Better than OEM!! Where the rear bumper has less luster and more orange peel compared to the rest of the car, my new front skin looks just as good. I have a great body shop though. That was back in the Spring.
And then....I was trying to think about too much at once in the days before Elie was due, and juuuuust nudged the driver's side fender into an underground lot pylon Grrrr.....NOT the kind of thing I ever do. I was concentrating on the butt end of the car and thinking about all the stuff I had to do and.....crunch. Missed the lens, thankfully. Paint is fine too actually, but the metal is crumpled right at the crease and fender bulge. Can't be pulled, so I need a new fender and the accompanying paint. $600. :-(
Haven't had the dough all this time, but the car will be going in finally the first week of January to the same guy.
That's too bad, but understandable for an expecting Dad! If we ever have kids I will be a serious ditz for sure.
I had paintless dent repair done on the driver's door of my XT when it got sideswiped, and it looks great from a dead-on view. But, at angles approaching the car (typical when you walk up to the car) you can see ripples in the metal and it's bugging me (OCD). So I checked with insurance and they are going to cut me a check for the damage. Now I just need to decide how to handle the repair.
I am seriously considering using my Subaru Bucks to get a new door (about $400) and use the insurance money to pay for a top-notch paint job on the door. Then I can mount the new door and transfer all the hardware over from the old door. It's actually pretty easy with the way the doors are hung these days. But, if the body shop gives me a good feeling, I'll let them repair/repaint the old door since it will be easier on me. It really depends on how much disassembly is required for a door repaint -- at some point, it makes more sense to me to get a new door.
After the B9 Tribeca, Subaru needs a new larger Sedan and Wagon - Code Name B10 / B11. This sedan/wagon should be a size larger than the Legacy, which IMHO is a compact to midsize car. This car should be a larger platform making it truly a midsize to fullsize car.
I was thinking of a car at least as large or on par in size and interior dimensions with the following:
Lexus - LS430
Infiniti - M45
Cadillac - STS
Lincoln - LS
Acura - RL
Audi - A6
Jaguar - S-TypeR
Volvo - S80
BMW - 5 Series
Saab - 9-5
Mercedes - E Class
Acura - TL
Infiniti - G35
Lexus - GS430
I picked these cars because they are under 200 inches and a wheelbase max of about 116 inches. The LS430 and STS are on the large side of what I would like to see, and the G35, TL and GS430 are on the small side.
I did a little analysis and came up with the average dimensions based on the Edmunds listed interior and exterior dimensions of the above cars. I have used the averages unless where noted.
Length: Current Legacy - 186.2"
Proposed B10/11 - 192"
Wheelbase: Current Legacy - 105.1"
Proposed B10/11 - 111-114"*
* 111" is Avg. The S-Type, LS and 5 Series all have longer than 113" wheelbase.
Width: Current Legacy - 68.1"
Proposed B10/11 - 72-76"*
* The avg is 72" but the S-TypeR and new A6 are 81" and 73" inches. So I like the upper end around 76" inches
Height: Current Legacy - 56.1"
Proposed B10/11 - 57-57.5"
Weight: Current Legacy - 3365 Lbs
Proposed B10/11 - 3750-3850 Lbs*
The avg is 3879 Lbs. The RL is 3984, the A6 is 4145, the E Class is 4150, the STS is 4295.
Frt Headroom: Current Legacy - 37.5"
Proposed B10/11 - 38.2-38.6"*
Avg is 38.2, TL, STS, S-TypeR are 38.7 to 38.6"
Rear Headroom: Current Legacy - 36.5"
Proposed B10/11 - 37.3-37.6"*
37.3' is Avg, the S80 is 37.6"
Frt Hip Room: Current Legacy - 51.0"
Proposed B10/11 - 54.4-55.3"*
54.4" is Avg, S80 has 55.3"
Rear Hip Room: Current Legacy - 52.6"
Proposed Legacy - 54.7-55.6"*
*The avg is 54.7", the S80 and STS have 55.6"
Frt Shoulder Room: Current Legacy - 54.4"
Proposed Legacy - 57.3-58"*
57.3" is Avg, the S80 has 58.0"
Rear Shoulder Room: Current Legacy - 53.7"
Proposed B10/11 - 56.4
Front Leg Room: Current Legacy - 44.1"*
Proposed B10/B11 - 44.1*
The Legacy had more room than all but one, the GS430
Rear Leg Room: Current Legacy - 33.9"
Proposed B10/11 - 35.8-37.0"*
The Avg is 35.8", the 9-5 - 36.6", A6 36.9",and the S-TypeR has 37.0". The more room the better.
