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Comments
Greg
Ken
MY 2003 is 68.7 in wide
MY 2005 is 68.1 in wide
Just wondering as a mid-size car like the Accord is more that 3 inches wider at 71.5 in
- spinaker
* Subaru has never used the term *prototype* in a show car before, as far as I can recall. That usually means that (a ) a production car will follow shortly and (b) the specs may differ from the show car somewhat.
* Being a Geneva introduction, that usually means a model (first) for the European market. As for USDM, who knows?
* Europe currently does not have a true performance Legacy in the lineup. They have the Legacy 3.0 R, but it's hooked up to the 5EAT.
* This this 6-speed Legacy H-6 would nicely match up against the European sport sedans, such as the manual 3- Series, et al, which are much more common in Europe than they are here.
* So what about North America? Will we see it here? The Detroit show focused on the turbo Legacy. Chicago focused on the new Outback. That leaves New York; could we see that model there? BTW, the NY show is about a month after Geneva.
* Remember the rumors not too long a go about an additional hot new Legacy to debut later this summer or this fall? Could this model have been the basis of that rumor?
Bob
http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/b62a48c/bc/My+Photos-Lo%27s/__sr_/- a693.jpg?ph6S7LAB5h4HYkuS
The only model I could get in was the XT Limited, I would prefer the 3.0R interior in the XT.
Zman
I don't think the Legacy has shrunk interior-wise. Not sure about the Legacy vs. other vehicles, however.
Ken
If you weren't a Sube cognoscenti. I think most people would be hard pressed to tell them from 04s!
hate the new 17 in rims (but then I also hated my 98 Gts rims and my 02 WRXs front end and I love them now!)
Am I going crazy but does every sedan nowadays have such a small rear window and high boot you can't tell where the back of it is???? maybe I've been driving wagons for too long!
what is with Audi these days, I'm only 5' 8" and the roofline is about 1/2 in from my head front or back, no wonder they need head airbags! I have the same problem in most Lexi too. I must have a dysmophic trunk and short legs or something!
I like the Mazda 6 hatchback (but then I've always been partial to hatches/wagons!).
Can't wait till the Gt is for sale! Too bad I will have to get leather to get the moonroof though.Hate leather!
This is from today's Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com/class...,1166976.column, and suggests the Baja will NOT be discontinued after this year but, instead, will be re-designed for MY2006 and based on the new Legacy/Outback platform.
_________________________________________________
Legacy and Outback are getting a redesign and will be longer and wider and feature new sheet metal when they arrive June 1 as '05 models.
Fred Adcock, senior vice president of Subaru North America, said the next-generation Baja will come off that bigger Legacy/Outback platform, but not until the '06 model year.
The next Baja will have new sheet metal, but don't look for a lot of plastic cladding decorating the body panels. Just as Pontiac will shed the plastic cosmetics on its Grand Am replacement, the G6, so will Baja.
"There'll be less cladding for a softer look," Adcock said.
And don't look for a change in the "Switchback" system. Switchback means you can flip the rear seat back flat to expose the cabin wall behind it.
A portion of that wall opens and flips down flat to extend the bed into the cabin.
General Motors basically offers the same thing called a midgate. Unlike the GM midgate in which the wall folds flat, only a circular portion in the middle of that wall folds on Baja. So you can slip long items inside, but they better not be wide because they won't fit.
"We looked at a midgate in '02, but decided not to incorporate it in the Baja," Adcock said, citing cost as the primary reason it didn't adopt the system from GM, which owns a controlling interest in Subaru.
At the Chicago Auto Show, Kia unveiled a concept four-door pickup called Mojave that went beyond Switchback. Mojave rear seats folded and the rear cabin wall motored forward against the backs of the front seats at the push of a button to increase the size of the bed.
No such similar version is planned by Subaru, Adcock said, and you have to assume cost is the reason.
While you'll have to wait for an all-new Baja, a change is coming in April in response to a request from many of those initial 10,000 buyers—a solid bed cover to keep things out of sight and from blowing around.
A cover would serve another purpose, as we experienced when the bed filled with snow overnight.
Adcock said the bed cover will be standard on the Baja turbo and will come with a lock.
_________________________________________________
So an all-new Baja arrive for MY06, based on the all-new Outback, and '05 Bajas will get a lockable hard cover shortly, and it will be standard on the turbo! All this is GOOD news!
