We Sold our 2007 Toyota Yaris. Long Live The Yaris. Long Live Subcompact Cars.

 

Today was a big day. Today we sold our 2007 Toyota Yaris. This marks a lot of milestones. This marks the end of an era. 

Run What You Brung: Subaru Justy Rally Car

There's just something about getting out there with the car you got, having a blast, and going racing! As you may have seen with the recent Fiat 126p post, you don't have to be fast to slide it into the corners and go rallying.

2018 Subaru Crosstrek Revealed

Subaru debuted the 2018 Crosstrek at the Geneva International Motor Show this week. It retains everything Crosstrek buyers want and adds a few other goodies, too. Will Subaru drop the manual transmission option? Read more at Crankshaft Culture.

2016 NW Overland Rally

Teal Terror, Dinoot trailer, CVT RTT: Our beloved Suzuki Sidekick, the Teal Terror along with our Dinoot trailer and CVT rooftop tent set-up. 

By Mercedes Lilienthal

The NW Overland Rally is quite possibly our most favorite event of the year. We’ve been to almost every one of them and as each rally comes and goes, we see dozens of familiar faces, friends, fellow off-road adventurers, and meet many new travelers. This event is akin to a yearly homecoming or gathering of like-minded folks: The adventurers at heart, the thrill-seekers, or “push-your-boundaries” type of people. We learn so much from these people every year, such as how to trouble-shoot an ailing engine, tie specific knots, and tips and tricks to living cheaply on the road. An extended weekend of classes, workshops, happy hours galore, trail runs, and a huge nightly raffle and prizes to give away around a bonfire! What is not to love?

Behold: The Best Photo of our Subaru Impreza WRX

So this is the result of giving the keys to our friend and professional photographer/videographer, David Panton. He shot this photo in a studio using multiple exposures, various lighting techniques, and a variety of photo processing. Needless to say, it's the coolest photo I've seen of our Subaru Impreza WRX. I can hardly believe that's our car!

You can check out some of David's work on his Flickr page.

Our WRX Gets New Wheels and Tires

While the stock wheels and tires on a 2011-2014 WRX aren't bad looking, they aren't my cup-o-tea. I'd long been wanting to change up the rolling stock on our 2013 Subaru Impreza WRX, and recently the stars aligned and I ended up with the setup you see above. These are 17x8 (+35) ESM 001 wheels wrapped in 235/45/17 Continental ExtremeContact DW tires. When it comes to buying wheels and tires I can get minorly obsessive, so the choice wasn't easy.

Is it Time For a Smaller Subaru?

The 2017 Subaru Impreza models get more power and increase in size.

Information about the all-new U.S.-built 2017 Subaru Impreza dropped last week, and things look good. It'll come in both sedan and hatchback configurations, the 2.0-liter boxer engine will be up four horsepower to 152, the sheet metal has been revised, and the new Sport trim will have 18-inch wheels. There's gobs of tech and safety, four trim levels, and of course, standard all-wheel drive.

And like just about every new car out there, the Impreza is getting larger. The wheelbase is going up to 105.1 inches (1-inch longer than the current model), and both the sedan and five-door are 1.6-inches longer and 1.5-inches wider than the 2017 models. This puts the '17 Impreza at 182.1 inches in length. This begs the question: Is there room for a car to slot under the Impreza?

2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek Special Edition

By Andy Lilienthal

Bananas. Taxicabs. Nacho cheese. These were all descriptors for the 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek Special Edition we drove recently. Not all cars can pull off such a vibrant hue, but the compact Crosstrek rocks it. Then again, the car is also available in a very bright orange shade, and it pulls that color off, too. By the way, in the Japanese market this screaming yellow color is called Pop Star. Konnichiwa!

Photos From the 2015 Oregon Trail Rally

Paul Eklund's 2008 Primitive Racing Subaru Impreza WRX sliding into a corner at the 2015 Oregon Trail Rally.

