Above Solution Steps I've used for years to get windows to default to list view, never noticed the process holding the size of the window.
I've always found it necessary to resize a window manually, close it, then reopen to verify the size was remembered, always did; never was concerned about new windows as I would just follow these resize steps once.
Now I'm on a brand new iMac running 10.8.4 and finding my window resize process works for most windows, but not my internal hard drive when opened from the Desktop or the Applications folder when opened from the Dock. All other window sizes and positions are remembered including Finder, Utilities, Downloads from the Dock, any folder or drive on the Desktop, etc.
Went to my 10.8.2 laptop and seeing the same thing - default size is always a smallish window (even when I follow the Solution Steps) which is fine, but Macintosh HD will not remember resized window using any steps once I logout/restart/shutdown.
Went back to my old iMac to verify I'm not crazy, and the Mac HD size and position is remembered as is the Applications folder when opened from the Dock.
Another clue to solving this is when a new session is started and the Mac HD window is opened, not only does it not remember the last size of the window, the smaller "default" window is always centered on the screen, it doesn't remember the last position either; same with the Applications.
I realize the original poster wanted a particular size to be remembered even if a resize occurred, and I don't, but is the issue I've explained (Mac HD window size and placement when opened from the Desktop and Applications folder when opened from Dock don't hold after a session) a fixable issue?
Ran these steps in multiple accounts on the newest iMac and MacBook Pro, same issue, so it appears to be the two machines since my third one doesn't exhibit this behavior.