Subaru Crew: Official SOA Presence (aka Patti)

c_hunter

Patti rocks!

goldencrv

Patti:

The address is Pearland in Texas. It's under a different name. I can give you the name and case number if you post a direct email address.

Thanks for your help!

speedbuggy67

Patti

its been awhile since i've been on edmunds i've spoken to you before in the past, i have a 02 blaze yellow wrx that i loved til the last few k miles. I hit 31k miles owning it since april 01 and i had the TSB bulletin for the clutch done the chatter issue at town motors in englewood NJ 1k miles later in july trans blew 3rd gear they replaced the trans 3k miles after that 2nd gear blew now i'm told from greg at town that broken gears is owner abuse i've NEVER raced or tracked this car i'm no teen and respect this car fully i'm sure people on here that know me can attest to that. I have a case number but the car hasn't been to a dealership to be opened as he is making me afraid as this shouldn't be MY fault as i know its a subaru wrx trait the weak trannies. Help idunno what to do. Which dealership should i go toi live in union nj. My aim name is aspeedbuggy67 and email is speedbuggy67@netzero.net thanks in advance
Scott HOlroyd

ateixeira

Scott - you may want to re-post with your e-mail disguised, like this: speedbuggy67 at netzero dot net.

-juice

c_hunter

Yeah, while you're at it, edit the grammar and add punctuation -- my head hurts after reading that!

Craig

bluesubie

Patti, that's Mike's buddy that you met in Philly a few years ago. He's in that original Subaru Crew pic, whereever that is.

Scott, you should have gone to Flemington a long time ago :disco: I know, it's way out in the middle of nowhere. :-(

-Dennis

hypov

he's probably posting at the firehouse.

-Dave

subaru_team

Rep. contact me once you call back with a dealer. I'm not permitted to recommend a specific dealer, but once you schedule it, let me know. The level of help won't be different. I'll do my best for you. I do remember you and you can count on my doing everything I can.

Thanks!

Patti

subaru_team

thought it may be reassuring to know that in the situation with the alternator, we're actively involved at this point. I don't think that this customer will be unhappy once this is all worked out. The alternators were not Subaru parts. I know that we look out for each other here and I was equally shocked when I read about 4 replacements so I thought I should fill you all in - in case you think we have a serious product problem here. I won't share the other details per our agreement, but I thought you'd like to know this part of the issue.

Patti

hondafriek

I never for a minute thought that there was a product problem, initially I agreed with Colin that there is an electrical problem.

  Unfortunately a lot of dealers and garages are using jobber parts some of which are highly questionable re quality.

 Cheers Pat.

c_hunter

That is really good to know.

Craig

speedbuggy67

Sorry about the quick post and grammar, i was at the firehouse for a little while. Can't let the higher ups catch the computer usage. Its frowned upon a bit there. Dennis i think i will finally go to Flemington i felt town motors was ok with Garett aka booster working there. I will give them a call hopefully Saturday morning as i work Friday 24hrs.

locke2c

wow, getting clobbered on that alternator... sounds like a really shady dealer! $180 for a battery? :eek:

I mean, it's $50 at most at autozone and they install it for you. Same place (yes I know Patti advises to use a Subaru part, but I'm not sure of that price) would run you about $90-150 for an alternator with lifetime warranty and then it's seriously less than 30 minutes of work to install on a Subaru.

~Colin

subaru_team

of it at this point. I will say that the Rep. I spoke to at the dealer tonight was concerned and seemed genuine. He even kept his word and called me at home because he was working late on the situaiton. I'm sure it's not as bad as it seems - at least I hope that's the case.

Patti

maverick1017

maverick1017

with all due respect to you and Subaru of America, but some dealers are just two faced. they will try to stick it to the customer as far as they can, but as soon as an SOA rep calls them up they get all concerned and they go out of their way to appear helpful. I know this is true of deals of other brands as well, that is why I am so glad that we have you on this board and Subaru3 reps (and SOA by association) are geniuently dedicated to its customers. I love my Subaru and will be buying another one, hopefully the 7 seater or a Forester LLB edition (damn, that car look look!)if the 7 seater don't appeal to me for some reason.

Mike

P.S. I don't know if you had a hand in it but Shirley Joiner from SOA called me the other day to see how everything turned out with the head job, and to let me know that the whole thing has been reported to the regional manager. I was surprise to receive that call but now I couldn't be happier! That just reaffirmed my conviction in SOA!

subaru_team

to discuss your issue and it got escalated pretty high here at SOA and the Region. She's a good person and very dedicated to our customers. I'm glad you were pleased by her call. I'll let her know about your comments! Thanks for taking the time to share the positive too. It means a lot.

Patti

subaru_team

Subaru.com There will be information about the Miami press conference, and if all goes well, information related to a micro site about the 7 seater. During the chat last night, I indicated I would post this information as soon as I had it. I'm not sure if I'll be near a computer at 1:30 to confirm anything, but you can all feel free to check it out! If you do and it's not running yet, please check back later in the day.

