Forgive Me Loc Members For I Have 'defected'

[Lexusfreak]

Well ladies & gents, I am offically no longer a Lexus owner After alot of research (which isn't a strong enough word to be honest for those that know me well lol :whistles: ), consideration, number crunching & everything else in between I have traded in my 2001 Lexus ES 300 for a 2006 Subaru Forester XT - Turbo. :D In a nutshell, this machine is scary fast & imo, one of the ultimate 'sleeper' vehicles currently available on the market......at least in Canada....at any price. B) I have not been able to wipe the smile off my face for the last 2 days. I plan on posting pics soon, but it might have to wait until I return from my trip to Washington D.C. later this month......I'd also like to have the car tinted before I do. B)

Many of you know that we purchased a 2003 Forester XS for my wife late last year & (my wife & I now both commute a fair distance - over 33 miles one way now that my work re-located at the beginning of this year north of Toronto in a snow belt area) after a full winter, the capabilities of the Forester with it's full time AWD system is simply out of this world! Lexus has decent electronic aids that are helpful, but they are still no match (even with the Goodyear Triple Treads which my wife's Forester also has) for AWD which was one of the deciding factors in my switch. That & the fact that recently I have been experencing some problems with my ES that would have cost me a good chunk of $$$ to fix now that the Lexus extended warranty has expired (go figure!) & the TB & WP replacement was fast approching now that I have clocked over the 70k mile mark among others but I can see I am already writting a novel here lol.

I got top dollar for the car on trade in the end....which took a while (I wasen't about to let the dealer 'steal' that car from me no matter what) & saved over $12k Canadian on the FXT from new (the Forester I purchased was a Subaru Canada executive driven demo with 8,000 miles on her......original with all service history), not to mention the tax savings of the trade difference which is 15% here in Ontario! Plus I got a fantastic financing rate too boot & in the colour I wanted as well (Crystal Grey Metallic).

I have nothing negative to say about my ES (or Lexus as a brand). The car ran pretty much flawlessly during the time I have owned it. It was just a decision I made (along with my wife of course). Would I buy another Lexus? Yup, depending on what they offer 5 - 7 years down the road. I did seriously consider another Lexus (specifically a 2004 or 2005 ES 330)....but my heart really wanted was a 2006 GS 300 AWD whcih was simply never going to happen. I was not a huge fan of the new ES 350.....mainly because of the interior styling & I wanted AWD this time around.

I had the 2005 Subaru Outback XT Turbo or H6 VDC on my short list, but it was out of my budget & considering the current fuel prices showing no signs of getting lower anytime soon (the OB weighs over 3600 lbs as well), we felt the Forester was the smarter move. B) I wasen't ready to go for a Hybrid just yet either.

I'm not writing this thread to say Goodbye just so you know......I have made many good friends since I've joind LOC (and CL) & plan to stick around a long time....Which might be a good or bad thing depending on one's point of view lol :whistles: Many members have helped me out immensely during my time here (especially steviej, among others) & to all of them, I am greatful & can't thank you enough! :) To be honest, I want to be here long enough to get Monarch to finally switch to synthetic oil & have SW finally put Goodyear Triple Treads on his ES ......j/k guy's. ;)

I guess perhaps a name change is in order now huh? If any of the moderators have a chance, I beleive Subifreak is available. :) Much appreciated!

[RFeldes]

Sounds like a well thought out and wise decision.. especially the all wheel drive in the snow belt. ;)

[SKperformance]

Maybe just the word freak would be more suiting sop then when you return it will not need to be changed?

:)

Enjoy ,it is a nice car.

Have you found the Toronto subi boards yet?

[Lexusfreak]

Maybe just the word freak would be more suiting sop then when you return it will not need to be changed?

:)

Enjoy ,it is a nice car.

Have you found the Toronto subi boards yet?

Thanks SK,

I like Subifreak better ;)

I have found the T.O. Subi boards......not a member, but am a member of the Subaruforester.org site. :)

[steviej]

So now I can add "Brenden" to my TRAITOR list.

You get to sit right next to Johnny Damon. :whistles: :P

enjoy the Subi my friend.

steviej

[Lexusfreak]

So now I can add "Brenden" to my TRAITOR list.

You get to sit right next to Johnny Damon. :whistles: :P

enjoy the Subi my friend.

steviej

Lol. :whistles: 'en' dude.....not 'an' ;) B)

That mean were not welcome in Scituate? lol j/k

[steviej]

Lol. :whistles: 'en' dude.....not 'an' ;) B)

sorry dude....all fixed.

That mean were not welcome in Scituate? lol j/k

bring it baby!!!!!

we got some awesome beaches and trails to take that Subi 4wheelin'.........ok all-wheelin'.

steviej

[Lexusfreak]

Lol. :whistles: 'en' dude.....not 'an' ;) B)

sorry dude....all fixed.

That mean were not welcome in Scituate? lol j/k

bring it baby!!!!!

we got some awesome beaches and trails to take that Subi 4wheelin'.........ok all-wheelin'.

steviej

Awesome......added to the 'to do' list....perhaps in 2007.....although there might be a 'mini Bren' or 'mini Karen' by then lol......we'll just get em a Red Sox cap while were there lol. :) ;)

[SW03ES]

Congratulations! Must have really liked that Forrester to buy TWO of em!

I'll look forward to seeing it sometime next week!

[Lexusfreak]

Congratulations! Must have really liked that Forrester to buy TWO of em!

I'll look forward to seeing it sometime next week!

Thanks Steve........looking forward to it. Somehow 2 Foresters seemed more practical than 2 ES 300's. B)

Talk with the rest of you in a couple weeks! :)

[ArmyofOne]

Congratulations! Must have really liked that Forrester to buy TWO of em!

I'll look forward to seeing it sometime next week!

We all defect at one point or another.

honestly, after driving the wifes Matrix XR in the snow, i think a Subaru might be on my next list of cars.

[Toysrme]

It just needs a turbo manifold. :P

[Lexusfreak]

Congratulations! Must have really liked that Forrester to buy TWO of em!

I'll look forward to seeing it sometime next week!

We all defect at one point or another.

honestly, after driving the wifes Matrix XR in the snow, i think a Subaru might be on my next list of cars.

I have a feeling I will be a Subi owner for a long time by the looks of things, especially for our areas of the world Josh. ;)

[steviej]

I have a feeling I will be a Subi owner for a long time by the looks of things, especially for our areas of the world Josh. ;)

unless Lexus comes out with an AWD ES400h.

steviej

[Lexusfreak]

unless Lexus comes out with an AWD ES400h.

steviej

That's affordable. ;)

[nc211]

You know I won't say a thing about you being a Subby fan! I love those cars, especially the fully loaded turbo sedan. I've always found their design lines to be very clean and classy. And not to mention their ability to tackle any weather, at any speed. Great cars!! Just make sure you have Michelin's on them for the best performance...hahahaha!!! Right SWO??? Hahahaha....and it continues...

[Lexusfreak]

You know I won't say a thing about you being a Subby fan! I love those cars, especially the fully loaded turbo sedan. I've always found their design lines to be very clean and classy. And not to mention their ability to tackle any weather, at any speed. Great cars!! Just make sure you have Michelin's on them for the best performance...hahahaha!!! Right SWO??? Hahahaha....and it continues...

LOL, thanks nc! ;) B) The GY Triple Treads will be on the car in the fall. :whistles:

[SW03ES]

Just make sure you have Michelin's on them for the best performance...hahahaha!!! Right SWO???

Indubidubly!