I think a car with these added dimentions will do well for Subaru. Stepping up in size doesn't mean it has to be luxury but definitely premium in the lines of Volvo, Saab and Jaguar. It would be nice to have S-TypeR power, and S80 safety and A6 style and 5 series driving dynamics. Is that too much to ask for? :-)
Craig, just so you know, new body panels frequently come with all manner of small dents that usually require small repairs.
Most people outside the trade are not privy to this info, and the average consumer does not have the time nor are they permitted to watch the repairs being done to their car.
There is an old saying in Ireland, what the eye doesn't see the heart doesn't grieve.
So I would advise you to have your own door repaired, especially since the damage to your own door is relatively minor in circumspect.
That's interesting info, Pat. I'm not suprised that there is some re-work required even with brand new panels.
Craig -- I'd do what makes you sleep best at night. In either case, the repair shop will need to work on the panel separately and repaint. Too bad you aren't in the Bay Area. I could have recommended a few good body shops.
Thanks for the info Pat, I was sort of suspecting that myself. Do you think I would still be able to get a better paint job on a fresh primed door rather than the old door that is already painted and cleared?? How much work is involved in prepping the old door for a good repaint?? New door only costs about $400.
Ken, I am still not sure what will help me sleep best at night. On one hand, I have a perfectly fitting, perfectly functioning door and I would hate to mess with that (all sorts of potential to screw it up if they have to tear the door down for a repaint or if I replace the door myself). On the other hand, the dents are pretty annoying to look at. So I am torn between leaving it alone and getting it fixed. Common sense says to leave it alone, but OCD says fix it!
I guess I will see how much the insurance $$ work out to; if nothing else I can put the money in the bank and use it to offset any future penalties associated with the damage when I trade/sell the car. Of course, if I grow an ulcer looking at the dents for the next 4-5 years, having a few hundred bucks in the bank won't help much!
Oh, I meant to fix the door with the two choices being replacing the panel or using the current one. My OCD side wouldn't be at peace with something like that.
My only worry would be the paint match -- both color and texture. Lots of body shops do good sheetmetal work, but not always good paint jobs.
Craig, whether it is a new door or your own door should make no difference to the quality of the paint job, actually apart from the repair the prep for painting is the same.
Now you know I am as anal the next guy were my car is concerned. I would have to agree with Kens observation as regards paint match, My advice is if the damage is not really noticeable is to learn to live with it.
If you get a mismatched paint job whether you replace the door or not this will be even harder to live with, as well you are destroying the integrity of the factory paint and I don't care what anybody says you cannot dublicate factory paint.
Incidently your colour would look to have the same problems as my Titanium, depending on how the metallic particles lay on the panel when the paint is being sprayed on you can get a lot of different effects.
When I only had the Titan 3 weeks, a senior citizen used my rear bumper as a parking aid, I have a painter par excellance and he took 3 attempts to match the paint, He said that the Titanium pearl was a painter's nightmare. I hope that this info does not cause you more confusion.
Here is a good explanation of modern paint process.
When we buy a new vehicle -- or even a late-model used one -- we pretty well take it for granted that it comes with a really good paint job. Developments in automotive finishing during the last few years have resulted in paint that has impressive durability, along with the ability to retain that "like new" look over many years of use.
This process is certainly no accident. Automakers go to surprising lengths to improve paint finishes, and the results show after a few years of daily vehicle use.
It wasn't too many years ago that paint would deteriorate quite rapidly -- especially under extreme weather conditions. During the 1970s and 1980s when automakers started to use painted plastic valances around the bumper areas, it was common to see a vehicle with a few years under its wheels displaying an alarming difference between the finish on the bodywork and the paint on the bumper valances and other moulded components. The fact was that paint technology took a while to catch up with the trend towards the use of composite materials in conjunction with steel.
Nowadays, a vehicle body may use panels made of steel, aluminum and plastic composite all on the same platform. The paint, though, holds up faultlessly, regardless of what it's applied to -- even after many seasons of use.
Typically, on a modern vehicle, the paint consists of several layers, each of which has a different job to do. Rustproofing is a major consideration, of course, so steel panels have to be treated even before the paint layers go on. Automakers commonly use a "zinc phosphate" coating which provides a very effective barrier against rust -- even in climates where vehicles are bombarded in wintertime with a constant spray of salt-laden slush.
