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Comments
Noone can hold them to it because by then they'll have replaced CEOs twice, most likely. ;-)
-juice
Subaru and Pontiac may build "tall wagon" in SIA plant if Isuzu bails. Makes sense since Subaru has figured out how to duplicate Pontiac's cladding quite well, as the Baja attests to...
Bob
I still think Subaru (with Isuzu's help?) should consider offering a boxer turbo diesel.
Bob
-mike
-mike
I think Subaru itself could absorb the extra production, if they shuffle the lineup like we talked about in future models.
They're already complaining about a shortage of H6s, so just make more.
A boxer diesel would be fine. I'm curious, how well does the TDI engine sell in the VWs?
-juice
I read in an article several weeks ago about how the Toyota Matrix outsold the Pontiac Vibe despite the fact that they're the same vehicle. Interesting what brand equity can do.
Ken
The US needs to start using Euro-spec diesel fuel before we see more of those here. But it would definitely help Subaru meet future CAFE standards.
Pontiac should sell a rebadged Outback to replace the embarassing Aztek.
-juice
-Brian
Besides, Subarus are engineered for boxer engines, and not any other form of engine configuration. If you stick some other engine layout in there, you'll most likely have to re-engineer the whole front end, if not the whole car.
Bob
The boxer ensures it's a Subaru powertrain, designed specifically for AWD and a longitudinal layout.
-juice
The boxer layout has many advantages, as we all know. Flexibility in swapping engines is not one of them (unless it's another boxer).
Bob
* Pontiac Borrego 2 seat pickup
* Pontiac Vibe wagon
* Pontiac Outbiac
* Pontiac GTO
That's it, drop all others. GM spends nothing to develop any models, yet they have a completely distinct lineup. Subaru can spread its costs and doesn't have to sell any GM junk (just ask Bravadajon about how Subaru AWD and Autotrak compare).
-juice
Do you think it would sell?
Ken
The 2.5RS produces the same power as that V6, and it's cheaper and lighter, not to mention smaller.
-juice
that's because they are pushrod. old crap.
gm's 4-valve designs are mostly decent, except the old "quad four" based 4 cylinder. the new 2.2L is far superior.
of course the competition is way beyond that, with many of them offering variable valve timing.
-Colin
I ran a Merc Diesel for more than four years. Although excellent for the long distance trips I was doing, it did not return the maintenance benefits it was supposed to, developing a savage thirst for oil before 100,000 miles. The fuel itself is also smelly and despite the best efforts of the car's designers, it was still common to find diesel stains below the fuel filler. That problem extends to spilt fuel on the forecourt meaning that when you get back into the car, your shoes are slippery and stink. If you get off on walking into business meetings smelling like an engineering shop, that's fine.
In Europe, where Diesels are common, there is wide availability of fuel. Here in Australia, diesels are a little less popoular, although having been sold for many years (in fact there was an Isuzu engined Gemini back in the early 1980's). That means that you usually fill up at the pumps used by trucks and farm machinery. Dirty again.
For appropriate applications, diesels are excellent. However, they inherently have far greater vibration and noise than petrol engines. Given that one of the great benefits of the Subaru Boxer is the reduction in vibnration from its balance pattern, why would you try to add something to make it noisier.
In addition, the far greater compression and exploive forces (typically compression ratios are about 23:1 as against 1):1 for petrol) means that the head structure must be stronger and heavier. Given that the Subaru has two head assemblies, that means two strengthening and weight adding needs.
The final problem lies in performance. The Golf GTd and the BMW330d show that high performance can be obtained from a diesel (the BMW got a huge boost to sales when Jensen Button, a F1 driver was booked in France, the ticket showing the diesel was running at 142 mph the advertised top speed of the car). However, mmost diesels are far better suited to constant load situatin, making great truck engines. They are also great in taxis and delivery vehicles. Not so fun however for driving great twisty roads./ Somehow I can't see a WRXd in my future.
Diesel has the potential for use in cars, although I find it hard to square with the philosophy of the Subaru.
Cheers
Graham
Do you think it would sell? >>
As I mentioned earlier, I think to re-engineer any Subaru to handle anything other than a boxer, would be cost-prohibitive.
Bob
Hmmm a WRXd... I hadn't thought about that.
