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AUTOMOTIVE JIM ROBINSON Road Worthy Inside an extinct volcano may seem like an odd place to test a car, but it's child's play when it comes to an all-wheel-drive Subaru. Although the 2000 Subaru Legacy GT, Outback Sedan and Outback Wagon won't be in showrooms until summer, I had a unique chance to test all three last year at Subaru's one-of-a- kind test track in Kuuzu, Japan. §ubaru spent years assembling all the bits of privately-held land until they could built a high-speed track and nestle it out of sight. -------------- Needless to say, for all-wheel- drive, no need to go further than up the sides of the volcano, but more on that in a bit. Subaru has really come storm­ ing out of the doldrums led by movie star Paul Hogan and the Outbacks. In a market increasingly shifting to multi-function vehicles, the idea of a sedan or wagon with off the beaten track mobility has touched many a receptive nerve, or should I say wallet. The model year 2000 is the third generation of the Legacy. The first Legacy was a major styling and engineering departure from the Loyale and GLs that had gone before. The 2000 vehicles take all the mechanical gains but present them in more purposeful styling. Subaru certainly has learned the art of taking one chassis and spin­ ning off different cars from it and the 2000 Legacy GT and the two Outbacks are no exception. All three start with the same 2,650 mm (104.3 inch) wheelbase. All three have the same 2.5-litre engine familiar to that in the current Forester and the Impreza RS 2.5. For 2000, Subaru has gone to a sin­ gle overhead cam instead of the double overhead cams used to date. Subaru says it means fewer moving parts and slightly less weight. It does, howev­ er, produce the same 165 hp and 166 ft/lb of torque and there is a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. They share the same four-wheel MacPherson indepen­ dent suspension at the front and a modified and improved multi-link sys- tern at the rear. The Outbacks are raised up on their sus­ pension to give more generous ground clearance. The Outbacks also receive the kind of aggressive side body molding SUV-market buyers crave. All Subarns are all-wheel-drive and the 2000 Legacy is no excep­ tion, having one of the best all-time systems available anywhere. Normally ffont-wheel-drive, it has a limited slip rear differential gov­ erned by sensors at all four wheels. These gauge which wheel(s) have traction. It then channels torque back and forth between the front and rear so smoothly it is impossi­ ble to tell what wheels are slipping and what wheels are gripping. All you can tell is the car feels rock solid. The GT is a Gentleman's Express if there ever was one. One of Subaru's failings has been drab interiors. Not just dull, but truly drab. The last generation Legacy was a big improvement, but the new one is on par with the best in the business. Legacy even has available wood trim, something unheard of in a Subaru only five years ago. If you opt for the auto­ matic, it has a gated shifter now and it looks very Germanic indeed. Subaru stylists went to a lot of trouble to slope the fender lines down and away to improve vision. The steering wheel is positioned 1/2 inch off the instrument cluster centre line to give the driver a bet­ ter glimpse at the dials. On the exterior the nose has been sculpted with a minimum of intersecting lines so that it seems more like a solid piece ready to cut through the wind. The best part (and executed on the GT especially well) is the treatment of the rear quarter window and roof line that gives the car a