02/03 Impreza headlights hazing up ... PLEASE read

[Hallraker]

"Cam Penner"

@newssvr17.news.prodigy.com>, hallraker79
@nospam.hotmail.com says...

I thought the AMC Eagle preceded it as a crossover?

You could say that. However, most of the so-called innovations in modern
vehicles have been around before, but for various reasons weren't successful
at the time. This includes such things as hybrid powertrains, deactivating
cylinders, and headlights that aim where you steer. They've all been around
before, but general improvements in technology as well as computer control
have made them viable once again.

The crossover vehicle segment is supposed to appeal to people who would like
some of the go-anywhere abilities of a truck/SUV, but with the ride,
handling, and fuel economy of a car. In short, it should have at least SOME
of the best of both worlds. Now, I've never driven an AMC vehicle, let
alone the Eagle, but based on the technology that was around at the time, my
guess is that the handling of that car was more truck-like than car-like.
Correct me if I'm wrong, and you indeed owned or at least drove one, but
given the above definition of a crossover vehicle, I'm not sure that the
Eagle would really count as a modern "crossover" vehicle.

I've seen the Eagle mentioned in at least a few articles about the various
crossover vehicles, and in those articles Subaru is generally credited with
being the originator of the segment, as the term wasn't around back during
the days of the AMC Eagle, or even Subaru's own GL and DL 4x4's.

-Matt

 

[Henry Paul]

I accept your challenge.

http://hometown.aol.com/nv1z/subaruhighmileage.html?f=fs

Go to gallery and you will find links for 100, 200, 300, 400k miles. (I
think the 400 section is still blank at this point in time.)

I personally have 103k on my '96 Impreza. My dad has a '95 and '93 with 155k
and 165k respectively. Neither of us has had any problems whatsoever.

As far as engine temps I really don't know what you are talking about. I can
park my car from highway driving and pop the hood. Before I can get my oil
pan in position the car is cool enough to change the oil. Neither of us has
any kind of fluid leak either.

If you want to complain about leaks and engine problems, maybe you should go
hang out in a Jeep forum. ;-)

So, do you want my address for the bagels?

 

[Hallraker]

Yup, me and everyone else who has a bug-eye Impreza/WRX that has this problem
all drove through a cloud of "headlight lens killer". Subaru owner's aren't as
stupid as
Subaru thinks we are.

I guess I wasn't as clear as I should have been. I meant that perhaps there
might be some local environmental conditions that could accelerate the
yellowing. I saw a bug-eye WRX at work this afternoon and a glance at the
headlights revealed no noticable yellowing.

Outback's don't have the same headlight lens configuration as the bug-eye
Impreza.
Curiously though, the 04/05 Impreza/WRX has a different shaped headlight
assembly
than the 02/03 bug-eye but the same plastic material for the lens. I saw an 04
that was
about a year old and it was starting to haze.

Yellowing due to age at 170k miles would be fine with me.
Hazing over at 1500 miles is not acceptable.

Interesting. I guess another possibility would be a lower grade of plastic
was being used by the supplier. I'm betting those lights aren't made
in-house, but by a supplier instead. ALL automakers are routinely trying to
get parts from their suppliers for less and less money, and if their
supplier can't deliver, then they go somewhere else. It might be that
Subaru switched to a cheaper supplier for the lenses, or that they started
strangling their supplier for cheaper parts at some point, and they cut
corners to a lower grade of plastic just to make ends meet. At least that's
how it happens here in Michigan, and I'm sure that things aren't too much
different in Japan.

Just FYI, I'm not doubting your story, I'm just as puzzled as you are and
personally have never seen a car less than 5 years old with yellowing
lenses, regardless of mileage.

-Matt

 

[Henry Paul]

So I am wondering if this is somehow caused by environmental factors, would
coating the lenses with a protective material make a difference?

 

[CompUser]

@snip.allthenewsgroups.com>, (e-mail address removed)
says...

