Subaru Crew - Future Models

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  • amishraamishra Member Posts: 367
    I've heard from my local Subaru dealer, not to expect the H6 in anything except the Outback and GT models for the next 2-3 years. They tell me it was specifically built to compete with the upmarket, and putting the H6 even as an option on the base model Legacy/Outback will cut into Subaru's profit margins.

    They also quoted me around $35,000 CDN for the 2.0 WRX wagon when it arrives.

    Now this dealer also told me the OB heated windshield would cost $900 CDN to replace (which I know is not true now), so ... read it for what its worth I suppose.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That may depend on how you equip it. I've seen some rather wimpy (for off road) tires on JGC's.

    Besides, it's a long trail and that Jeep is so unreliable you may not make it! ;)

    The Soobs get us where we want to go, with enough room for error that it tempts me to go even further than I normally would. So it's more than enough for my needs.

    All that while cornering flat and returning 26mpg. How many SUVs can claim that?

    -juice
  • aakersonaakerson Member Posts: 71
    Keep things the way they are -- the mix of future model info, brand comparisons, techno talk, and so on is a strong one. As someone pointed out above, Subaru is a niche player -- and they're getting better and better at it. That means new models, which means entries into market segments where there are comparable models. And let's face it -- Subaru is David; everyone else is Goliath. And we all root for the Davids of the world.

    As for myself, I check this chat room more for the opinions than the aftermarket bolt-on discussions -- but -- there may come a day when I indulge a midlife crisis, get the Impreza 220-hp and look for help in jacking that up to 320-hp. Nice to know all that help (and opinion) is here.

    Please keep the opinions, the predictions and the techno consulting all coming.

    One other suggestion -- SOA -- let's hear more from you. For instance, why not put one of your execs or engineers or designers on this chat room for a week or so and let her/him take any and all questions?
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Ash- Actually...all Jeep models are built stock to complete the Rubicon Trail.

    -Frank P.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Alan: FWIW, Patti Mickel does read up on several threads and relays the info to their product planners.

    I like the suggestion though!

    -juice
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    I had a good loock at the LL Bean and the VDC. for those who don't think they can compete with Volvo, or Audi, well, I ain't so sure. The interiors are beautiful up close. The Mac stereo is cool too, very retro (as expected) with 2 polished aluminum nobs. Nice leather, good looking plood (plastic+wood), high grade materials. I could be convinced...
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Wow! Our new Forester has a heating element for the wiper de-icer (all-weather package) in the windshield. I hadn't thought that, if a stone hits the windshield and puts a crack in it, it could be more difficult/costly to replace. I hope it won't be a problem. I wonder if Allstate would give me a hard time regarding that?

    Bob
  • aakersonaakerson Member Posts: 71
    Thanks juice -- yeah, I thought someone(s)from SOA was plugged in; that's why I made the suggestion that they speak up more. I realize they walk a fine line between stickkng to "corporatespeak" and getting into a dialogue with us grass roots folks. I have in my career worked with another Japanese auto company -- talk about shy and reticent!

    But, all the car brands want to build "a relationship" with their customers. Because of who Subaru is, and who its customers are, I think there is more potential for that kind of relationship marketing than with most brands. Kind of a Saturn thing, but without the warm fuzzies or the barbecue at Spring Hill -- and with a much better product as the starting point of the relationship.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Loosh: does that mean you went up to Rallispec again? :)

    Bob: if you happen to chip a windshield, I'd collect money from your insurance, then order one from Darlene (much cheaper) and have your favorite shop install it. You'll probably end up paying nothing, since Darlene's discount from retails would likely cover your deductable.

    I forget exactly, but per prices were less than half of what you might expect (though installation would be extra).

    Patti is nice are very attentive. Her background is more in marketing and customer relations, not really engineering, which is why she forwards the info.

