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Subaru Crew - Future Models II

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  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Well I have my personal Blackberry.
    I have the Blackberry for the place I work at.
    I have the Blackberry for the consulting company I work for. So basically 2 Blackberrys for my day job + my personal blackberry. Joy!

    I just have them all forward the phone calls to my personal Blackberry though, so at least they won't all be ringing!

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    That's the word from Paul Hansen over in Japan. So expect the Japanese Subaru web site to be updated then with the new model.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Here was my last post...

    ateixeira, "Navigation / GPS Systems" #983, 26 May 2007 2:48 pm

    I got a 2nd Garmin. Made sense to me since I could copy all my favorites. Also, I'm familiar with the interface and they consistently rate well.

    They cost a tad more, but I felt it was worth it.

    I came close to a Mio 520 for the 4.3" screen, but the unit at the store was defective and I took that as a bad sign.
  • pathtomaxpathtomax Member Posts: 215
    I have to admit, I do like the commercials. I am very early in my considerations for a new car, but have been leaning toward the Highlander Hybrid for some time. After seeing the commercials, I went to look at a few of the new Outbacks here in NH. They are listed as PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions), sounds pretty good to me.

    As I said before, I like Subaru as a company and what they stand for.

    I am just the loyal Subaru Yankee :blush:
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    Could this be the "small, sporty" vehicle Toyota is using Subaru engineers to design?

    http://thehollywoodextra.blogspot.com/2007/05/awd-v6-corolla-coupe-coming.html#comments
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They did swap engineers, remember?

    Still, sounds like they'll be using Toyota powertrains, but getting Subaru engineers to help tune it properly.
  • sweet_subiesweet_subie Member Posts: 1,394
    edmunds has full road test now.

    mileage is 16mpg in the city ? i thought it was going to be 18 or so ?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    2008 EPA standard change. Mileage drops about 10% across the board. The 16/21 actually matches the 18/23 for the 06-07 models.

    I saw a Scion xB at a dealer and was shocked, then I learned it too was under the lower 2008 ratings.

    This is actually a disadvantage for any carmakers that come out with their models early this year.
  • sweet_subiesweet_subie Member Posts: 1,394
    thanks, this forum has answers to everything.
  • zman3zman3 Member Posts: 857
    I don't know if this has been posted yet or not...

    http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/calculatorSelectYear.jsp
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Wow that's pretty poor city milage! I get 13.5mpg driving in hard city traffic with my Armada!

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Some pretty neat stuff here—which we likely won't get...

    http://www.subaru.jp/accessory/impreza/acc/index.html

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Not sure if that grille is body color but it seems like it. I really like that subtle change.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Wheel covers actually don't look too bad, I supposed.

    That Sports XT looks great, though.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Yeah, they're the same wheelcovers now found on the base Outback. In person they look even better; still, I'm not a huge fan of wheelcovers.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Long time ago, must've been 1990 because that's when my wife graduated, I helped her move. I had my little old Datsun at the time, with wheel covers.

    She had so much junk! Literally crammed all that stuff inside, I was nearly bottoming out. We hit a pothole and I lost 2 wheelcovers! :D

    Some are bolted on nowadays, but they're still kinda lame. They are heavier than styled steel and easily lost, damaged, or even stolen.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Santa brought me wheel covers this past Christmas for my snow tires on the Passat. My wife hates the way the car looks with bare wheels.

    I lost 2 of them over the winter. Next winter, I'm putting the 2 that are left on the passenger side where she sees them.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    :D

    That's so ghetto! I love it! :shades:
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    That's so ghetto! I love it!

    I really could care less in the winter about no wheel covers. Here in New England you see BMW's, Audi's, MB's et al running on steelies without covers.

    The OEM VW ones are around $50 each so it's not worth it to me.
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    DW doesn't care for her MPV's winter tires w/o wheel covers either. I tried claiming that a couple of the wheel covers were broke (actually they were), but she hated it. So, I found some Mazda covers and she's happier....but not as pleased as she is with the OEM wheels.

    Those Forester wheel covers look good.

