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Comments
Given that the XTerra name is out there, ST-X (Subaru Truck eXtreme) might work, as hard consonants (like X and K) work well in names (Kodak, Qualex). OTOH I don't think ST-X is in the same category as XTerra, so maybe not. Feel free to correct me as I don't know that market segment.
Nope, I don't have any suggestions.
..Mike
..Mike
..Mike
Ahem, anyway, how about the Dingo? Or Kanga'Ru?
Or geographical references, like El Camino? We already have the Outback, So why not the Canberra? "Yes, I'd like to test drive the new Warrnambool, please."
Wow Lucien, you remember the Atari 2600 AND the Commodore 64? Maybe there is hope for our inter-generational gap
Lucien, there already is a Canberra, the B-57 (I mention this because the English Electric Canberra, a British bomber, was built by Martin Aircraft, near Baltimore).
B-57 in brief w/drawing
RB-57 w/photos
B-57 in excruciating detail (and I thought I was detail-oriented)
English Electric Canberra
I like Dingo. Any one with other name ideas? Maybe we should defer this discussion to Graham and aussieroo.
..Mike
..Mike
rooCREW would also be a tip of the hat to us! I still like the name OutBRAT.
Loosh: the S4 Avant is heading this way. Love that WRX wagon. Wagons, ho!
Mike - how was the Rendezvous? Maybe we'll move that discussion to Events.
The ST-X would be perfect at the beach. 8.5" of clearance with 225mm tires are plenty fine for sand, and don't forget the low range. Even the 17% reduction the Aussies get is enough. Plus, the bed would fit all the beach gear: chair, umbrella, towels, etc. that get sandy, and otherwise end up INSIDE my Forester. Or yours.
Same for the mulch bags. Even the bags leak like crazy and make a mess. A tarp helps.
Hmm, that press release says the new enine plant is making 4 bangers, so perhaps the ST-X will get that engine. The H6 would fit the image better, though.
AMC Eagle first? No, no. Soob was a half decade ahead of them, with the first 4WD wagon, back in 1974. Here is a photo:
http://thejuiceman.homepage.com/more.html
-juice
Factory tint! Great suggestions. Please mention that, Patti.
That VDC review was C&D. They were critical, mostly because of the price, but they completely missed the point of the VDC model. If all you want is the H6, you get the LL Bean for thousands less.
None of the models they compared it to have traction and stability control. They just don't get it.
The VDC will carve its own niche, if you will. It's a butch wagon, so only the XC and Allroad compete with it in that way. The Passat matches more closely with the GT.
Don't matter none. With only 1300 they're probably half gone by now.
-juice
-juice
PS I think they just saw the price and then started looking for reasons to say it wasn't worth that much
I'd go for something else -- a condom.
Makes a statement in favor of safe sex, fits with the phallic connection between guys and cars, and the teenagers will always have something ready when they borrow Dad's car.
Make 'em color coordinated and put little sayings on 'em (for Subaru manuals, how 'bout "Roo Screw") and they'll be blowing them out the door.
Randy
The VDC is closer to the Allroad than it is to the A4. And despite the fancy air suspension, the Brits picked the Forester over it for off road duty.
-juice
mfugga, good one! Rhymes w/Subaru, too. The "Subaru Didjeridu" might fail my radio enunciation test. Didj List FAQ
..Mike
..Mike
I'll take up the challenge!!
I do like Didjeridoo although
I prefer Goonoo Goonoo
(pronounced gunny g'nu. I have no idea what it means. It's a small creek near Tamworth NSW).
The marketing moguls could make mayhem with those rhymeing oo's and u's.
e.g
From Juice's place to Uluru
Have we got
The vehicle for you
In this modern age
When choices are few
You won't be passed
In your Goonoo Goonoo
And of course it's by
SUBARU
Uluru is not bad either (That's a big piece of shangi (catapault) ammunition located in the middle of Australia.
Why not Timbuctu
There's more u's in that than a mob of sheep.
Gus
#1 would have to be the Ford Ka
followed by the Ford Focii (sorry couldn't resist
How about Subaru Outlander
-mike
-juice
Mike-
*sigh* I was hoping no one would mention that, but, with the geekfest around here, I 'spose I shouldn't be surprised
Bill
Goonoo Goonoo (Gunny G'noo) Creek
http://www.nrma.com.au/media/tm-maps-tamworth.pdf
Cheers
Gus
-juice
-mike
On the Forester:
1. Remove the fabric from the top of the doorsills. Not a wise design - I hit a lot of toll booths in this part of the country and, even though I try to be careful, the fabric is starting to wear.
2. Make the 18mm rear sway bar standard. A great upgrade I did myself, and I don't think it makes the car unpredictable for the novice.