    Guess SoA doesn't want to leak out all their secrets! ;)

    -juice
  • barresa11barresa11 Member Posts: 277
    I think Juice hit the nail on the perverbial head when he said that this is designed as an open forum and, as such, people will tend to drift into other areas. Someone else commented that we all tend to drift back to the forum topic at hand. I would politely request that if the subject drifts off-topic into an area one doesn't find interesting, pertinent, etc, then skip posting for a bit. It will come back to something that may be of interest to said person (an example would be the "lighting" issue...we came back to things that interested myself more). I think that everyone on this site is good about getting back to core issues, besides deviant behavior is a good thing...really! :-) Just my humble (I hear my friends howling now).02.

    Stephen
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    is also "Off Topic." Oh well...

    Bob
  • barresa11barresa11 Member Posts: 277
    Dangerous as it is! :-)

    Stephen
  • aussierooaussieroo Member Posts: 78
    This is by far the best Subaru site I have found. The others are pretty wussy.
    A little mongrel from time to time just makes life all that much better.

    Keep up the good work boyz & girlz

    My .04 cents worth

    Gus
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    exchange rate that bad these days? :)
  • john115john115 Member Posts: 45
    The latest edition of consumers Digest stated that
    the "new Forester will offer options for either side airbags OR a moon roof,on all models."And also
    a changed grill & new headlites.It failed to mention what year it will be though.
  • amishraamishra Member Posts: 367
    juice: I'd agree the Forestor can go some pretty thick places, but I doubt anyone would attempt the Rubicon trail with it.
  • aussierooaussieroo Member Posts: 78
    it's up and down like a bride's nightie!!!!!!
  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    Yup, you are quite right. I have NO engineering in my background. One of the frustrating things that I experience that so much of our Product Planning and Engineering information is "secret". I'm told that this is just the way it is in the automotive world. Anyway, I'm doing the best I can by getting information to these two areas within our organization. In fact, when I refer to Product Planning, this area is not just for the designers that work on colors and materials,but our engineers work out of this area. I send them information that I get off here. However, I'm hoping that our presence here and how positive the reaction to our presence has been will cause an even stronger presence in the future. SOA is listening and they are VERY interested in the thoughts and commentary that you all provide. It's just kind of one way for now.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Don't worry Patti, when we see the changes in future models, that will be enough of a 2-way communication! (More guages, dash lighting, etc. etc.)

    -mike
  • abhidharmaabhidharma Member Posts: 93
    Motor Trend just named the Acura MDX the 2001 Sport/Utility of the Year.

    We're comparing Subaru to some pretty good company, I'd say, which is good for Subaru.

    And IMO, I'd also say that vehicles in general have sure improved over the last few years.

    Randy
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Is that Acura paid off the correct people @ Motor Trend. I believe a lot of crappy vehicles have won those awards...

    -mike
  • abhidharmaabhidharma Member Posts: 93
    ...don't you think Subaru would give their eye-teeth for that kind of recognition?

    Randy

    PS Doesn't Motor Trend like your make? ;)
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    named the Chevy Citation car-of-the-year back in 1980 or was it '81. I've never trusted them since. Don't forget, reliability and durability play NO part in their assessment.

    Ross
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Here are some of their previous winners, FWIW:

    SUVs:

    2000 Nissan Xterra
    1999 Lexus RX300

    Cars:

    2000 Lincoln LS
    1999 Chrysler 300M
    1998 Chevrolet Corvette
    1997 Chevrolet Malibu
    1996 Dodge Caravan
    1995 Chrysler Cirrus
    1994 Ford Mustang
    1993 Ford Probe GT
    1992 Cadillac Seville Touring Sedan
    1991 Chevrolet Caprice Classic LTZ
    1990 Lincoln Town Car
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    The car before my OBS was an Automobile Mag. Car of the Year. A 1995 Dodge Neon. Ok, stop laughing.
    Last year I was reading Automobile and they said they regretted that decision.
    Dennis
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I believe the Renault Alliance was MT's car of the year some time in the mid 80's. That was clearly their single largest mistake.

    -Colin
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    are all from Big Three... isn't it suspicious?
  • dzartmandzartman Member Posts: 112
    Thank you for illustrating my original point.

    Other people, including newbies, who drop in to the Subaru-Future Models forum will learn nothing about Future Models but instead be subjected to a thread on Motor Trend's Car of the Year? That would annoy me if I was looking for info on Subaru's Future Models.