hunkered down, autobahn stromlinenwagon (streamliner) look. At Kuuzu, I took the five-speed version of the GT right into the high banking, knowing that once committed, you don't lift off the gas. To do so is to cut centrifugal force and face a loss of adhesion where the car starts to swap ends. See NASCAR stokers for what I Subaru O utback W agon 2000 mean. But not to worry, the GT skimmed into the highband, plant­ ed itself along the upper rim and shot around like a Hot Wheels in one of those loops. No fuss, not muss, no bother -- just lots of go. The thing was I didn't have the pedal down all the way either, there was still more power, thus an even greater safety margin, left. Thank all-wheel-drive for that. While we took the Outback Wagon and Sedan around the track for a few hot laps, the real surprise waited for us on the 4X4 portion. Subaru stacked it up against another Japanese maker's luxury SUV for comparisons. With four people on board each, the first chal­ lenge was going over drain pipes set up like a corduroy road. While we got through okay, the LuxSUV kept snagging its lower suspension arms. But what got me was when the test driver started heading straight uphill and then, believe it or not, did a U-turn at the rim of the cliff before proceeding to motor down again. I was so shaken up, I declined the test driver's offer to take a turn behind the wheel and do it myself. Overall, I'd have to say the three 2000 Legacys (the GT in par­ ticular) have a much more serious look about them. Thanks to the highest caliber interior trim, these cars feel like they truly belong in a category where buyers are very dis­ cerning and also highly image con­ scious. ■ H U 1 H Km w Lm Don't forget to lube these parts In case you thought the only component of your car that needed lubrication was the engine, give this some thought.There are many hinges, latches, seals and locks that require occasional lubrication.This can be done at home with the right materials, or done by a mechanic. If your car 'groans' or 'squeaks,' it might be one of the following. Trunk lock Trunk weather- Filier door Trunk hinges 1 Lubricant 1* M otor oil 2, S ilico n e S p ray 3. Lith ium grease 4. S ilico ne paste 5. C h a s s is grease 6. G raphite Hood hinges 3 Door latches 1 Lock cylinders 2 o r 6 Weather- Door hinges stripping 1 Qr 3 4 Hood latch 3 o r 5 Hood bumpers 3 C O P Y R I G H T W H E E L B A S E C O M M U N I C A T I O N S 1 Hfc UrtK V ILLfc atA V tK weunesuay, May iz , lyvv Subaru ready to unleash three new vehicles this sum m er Community Notices Deaths HARRAHER, Kathleen (Kate) (A v o lu n te e r a t O a k v ille -T ra fa ig a r M e m o r ia l H o s p ita l) P e a c e fu lly o n T u e s d a y M a y 1 1 , 1 9 9 9 a t O a k v i l le - T r a f a ig a r M e m o r ia l H o s p ita l, in h e r 8 0 th y e a r . K a th le e n b e lo v e d w ife o f th e la te M a rt in . L o v e d m o th e r o f K e v in a n d h is w ife D o ro th y a n d A n n a a n d h e r h u s b a n d P e te r T h u r lo w . D e a r g ra n d m o th e r o f N ia m h , C la ire , C ia ra , S in e a d a n d S e a n . V is ita t io n a t th e K o p riv a T a y lo r C o m m u n ity F u n e ra l H o m e , 6 4 L a k e s h o re R d . W ., O a k v ille fro m 7- 9 p m W e d n e s d a y . F u n e ra l M a s s 2 O 'c lock T h u rs d a y a fte rn o o n a t S t. A n d r e w 's R o m a n C a th o l ic C h u r c h , 4 7 R e y n o ld s S t r e e t , O a k v ille . In te rm e n t T ra fa lg a r L a w n C e m e te ry . T h o s e w h o w is h m a y m a k e m e m o r ia l c o n t r ib u t io n s to th e C a n a d ia n C a n c e r S o c ie ty . KNIGHT, Clarence C