Bob
This is from today's Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com/class...1,4540409.story:
GM looks to partners to improve Aztek
GTO-like effort possible for ailing Pontiac SUV
By Jim Mateja
Tribune auto reporter
Published February 15, 2004
There will be a 2005 model of the Aztek, the much-maligned, ugly-duckling sport-utility vehicle from Pontiac that, rumor had it, might fade from the scene after the '04 model year.
And Aztek may stay around after '05, though perhaps in a different form, according to Jim Bunnell, general marketing manager for Pontiac-GMC.
"The crossover sport-utility segment is very strong, and we're exploring some different opportunities [for Aztek]," he said.
Bunnell said Pontiac is looking within its ranks as well as with General Motors partners to create those "opportunities" for Aztek.
Pontiac is no stranger to working with a GM alliance partner to develop a vehicle.
"We got the GTO from Holden," he said, referring to the '04 Pontiac performance car derived from the Holden Monaro from GM's subsidiary in Australia.
Also, the 2005 Saab 9-2X is a derivative of the Subaru WRX.
GM owns Saab and has an equity interest in Subaru, which is known for its all-wheel-drive vehicles and could be a viable partner in coming up with an Aztek successor.
Fred Adcock, senior vice president of Subaru North America, said he hasn't been contacted about working on an Aztek type vehicle with Pontiac, "but GM would deal with Fuji Heavy Industries, our parent, if they did," he said.
Bob
I don't see the value in uglifying (new word!) the Outback to make a new Aztek. Just kill the thing, admit someone there at GM made a large mistake and move on.
~c
Anyway, that is one hideous vehicle, and after seeing how it handles highway ramps, I don't understand why anybody would buy one. I agree, GM ought to can the Aztek.
Craig
-B
~c
-Brian
Let's get back to talking Subaru. This is disgusting.
But the company on this fence is pretty good, and I when I wander down to the local Audi/ VW / Porsche dealer on Sundays before church and look at those stickers, the wait seems a lot easier! $42K for an A4 Avant Quattro with the 3.0 ! Honestly, SoA needs to market the new Outback with Lance Armstrong throwing his muddy bike on the roof and saying to the camera, "Bling? Never heard of it..."
Mark
If i can get for below 30k, i think it is a steal.
swampy: nope, a stranger was in the front seat when I snapped that pic.
Bob: new Baja for '06, locking hard cover, and don't forget: less cladding. Those incremental improvements are a good start, but I'd still like to see a midgate or an opening 4' wide.
WHY ON EARTH would they want to keep the Aztek badge alive? Sure, sell a different crossover as a Pontiac, but get rid of that name!
Having said that, I think if GM wants a crossover for Pontiac, I do think they'll start with the Subaru 7 seater. Look how quickly FHI got the 9-2x for Saab.
If that happens, why keep the stigma of the Aztek name? Boy would that be dumb! I mean, c'mon, they keep changing the names of their minivans with each generation. Why keep the name of your biggest failure of all time?
Interesting that Fred Adcock said Subaru would not help at all, GM would deal directly with FHI.
-juice
Front runners include the Forester XT, especially if they add the PP w/MT for 2005. Add to that the Outback and the Legacy, pretty much every model in the lineup, because I want MT but the wife wants AT, and I'll have to see how each engine drives.
But I'll want to at least see the 7 seater and get a peek at pricing for that, too. I don't think we're ready to replace 2 vehicles in the next 2 years, so I have to pick carefully. In that way it would make more sense for me to get the bigger vehicle, since the others overlap a lot with what we already have now.
-juice
I found this in a local dealer Advertisement,thought I would post it.I scanned it.BTW I am not pushing a sale just posted as a matter of interest.
Cheers Pat.
Fred Adcock, senior vice president of Subaru North America, said the next-generation Baja will come off that bigger Legacy/Outback platform, but not until the '06 model year.
The next Baja will have new sheet metal, but don't look for a lot of plastic cladding decorating the body panels. Just as Pontiac will shed the plastic cosmetics on its Grand Am replacement, the G6, so will Baja.
''There'll be less cladding for a softer look,'' Adcock said.
And don't look for a change in the ''Switchback'' system. Switchback means you can flip the rear seat back flat to expose the cabin wall behind it. A portion of that wall opens and flips down flat to extend the bed into the cabin.
General Motors basically offers the same thing called a midgate. Unlike the GM midgate in which the wall folds flat, only a circular portion in the middle of that wall folds on Baja. So you can slip long items inside, but they better not be wide because they won't fit.
