Subaru Crew - Future Models II

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Comments

  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    "Baja" will be the name. Someone mentioned that before. My gut feeling is that they are right. It makes a good counterpoint (and partner) to "Outback."

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Bob,
    Don't forget the the roof rack loads set in the united states are not dictated by engineers anymore. They are dictated by the lawyers and the sue happy public. I personally don't like the X-terra, but it is probably not a physical limitation. Every roof rack on a US sold car is 100-300lbs less than it's overseas counterpart. Because idiots here would load up the roof rack with 500lbs of luggage, then proceed to do 85mph on the interstate and take an exit ramp at 65mph causing a rollover. Then sue the manufacturer of the vehicle.

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I don't know if you're aware of this, but Mercedes is going to be importing Unimogs here, and will be sold as Freightliners.

    When this was announced last winter, all the "greenies" freaked because they thought it was going be DC's answer to the Ford Excursion!

    Yeah, right, an SUV with a 26,000 GVW (the same as a Ford F-650). The Unimog has often been referred to as a 4WD tool—not a truck, but a tool.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I agree. My point is, because it looks like it can handle 500 pounds, there will be some folks who will try and do that. Nissan is teasing, if not downright inviting folks to do so, because of the way it's styled.

    Land Rover offers some truly HD roof racks that are much more to my liking.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I'm gonna be putting an ECB rack on mine eventually. Over there they also sell camper kits that fit on the racks so you can camp on top of your SUV! The ECB ones have 7mm mesh netting and can generally hold around 500lbs :)

    -mike
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Bob: then how did those older Unimogs get here - gray market? I smell a web search coming on.

    I agree that they are definitely not something you'd use as a daily driver, unless you were in heavy industry or the military.

    Ed
  • FrankMcFrankMc Member Posts: 228
    so much information so soon. For example the new Ford Thunderbird has been talked about so much, that when it actually shows up it seems to me like "old news". I think Subaru has a better marketing strategy with a much shorter time between the previews and the actual product.

    Frank
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Bob, I have a feeling you're right. I'll bet the Subaru Crew was "out-scooped".
    -Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I like the idea of letting Thule or Yakima design the roof rack. I'm sure lots of people would rather have round cross bars instead of what comes standard.

    paisan: you ought to post links to that for each model in the appropriate thread (CR-V, Forester, etc). Just mention they are available.

    I've always thought the concept of a roof-mounted tent was cool. The Disco has the option, though it carries a ridiculous price tag.

    Power seats? I sort of doubt it. Impreza didn't get them, for example.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I'm sure the existing Unimogs were brought over either via the "gray market," or by private owners. They were never "officially" imported here until now.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I can see movers and landscapers buying them up.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    now offered in Oz. Think we'll see it here?

    Bob

    http://www.autoweb.com.au/id_HYU/doc_hyu0111211/article.html?src=newreleases
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    If they bring it here, I'm all over that!

    4wd Lo
    AWD system
    Frame
    3 rows of seats
    Same size as my trooper
    and most importantly! IT"S BOXY!!!!!

    Where do I put my deposit?

    -mike
  • jimmyp1jimmyp1 Member Posts: 640
    free time (for trips to the dealer) before putting down that deposit. :)

    Jim
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    we may see a concept of the GM/Subaru dual-venture car at Detroit...

    Bob

    http://TheCarConnection.com/index.asp?article=4470&sid=176&n=156
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    I can't help but laugh at the name. The website says 'Terracan' "is a fusion of 'terra', Latin for land, earth or terrain and 'khan', Turkish or central Asian for ruler or king as in Genghis Khan..." I know Hyundai's reputation has gotten better but I read 'Terracan' as Latin for "container that will rust away into the earth."

    I like the looks - dare I say it looks a lot like a Toyota FJ80 or a pumped up '02 Forester with a sport grille? Much better looking than the lumpy Santa Fe.

    Ed
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That's hilarious, as I read it I was thinking "low budget Trooper" the whole time. I believe those prices translate into about $19-23k, extremely competitive.

    It doesn't really have anything ground breaking, though. The V6 isn't overly powerful, and 0-60 is only so-so.