Words by Andy Lilienthal, words by Mercedes Lilienthal

For the third year in a row, we attended the Oregon Trail Rally which has stages in Portland, Dufur, and Hood River, Oregon. The competition was great, there were awesome cars, and great people. These stage rallies have a certain energy behind them. Maybe it's the cars, the venue, the people, or a combination of all three. Regardless, it's a darn good time filled with some amazing rides.

One of Our Favorite Roads: Williams to Healdsburg, California

By Andy Lilienthal


There only a handful of things I enjoy more than finding an awesome, winding back road—especially in a car that handles well. While on our way to Healdsburg, California for a weekend getaway in our WRX, we happened upon one of our favorite driving roads in the U.S.

Starting in Williams, we take California Highway 20 west. It starts out flat and straight, pointing you right towards the hills around Clearlake. Once into those hills, the road becomes a canyon filled with fun twists and curves with (thankfully) regular opportunities to pass slow-moving vehicles. The scenery is gorgeous, but it's just the beginning.

Hang a left onto California Highway 53 south. While picturesque, it's not overly entertaining. Consider it a break between rounds. After going past Clearlake and Lower Lake, eventually Highway 53 turns into California Highway 29, aka, Lake County Highway. Again, nothing amazing ... yet. Take it through Middletown and get ready for some fun.

A few miles outside of Middletown is where things get incredible. Highway 29 turns into a switchback-filled ribbon of pavement with hundreds of feet of elevation change. This recently repaved stretch of road showcases steeply banked corners, tight hairpins, and passing lanes every couple of miles. On the map at the left it looks more like a small intestine than a road. The summit is a Robert L. Stevenson State Park. And once you reach the summit, it's down towards the city of Calistoga. This is arguably more entertaining than the first part of the route, and it has seemingly impossible switchbacks and incredible vistas along the way.

This incredible stretch of Highway 29 is a road that I wish every single one of you gets to drive in a fun car someday. Our WRX does plenty well; even our low-powered but lowered Yaris was a hoot in years past. The key here is having a car with a good suspension package.

We weren't done, however. We hang a quick right onto Tubbs Lane and then another right onto Highway 128, which goes through the lush Northern California countryside, weaving in and out of vineyards. From here, there a couple of ways into Healdsburg; we generally take Alexander Valley Road, however, there are other more scenic ways into town.

This part of Northern California is absolutely jam-packed with fun-to-drive roads and we've hit a number of them. However, for us, the aforementioned route is always something we both look forward to. Of course, we advocate being safe, obeying traffic laws and, such. After all, these are tight, twisty bits of dangerous road, often without a guardrail. But if you get the chance to navigate this stretch of enthusiastic driving heaven, don't pass it up. It's amazing.

Review: 2015 Subaru Impreza Sport Limited

By Andy Lilienthal

The Impreza is a people’s car. There’s a model for nearly everyone, whether it’s a base 2.0i model, which can still be had with hubcaps; an up-level Premium or Limited model; the lifted XV Crosstrek and XV Crosstrek Hybrid; the super-fast WRX sedan (don’t dare call it an Impreza anymore, however); the Sport Premium and this model: The Sport Limited, which is the top-of-the-line model, complete with sporty side skirts, leather, all of Subaru’s latest tech, and more. After three model years, Subaru is adding some new bits to keep its popular AWD wonder wagon fresh.

Note the front fascia on the 2014 Impreza Sport (white) vs. the 2015 Impreza Sport (Dark Gray).

On the outside, the '15 Impreza’s most notable changes come at the front fascia, which has a different bumper, grille, and headlights than '12–'14 versions. Note the comparison above. You'll see the chrome bits on the '15 Impreza. Frankly, I think I prefer the earlier front end, but the revision isn't bad. I, however, am not a big fan of chrome on modern cars. The exterior mirrors also now feature turn signals, by the way. Subaru says the styling changes were done so it more closely resembles the larger Legacy. Other than this, you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference between a pre-'14 and a '15.

