Subaru Crew Cafe

Karen_S

Thanks for the great comments about our little corner of the internet. Management will be pleased to know. :-)

fibber2

Thank you, Karen, for caring enough to listen!

Steve

p0926

Karen,

In cased you missed it (scroll up):
grahampeters,
locke2c
ladywclass
kens
ateixeira
rob_m
jfl
hammerhead
and yours truly also expressed a preference for the current "linear" format :-)

-Frank

rsholland

http://www.aiada.org/article.asp?id=33918&cat=Industry

p0926

Not surprising but finding a buyer won't be easy ;-)

-Frank

robr2

Could you imagine how the Saabinistas would feel if the brand were sold to a Chinese company?

dcm61

An opportunity to become the Acura/Lexus/Inifinti branch of Subaru?

Afterall, two (9-2x & 9-6x) out of five Saabs are Subarus anyway. That leaves the 9-3, 9-5, & 9-7x. Dump the 9-7x and replace the 9-3 and 9-5 with the 9-4x (Legacy sedan / wagon). Maybe built a 9-8x (B9 sedan).

Yeah, I realize Subaru has too small of a market share to make this a reality. And I guess if GM wants to dump Saab, they're not going to want to buy 20% of it back. ;-)

DaveM

robr2

Yeah, I realize Subaru has too small of a market share to make this a reality. And I guess if GM wants to dump Saab, they're not going to want to buy 20% of it back. ;-)

Well GM just paid Fiat $2 billion not to buy them. Hmm, gives me an idea: I'll take Saab off their hands and they pay me $500 million. Much better deal than what they had with Fiat.

ladywclass

yeah .. what HE said ...

jon_in_ct

Threaded message display won't be useable unless all members use the Reply option when they're responding to a previous message. And I'll bet many of those opting for the "linear" display won't bother if the "Post a Message" input area (which essentially starts a new topic/thread) remains available at the bottom of every screen.

Karen_S

My apologies for not including everyone! :-)

Karen_S

Well, Jon, I can't really respond to your comment as I'm not involved with the implementation. You can voice your concern over in Our software in N&V.

rsholland

http://www.autorevue.cz/Images/4965/11.jpg

I like it a lot. It's an excellent design, with everything very well integrated into one very cohesive unit. I hope the next Forester incorporates some of the features here, like the roof rails that seem to grow out of the "A" and "D" pillars.

Bob

volkov

Well, I'd vote for threaded discussions in the more (?) technical boards where I find it difficult to skim the current linear format after a moderate absence. I would support keeping a linear thread form for the CAFE and Meet the Members given their more informal and broad reaching topics. While I'm on the topic, I still don't really see a need for both of those forums. You can try to be specific about the scope of discussion all you want, the majority of us don't make distinctions. They both end up as the personal/off-topic area anyway.

rsholland

More than you ever wanted to know about shooting brakes. For those with a historical interest (Ed!) in the European spin on combining a "GT" with that of a station wagon, this is a great site, with lots of neat examples to be seen.

http://www.pestalozzi.net/sb/

In the United Kingdom, a very specific type, rare these days, is known as a shooting brake. These are modifications of luxury coupés with an estate car - like back fitted. They generally remain with two side doors. The purpose of them, historically, is obvious from the name; they were vehicles for the well-off shooter and hunter, giving space to carry shotguns and other equipment. They have rarely been made by the factory and are generally aftermarket conversions; some are still made.

Check out the '61 Ferrari 250 GT "Breadvan" shooting brake, just one of many unusual vehicles on this site.

http://www.pestalozzi.net/sb/ferrari_breadvan/index.html

This wasn't strictly a Euro-thing. There was the "original" Chevy Nomad, which was a concept car combining the Corvette and a wagon. Juice, this is the car I was telling you about when we were in Detroit.

http://www.pestalozzi.net/sb/chevy_nomad/index.html

Bob

rsholland

The 1991 Amadeus concept car.

http://www.carstyling.ru/car.asp?id=2203

it was based on the SVX, as it even had the SVX's goofy side windows.

Bob

ladywclass

well I for one do not hold a grudge ...

ateixeira

That Skoda looks a bit funky. I think the white roof thing tries to ape Mini - noone else can seem to pull it off in my mind.

I can see that competing with the successful Element, why don't you copy that link in that thread to see what people think?

Shooting brakes: some work, some don't. The ones that lack a rear window don't seem right. I hate that Ferrari and that 911 is more concept-Renault than Porsche.

I loved the Nomad concepts, though. Old and new.

The Subie is so-so, they have so many 4 door wagons so it seems almost pointless.

-juice

rsholland

are often one-off pieces, that are more often exercises in craftsmanship, not good design. "Factory" versions are almost always the most successful. I have always liked the Volvo P1800 ES and MGB GT coupes. In any event, I find them to be interesting, and I have always liked the concept.

As to the Skoda Yeti: The white roof doesn't bother me. It's just paint, something that's easy to change. I was talking about the rest of the vehicle. Element? Maybe... I see it more as a direction the Forester could follow.

Bob

robr2

And don't forget the Pinto and Vega versions:

http://www.fordpinto.com/yourwagons.asp

http://www.v8monza.com/album/vega-wagon.htm

rsholland

http://www.theautochannel.com/F/news/2005/02/25/005398.html

Apparently he lived in the Baltimore area. Interesting...

Bob

rsholland

http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0502/27/A01-101491.htm

ateixeira

I always thought Lucas electrics invented the intermittent wiper, by accident. ;-)

Ghosn grew up in Brazil, by the way.

