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Comments
So Baja is done in March?
John
These words, unfortunately, may doom some of the rumors. Some of the absolute worst info we've heard has come from reps visiting dealers. As with any competitive company that operates on model year sales, Subaru tends to keep the real "version X+" info very close to the chest while "version X" models are still for sale. Look how well other past announcements have been protected -- at best, we found out about stuff a couple days before the official announcement.
With a few exceptions, the product reps generally get new info the same time as the rest of us. I talked to the regional rep in my area once, at a Impreza meet, and he was pretty frank about the situation -- it's not even a matter of whether or not he wants to risk his job by spilling the beans -- he just does not get told any competitive information in advance. That didn't stop him from speculating and talking up rumors with the group though, and that's what I suspect of the info in this case.
Craig
But I'll leave it at that
-juice
Cheers!
-Ian
Here's the link to the show's January Update:
http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/file.asp?F=update%234%5F061%2Epdf&N=update%234%5F- - 061%2Epdf&C=articles
This pulled from page 2 of the update, describing the schedule for Feb. 9:
Volkswagen has had the Golf running about Europe for a bit now, but it’s high time to bring the to North America, and in Chicago they will. Subaru’s ’07 Tribeca will go next, showing what changes will appear in its successful SUV. BMW is next with business news and then on to the Vista Ballroom for Tom LaSorda’s address to the Economic Club of Chicago.
Of course, those of us expecting more exciting news could hope that there's a TT H6 under the hood... :shades:
-Brian
• Optional chrome mesh grille
• Rear camera w/NAVI
• Rear reversing sensor
• 2-position memory driver's seat (Limited?)
• XM or Sirrius radio. Impreza & Forester w/6-CD< gets one, and Legacy/Outback & Tribeca gets the other. I don't remember who gets which one though.
No word on engine updates that I've heard.
Bob
I hate chrome!
-juice
Here's the quote:
"Not much has changed on the outside overall, but the "blacked-out" grill is better than the current chrome face and the chrome mesh is an improvement as well..... Not to mention, the chrome wheels....
Inside....
*XM Radio w/ IPod - MP3 hookups
*Rear Vision Camera in back bumper w/Nav
*2-Position Memory Seats
*Brake Assist
*Rollover Sensors for Side-Curtain Air Bags
Options.....
*Reverse Assist Sensors
*Remote Starter
*Cargo Cover
New colors apparantly... A dark gray, a new silver color, no more green, few others...."
Sounds like some good improvements. Can't wait to see pics!
Doug
07 Tribeca improvements look good.
I wonder if you get the aux input even if you don't opt for XM radio?
Current grille in black, or chrome mesh grille, why not combine both and give us a black mesh grille?
Rear cam was probably the #1 requested change and they got it, that's good. Plus looks like sonar is a 2nd option. From zero to 2 backup options. Cool.
Remote Starter is interesting, but it wastes a lot of gas.
New cargo cover was needed, the old one was pathetic.
Dark gray is that color Bob loved so much.
-juice
http://vocuspr.vocus.com/VocusPR30/Temp/Sites/1571/9e56a4153d8241a9b5fba00ddcffc- d83/07_B9_Tribeca_equip_Final.pdf
Bob
-juice
Why would they do a trick like this for a car that got so much mixed reviews?
Or was the call for "world debut" just a gimmick of the Chicago show promoters?
On top of that, competitors like the RAV4 improved substantially, so they'll even give up a few sales.
-juice
I think they can break even for the year, sales-wise. And again, even if volume stays the same, they've gotta be making more money on each sale.
Legacy/Outback has already $1000-$1500 now, even with some cosmetic changes abother "realignment" for 07, it will have to be priced down one way or another.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Still holding out for a better Baja
John
I've concluded that the chrome grille looks OK with the white, but I don't like it with dark colors, not at all. I like the black grille with those.
-juice
juice - The months I was looking at do show Forester outselling Outback... don't know about the other individual months:
Jan. '06: Forester 3,331 vs. Outback 3,202
Jan. '05: Forester 4,155 vs. Outback 4,024
I also don't know if Outback includes Outback Sport, or of that's lumped in with Impreza, where it should be.
Overall, you're clearly right, though, assuming OB Sport is not included in these numbers...
2005 totals: Outback 59,570 vs. Forester 53,541
2004 totals: Outback 62,594 vs. Forester 58,424.
Outback only outsells Forester by about 10%, so it's hard to call one model their bread-and-butter without including the other one. The worrisome part is that both were down for '05. Probably from all the increased "crossover" competition. Maybe Subaru's upscale strategy is working, with increased sales in sleeker, urban, street-cruising vehicles (Leg, Imp, B9Trib) rather than the more outdoorsy OB & Forester. *shrug*
17 Outbacks (including one sedan)
6 Foresters
9 Legacy sedan and wagon
10 Impreza and WRX
13 Tribecas
A sleek, lithe true sport coupe ala the mazda kabura concept with the new corporate face(if you must).
With a focus on light weight and handling placed somewhere bewteen the impreza and legacy in terms of size. With RWD torque split biased AWD and 50/50 weight distribution. Also, good power to weight ratio. Raid the corporate parts bin to keep costs down. And price it about 20 to 25k.
Eric
The Outback is doing OK. While the Legacy stole a few sales, overall is hasn't hurt that platform.
I think the Forester is most in need of an update. It's been on the same wheelbase since 1998, nearly a decade. It still does not even offer stability control, SportShift, a 5 speed auto, or side curtain air bags.
A sleek coupe might gain them 30-40k in sales volume at best. The Forester does far more volume and has been largely ignored by them.
Remember, the Outback and Forester pay all the bills. Not new products.
-juice
Today, even GM and Ford have 6-speed slushboxes, so 5-speed auto is the minimum. Ok then, redesign the forester then think about the coupe in the future.
Eric
But while sales tend to flirt with 50k sales, the segment leaders are doing 120k in volume. Forester could easily be doing 60-80k in sales.
-juice
Overall, 2007 is probably a very safe bet as it's the last year of a well-tested model, but I'm stil curious about 2008...
As to the '08 Forester, no word yet. I haven't even seen any rumors.
Bob
You're both right: it is a good product all around, except for maybe rear seat room--of course the same could be said for my outback (MY00), but it could be better.
I guess what I meant was: it can be frustrating when subaru has the ability not only to just compete well, but dominate a segment though it chooses not to--i.e. make the crv, rav4 and whoever else an afterthought--make the forester the standard to measure up to in all aspects.
Eric
Remember when you thought you would trade it in at 100k?
Good to see you again.
-juice
~Colin
~alpha
I think any new vehicle we see will be from the Gunma factory, based on Impreza or the minicars.
There's talk that the next Impreza will also be built in Indiana. I'd like to see the Justy make a comeback now that they've put a real motor in it.
My gut feeling is that the next Legacy might be a sedan version of the Tribeca. It's rumored to get larger, so puting it on the Tribeca's 108" wheelbase seems to make sense.
Bob
-juice