FINALLY THEIR USA HEADQUARTERS IN *CHERRY HILL, NJ*
IS STAFFED WITH BAD-MANNERED IDIOTS AND DOLTS

....ah, and they are the ones that fired you, and
Dr. Foofnick?

 

[CompUser]

@snip.allthenewsgroups.com>, (e-mail address removed)
says...

Really now Paul...? I found great amusement after reading your amazing
reply : )

Looks like you also found your Caps Lock key.
Good job.

 

[Steve]

I guess I wasn't as clear as I should have been. I meant that perhaps there
might be some local environmental conditions that could accelerate the
yellowing. I saw a bug-eye WRX at work this afternoon and a glance at the
headlights revealed no noticable yellowing.

The lenses are NOT yellowing. They are hazing or fogging.

Yellowing would be a consequence of age but that is another problem and might
be expected at 169,000 miles.

Interesting. I guess another possibility would be a lower grade of plastic
was being used by the supplier. I'm betting those lights aren't made
in-house, but by a supplier instead. ALL automakers are routinely trying to
get parts from their suppliers for less and less money, and if their
supplier can't deliver, then they go somewhere else. It might be that
Subaru switched to a cheaper supplier for the lenses, or that they started
strangling their supplier for cheaper parts at some point, and they cut
corners to a lower grade of plastic just to make ends meet. At least that's
how it happens here in Michigan, and I'm sure that things aren't too much
different in Japan.

There are many possibilities and material is one of them. The point of this
thread and filing a complaint with NHTSA is to get Subaru to do the
investigation and them come up with a fair resolution to the problem.

 

[Bill]

At around 1500 miles I noticed the headlight lenses showing a light "fog" on
the OUTSIDE. As time went by it became more noticeable. Mentioned it to the
dealer who said "not under warranty" and told me to buy plastic polish and
clean the lenses.

I'm assuming that the headlight lenses are made of plexiglas. Anyone
that owns a motorcycle that has a windshield knows better than to clean
it with any cleaner that contains amonia. Amonia tears plexiglas up.

I see many cars with cloudy headlight lenses. I am guessing that they
clean them at the gas station with the scrubber/squeegie and window
cleaner provided at the pump. Most everyday cleaners have amonia in
them.

That will cloud the plexiglas in a hurry. A good plastic polish and
cleaner available at motorcyle dealers and auto parts stores could help.

Bill

 

[hippo]

I actually confused Fafoofnik with a Don Martin character in Mad magazine
30 years ago, but then I realised that one was amusing. 91 Liberty wagon
(Aus Legacy) recently traded with 325000Km (just over 200K miles) no oil
use or leaks, factory compression, 12500Km oil changes (not synth) as per
spec. Drove well and towed well.

 

[Danny Russell]

Continuing our previous note on environmental causes, this may sound a
bit silly, but I wonder if Subaru uses some kind of a coating on the
plastic (like those used on eyeglass lenses) that's coming off, exposing
a "different" kind of material underneath?

I took a look at Meguiar's site to see about the cleaner/polishes you
mentioned and didn't find them for clear plastic care (but my browser
was being grumpy, too.) One thing I did note was the description on the
bottle of the Plastx I mentioned before that says it contains "highly
water resistant polymers" to "provide long lasting durable protection."
The label also says it contains "vital conditioning oils" which "restore
optical clarity to clear plastics." Kinda sounds like a combo of an
Armor-All type product and a wax? Nothing's said about UV, though.

Now we all know the copywriters can go a bit overboard on some of their
claims. Though I've never known Meguiar's to sell snake oil, these
claims are what made me wonder about the coating idea. ?????

Rick, I've been using the Meguiar's "Cleaner/Wax for clear coat finishes". It's the stuff in the
burgundy colored bottle that's available everywhere. It's not specifically a plastic polish, but it
works fine as long as it's done regularly. I'll usually hit my lenses every 3 months. Once the
lenses have turned yellow it's a whole different ball game. -Danny

 

[Crash]

3m tape worked great on my 02 OBS, had it on the car when I first got it and
protected them nicely. My 03 WRX doesn't have the tape, yet, but no
noticable clouding of the lens.

