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Comments
Perhaps they could bring back some decontented Brigthon models with the 156hp 2.0l engine sold in Japan, just to help meet CAFE standards.
But that definitely goes against the attempt to move upscale. It might even be seen as an attempt to compete with the Koreans, that could tarnish their image.
-juice
Since a good portion of Baja owners are homeowners, the issue of going to Home Depot to pick up some 4'x8' plywood occasionally pops up. The current Baja doesn't adress that problem. Here's a suggestion on how to remedy that:
* Since the mid-gate reinforcing bar seems to be required with this unit body, I say offer a 2-way switchback: (1) The current fold-down panel would be retained, although a I hope it will become larger. (2) With the switchback up and in place, offer a retractable rear window, like the one found on the '04 Toyota Tundra Double Cab. This would act as the forward support for plywood to rest upon.
* Offer a 2-position tailgate like that found on the new Chevy Colorado. This would act as the rear support for the plywood, when partially lowered.
Subaru would then also need to offer some sort of forward vertical barrier to protect the driver and passenger from possible shifting loads. This could be a drop down (from the ceiling) cargo guard.
Bob
-juice
-mike
This is my last comment to you on this subject. I feel like I'm talking to a brick wall, and it's not a whole lot of fun...
Bob
-mike
This discussion/argument has become silly and pointless. The rest of you can continue to debate her. I've grown tired of it.
Bob
P.S. In my teens, I worked on a farm for three summers. Besides the tractor, we used a 1938 Dodge PowerWagon with 4-Wheel drive for heavy hauling, and a Ford pickup for going to town, etc. For general getting around the farm, we actually had a Moke (like the ones they use in Bermuda -- no radio, a/c, or windows, metal seats with removeable pads, rubber floor mats.
Jon
Steve
And while we are asking for crazy stuff, I want it to tow 10Klbs, get 100mpg, and have zero emissions.
-mike
joybell, come back, don't take it so hard. Yours may be a minority opinion but no less valid. Heck, even ballistic was convinced to rejoin us.
Ed
I already looked into it; they interfere with the bumper absorbtion , so Subaru will never go for it. I think aftermarket is the only option. Personally, I was willing to settle for auto-feed paint ball guns mounted in the fog lights, with easy-acccess mounting of a remote CO2 canister, but I think those guys in DC may have caused a chill in the mobile paintball market.
Mark
-mike
james
Seriously, cut Monica some slack. We don't all want the same thing, and she is entitled to express the minority opinion.
Steve
What I have problem with is someone who constantly complains about the same thing over-and-over-and-over-and-over... knowing full well, that those complaints (requests) will never be addressed. At least they won't unless Subaru changes its gameplan, which is highly unlikely.
Bob (feeling old & grumpy)
When I was younger, I too liked basic & stripped. I went out and bought a new base level '79 Ford Fiesta with A/C as the only option. You couldn't get any more stripped than that during the '70's!! Today my base '02 OBW (which is reasonably well equipped) is my concept of basic transportation. I think we tend to want more creature comforts as we age....
Smile, life is too short.
Steve
-mike
you wrote to joybell:
"... Your arguments and justifications are getting real old here. Frankly I'm getting tired of trying to offer reasonable explanations, only to get some silly statement from you in retort. Perhaps you should move to some 3rd-world country ..."
and
" ...This discussion/argument has become silly and pointless. The rest of you can continue to debate her. I've grown tired of it..."
and
"...What I have problem with is someone who constantly complains about the same thing over-and-over-and-over-and-over... knowing full well, that those complaints (requests) will never be addressed..."
I hope, buy now, you understud by yourself how arrogant and immature those comments were. And I certainly hoped that you will rid us, all silly people, of your eternal wisdom after the first one made. Didn't happen on either account. Obviously, your understanding of a term "discussion" is that anybody not starting to see things your way after a while, should shut up and go away. Well, tells a lot more about you and certainly adds a credibility to your opinion on any subject.
As for defining majority and minority in any group, arrogant, immature, loud and impolite ones are just the most visible, not a majority. And, as far as ideas on this "wishful thinking forum" are concerned, not a single one deserves more or less consideration than the others.
Yet, in the real world, majority of Subaru owners actually care more about lining in their car's trunk than for the difference in acceleration between 5.3 and 5.6 on 0-60 track.
K
Jon
I have been feeling somewhat sick about the treatment Joybell was given. I hope we will not see this type of rudeness repeated.
:-(
Ross
Bob
I also have read the many repetitive posts from Joybell and frankly her expectations are totally out the window, there is absolutely no auto manufacturer offering the type of stripped down auto that she craves, that includes offerings from so called 3rd world auto makers, and I do not care how you decontent it, a Forester will never be farm implement.
Having said that I support her right to lobby for what you want, but also to realise when you have flogged a horse to death and let it go.
Cheers Pat.
Bob
cut it some slack .. she stated what she wanted and all you guys did was tell her why it was wrong to want it .... i agree with a couple of earlier postings ... if you thought it was tedious ... just ignore it ... you don't HAVE to have the last word just because it's primarily a male-dominated board ....
i have enjoyed being a part of these boards and have learned an AWFUL lot about my car from you guys ... i've even felt fairly well tolerated for my "off-beat" postings ... but did this discussion HAVE to fall to this level and take over this whole board??????