The zinc phosphate coated bodyshell then gets a coat of primer which provides more corrosion protection, along with a good base for the colour coat itself. These days, most automakers use water-thinnable paints, which are applied electrostatically. In this process, the paint particles in the "dipping tank" are attracted to the bodywork electrically and find their way into every nook and cranny. Viewing the process is interesting because the vehicle body is lowered into what looks like a huge tank of water, but it emerges with an even, flawless, coat of paint. Actually, there are several coats of paint applied using this process from an initial "filler" to the final layers of finish in the colour the customer ordered. Incidentally, metallic finishes are achieved thanks to minute flakes of aluminum blended into the paint.
Modern automotive finishing processes have developed in recent years not only around the need for more effective rust protection, but also to meet environmental demands. With today's electrostatic dip processes and water soluble finishes, no paint residue escapes into the atmosphere -- as it did with the old spray booth techniques. Before the painted bodyshell heads for the assembly lines, it is baked to ensure the finish is as durable and as scratch-resistant as possible.
The final coating is of a clear lacquer ("clearcoat" is the term most often used) and this enhances the glossy look of the vehicle and provides a weatherproof barrier to such hazards as acid rain, tree resin, bird droppings, soot and other hazards our vehicles have to face on a daily basis. It's worth mentioning that good body shops know all about these paint processes and are able to repair vehicles and match the look and durability of the original finish surprisingly well.
Of course, nothing stands still in any corner of the automotive industry and the field of paint finishes is no exception. The people at Mercedes-Benz, which seems to be enjoying a string of innovations right now, have developed a new type of clear lacquer which is claimed to be substantially more scratch-resistant than conventional paint. The lacquer contains minute ceramic particles which harden in the paintshop oven and form a barrier that's very difficult to mar in any way. The process is said to be especially useful in protecting against the ravages of mechanical car wash equipment, although recent "touchless" systems may have reduced this hazard to some extent. Another benefit of the process is an enhanced gloss which is stated to last longer than the shine on most conventional finishes. Mercedes points out that it tested 150 cars over several years with what it calls its "nano-particle clearcoat" and the vehicles displayed better scratch-resistance and a longer-lasting gloss. For the scientifically curious (or the crossword fan), a "nano" is a billionth part of a unit, so the ceramic chips in this coating must be microscopic. The coating is also claimed to offer better protection against chemicals in the atmosphere, which are still a problem in some regions of the country. The coating is being applied to several 2004 Mercedes-Benz models and will more than likely find its way to other DaimlerChrysler group nameplates like Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep.
Of course, rival automakers are no doubt working on paint finish innovations of their own and the results can only benefit consumers. Thankfully, the bad old days when rust perforation was a fact of life after a few years of ownership seem to have gone forever.
Thanks for the info and sage advice, I really appreciate it. More and more, I am thinking that banking the insurance money and living with the dents is the best overall solution.
Maybe I can get hypnotized so that I don't notice the dents.... you know -- what the eye doesn't see the heart doesn't grieve!
Add me to the list of those who see VW/Audi influences here, especially having seen the new Golfs up close. Previous comparisons of the Legacy sedans' rear to the first-gen A4 don't help matters.
That's not to say it doesn't look good - it looks better than any present/future Subie with the bathroom scale/upside down Studebaker Hawk center grille - but it does look very derivative.
another comment about the hood & trunk-- they actually convey a consistent look. subaru has long had problems with that; even if the front design looked modern, the rear often was not.
the Legacy B4 (blitzen and RS, I think) have been around in Japan for a while, right? I'm surprised they didn't switch the name to B4 Legacy for their 05 MY in Japan.
the more I think this could be a way for Subaru to ease into their new front-end look, in terms of applying it to the current generation Legacy.
Look at the sculptural shapes that surround the fog lamps. They (very subtly) suggest the "outer wing grille" design found on all the other new-look Subarus. Also the flush surface of the grille, and the grille mesh are styling cues taken directly from the B9SC.
I like the smoother more rounded look, but most of it is due to the JDM bumpers which are a lot shorter and snubbier than our pointy/long USDM bumpers. I really think the US bumpers spoil the look of the car. Even the regular JDM Legacy has the VW look.
