Subaru Crew - Future Models II

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Comments

  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Joe,

    I came in a bit later than you - 2:00pm Sunday. You'd have been the youngest in our group, which ranged from 29 to about 70 (I'm closer to the former than the latter). Most if not all of the people in the group had owned something other than a Subaru at some point, and some still owned other non-Subarus.

    Ed
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Looks like they hit their target demographic pretty well for this study, minus the Dominatrix Joe was talking about.

    -juice
  • njswamplandsnjswamplands Member Posts: 1,760
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    No, they wouldn't have gotten anywhere. :D

    -juice
  • njswamplandsnjswamplands Member Posts: 1,760
    waaaaaaaaaaa where is my fxt-sti
    waaaaaaaaaaa where is my dual-range
    waaaaaaaaaaa where is my ......
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    that's twice in one week that you exceeded your limit! no computer for you...bad monkey!
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    I was explicit in wanting points and Chase MC bucks to be applied to purchase and dealer installation of SPT/STi parts, which would be fully warranted by SoA.

    Ed, I expect things to be changing on the Subaru Performance front. Garrick just landed a sweet job at SoA that was just created. He's the manager of performance marketing and engineering (or some kind of cool sounding name). Subaru is going to be making more of an attempt to reach out to perfomance minded folks.

    -Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I have a simple suggestion - cover the OE parts you sell under warranty. Dodge does for the SRT-4.

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Hi Dennis, I know I owe you some contact.

    That's good news for we the people in general and for Garrick in particular. Please send him my congrats and let him know I'd be, uh, more than happy to provide input. ;-)

    Ed
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    Photos of Subaru's wares at the Tokyo Auto Show, including the B5-TPH and the TPH system itself. Go through the pages, there's lots of good stuff.
    http://autos.goo.ne.jp/motorshow/gallery/car/subaru/gallery1.html
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    From Subaru's global site:

    http://www.subaru-global.com/about/motorshow/ms/2005tms/index.html

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Notice all the honeycomb shapes - grille insert, taillights, even the back drop at the show.

    The steering wheel reminds me of the new Civic's. It's amazing how Japan, Inc. follows certain trends together.

    I still like the profile the best, then the front, and the rear the least.

    Notice how it has stadium seating. The rear seats are much higher than the fronts. A good foot or so higher.

    Complaint: way too much pluminum inside, i.e. shiny plastic.

    What the heck is that orange tube in the engine photos? Kinda spoils the look.

    Blitzen looks schweet.

    Forester Edge - anyone else notice the big NAV screen? Those chrome wheels are nasty, though.

    R2: is that the stock grille now? Did they dump the Tribeca nose? Side note: they should come out with a 2 cylinder diesel model, they could call it the R2D2. :D

    -juice
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    R2: is that the stock grille now? Did they dump the Tribeca nose? Side note: they should come out with a 2 cylinder diesel model, they could call it the R2D2.

    Where's the groan emotorcon??

    Say good night juice.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Notice all the honeycomb shapes - grille insert, taillights, even the back drop at the show.

    That interlocking honeycomb motif is also used on the B-5 TPH logo. It makes sense from a "conceptual" standpoint, in that they are all intertwined into one unit.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I like it. They create a theme without going overboard, like Ford tends to do with its ovals (obsessive-compulsively).

    -juice
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    mayberryguy - this is off-topic, but this replying to this post seemed the best way to reach you. There's a fellow over in the B9 Tribeca forum who's being told by his salesperson that Subaru's no longer producing the 7-passenger with cloth. Sounds like an attempt to upsell him to something off the lot to me. If true, this would be a deal-breaker for him, though, since his wife won't buy anything with leather. Do you mind checking that forum and posting what you know, if possible? (It's good to have info straight from the source!)
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Some of this takes a while; at least it did on my computer.

    http://www.subaru.co.jp/event/e-2005/tokyo-motor2005/

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I had not heard that, but by pure coincidence, last time I looked at Fitzmall's inventory every single model was a Limited with leather, both 5 and 7 passenger.

    -juice
  • chassolchassol Member Posts: 95
    Everyone else is paying attention - http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2005-10-25-little-cars-usat_x.htm, why not SUBARU?????????.
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    Gotta remove the comma from the end of the link, then it works. :)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Thing is, it might get crowded pretty quick.

    Yaris replaces the Echo, which has only sold 1500 units through the end of August (pathetic). I mean year to date, all year long just 1500! And this is Toyota.

    Aveo sells well but mostly to fleets. I doubt GM makes a profit, but at least they keep the GMDAT assembly lines busy.

    Nissan will enter with the Versa, and Honda with the Fit.

    Mitsu announced interest and will study the segment.

    Suzukis cars are probably C segment but they compete indirectly (Aerio, Reno).

    So Subaru would be the 7th or so among the Asian built B segment. That's a pretty crowded lot for a small, not very profitable segment.

    Technically the R2 might even be considered smaller, A segment perhaps, but then what's the R1 for?

