The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

So, just signed on the dotted line for an MY11 Impreza R Sedan... now to await delivery!

Looking at roof racks - is it worth getting the Subaru ones (either through the dealer or via the intertubes for cheaper) or just head to the nearest roof rack place and get some Rola/Rhino Rack etc ones?

Possibly going to put a bike carrier on there, but may end up getting a towbar one as CBF lifting the bike on and off!

Also - is it worth getting a dashmat, or just apply some kind of protectant regularly?

Pretty sure genuine Subaru roof racks are just Rola rebadged and marked up.

Dashmats are personal. I don't like the look of them, but one came with my current car, and it's turned out quite handy for hiding stuff under. It'll be years before you have to worry about your dash copping any damage from the sun.

Dane.

I agree with the dashmat situation, with a new car just take good care of it *the odd dose of Mothers/Meguiars dash protectant will serve it well*. (not a big fan of the armour all just because of the greasy residue it leaves behind)


With the roof racks have a look around at local auto stores...I know super cheap stock pro racks that might do the job for you (and a hell of alot cheaper) Otherwise I always like to go straight to a supplier and try and skip out the dealers insane mark up.

James

Oh and congrats on the new Suby purchase...delivery is going to be a fun day :)

I purchased my Rola Racks through one of those mobile fitting mobs when we bought the Forester. Turned out to be alot cheaper than the "Subaru" racks, which I'm pretty sure are just Rola items with Subaru stickers.

The other reason I wanted the aftermarket ones was that the style the Foreter takes are the ones where the cross bars are on top of the legs. I got the guy to make my cross bars a bit longer than the standard length so as I can fit the luggage basket and cycle attachments on the outside of the basket. Makes the handlebars of the bikes stick out a bit, but as long as you remember they're up there, all's good.

Possible advantage of a dashmat is it also stops the glare off the plastic dashboard - some cars are really bad for glare, especially if they have the shiny plastic finish.

Polishing with armor-all or similar protects the finish but also increases the glare.

At work now, just checked roof rack pricing. For yours it would cost 275 for racks and 45 for the mounting kit. At least that should give you an idea if you can find cheaper. I would expect genuine would cost a lot more


Cheers james

Thanks guys - not going to bother with the roof racks now as I got a towbar bike rack.

As for the dash - reckon I'll just have to get some Mothers/Meguiars stuff as suggested.
In the meantime, I have to learn how to wash a car properly - none of this 10 minute hose/suds/hose at the local servo anymore!

GOD wrote:Pretty sure genuine Subaru roof racks are just Rola rebadged and marked up.

Subaru use Thule for the last few years - they don't rebadge but still mark up abit.