If they wanted to use the promo for the B9 Tribeca where the subies are rocking back and forth. They could continue the "B" madness and play Love Shack by the B-52's during the commercial.
yes, i agree with craig. US bumbers spoil the looks of Legacy a lot. Outback is NOT that obvious.
How come VW, Audi in US makes NOT so ugly/long bumpers in US ?
BTW, Blitzen wheel covers look as though they were stolen from Audi S4 !!!! it looks good.
I don;t like the grill & it looks like they are chasing Audis....esp the under grill part. i like the current one better.....distinct & not following anyone.
I do like it better than the current one, which I find very bland.
Having said that, I see this as a "transitional look," a look that is a bridge between the current front end and the new Subaru corporate look.
Subaru has along history of gradually phasing in new design themes, and I see this as just another example of this. Concept cars (even those that never see production) work much in the same manner. What it does is help the public get used to new design themes, over a period of time, without dramatically jarring their design sensibilities.
I prefer the Blitzen "Audi" look to the very awkward B11 and other models that are copying the "Alfa" look. Horizontal grilles are more attractive than vertical ones normally. Of course there are exceptions that basically involve how well the look is integrated into the whole.
Horizontal grilles are more attractive than vertical ones normally.
That's only because we're more accustomed to seeing horizontal grilles. Vertical grilles are more jarring (and distinctive) because they are much more rare.
Frankly, I think saying horizontal grilles are more attractive than vertical grilles is like saying a circle is more attractive than a square, or that red is a better color than green. It's really very silly.
Not picking on you Chuck, but this seems to be a common theme in the anti-Zap front end criticism.
How come VW, Audi in US makes NOT so ugly/long bumpers in US ?
I think US Legacys get the long bumpers because they always lag behind the international models by a year or so. So it seems like they design the car for their international markets with the good looks, and then make the minor cosmetic changes needed to accomodate US DOT standards -- which means longer bumpers.
I bet VW/Audi plan the US spec bumper into the cosmetics from the very beginning.
The Tribeca will be the first Subaru I can remembe that is released first (only?) in North America, so it may have better styling from the get-go.
The Tribeca will be the first Subaru I can remember that is released first (only?) in North America, so it may have better styling from the get-go.
I think the B9 Tribeca will make to other markets, eventually. I know Australia is interested, as is Europe. However, I don't think Europe will get it until Subaru announces a diesel; and more specifically a diesel that can handle a vehicle of this size, meaning the (also rumored) 3.0 turbo diesel.
"I'm thinking the Blitzen screams "premium" and "upscale" without having to be told that it is."
Interesting comment.
I read recently (don't remember where) that Subaru is changing their tactics slightly about moving upscale. They are going to tone/play down the word "premium," and let the vehicle speak for itself.
If the car is indeed premium, there is no need to say so, as it will be obvious. I think that's a smart marketing move on their part.
If they come out with an Outback with a Turbo Diesel engine that produces 200+ lbs of torque down low and does 45 mpg, I will be the first one inline to buy it.
Comments
And then....I was trying to think about too much at once in the days before Elie was due, and juuuuust nudged the driver's side fender into an underground lot pylon Grrrr.....NOT the kind of thing I ever do. I was concentrating on the butt end of the car and thinking about all the stuff I had to do and.....crunch. Missed the lens, thankfully. Paint is fine too actually, but the metal is crumpled right at the crease and fender bulge. Can't be pulled, so I need a new fender and the accompanying paint. $600. :-(
Haven't had the dough all this time, but the car will be going in finally the first week of January to the same guy.
I had paintless dent repair done on the driver's door of my XT when it got sideswiped, and it looks great from a dead-on view. But, at angles approaching the car (typical when you walk up to the car) you can see ripples in the metal and it's bugging me (OCD). So I checked with insurance and they are going to cut me a check for the damage. Now I just need to decide how to handle the repair.
I am seriously considering using my Subaru Bucks to get a new door (about $400) and use the insurance money to pay for a top-notch paint job on the door. Then I can mount the new door and transfer all the hardware over from the old door. It's actually pretty easy with the way the doors are hung these days. But, if the body shop gives me a good feeling, I'll let them repair/repaint the old door since it will be easier on me. It really depends on how much disassembly is required for a door repaint -- at some point, it makes more sense to me to get a new door.