lifford "Larry" U n e x p e c te d ly s lip p e d a w a y o n T h u rs d a y , M a y 6 th , 1 9 9 9 a t th e T o r o n t o W e s te r n H o s p i t a l . L a r r y b e lo v e d h u s b a n d o f M a ry . L o v in g fa th e r o f T e r r i a n d h u s b a n d M ilt R o b in s o n o f B e rm u d a , D ia n e A lc u m b ra c k o f O a k v ille , B ill K n ig h t a n d w ife D i­ a n e o f H u n ts v ille , D e b o ra h K n ig h t a n d h u s b a n d B ria n D y k e m a n o f T h o r n b u r y , D a w n a n d h u s b a n d P h i l D o r a z io o f M is ­ s is s a u g a . D e a r g r a n d fa th e r o f 7 g ra n d c h ild r e n a n d 5 g re a t g r a n d c h i ld r e n . S u r v iv e d b y s i s t e r M a r jo r ie L a m p k in a n d b r o th e r H a rv e y K n ig h t . F r ie n d s w e re re c e iv e d a t th e W a rd F u n e ra l H o m e " O a k v i l le C h a p e l " , 1 0 9 R e y n o ld s S t r e e t o n T u e s d a y , M a y 1 1 th , 1 9 9 9 fro m 1 0 a m u n til t im e o f th e m e m o ria l s e rv ic e in th e c h a p e l a t 1 1 a m . In lie u o f f lo w e rs d o n a tio n s m a y b e m a d e to R h e u m a to lo g y R e s e a r c h - T o r o n t o H o s p i ta l F o u n d a tio n , R o o m 1 -1 0 2 , N o rm a n U rq u h a r t W in g , 621 U n iv e rs ity A v e n u e , T o ro n to , O n M 5 G 2 C 4 Funeral Directors OAKVIEW FUNERAL HOME O u r fa m ily s e rv in g y o u r fa m ily 56 LAKESHORE ROAD WEST OAKVILLE Funeral Directors • D o n C la rk e • D o u g la s M a n n e rs • T a n ia D i C e n s o - G re g o ry S id o ra 8 4 2 -2 2 5 2 W A R D Funeral Homes HELPING TO MAKE IT PERSONAL 109 Reynolds Street, Oakville 9 0 5 - 8 4 4 -3 2 2 1 Ann Futher Charles G ibbs Michael Dunne Legal Notices NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND OTHERS IN THE ESTATE OF HELEN BARBARA POOI.F. Claim s against the estate of HELEN BARBARA POOLE, late of the C ity of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario, who died on the 28th day of December, 1998, must be in our hands by June 21sth, 1999, after w hich date the estate w ill be d is­ tributed. PAUL R. DAVIDSON, ESQ Estate Trustee RYRIE, KERR, DAVIDSON 233 Robinson Street Oakville, Ontario L6J 4Z5 NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND OTHERS IN THE ESTATE OF OLIVE MARY COWLING C laim s against the esta te of OLIVE MARY COWLING, late of the Town of Oakville, in the Regional M unicipality of H alton, w ho died on the 9th day of March, 1997, must be in our hands by June 21st, 1999, after w hich date the estate will be distributed. PAUL ROBERT DAVIDSON, ESQ Estate Trustee RYRIE, KERR, DAVIDSON 233 Robinson Street Oakville, Ontario L6J 4Z5 Business Directory DECKMAN'S P R O F E S S IO N A L S E R V IC E All decks stripped & refinished to new! Your choice of 50 colours. Crystal clear cedar finishes - latest technology. Finest quality workmanship. Free Estimates • (905) 632-1074 94 A S TR O 8 PA SS VAN Burgandy, auto trans, air, Stk. #6186A. SALE PRICE $11,964 97 SUPREME SEDAN 4 DR., 3 .1 L V6, AM/FM stereo cass, auto, air, Stk. #9513P SALE PRICE 1 9,963 96 BONNEVILLE Auto, leather interior, air, AM/FM cass, S tk . # 26 39 P SALE PRICE $18,900 SMITH, William Edward A t J o s e p h B ra n t M e m o ria l H o s p ita l o n M a y 7, 1 9 9 9 in h is 8 6 th y e a r . D e a r h u s b a n d o f L illia n , lo v e d fa th e r o f P a tr ic ia C o a te o f O a k v ille , P a m e la B u lle n o f S c h o m b e rg a n d A la n o f L o s A n g e le s . P ro u d g ra n d fa th e r o f n in e a n d g re a t-g ra n d fa th e r o f s ix te e n . In lie u o f f lo w e r s d o n a t io n s m a y b e m a d e to T h e H e a r t & S t ro k e F o u n d a tio n . 