Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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Comments

  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    And there you have it. What the low-range is simply a reduction box on the tailshaft of the tranny, right before the center differential. It's selectable obviously between 2 speeds.

    So I ask again, in vain of course, why did Subaru eliminate this feature? I know they couldn't continue on the way they were with the $20k (in 1988) XT and the $30k (in 1992) SVX, but come on people-- this particular component doesn't seem like a large cost savings.

    Perhaps they figured no one was using it anyway and thus no one would miss it.

    -Colin
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Husband and wife divorcing....of course, through the window behind the lawyer you see it snowing!

    What's a Honda Civic????

    BTW, was at the dealer today for my Sienna. Checking out the WRXs there while someone was picking up a new Forester. Life is good.

    Greg
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    The XT wasn't 20K the XT6 was 20K :) (minor but major detail) :)

    I think they originally eliminated it because of the AWD/4wd thing I'm not sure when they started putting them on the AWD models overseas.

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    is only available on 5-speed models, and no performance models like the WRX. And, yes, they are AWD.

    I'm with Colin on this. It just doesn't make sense not to offer it here. It's just one more item that helps separate Subaru from the competition.

    Bob
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    The low range is currently not only limited to 5-speeds but also for models with smaller engines. I don't think any of the 2.5, turbo or 6-cyl engines get them.

    Well, we got the Hillholder back so maybe if we keep asking...

    Ken
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    the dual range is available on the 2.5 too. 2.5 5-speed Legacys and Outbacks have them overseas.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    when the current generation Legacy/Outbacks debuted a couple of years ago, there was some discussion/debate here that North America would get a "wide-body" version?

    Well in comparing the new UK Outback brochure with the American Outback brochure, it's clear that our Outback has different front fenders with a more pronounced flair on the wheel cutout, thus adding a bit more width to the fender. So yes, we do have a slightly wider Outback and Legacy. Also, in comparing pictures from both the UK and American Outbacks, the front bumper skin is different as is all the lower body cladding. The UK model also gets blackwall tires, and a black grille, without any chrome surround.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    But that is just the fenders right? Track and interior width is the same?

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    appears to be the same; not sure about the track. We also get larger 225/60x16 tires, whereas the rest of the world makes do with the same size tire found on the Forester, 215/60x16. Perhaps that accounts for the slightly wider front fenders? Maybe, because of the larger tire, a little additional clearance is needed for full-lock steering?

    Bob
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Bob,

    You're right. The dual range is offered in the 5-speed 2.5 Lancaster and 2.0 Forester only.

    Ken
  • twrxtwrx Member Posts: 647
    "Planet 10!"
    "When?"
    "Real soon!"
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    I'm forwarding them on to our agency. Thanks for the chuckles!

    Patti
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    I think we eliminated the "low range" when we went from 4WD to AWD. It made the system seem more mainstream. That, and it wasn't something deemed "important" to U. S. customers.

    I'll share your post here with our Product Planning department so that they know you want it.

    Thanks!

    Patti
  • jeijei Member Posts: 143
    Patti -
    I think a Field / Utility package would sell on the basic "L" or "X" Forester that includes:
    - Low range on manual transmission, Trans oil cooler on automatic transmission
    - Differential guard, exhaust skid plate / protector and a real, metal skid plate at the front end.
    - Heated side mirrors (Should be standard across the line - GREAT in bad weather)
    - Full prewiring (7 pin lights + electric brakes) for a separate trailer hitch or towing package.
    - Good quality rubber floor mats
    = Another possiblity: separate option for a 115 Volt AC power supply / outlet, a la Toyota Matrix: Inverter and wiring for at least 15 Amps 115 VAC (enough for a real power tool). Should incude larger battery and alternator.

    Price it under the "S" or "XS"(?) model upgrade. It would provide a version for those of us who want the extra utility and all weather capability of heated mirrors, without the easily scratched painted side cladding. I love my '99 "S" but wince every time someone in a parking lot dings the cladding + know if I drive backwoods roads, it'll really scratch up.

    How 'bout it?

