Old Seabisquit has been with me a long time, and carried me and the cats Mr. Austin and Mr. Beaucastel from New England to Oregon. This 1993 Impreza LS Wagon still has the original engine and transmission at 431,000+ miles. I use Amsoil 0W-30 Synthetic engine oil, ATF and gear lube. Amsoil P.I. gasoline additive helps keep the injectors clean and things running smoothly. I do as much maintenance as I can myself. I change my own oil, filters, plugs and wires, and do small repairs, leaving the bigger jobs to those with proper tools and knowledge.
Old Seabisquit has outlasted three of Rick’s minivans. The mileage on Rick’s old Mercury Villager that he drove out to Oregon in was around 320,000 when it was struck by someone running a red light. I’m hoping Seabisquit makes it to the 500,000 mile mark.
That would be great! And I expect it will with the love and attention you give it.
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Old vehicles are like old friends. I know my car pretty well now, all the sounds it makes, its moods, etc. I still have the original printed 2 volume service manual set for this vehicle. I also feel it is far cheaper to maintain a vehicle than to buy new ones. When it is finally time for Old Seabisquit to pass on, I am hoping hybrid and electric technology will be much further along and less expensive than it is today.
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I would agree. And the older cars do respond well to maintenance. My car is only about 12 years old but I really don’t want to part with it for a very long time. We suit each other very well.
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Nothing better than those Subarus!
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Thanks for stopping by! I’ve been very pleased with Subarus. Nothing really serious has gone wrong with the old Seabisquit over the years. Just needs maintenance from time to time.
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I have just read your comment over at Baz, the Landy, and was reminded about your Subaru; also reminded me to ask if you know that Subaru = the Pleaides = our Matariki, which marks the Maori New Year. Your Seabisquit carries great star signs. 😉 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleiades
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Thank you, Gallivanta! I didn’t know that constellaltion was associated with Matariki, the Maori New Year.
I’ve learned quite a few things from fellow bloggers around the world about their homelands. Thank you!
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Isn’t it fun to find these connections!
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I’m wishing Seabisquit a long life! Longer, I mean…..
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Me too…. 🙂
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WOW, that is a lot of milage. Good on you for doing your own maintenance too, I’m impressed. They make cars now that make it hard to do things in your own garage. My ex was a car guy but Mr B has no interest. I like it that way though, cause Mr B loves the cinema and so do I. More time for outings and fun together 😀
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Old Seabisquit is a great old car. Thanks!
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Seems this couple lives in Oregon, too. Ever run across them? If not exactly my taste in music, I enjoy their videos for the musicianship and the obvious love of the music they sing.
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Hi Doug! I Googled them, and seems they are up in Hood River, which is about 3 hrs north from where I am in the Cascade foothills in Sweet Home (yes, there really is a town in Oregon by that name). Hood River is up along the Columbia River, east of Portland. I liked what I heard on the You Tube, and have bookmarked it. I haven’t traveled far since 2012 – I am heavily involved in caring for Rick’s mother for the forseeable future – but I love to hear people I was not aware of. So much good music everywhere! I can travel about 2 hrs max to play or go hear music at the present time. Thanks for letting me know about them!
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I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a Subaru, so your testimonial might be a nudge in that direction.
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Hi Steve, thanks for stopping by! Those Subies are good reliable cars, at least that one! Still going strong.
Been enjoying your wildflowers and geological posts! Many thanks to Gallivanta for bringing your site to my attention.
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I’m glad you’ve been enjoying the floral and geological posts. Thanks to you and Gallivanta.
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🙂
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We took the plunge in November with a 2016 Outback. We got one with the Eyesight package, so it has adaptive cruise control that automatically applies the brakes if the car in front slows down, then speeds up again when the lead car does. If I’m backing out of a parking space, rear cross-traffic alert sounds a warning if it detects an oncoming car. Fancy shmancy. We picked up the car on a Tuesday and by Thursday morning we were off on the five-day trip to west Texas that I later showed pictures from. Whether we’ll live long enough to put 400+ thousand miles on the Outback is another matter.
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Hi Steve, thanks for stopping by and visiting Seabisquit’s page! Old Seabisquit is a 1993 Impreza that came with cruise control, but I’ve never used the option. If you travel a lot, and sounds like you do with your photography, those miles will come quicker than you think. You have a beautiful site, Portraits of Wildflowers, and I am grateful to Gallivanta at SilkAnnThreades for making you known to us. I enjoy your photography!
https://silkannthreades.wordpress.com/
https://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/
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We just got the first six-month oil change and tire rotation on our 2016 Outback. I’ve told people we bought a new computer—that happens to have a car attached to it.
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Hi Steve, thanks for stopping by! Yes, cars have changed a lot since I bought this one. I can still do a lot of the routine maintenance myself. New cars? Not looking forward to the aspect of not being able to work on them, although the computer and gadgetry is useful.
Wishing you all the best with your new Subaru Outback, and looking forward to more of your amazing photos on https://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/
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It’s a legend!
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Hi Kevin, thanks for stopping by! If you read the geologic history of the lake as science has been able to piece it together, events match those in the local tribal oral history passed down for 7,700 years since Mount Mazama erupted. If you visit this national park, be sure to stop at the visitor center to watch the 20 minute video, and take a tour with a park guide. There is so much history here to learn. It is quite an amazing area. And don’t forget to look through the book section at the visitor center. 🙂
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