96 INTREPID SEDAN 4 DR. .Auto, AM/FM cass, air. Stk. #6590P $14,763 96 S O N O M A PICKUP Black, 5spd, Great Truck! Stk. #7545T SALE PRICE $12,995 Prayer A prayer to St. Jude: S a y th is p ra y e r 9 t im e s a d a y fo r 9 d a y s a n d y o u r p ra y e r w ill be a n s w e re d . M a y th e S a c re d H e a r t o f J e s u s b e a d o re d g lo r if ie d , lo v e d a n d p re s e rv e d th ro u g h o u t th e w o r ld . O h S a c re d H e a rt o f J e s u s , p ra y lo r u s . S t. J u d e , w o rk e r o f m ira c le s , p ra y fo r u s . S t. J u d e , h e lp e r o f th e h o p e le s s , p ra y fo r us. Tender OAKVILLE NEWSPAPER DELIVERIES INVITATION TO BID BIDS fo r services listed below w ill be received until May 15,1999 at 5:00 PM Contract com m encing im m ediately. W ork consists o f delivering in plastic, new spape rs , f ly e rs , ca ta logues and o th e r p ro d u c ts to s p e c ific d rop lo c a tio n s . W o rk to be co m p le te d w ith in s p e c if ic t im e p e rio d s on W ednesday, Friday and Sunday (early delivery is optional). Tender packages are ava ilab le a t the C ircu la tio n D epa rtm en t o f The Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd. Oakville, On. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE! 98 V EN TU R E 7 PASS V A N 3 .1 L V6, AM/FM stereo cass, p/b, auto, air, p/s, Stk. #6230A. SALE PRICE $19,994 98 LESABRE CUSTOM 4 DR. 3.8L V6, AM/FM cass, auto, air, p/s Stk. #9188A SALE PRICE $23,467 97 GRAND AM SEDAN 4DR..3.1L V6. AM/FM cass. PS. auto, air, Stk. #766P SALE PRICE Si 5,995 96 SUNFIRE CONVERT 2 DR.,4-cyl, AM/FM cass, auto, air, Stk. #5518A SALE PRICE $17,963 98 INTRIGUE SEDAN 4 DR., 3.1L, V6, AM/FM stereo cass. auto, air, S tk . # 1 8 3 A SALE PRIM » 2 1 , 7 5 8 97 SUNFIRE GT COUPE 2 DR., Sun-roof, 5spd, air, AM/FM cass, S tk . # 71 21 P SALE PRICE $14,876 96 MONTE CARLO Z34 2DR..3.4L V6, AM/FM cass, auto, air, PW, S tk . # 33 57 A SALE PRICE $17,995 InMemoriam THOMAS, Sydney Isabella - In lo v in g m e m o ry o f o u r b e lo v e d in fa n t d a u g h te r wht> p a s s e d a w a y s u d d e n ly a t th e H o s p ita l fo r S ic k C h i ld r e n , T o r o n t o . S y d n e y , lo v in g d a u g h te r o f D a v e a n d H e id i o f G e o r g e t o w n a n d lo v e d s i s t e r o f D e r e k . G ra n d d a u g h te r o f R o la n d a n d L a u r ie T h o m a s o f L o n g S a u lt, O n t. a n d A l a n d R ita M o tt o f O a k v il le . A p r iv a te fa m ily fu n e ra l a n d c o m m it ta l s e r v ic e w a s h e ld a t th e J .S . J o n e s & S o n F u n e ra l H o m e , 1 1 5 8 2 T ra fa lg a r R d ., n o r th o f M a p le A v e ., G e o rg e to w n ( 9 0 5 )8 7 7 -3 6 3 1 . o n W e d n e s d a y M a y 5 th , 1 9 9 9 . C re m a t io n . In m e m o ry c o n tr ib u tio n s to th e H o s p ita l fo r S ic k C h ild re n w o u ld be a p p re c ia te d . 96 CORSICA LT SEDAN 4 DR..3.1LV6. AM/FM cass, auto, air, Stk. #543A. SALE PRICE Si 2,358 96 CAVALIER SEDAN 4 DR., 22L , 4-cyl, AM/FM cass, auto, air, Stk. #4134A ,$11,974 95 METRO SEDAN 4 DR.,4-cyl engine, 5spd, Blue, PS, S tk . # 26 39 P SALE PRICE $8,995 Several Financing options available. See dealer for details. Prices exclude admin., licence, reg. and taxes. (905) t ft 4)31 P P L E W O O CHEVROLET OLDSMOBILE CADILLAC A d i v i s i o N o f A p p U w o o d H o l d i N q s I n c . C A LL OUR USED VEHICLE HO T LINE > 0 0 0 WoodcliESTER DnivEf MississAuqA O n. E-MAll: U SE dvchicU s@ A CO C.C O M V i s i t O u r W c b s i T E : w w w . a c o c . c o m o r © W W W . m e g a w h e e j s x o m l mailto:USEdvchicUs@ACOC.COM http://www.acoc.com