''We looked at a midgate in '02, but decided not to incorporate it in the Baja,'' Adcock said, citing cost as the primary reason it didn't adopt the system from GM, which owns a controlling interest in Subaru.
If I can get an 05 Legacy GT auto wagon or OB auto Turbo wawgon limited under 30K, then I will become part of the family.
I would love to buy the turbo Forrester but wanted a tad bit better mpg than the current model. WAs hoping the 05 model might change the gear ratio to get slightly less torque for better mileage buy yet more punch than the XS model.
SOA: Hope you are reading this because I have 7 other friends who are in the market next year that have similar views and would also like to join the family. The ball is in yur court but realize there is plenty of competition out there so don't go overboard on the pricing!!
Its worth a try though:-
SoA: Please build the B11S
Luch
-B
Patti, care to respond?
Bob
-Brian
As far as the 7 Pass. I heard that Fuji has been very tough about not giving it to GM. Orignally they were working on it togehther, then Fuji pulled out stating it didn't make sense. The 9-2 was the best of the worst situation for them. If they had to give something, make it to a upscale, low volume brand and have it be more expensive. This can't really hurt Subaru's image, it might even help them. With the 7 pass heavens forbid it should be a chevy or pontiac or etc.. Then it would be big volume lower brand image and cheaper with huge incentives and could hurt Subaru's image and take away it's DNA. It can't happen...no way...Please!!
Two things to consider:
1. Usually Sub Ltd comes loaded. Compare price with a loaded Audi or BMW.
2. Usually, you can get 2k off MSRP on a sub. not sure in a BMW or Audi.
There's a Suggestions for Subaru thread in the Subaru Crew, you should put your suggestion there.
-Brian
-B
um, the WRX STi sedan isn't exactly roaring out of dealerships as it is. the WRX wagon is being heartily outsold by the Forester XT. need more explanation?
~c
"Also, there's no release on the boot, so you'll need the key to open it."
You Gotta Be Kiddin' Me.... Anybody confirm?
http://carpoint.ninemsn.com.au/reviews/reviewstory.asp?ID=5001
WHAT WE LIKED
Better performance
Quality look and finish
Dynamically impressive
NOT SO MUCH
Rear seat headroom (sedan)
NO REAR BOOT RELEASE
Australia misses the good engines
Mark
-juice
After a dreamy day long test drive yesterday in the mountains with a demo AT FXT, we are almost ready to commit. Only blip was it was auto (but a good auto), too sunny to see the CD controls, and wife complained that the scoop distracted her
All the good things I like about my 2000 Forester L, only this one is more comfortable, better screwed together and loaded to the max.....plus that intoxicating 2.5T.
Need another month or so to sort out financials, and there is only one red MT FXT left in our part of the world, which may be gone before we have our downpayment together....so may wait for the 05 MY FXT, and a chance to see/price/sample the OB XT. But I'd say we are 95% going with the FXT as we dont need any more space, and I like the impreza underpinnings. I almost hope the OB XT is much more $$ to make the decsion easier.
Here's hoping the 05 XT comes in rally blue, with a brighter CD and a 7 year warranty. (30 mpg and 87 octane would be good too).
So if anyone hears about any changes, however minor, in the FXT, would be good to know. Not expecting much, with the focus on the legacy/outback.
I first want to thank God for hearing and answering your prayers. Second, thank you for praying for my father and the best wishes sent our way. Feb. 9 (Monday night), his blood count was 6.4. At 6.0, my father would've gone into cardiac arrest overnight and would've died. My father's blood count has increased to 11.6 as of last Saturday. Yes, it's still under normal scale for a male, but enough to do some extensive tests and find what the problem is...
Doctors found a large hernia in/next to his esophagus, which will need to be removed. The operation date has not been set yet (hopefully sometime this week) and at this time, we don't know if it will be done through his mouth or open upper chest.
Doctors say that the hernia has been there for some years undetected and the low volumn bleeding led to his condition.
I ask for your continued prayer that his operation is successful. He's aware that God spared his life and if it wasn't also for my aunt to force him out the house, he wouldn't of made it to the hospital.
Thank you all for those who responded to my email/posts... it will never go unnoticed. It's good to know that family is there with you, no matter where I'm at!
Love you all and take care....
Elmer
Glad to hear your Dad is improving. Our continued prayers for a successful recovery.
Mark
pon1: hee hee, but no, please keep the OB XT addordable, I'll get over my indecision. Eventually.
-juice