Thanks!

Patti

alpha01

Thanks for the update, Patti! Should be exciting to visit the microsite once its up!

Best regards,
Joe

ladywclass

you live near my parents in League City .... (that's my 'old stomping grounds'

alpha01

The name of the SUV is B9X? Is this a joke? This is a very odd and unbecoming name. How did this get past product Marketing? Or anyone who speaks the English language? This vehicle had better be darn exciting, or else the journalists are going to have a field day with the The Subaru Benign-X.

By the time the vehicle debuts, I myself will be in the market. However, if its honestly called B9X, I will not be buying it. As a recent Subaru convert ('rents just purchased a wonderful 05 Legacy Sedan), Im a bit dismayed.

(SoA needs to hop to and get stability control at least optional on more of its vehicles as well, which will be a major consideration come purchase time).

~alpha

sduford

I agree with Alpha.

Except that if I really liked the car, the ugly name wouldn't stop me from buying it.

rsholland

may signal an end to existing Subaru model names. I would not be surprised if in 5 years or so, that all Subarus have alpha-numeric names.

In Japan there's already the R1 & R2, and now the new B9X.

Bob

sduford

I have nothing against alpha-numeric names per se.

But B9X is a mouthfull, sounds crappy, and is an easy target for jokes.

c_hunter

Name is fine for me, it's got a cool gen-X ring to it. Maybe to appeal to all the Gen-X people like me? (unlike me, most of them are having kids and need more room).

Craig

subaru_team

no matter what the name, it wasn't going to please everyone. We'll see what happens!

Patti

rsholland

Yep, just like styling. No matter what you come up with, there will be some people who will just hate it.

Bob

edunnett

I am COMPLAINING! I HATE my ACC. It is barely tolerable. I just want a manual climate control. :-(

subaru_team

I've provided detailed reporting to Product Planning on "both" sides of this issue. I know folks feel very passionate about it, so I made sure to share the info. I know it doesn't help for now, but maybe for the future?

Patti

c_hunter

Can you give us specifics?? My wife also hated the auto CC in our Forester until I painstakingly explained it to her and we got it figured out (this was a classic husband-wife "chat" and of course my side of the story is probably really skewed). She used to get really frustrated with it, especially trying manual override.

Craig

jon_in_ct

alpha01 wrote:

However, if its honestly called B9X, I will not be buying it.

The Subaru press release said: "A Bold New Look and Bold New Name," and they are. But, apparently, alpha01 wouldn't be caught dead driving a 911 or an S500. So, alpha01, if you buy or exclude cars based solely on their names, I guess it's "Ta ta!"

subaru_team

posted here - respectfully. It would be pretty boring if we all agreed on everything, right? (get it - trying to get agreement with this statement??)

I'll be keeping track of the opinions on the name and features once there announced, so feel free to share!

Thanks!

Patti

rsholland

if everyone posted all their B9X comments in the new B9X thread.

rsholland "Subaru B9X" Nov 5, 2004 9:54pm

Bob

volkov

Am I the only one who thinks it's the ultimate in irony that a guy named Alpha01 hates cars with "alpha-numeric" names??

Nicholas

rob_m

I thought the same thing, Nick ... I guess I was too shy to say it.

kens

Yeah, "B9X" doesn't bother this Gen-Xer too much either.

My only concern is that the letter "X" is a bit overused in the industry: 9-2X, X3, X5, G35X, TSX, WRX, Forester X, XT, 325ix...

Ken

rsholland

And XC90 too.

I see your point Ken, however "X" is often used to signify crossover, 4WD, AWD, off-roading—all items and attributes close to the core of what Subarus are all about.

The mini-site suggests that the "X" indicates "crossover," so maybe that letter in the future will be reserved for only those Subarus that fall into that category?

Bob

speedbuggy67

My 02 wrx is going to be arriving at Flemington subaru Monday i already set up the appointment, gave them all the info and my case number just an update.Thanks.BTY Seems like a nice dealership to deal with so far.-dennis thanks too.

Scott

alpha01

I dont hate cars with alphanumeric names! I just dont like it when good cars have stupid names.

PS- Just finished up a service at Flemington. Tremendous dealership. Far from me, but I couldnt be more satisfied.

~alpha

sduford

I don't think he said he disliked alpha-numeric names.

I actually LIKE alpha-numeric names. But a name should be easy to remember, catchy, and it should sound cool like X5, G35, 350Z, or even RX-8.

But I think B9X, is neither catchy nor cool, and on top of that it says nothing about the car and it sounds like "benign".

Doesn't exactly sound like a marketing stroke of genius to me.

Maybe they wanted a quirky name for a quirky car. Come to think of it, B9X would be a perfect name for Subaru's ACC system!

hondafriek

Thought I had heard it all but to diss a car for it's name or lack therof is bordering on the ridiculous.

