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Comments
Patti
Interesting auto observation: Someone had brought a new VW Passat wagon with NJ tags onto the island for the week. It looked like your garden variety Passat except that it was badged "R32." Now it's my understanding that R32 refers to a hot 3.2l V6 Golf variant now available in Europe (I saw one at Bologna last December). That powerplant is scheduled to make its way into the Audi TT soon as well. I wonder what the story is on the car I saw?
Ed
Dunno -- maybe it was a conincidence? That's like seeing a Legacy with WRX STi on it's plates.
But yes, the R32 is a Golf variant and it's actually on sale (or soon to be) in the US. Same 3.2L V6 powerplant.
Ken
Bigger question that may belong in another forum (probably that "going upscale" one): If VW continues moving upscale, would they consider bringing the Skoda or Seat nameplates here to fill the void?
Ed
Gimme a boxer any day. ;-)
-juice
Ed
I was irritated to see a Subie look-a-like because the uniqueness is one of the perks of owning a Subie!
Don't copy my Subaru!
Rebecca
You saw a Suzuki Esteem wagon with the "Outback Copy Cat Package", i.e. two tone. Edmunds tested one IIRC, they even pointed out how much it looked like an Outback.
The attempt was half-hearted - no AWD, no extra power, just a plain Esteem wagon with all the dressings.
-juice
The most laughable imitation is Kia's little add-on "sport" package to make their compact sedan look like a WRX.
Ken
So - I salute and thank you all!
Patti
DaveM
Jon
I guess Lance is bringing in some new customers, sure didn't hurt that he won the Tour, eh?
I have an out-of-town guest today and will likely miss the chat, but here is my mandatory reminder to Bob not to forget! ;-)
-juice
I hope to contribute to the sales figures soon! Can you have them rush over the Legacy turbo so I can make my mind up sooner? ;-)
Ken
Have fun Juice. We'll try to struggle by without you.
Patti
-Dave
I'm a bit surprised. When the Baja was launched in the USA, Bob (I think) asked how it would go if sold in Australia. I was not confident that it would make a big impression. Now GM Holden have launched a twin cab Commodore Ute with either a 3.8l V6 or 5.7l V8. Could be quite interesting. The SS version is full on with leather and all the goodies.
http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/action/modeloverview?modelid=- 23002&navid=1
Maybe Subaru have some mileage for the Baja down under after all.
Cheers
Graham
Keep in mind Australia has a long history of selling car-based utes, unlike the United States. Yes, we had the Ford Ranchero and the Chevy El Camino, as well as the Subie BRAT (Bumbry down under), but for the most part, those vehicles are ancient history. It's been 20 years, or there abouts, since they've been sold here. Now, when people think "pickup truck," more than likely a full-size Ford F-150 or a similar truck comes to mind. Even small trucks sold here are thought of before the Baja—because they are "trucks," and not "cars."
I think the Holden is probably more "capable" in terms of doing work than the Baja. It probably has a higher payload/towing rating, I would think. The bed (tray) seems longer. Even so, I still think the Baja & Baja turbo would have a better than even chance of success in Australia. It will be interesting to see if Subaru of Australia (and Subaru of New Zealand) put a Baja on display at some future car show, to test public reaction.
Bob
I'm beat, just 4 hours of sleep!
-juice
Bob
Sorry I had to check out early. My daughter remembered (20 minutes before the store closed) that she needed a new calculator. Strange - the 10 minute drive to the store only took me 5 minutes in the STi? I wonder why??
Patti
-juice
-Dave
Bob
He actually seems to get a lot of pleasure from my having fun. He's always been good that way. He's not thrilled with the attention the car gets from strangers that come up and talk to me in it though. I think he believes there's stalkers everywhere. I try to tell him that it's unusual for someone to stalk a car, but....
Patti
Wanna trade for the weekend? :-D
-Dennis
I have to admit, I saw an STi on the highway earlier in the week, and was following it around like a puppy.... tongue hanging out too!
Craig
Craig - I love the folks that are following me and chatting with me about it. It's so much fun. I have turned down the offers of racing though - responsibility and all....
Patti
Do you rev the STi up at stoplights anyway, just to drive the streetracers crazy?
There should be a warning sticker on the STi: "Vehicle may attract unwanted awe and admiration".
Ken
Patti
(Incidently I have my car oil sprayed every yerar so it is probably better protected than it ever was.)
,
Well I am royally ticked, not at the recall, stuff happens but, they want the car left for a whole day, but offer no loaner, the best offer I got was shuttle ride home, this is acceptable if I leave the car for service, but it is hardly my fault if the subframe was not painted properly in the first place.
I think Subaru of Canada should pick up the cost for a loaner in this situation, but then I have found the quality of customer service from Subaru of Canada sucks compared to Subaru of America.
Canadian Subaru owners need an advocate like Patti pulling for them.
(Rant over)
Cheers Pat.
Greg
We'll have Lana's car done soon, our dealer told us you had to leave it overnight to dry?
Aye, aye, we got the estimate for that hit-and-run damage my sister's Forester suffered: $1300! I still haven't seen it, but it's more than just damaged cladding, I think the door sill was damaged. Dad is deciding what to do, still, you don't want a claim at that young age.
I'll keep you guys posted.
-juice
Greg my dealer says Subaru is out to lunch, in order to do it right it takes about 3 hours to clean and apply the new sealer plus drying time of a couple of hours.
Cheers Pat.
Jon
Steve
I'm working with the Fitz Subaru on getting some sort of discount, since we've bought 4 cars from them already, and I talked my dad into getting it fixed. Looks like they'll help out a little and we'll chalk it up to a learning experience.
It's not worth an insurance claim, for a teenager that's a mess, I'm sure her rates would go up by $500 per year for the next 3 years, that's more than the damage even before the deductible.
Steve: I think some friends of mine might have been at that same wedding, was the groom Jason?
-juice
Still, we had two out-of-town visitors coming for weddings, both in Virginia. I must've missed the Memo, that is was Virginia's Official Wedding season, or VOW.
-juice
Craig
-Brian
Greg
-mike
Jim
Jon