This 2005 Legacy (gt)is soooooo good that if got the attention it deserves; Subaru would not have the resources i.e. factory floor space and distribution network to handle the great demand.
This would cause a severe back-lash; there would be a nation-wide outcry calling for the ban on all Subie products.
This is the reason for the 2005 Legacy's poor press and PR coverage at these auto shows.
Its a thought, can't think of any other plausible reason.
Yeah, that was the side of our hotel, Bob. Pretty neat.
From that article:
it's only a matter of time before Subaru gets a platform from the General Motors whopping chassis family...growing pains indeed
I'm gonna be sick. Don't do it. Don't even think about it!
I also don't like the idea of calling them Brand Managers. Call them something else, please. What they're doing doesn't sound bad, just give them a different title. Character Preservation Managers, maybe.
Yes, but the XT was a new trim in an already introduced model. I'm actually impressed that C&D did a whole write up on the XT rather than one of those "Short Take" one-pagers.
I'm hoping that over the next few months, we'll start seeing reviews of the Legacy.
C&D can be pretty harsh when writing about cars. reading the review and counterpoints helped make my fxt decision much easier. i think this from the counterpoints sums up my opinion of the fxt nicely "The Forester XT is another case of an excellent engine transforming a bland car into something sweet"
I thought I could hold off my ambitions a year or two for a GT figuring they would add content as time goes on. But, if a 280HP special edition comes out, I can't guarantee any rational thinking.
How true can this be about a 'possible' upgraded Legacy Turbo and we have yet to get our hands on the GT model?
I can't wait any longer unless it's worth the wait for another 6 months; and if that's the case, Paisan, I'm going to need to borrow your Leg Turbo (from Texas) up until Fall... :-p
VW is now offering the passat 4motion w/ the 1.8T in a 5 speed. It has a TMV of 26.5k loaded. Legacy GT competition? Seems like it may sit price-wise between the Legacy and GT?
VWs are hit or miss, either it is flawless or plagued.
Seriously, the cheapest 4Mo used to be $29 grand, and that was a sedan. Wagons were in the $30s! Near luxury price territory was their entry level AWD!
What's New for 2004 The big news for 2004 is the addition of a 2.0-liter diesel four-cylinder engine to the lineup late in the model year. The 4Motion all-wheel-drive system is a delayed option on 1.8T-equipped GLS models.
Subaru of America will appoint four brand managers as part of a plan to develop products better suited for the U.S. market.
Three of the brand managers will be hired from outside the company...
"They will be driving competitive products and looking for trends in American society... They will look for the needs and wants of Americans to make sure we tailor our future product along those wants and needs."
Each Subaru brand manager will oversee vehicles made on a specific platform. The four vehicle ranges are:
1. The Forester
2. The Impreza, WRX and STi
3. The Legacy, Outback and Baja
4. A new seven-passenger 2006 model
Hey gang, Subaru needs to hire 3 brand managers! Juice is a natural pick to be brand manager for the 7-passenger vehicle, Bob would do an admirable job as the Legacy line brand manager and I'll humbly volunteer my services to be the Forester brand manager :-) Hmmm, that takes care of the 3 positions but what about the Impreza line? I think Colin would be an excellent choice there. So now we just need to convince Subaru to hire us!
Interesting to note in that report that the Baja is still under consideration, and it's still grouped as an Legacy off-shoot, like the Outback. If that report is accurate, then it sounds as if future Bajas will remain Legacy-based.
I don't think that's a bad idea—if properly done...
Also interesting is that the Forester is now separated from the Impreza line. I wonder if that means future Foresters will get their own distinct platform?
Interesting that Subaru's coming out with an entry in that market.
I'm wondering how it will be positioned.
When I started looking for a new vehicle it was when the MDX was new. Eventually, I ended up with an '02 Forester. Interest in the MDX wasn't because of the seven seats, but was in spite of that extra row.
Perhaps Subarus entry would be somewhere between the Highlander and the MDX?
Everytime I see this leatherette label I have to laugh, why don't they call a spade a spade instead of a shovel, leatherette has as much in common with a cow as a plastic bucket:-).
I hate to write about VW's on Subaru site, but I've got to admit that I can't get much of a response on any sites other than the Subie sites. Do you guys know how much activity there is going on here compared to other boards?
