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Subaru Crew: Suggestions for Subaru
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Comments
-Dave
For the NY Show, please:
* let us crawl inside the B11S
* let us crawl inside the Forester XT
* let us crawl inside the Baja Turbo
* show the next Legacy, even if it's the JDM model
Pretty please with sugar on it. Oh, and free passes for the Crew wouldn't hurt! :-)
-juice
then pounce for the whole nine yards.
-Dave
OK, I'd settle for four of those. ;-)
-juice
MNSteve
Also, I can't reach the cruise control 'on' button without removing my hand from the wheel. I like the earlier post for an 'all in one' CC stalk.
Have an 04 WRX wagon on order currently and was disappointed that AWP was not available. Why is the wagon so different from the sedan? It should really be just a rear hatch...
Love my Outback but want more zip. 04 WRX.
-michael
-Brian
Bob
Because they're really going to be tired of people asking why there isn't an AWP on the wagon! :-)
-Dennis
P.S. And put the STi and the B11S (if you can get it) on the floor and not a turntable. A turnable is for records.
Logically to me this makes no sense as in my mind as an avid skier/snowboarder, the wagon makes more sense for hauling gear (as I learned with the sedan) and therefore would make more use of the wagon.
I'm going to have to rethink my options and see whether I really want another Subaru at this point.
Ryan: you can get aftermarket seat heaters, FWIW. I think for about $400 or so, IIRC. Look under Auto Upholstery in your yellow pages. Adler & Mandell in MD does it, for instance.
-juice
As for cruise control, I like the current separate master switch and the mini-paddle. The master switch makes it just seem like it's a more secure way to turn off cruise. Completely psychological, but it works for me. Also, I like how the mini paddle keeps the stalk from becoming overly complicated.
Ken
-juice
Subaru just builds a better wagon, period. Look at the grocery-crunching gooseneck hinges on the sedan's trunk lid. Use a hatch and give us struts.
It wouldn't have been nearly as hard to talk my wife into a 5 door hatch, compared to the wagon I finally talked her into. I'm sure she'd prefer that for her next car.
-juice
Mark
Bob
-juice
I have since 1976 always had a hatchback or a wagon in my possession along with sedans, and now that I am a single car owner I will always have a wagon.
I get a good laugh every time I see some of the cool crowd trying to cram a large package into the trunk or back seat of whatever sporty sedan they are currently driving.
Cheers Pat.
-juice
MNSteve - winter has returned, again
Also had 88 Accord LXI, 89 Accord SEI, 91 Accord EX. I know this is the wrong forum but what the hell, rules are for breaking sometimes.
Cheers Pat.
1989 GL Sedan (just sold)
1997 OB Wagon
2003 TS Wagon
1) I love hatchbacks and wagons. So do many, many Subaru owners, and IMO it's the wagons that have made Subaru what it is today. SOA, don't forget wagon owners and please don't skimp on wagon features.
2) Our GL had actual gauges for oil pressure and voltage, not idiot lights. Much more useful, but neither the 97 or 03 have gauges. For the '03, should I shell out $500 for an optional "gauge pack" that displaces the clock? Grrrr.
3) I have taken the OB off the highway and on some pretty rough backcountry roads, forest service roads, primitive camping areas, etc. and it is pretty capable, but suffers from a very low approach angle, bumping its nose into things. How about a little more ground clearance and better approach angles? I haven't driven the '00 and newer body style, but just by eyeball it appears like it's not any better than the pre '00's, maybe even worse.
4) I prefer the height adjustment in my '97 OB(extendable lever and near vertical travel up/down) to the "ratchet" adjustment on the '03 TS, which seems to move the seat forward as much as up. If you have a 36" inseam as I do, you don't want the seat moving *forward* as you move it up for more support under the legs. I'm probably an exception on that one, but maybe others would agree.
Wow, that was verbose. Rather than multiple posts, I guess I got it all in one shot. Hope someone hears this. Thanks, SOA.
utahsteve
Forester's overhangs are also a bit too protrusive.
It's not a high priority, but it shouldn't be an afterthought either.
-juice
Well, there is a "partial" solution: Larger diameter tires and more ground clearance. Subaru could also angle back the bottom of the bumper, and severely pull back the outside edges of the bumper to the front wheel well opening (ala Honda S2000).
