Image via Subaru, Oxford County Sheriff's Office
A Subaru driver decided to try out the symmetrical all-wheel-drive system in his 2022 Impreza by driving up a ski slope in Maine. As a result, he caused tens of thousands in damage and proved once again there’s nothing as insufferable as a Subaru driver hellbent on proving how capable his vehicle is.
Is Subaru encouraging drivers to take dangerous off-road risks?
According to the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office, 33-year-old Jesse Bates of Mexico, Maine took his car for a little joyride up one of the Sunday River Ski Resort’s slopes in the early morning hours of March 9.
Not only did he leave deep ruts in the slope, probably from when his symmertrical all-wheel-drive and all-season tires couldn’t handle the lack of traction, he also reportedly crashed into the scan gates, damaging the expensive equipment.
Deputies were able to figure out who was responsible for the damage, although the sheriff’s office didn’t say how. We do know Bates has had dealings with the law before, so perhaps they already knew his propensity for trying to show off what his Subie can do.
That brings us to our next point: the destructive power of Subaru drivers who can’t admit they don’t drive a Jeep. While Wranglers, even heavily modified ones, have their limits off-roading, in our personal experience on trails, it seems at least a subset of Subaru drivers genuinely feel their vehicle has essentially none. Or they feel their limits meet or exceed that of modified Jeeps.
While that behavior can sometimes be funny, and sometimes it’s annoying when they get stuck and block a popular trail, in some instances it’s dangerous and destructive. What this guy was trying to prove driving up a ski slope in the wee hours of the morning only he can answer. But we do know not only did he damage the slope and scan gates, he wrecked his car pretty badly.
Please, Subaru drivers, know the limits of your ride and stop trying to constantly prove you have some hardcore off-roader. It’s okay to not.
Image via Subaru, Oxford County Sheriff’s Office