Anyhow, I'm one of the lucky ones--got a '99 NB GLS 1.8t M5. Love the car. It's fun to drive, well geared, economical, and I've had (knock on wood) no mechanical problems in 30K.
Unfortunately, my dirt road hates it--severe lack of road clearance (that and the NB is worthless if you've got two dogs), which is why I'm looking at a Forester or maybe the '05 Outback Wagon.
The wife and I decided to try to replace the 10-year old Volvo 850 Wagon and the NB in order to go to one reasonably economical AWD wagon with manual transmission, which is proving more difficult than we imagined. We rejected the Passat 4motion initially because it only came with a tiptronic. Now I read that the manual transmission is a delayed option on the 4motion. It's on the Edmund's site, but not on VW's official site. Am I missing something? Anyone know how delayed?
Back in '99 I was waiting for the Passat 4-motion "vapor car". VW seems to announce future models and you wait forever for it to materialize.
When Subaru put the 2.5L engine into the 2000 Legacy L, that knocked the VW out of the picture. [I wanted the "L" because I didn't want a sunroof. For '99 and earlier, the "L" had the smaller 2.2L engine.]
I disagree w/ the G35 comparison w/ the subaru GT, MOST (non-subie enthusiasts) will look at the name of infiniti over subaru. However, true drivers not only might see the value of the sub but also like it b/c of the MT.
The base (incl sunroof) 1.8T gls is TMV of 24,240, which may hurt subaru sales for those not willing to jump up to the GT but who want more than the base Legacy.
No question, GM's experience with brand managers has left a foul taste in the mouths of anyone who mentions that term. However, other companies (like BMW), have used that approach quite successfully. Hopefully Subaru will be following the BMW model, and not the GM model.
Comments
-Brian
Bob
This would cause a severe back-lash; there would be a nation-wide outcry calling for the ban on all Subie products.
This is the reason for the 2005 Legacy's poor press and PR coverage at these auto shows.
Its a thought, can't think of any other plausible reason.
Luch
From that article:
it's only a matter of time before Subaru gets a platform from the General Motors whopping chassis family...growing pains indeed
I'm gonna be sick. Don't do it. Don't even think about it!
I also don't like the idea of calling them Brand Managers. Call them something else, please. What they're doing doesn't sound bad, just give them a different title. Character Preservation Managers, maybe.
-juice
Yes, but the XT was a new trim in an already introduced model. I'm actually impressed that C&D did a whole write up on the XT rather than one of those "Short Take" one-pagers.
I'm hoping that over the next few months, we'll start seeing reviews of the Legacy.
Ken
-juice
i think this from the counterpoints sums up my opinion of the fxt nicely "The Forester XT is another case of an excellent engine transforming a bland car into something sweet"
Greg
~c
-Frank P.
Ken
I can't wait any longer unless it's worth the wait for another 6 months; and if that's the case, Paisan, I'm going to need to borrow your Leg Turbo (from Texas) up until Fall... :-p
~c
But yeah, after that, I'm not *that* brave (hee hee).
I think I've just met too many people that were burned by VW/Audi in the past. Seems like everyone at least knows someone that does...
-juice
VWs are hit or miss, either it is flawless or plagued.
I think we got lucky with our VW. The only thing that had wore prematurely was an accessory belt and the front cupholder.
Engine and drivetrain have been fine. Doesn't consume a drop of oil -- wish my Forester was like that. ;-)
Ken
1.8T 4Mo? I didn't even know. They snuck that model in. That may hurt A4 1.8T Quattro sales.
-juice
Bob
-juice
The big news for 2004 is the addition of a 2.0-liter diesel four-cylinder engine to the lineup late in the model year. The 4Motion all-wheel-drive system is a delayed option on 1.8T-equipped GLS models.
Low-sulfur diesel is trickling in, in terms of supply, right?
-juice
It could mean we'll finally get the goodies that they've kept in the JDM for far too long.
I just hope it doesn't mean design by committee. That gave us the Aztek.
-juice
LL bean Forester &
high-end Legacy turbo are a good possibility by looking at the Subaru's expected sales increases
If Subaru holds the line on pricing, and it comes to about what we expect, they'll be a better value IMO.
