Subaru Crew - Future Models II

paisan · May 2005

locke2c · May 2005

and can bury it, hehe

~c

paisan · May 2005

Can almost bury it on the SVX, top speed of 155. RIP....

-mike

ateixeira · May 2005

I can see sports cars or specialty models like the STi and EVO getting those, I guess. They might actually get on a track and use a good part of that real estate.

-juice

locke2c · May 2005

the evo is gearing limited. it rides the rev limiter in 5th gear at with the needle buried but test mags report it as an actual 157mph.

-- all in theory of course! --

paisan · May 2005

The SVX is drag limited at 155. I think at redline, in 4th gear, it can theoretically hit like 185 or 190. Go figure.

-mike

mayberryguy · May 2005

Yesterday I saw a factory plated 3.0 Spec B running around with 5 miles of the Subaru plant. Maybe just coincidence but I hope not.

I also have seen that there will be a limited production (500 units) model ran in July or August that will have 2 tone leather sport seats(sedan only) in black and red. Could this possibly be a Spec. B trial for the US to see what the reception would be? Let's hope.....

I'll keep you posted on the limited production model as more info is available.

sweet_subie · May 2005

Mayberry, do you know if 2006 OB comes with NAV ? Otherwise, i am ready to buy 2005. Pls let me know.

mayberryguy · May 2005

Yes Nav is available on XT LTD, Bean & VDC.

ateixeira · May 2005

Very nice, I think a limited run would be a great idea.

Look at what the R32 did for the VW Golf. An old platform that got no attention until the R32 came out, they sold out quickly and are no longer available. For a while there used ones were selling for more than the price of a new one!

I'm sure Subaru would love to have a hit like that.

-juice

njswamplands · May 2005

ateixeira · May 2005

Another special model for JDM.

-juice

nippononly · May 2005

"I'm sure Subaru would love to have a hit like that."

Indeed, who wouldn't? :-)

So is it true they are upping the power for the '06 WRX, even with the total model revision not happening until MY '07?

I got up close and personal with a 9-2x for the first time yesterday - from what I understand, there are now $7K cash incentives, making it cheaper (before wheeling and dealing) with a moonroof and 17" rims than a WRX is without either. But I think if I were to seriously consider getting one, I would throw my purchase towards Subie just for old time's sake. I wish they would offer a factory moonroof in the Subaru version.

bigelm · May 2005

..the 9-2x sounds very tempting. Knowing you have the same layout with some luxo at a cheaper price, you can't go wrong with that.

So what it's a Saab skin (GM), but we all know the heart and soul is Subaru

Throw in the lacks of Subaru:

Leather seats
Power seats
Moonroof
Xenons
*Even alittle better looking*

I'd consider it (heavily) if I was in the market.

ateixeira · May 2005

WRX wagon will supposedly get some of those features that were missing. I'm sure Subaru dealers were miffed about Saab getting some things they didn't.

I haven't seen Saab prices beating Subie prices, though, because Subies also carry some incentives. Fitz is a dealer that carries both, the Impreza RS starts around $16.7k and the WRX starts around $21.6k. They same dealer has 9-2x Linears for $18.2k and Aeros from $22k.

The Aero is close, and for that $400 you get the free service, plus more options if you want a moonroof in a wagon.

Pretty darn close!

-juice

sweet_subie · May 2005

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2005-05-03-cleaner-diesels_x.htm?POE=MONISVA

ateixeira · May 2005

Pro-diesel article, plus a boost from tax breaks, maybe.

20-40% less fuel and that much more range, but part of that is offset because diesel costs more than gas does now, and that difference may increase when low-sulfur diesel is introduced.

-juice

nippononly · May 2005

on the 9-2x is only 2 years/24K according to the window sticker (which means it is less than that offered on all other Saab models, for some reason). What could that add up to (thinking out loud here), $150 or so? I'd be looking at 4 oil changes if it is dino, 2 if synthetic (I forget which it comes with, I think it is dino) and perhaps an air filter? Not a huge dollar figure. And I like the STi rims better than the Saab "Tragitta" 17" rims. But the moonroof...