Craig
I was thinking of a car at least as large or on par in size and interior dimensions with the following:
Lexus - LS430
Infiniti - M45
Cadillac - STS
Lincoln - LS
Acura - RL
Audi - A6
Jaguar - S-TypeR
Volvo - S80
BMW - 5 Series
Saab - 9-5
Mercedes - E Class
Acura - TL
Infiniti - G35
Lexus - GS430
I picked these cars because they are under 200 inches and a wheelbase max of about 116 inches. The LS430 and STS are on the large side of what I would like to see, and the G35, TL and GS430 are on the small side.
I did a little analysis and came up with the average dimensions based on the Edmunds listed interior and exterior dimensions of the above cars. I have used the averages unless where noted.
Length: Current Legacy - 186.2"
Proposed B10/11 - 192"
Wheelbase: Current Legacy - 105.1"
Proposed B10/11 - 111-114"*
* 111" is Avg. The S-Type, LS and 5 Series all have longer than 113" wheelbase.
Width: Current Legacy - 68.1"
Proposed B10/11 - 72-76"*
* The avg is 72" but the S-TypeR and new A6 are 81" and 73" inches. So I like the upper end around 76" inches
Height: Current Legacy - 56.1"
Proposed B10/11 - 57-57.5"
Weight: Current Legacy - 3365 Lbs
Proposed B10/11 - 3750-3850 Lbs*
The avg is 3879 Lbs. The RL is 3984, the A6 is 4145, the E Class is 4150, the STS is 4295.
Frt Headroom: Current Legacy - 37.5"
Proposed B10/11 - 38.2-38.6"*
Avg is 38.2, TL, STS, S-TypeR are 38.7 to 38.6"
Rear Headroom: Current Legacy - 36.5"
Proposed B10/11 - 37.3-37.6"*
37.3' is Avg, the S80 is 37.6"
Frt Hip Room: Current Legacy - 51.0"
Proposed B10/11 - 54.4-55.3"*
54.4" is Avg, S80 has 55.3"
Rear Hip Room: Current Legacy - 52.6"
Proposed Legacy - 54.7-55.6"*
*The avg is 54.7", the S80 and STS have 55.6"
Frt Shoulder Room: Current Legacy - 54.4"
Proposed Legacy - 57.3-58"*
57.3" is Avg, the S80 has 58.0"
Rear Shoulder Room: Current Legacy - 53.7"
Proposed B10/11 - 56.4
Front Leg Room: Current Legacy - 44.1"*
Proposed B10/B11 - 44.1*
The Legacy had more room than all but one, the GS430
Rear Leg Room: Current Legacy - 33.9"
Proposed B10/11 - 35.8-37.0"*
The Avg is 35.8", the 9-5 - 36.6", A6 36.9",and the S-TypeR has 37.0". The more room the better.
I think a car with these added dimentions will do well for Subaru. Stepping up in size doesn't mean it has to be luxury but definitely premium in the lines of Volvo, Saab and Jaguar. It would be nice to have S-TypeR power, and S80 safety and A6 style and 5 series driving dynamics. Is that too much to ask for? :-)
Bob
Most people outside the trade are not privy to this info, and the average consumer does not have the time nor are they permitted to watch the repairs being done to their car.
There is an old saying in Ireland, what the eye doesn't see the heart doesn't grieve.
So I would advise you to have your own door repaired, especially since the damage to your own door is relatively minor in circumspect.
Cheers Pat.
Craig -- I'd do what makes you sleep best at night. In either case, the repair shop will need to work on the panel separately and repaint. Too bad you aren't in the Bay Area. I could have recommended a few good body shops.
Ken
Ken, I am still not sure what will help me sleep best at night. On one hand, I have a perfectly fitting, perfectly functioning door and I would hate to mess with that (all sorts of potential to screw it up if they have to tear the door down for a repaint or if I replace the door myself). On the other hand, the dents are pretty annoying to look at. So I am torn between leaving it alone and getting it fixed. Common sense says to leave it alone, but OCD says fix it!
I guess I will see how much the insurance $$ work out to; if nothing else I can put the money in the bank and use it to offset any future penalties associated with the damage when I trade/sell the car. Of course, if I grow an ulcer looking at the dents for the next 4-5 years, having a few hundred bucks in the bank won't help much!
Craig
Oh, I meant to fix the door with the two choices being replacing the panel or using the current one. My OCD side wouldn't be at peace with something like that.
My only worry would be the paint match -- both color and texture. Lots of body shops do good sheetmetal work, but not always good paint jobs.
