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-Joe
Notice how the H6s often sell for less than similarly equipped turbos. Plus they're adding an H6 cloth model and deleting the cloth turbos.
So there will be a shift where the H6 will be the more affordable model and the turbos will cost more.
I suspect the VDC will drop in price, because right now it costs $1150 more than a similar Tribeca. Or they might toss in NAV and keep the price where it is.
-juice
I wonder about HID lights for MY06. The B9 didn't get them so I wonder why the Leg/OB would.
Ken
-juice
Yes the 2.5i SE (Value Package) is a base model that adds the 8way pwr driver seat and moonroof. It will be available in both color cloth interiors.
Anyone care to explain to me why the B9 being their flagship vehicle, doesn't even have the HID as an option and why WAIT TILL NEXT MODEL YEAR (if even that)???
The only thing I can come up with is that Subaru likes to add something new each model year, so that they have something to talk about, as it helps keep Subaru "perpetually" in the news.
The only other answer I can come up with is costs. Rather than a big jump in price for this all-new model, thay can offer it the first year at a fairly reasonable pricepoint, and then raise it each succeeding year by offering more content.
I was also surprised that Subaru did not offer auto/down power windows on this model, as that is now almost a given in this price range.
Bob
I suspect we will see lower MSRPs with smaller incentives as well.
2.5i SE sounds good, cloth with a moonroof. If the seats are heated, it's perfect.
bigelm: easy answer - they had HIDs for the Legacy on the parts shelf from models in other markets. For the Tribeca they need to design new ones.
-juice
I hope I can get it for the B9 when it comes available, otherwise so be it if aftermarket.
If you require them, then ask yourself, should you even be driving at night?
-juice
For instance, my '98 Forester has very good lighting, even stock.
My '93 Miata's lights were just awful. It used sealed beams. I bought E-codes, enclosures that basically take an H4 bulb insert. They are 4 times better. Not HID level, mind you, but they offer good visibility for the speeds we see on US roads and highways (usually below 80).
I guess if you do a lot of high speed driving in Montana you might "out drive" your regular halogen lights. So maybe it depends on the type of driving you do. Or like you said, dark country roads.
Bob complains that his '01 Forester's lights are not as good as my '98, so it might even be correctable by the design of the reflector.
I just think HIDs are a bit overkill for my needs.
-juice
if the latter, HID would be better. also, i would think subaru-made HID should be better than the current ones
I do like the auto-up/down front windows on it, they even roll down if you hold the keyFOB unlock button after unlocking the car. Lots of classy things on the Armada considering it's just a nissan.
-mike
absolutely not. my uncorrected eyesight is quite poor, but with contacts it is fine at night. (some people are worse at night, it's not that uncommon, but I don't have this problem.)
but need aside do I like HIDs now that I own a car with some? oh, yes. absolutely yes. they are very nice and I'd try to have them on any other new car I get. I might buy a car without them, but I'd prefer that it had HIDs.
let me ask you, Juice... have you spent significant time (say 8 hours or more in the seat) in a vehicle with HIDs?
~Colin
HIDs are being stolen from various Nissan models: Look for that to happen with Subies too.
Not any significant time, no, Colin.
I have experienced plenty of glare staring directly into SUVs that have them in the Miata, though. Even when they pull up behind me and the top is down at night. My entire cabin lights up.
I'm just putting the brakes on the "arms race". When we see HIDs, people will want double HIDs, for the high beams. Wonder what a fender bender will cost to fix, also. A stock halogen lamp is just $125 or so. Plus $10 for the bulb.
-juice
Note my comments on double HIDs above. The fender bender could cost more than $1,000 if I recall correctly.
Dave
-juice
For instance, a person driving an Explorer with aftermarket HID's, and they're usually like 8000k (unnecessary if you ask me), use them without leveling the beam (and if you can't then don't use them or change the housing) and since the headlamp reflector was not designed for the HID's, the beam is all over the place.