I am waiting with bated breath to check out the WRX when it gets the turbo 2.5 y'all have mentioned here...

ateixeira · May 2005

I think with that small price difference it would come down to which style you prefer.

Oddly enough, 9-2x sales are still very slow. Might call it a sleeper.

-juice

once_for_all · May 2005

I agree the early vintage US diesels soured our appetites.

But those of us who work with trucks and tractors relish the prospect of more cars with the newer diesels.

Can't wait til Subaru comes out with its unit.

I love the idea of a hybrid, but I am reluctant to embrace such an evolving technology. The battery deal especially gives me the willies.

John

nippononly · May 2005

"Might call it a sleeper."

Might call it a corpse, too. :-))

jon_in_ct · May 2005

njswamplands asked earlier: what is a spec B?
ateixeira incorrectly responded: H6 with a 6 speed manual
Another special model for JDM.

The Legacy 3.0R Spec B first appeared in continental Europe a year ago for sale (and earlier as a motorshow prototype) and is also now available in Austrailia/New Zealand. It is, by no definition, a JDM-only model.

A recent road test: http://www.carkeys.co.uk/road_test/subaru/5861.asp

The only significant market in which the 3.0R Legacy Spec B isn't sold is North America.

ateixeira · May 2005

With an 8/100 warranty, that should ease most concerns. I have never kept a car longer than that, at least not one I purchased new.

Though that might change with the Forester.

-juice

ateixeira · May 2005

I was behind one today coming to work and noticed something missing - roof rails. Wagons are all about utility so giving those up is something I would not be willing to do. So I'd still get a WRX, I guess.

-juice

alpha01 · May 2005

Did SoA post April sales results yet? If anyone has it, can we get a link to this report?

Joe

njswamplands · May 2005

AP
Subaru of America's April Sales Jump
Tuesday May 3, 3:25 pm ET
Subaru of America's Sales Climb 18 Percent in April, Led by Legacy Vehicles

NEW YORK (AP) -- Subaru of America Inc., a unit of Tokyo's Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., said Tuesday that its total sales volume rose 18 percent in April, led by its Legacy vehicles.
The automaker sold 16,717 vehicles last month, up from 13,605 a year ago. Sales of the company's Legacy brand grew 35 percent to 8,698 autos. Impreza sales also grew substantially, increasing 19 percent to 2,841 vehicles.

ateixeira · May 2005

What about Baja and Forester?

They upped incentives so the increase is no surprise.

-juice

njswamplands · May 2005

snowbelter · May 2005

And I read that in April, Subaru increased its market share from 1% to 1.1%. Correct me if my recollection is off, but I recall reading that in year to date sales, (from 1/1/05 to 4/30/05), SOA sales were up by some 3143 units or 5.4%. Martin

once_for_all · May 2005

yep, Baja probably went from 100 vehicles to 102.

John

jon_in_ct · May 2005

No need to guess - April sales details are at:
http://vocuspr.vocus.com/VocusPR30/DotNet/Newsroom/ViewAttachment.aspx?SiteName=Subaru&Ent- ity=PRAsset&AttachmentType=F&EntityID=97307&AttachmentID=773895bc-6644-4652-8553-7904fe935- 59d

rsholland · May 2005

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/55824/impreza_hot_hatch_on_way.html

locke2c · May 2005

YTD in Mississippi is 7 units. LOL

Also only 6 units in 4/05 for Oklahoma. Wow.

Kansas 4/05 was 26 units vs. 10 4/04. It sure isn't because of the dealer here in Wichita sucking less...

~c

sduford · May 2005

The B in SPec B actually stands for Bilstein, although it has a few other performance mods.

alpha01 · May 2005

Jon, thanks thats what I was looking for!

