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Comments
Ken
Cheers Pat.
Here we go:
>May 17 will be the available date for "I" models of the Legacy in dealerships.
>From 1-2 weeks into June ALL Legacy & Outback Turbos will be at showing up at dealers.
>H6 will be available mid to late June
>All Legacy's w/ Auto will have the VTD
>Fully loaded GT sedan will be in the $28-$29k range (Sorry no info on the wagon but you can bet it'll be in that range as well).
>Base Legacy models will be in $25-$26k range (starting).
>7 Psngr. truck will be in NY Auto Show
>Navigation is 'in the talks' as an option for upscale models only
>OnStar on H6 models only
>No full size spare... at all!
>Baja will come in two models only: Sport & Turbo with Hard Rear Cover.
>B9 will not be shown in NY Auto Show because Subaru pulled the car to 'touch up' the design, as per feedback in Europe and Detroit (prior to public opening)
>No mention on Xenons as of yet (maybe option).
>7 Psngr. truck will have the 2-3-2 seat layout
>Warranty changes (better) are in the makes for the 2005 models because of new added safety features.
>7 Psngr. truck will have similar design to Lexus RX 300/330.
>March 9: All dealers will have info on specs, options & pricing.
I mixed up the info as they came... hopefully you'll catch them, otherwise reread
All I can say is that it was a informative and productive visit.
By the way, I'm 6'5" and fit in the Legacy Wagon, the interior space is the same on the Sedan so I'm happy I already placed my order... WOOOOOHHOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Hey Mark... thanks again for the ride!!! ;-)
I don't think I missed anything else, did I?
7-passenger at NY? Are you sure? All the info I've seen has been pointing at Detroit or Chicago next year.
Bob
Yes, I questioned this several times and was told the same thing. Possible reason is because they are not going to have the B9 there and they wanted to replace it with a possible concept or 'clay' model of the 7 Psngr to fill it's spot...
So... it looks like juice is paying NY a visit after all... LOL!
I have a 2002 Bean and fit all right. There is a little leg / steering wheel interference for me. Front passenger seat is not very comfortable -- not enough room in front of the seat before the floor slants up to the dash. I do fit much better in our 2003 Accord.
Bob
No problem on the ride. It was a lot of fun. BTW-Thanks for doing most of the work on changing the flat:-) You looked like a natural in the Legacy.
Bob- As Elm said, we were talking with one of the regional sales managers who informed us they will be showing the concept of the 7 passenger at the NY show. As for Onstar, all he said is the H6 gets it.
The Legacy looks fantastic! I can't wait till NY-hopefully they will have the GT and the Outbacks there so I can sit in both to compare. I am so confused! I must say that I definitely have an itch to "upgrade".
Just to clarify a couple of things some people had asked-
The Legacy GT does have the twin chrome exhaust.
No one at the show knew why the Legacy i had no roof rails- they are not sure if it is an option, or standard. I guess they'll know after the March dealers meeting
The regional rep had no knowledge of stopping the Baja production. As Elm said, it will be going to only the Sport or Turbo, but it does get a hardcover now.
Sweetsubie- The regional rep did say he heard "serious talk" about NAV systems going into the high end. He did say that they won't know ubtil their meeting in March. I guess we will have to wait until then to confirm what is what.
All in all a very productive trip. The people we spoke with were very nice, and spent quite a bit of time talking with us.
Mark
-Dennis
Bob
Still, that's good news.
To me it sounded like NAV is on the way, Eric from SoA hinted at that. But I wonder if enough people will buy it. They dropped the MacIntosh for instance, due to cost.
The video game rumor about the possible future Impreza is interesting. I think the design is not finalized yet, and this would be an interesting way to test reactions. The pics are so fuzzy, who knows.
Good news about the towing. I'd be surprised if the H6 can tow more than the OB XT, given the XT gets bigger brakes and more torque, plus shorter gearing. It would seem to be better suited, for maybe 3500 pounds?
Craig: nice work on the chart.
3.0R - what does the R stand for anyway? Rally? All their rally cars are turbocharged, the H6 is all about quiet refinement. The label seems completely ridiculous to me, it would be better without it.
-juice (making plans for NY...)
I don't see how I can justify $25-$26K range for base Legacy when I want to buy one. There are many other better choices in that range.
Alland
Closest I can think of is the Audi A4 1.8T, add heated seats and Quattro and you're talking $30k.
Keep in mind that's MSRP, you're talking probably $22k for a base sedan, street price. Compare to the TMV of the Audi and you save $7 grand with the Subie.
-juice
Either way, if those numbers are correct, pricing on the Legacy (and OB?) now start where the Forester range (XT) ends, and I can stop cross shopping between the models.
An added complication for me is that all this assumes the the price conversion between US and Canadian models stays roughly the same...so will wait it out a bit longer.
I don't expect them to cost the same.
-juice
Cheers Pat.
So, my question is when the dealers will have information. If the new models are going to start tricking in around mid-May, shouldn't dealers have option/pricing info at least a few weeks in advance?
I called my local dealer and the told me that they (dealers) are always the last to know because Subaru wants them to focus on clearing MY04 inventory. Makes sense. Unfortunately, the public has already started a mental switch to MY05.