Brenda (repeating ... can't we all just get along? ... and I DO hope to see all you guys in chat tonight if I can remember to get there!!!)
As you all know, everyone is entitled to state their opinions/comments in the TH. However, when the discussion turns to personal jabs, then it is no longer constructive. You can disagree with someone without resorting to this type of exchange. And I think we are all aware that no matter how vehemently we argue an issue, you are not going to sway someone if they are strongly opposed to your way of thinking. All you can expect is to possibly enlighten them to how you came to that conclusion and possibly give them food for thought. None of us have the corner on what's the best for everyone.
SO, let's move on and be friends again.
<Pollyanna out>
Mark
Does this test incorporate how projectile(s) react to the design?
It seems like the newer body designs are magnet to projectile(s) kicked up from vehicles in the front. My '03 WRX as an example, the front bumper took some beating before I could get the clearbra on versus my '98 OB and '99 OBS [no clearbra] which shows no scars accept those that were self inflicted.
Ok what I'm getting at is, come up with designs that are slick and appealing but not stone magnets so they'll remain slick and appealing.
-Dave
Speaking of Hurricane Isabel, we have been without power since 9:00 PM last night, with no idea as to when it will be restored. Same with the cable. I'm only here because I ran an extension cord from my generator to my computer; clearly a stop-gap solution.
Bob
Steve
Personally, I think modern paints play a significant part in how prone a car is to rock chips. Today's paints seem much harder and more brittle. They're great at resisting environmental contamination and UV damage compared to old-style single stage paints, but the rock chips are a major issue.
I would love to see Subaru and other manufacturers address this since it seems so common now, and rock chips age a car very quickly.
Case in point I have two indentations in my front bumper were some ignorant yo yo tapped it in a parking lot, the indents are from his licence plate bolts but the paint is not broken at all.
Cheers Pat.
Mark
Subaru is starting to explore flat four diesel for European market, I thought I had read. Could future cars be globally produced and certified? Then I could special order this from Europe if marketing indicated not enough demand to stock dealer lots. Possible? Small aircraft diesel engines are being explored by Subaru right? ...or was that someone else. Possible joint venture w/ Isuzu (GM) like Honda European Civic or VW and DaimlerChrysler?
On another note, friend in Colorado love's his OB but would like to have bigger wheel wells to deal with snow packing.
Lookin' forward to y'all's feedback.
Now, can I take a crack at my dream mobile? I'll take a black Forester XS MT but with the STi's engine, moonroof, gray leather interior, heated and cooled power front seats, tilt and telescoping steering wheel with stereo controls, beefier rear sway bar, front strut tower brace, anti-dive suspension tuning and 17" wheels. Oh yeah, and bring back the cassette player ;-)
If Subaru were to offer the above for $30k, I'd buy it tomorrow!
-Frank P.
Here is a photo of a "soft wuss-mobile [that is not] real":
A picture is worth 1,000 words.
Any how, think about this: in a high-tech world, the Forester X seems pretty basic to me - steel wheels, mechanical AWD with no electo-nannies, mechanical suspension with no prone-to-fail air bladders, manual A/C, etc. Add rubber floor mats, rubber cargo liner, dog divider, ...
I've seen some selling for about $18,500 with freight included. That's for AWD, too. Not bad. The average new car is $24 grand, so the price is, at least, basic.
Let's try to make suggestions and allow others to make suggestions, and leave it up to Subaru to interpret what is do-able or not.
Perhaps Monica will get her wish if Subaru opens up a plant in South America and start to cater to less affluent folks in rural areas there. Of course it would probably have a 90hp diesel if that was the case.
My dad had a Toyota Land Cruiser in Belize, that had rubber floor mats, steel wheels with knobby tires, manual low range, 5 speed manual with a big 4 cylinder diesel engine! The cars exist, for UN-spec missions in 3rd world countries. Still, it had power windows, locks, and stuff. Economies of scale make it cheaper for Toyota to include that stuff. A/C is standard too.
-juice
Just out of curiosity, have you verified the authenticity of that photo? There seems to be a lot of funky pixel artifacts around the car, as if it's been blended into the background. But it's hard to tell with a low res image. Digitally manipulated or not, that's a pretty sweet image.
-Ty
Alan
98 OBW Ltd
-- put the cruise control activation switch on the steering wheel
-- putting a notch below "D" on the shifter
-- illuminate the window, lock, fog lamp and cruise control switches
-- though not of as high a priority, radion volume and tuning switches on the steering wheel would be nice.
Other than that, I think this car was an incredible bang for my buck!
Jon
One that is friendly to the user/owner and a Royal PITA to those who want to steal, not the other way around.
-Dave
-Dennis
Mark
2nd, we have an 02 Legacy GT wagon with keyless entry. It would be really nice to have the flashing parking light feature when locking or unlocking the door, like the security system has. I turned off the horn honk feature because it's a disturbance to the neighbors, and attracts too much attention. Many times when you push the lock button and the door is still unlocked, you can walk away without locking the car and not know it. If the lights would flash on lock and unlock, you would know it worked. That's a good feature of the security system.
-mike
-mike
I realize that pointing this out boarders on rudeness. Please forgive me. Can we move on now? :P
james