    -Brian
  • dstew1dstew1 Member Posts: 275
    Here's a 2008 XT Sports w/the 12 spoke wheels (I think this is the new dark gray metallic color):

    image
    image
    (borrowed from user yugamu at the subaruforester site)
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Those sport wheels look quite sharp! Some tint on the rear windows would look good too.

    Now if they only dropped the suspension a bit for the XT Sport, looks like a lot space in those wheel wells.

    -Brian
  • samiam_68samiam_68 Member Posts: 775
    Still wearing those crappy Geolanders....
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    I hope so. As I am sure you are aware, the old/current Impreza is rated virtually the same as the larger Legacy, so I expect them to have very similar ratings once again.

    I would like to see a combined 30 mpg, which is why I'm waiting for the diesel, but if push came to shove I might settle for a 30 highway rating.

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • aaykayaaykay Member Posts: 539
    Took delivery of my new 07 WRX wagon 4EAT Crystal Grey Metallic, which was special ordered and came with 5 miles on it. Very pleased with it thus far.

    All my concerns about the rubber-band effect of the turbo was completely misplaced. The engine is extremely tractable and is a night and day difference from the 2.0L Turbo WRX that a couple of friends drive. The larger engine and the variable valve timing that the 2.0L lacked, certainly helps. I have been keeping the rpms below 3500 and have been continually varying them (another 800 miles to go !), even though it is a struggle. :shades:
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Cool! The 2.5 H4 turbo feels like a much bigger engine all the time, and mates well with auto trans. In contrast, the 2.0 turbo always felt like a little engine trying to pretend it was a bigger engine. OK with manual trans, but lousy with auto.

    Enjoy!
    Craig
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Congrats. :shades:

    Bob's WRX has 2 speeds - quick and quicker. :surprise:

    If you hit the gas just make sure you have a lot of room in front of you.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    The 2.5 turbo is one of the world's great engines. In fact a year ago it won "best engine in the 2.5 range" by a group of international automotive engineers. It's much more user-friendly than the 2.0 turbo.

    Besides the excellent power, I get reasonable to good gas mileage (low – mid 20s), albet on premium.

    Bob
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    Hi Bob,

    OT here but this article might be interesting for Straightline. It's about recycling hybrid batts.

    http://blogs.business2.com/greenwombat/2007/06/photo_green_wom.html?source=yahoo_quote

    John
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Great article—and thanks John. I'll put something up to run tomorrow.

    Bob
  • stevecebustevecebu Member Posts: 493
    I am very dissapointed with what edmunds had to say about the car. I was hoping it would be in some way an improvement or fun to drive or something but they make it sound like driving a Camry. The diesel would be the way for me to go but sadly I will be back in the US about this time next year and will need a car within a week of getting there so buying a Subie diesel is out. The WRX sounds boring and I'd rather pony up the money for a BMW 335i than a WRX STI as it's just a lot more comfortable. The EVO has such poor reliability and the worst customer service I have ever seen from any group of dealers in my life. They make the VW dealers look awesome in comparison and that is a hard task to do.
    Sad to say the new WRX look like a civic hatchback with 2 more doors. I could live with that but i dislike cars that are boring to drive.
    I hope Subaru spices it up somehow as I will be in snow country and the snow is bad for 3 months out of the year.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Not me. As a current owner of a '06 WRX Limited wagon, they've addressed a number of my major complaints:

    • It's quieter. This is my #1 one complaint about my car.

    • It's roomier for rear passengers

    • It should get better gas mileage due to the fact that the power comes on lower in the powerband

    It's much more refined—which it needed to be, and will appeal to a much larger audience—which it needed to do; and as to driving like a Camry? Never happen...

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They can't win.

    They build a peaky turbo and everyone whines about turbo lag.