    John
  • chief1989chief1989 Member Posts: 19
    Baby-Baby-Baby...
    In the back woods of Oklahoma, a redneck's wife went into labor in the middle of the night, and the doctor was called out to assist in the delivery. Since there was no electricity, the doctor handed the father-to-be a lantern and said, "Here, you hold this high so I can see what I am doing." Soon, a baby boy was brought into the world. "Whoa there," said the doctor, "Don't be in such a rush to put that lantern down. I think there's another one coming." Sure enough, within minutes he had delivered a baby girl. "Hold that lantern up, don't set it down - there's another one!" said the doctor. Within a few minutes he had delivered another baby girl.
    "No, no! Don't be in a hurry to put down that lantern, it seems there's yet another one coming!" cried the doctor. The redneck scratched his head in bewilderment, and asked the doctor, "You
    reckon it might be the light that's attractin' 'em?"

    Have a great day,
    Chief
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    Consider your comments noted and forwarded! I see your point. Just so you know, I forward the feedback on to our Product Planning Dept., but I never really hear if or when things can be incorporated. When I hear, you'll hear!!

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

    Patti
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    Thanks for the morning chuckle! I could imagine Juice with surprise triplets!

    Patti
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    How about the following so US WRX owners do not have to buy from the UK and pay exorbitant prices and outrageous shipping:
    UK OEM WRX Mudflaps for wagons and sedans(these are made specifically for the WRX; not cutting of the front mudflaps)
    UK OEm Dog Guard for wagons
    UK OEM Wagon body kit (front and rear lips, tail spoiler, side pieces)

    WE WANT THE NICE STUFF!!!

    Yet another Serge
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Excellent idea! I really like the idea of a "Field and Utility" package.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I noticed that in the UK Subaru brochures, both "unbraked" and "braked" tow ratings are listed. IIRC, I think that's the case with other UK cars too, in that they list both tow ratings in their brochure. I wonder if that's a UK "disclosure" law, in that both have to be listed?

    In any case, I think SOA should do the same with their brochures. I think there is a lot of confusion out there as to what Subarus can "actually" tow. It would be good thing for consumers to know up front, what the towing capabilities are.

    It could also eliminate possible future litigation against Subaru by having those numbers in brochures, rather than buried in the owner's manual. Why? Because most people don't see the owner's manual until after they have bought the car. By then, it may be too late in that they bought the wrong vehicle for their towing needs.

    Patti, could you pass this thought onto your marketing folks? I really think this is valuable information that consumers should be aware of "before" the purchase, not afterwards.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Publishing the braked/unbraked tow ratings would put subaru at a disadvantage to other manufacturers who don't list braked/unbraked. Most vehicles require brakes on anything over 1000lbs for liability reasons. I wouldn't want to see subaru suffer because by disclosing too much info. If you have a question about towing before purchase it should be directed to the dealer you are purchasing from. If you are towing, you should be reading your manual, period, end of story. :)

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    unlike other car companies, is very up front with towing information (and restrictions) in all their Chevy truck brochures. I'm assuming they do the same with GMC and Cadillac too. They do not bury the "unbraked" towing restriction at all. Anybody who reads a Chevy truck brochure, and reads the the "towing page or spread" will have a very clear idea as to what to expect with their Chevy truck purchase.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    If there were triplets, I'd be stuck in a minivan. But nope, there is one - a Dave! ;-)

    New due date is July 21. That means I can't attend the races in DC that week, but who cares? I'll have a juice jr!

    More Forester awards:

    CR top pick for 3 years in a row, 1998-2000

    JD Power APEAL study winner, 2000

    C&D comparo winner, 1998

    Strategic Vision Total Quality winner, 1999

    IIHS offset crash test best in class (still tied)

    IIHS bumper basher - least damage 1998-2000, now 2nd

    RACT Best Car Awards (Australia)

    NRMA Award (Australia)

    There are tons of links here:

    http://www.amug.org/~kmartin/forester.html

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    discussing towing with a sales rep ahead of purchase, is often next to useless. More likely than not, you will get wrong information. At least that's been my experience. Again, another reason to get that information in the brochure. It's really just an aid to help the customer make the right decision.

    Bob
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    I have a suggestion for finding intelligent salesmen. Call the dealer ahead of time. Ask to speak to the new car manager. Tell him that you are interested in a new car but want to deal with a salesman who knows his product well. I promise you, the manager will know who to give your information to. He'll also follow up with the salesman and make sure you are satisfied.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    That's certainly a good idea, but it doesn't "fit" my style. I like to drop in, and don't want to feel pressured. Making an appointment, or calling to find a "qualified" salesman puts me more in a position of being considered a "serious" shopper, and I may not yet be at that stage. I often go to dealers just to get information, and nothing more.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I dunno Bob, you're asking a question you already know the answer to. Someone like you will do research on the web, despite whatever SoA's lawyers allow them to put in the brochure.

