Subaru Crew: Suggestions for Subaru

1…1718202223…47

Comments

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'd settle for built-in booster seats. I think the 2000 Outback had them, not sure if they were popular or not.

    The 7 seater will be very much a family-friendly car, so I'd rather see the built-in boosters, which will get used quite often. Volvo's family wagons all have them.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    you have little ones, so 5-passenger seating is important to you. Myself, with two (almost) grown kids, I'd rather see the 4-seat version. I know my kids would agree too. :)

    Still, a built in booster seat is a good idea, for those who need that feature; no argument there.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'm not sure we'll see any reclining seat with increased rear-impact safety regs. We'll probably get fold-down armrests and maybe rear seat heaters.

    Maybe on the bigger platform that is on its way, that full-size sedan could offer things like that. IMO the Legacy is still too small for such a rear seat.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I didn't suggest reclining rear seats, although that would be nice, if it can be done on a vehicle the size of the Legacy. I mentioned them only in reference to what's being offered in larger SUVs and minivans, and to bolster my argument that rear/middle seat passengers don't have to be second-class passengers. Other carmakers have taken notice, so should Subaru.

    All I'm asking for is that Subaru offer a 4-passenger "GT" option like that offered on the Maxima.

    Bob
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    ... reclining rear seats like the G35 S? :)
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I didn't know it had reclining rear seats; but it's a bigger car than the Legacy, so it probably has the extra room to offer that feature.

    Oops! I take that back. I did sit in the back seat of a G35 at the NY auto show, and it did indeed have reclining rear seats. It's definitely a nice feature. If Subaru can find a way to make it work in the Legacy, I say go for it!

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Those have a very long wheelbase, just over 112". On a car that size you can do it. The Legacy is smaller.

    Maybe on the flagship sedan that will share the 7 seater's platform?

    The 7 seater's 2nd row should slide fore/aft. This was an improvement made to the Pilot, it makes the 3rd row more usable.

    I don't think Subaru's offering will be as big as a Pilot, maybe it'll be MDX sized. So that adjustment becomes important if you really want to use the 3rd row.

    -juice
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    What happened to the Forester's reclining rear seats?

    I agree on heated rear seats!

    -Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That stopped with the 2001 face-lift.

    -juice
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Juice- the 2000 OB has the built in booster seat. I know because I have it. While it has come in handy for transporting some friends from out of town, it also has a tendency to flop open after an abrupt stop.
       The good thing about it though- no middle head rest to block the view.

    Mark
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'm sure that's a design issue easily addressed. Not sure why Subaru abandoned the idea entirely.

    -juice
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    ... is a plus in my book. Especially if the rear tends to have limited head room due to it's design.
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    juice: "I don't think Subaru's offering will be as big as a Pilot, maybe it'll be MDX sized."

    Pilot and MDX are the same size, built on the same chassis. MDX has less useful cargo space due to angled rear glass.

    Hopefully I can get the baby settled long enough tonight to make part of the chat. He's more of a daysleeper, fussy at night.

    Ed
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That's kinda what I meant, the Subie will be more stylized if we believe current rumors. I hope I'm wrong, though, gimme a boxy rear, at least.

    -juice
  • merrycynicmerrycynic Member Posts: 340
    In the past I suggested that the crossbars be designed to fit in stowage area of the Impreza wagons. Now that I finished wiping snow from under/around them again, I wonder if they could stay mounted and swing under or out as needed. Useful when carrying, but a nuisance in the snow.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    This cold weather has just reminded me to again ask for heated steering wheels to be included as part of the AWP. :)

    Bob
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    They would have come in handy yesterday and today. Come to think of it, give me heated washer nozzles for the headlamps too.

    Ed
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Did yours freeze up, Ed? I've never had that happen. I'm curious because I don't want to ask for things that add cost and complexity if it's not addressing a real problem.

    -juice
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Add this to whatever you use. I use half the recommended amount and no probs!
    http://www.prestone.com/products/25.htm

    That should keep costs down. :-)

    -Dennis
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    I haven't gotten any frozen line probs., but I'm annoyed with my interior windows fogging up. The A/C don't seem to be helping. Just Defrost/Defogger wasn't doing much either, but heat on high with defrost/defog worked... man was I baking while stuck in traffic for 4 hrs on that Friday's Nor'easter.

    SoA could do better in that area :)

    -Dave
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Were the windows clean? How many people were in the car? With 4 people and a pup we don't steam the windows *that* much. What were you doing in that vehicle!? LOL

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    juice: My rear nozzle/lines freeze up regularly. I haven't switched to a winter formula yet, though.

    Dennis: Is that available at auto supplies stores in our area?

    Ed
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    juice-
    LOL... it's only me, myself, and I. With my GF with me, ALL the windows fog up and no hanky panky going on! :D Probably would rain inside if we tried anything ;-)
    Oh, the windows are clean. I'm trying out some anti-fog wipes which I applied yesterday and we'll see how it goes.

    -Dave
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Would add minimal cost and would be a real nice thing to have, VW has had this feature for many years on most of their model line.

      Cheers Pat.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Just use the winter stuff all the time. It's like $3 a gallon. Lifetime supply won't cost what heated washer heads do.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    doesn't help when you have funk on your hood or wipers covering the nozzles.