Inside, however, there are some notable and welcomed changes. Most apparent is the new 7.0 infotainment system which is heaps better than the older version. The large, vibrant touchscreen features all the latest tech and includes an easy-to-use and wonderfully functional navigation system with bright, brilliant maps. Plus, the stereo is now quite good. Previous models didn’t seem to get loud enough; this one is plenty loud. All trims levels now get a rear-view camera, and this Sport Limited trim gets Subaru’s EyeSight tech, which uses cameras mounted in the top-center of the windshield for lane departure, pre-collision, and adaptive cruise control (you can note them in the first photo). There’s also now a color LCD screen in the gauge cluster for various bits of info, such as fuel economy.

The interior remains comfortable, but the heated leather front seats feel flat and have about as much bolstering as a padded lawn chair. Our tester also came with Bluetooth, push-button start, and an optional $2,795 power moon roof.

Another thing that hasn’t changed is the 2.0-liter  boxer four-cylinder engine that churns out 148 hp and 145 ft/lbs of toque. The only available transmission on the Sport Limited is the CVT, which is, of course, mated to Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. This engine/transmission combo makes the car feel heavy and a bit lumbering upon acceleration. Also, and more concerning, was the fact that when I put the car into drive from reverse, there was a moment of hesitation before it’d begin forward progress. I don’t remember previous CVT-equipped Imprezas doing this, so perhaps it was just our tester. This wasn’t an isolated incident, either; it happened every time. Full-throttle acceleration yields a lot of noise and not too much scoot. This car could benefit from another 20 horsepower. And in fact, the Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid, which we reviewed last year, provided that extra oomph (160 hp vs. 148 hp; 163 ft/lbs vs 145 ft/lbs of torque) this car has. Cornering is full of grip, as expected, thanks to the AWD and 17-inch wheels and tires. I also found the car to have quite a bit of road noise despite added enhancements to quiet the cabin. I blame the 50-series tires.

In terms of fuel economy, the car is still rated at a very respectable 27 city, 36 highway, and 31 combined MPG. Our week with the car returned nearly 29 MPG in mixed use—good for an AWD vehicle.

Whether you’re looking for an AWD vehicle or not, the Impreza is a solid compact car choice no matter which way you look at it. Yes, I’d like more power, more seat bolstering, and a bit quitter cabin, but despite these shortcomings, the Impreza has a lot going for it. Our loaded test model came in at a reasonable $26,885 including destination. While a co-worker pointed out you could get a much faster, sportier WRX for that amount, you don't get leather and some of the other luxury goods you get on the Sport Limited (at least not for that price). You also don't get one other thing: a hatchback.

THE BASICS: 2015 Subaru Impreza Sport Limited
MSRP As Tested:	$26,885
Engine:	2.0-liter flat four cylinder
Transmission:	CVT
Horsepower:	148
Torque:	145 lbs/ft
Curb Weight:	3,131lbs.
Wheelbase:	104.1"
Overall Length:	174"
Suspension:	F: Struts w/lower L-arm; stabilizer bar R: Double Wishbone
Brakes:	F: Disc w/ABS R: Disc w/ABS
Wheels:	17" alloy
Tires:	205/50R17
Range & MPG:	27 city, 36 highway, 31 combined

Buying a New Car, Part 4: Starting Over

By Scott Araujo

In my last post, Buying a New Car, Part 3: The Negotiation, my plan to seek out and find a 2013 xD leftover ended in frustration and disappointment. So I take a step back and start again.

I was pretty steamed about how things went while trying to buy a 2013 Scion xD leftover. I believe it truly was a series of honest mistakes and blunders as they said it was, but it was still very frustrating. After a few days I still liked the Scion but I certainly wasn't going to buy from that dealer.

Things going south like that may have been a blessing in disguise. I had been very focused on creating the list, whittling it down, and buying the car. I had become very driven and goal oriented, seeking to just get it done and over with. When it all came apart I was left with some time to reflect on what I was doing.