    4 wheel disc brakes are a plus, and the warranty. But it's not really what US buyers are demanding from an SUV nowadays.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Bob: the 2005 SUW is supposed to use the GM Epsilon platform, that article says it's a Subaru AWD platform. We'll have to wait and see.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    That is exactly what I like. Boxy, ABS, AWD, Low-range, med sized power, solid rear axle, off-roading. Also my dad's hyundai sonata is pretty decent, no major repairs yet.

    I don't want ground breaking in my truck, the worst thing is to have some ground breaking technology break 100 miles from civilization! :)

    -mike
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    I have to agree with your sentiments entirely, I am a big fan of the KISS.( keep it simple stupid) theory myself.

    Cheers Pat.
  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    TerraCan = can of dirt?

    So who's the lucky winner if it really is Baja? Who guessed that?

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I think "Baja" was one of several dozen names tossed around here, but it was another source that claimed it to be 'the' name. I imagine it was a leak.

    -Colin
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Colin, at last count we had at least 117 names!

    Bob
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Found this thread over at the I-Club.

    Well, it certainly looks strange enough to be a Subaru...

    Bob

    http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=127800
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Sounds like a back-yard project...

    Bob

    http://www.fast-autos.net/delfinoferoce.html
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    yes, that's the delfino. they've been trying to get it into (limited) production since '99 or maybe even '98.

    WRX STi drivetrain (and front fascia) in a roadster.

    -Colin
  • odd1odd1 Member Posts: 227
    The salesman definitely said the 03 Forester, for turbo. Maybe they are pushing it up to counter the CRV changes? The salesperson seemed concerned about the upcoming Toyota Matrix, too. I can see the GT version here in Texas being compition for the Forester but not up North were AWD is a winter essential and not just a handling perk.
  • sweet_subiesweet_subie Member Posts: 1,394
    Took this from the Subaru website, please explain the item 3, what does it mean I can't use Cruise Control ?

    How do I properly break-in the engine in my new Subaru?
    Your Owner's Manual indicates specific suggestions for the first 1000 miles, which will aid in the performance and long life of your vehicle. Obviously, how you handle and care for your vehicle will play a major role in its longevity. Among the suggestions are: (1) do not race the engine. (2) Never exceed 4,000-rpm engine speed except for brief acceleration in an emergency. (3) Do not drive at one constant engine or vehicle speed for a long time, either fast or slow. (4) Avoid starting suddenly and rapid acceleration, except in an emergency. (5) Avoid hard braking, except in an emergency.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    The whole idea behind breaking an engine in is to let it (the engine) experience a wide variety of driving styles, except of course, high rpm usage or racing. That means: "a little of this, and a little of that," and mix it up quite a bit. It also means not to let an engine stay in any particular rpm range for extended periods, hence the warning against using cruise control during this period. If you do use cruise control, I would use it for very short periods only. It's probably not worth the effort IMO.

    Bob
  • jagarlandjagarland Member Posts: 26
    When is the Outback based SUV due? My dealer thought it is due with the 2002 models, but I understood that it wasn't until 2003 at least. What are the current rumors? Thanks.

    Jack G.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    At best. The forester may be out in 2002 as a MY2003 based on the legacy.

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    based on the Legacy. No final word on that yet.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    In Portuguese, TerraCan sounds like "Land of Sugar Cane". Lots of that in NE Brazil.

    Subaru ought to do a concept like that, but tone down the styling about 2-3 levels, please. It looks like a Z3 with 240SX headlights glued on and fender flares done by a high school shop class.

    2003 Forester Turbo would be an answer to my prayers. The timing would really be perfect for me, but I won't hold my breath.

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    juice,

    A 2003 Turbo Forester certainly would be good timing. Hey, maybe we'll be pioneer owners once again with the next generation of Foresters!

    Ken
  • jimmyp1jimmyp1 Member Posts: 640
    What does your dad do in Brazil? My father-in-law works for Halliburton and he's in Rio for 4 years working on a project called The Carratanga Oil Platform construction. Just wondering.

    Jim
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Right on, Ken. My wife's b-day is in March, imagine pulling up with a ribbon on top. Anniversary is the day before Halloween. C'mon, SoA, get those models over here quick! :-)

    My dad is an agronomer/banker. He started in Agronomy and then got an MBA from Harvard and went into Finance. He worked in Suriname for a few years, then in Belize, basically as the IDB Representative, disbursing loans for agricultural projects. He's actually back here in the US now, retired, but he'll be in Brazil next year.