    -c
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Will take the heated washers every time thank you very much, on one of my Hondas I made up a little heat exchanger to heat the washer fluid it worked great.

      All I did was to wrap a length of 1/4" inch soft copper tube in a coil around the heater hose, then ran the washer supply through that, what could be more simple.

      Cheers Pat.
  • subkidsubkid Member Posts: 94
    hypov,

    make sure that your recirc button/motor works. Is there any chance that flap-door re directing air might be stuck in "recirc" position?

    K
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    K-
    how would I check that?
    Hope it doesn't entail taking the car apart ;-)

    -Dave
  • subkidsubkid Member Posts: 94
    I don't know, but you'll have to get creative. In very quiet surrounding, when recirc is pressed, you should be able to hear a sound of the door. It lasts a couple of seconds on my F(ignition key must be in ON position and engine off). Or, if you happen to drive anywhere near Calgary, and you recirc is stuck on "open", you'll know. If it is stuck on "close", you'd be just fine and won't even notice.

    K
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Thanks K :)
    I'll give the listening a try.

    -Dave
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Ed - I picked mine up from Wal-Mart.

    Dave - The flap door is pretty easy to hear on Impreza's (manual not electronic like Foresters/Legacy's). When you move it you can hear a slight thud.

    -Dennis
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Thanks Dennis-
    So that's what I've been hearing. Then the flap door is working fine.
    Guess I'm just hot and steamy ;-)

    -Dave
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    If you have a layer of snow/funk on your hood, you should remove it! Otherwise it flies off on to your windshield, or worse, the car behind you.

    That's a little pet peeve of mine, people that drive out without cleaning off their cars. The stuff that falls off melts, refreezes, and creates black ice all over the place.

    -juice
  • bsvollerbsvoller Member Posts: 528
    -juice: Agreed. Another pet peeve is people cleaning off a small peep hole front and back than driving off.

    Mandatory ticket with major points in my book, and I'll not apologize for my attitude either.

    Get a clue. You can't see!

    -brianV
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Inconsiderate jerks who do not clean snow off before driving piss me off too.

      Cheers Pat.
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Speaking of "Winterized" windshield washer fluid - how crazy is it to switch over to it? I would imagine you should drain the "blue" stuff first, or can you mix them? Although the stuff Dennis showed should be easier.

    Mark
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I'm convinced the current WRX will suffer in the sales department once the Saabaru 9-2x hits the streets. What can be be done to improve the WRX's chances here?

    1)
    Delete the AWP from the WRX Premium Package, and make it standard on all WRXs.

    2)
    Add the 17" wheel/tire package to the WRX Premium Package.

    3)
    Make the revamped Premium Package available on the WRX wagon, as well as the sedan.

    Bob
  • merrycynicmerrycynic Member Posts: 340
    Bob, I like the way you think. How about making the standard WRX euro brakes standard here too. I must say that a a 17" all season rubber option might be needed.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I've mixed them before. You can get some funky colors! LOL

    I think FHI should have forced Saab to make leather standard. Let it be the luxury cousin, with a correspondingly higher price. There's going to be too much overlap.

    So what's my point? Elimintae overlap with existing models. Differentiate lineups better.

    -juice
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    I agree Bob, but make the moonroof an option and not part of the entire package.

    Good point about the 4-pots too (although keep the increased cost in mind).

    -Dennis
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    but lose the RE92s tires. They aren't truely compatible with the current set up as it is.

    -Dave
  • rangnerrangner Member Posts: 336
    They need to make the 9-2X really upscale to avoid stealing business from SOA.

    Anyway, I think Bob had mentioned something about a subaru jeep wrangler competitor sometime ago.

    Well I think they ought to go for it. They need to pull Paul Hogan out of retirement and call it the Subaru 'Down Under' or 'Billabong' or something like that.

    Play with the rugged Australian image, and make it a true off-roader--maybe throw in a flat four diesel later. Don't mess it up with too much luxury like they did with the Baja, just make it cheap, reliable, and capable.

    Eric
  • merrycynicmerrycynic Member Posts: 340
    Dave, I believe that in addition to the four piston caliper front brakes the rest of the world gets duals for the rear brakes. Some markets get forged aluminum lower control arms too. In order: I'd love to get a front LSD and variable valve timing as well.
  • merrycynicmerrycynic Member Posts: 340
    Perhaps some kind of teflon or other nonstick surface could be applied to those areas such as wheel wells, wiper arms, etc., that are susceptible to gathering snow, ice or other debris.
  • leo2633leo2633 Member Posts: 589
    brian v. wrote: "Mandatory ticket with major points in my book, and I'll not apologize for my attitude either. Get a clue. You can't see!"

    brian and juice: you'll be happy to know that this is a major pet peeve of mine, too. We issue summonses for "Careless Driving" for this. A fine and 2 points here in New Jersey.

    Len
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    issue a summons? :)

    -c
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Colin- You issue a summons to an individual but the plural is indeed summonses. I agree that it doesn't exactly roll off the tongue :-)

    -Frank P.
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    bit of a tongue twister you would almost think a lisp was mandatory to say it properly:-)

      Cheers Pat
  • leo2633leo2633 Member Posts: 589
This discussion has been closed.

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.