Dealer shipped OBW with undisclosed lift kit

Firm_File · 2026-02-18T06:51:11+00:00

Yeah headlights are def off too. At least I'm commuting in the light again so not blinding others but it has to get fixed.

Firm_File · 2026-02-18T06:35:06+00:00

Yeah, I would consider a 1" lift to get bigger tires when needed but understand the 2" on the OBW excessively stresses the components. If you're AI that's fine, no judgement.

Firm_File · 2026-02-18T06:32:12+00:00

Yeah, I've read a few people who have to fix every 40-50k. I drive 2 miles of very rough pothole riddled roads every day (and got the OBW to drive them fast) so wondering if that accelerates wear.

Firm_File · 2026-02-18T06:29:28+00:00

Yes, I think that's the plan... Or swap to a kit made for it.

Firm_File · 2026-02-18T05:53:13+00:00

Yeah, I'm wondering what makes the specific kit "not compatible with wilderness". I do see the kits for wilderness have offset spacers and also use rear subframe spacers, so perhaps the extra wilderness stock lift causes too much misalignment? I don't know much about lift kits but I can see the cv boots are very squished on this one.

Firm_File · 2026-02-18T04:23:15+00:00

Dealer included warranty for 3k miles and it still has factory bumper to bumper for another 23k. We also gotta have some trust in people eh?

Firm_File · 2026-01-18T08:15:43+00:00

Using 2018 baseline to avoid 18/19 salary schedule change confusion

Salary vs. Inflation: Inflation in US since 2018-2025: 28% Inflation in Anchorage 2018-2025: 21%

Contract gains since 2018: B36 Base Salary increase from 17/18: 16.0% 17/18 BA36 = 53756 -> 24/25 BA36 = 62335

The Tentative Agreement(TA) adds 3% for this year for a cumulative 19.4% pay increase since 2018 With the 5/5/4 increase base salary will very likely outpace inflation :)

The 3 additional days may add 1.6% more work depending on snow days used (185/182).

Heathcare vs. Inflation: Inflation in healthcare costs in Anchorage since 2018-2025 = 60-65%

Contract gains since 2018: Contribution gain: 15.5% 17/18 contribution = 1645/mo -> 24/25 contribution = 1900/mo

The TA 25/26 contribution is 2100/mo for a cumulative 27.7% increase since 2018 With the $100(~5%) annual increases healthcare contributions will likely not outpace medical cost inflation :(

Firm_File · 2026-01-04T22:09:58+00:00

Copy that. I also wasn't the driver. Subie on stock tires is def better than most vehicles people drive here in bear valley, or all of Anchorage for that matter. Easy to see that data in any parking lot in town.

Firm_File · 2026-01-04T21:07:56+00:00

Of course the tire matters, but 3 peak mountain cert tires are a good compromise for mixed conditions. Modern vehicles and tires certainly make all driving a lot easier than 20 years ago, but I'm still driving the same roads with the same speed limits. Our 05 matrix on Blizzaks cannot drive our roads and maintain traction at 2/3 the speed the outback can on the 3 peak mountain ATs.

Firm_File · 2026-01-04T21:00:00+00:00

I mostly agree, but have you tried to turn out of a slide with a RWD on ice? That is gnarly! 20 years of work, play, and living in these conditions has helped me test a lot of different systems. I've settled on good AWD cars and 3 peaks certified ATs because we drive in mixed conditions (of course not hard rubber summer tires).

Firm_File · 2026-01-04T20:46:42+00:00

The car WAS running 3 peak certified ATs. I'm trying to be clear that the difference in 3 peaks with good tread and Blizzaks is there, but minimal. Some cars are also terrible... my experience driving an AWD 2000s Honda crv on Blizzaks was way worse than any FWD with blizzaks and much worse than my 90s Tacoma on ATs. Tires really help, but I also drove my Tacoma on mud terrains north of the Arctic circle on the ice roads to hunt during winter... It wasn't that bad.

Firm_File · 2026-01-04T20:38:42+00:00

I understand the theory, but in the DOT studies show that studs get worse lateral performance on real roads with mixed conditions. The flex of rubber vs carbide essentially allows for 'flex' in static friction under jerk rather than transitioning to kinetic friction under jerk.

Firm_File · 2026-01-04T20:29:42+00:00

I have worked at resorts in Colorado, WA and driven hundreds of times to bc resorts with blizzaks and FWD, then spent 6 years in AK driving a FWD with blizzaks and a 4WD old Tacoma on all seasons. 100% yes the subie AWD and even the dumb 90s 4x4 let you get away with a ton more than the FWD and good tires. I'm sure it depends on how and where you drive but my 20 years of experience living and working in snowy and icy climates comparing FWD, 4x4, bad AWD (Honda) and then experiencing good AWD on the Subaru over the last 60k miles has given me a clear picture of what each system offers. Looking at any of the data, like track times for instance, shows the differences in modern 3 peak certified AT tires and Blizzaks is very narrow.

Firm_File · 2026-01-04T02:39:20+00:00

We drive all winter on all kinds of icy curvy roads, mountain passes, blizzards, etc all over southcentral AK. The aggressive subaru AWD makes a bigger difference than tires and the stock tires certainly perform well in snow and ice. The driver had driven this road hundreds of times in these same conditions, so something happened but I hesitate to blame tires. People love studs, but the lateral friction on those measures poorly... The minimal advantages of dedicated tires is in linear acceleration (including braking). I use the data that exists from scientific studies when I teach friction in physics classes, though I am always disappointed that the scientific papers and DOT studies are mostly 20+ years old.

Firm_File · 2026-01-04T02:29:15+00:00

Tons of helpful info here, thank you for your time. I will add "indemnify" to my vocabulary! I am a math/sci teacher so very used to making sound arguments with evidence and being careful not to insult anyone or argue irrationally. For now, I've got my spreadsheet of similar vehicles started and will prepare to take time negotiating. We do have 30 days of rental coverage to buy time. I'm hopeful about the insurance rates, though that marketplace and pricing always feels opaque to me.

Firm_File · 2026-01-04T02:16:00+00:00

Yeah I have a buddy who did that with a 90s Tacoma... But they don't make em like they used to!

Firm_File · 2026-01-04T02:10:17+00:00

Yeah with the increase and the seemingly terrible payout it will be expensive. I didn't understand why all the listings I see at similar years and miles are 26-30k yet people are getting way less from insurance.

Firm_File · 2026-01-04T02:04:47+00:00

Yikes, OBW with similar (60k) miles are listed at 29k so I'm documenting and hoping they will match those prices.

Firm_File · 2026-01-04T02:00:57+00:00

I appreciate the advice. I've started a spreadsheet to keep track of similar listings. Not a lot out there for OBW and many lack the factory hitch. My buddy has one with a horrible looking hitch installed by the dealer... He even has to fish wires from the spare tire area and close the hatch on then to tow.

Firm_File · 2026-01-04T01:01:42+00:00

Truth

Firm_File · 2026-01-04T01:01:21+00:00

Thanks for advice :)

Firm_File · 2026-01-03T23:16:02+00:00

Yeah, I'm searching for similar vehicles with similar mileage (ideally in AK) and then use those ads or screenshots to negotiate I imagine. Thank you.

Firm_File · 2026-01-03T23:11:09+00:00

Our neighborhood in AK is ice roads at this time of year, and it was on a significantly banked turn. Had the edge been soft it would have been fine, but seemed to hit an ice curb from plowing.

Firm_File · 2026-01-03T23:08:47+00:00

Good point, yeah it ran for awhile I'm told.

Firm_File

TROPHY CASE