    -juice
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    I say bring the R1e to the States and just sell it through dealers in major cities and by order through other dealers. (I did see several Smart cars on a recent drive through Vancouver, B.C.... even out on the highways.) That's certainly not a crowded segment. In fact, it's conspicuously absent of offerings in this country. Why compete in the crowded B class segment when there's an open, albeit smaller, one.
    If you want to compete in the B class, re-work the Yaris with Subaru mechanicals (including AWD) and a Subie look, and sell that. Substantially reduces R&D and production costs. Isn't Subaru scrapping the Justy anyway?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The catch is it would become a bit of a punch line, if you were the only one, the smallest car.

    With high gas prices that might be a good thing, but if prices go back down and the attention shifts back towards safety, for instance, people will be pointing out the disadvantage small cars have and Subaru would be getting headlines it probably doesn't want.

    Pretty risky. Do you recall the ad where the Justy was crashed into a bigger car? The industry was using it as as example of why they should not be forced to downsize cars.

    -juice
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    Hmm... good points. You'd have to build in great safety and count on those lofty gas prices or on environmentalists. I wouldn't bother with the R1, just go straight to the R1e to appeal to both the fuel economy folks and the environmental folks. If you go that small, just go all the way and sell the electric one. Still, like you said, risky. I don't think they'd be alone for long... and plus you can order Smarts right now through that importing company, right? (I can't recall the name right now.)

    Heh heh... that's kind of funny. If only I could just order some "smarts". :P I can think of lots of folks who could use that service. Sorry... cracked myself up there briefly.

    I don't recall that ad. You could also turn it around and use it as a demonstration as to why the industry should reduce the number of behemoths it churns out, but most folks probably would not see it that way. And frankly, I feel folks SHOULD be able to drive what they want, be it big or small.
  • mayberryguymayberryguy Member Posts: 145
    The 7 pass cloth are still an option, just very low production volume right now. The dealer may have a hard time locating one but can always order if they don't mind the wait. On a similar note, it seems the 5 pass LTD's are really taking off right now. I don't know if it is because of the available Nav now or not. Seems interesting how they switched model mix so quickly.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Thanks. Nice to have someone so close to production. :)

    -juice
  • sweet_subiesweet_subie Member Posts: 1,394
    saw a nice 2006 brand image tv ad on weather channel. shows all modes, turbos, crash testing etc.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Fitzmall, White Flint and Gaithersburg, have 2 Spec Bs each—and selling over $3K off MSRP!

    Bob
  • dino001dino001 Member Posts: 6,191
    Doesn't look good for the brand image, does it? I think Spec-B is probably going to be not-so-hot thing. One color (why really boring silver?), suspension, nav and something else is just not cutting it. Give me were extra 30 HP, 6-speed, (or H-6 like in Europe/Australia), there may be a different story then. If I'm not mistaken, short limited productions (up to 3K vehicles) fall into much more less restrictive certification process, so what's the deal?

    Subaru is constantly falling into "undercooked, unfinished, not thought through" category with their new products. I constantly find myself thinking "nice, but..." Probably comes with a small niche manufacturer.

    2018 430i Gran Coupe

  • sweet_subiesweet_subie Member Posts: 1,394
    forget getting the perfect products. look at their website - pathetic !!!
    poorly presented, no nice pictures, very few of them, important features not shown in pics, a total of 5-7 pictures for a 40k car !!!!

    i will have to go to other websites like edmunds.com to get better info. imagine the newcomers to subaru - they will run away.

    The products are GROSSLY underpresented at subaru.com
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Another complaint about the Subaru.com website - they are still showing info in the 05 models, even though the 06's have been on sale for a while.

    Mark
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I pointed that out in the Cafe a short while ago, Bob. Where have you been? :P

    I didn't expect the Spec B to come with much of a premium because there's no powertrain changes to justify it.

    What surprised me is they're only making 500 and Fitz got 4 of them. There are about 600 dealers so that's less than 1 per dealer. I guess many will get none.

    If they want a high-demand limited edition model, it needs to be an STI. Enthusiasts can build their own Spec B, it's rims and tires and shocks, besides the cosmetic upgrades.

    -juice
  • dino001dino001 Member Posts: 6,191
    The more I think about it, the more pathetic the whole thing becomes to me. And the "dust in the wind" is still around. I love my WRX, I may even love the new one more, but I set my mind to Legacy being my next car. So far they do everything to turn me to the competition. They have still couple of years to figure it out for me. If not, I may go for "scary reliability" rather than set of "Nos" (no telescopic steering wheel, no HID lamps, no manual on Legacy GT wagon, no 6 cylinder of Legacy, no wheel controls on Legacy, etc.).

    2005 Legacy/Outback was a great leap forward, but 06 is basically lost time. When you stand still, you move backwards. One comes to realize how much better cars are today only when looking at what they were 5 or 10 years ago. It is truly amazing. And you can also see those who do not adapt, are moving very fast into danger zone.

