Subaru Crew - Future Models II

paisan

That's news to me. Here in MA, aftermarket installs are covered by insurance as long as they are installed in the location where the OEM would've installed it.

I can't speak for MA but in NY/NJ you will get an OEM stereo replacement if your aftermarket one was stolen unless you have a rider on your policy for the specific stereo, in other words if you let them know I have XYZ aftermarket GPS/Stereo that costs $3k, they note it on your policy and charge you a nominal fee. Same goes for engine swaps, if you own a Mustang LX 4cylinder and your car is stolen, you get the money for the LX not the 5.0 with the supercharger you swapped into it.

-mike

paisan

Same theory as why Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are the most stolen vehicles, not because they are great cars, or expensive, but because there is such a high demand for the replacement parts from them....

It is because Toyota Camrys and Honda Accords last for ever and once they get up in years, some components will need to be replaced, which leads to the stolen car syndrome. Also, the sheer sales volumes (over a 1/2 million plus ?) is a factor too - thus needing more replacement components.

If you notice, the cars stolen are not late model Accords/Camrys but those that are several years old.

Yes, exactly the point I was making, the demand for Subaru stereos would be minimal at best due to the sheer small volume of the cars sold that would need replacement parts (stolen replacement parts that is).

-mike

paisan

You mean the combination locks on Fords had a static set of numbers from the factory, and not user settable/changeable ? If so, then that is a serious flaw !

Not sure if they gave you the combo that the customer used, or if it was a master-override combo for the VIN of the vehicle. The guy in for Grand Theft Auto didn't go into that much detail with my dad.

-mike

robr2

I can't speak for MA but in NY/NJ...

Well your original post didn't say in NY/NJ - it sounded like a blanket statement.

Well he in MA, you better have receipts or else you won't get reimbursed. They also depreciate aftermarket installs.

As for what they actually cover, it is only what would be installed in an OEM setup. If you replace the head unit and install it where the OEM was - fine. Mount it elsewhere - not fine. Install subs in the trunk? Not covered under standard policy unless that is where the OEM would mount subs. If the OEM doesn't mount subs, you're SOL. In dash DVD? If the OEM doesn't offer one - not covered under standard policy.

paisan

I made a blanket statement because in all the states I've dealt with folks in (and that's most) that's how it is, where aftermarket isn't covered unless you state it on the policy before hand.

-mike

rsholland

...shows that the Outback Sport lives.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showpost.php?p=18089875&postcount=179

Bob

ateixeira

VDC standard, too.

So only the Tribeca and the Outback Sport have that.

paisan

VDC is actually std on all but the base model imprezas.

-mike

rsholland

What Mike said, plus no NAVI option, which I find surprising.

Bob

paisan

maybe they are finally making the Navi a stand alone option.

-mike

ateixeira

Yes, but once again Subaru packages a safety feature with the Premium package only.

Gotta pay to be safe? Not a good strategy.

Honestly, they have to stop talking about safety in their commercials until they make all this safety standard. :sick:

paisan

huh?

It's standard on all the imprezas except for the BASE MODEL. No offense but by them offering a BASE MODEL it cuts costs for folks who don't feel they need that in it. According to that chart only the 2.5i aka BASE MODEL doesn't have VDC. OBS and WRX both have it across the board.

-mike

paisan

I'll correct myself on the Navi, looks like Navi is only on the top models in each group and not available at all on the OBS.

-mike

ateixeira

Base yes, but the one that has it also has the Limited package. So they group together safety with luxuries like 6CD and leather.

What if you want a base model with all the safety features?

Get an OBS, I suppose.

paisan

Bingo, you can still get the non-turbo model with the VDC. It's all about packaging efficiency and production costs. The new line up looks good, with less "packages" which should help keep costs down. I'm suprised there is no WRX version w/o VDC though, should prove interesting for racing.

-mike

rsholland

...as to why the OBS isn't offered with NAVI is because the NAVI roof antenna might interfere with the OBS's roof rack and/or cargo being carried on the roof rack.

Bob

paisan

Possibly, but I doubt it, I think it's probably a cost thing.

-mike

aaykay

Isn't a "WRX without VDC", a "WRX with VDC" with the VDC button turned off ?

paisan

I'm fairly certain even when turned "off" there is still input from VDC, it just changes the parameters a bit. Also for racing purposes, the VDC unit etc will still need to stay intact and you will take extra points for having it in the "stock" car. Not the end of the world though and I rather see it in there than not available.

-mike

nippononly

the early news releases saying the new OBS would have late availability - like a year late? It doesn't look like that is the case any more? We might see it in the fall at the same time as the new WRX?

I am verrrry interested to see it in person.

rsholland

I was merely passing on a rumor that was obviously incorrect.

I'm sort of sorry that the OBS is returning. I just don't see how a 2-tone color scheme will work (well) on this car.