However, maybe its late, or maybe I'm reading something wrong, but I dont understand why these reports never tie. IF Total vehicle sales April 05 YTD are 60,882, why is the total of all states/areas for the same period 24,400? Overall, these reports are pretty confusing, not easy to read at a glance. If I published something like this at my former employer (especially for Press Release), I'd have gotten torn apart. Finally, I cant stand how the text of the release plays with the numbers-
"The Legacy model line recorded a best-ever April with 8698 units, up 40 percent from last year; while Subaru Outback posted a strong 5736 units for the month." That incredibly deceptive wording makes it sound as though the Legacy line sold 8698 singularly, while the Outback posted an additional 5736 units.

Bleh, thanks for the rant time.

Definitely will be interesting to see how the Tribeca's debut affects these numbers- remember, SoA is reaching for 250K in the 2006 CY, up from 187K last year.

Joe

jon_in_ct · May 2005

I, too, am unable to understand why total sales (60,882) is different than the total of sales by state (24,400). That's a big difference - 36,482 cars. At first I thought that maybe fleet sales might account for the difference, but this article explains that SOA anticipates its fleet sales for all of 2005 will only be about 10,000 cars.

ozman62 · May 2005

Total sales YTD of 60,000 + is combined figure for domestic and Japan. That's how I read it, anyway.
Owen

locke2c · May 2005

it's the JDM sales. I have no idea why they would be on a spreadsheet for Subaru of America, anyway. Canadian sales are presumably not included.

~c

once_for_all · May 2005

the amazing thing is, SOA is able to increase sales (and hopefully profit) in a market that is causing GM to lose some $281 million and Ford some $100+ million.

Give credit to Subaru for making a superb lineup of value oriented, safe, reliable cars.

John

ateixeira · May 2005

Maybe they sold 36,482 Subarus in the District of Columbia? :P

DC doesn't have statehood.

So we include Japan but not Canada? That makes sense. :confuse:

-juice

alpha01 · May 2005

I'm not sure that theory is correct either. Why would Japan sales be included in a press release for Subaru of America? I was under the impression that the breakout of Domestic vs. Japan was just an indicator of where the final assembly point of the sold vehicle was, which makes sense, because all Imprezas and Foresters come from Japan, right?. Also think of this: in a report of US and Japan sales, Japan would be the domestic, no?

Finally, looking at the March report by state/area... the total YTD was 40,246 or about 16K greater than sales on the same report for April YTD.

Apparently, 1) Subaru instated some type of return program and 2) lots of owners took unhappy them up on the option, LOL.

Its all very confusing and not particularly well done, in any case.

Joe

robr2 · May 2005

Well I just sent Subaru an e-mail to find out. Hopefully they'll reply.

alpha01 · May 2005

Good call! Keep us posted.

Note: the 2006 Forester is now shown on the webpage, same EXACT presentation as the auto show circuit pamphlet.

Joe

sduford · May 2005

"the amazing thing is, SOA is able to increase sales (and hopefully profit) in a market that is causing GM to lose some $281 million and Ford some $100+ million.

Give credit to Subaru for making a superb lineup of value oriented, safe, reliable cars.

John"

Actually, pretty much all the Japanese companies are having record years. It's not really "kudos to Subaru", but rather "serves you well Ford, GM"

frog · May 2005

I will speak in plain English for the benefit of our community here. I want to invest money in Subaru, or FHI stock in an effort to support the product and vision, and of course to make money. But, I don't want any part of GM, and have been waiting for them to fall away from FHI, wishful thinking. Unfortunately, the time to invest is today, and I am unable to differentiate these stocks and was hopeing for some clarity. Does anyone know the real numbers? I am lost.

Frog. :confuse:

:sick:

sweet_subie · May 2005

FHI is not just subaru, that's why it is scary to buy FHI stock. Even if subaru does well, other depts. can do badly & FHI stock can drop.

rochcom · May 2005

The announcement at the Subaru America site mentions the X and XT. Does that mean the XS is gone?

rsholland · May 2005

There is now a "Premium Package" for the X model, which is essentially the old XS in terms of content.

Bob

rochcom · May 2005

Thanks, Bob

Is there any detailed information available on the packages? Also, has the torque figure changed?

sweet_subie · May 2005

see media.subaru.com, click for forester for prelim specs

Subaru Crew - Future Models II

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