I had set out with a fairly simple goal: find an inexpensive car that met my needs. I had also decided to be pretty picky since I tend to keep my cars for a very long time. Andy and I had already discussed how any time you set a limit on the price, you are going to have to make some compromises. I had been pretty staunch about keeping the price low, and I had been overly motivated to get it all done ASAP. On reflection, I had been pushing too hard on both fronts. I didn't need to get it done immediately. My Honda Civic was still running just fine. I didn't need to be so hard on the price point. I was trying to keep the price really low when in reality I can afford for it to be a bit higher.

I talked with Andy, I talked with Mercedes, I talked with my wife. I can certainly be prone to tunnel vision at times and they all helped me to calm down and open up my perspective. I moved back to square one and once again considered the creation of The List.

An important point Andy made is what he tells everyone who is looking to buy a car: if you're even remotely interested in a car, go drive it. And he's absolutely right. Taking a car for a test drive is very easy to do, and whether you're hot or cool towards a car, five minutes behind the wheel can change that faster than anything else.

Happy Birthday Dear WRX!

Today is our WRX's second birthday! We're still under 20,000 miles on our turbocharged AWD hatchback, and we still love it to pieces. This compact firebreather has taken us up through Canada, down through California, and all across the Pacific Northwest. Its only mods at this point are the Rally Armor mud flaps and the Magnaflow exhaust (which we got for its last birthday). We're not sure what we'll get it for its birthday yet (other than a bath), but we're looking forward to another fast, fun year with our go-everywhere WRX.

Review: 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid

We like the compact Subaru XV Crosstrek for a host of reasons. First, it's a great size; not too small but not too big, either. Secondly, you can get it with AWD and a manual transmission. Finally, it's ultra practical and quite attractive ... in a lifted hatchback kind of way. In fact, we were going to buy one until we decided to splurge and get our turbocharged WRX instead. That being said, the Crosstrek would be on our short list if we needed to replace the WRX, say if it got hit by a falling tree. (I'm currently writing this during the biggest wind storm Portland has experienced in nearly a decade!)

For 2014 Subaru added a variation to the XV Crosstrek: A hybrid—the company's first. Our tester, which came in an appropriate shade of Plasma Green Pearl, could be the poster child for cars in Oregon and Washington. I mean really, a green Subaru Hybrid? Does it get any more Pacific Northwest than that? So does its green color live up to its "green" hybrid moniker?

Wheels and Tires: Which Way For Our WRX?

Nothing transforms a car's look more than a different set of wheels and tires. For most of my vehicles, it's been a cut-and-dry decision on which way to go with the car's shoes. The lowered vehicles get stickier rubber and lighter weight wheels. My 4x4 gets bigger tires that are better in the dirt. And then there'rs our '13 Subaru Impreza WRX. Which way do we go? Bigger wheels and sticker on-road rubber, or smaller wheels and meatier all-terrain tires?

Red Bull Global Rallycross Seattle

Words by Andy Lilienthal. Photos by Mercedes and Andy Lilienthal

The Red Bull Global Rallycross came back to Dirtfish Rally School outside of Seattle last weekend for the first time since 2011 and it did not disappoint. All the big names in the GRC Supercar class were there including Tanner Foust (in the VW Beetle above), Ken Block, Scott Speed, Bucky Lasek, David Higgins, and more.

This was our first time at a GRC event and it was great. Unlike stage rally racing, you get to see more of the action. In fact, think of rallycross as the motocross of rally racing. It's on a tight track with jumps, hair pins, and straightaways. There are also multiple laps and heats and then a main race. The course layout features a shortcut referred to as "the joker." Drivers can take the joker once during the race—a move that must be strategically planned. In fact, all drivers have a spotter that communicates via radio with the driver to tell them to take the shortcut, as well as when to overtake, when to slow down, and any other helpful bits of advice during the race.

