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Comments
Huh? INLINE four?
While it would be nice to see larger wheels, keep in mind that the US-spec WRX got 16" while the JDM and European models get 17", IIRC.
Ken
inline 4 ?
140 hp ?
68.1 in of width vs. current 68.7
2900 lbs of curb weight vs. current 3500lbs - that's 600lb reduction
True, but I think the Legacy, since it's more up-market, will likely to receive 17" wheels, at least on the turbo, and probably Outback too. There's also a JDM model with 18" rims!!
Bob
Bob - I like the sketch better than the photochop, which leaves too much cladding. The sketched Baja looks sharp, check out the tail lights and the squared off buttresses.
Legacys already use 16" as the smallest size, since MY2003.
220 lbs lighter? Hope so! 20% more efficient means it'll get about 25/32 on the EPA scale. I kind of doubt that'll happen.
They must be comparing the 2.0l to our current 2.5l, but that's apples to oranges.
-juice
XT starting under 25k...
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/- www/story/05-23-2003/0001953067&EDATE=
The buttress, while it looks neat, to me is just a styling gimmick. It serves no practical function, and interferes with rear visibility somewhat. I would rather see it be deleted.
Bob
Also, anyone have an idea as to when the MY2004 Legacy Wagons (35th Anniversery?) will be out?
Unfortunately I will not be able to wait for the 2005s, as much as I would like to. With the baby due any day, we need something to haul all the goods that come with. ASAP. Oh well, at least I should be able to get a good deal and better bang for my buck, right?
Barkley
Bob
-Dennis
-mike
http://www.honda.co.uk/newcars/crv.html
The cladding helps protect the body while offroading Those dings and paint scratches look real bad after a while.
-mike
cladding's main purpose is to be ugly and horribly out of fashion. :-)
-Colin
With all the info available on the Internet regarding the all-new model, I bet US-spec '03 & '04 Legacys/Outbacks will take a hit in the sales department. I think those in the know are going to wait for the new model to debut here...
...Which brings up an interesting point: It would behoove Subaru and others to schedule new model announcements closer to actual launches. This is a much bigger issue now with the information-friendly Internet, than in the past.
Bob
Probably need the wagon ASAP because I know we are going to be traveling a good distance to in-laws a lot, especially around the holidays.
Our sedan Legacy and Sentra (owned by my wife) probably won't cut it, so I'll have to bite the bullet and probably get a 2004 MY Legacy wagon.
Barkley
The Discovery is in a totally different class of off-road vehicle, my trooper doesn't have cladding either but that's cause it is much higher off the ground, has an ARB bumper and metal side-rocker protection, Discoveries that offroad would have similar protection.
I've seen OBs and Foresters be pretty protected by that cladding. Yeah it may get scraped, but it won't rust if you don't touchup the paint quickly.
I've seen subies on offroad trails, never ever seen a Honda (other than the Passport)
-mike
The cladding definitely helped my OBS off-roading on the beach and in the Pine Barrens (huge pine forest in NJ).
It's funny that most enthusiast seem to dislike the cladding, but the OB is one of the best (or THE best) selling wagon in the U.S.!
Phil - Oh well, bad timing. For the new Legacy I mean. :-)
-Dennis
Bob
Our old Sidekick (more off-roadable than most so-called SUV's) had only a line of plastic covering the rocker panel.......never had any problem with chips, scratches etc. I'm not totally against all cladding, but if it's used, I'd like it to be simple,subtle,clean and functional. Current Outback looks very dated with it's cladding and the Baja is way over the top (the silver paint only makes it look worse).
Bob, you raise an interesting point about time delay, readily available new model information and the impact on sales. I'm sure the recently facelifted Impreza also caused a slowdown in MY03 sales. The new Legacy information should also.
However, what I don't know is what the "average" buyer knows. Here at Edmund's we couldn't imagine buying a new vehicle without all this knowledge, but for the "average" buyer, I bet their main source of info is based on a stroll to the local dealer.
Ken
For the average Saturn or Malibu customer, it probably won't have much if any impact. However, cars that appeal to gearheads, like us, I bet it does have a huge impact.
I used to rely on car rags to get new model info. Not any more; it's all from the Internet now.
Bob
No paint chips. Much more resistant to scratches. Super-easy to clean. The stuff is like teflon. That's why I want the XT engine in the base model.
More importantly, let's all keep something in mind - pretty much all bumpers are plastic, they haven't used metal bumpers for ages. So paint chips are a problem on all those bumpers.
Unpainted plastic cladding is pretty much the *only* option that will not chip. Maybe my cars are door ding magnets, but I'll show you at least half a dozen on my Miata. Zero on my Forester, with more miles by the way.
Legacy looks a little like the Mazda 6 in profile, but the nose and tail are actually very distinct.
-juice
* = My son has some minor damage to his passenger rear door on his '96 Impreza Outback. The entire door needs to be replaced, according to several repair shops. If he had cladding, that's all that would need to be replaced.
Bob
I sound like an infomercial, but the stuff really works! Just don't paint it.
-juice
Yes, the cladding on the Baja is a little too much. If they make the cladding monotone (Black Baja turbo) it looks better, IMO.
-Dennis
-juice
You must have some awesome karma if you have zero door dings on your Forester! Either that or you park next to some very low cars.
Ken
Ed
The bumper has a few scratches that surely would've required repainting the bumpers (more than once).
Point is, with unpainted cladding you don't even notice it.
-juice
Ken
Ed
I think cost is by per panel basis vs per ding.
-Dave
i expect outback to be even better
I'll take the XT for now (well, December or so actually) and then in 3 or 4 years I can 'upgrade' back to the Legacy! LOL ;-)
-Brian
I'll definitely test drive one next year.
-Colin
easily the best-looking vehicle Subaru has ever created
Reaction has been almost universally positive, in I think I've heard only one negative opinion on it, out of dozens.
Hmm, that back seat looks a lot roomier. If the front seats are all the way back, it looks to have gained 3 inches or so of rear legroom. Either way, it sure seems less compact and more mid-size.
247hp from the H6 sounds good, 6 speed manual and 5 speed Sportshift please!
-juice
Bob