Ken
Now you know I am as anal the next guy were my car is concerned. I would have to agree with Kens observation as regards paint match, My advice is if the damage is not really noticeable is to learn to live with it.
If you get a mismatched paint job whether you replace the door or not this will be even harder to live with, as well you are destroying the integrity of the factory paint and I don't care what anybody says you cannot dublicate factory paint.
Incidently your colour would look to have the same problems as my Titanium, depending on how the metallic particles lay on the panel when the paint is being sprayed on you can get a lot of different effects.
When I only had the Titan 3 weeks, a senior citizen used my rear bumper as a parking aid, I have a painter par excellance and he took 3 attempts to match the paint, He said that the Titanium pearl was a painter's nightmare. I hope that this info does not cause you more confusion.
Cheers Pat.
When we buy a new vehicle -- or even a late-model used one -- we pretty well take it for granted that it comes with a really good paint job. Developments in automotive finishing during the last few years have resulted in paint that has impressive durability, along with the ability to retain that "like new" look over many years of use.
This process is certainly no accident. Automakers go to surprising lengths to improve paint finishes, and the results show after a few years of daily vehicle use.
It wasn't too many years ago that paint would deteriorate quite rapidly -- especially under extreme weather conditions. During the 1970s and 1980s when automakers started to use painted plastic valances around the bumper areas, it was common to see a vehicle with a few years under its wheels displaying an alarming difference between the finish on the bodywork and the paint on the bumper valances and other moulded components. The fact was that paint technology took a while to catch up with the trend towards the use of composite materials in conjunction with steel.
Nowadays, a vehicle body may use panels made of steel, aluminum and plastic composite all on the same platform. The paint, though, holds up faultlessly, regardless of what it's applied to -- even after many seasons of use.
Typically, on a modern vehicle, the paint consists of several layers, each of which has a different job to do. Rustproofing is a major consideration, of course, so steel panels have to be treated even before the paint layers go on. Automakers commonly use a "zinc phosphate" coating which provides a very effective barrier against rust -- even in climates where vehicles are bombarded in wintertime with a constant spray of salt-laden slush.
The zinc phosphate coated bodyshell then gets a coat of primer which provides more corrosion protection, along with a good base for the colour coat itself. These days, most automakers use water-thinnable paints, which are applied electrostatically. In this process, the paint particles in the "dipping tank" are attracted to the bodywork electrically and find their way into every nook and cranny. Viewing the process is interesting because the vehicle body is lowered into what looks like a huge tank of water, but it emerges with an even, flawless, coat of paint. Actually, there are several coats of paint applied using this process from an initial "filler" to the final layers of finish in the colour the customer ordered. Incidentally, metallic finishes are achieved thanks to minute flakes of aluminum blended into the paint.
Modern automotive finishing processes have developed in recent years not only around the need for more effective rust protection, but also to meet environmental demands. With today's electrostatic dip processes and water soluble finishes, no paint residue escapes into the atmosphere -- as it did with the old spray booth techniques. Before the painted bodyshell heads for the assembly lines, it is baked to ensure the finish is as durable and as scratch-resistant as possible.
The final coating is of a clear lacquer ("clearcoat" is the term most often used) and this enhances the glossy look of the vehicle and provides a weatherproof barrier to such hazards as acid rain, tree resin, bird droppings, soot and other hazards our vehicles have to face on a daily basis. It's worth mentioning that good body shops know all about these paint processes and are able to repair vehicles and match the look and durability of the original finish surprisingly well.
Of course, nothing stands still in any corner of the automotive industry and the field of paint finishes is no exception. The people at Mercedes-Benz, which seems to be enjoying a string of innovations right now, have developed a new type of clear lacquer which is claimed to be substantially more scratch-resistant than conventional paint. The lacquer contains minute ceramic particles which harden in the paintshop oven and form a barrier that's very difficult to mar in any way. The process is said to be especially useful in protecting against the ravages of mechanical car wash equipment, although recent "touchless" systems may have reduced this hazard to some extent. Another benefit of the process is an enhanced gloss which is stated to last longer than the shine on most conventional finishes. Mercedes points out that it tested 150 cars over several years with what it calls its "nano-particle clearcoat" and the vehicles displayed better scratch-resistance and a longer-lasting gloss. For the scientifically curious (or the crossword fan), a "nano" is a billionth part of a unit, so the ceramic chips in this coating must be microscopic. The coating is also claimed to offer better protection against chemicals in the atmosphere, which are still a problem in some regions of the country. The coating is being applied to several 2004 Mercedes-Benz models and will more than likely find its way to other DaimlerChrysler group nameplates like Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep.