 

[CompUser]

There are many possibilities and material is one of them. The point of this
thread and filing a complaint with NHTSA is to get Subaru to do the
investigation and them come up with a fair resolution to the problem.

Take the dealership to small claims court and be
done with it.

 

[Nige]

Ram it up your fucking arse wankshaft.

 

[Dr. Rastis Fafoofnik]

Ram it up your fucking arse wankshaft.

Spoken like a true WANKER....you piece of shit! You're just like your
car...cheap,lousy and a complete joke.
Now go break down somewhere, name calling little blowhard. What the hell is
a "Nige" what rock did you just crawl out from under? makes me wonder if the
address.....
(e-mail address removed) is even real hahahaha. Namecalling is for
jerks (like you) and thats exactly what you get, as thats all you
understand.(Hope you like your junkmail and SPAM) faggot (thats american for
homosexual, not a cigarette).

(e-mail address removed)
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(e-mail address removed)

this feeds the spambots your address, in case your so FUCKING dumb you can
figure that out
namecalling wanker.

 

[Nige]

Spoken like a true WANKER....you piece of shit! You're just like your
car...cheap,lousy and a complete joke.
Now go break down somewhere, name calling little blowhard. What the hell is
a "Nige" what rock did you just crawl out from under? makes me wonder if the
address.....
(e-mail address removed) is even real hahahaha. Namecalling is for
jerks (like you) and thats exactly what you get, as thats all you
understand.(Hope you like your junkmail and SPAM) faggot (thats american for
homosexual, not a cigarette).

Go **** your blind crackhore slut mother you dog reaming cockfart. Just another keyboard Rambo hiding
behind fake ID.

Go away you pathetic little fuckflap. BTW, I'm well protected from fucking cocksores like you, lets hope
you kill yourself in your Corvaire sometime soon.

FUCKCHOP

Nige

 

[Henry Paul]

Well if that ain't the pot calling the kettle black.

 

[Hallraker]

Well if that ain't the pot calling the kettle black.

Not that I want to get into the middle of this, but our friendly Dr. almost
sounds like a disappointed Mitsubishi Evolution owner. Maybe his warranty
was voided, or maybe he got spanked by a 3 cylinder Justy at the track, but
he seems awfully bitter over something as non-personal as a car. Or perhaps
he's a former Pontiac Fiero owner as well, since he claims to be so
knowledgable about engine compartment fires.

-Matt

 

[Henry Paul]

That very well could be. I really don't see what all the fuss is about. A
car is a car. I don't spend my time complaining about the lemon cars I have
had. I'm just happy to have my Subaru.

 

[Dr. Rastis Fafoofnik]

Go **** your blind crackhore slut mother you dog reaming cockfart. Just another keyboard Rambo hiding
behind fake ID.

Go away you pathetic little fuckflap. BTW, I'm well protected from fucking cocksores like you, lets hope
you kill yourself in your Corvaire sometime soon.

FUCKCHOP

Nige

Interesting words you "Munge" there "Nigel" your removing ANY doubt you're

an uneducated Wanker. Where do you come up with "fuckflap",
"Cockfart","Cocksores and it's spelled "Corvair" DIPSHIT.
You're a "Loser" there Nigel (thats someone that didnt make it in
American).No go lay on your rubber doll and don't play on the computer
anymore.....you're making me laugh and i'm blowing my iced tea all over my
keyboard......You're nothing but a "WIMP" Nigel, you pipsqueak.No doubt your
a 5'3" 400Pound lardo nesting by a computer, a couch sloth at best. No woman
will have you, your a cronic masturbater.....NASCAR race in 30
minutes...night race..this looks good.
P.S. DIPSHIT.....hows the junkmail...picked up yet?

 

[Bryan Lee]

hey I loved my '87 fiero GT w/ 5sp and T-tops. Now that was a sexy car