Bob

ateixeira

Yeah, I don't see any Outback as a hatchback. Outbacks (even Sports) were always wagons.

rsholland

http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/2805

kate5000

Also, the base models no longer have gray steel wheels, but rather black wheels with full wheel covers



why oh why

nippononly

OK, you guys have me intrigued. Your remarks mirror those in the press regarding the change of the Impreza from "hatchback" to "wagon" in the new model.

I look at the pics, I look at the specs, I see no difference whatsoever. It was silly to call the old Impreza 5-door a "wagon"; it has always been a hatchback. My '97 OBS was a hatchback; that's what I thought it was and that's what all my friends thought it was. It did not have the space of a wagon with its truncated roofline and heavily sloped rear window.

And for the new OBS I would like to see more differentiation than just a two-tone color scheme. Can I hope for more? I would like a suspension that is raised a bit from the base Impreza, with higher-profile tires. How about a standard limited-slip?

rsholland

Both the new Impreza sedan and 5-door share the same longer wheelbase. The 5-door has less rear overhang, and is about 1.5" shorter than the current Impreza. The 4-door is about 5" longer than the current model. Both models are about 2" wider than the current model.

In fact, the '08 Impreza sedan has a wheelbase and overall length of about a 1/2" less than an '95-era Legacy, yet is 2" wider than that older legacy.

Bob

ateixeira

Perhaps they made the Impreza hatchback shorter to differentiate it more from the Forester. I just hope they make the Forester practical-sized.

saedave

I look at the pics, I look at the specs, I see no difference whatsoever. It was silly to call the old Impreza 5-door a "wagon"; it has always been a hatchback.

However, for some insurance companies "wagon" earns a 40% discount on the premium (State Farm among others). I hope "hatchback" will fare as well.

samiam_68

- Longer wheelbase by 3-4" (New Impreza Platform)
- Overall length up by 3-4" (2" more in the back seat area)
- Width up by 1-1.5"
- Height up by 0.5-1"
- Weight gain less than 100 lb
- 5 speed auto with sport-shift optional on all models
- 5 speed manual on NA and 6 speed manual on turbo models
- 2.5 NA motor with 190-200 hp and 20/28 EPA MPG (new EPA std)
- 2.5 turbo motor with 250 hp and 19/26 EPA MPG (new EPA std)
- SI Drive standard on turbo models
- VDC standard on all models
- Trip computer standard
- MUCH IMPROVED climate control (optional)
- Voice controlled NAV system (dash-top pop-up like Volvo) (optional)
- Power driver seat with memory (optional)
- Power passenger seat (optional)
- Outside heated mirrors (standard) with memory (optional)
- Heated wipers front and rear - standard
- IMPROVED comfort seats and seatbelts
- Tilt and telescopic steering wheel
- Elbow supprt seat-attached arm rests (like CRV)
- Rear seat flip down center arm-rest
- Homelink (optional)
- Dual sunglass holders with optional sunroof
- Side and curtain airbags - standard
- Separately opening rear hatch glass
- Lower profile cross bars
- 17" Yokohama Avid H4S (NA) and V4S(turbo) all-season tires
- Full-size spare
- Bigger gas tank (17-18 gal)
- Pricing - current cars are overpriced and selling at big discounts, keep MSRP similar to current. With these improvements, the car will sell for very close to MSRP

Subaru - are you listening? I WILL buy this car if you build it...

ateixeira

That is a quite a list. I'd be happy with half of those things.

I may be in line right behind you, given the 08 Tribeca's cloth seats aren't heated.

once_for_all

you missed it...if there is no diesel, I keep my 2003 model.

You gotta have a diesel on there.

Diesel is 10% cheaper right now here in CA, and with a 25% bump in mileage, I would easily pay $1000 more for a diesel option.

John

erics6

Yep. No replacement for my Forester until I get the diesel.

ateixeira

I won't disagree.

If they only offer a gas engine in 2009, we may not wait, but if the diesel and gas engines arrive on the same date, I'd probably opt for the diesel, too.

And that's the plan, i.e. wait for the Forester. We picked up a Sienna last night. :surprise:

kate5000

(gasping for air)

We picked up a Sienna last night
you didn't, did you? :surprise:

what happened to Tribeca plan?

kate5000

why is the whole forum infested with those silly icons that take me to the sites that are irrelevant?

ateixeira

I answered in the most detail in the Cafe thread, check it out.

Thing was, I was the only one of the 4 of us that wanted the 'beca. I could see my wife was cringing, biting her tongue. She was being cool about it, but she was clearly in favor of the van.

That's not even it, though. You had to have seen the kids' reaction to the van.

Wow, check it out! There's so much space! My friends can fit in here. Can we get a movie?