Cheers,
-wdb
so of course, I went to an Evo enthusiast site and found how to adjust them. I leveled them 2 notches down, then brought the beams up to where they originally shone on my garage door. I drive around with them leveled 1 down, so in effect I'm 1 notch "higher" than stock if that makes sense. it improved the usability a TON but I do get flashed about once a month. usually I don't react. if they're a long ways off and don't flash but instead leave their high beams on, I kick mine on and burn them off the road. LOL
I can go 2 more notches down, or 1 notch up if I'm on backroads with absolutely no one else around. 1 notch up + high beams = who needs driving lights
~Colin
As far as being flashed or not, and/or *my* HID's posing a hazard to oncoming drivers: there are a whole lot of wannabe HID's out there, aftermarket blue-tinted bulbs with all kind of fancy sounding names. From what I have seen of them they generally have horrific beam patterns and hit oncoming drivers with annoying, dazzling glare. I've been hit with it plenty of times myself! Sadly they give the whole HID lighting market a very bad name.
In contrast to those, the beam patterns on the STi -- and most other factory supplied HID's I've seen so far -- are very precisely controlled and, while they do (or used to) catch attention because of their obvious color difference, they do no not blind oncoming drivers. I have had many instances of being able to look directly at the headlights of HID equipped cars without suffering from glare. I can't say the same for very many halogen headlights out there! Plus HID's come with either automatic or manual leveling systems to ensure that the beams stay where they belong.
One place I do have a problem with HID lighting is the same place I have a problem with most any other high output lighting; SUVs and pickup trucks, in particular the 4WD models that seem to be in competition for the "doorhandles the greatest distance from earth" award. Often their lights are so far off the ground that there is simply no way they can be adjusted so as not to blast into the eyes and mirrors of any non-monstrosity they encounter. I'm all for a federal mandate limiting the height of headlights on all vehicles. Let the designers figure out how to make them look good!
Finally, if I may, I'd like to offer a trick I learned during my days of long-distance bicycling. Often we would ride our bikes at night. The lights on bicycles, while entirely sufficient for speeds up to 20mph or so, are nevertheless *far* less powerful than car headlights. Riding along in the dark your eyes naturally adjust to that amount of light and you can safely ride down the road. But when a car comes along the headlights hit you, your pupils contract in response to the added light, and after the car is past you can't see much of anything for a long moment until your pupils dilate again. Not fun! And of course potentially dangerous.
What I learned to do was to look up the road *past* those headlights, keeping my focus on my side of the road and the course I was on. Another way of putting it would be to say that I moved my gaze a bit down and to the right. By doing so the impact of those oncoming lights was tremendously reduced and I was able to maintain my night vision. I quickly learned that the same trick can be used when operating an automobile at night; when you see oncoming lights -- especially if they look like they're going to hit you with a big dose of glare -- move your eyes a little bit down and a little bit to the right. Keep your attention on your lane, on where you are going, and look *past* the oncoming vehicle and its annoying lights. Try it, I think you'll like it. I personally find it to be a great blood pressure reducer
rgds,
-wdb
The only HIDs I don't care for are those in the newer Maxima's. For some reason, the driver side beam can glare onto oncoming traffic, evne though I think they're auto leveling. Enough to make you *think* they have brights on. It's the only HID equipped vehicle (even including SUVs) that I've not particularly cared for driving past.
-Brian
-juice
• 2.5 turbo
• 6-speed
• 18" wheels w/RE030 tires
• Sport suspension
• Brembo brakes
• Suretrac
Bob
I'll even take that color. In fact I'll take that exact vehicle from the photo shoot.
-juice
Bob
Ken
By the way, HID low beams = no daytime running lights via lower powered low beams as is common on Subies. My STi has no daytime running lights period.
rgds,
-wdb
Why has FHI always been so reticent to export these variants? :confuse: I'm sure a run of F-STi's would sell like hot cakes in NA. Sure the WRX would have sold strongly long before 2002 as well. The tooling is already there with the possible exception of 5 mph bumpers. I can't see it costing anything to take the risk, and it would generate serious hype in the magazines.