    I won't bring it up again, honest I won't. But someone should at least rename this forum. There ain't jack here about the Future Models from Subaru. Would you talk about this stuff in Subaru Crew: Modifications? Of course not. Then why do it here in Future Models? Try "Meet the Members" topic. We talk about everything Subaru there. Here's two easy suggestions for this forum:

    Subaru Club: Open Comparisons

    Subaru Club: Anything Goes
  • abhidharmaabhidharma Member Posts: 93
    1) Prospective Future Model Subaru purchaser compares Subaru to Acura.

    2) Acura model is discussed, as are related topics like types of AWD, relative value, and the higher league that Subaru is now competing in.

    3) Acura's accomplishment is recognized by a major magazine.

    4) The merits of a magazine's accolades are discussed.

    Makes perfect sense to me.

    Discussions wander. Is this sequence more off-topic than sharing dirt road adventures?

    Randy
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    There's only so much you can discuss here, to stay on topic.

    Usually what happens is that every now and then some new information comes forth on some new Subaru -- and there's a flurry of discussion. The news then becomes old. A period of time passes. Then some more news is revealed, and the process repeats itself.

    So, yes, we do wander a bit here (during down news periods) perhaps more than we should. It could be argued that these discussions should be in the "Meet the Members" area.

    Frankly, I don't think it's that big a deal. It does breaks the boredom.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Ok, so when is the new turbo impreza gonna get here (we have only asked this 50,000 times) How many horsepower? 220hp? 254hp? Will it have the same suspension as the non-us car? In 2003 there is gonna be a new Forester, possibly based on the GM mini-ute. Will there be another SVX or Legacy GT coupe?

    Oh and when is the new WRX getting here? What is the Towing capacity of the H6 VDC? (like we haven't asked these questions 10K times)

    Does anyone have any more hard facts about the STX? No I didn't think so...

    -mike
  • barresa11barresa11 Member Posts: 277
    Ok, here goes: I predict that in the FUTURE (emphasis on "future" since this is the Future Models topic)we will continue to go off-topic and then wander back on topic...BIG DEAL!!

    Mike P.: I don't know if it was intentional or not but I love the fact that you hid your "on topic" post. I'm still cracking up! :-)

    Stephen
  • amishraamishra Member Posts: 367
    Lighten up - a newbie will quickly find the information they're looking for on the half a dozen other Subaru topics there are.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I don't give a rat's posterior about the MDX or Mercedes M-class, but I can happily skim through those messages... and I agree that there generally isn't sufficient "Future Model" discussion strictly limited to Subaru to keep a topic going.

    -Colin
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    for my daily quota of chuckles.

    Ross
  • john115john115 Member Posts: 45
    Can now be ordered separately on the Forester S,so
    says the latest issue of Consumers Digest.
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    I've seen comments as to how the new Saturn SUV might be already sharing some Subaru technology (AWD, CVT) and I just hope it's not a glimpse of the next Forester.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    john: you can get the S Premium, and then have aftermarket leather put on like Dale did for an extra $900. It even has the SRS logo, and it was a very high quality job. And yes, the seat heaters work!

    Motor Trend's COTY is the most marketable, yet least meaningful (IMO), award. The WRX would have a chance, though Subaru is a niche manufacturer, so it's hard to attract that kind of attention. You need HYPE!

    The next SVX, IMO, would have less of a chance. The next Forester or the 2005 big Outback could be the first Soob to win that award.

    In my experience, newbies just post whatever question they have without reading back very far. Lurkers never seem to complain.

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    It's too bad the topics here can't be sorted by thread. I think that would make it a lot easier to ignore certain subjects as well as search past topics.

    Any changes in the near future, juice?

    Ken
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    for a while - our new '01 Forester S Premium, here are some comments:

    The more I drive it, the more I like it. I especially enjoyed driving it down to Charolettsville last Sunday for the Sube gathering.

    In comparison to our '96 Impreza Outback, it feels a bit more top-heavy through the corners. This makes sense since it is considerably taller than the Impreza. That, however, is the only area in which the Impreza feels better.