    Is it really that much to ask for a 6-cyl wagon with manual (6 speed preferred), AWD and ergonomics of a 21th century car? I guess it is...

    2018 430i Gran Coupe

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They did get the NAV option, at least.

    05 was a great leap forward for that platform so I was not expecting much for 06. Subaru adds 1-2 features per model year when it's not a redesign or face-lift, usually.

    -juice
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    One other option in the past that is standard now on the 06: the air filtration system. I know it's not much, but at least now you don't have to ask the dealer for it and get a look of confusion from them :) . Also, the alarm/immobilizer key is now standard as well.

    Mark
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    So a couple of extra items standard, plus the NAV option. That's about par for what Subaru tends to do on the 2nd model year.

    -juice
  • dino001dino001 Member Posts: 6,191
    I guess I just want too much. I thought a logical way to do after such a good reception is go ahead and listen what press/enhusiasts are saying and get something fixed. All those things (except the steeing wheel) I want optional, not necessarily standard. But the way they package things, tying most to auto/leather is so... Japanese. Camrys and Accords are packaged that way: if you want better safety, you have to swallow all other bunch of stuff whether you want it or not. But it looks it is a trend - even VW succumb to it - their Passat packaging is a total disaster IMHO. Manual there is available only in lowest trims. Any option kicks in auto.

    Auto [non-permissible content removed]? ;)

    2018 430i Gran Coupe

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They shifted focus to the Tribeca, and the Forester and Impreza face-lifts. This was pretty much a carryover year for the Legacy.

    At least it got more updates than the Baja did. We forgot to mention the new base engine with AVLS, too.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Been really busy recently, so I may have missed your post.

    Bob
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    You can't get manual on a Legacy GT wagon, but you still can on the Outback XT Limited - essentially the same car, just a slightly different flavor.
  • dino001dino001 Member Posts: 6,191
    Well, the same, but not really. Legacy is a sporty wagon and as such "deserves" manual more than Outback, which is more "family" or "outdoors" type of car. Never been a big fan of Outbacks. I appreciate them, but would not buy.

    2018 430i Gran Coupe

  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    According to this news release, SOA will be announcing something at the upcoming Miami Auto Show.

    http://sev.prnewswire.com/auto/20051028/NYF13228102005-1.html

    So waddya think? Last year at Miami they showed "sketches" of the Tribeca. New Baja (sketches?) perhaps, since this is Miami? R1/R2? My guess is that it will a "teaser" announcement to build excitement for the Detroit Show, in which this vehicle will debut. That's what happened last year.

    Serge, we're counting on you for pixs. :)

    Bob
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    I think you're right on with the assessment that Legacy deserves that manual more than Outback. I think with the monotone styling and much tamer cladding that the Outback has really toned down the outdoorsy look, though. I think now they're hard for non-Subaru folks to differentiate from Legacy visually.
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    After driving the Bean Wagon over the weekend my wife and I noticed 4 things that should be on every Subaru.

    1- Bring back the coin holder! It seems like such a silly thing, but the coin holder that used to be where the fuse panel is now was such a great idea. I used to be able to keep my parking meter change there with no problem.
    2- Unless I am doing something wrong, the 6 CD changer should play random on all 6 CD's, not just random on one CD at a time.
    3- As has been stated ad nauseum, give us an aux input for an Ipod/ MP3 player. It is ridiculous that in this day and age there is no way to hook up any type of player to the audio unit.
    4- Bring back the Weather Band on the radio! Subaru touts itself as AWD so it should go hand in hand with the Weather Band as it did in the past. That was part of Subaur's image, at least to us.

    One other thing for the cars that have the Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Make it so that the unit indicates which tire is low.

    Mark
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    OK, Bob whipped me big-time on the Tokyo Show bet. I said "nothing" and boom, they come out with a new hybrid powertrain and a new concept shell.

    So we gotta go double-or-nothing. But this time we each have to call it - i.e. what exactly will debut.

    I say they'll debut the "Edge" models that Japan already has, either that or NAV options on the Forester and Impreza.

    Bob's got Baja and R1/R2.

    Sound like a bet, Bob? :)

    -juice
  • njswamplandsnjswamplands Member Posts: 1,760
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    In Miami? This soon? That would be a show-stopper.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Not quite yet. I don't have a strong feeling here, at least not yet. My sense is that it may be something that will address the gas price issue. R1s and R2s have been seen at Cherry Hill in the last month or so. It's also been widely reported that other Japanese carmakers will shortly debut new small gas-sippers. So my guess is that SOA will try to address that issue in some way. Will it be the R1/R2? Maybe; but then again it might be a super efficient already established model.

    The only problem I have with that is that it's not very "exciting" news, which is what you would expect at Detroit. The announcement of the the R1/R2 for the North American market could be exciting news, however.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They may just show them both, to measure reaction.

    Miami has a large latino community, folks that aren't as shocked to see small cars (the kind they might have back in their home country).

    It's a far better place to show them than, say, Texas! Can you imagine? :D

    -juice
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