Ken
I heard the dealers would have ride-and-drives in the new Legacy in August. That's where they comparison drive it next to competing vehicles.
By then everyone here would have test driven one already.
-juice
Bob
There is a definite "upscale/nicer" feel to the 05's. That, coupled with the improved standard safety features, make this a serious contender.
Mark
-juice
I love it when I'm standing there explaining to a rep on how things work on our Subies and why it's better than the competition!
Ken
The base i model that was shown to us had Auto, leather, moonroof, CD Changer Dual Climate and a couple of other goodies. We were pointed out that this particular model would be in the $25-$26k range.
So if you're going for a 'No Holds Bar', strip model, then we're looking at $23-$24+k.
nowakj66- I'm 36 inseam as well but I guess I'm well proportioned all around ;-)... heheheee.... annnyyyywwaaayyyyyy... I was very impressed with the legroom on the driver's side, though the passenger side still had mixed feelings. It did have an improvement but not a major one. It would definitely be uncomfortable after a 1-2 hr. ride. Since I won't be on the passenger side, then it's all good :-D
Got pics of the dual NON-chromed tipped exhaust. Only the 2.5i was not roped off. Sitting in it feels very similar to my Outback, but you feel a bit more upscale in it as well as it feeling a bit bigger. Doors close solidly even with the window down. The moonroof is gigantic. XT is the only model where the clading color matches the body color.
more later...
-Brian
Craig
techies, pls explain what this means ?
There were a few problems -- the engine wasn't all that smooth. There were a number of times when, whenever I would slow down, I'd feel a solid "whump" as though the transmission was hunting for gears or the engine was trying to cope with what I was asking of it. Then, just a second or two before the car would stop, I'd feel another, smaller "whump" as it pulled to a rest. Not being a mechanic, I can't identify what was going on, but I know it was annoying, puzzling and definitely not normal.
Another source of irritation was the automatic transmission gearshift lever and shift pattern. It required an awful lot of stirring, pushing and pulling to get it engaged in the gear I wanted. This is an irritant I've encountered on other cars, too, such as Jaguar, with its antiquated "J" pattern for its floor mounted gear shift.
OK - Imagine you are slowing down from high speed. At any time during this deceleration, you might want to suddenly begin to accelerate again. Naturally, you would want the transmission to be in the right gear so that you could take off immediately. You wouldn't want to wait for it to downshift from 4 to 2 or 1 in order to begin.
Behind the scenes, that is what your automatic is doing. You might do something similar if you were driving a stick. And if you weren't terribly skilled at matching engine revs to gearing, you might indeed feel a kick as you sequentially downshifted and released the clutch each time.
When in deceleration mode the throttle valve is closed, & your tranny is transitioning thru the gears, but at a greatly reduced fluid pressure. The torque converter lock has probably disengaged, the convertor is acting like a drag brake rather than a high efficiency coupling, valve body is 'relaxed'. Usually you don't feel much engagement until it drops all of the way down to 1st gear, and then usually only a very muted 'push'.
In the case of this test car, there could be problems. Electronic transmission controls, fluids regulator, etc., could all be raising pressure to the point that the evaluator could indeed feel each downshift.
Steve
Sorry to hear about your Dad. I hope everything is okay, and our prayers are with you. This, on top of your wife and son. Hope they are feeling better. Take care of your self.
As for the quality of the 2.5i, there is a world of difference between this "base" model, and the base OB that I have from 2000. There is nothing "base" about this vehicle anymore, in my opinion and it is definitely worth the sticker price they are talking about. Again, we'll have to wait until March to know definitive published prices.
Mark
I wonder if the SportShift tranny does a better job at matching revs. At least the tranny is getting in the right gear for no-hesitation acceleration at any speed. That's better than being smooth to shift but hesitating when you need to get moving.
bigelm: hope your pops bounces back quickly.
-juice
-Dennis
Bob
How dark was the tint? It's hard to tell from photos. Is it as dark as, say, a Grand Caravan's tint?
Also, what about seat height. Do you just slide over into the seat, step up, or step down into it?
Finally, what kind of presence did it have? Were there crowds around it? Did it look and feel beefy?
-juice
Dad duties called last night, hopefully I'll get my pics up tonight.
-Brian
-juice
Cheers Pat.
Greg
--Sal
Ken
Lots of coverage on the Detroit show. No mention of the new Legacy.
What's up with that!?
The closest thing to a production Subaru was the 9-2X -- which made it into all three pubs.
Ken
Ken
-Dennis
I thought that would finally change, but nope. Outback is getting plenty of coverage after Chicago. Remember how little the Legacy got?
-juice
Greg
I'd like to see some "Short Take" on the GT. I dying to hear some real world driving reviews.
Having worked with the press, I totally know how difficult it is to change their perception and focus. SOA clearly was trying with the Legacy launch with all the build up, but I guess it still gets shadowed by the model that pulled the company out of the red.
Ken
Bob
Yeah, I'm trying the EasyShare software that came with the camera this time to 'adjust' the photos. In the past I've used Photoshop, but my old Sony just had a natural favoritism to blue regardless.
-Brian