Bob
You've been wanting to see a design like the S2000's in a bigger vehicle for a while now.
-juice
As to the Aussie bumpers, while they are certainly much better than the stock bumper, I'm not sure they would pass federal "car" bumper standards.
Bob
In particular the Outback's bumper sort of kills the approach angle, it's worse than the Legacy L I believe.
-juice
Mark
2) Offer an "Adventure Package" on the Outback wagon. The package should replace the plastic engine shield with metal, include rear diff protector, dual range transmission, 1/2" to 1" more ground clearance, slightly larger/more aggressive tires, better approach/departure angles, include VTD on A/T models.
3) Offer an optional light pressure turbo H4 on the base Outback & Outback LTD. The higher lines can continue with the H6.
4) Include VTD on all A/T Outbacks or at minimum offer as an option.
5) Replace the dual moonroofs on the wagon with a single tilt/slide moonroof.
6) Add heated washer noozles to the AWP (use same switch as heated windshield).
7) Offer the AWP and moonroof in the WRX wagon!!
8) Need a little more legroom and a better tilt/telescoping steering wheel in the Legacy/Outback.
DaveM
Len
-mike
My wife's '99 has a metal engine shield and it works very well! ;-)
-Dennis
Bob
I like Dave's Adventure Package idea.
-juice
The oil pan protector came standard on my '89 GL-10 Turbo FT-4WD wagon and I added it to my '96 Outback. I'd like to see Subaru offer one for the current generation Outback. I'm pretty sure Primitive Racing offers one but it's pretty pricey, although it's still cheaper than a new oil pan & exhaust headers.
DaveM
Glad to hear I'm not the only one who would like to see a more off-road capable Outback. I've not had any issues with the lack of low gear, but the heaviest thing I've pulled out of a ditch was a small sedan. It probably wouldn't hurt, though. I like the "Adventure Package" idea, and a *real* skid plate like Primitive's would be nice as well. Certainly the low and forward mounting of the engine is somewhat limiting to approach angle, but when you get under the car you can see much of what's in the way is plastic.
I've always wondered why the fogs don't come on w/o headlights. Is that really true about CA? If so... California ruins it for the rest of us yet again It is annoying in heavy snow, though, I agree.
utahsteve
Bob
MNSteve
What does everyone think of the name "Adventure Package"? I think it fits perfectly with Subaru's active lifestyle image.
DaveM
-mike
Mark
I was going to write up a suggestion, but after catching up on what had been posted....
I forgot.
-Dave
Bob
In the Pine Barrens we were scraping up against trees all the time. At the beach driving fast is like running a sand blaster on the lower sides.
-juice
Put in on when you'll be 'offroading'.
Remove it and, wha-lah, nice untouch painted bumpers.
-Dave
-juice
-----------------------------
2003 2003
B11S Legacy
-----------------------------
188.4 184.4 Length
76.2 68.7 Width
53.9 55.7 Height
110.2 104.3 Wheelbase
64.0 57.5 Front track
63.4 57.3 Rear track
Assuming that additional platforms to indeed be the case for future Subies, here's what I propose:
Note: Wheelbase and width change in units of 4" per application. Length varies as per application. I would assume the additional wheelbase length would benefit rear passengers most.
Large Platform
~ 188"–200" length depending on application
~ 76" width
~ 110" wheelbase
Applications:
B11S-like GT coupe, large sedan, 7-passenger crossover, (large) Baja (also possible future Saab 9-5). This platform would be sized to match mid-sized European family cars: Volvo S60, BMW 5-Series, and MB E-Class.
Medium Platform
~ 186"–194" length depending on application
~ 72" width
~ 106" wheelbase
Applications:
Legacy & Outback, (small) Baja Sport (also possible future Saab 9-3). This puts it much closer to the current Accord and Camry in size.
Small Platform
~ 178"–183" length depending on application
~ 69" width
~ 102" wheelbase
Applications:
Impreza & Forester (also possible future Saab 9-1). Length and wheelbase up about 4" from current model. Width up about .5"–1" from current models.
Bob
So, use more aluminum, and find some efficiencies elsewhere.
-juice