And the Tribeca plan included 10-15% better fuel mileage in the forecasts, which didn't happen. Then the $1200 price drop also didn't happen, because they took out content (heated seats from the base model). And that feature was just what I've been wanting all along - heated seats!

I was trying to sell the wife on the "content" angle, but that back fired because the things I wanted aren't on the new base model.

I had to compromise - a little with the Sienna, a lot with the Tribeca. Remember, I don't have to drive the van to work, so it's hard to buy a much smaller vehicle based on it being more fun to drive when you have a Miata!

caliberchic

Those Icons are for Digg, Del.icio.us, stumbleupon, netscape and addthis. You can click those icons to promote a post as something you find useful, interesting, or just plain worthy of others knowing about. They are a permenant fixture to the forums now.

bkaiser1

I have no idea what you just said...

alpha01

Are there instructions around this? I used to be on edmunds.com all the time, but don't have so much free time anymore for posting - just reading. What does "promote" a post mean?

Joe

qbrozen

you aren't alone.

edmunds isn't exactly the stomping grounds of 8-year-olds who use myspace and can text message from their phone at 50 wpm. I'll just have to opt to ignore the icons.

paisan

Essentially those sites are dumping grounds for posts and articles from msg boards on the internet. By "digging" the posts they will show up there and others who aren't on Edmunds can then check em out. The more people who dig an article/post the higher up it goes on digg. At least that's what I've heard of it. So it's a way to direct traffic to a particular post/article.

-mike

alpha01

Interesting point you make about the enthusiast forums, but you'd be surprised re demographics.... I'm 25, have a myspace account, iPod, looking to buy a Crackberry... etc.

I just am not familiar with that concept of post promotion.

~alpha

paisan

Myspace? ugh

Ipod and Crackberry I think are 25-40 range things.

-mike

ateixeira

CrackBerry here, too. Big time.

Bluetooth headset, MP3 player, as a modem, e-mail, calendar, voice, games, everything.

How 'bout BlueTooth support for future Subarus? At least the GPS points-of-interest (to dial a restaurant, for instance).

rblnr

Anyone see the new ad w/the guy in the field talking about environmental issues, then panning to reveal the Subaru factory, talking about how it's greenest in the country?

Wondered who the ad was for in the first half -- shocked to find it was Subaru. A coherent branding message, telling a story that should be known. 'bout time.

aaykay

A minivan is a very very versatile people mover. People denigrate the van but only the ones who own a van would understand how much of a swiss-knife it can be. Drop the seats down and you have a cavernous cargo area (150 cubic feet), raise the seats up and you have a REAL 8-seater.....not the pseudo "7-seater" designation that several small SUVs have been sporting.

I have an Odyssey EX with NAV/RES and would have difficulty parting with it. Now after crossing 41,000 miles, it is like old wine - getting better with age. The cylinder deactivation is phenomenal and has been yielding mileage in the 29-33mpg range on the hwy (EPA - 28mpg hwy) and 18-20mpg in the city (EPA - 20mpg city)....remember this is not a sub-compact by any stretch !

xwesx

Ah, that sounds very nice (gas mileage). I will definitely have to keep that in mind for our next one, even though I typically find Honda's styling to be quite hideous. Despite its horrible appearance, I actually considered the Ridgeline during my last purchase just because if its practicality, but the wife would have none of it.

caliberchic

Same here, 28, Myspace, XM Radio/Mp3, PDA Phone, etc and until recently I didn't know of those sites either.

These sites allow users to add media(posts, articles, videos, pictures, etc.) to share with other users, discuss the topic and rate it in popularity which in turn increases exposure.

Say you post something important here in the forums, if you promote your post and other members of that site rate it well it will increase in popularity and will gain more readers.

It will help direct traffic back to Carspace/Edmunds as well.

ateixeira

We drove it to the beach. I'm using my CrackBerry as a modem - free internet access at the beach! :shades:

Van's been great. When we got it the average mileage was 13, idling around mostly I guess. It has crept up to over 21 mpg and I've only used half the gas tank so far. I can't use cruise (break-in period) so can't say what it'll do steady-state, but at 65 revs are so low I'm sure it will do great.

The movie player we installed works great. We got a 12.1" Jenson system (does size matter? LOL), and it is AWESOME. I want to sit back there with the kids!

It has 30 games built-in with a game controller included (just one, though). When a movie is interrupted, it goes back to where it left off. It also adds a dome light, which is a nice bonus.

It does block the rear view mirror about half way, but if I'm backing up, I can look back and it doesn't interfere with the view at all.

It has 2 wireless headphones and FM modulation if we all want to hear it. This thing is very cool.

I also bought a 2nd Garmin NAV, a c340 this time. I'll review that in the GPS threads.

rblnr: I heard about those ads, my wife saw them and really liked them. I haven't seen it yet. Can't wait.

kate5000

which are GPS threads? I'm looking for GPS too, wanted to check'em out...