Of course, rival automakers are no doubt working on paint finish innovations of their own and the results can only benefit consumers. Thankfully, the bad old days when rust perforation was a fact of life after a few years of ownership seem to have gone forever.
- - -
>
Cheers Pat.
~c
Maybe I can get hypnotized so that I don't notice the dents.... you know -- what the eye doesn't see the heart doesn't grieve!
Craig
http://www.subaru.co.jp/blitzen2005/
Bob
~Colin
Did VW buy Subaru??
I wonder if this is a "hint" of how the new Subaru might begin to evolve on to the Legacy? Note the grille mesh is right off the B9SC.
Bob
That's not to say it doesn't look good - it looks better than any present/future Subie with the bathroom scale/upside down Studebaker Hawk center grille - but it does look very derivative.
Ed
Bob
Bob
another comment about the hood & trunk-- they actually convey a consistent look. subaru has long had problems with that; even if the front design looked modern, the rear often was not.
~Colin
~c
ich spreche nur ein bischen deutsche
Ken
-Brian
Look at the sculptural shapes that surround the fog lamps. They (very subtly) suggest the "outer wing grille" design found on all the other new-look Subarus. Also the flush surface of the grille, and the grille mesh are styling cues taken directly from the B9SC.
http://tinypic.com/ylzcm
Bob
cheers Pat.
Craig
Eric
How come VW, Audi in US makes NOT so ugly/long bumpers in US ?
BTW, Blitzen wheel covers look as though they were stolen from Audi S4 !!!! it looks good.
I don;t like the grill & it looks like they are chasing Audis....esp the under grill part. i like the current one better.....distinct & not following anyone.
Having said that, I see this as a "transitional look," a look that is a bridge between the current front end and the new Subaru corporate look.
Subaru has along history of gradually phasing in new design themes, and I see this as just another example of this. Concept cars (even those that never see production) work much in the same manner. What it does is help the public get used to new design themes, over a period of time, without dramatically jarring their design sensibilities.
Bob
That's only because we're more accustomed to seeing horizontal grilles. Vertical grilles are more jarring (and distinctive) because they are much more rare.
Frankly, I think saying horizontal grilles are more attractive than vertical grilles is like saying a circle is more attractive than a square, or that red is a better color than green. It's really very silly.
Not picking on you Chuck, but this seems to be a common theme in the anti-Zap front end criticism.
Bob
I think US Legacys get the long bumpers because they always lag behind the international models by a year or so. So it seems like they design the car for their international markets with the good looks, and then make the minor cosmetic changes needed to accomodate US DOT standards -- which means longer bumpers.
I bet VW/Audi plan the US spec bumper into the cosmetics from the very beginning.
The Tribeca will be the first Subaru I can remembe that is released first (only?) in North America, so it may have better styling from the get-go.
Craig
I think the B9 Tribeca will make to other markets, eventually. I know Australia is interested, as is Europe. However, I don't think Europe will get it until Subaru announces a diesel; and more specifically a diesel that can handle a vehicle of this size, meaning the (also rumored) 3.0 turbo diesel.
Bob
Sly
my thoughts exactly!
-Brian
I bet those not so ugly 2.5 mph spec. bumpers will look VERY ugly in a 5 mph parking lot bump.
I'll take the slightly larger 5 mph spec. US Legacy / Outback bumpers any day.
DaveM
P.S. Does anybody know what other cars still offer 5 mph bumpers?
Interesting comment.
I read recently (don't remember where) that Subaru is changing their tactics slightly about moving upscale. They are going to tone/play down the word "premium," and let the vehicle speak for itself.
If the car is indeed premium, there is no need to say so, as it will be obvious. I think that's a smart marketing move on their part.
Bob
Yeah, me thinks they are beginning to realize that just calling a car premium doesn't make it a premium car.
The 05s are getting close to that, but Subaru missed the mark on many of the fine details, and those details are important to the premium car buyer.
Sly
I'm looking forward to the auto outlet idea. It'd be cool to have an all subie mecca within driving distance.
Yes, in other parts of the country, i.e. not the northwest, northeast, or rocky mountains, subaru's presence is lacking.
Eric
Oh... you meant something esle... ;-)