9:11 am) w8ifi (Jan 14, 2009 1:48 pm)
#13734 of 14554 Re: Australia and Snow [grahampeters] by xwesx Jan 14, 2009 (9:11 am)
Replying to: grahampeters (Jan 13, 2009 7:38 pm) Graham - Thank you for that vivid post. It certainly stirs a desire to visit the country. I find the Wollemi Pine intriguing. Not only does the tree have a rustic beauty about it, but just thinking about its ability to survive untold millennia of change inspires admiration. Unfortunately its current location, while being its sanctuary, is also its prison. Still, it is nice to know that history lives along side us; somehow, it makes me feel more humble about our role.
#13735 of 14554 helps me remember by kurtamaxxxguy Jan 14, 2009 (12:10 pm)
My 5 years in Sydney in late 1990's were mostly pleasant though the insane work schedule I endured prevented much travel. I do remember Sydney being much like San Francisco, though with many more brick buildings and fewer roads. The jewel caves west of Sydney (reachable by train) were a fun place to visit. I did not own a car while in Sydney but found the train system in good shape then. I wonder how trains are fairing there these days.
#13736 of 14554 Re: Australia and Snow [grahampeters] by w8ifi Jan 14, 2009 (1:48 pm)
Replying to: grahampeters (Jan 13, 2009 7:38 pm) Graham: I also enjoyed your "mini-travelogue". Fascinating. Wonder if you've done any prospecting for opal? I think a place called Coober Peddy(sp?) was where some are located. Anyway pretty awesome the barren distances between population clusters there. Jim
#13737 of 14554 Edmunds adds long-term Suzuki SX4 to test fleet by rsholland Jan 16, 2009 (1:34 pm)
AWD, standard NAVI, handsome styling, and for $18K. That's what Subaru needs to offer. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=139726 They will have the car for a full year. So if interested, bookmark the following thread. http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2...roduction.html Bob Replies to this message: kurtamaxxxguy (Jan 16, 2009 6:48 pm) ateixeira (Feb 03, 2009 1:40 pm)
#13738 of 14554 Re: Edmunds adds long-term Suzuki SX4 to test fleet [rsholland] by kurtamaxxxguy Jan 16, 2009 (6:48 pm)
Replying to: rsholland (Jan 16, 2009 1:34 pm) Interesting that Edmunds has not added a Forester to the long term fleet - yet. Subaru should either rework their old Navigation system, or just dump it for a Suzuki-approach solution such as integrating an existing NAV system, or possibly sub-contracting a Garmin or other product to work with a larger display screen.
#13739 of 14554 Turbo heat shield - a good idea? by kurtamaxxxguy Jan 19, 2009 (8:58 pm)
I am trying to understand the value of the "turbo heat shield" being bandied about by a number of aftermarket sources, including Subaru. The claim's the heat shield keeps heat from other engine components, and keeps the turbo warmer. Uh....my understanding is heat's a major problem for Turbos. Heat cokes the turbo's oil and oil bearings, causing turbo failure. Does it make sense to add a shield that makes the turbo run Hotter ??
#13740 of 14554 and by the way..... by kurtamaxxxguy Jan 19, 2009 (8:59 pm)
there is an oil additive that helps keep oil from failing at high temperatures. It's made by a former Exxon research chemist, has been thoroughly tested, and works. The stuff's called ASL CAMGUARD and those interested can find it with a web search.
#13741 of 14554 Disappointing 09 Outback cargo area :( by amsbear Jan 23, 2009 (10:07 am)
I've been planning on replacing my 98 Outback Limited in the near future and naturally envisioned myself in an 09 Outback 2.5i SE. Did a great deal of research online and did notice a decrease in cargo area volume between mine and the new model but until I saw it in person last night did I realize how much less usable space there is now. Mine is a nice boxy shape that is deeper and taller, whereas the 09 has a roofline that slants down and decreases the ceiling height and the tail gate opening size. The 09 also has a seatbelt coming out of the ceiling in the cargo area that further removes ceiling room and impedes the installation of a standard shaped dog barrier like I have in the 98. Not being able to put my Yellow Lab back there is a deal breaker Too bad that the Outback misses the mark on the utility factor as it certainly looked to be a great replacement and improvement in all other areas. Seeing all this, I am now checking into the Forester and I certainly like the available cargo area height and am ok on the depth. It's more spartan in certain areas when compared to the Outback but I certainly like the additional interior room and am loving the idea of that moon roof. I'll being going for a test drive this weekend. Thanks for listening, Alan 98 OBW Ltd (159,000 miles) Replies to this message: kurtamaxxxguy (Jan 23, 2009 10:22 am) rsholland (Jan 23, 2009 10:28 am)
#13742 of 14554 Re: Disappointing 09 Outback cargo area :( [amsbear] by kurtamaxxxguy Jan 23, 2009 (10:22 am)
Replying to: amsbear (Jan 23, 2009 10:07 am) If you can be sure to drive the X and XT versions of Forester. They have distinctly different driving characteristics.