-juice
Check:
http://www.autoweek.com/search/search_display.mv?port_code=autowe- ek&cat_code=reviews&content_code=02701363&Search_Type- =STD&Search_ID=1841670&record=2
Luch
I looked at the list and it matches what's being offered in Japan.
http://www.subaru.co.jp/legacy/technical/03/03_05.html
Try to guess which is which:
Atlantic Blue Pearl
Brilliant Silver Metallic
Garnet Red Pearl
Obsidian Black Pearl
Regal Blue Pearl
Satin White Pearl
Ken
(liking that Atlantic Blue Pearl)
Three of the brand managers will be hired from outside the company...
"They will be driving competitive products and looking for trends in American society... They will look for the needs and wants of Americans to make sure we tailor our future product along those wants and needs."
Each Subaru brand manager will oversee vehicles made on a specific platform. The four vehicle ranges are:
1. The Forester
2. The Impreza, WRX and STi
3. The Legacy, Outback and Baja
4. A new seven-passenger 2006 model
Hey gang, Subaru needs to hire 3 brand managers! Juice is a natural pick to be brand manager for the 7-passenger vehicle, Bob would do an admirable job as the Legacy line brand manager and I'll humbly volunteer my services to be the Forester brand manager :-) Hmmm, that takes care of the 3 positions but what about the Impreza line? I think Colin would be an excellent choice there. So now we just need to convince Subaru to hire us!
-Frank P.
not enough people would buy a manual transmission to make it worth offering one, Infiniti said
Fine, that just means more sales for the GT :-)
-Frank P.
Ken
Interesting to note in that report that the Baja is still under consideration, and it's still grouped as an Legacy off-shoot, like the Outback. If that report is accurate, then it sounds as if future Bajas will remain Legacy-based.
I don't think that's a bad idea—if properly done...
Also interesting is that the Forester is now separated from the Impreza line. I wonder if that means future Foresters will get their own distinct platform?
Bob
I'm wondering how it will be positioned.
When I started looking for a new vehicle it was when the MDX was new. Eventually, I ended up with an '02 Forester. Interest in the MDX wasn't because of the seven seats, but was in spite of that extra row.
Perhaps Subarus entry would be somewhere between the Highlander and the MDX?
Cheers Pat.
Frank: I like the idea but I'm not movin' to Jersey. ;-)
BTW, Baja just making that list implies it might survive after all.
Leatherette can be fine if done well. BMW leatherette is better than Acura's leather!
Ken: you listed 6 colors, but the palette has 7?
Satin White Pearl, (not listed), Brilliant Silver Metallic
Obsidian Black Pearl, Regal Blue Pearl, Garnet Red Pearl
Atlantic Blue Pearl (my fave)
Looks like the "casual edition" gets a very light silver or pearled off white, it's hard to tell on this laptop.
-juice
Anyhow, I'm one of the lucky ones--got a '99 NB GLS 1.8t M5. Love the car. It's fun to drive, well geared, economical, and I've had (knock on wood) no mechanical problems in 30K.
Unfortunately, my dirt road hates it--severe lack of road clearance (that and the NB is worthless if you've got two dogs), which is why I'm looking at a Forester or maybe the '05 Outback Wagon.
The wife and I decided to try to replace the 10-year old Volvo 850 Wagon and the NB in order to go to one reasonably economical AWD wagon with manual transmission, which is proving more difficult than we imagined. We rejected the Passat 4motion initially because it only came with a tiptronic. Now I read that the manual transmission is a delayed option on the 4motion. It's on the Edmund's site, but not on VW's official site. Am I missing something? Anyone know how delayed?
Zman
When Subaru put the 2.5L engine into the 2000 Legacy L, that knocked the VW out of the picture. [I wanted the "L" because I didn't want a sunroof. For '99 and earlier, the "L" had the smaller 2.2L engine.]
I'd say go with Subaru!
Jim
I disagree w/ the G35 comparison w/ the subaru GT, MOST (non-subie enthusiasts) will look at the name of infiniti over subaru. However, true drivers not only might see the value of the sub but also like it b/c of the MT.
The base (incl sunroof) 1.8T gls is TMV of 24,240, which may hurt subaru sales for those not willing to jump up to the GT but who want more than the base Legacy.
But does that price include the 4motion?
-Frank P.
BMW leatherette smells odd when new, though. Really odd. LOL
~c
Bob
-Dave