Bob
I brought my M3 in to have new OE shifter bushings installed-- common wear item after 50k miles or so and I have 71k. (The shifter slops about 3/8" either direction when in gear.) I looked at where they go and decided that I didn't want the hassle and I did want a center console free of rattles. Thus, I went to the dealer. They also were looking at a fairly quiet rattle I'd been hearing from the front of the engine or thereabouts, especially when backing out of the throttle after parking or other low speeds.
They quickly figured the noise was behind the timing cover somewhere but didn't know what. Guessed perhaps the VANOS system, a hydraulic phasing mechanism on the intake cam. Quoted 2.5 hours to teardown and investigate, which seemed reasonable I suppose.
Even though I bought this car used from them and I'm long out of warranty, they offer free loaner vehicles. I leave in a 2001 Z3 3.0L, manual tranny and 8k miles on the clock. Not bad.
My car hasn't been problematic-- but I do keep it meticulously serviced and usually I hear back from the dealer before lunch after dropping off my car at 8 AM. But a day and a half passed with no news, so I called them.
They hadn't contacted me because they were waiting for a callback from BMW's tech group. The noise was coming from the VANOS system, but they feel it was right to just tell me to replace it all. They wanted to know how serious the noise was, if they could fix it without parts, and that sort of thing.
Today they get back to me and relay that BMW told them it wasn't unusual for the VANOS system to rattle a bit with my mileage, but that it wasn't a mechanical concern. Kinda like lifter noise, if you will. They could replace it all if I really wanted, but at $1600 they did not recommend it. I agreed. They also said that the teardown was easier than expected and it was only 1 hour labor.
I like this dealer. They could've had the other 1.5 hours of labor because I'd been expecting it. They could've not bothered asking BMW's techs about it and just told me to pony up $1600 or risk whatever might result from the noise. And offering loaners like this sure hasn't been the policy I've experienced with other dealers (none of them BMW, though). Not to mention the loaners aren't 6-year-old worn out Chevys... they are nice cars. Which is fair, because their customers like me are leaving behind nice cars.
Anyway, just my 2 cents. Joe Self BMW in Wichita isn't half bad. I liked my purchase experience there too, but this is enough for one email. ;-D
-Colin
Jim
If only all dealers (not just BMW ones) acted this way. *sigh*
-Brian
oh yeah, I saw a Z4 today when picking up my car. they got in two, steel grey and some sort of light blue. the grey was out on a drive, and I didn't get a chance to do much with the blue because a couple were looking at it. it's rude to walk up and start nosing around... but from 10 feet, it actually doesn't look as bad at the pics in magazines. kinda like the 350z, better in real life. still not a beauty contest winner though!
too bad I couldn't drive one of 'em.
-Colin
http://www.thehollywoodextra.com/honda/honda.html
Various Lexus models
http://www.thehollywoodextra.com/lexus/lexus.html
Various VWs
http://www.thehollywoodextra.com/volkswagen/vw.html
Mazda 9
http://www.thehollywoodextra.com/mazda/mazda.html
Acura TSX (aka Euro-Accord)
http://www.thehollywoodextra.com/acura/acura.html
Toyota Scion
http://www.thehollywoodextra.com/avensis/avensis.html
So, how does Honda maintain their lead/edge in the minivan market? The most obvious solution to me is to add more seating.
They've done that in the Philippines with their CRV, which seats 10 people! That's no misprint. It seats 3 up front, 4 in the middle, and 3 in the rear; in a vehicle no larger than the CRV sold here. Check the following link:
http://www.hondaphil.com/crv_specs.asp
If you scroll down to "Other" you will see the seating capacity listed. If you scroll down further, to "Interior," you will see pictures of the seating.
So... Honda could very easily decide to up the ante in the *seat-race* in the minivan market here, in order to maintain their lead in that market segment. It may not seat 8 or 9 *adults* comfortably, but that won't matter. It will still give them braggin' rights.
Bob
Can someone give me some advice on what all season tires you would recommend for this vehicle?
Thanks
http://www.auto.com/industry/iwirg26_20021026.htm
Bob
I bet pretty soon the majority of cars in Europe will be diesels.
Colin: let's hope that noise is harmless. Good to hear they were so honest about it all.
My wife's loaner was a Mitsu Mirage, not too horrible but not nearly as nice as our Legacy.
Looking at the Z4 in action in the previews for the BMW Films, it looks better. I agree, no supermodel, but head and shoulders better than the droopy Z3.
Can't say the same about that RL, though. Looks like an Uglified Alfa 164. FWD V6? Get ready to be creamed by Lexus once again.