Nicholas
-juice
Here are what I believe to be key points from the JDM Forester STi press release:
Subaru Announces the addition of the Forester STi Version
- Available from May 6th at dealers across from Japan
- The Forester STi Version was designed as a "Pure Sports SUV" with excellent road manners. Key features include:
> 2.5L DOHC turbo engine
> 6 speed manual tranny
> 18" wheels
> Brembo brake system
> Custom front bumper, grille, bucket seats
> 30mm lower suspension vs. standard Foresters resulting in 170mm ground clearance
- The Forester STi was designed around the concept of delivering the "Best of Both Worlds" and features both dynamic and clean exerior styling and exception handling.
- The STi Version has received popularity since it's addition to the Subaru line up in Feb 2004.
Key Features
- A 2.5L DOHC turbocharged engine that produces 20-25% more mid-range torque by means of a larger exhaust, turbocharger and intercooler compared to the 2.0L DOHC turbo used in the 2.0XT model.
- Semiclosed deck, strengthened pistons and control rods to address the maximum torque of 37.8N-m.
- 6-speed gear ratios selected especially for the STi Version
- Chassis rigidity increased by strengthening front strut attachment points, front cross member and suspension mounting points
- Suretrac LSD added to improve cornering performance as well as stability on slippery surfaces
- Inverted struts (front and back), bigger rear sway bar
- 15.0:1 steering ratio, power steering tuned especially for the STi version
- Brembo brake system with strengthened brake booster, low flex brake hoses improve brake response
- Exterior treatments to allow immediate identification as an STi model: bumper, grille, front and rear STi logos
- Alcantra and bucket style seats (front only) provide superior support
- Reclining rear seats, 60/40 split to maintain SUV functionality
- Featured body colors: Pure White, Obsidian Back Pearl, Crystal Grey Metallic, WR Blue Mica (STi only)
Specific improvements
- Improved shift throw feel and action
- Improved handling feel from strengthened steering rack and gearbox mounting points
- Reduced steering kickback through damper valves used in steering gearbox
- 240km/h speedometer (a first for a mass produced Subaru)
Standard equipment
- inverted strut suspension (all four corners)
- 4 pot Brembos (front), 2 pot rear
- 18x7.5 JJ STi logo wheels
- 225/45R18 Potenza RE030
- Front and rear Suretrac LSD
- Sodium filled valves
- Strengthened pistons
- Red painted intake manifold
- STi logo large intercooler
- STi muffler
- Large air intake
- 6MT
- Iridium spark plugs
- Front and rear STi stabilizer bars
- Leather covered steering wheel, shift knob, handbrake with STi logos and stitching
- 15:1 steering ratio
- Aluminum sports pedals
- STi instrument panels including 240km/h speedo
- Immobilizer
- Bucket seats (as detailed before)
- "Soft feel" center console
List price JPY 3,118,500 (2,970,000 w/o tax (I think))
Bob
I would probably have to trade my FXT for an F-STi. I don't think I have to worry because we can't even get 17's in N. America! I would gladly give up my heated seats for those.
I said there was no way we would get a 300 hp STi. Prove me wrong again, SoA!
-Dennis
The only thing I don't like is the optimistic speedo, who will actually go 150mph? You'll only use the first half of that in normal driving.
But that's like complaining about a small mole on a super model.
-juice
John
I was in Italy last week and I rented a Lancia Musa (sort of a small 4 seat wagon) with a diesel engine.
I did 382 Kms and at least 60% of that was spent in 2nd and 3rd gear through the traffic of Milan and the twisty mountain roads of Lake Como. The gas gauge was still showing above half-full and I had burned only 18 liters. That comes out to about 48 mpg. I'm guessing I could have done 55+ if it had been all highway!
Sly">
-juice
Joe
-mike