    The cool thing is the Field Offices in Suriname and Belize had fleets of cars and trucks, and most were for true off roading, because he had to survey farms and undeveloped areas. We got to take a Land Cruiser up trails and discovered some unspoiled water falls in Belize, it was fantastic. Of course we stopped to see the Mayan Ruins, and did a couple of water crossings (by boat, mostly, not driving). It was funny 'cause they'd pull a rope by hand to get the boats across. Talk about simplicity.

    -juice
  • bblachabblacha Member Posts: 160
    They hope it can compete with Subaru B4. But they'd have to fix Honda's trademark front wheel spin, or else most of those 220 horses will just burn rubber off the tires. AWD would be the way to go!


    http://www.mag-x.com/scoop/accord0112/index.html


    --Bart

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Well, the US won't see that 220hp engine because it's a low-torque 2.0l. The 2.4l they mention is far more likely, and if so that might be the engine from the current CR-V (160hp, 162lb-ft).

    The Euro Accord is different than the American one, anyway. I do like the idea of the square back wagon.

    -juice
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    speaking of AWD'ing an existing platform, whatever happened to the Mali-buru that GM and Subaru were rumored to be considering?

    -Brian
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    The Chevy Borago (with Subie AWD) was also at the DC Show. That's one neat little truckster!

    Brian, I think we may see a prototype at the Detroit Auto Show regarding the GM/Subie deal. What name tag it will wear, who knows.

    Bob
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    was the AWD Grand Prix concept. I think they called it G8 or something.

    That Blitzen can't come soon enough!

    -Brian
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You beat me to it, Bob. I'm going tomorrow.

    The LA Show is next week, Detroit the week after, so it's going to be a fun couple of weeks!

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Acura AWD? Well, it's funny because Honda never worried much about torque steer, because their engines never made much torque. For example, the Impreza TS makes more torque than the Honda S2000.

    Now that they are beginning to discover torque, they realize FWD isn't the most effective way to put it down, especially with a 6 speed manual. Makes sense to me.

    All these people coming out of 2/3 year SUV leases want the traction (AWD) and the space (wagon/hatch) that has spoiled them. So what was once Subaru's niche, all to itself, is now just about the most desirable new piece of the pie.

    So Subaru has to fight even harder to distinguish itself. The bull's eye is right on them. A 5 speed auto and a 6 speed manual are just the beginning - competitors will already offer those.

    BTW, the new Altima also does not have a passenger side key hole. There was a discussion in that topic about it, and apparently that is becoming common.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    As a designer, I've never cared for them. They tend to look like a "zit" on a beautiful face.

    However, unlike zits, I just assumed they were a necessary evil, and we would have to live with them for ever. I now think with more and more cars coming with remote entry, the disappearing key holes will continue. I think(?) the first-generation Acura CL didn't have a rear deck key hole. Now the new RSX also doesn't have a rear hatch key hole, as well as the passenger door.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    While at the DC Auto Show, and was talking to a Toyota rep. He confirmed that there's a new 4Runner coming next fall, and it will have the 4.7L V8 as an option. He also said it will be roomier than the current 4Runner.

    So it sounds to me that this new Lexus GX 470, the Land Cruiser Prado/Colorado, and the new 4Runner will all come from this new platform. BTW, I asked the Lexus rep if they thought it would be a version of the Sequoia, and they said no.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Someone also mentioned it was a cost-cutting measure. If the car is also sold in Japan (RHD), then not so much, but perhaps a little.

    I do use the key hole, though, for my wife's car. I don't want to carry two bulky remote key fobs, so I use the key all the time. This would be a real nuisance for me, since I load our child from the passenger side. I guess I'd just bite the bullet and have a huge set of keys.

    The Highlander kind of crashed the 4Runner's party. For a long time, the 4Runner sold without any incentives. But when the HL arrived, they had to start rebates.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I carry two FOBs, one for the Forester, and one for the Explorer. Frankly, I can't remember the last time I used the key to open either of those vehicles.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    is old, and is really starting to show it. A new one will be much appreciated.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    True, but you can't blame Toyota - they focused their efforts on the Highlander, and both are selling.

    Anyone else notice how the price of non-luxury make mid-size SUVs has suddenly crept into the mid $30k price range?

    -juice
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