The Latitude on the same page looks interesting, if a little homely. Space efficiency is amazing, though. I hope the 2005 Subaru SUW is similar, except make it pretty.
The Lexus RX330 gets a 3rd row before the Highlander does? Maybe both at the same time. That GS is an improvement over the current car, which has all the little details wrong.
The Jetta looks odd. Photochop, probably. The Passat coupe looks better, but even that looks like a photochop of a Holden Monaro greenhouse on a Passat sedan lower half.
The 2.slow engine is gone. Bob - remember I said VW had way too many engines? The 1.8l normally aspirated engine is offered in Brazil in the A3. I've said all along VW should drop the 2.slow and use that instead, looks like they finally will follow my advice. 6 speed manual and auto? Wow.
The Mazda 9 looks like a bar of soap. C'mon, square that rear off, so it has come cargo space. The Murano has the same problem, so does the current RX300. You could get more space from the same platform with a square back.
The TSX looks like a carbon copy of the Mazda 6, except the 6 got the details a little better. Still, it's handsome. But no V6? That price had better reasonable.
The Scion looks very "econo-hatch". I don't see why Toyota thinks it'll succeed where Echo failed. Same stupid center cluster for the speedo, duh! At least it's boxy and offers more practicality.
Better than the bbX we saw in NY, eh Bob?
Avensis is interesting, but it looks like it belongs in the Hyundai lineup.
That CR-V with a 3rd row is for short folks, I doubt there is acceptable leg room. The Latitude looks roomier, perhaps because it's FWD and sort of minivan shaped.
-juice
First, the track for the sliding door is an eye sore. Most vans have managed to hide that better, just below the window. Previa was first, then Dodge, now everyone seems to do it.
Honda's excuse was the power doors, but again others have power doors and manage it. Top it off, Honda's doors aren't even reliable. Lame excuse. Fix that.
How 'bout windows that go down? In a car meant for road trips and sight seeing, this is a big plus. I love that features on the MPV.
The 3rd thing I'd want them to address is the powertrain. Power is fine, number of tranny ratios fine, etc. But make it more robust, durable. That stuff from the tow package should be made standard (tranny and PS coolers).
People like captain's chairs, so I'm not sure if a 9th seat would matter much to most people. In fact, in SUVs where seating for 9 is offered, most people still opt for captain's chairs, even paying extra for it.
-juice
Bob
Just teasing. I like the seat/console on the Tuarus. They could do something like that. A wide arm rest with cup holder and a power outlet for a notebook PC on one side, a seat on the other.
I don't know about a walk-through, though. Maybe it could recline all the way back or something?
I dunno, I just see some practical improvements Honda could make. My cousin just wants better paint, for instance. The 3rd seat is also heavy, maybe they could take a page from Ford's book and make it power operated?
-juice
Bob
Looking at supply and demand, though, tells me they don't need to change a whole lot of the basics. My guess is they'll add features, and people will line up to pay whatever they charge for them.
For starters, allow a DVD *and* a Navigation system. Those must be cash cows, and consumers want 'em. Then add a power folding 3rd seat and hatch.
Some dealers still have a 2 month wait list, so that's more than enough. Unless they increase supply substantially.
-juice
Bob
Chrysler doesn't, they just added a bunch of features to an old design.
Not to mention, Honda's supply is much smaller, Chrysler still outsells Honda by a wide margin.
-juice
Greg
BTW, I hope Subaru keeps the current Legacy size.
Bob
-juice
People (moms!) can't see that feature however, or may not even care about it. Whatever feature they come up with has to: A) be considered a "must-have," and
Bob
I'll bet it was innovative when the design concept was first proposed within GM. However, when it was finally introduced, lots of companies already had 4 valves/cylinder.
Jim
It's like the Human Segway Transporter, just because a brilliant inventor strikes again doesn't mean it'll have the same impact as before.
And remember, the first Odyssey kind of bombed. They don't always get it right.
-juice
It's just a poor naming strategy. It should actually have been the other way around, Quad for 4 valve heads, Four for the number of cylinders. Even then it would adhere to industry norms but still sound redundant.
-juice
Bob
And we got...a scooter! Whoop-de-doo!
OK, gentleman's bet. The next Odyssey will have no ground-breaking features, like the current one did, just evolutionary improvements.
Loser buys the beer at the first auto show in the area where it's shown. Deal?
-juice