    The front seats in Forester are more comfortable (on trips) than those in the Impreza.

    I do wish (old and much discussed topic here) for a cruise-engaged light; lit mirror, window, and cruise (resume, set, etc.) switches.

    Also, a lit ignition key switch would be nice, like Honda has. I've found myself fiddling around several times at night just to find the ignition switch. Not a problem on my daughter's Prelude, the key switch is easy to find because it is lit.

    Also, the moonroof is noisy when open. In fact, it's down right uncomfortable (loud) for anything over 5 minutes open. I've tried moving the roof rack cross bar. It didn't help much. I don't care for aftermarket wind deflectors either. I've been told it may be due to the rack (angle) of the windshield, causing wind turbulence right over the moon roof. I hope Subaru can fix this for the 2003 model.

    Love having an outside temp gauge. We have that on our '98 Explorer. It's really nice to have when the outside temp is near freezing.

    The radio/CD is great. We got the tweeter up grade.

    Wish the door pockets were bigger. It would also be nice to have door pockets on the rear doors too.

    The center armrest extension should be standard, as should the cargo cover.

    Bob
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    open moonroof is too noisy, unless you're moving very slow, like 5 mph or something. I found that I like it better just to open the shade, and have light but noise coming through the glass... sort of skylight.

    also agree about cargo cover and armrest ext.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Bob, here's a good fix for that key illumination problem-- get an aftermarket alarm or at least the Subaru factory keyless entry. You can get it cheap from Darlene (QSubaru) and life will be a little bit easier.

    -Colin
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I (we) also prefer keeping the moonroof closed, and enjoy the light coming through. It shouldn't have to be that way though.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    We have the factory alarm upgrade. It's not the entry of the vehicle, it's finding the key hole on the steering column.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ken: I'm not sure. They may.

    Bob: try opening the rear windows, if you haven't already. Any opening that big will be noisy!

    Also, experiment with different fan speeds. I found that at certain speeds, a higher or lower setting would quiet things. I guess it produces enough positive pressure in the cabin to stop the buffeting. The catch is that when you slow down a lot, at certain speeds the buffeting comes back (this is with the rears closed).

    It worked for my smaller roof. I had it out at the Tour, and we were hitting 80+ for short periods.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    In my Trooper, I mean yeah it's loud, but it's a whole in the roof that is pretty large. On my Trooper (the size is almost identical to the big forester one) there is an auto-matic stop about 6-8 inches from the "totally open" position which Isuzu claims is to cut down on the wind noise at highway speeds. It does work, although most of the time I keep it wide open. So you might want to try and stop opening it with about 6 inches left and see if that helps.

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Yes, opening the front and/or rear window(s) helps, especially with the buffeting. Unfortunately, you get additional noise from those windows being open too.

    I've even tried just opening the moon roof just part way. It just doesn't seem to make much difference, no matter what you do. It's noisy, and uncomfortable over a short period of time, when it's open.

    I'm just used to my Explorer's moonroof. There is some noise, but it is much quieter and more comfortable than the Forester's moonroof when open. I can drive all day (in complete comfort) with the Explorer's moonroof open. I can't do that with the Forester.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    The Forester moonroof operates the same as that of the Trooper. It too stops about 6" from being fully open. It does the same when closing, by the way. It stops about 6" from being fully closed.

    I've tried that too. As I said, it doesn't seem to make much difference, no matter what you do.

    I think also, it's a matter of what you're used to. I have the luxury of making a direct comparison to to my Explorer. The Explorer's moon roof is significantly quieter. If you're not used to - or have not experienced a quieter moonroof, you may be more accepting of the noise.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Maybe the Explorer's and Trooper's openings are at a different elevation where the air is thinner. ;)

    My pop-out is a bit loud. We eventually stopped to eat and I put it back in.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Or the speed with which I drive? Also I have a small deflector that pops up on the leading edge. Also could be how far back from the windshield it starts? (the amount of roof in front of the opening)

    Also the Explorer roof is probably much smaller than either the trooper or the forester.

    -mike
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