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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Lavinia, I just had to check out Seabisquit, especially now that I just got my first ever Subaru. I have been a loyal, and well-rewarded, Nissan fan since 1986, but my last one at 16 years old, was starting to go downhill. Research revealed that Nissans are no longer the super car they used to be, so I dug deep into Consumer Reports and came up with — a Subaru Impreza (sedan). With AWD standard and great mileage (even for an automatic, my first!), and so many other praise-worthy features, I suspect I will be joining you in ImprezaLand for many years to come. Seabisquit has convinced me of that!
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Thank you for stopping by Seabisquit’s page, Jeanne! I’ve had my Subaru since 1993, so old Seabisquit is 24 years at this time. I have been quite happy with the car, and hope to make the 500,000 mile mark.
Wishing you all the best!
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Seabiscuit is a “baby” of a car. I have a 1974 Ford Pinto in the spare barn, under a tarp. Came over on a trailer to the ranch. I think the pony car may be in her end days, not unless I decide to restore her to her former glory or sell her to an acquaintance who has long admired her. My dad has a 1978 Buick LeSabre Custom LE, and is very close to the 500,000 mark (another 540 miles). His Buick still works fine, but is leaning towards trading it for a Subaru Outback (certified pre-own) though he rarely drives. The vacuum boost on the power brakes recently went out but got replaced. Driving a big car without power brakes, that’s an experience (lol). We use the Buick for him, easier for dad to get in and out versus my Expedition and the Explorers owned by Laurie and Andrea.
My sister and niece have driven Subarus. The niece, her 2008 Outback recently died when the engine gave out on one of the major surface streets in Denver. Fortunately she had enough momentum to make it into a strip mall’s parking lot. My sister is currently driving a 2010 Forester but is currently having problems with the different engine sensors. She hopes to resolve the sensor issue when it’s in the shop tomorrow. Otherwise, she may need to buy another car. She’s eyeing a pre-owned, 2004 Prius hybrid with a completely rebuilt engine. The battery is reconditioned.
In terms of battery development, there is still a ways to go. The technology has moved slightly ahead of where it was when I was in graduate school a gazillion years ago. Hybrids and electric cars make sense if one does a lot of local driving. Driving long distances, I’d say your Seabiscuit is better suited for that task.
Here’s to many more years with your beloved Seabiscuit! 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by, David! Yes, old Seabisquit has many more miles to go and still has the original engine and transmission. I have used Amsoil in this car since day 1.
When I set up this blog, I decided to change the spelling of the “Seabiscuit” to “Seabisquit” to make it unique from the famous Thoroughbred, since it is only a name. In retrospect, I needn’t have worried about people being irritated about finding my Subaru when looking for the horse. But there it is, and there it shall stay, for better or worse. 🙂
Seabisquit is relatively easy to work on, and I do as much as I can myself, leaving work requiring tools and expertise I do not have to paid mechanics. I hope to have many more years with the car.
I drove a 1974 Pinto, long ago. It was a great little car. 🙂
Battery technology has made great strides, but yes, still has a long way to go in terms of performance and affordability. Rick has a 2013 Ford C-Max, and recently had the battery replaced under warranty. Otherwise, I believe we were looking at a $13,000 repair.
All the best to you and your family, David. I love reading about your daughters equine adventures! They are very talented and will also make fine doctors, like their mother.
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Thank you, Lavinia, for your well wishes. Though my daughters begin their med school adventures next week, mostly orientation activities, their equestrian adventures will still continue. They still have two invitationals on their calendar – one at the end of this month and another over the Labor Day weekend. They possibly may ride the Las Vegas Nationals if they receive an invite. It’ll come as their first term ends in mid-November.
The first batch of orientation activities is sharpening their CPR skills and learning how to use emergency defibrillators, and of course, filling out forms. On the 19th, they’ll be formally received into the program with their white coat ceremony. Then, they’ll have the remainder of the month off until July 30th for two more orientation days, first day of class on Aug 1.
Considering the mileage on Seabiscuit, to still have the original engine and transmission says it has been well taken care of.
Hope you had a great 4th of July. 🙂
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Mid 70s and partly to mostly cloudy over in Corvallis where I was today. It won’t be long before the real hot weather set in.
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