    -juice
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    David Teixeira... sounds good!
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    but there are few people like me (thank God!). ;) I'm just trying to look out for "normal" people...

    Am I missing something? Is juice a father again? I thought the baby was due this summer?

    Bob
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    I think Mrs. juice got an ultra-sound the other day...so they know it's a boy.

    Congrats, j and Mrs. j!

    KarenS
    Host
    Owners Clubs
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    on the apple! :)
    Congrat's Juice!

    -mike
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    As I mentioned last week, Edmunds rolled out new pricing pages. Along with this is a new "consumer ratings & reviews". This functionality lives in the "consumer opinions" area of the new vehicle detail page, and allows users to rate a vehicle on a number of different criteria (1 to 10 scale), as well as add his/her own free-form comments.

    If you have some time, we would really appreciate Town Hall members writing a review of their current auto, or a favorite make/model. It takes approximately a week for your review to appear on that make/model.

    If you have any questions, please let me know!

    Thanks!

    KarenS
    Host
    Owners Clubs
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Karen: but the review asks what year you own, and only 2002 is offered as a choice. I'd like to review my cars but all are older, and I don't want to lie about their age.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    congrats on yet another David...we hope things will go smoothly and that your wife doen'st wake up at 3AM and ask for a helping of rally bread!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yep. But a lot of what I write applies to the new models. Oh well, I'll write up reviews under the used section.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Well I flipped the plates and registerd the Red XT6! We'll see how it actually runs now.

    -mike
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Further to Serge's suggestions for making more UK accesories OEM for the U.S., don't forget to add the rear cupholder for the WRX.

    Stephen ordered one from Ace Kensington, IIRC.
    I'll be ordering one as well if it's not available when I get a Rex.

    Hey, if SoA wants to lose money to SoUK so be it. :-) I saw a Legacy at the RalliSpec meet with the UK OEM 17" WRX wheels and it looked sweet! (edit): Here's a link with the Legacy (pictures 15 & 43) http://members8.clubphoto.com/keitho425794/708550/guest.phtml

    Then there are the Prodrive accessories ...

    -Dennis
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    Lots of nice stuff across the pond!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Check out that slammed Forester! :o)

    Gimme dem wheels!

    -juice
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    You can have those wheels. I think they are hideous.
    :-)

    Ross
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You kiddin'? Those look like 18" Prodrives, in anthracite no less.

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Congrats to you and your wife, you must be over the moon to be having a son.

    Cheers Pat.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It's cool, I guess, I'd be happy either way.

    It's funny how many people assume all fathers want sons. I'm thrilled with a daughter and sort of expected another for whatever reason. I'm wrapped around our toddler's finger, totally.

    I guess it didn't matter, either way he or she would be helping me bleed the brakes in about 10 years. :-)

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Just got the annual auto issue of CR in the mail. The WRX is on the cover and is listed as winner in the "Most Fun" category. All Subies got "Recommended" ratings. They showed a picture of the new Forester, and called the redesign a "facelift."

    Also in the mail was C&D magazine. The new Forester got a blurb, and they mentioned that next year ('04) the turbo will be a 2.0 (not 2.5) putting out 217 HP and will do 0-60 in seven flat. Power begins at 2000 rpm, not 3000 rpm like the WRX.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    With all the emphasis on the newly tuned 2.0l turbo engine used in Japan, I'm not surprised. Actually, I sort of called it. Though I'd personally prefer a 2.5l LPT ready for chipping.

    But I think 7 flat is a little quicker than my wife's 626 is now, so that ought to be more than enough. Make it a 5 speed, XS Premium, any color.

    That'll definitely be on our test drive list. Let me know if you can access any early prototypes, Patti. :-)

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Finally dropped the "Not reccomended" for the Trooper and said they hadn't tested in since '96. They ripped the Mitsu Monteros. But had some facts wrong about the Montero Sport.

    -mike
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    juice, this will be child #2?

    I think the Forester will have plenty of room. That's her daily driver, you get the minivan for trips, and then when you get fed up with the minivan for daily driving you fire up the Miata.

    Problem solved!

    hah, I wish. :-D

    -Colin
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    when it comes here will probably be called the "XT," like it is in Japan.

    Wonder if this is the engine the turbo Legacy will also get? I hope the Legacy's is a 2.5, and not 2.0

    Bob
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