But Nissan will have some growing pains. He cut costs and focused budgets on new design, but they will have to re-content and improve on materials to keep those customers loyal in the long term.

-juice

rsholland

http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0502/27/A05-101209.htm

rsholland

Lot's of photos here.

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_geneva/mx5/pages/Exte- rior_1_1s.htm

I like it.

Edit: Change Exte- rior to Exterior in this URL link.

Bob

subearu

a friend of mine and his dw (they are DINKs) just picked up a leftover '04 Mazdaspeed MX-5 for $18.5k

-Brian

c_hunter

Why Not a 40-MPG SUV?
Technology exists to double gas guzzlers' fuel efficiency. So what's the holdup?

http://www.technologyreview.com/articles/fischetti1102.asp

p0926

Speaking of fuel efficiency... I love my Forester XT dearly but I read a review in this weekend's paper of the top-of-the-line Jag (don't remember the exact model) which has a 390 HP V-8 but has a near identical mpg rating (18/24) as the F-XT ;-(

-Frank

tsy

For whatever reason, Jags get great mileage. The XJ (the biggest one) get's far better gas mileage than any other car in it's class (S500, 745i, LS 430) Part of it is it's so light. The car only weighs 3700lbs because of it's use of aluminum.

I drove one around- nice car, handles well (active suspension) and is pretty fast.

Not as fast as the FXT though. ;-)

tom

ateixeira

$18.5k is a steal, wish I was in the market right now! Timing is everything.

The F-XT is geared short. They could make it taller and it would still be plenty quick enough.

-juice

rsholland

Just read that John Ebstein passed away at age 92. Ebstein was part of the Raymond Loewy design team that did the original Studebaker Avanti. See obituary at bottom of the Car Connection link.

http://thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=8195&sid=173&n=156

http://www.theavanti.com/Ebstein.html

I met John Ebstein several times many years ago. He also happened to be a good friend of my father-in-law. In fact, his son Peter was a good friend of my wife, when they were in high school. Both Peter and his father were at our wedding too.

Bob

p0926

Tom- That Jag had a 0-60 time of 5.0 sec (and a right rear power seat!). Of course it cost something like $86k but still, that gas mileage is impressive.

-Frank

ateixeira

$86 grand buys a lot of gas.

I think you could afford about 3 Forester XTs and then fill them up with gas for about 10 years.

Don't quote me on the amount of years or Colin will break out his calculater and beat me with it. ;-)

-juice

lark6

Bob, I'm very familiar with Ebstein and his work. Had I known you knew him I may have cajoled you into getting his autograph on some Avanti memorabilia (though not an actual Avanti as I don't own one). No doubt a full obituary and retrospective will run in the Studebaker Drivers Club's monthly magazine, Turning Wheels, in the very near future. If so, and you're interested, I'll try to get a copy for you - at the very least, make a photocopy of the article.

Thanks,
Ed

rsholland

Ed, I haven't seen John Ebstein in 25 years or more, but I do remember meeting him, and talking about the Avanti, and the car design business in general. Actually my wife would probably be more interested in the magazine, as she had known him since she was a little girl, and the fact that she knew his son Peter quite well. They sort of grew up together, as I recall. Unfortunately, we have drifted apart due to the passage of time. We haven't seen Peter in perhaps that many years either.

Bob

rsholland

http://thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=8202&sid=173&n=156

rsholland

Here's the new Euro-Civic, or at least a very near production-ready version.

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_geneva/civic/pages/1.- htm

I would not be a bit surprised if this comes over here as an entry-level Acura sedan, much like the Euro-Accord came over as the Acura TSX.

Frankly, I think this car looks absolutely stunning. If it came over here—and with the RL's SH-AWD, and the rumored all-new 2.4 turbo—look out WRX!

I will absolutely die and have gone to heaven if Subaru's next-generation Impreza has the visual presence that this car has!

Bob

Edit:
Arugh! What's with Edmunds these days? I've notice whenever I post a link, it doesn't post correctly. And it's not just me, as II've had this same problem with links others have posted here. It's not a problem I have posting links on other sites, only Edmunds!

So again, delete the "- " before the "htm" on end of that link.

rsholland

http://just-auto.com/nd.asp?art=47331&dm=yes

Karen_S

Re: broken links

The fix for this issue is supposedly suppose to roll out later today.

rsholland

Thanks Karen.

Bob

Karen_S

No problem.

"supposedly suppose"?? Jeez...I must be tired.

ateixeira

IS looks better, but how could it not with the age of the outgoing one. C pillar looks too much like the ES, I need to see more pictures.

When does Edmunds' coverage go up?

-juice

volkov

Really don't like the bottom front lip on the IS. Maybe like the B9 it will be more "benign" in person.

rsholland

http://www.theautochannel.com/F/news/2005/03/02/002739.html

Doesn't sound like AWD will be available though.

Bob

ateixeira

Just 460 lb-ft? ;-)

-juice

bigelm

What's up with BigMike.. I usually see him on IM but he's MIA...

hypov

he's preoccupied with his job.

-Dave

Karen_S

Forums Test Drive Team

I just love his writing style. :-)

fibber2

That is indeed a very entertaining writeup!

Steve

rsholland

Great to have Graham as part of the TH test team. Now all of Edmunds (or at least more of Edmunds) will now be able to enjoy Graham's entertaining and informative postings as we have for the last several years.

Good job Graham!

Bob