Thursday, June 13, 2013
2011 Subaru Legacy 2 5 i and 3 6R Limited Review
Attempting to go mainstream is part of what very nearly killed SAAB, so theres precedent for concern every time Subaru gets a bit more normal.
Except that Subarus managed it quite well...first with the Outback, then the Forester, and now with the Legacy.
The Legacy is stepping up in size and refinement, becoming for the first time a logical and direct alternative to Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.
And to show just how good the basic product is, Subaru sent us a no-frills Legacy 2.5i. Not a single option (but with 17-inch alloy wheels, 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD, an auxilary audio jack, XM/Sirius capability, a multifunction trip computer, an outside temperature gauge, cruise control, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power windows, door locks and mirrors, a remote keyless entry system, and map and courtesy lights all standard, its a complete package without any options).
Even though the Legacy is bigger now, its lighter than the competition...handles better...and dont forget...its a Subaru, so all-wheel drive is part of the deal.
And the power from the 2.5 liter engine (170 horsepower), teamed with a smooth 6-speed manual, is more than adequate.
That six-speed is a help for the fuel economy...the EPA says 19 city, 27 highway.
And the price?
Well, the price had me reminding myself to think Subaru for my next family sedan: $19,995.
Remember the deal about no options? Thats right...apart from $695 delivery charge, $19,995 is the base and the bottom line. Theres a Camry a few hundred bucks cheaper, but not as satisfying, and the least-expensive Accord is $21,055. Thats compelling math for a car that no longer has to be explained. The Legacy has arrived.
Japanese TV viewers got this commerical, with Robert DeNiro at the wheel of the new Legacy:
UPDATE: I chose to repeat the above review because the base Subaru Legacy is just so darn good. But recently, I had a week in the top-of-the-line 2011 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited. And it, too was a revelation...just for different reasons.
Regular TireKicker readers know that I believe you can too easily goop up a good car with add-ons and lose the basic flavor. But Subaru swings for the bleachers with the 3.6R Limited and hits a home run.
First of all, the engine....the 170 horses of the base car jumps to 256 in all three flavors of the R (R, R Premium and R Limited)...which puts the performance of the Legacy into another league entirely. The six-speed manual gets swapped for a five-speed automatic, but the extra power, the lack of a clutch and one fewer gear end up extracting the smallest penalty...18 city, 25 highway (as opposed to 19/27 for the base model).
And then, the creature comforts: Dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a 440-watt Harmon Kardon 9-speaker audio system, leather-trimmed seats (including a 10-way power adjustable drivers seat and a 4-way power adjustable one for the front passenger)....all standard. In fact, the only option on our car was a power moonroof ($995)...running the base price of $28,295 to an as-tested (with $725 delivery charge) $30,015.
There are absolute bargains. The 2.5i is that. Theres no other way to describe that much car for under $20,000.
And then there are bargains based on the comparison of content and price. And thats where, for a shade more than 8 grand more, the 3.6 R Limited earns its bargain status. Subaru has built a car that can run with a significantly pricier pack..and, as with the 2.5i, if it were my money...it would be an immediate contender.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Repair work to replace the front brake pads Mazda 3
The following instructions will try to replace the brake pads. The most important thing - to adhere to certain rules. So, in any case is not recommended to press the brake pedal, if you open body of the cylinder, as it can pop out the plunger. It is desirable that the piston anther were not damaged and that the brake disc has not got oil. Replacing brake pads and gaskets must be replaced, especially if the strips are observed traces of rust or flaking of the rubber coating. Unscrew the connecting bolt to strip and replace the caliper should be only if it is assembled. Here, in order to avoid stretching the brake hose, you need a special way hanging body of the cylinder to the wire. Brake Surface burnished needed in the following cases: to produce boring or replacement of drums, or disks, replacing linings, brake shoes, "falling through" the pedal, although the mileage a little. Front brake pads are composed of actual brake pads, tie springs, clamping plates. Before embarking on replacing brake pads, a visual estimate of the thickness of the pads. To this end, lift the car, remove the wheel, look into manhole, located in the housing cylinder. Minimum thickness of brake pads - 1 mm, the maximum allowable value - 2,0 mm. Please note that during this repair, is necessary to replace the inner and outer gaskets, cover gaskets in the kit. 1.Snyat brake pads, for this front wheel lift, wheels to temporarily secure the two nuts. Unscrew the bolt and disconnect the brake hose bracket. 2. Loosen the caliper mounting bolts, for this to turn off the caliper mounting bolts, but it should hold the guide fingers. Housing slide off, loosen the bolts which secure the caliper housing, and remove it. 3. Remove the anthers guide fingers. Using a screwdriver and a hammer, hold the caliper in a vise (padded), while removed from the guide fingers anthers. 4. Remove the cover brake cylinder. Using a screwdriver, remove the cover of the brake cylinder snap ring and cover. Between piston and cylinder lay rags. 5. Extract the piston from the cylinder. Remove the piston from the cylinder, using compressed air. 6. Remove the gland. Use a screwdriver to remove the gland. Brake pads measured by line: typical thickness shall be 12 mm, the lowest - 1.0 mm. In that case, if the thickness of the pads is less than the minimum acceptable, you must replace pads. With the help of a special device, to drown the piston inside the cylinder block to set the brake disc.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
2011 BMW 3 Series Sedan features and performance reviews
French magazine Auto-Journal unveils for its readers the first graphic variant of the BMW 3 Series GT. As reported in the article, the GT version of the new 3 Series will be presented at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, ahead of the F30 sedan that will arrive in 2012.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
BMW 3 SERIES LONG WHEELBASE