3. Power good for the most part, though it could use a little more passing power. 200-210 hp would be adequate, turbo or no. Torque is very good as is. Not sure Forester needs H6 - I'd get in too much trouble - but a high-performance version would sell (see below).
4. A remote rear gate release would be nice.
5. So would a remote fuel door release.
6. Seat height adjustment needs to raise seat, not just front and rear cushion angles. (I think kate5000 wrote about this.) My '86 VW Jetta had this feature - pretty simple.
7. I don't need a gear selector indicator in the instrument cluster a la Honda, but many others probably would like it.
8. In-dash 6-disc changer option remedied for '01, can I retrofit it?
9. Paddleshift "manumatic" as in the Legacy B4 - and make it available across the entire Subaru line. Maybe even a 5-speed automatic.
10. Thicker paint and clearcoat (Subarus seem to chip more easily than others, and mine is no exception).
For Subarus generally:
1. Expand availability of the H6 in the Legacy line to GT models. I'd have bought a GT over the Forester if it had more power.
2. Take advantage of WRC success in US marketing. We hear nothing over here and the rest of the world knows Subaru as a rally weapon. (Maybe sponsor a WRC exhibition in the US?) Hopefully you'll do this with the rollout of the new Impreza.
3. Make high-performance version of Impreza wagon available in US. I might have even thought of buying a 2.5RS wagon if it was available. As it is I think of my Forester as roughly equivalent.
4. Tone the ST-X down just a smidge, style it consistent with the Outback. That Ford Explorer Sport Trac is heinous looking - the break between cab and bed reminds me of a stagecoach or Model T (maybe that's intentional?) and clashes with the rest of the styling.
5. Name the ST-X? How about "Outback Ute"? A nod to a body style long in favor in Australia.
6. How about a limited edition Forester WRX? Drivetrain from the Impreza WRX in a Forester package that emphasizes more sports car, less SUV?
Okay, that's all for now. Thanks for listening.
Ed
1-7 and 10. Height-adjustable seat and thicker/better paint is a must.
From EdmundsLive: most negative comments I heard about Forester referenced to its lower stance -- although those who test-drove it, admitted that it made through the course much better than higher-standing CR-V.
I personally like a tall wagon appearance, and it is really comfortable for me to get in and out, easier to park and feels more secure when driving. Still, many SUV-inclined folks prefer a higher seating position.
The CD changer should fit, but ask Darlene.
Nice list, though.
Kate: you wouldn't believe how many comments I get on my fender flares. I put them on for function, since my tires are wider, and think they look pretty good, but bystanders seem to like them much more than I do!
One Summit AWD owner walked up and asked about the flares first, then the Forester itself. He said he'll probably buy one.
-juice
Ed
well!!
Gus
-juice
-mike
Illuminate the wiper and cruise control stalks. The first time I had to use my wipers, it was at night. Even though I had read the manual, I ended up turning on the map light briefly to figure out how to run them. As I get more familiar with the car, this won't be a problem. With as little rain as we get in Nebraska any more, it might not be a problem anyway.
Add a control so you can turn on/off the interior light from the driver's seat. I'm talking about the main interior light, which is waaayy back there if you've got a sunroof (and maybe if you don't). I don't have children, but friends who do tell me that they sometimes need to operate the light so the kids can locate that toy/french fry/whatever they dropped, while staying properly buckled up.
My 2001 is doing great; just passed 1500 miles. I've had one trip back to the dealer - the alignment wasn't correct from the factory. This was fixed with no problems. I'm doing some interstate driving this week. It does fine at 75+ mph, although I must admit that my Saab handled the higher speeds better. But the Saab's reliability left something to be desired . . .
Faye
NOOOOOOO....
;-)
Seriously though, I might as well let my opinion be heard. Since Bob, Faye and a few others want some more lights, can I have the option to black the whole instrument panel except for the speedometer? Some competitors offer this.
-Colin
Speaking of which... I noticed that Honda, with it's 2001 Accord & Civic are now offering a little light on the "Auto" down power window switch. It's a great idea. On my Explorer I have lights on all my power windows and cruise control. As I've said, it's real helpful at night.
Bob
..Mike
..Mike
-mike
Now that I've had it, I can't imagine not having it. Especially with a baby and all the stuff I haul (my hands are always full).
Faye: I like the light switch idea. They moved my light back when my moonroof was installed (aftermarket), so I totally know what you mean.
Colin: one small change - leave only the speedo and the tach lit. Dim everything else (the driver can control this, of course).
Saab also has this, but the tach goes dim.
-juice
Who says Subaru can't hang with the big boys?
-juice
Ken
I'd LOVE to see a 330ix wagon, Passat 4Motion, Outback VDC, Volvo XC comparo.
-juice
-mike
When the VDC comes out, if they'll let us take one...
-juice