At this race, Ford, Hyundai, Subaru, and Volkswagen were represented in Fiesta ST, Veloster Turbo, Impreza WRX, and VW Polo and VW Beetle race cars, respectively. The cars are all-wheel drive, make around 600 horsepower, and are incredibly fast and wonderfully noisy. They feature a sequential gearbox, use Yokohama tires mounted on Method race wheels, and feature all the go-fast and safety equipment you'd expect on a race car. Plus they look awesome.

The venue, the acclaimed DirtFish Rally School, is located just outside of Seattle in Snoqualmie, Washington. The site used to be a huge Weyerhaeuser lumber mill and still features a host of huge buildings. In fact, part of the track actually went through one of these long structures. The pines and hills around the area are very scenic which only added to the race's overall feel.

The racing was fantastic: Lots of sliding, passing, bumping, and dirt slinging took place—all part of rallycross's charm. If you get the chance to attend, we highly recommend it. Rally racing has a certain flair to it, and it was extremely evident at this event.

Here are the top results along with some more pictures. Enjoy.

Car Contingency Planning: What Do You Buy If Your Car Was Totaled?

If you're a car guy (or gal), you've probably asked yourself this question: If my car was totaled tomorrow, what would I buy to replace it?

I much prefer this question to the "If you could have any car, what would it be?" question because this one forces me to think within my actual means. I don't have to ask rhetorical questions like, "Do I have to maintain the vehicle?" or "Am I paying the insurance?"

It is a very difficult question, however, because you have to examine your satisfaction with your current vehicle, it's current availability, and whether or not if fits your lifestyle, as well as if you're willing to add a car payment again (if you don't already have one or two). Plus, then you rack your brain thinking about the available cars at the moment, what's coming out in the ultra-near future, and so on and so fourth. But as a car guy, it's kind of fun to think about as much as you hope none of your rides actually do get totaled.

We own three cars. If I had to go out and buy a car next week, here is what I'd get. And for what it's worth, I'm writing this without having talked with my better half.

Trip Report: The Subcompact Culture 10th Wedding Anniversary Canadian Road Adventure Extravaganza

Our '13 Subaru WRX in Glacier National Park en route to Canada. 

Words by Andy Lilienthal. Photos by Mercedes and Andy Lilienthal

A couple of years ago, my mother and uncle did an amazing road trip from Minnesota, up through Canada, and over to Portland, Oregon and back. They told us tales of Montana's gorgeous Going to the Sun Road through Glacier National Park, the amazing waters and surroundings of Lake Louise in Alberta Canada, and the incredibly breathtaking Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Japser. Mercedes and I decided that we would take part of this trip for our 10th wedding anniversary, and it was a fantastic adventure full of amazing scenery, fantastic food, a bit of disappointment, and memories that we'll never forget.

Review: 2015 Subaru WRX Limited (6MT)

Words by Andy Lilienthal. Photos by Mercedes Lilienthal

We already spent a week with the new and extremely thrusty 2015 Subaru WRX STI. With its 305 horsepower engine, six-speed manual transmission, and Goliath wing, it’s an all-wheel drive beast. In Subaru crazed Portland, Oregon the STI turned more heads than that dude who unicycles around here wearing a kilt while playing the bagpipes and wearing a Darth Vader helmet. He’s so over anyway.

While the new STI is a kick in kilt, the new standard WRX is arguably more newsworthy than the STI, since it features a host of all-new features that didn't carry over from the last generation.

The Primitive Racing Subaru XV Crosstrek

Tigard, Oregon-based Primitive Racing is well known in the Subaru world for offering a host of products from light bars and skid plates, to rock sliders and mega-strong differential covers. From time to time they will do a full custom build, and that's the case with this XV Crosstrek. Owner Paul Eklund and the crew decided to make a more off-road capable Crosstrek that could go farther and do more than any other Crosstrek out there. I met up with Paul at our local Cars and Coffee to check out the up-armored Subaru.