  Cheers Pat.

sduford

Who dissed the car?

I think the car looks great and I'm really looking forward to finding out more about it.

If you're referring to my "quirky" joke, it was just that, a joke! I said that tongue-in-cheek, in referral to Subaru's reputation for quirkiness.

Lighten up!

dcm61

alpha01 wrote:

However, if its honestly called B9X, I will not be buying it.

volkov

Can't say that B9X does much for me either way.
Technically I own an Impreza, and used to own an Altima. Good vehicles with great engines, but I honestly dislike both names.
Now WRX, well that's a cool name.

hondafriek

I wasn't even refering to your post, (if the hat fits though and all that) . I refered to Alpha01 who wrote....(However, if its honestly called B9X, I will not be buying it).

  Now if passing on a car no matter how good it may be because of a name then in my book that is dissing.

 Incidently I don't need to lighten up, my opinion whether you like or not is as valid as your's or anyone else for that matter.

  Cheers Pat.

rsholland

Alpha is really a very decent guy. We met up at the NY Auto Show last year, and did the show together. He's not a troll at all. In fact he recently got a new Legacy 2.5i IIRC.

Bob <who's often out of control with his passion for Subies too>

hypov

They'll probably put a [alpha] name to it.
Otherwise, just make believe the name "Benign Times" )

benign = kind, caring, generous,...

If and when the need arises, the name wouldn't stop me. I'll speak for myself, but I believe most would believe the same, that I choose the car I drive for the car itself [function & all its offerings] and not by it's name. I have a name, and I don't need another to identify who I am

-Dave

sduford

Sorry for the misunderstanding, but since your message wasn't in-reply to any other, and it came right after mine, I assumed you were talking to me. I wasn't asking you to lighten up because of your opinion, I just thought you were upset by my joke.

I totally agree with you, if the car is really good, I would buy it no matter what it's called. But I still believe that lots of people, especially those who were never particulalry attracted to Subarus to start with, will not even take the time to look at it with a name like that.

alpha01

Thank you for your kind words. (I had a great time at NYIAS, by the way!)

I think that perhaps I should explain my comments a bit. Its not at all that Im anti-Subaru, or anything like that. In fact, Im really shocked that my comments have sparked such debate among the Subaristi in these forums, which I have just recently had the pleasure of joining as an active participant.

Bob is right. We just got an 05 Legacy 2.5i Sedan, and we love the vehicle despite a few growing pains/let-downs (such as a radio whose functionality mysteriously halts when the rear defogger is actuated, unimpressive IIHS results). I am so impressed by the car that I want to see more people in more Subarus.

After reading the initial press release for the B9X, I was definitely dismayed at the name, and chose to state so here. We all have different "things" (for lack of a better word)that would make us not buy a product for what may seem to others a poor reason. For example, I know someone who cannot stand when tachometers are to the right of the speedometer. His cars are left-speedo. In any case, for me, the degree to which I really dont agree with the name of this vehicle would probably be enough for me not to buy it. And thats OK, because we're all different consumers.

Now, the issue I see, and why I'm passionate about this, is because I feel Subaru has an EXCELLENT opportunity to take advantage of the growing market for AWD vehicles, which I believe is expected to grow by upwards of 25% over the next several years. This SUV looks to be an excellent extension of an already very attractive product mix.

However, I think the name could potentially be a significant marketing blunder. Why get a vehicle right and risk its success on poor marketing? I am a HUGE believer in the critical role that marketing plays for any product. In fact, I myself am right now trying to break in a career in marketing, having been bored to tears with my Finance and Accounting background (but thats another story, lol).

I believe someone already said it (sduford?), either on this thread or another.... it is not the few people like me for whom the name could be a deal breaker that SoA should be concerned about. It is the people who Subaru misses by not having an attractive, even edgy name, for a superb product that can truly make a difference on the top line. Expecially against the backdrop of a trendy (though not fad-like) name of Tribeca, I feel B9X is neither attractive or edgy.

To sum up, I dont mind being seen as controversial, and I'm sorry if I offended anyone (but I dont think thats really the case). However, I am not ignorant to the industry or to Subaru's significant and impressive potential. Nor did I "diss" the product. My opinion is that the name is a mistake, and thats probably not going to change any time soon.

This is a truly enjoyable forum, and I appreciate being a part of it, so thanks, and happy motoring!

Joe

PS- An outstanding read about the importance of effective marketing, if anyone is interested, is 'Trading Up: The New American Luxury' by Michael J. Silverstein and Neil Fiske (Portfolio Publishing c. 2003). But Juice isnt quoted in that book, lol, like he was in Micheline Maynard's 'The End of Detroit'.

hypov

To sum up, I dont mind being seen as controversial, and I'm sorry if I offended anyone (but I dont think thats really the case).

Joe-
all you did was stir up a good debate, an exchange of opinions.
What's to apologise?

-Dave