    They add a twin scroll and get rid of that lag, and now 0-60 in 5.5s is boring? :confuse:
  • stevecebustevecebu Member Posts: 493
    Well I had the 2002 WRX and I really liked it all except the ABS because in the snow they wouldn't stop the car on slippery roads and you'd breeze right into intersections! :mad:
    But it was a blast to drive and after being out of the country for so many years I was hoping for something stimulating compared to what I drive now. I for certain will test drive one and see how it is but my eyes are all lighting up at the thought of a Subaru WRX diesel!!!!! :D:D
    But I will be there and needing a car many months before it becomes available.
    I'm hoping the downer review on the car won't feel the same to the seat of my pants. My wife is all hot over the new BMW after we drove the 1 series hatchback here. We also drove an older 3 series a 325 I think and wow did she love that, but BMW's aren't much fun in the snow in New England in the winter.
    Subaru blew the looks compared to the new EVO X and while I don't miss the rear wing (had mine deleted) it's like the front end can't make up it's mind what it wants to be.
    Mitsubishi's awful reliability and nightmare customer service will keep me from ever buying an EVO but at 45 I don't fit the boy racer profile but I do like performance, but some comfort on long drives is nice too. I will admit the additional rear passenger room is great, but sadly it has a lot less cargo room which is not good for me but since the seats fold and I would not buy the sedan again it should be ok.
  • saedavesaedave Member Posts: 694
    Note the future Aisin automatic trans.........like Toyota. That should be no surprise with the present trans coming from a Nissan subsidiary. Here is the explanation for no improvements on the present four speed or increasing the number of five speed autos.

    The Toyota connection may be very beneficial eventually.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They need to phase out the 4EAT, at this point many will have 6 ratios before Subaru moves to 5 on all models. :sick:
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    http://www.startyourengines.jp/blog/videoblog/2007/06/000523.php

    Unfortunately in Japanese. Fortunately here's a brief summary:

    S-GT Impressions:
    - Due to engine revisions (2400rpm max torque) its very driveable at low rpms (2000-3000rpm)
    - New suspension setup is very flexible
    - Steering feel is vastly different than previous gen Impreza
    - Road manners have easily surpassed that of the Legacy
    - The turbo is very quick
    - Brakes are solid
    - VDC works great. Just turn the wheel to where you want to go and the VDC keeps the rear in line
    - Subaru has matured its turbo to the next level - from just turbo power to low-end power and fuel economy.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The Subie really whips the Audi on that avoidance manuever. He almost lost it in the Audi.
  • utherjorgeutherjorge Member Posts: 13
    What I find most interesting on most of these forums are that the people that whine quite often won't ever buy one in the first place. Que sera sera...

    Dave Becker
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Well, the updates make me far more likely to consider one, but I still think I'd prefer a Forester.

    I guess I'll see what the diesels cost and how they run. I really want a convertible or at least a wide open roof, though, to eventually replace the Miata.

    The new Miatas require 91 octane, bummer. Sort of kills the idea of using one as a low-cost commuter/2nd vehicle.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    A Forester won't handle like your Miata or a WRX. A diesel Impreza perhaps?

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You know what would make sense to me? Call the diesel model the Outback Sport.

    It's gotta have a big sky roof, though. Hope the Forester doesn't drop that.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    The following is a translation found over at nabisco on the Japanese justification for dropping the WRX name, and replacing it with S-GT.

    It makes sense, and I see where they're coming from. It wouldn't surprise me if this name change eventually works its way across the globe within a few years.

    Bob

    _________________________________

    The Difference Between ?S-GT? and ?WRX?
    When one thinks of the performance model of the Impreza line, the ?WRX? comes to mind. However, we have been faced with the unexpected. There is no ?WRX? within the new Impreza line..

    "I think the 'WRX=rally' image is too strong and thus awkward for the average customer to approach. We wanted to eliminate that perception by positioning the S-GT so that anyone can freely enjoy the sporty model." - Product Planning PIC Naoyuki Yamauchi

    Until now, the Impreza was associated with the ?WRC? and the ?WRX? was the model that was under the spotlight and that had a cult-like following. However, the reality is that trying to increase sales by counting on the WRX to become a high volume seller was a hindrance. Therefore, with the 3rd generation of Imprezas we have changed our stance and have abandoned the WRX name.

    "We hope to gain a broader customer base that can enjoy the sensation of this turbo car. The ride feel will be sporty and enjoyable, and not overly rigid (like the WRX)" - Yamauchi

    But Subaru understands that fans will not approve of that alone. So we have prepared a special model that will be introduced later.

    http://response.jp/issue/2007/0607/article95554_1.html
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    Argh! You're making me drool here! A diesel-powered Sube OBS with a sky roof option? And the frameless windows are finally gone for the next-gen Impreza! I am THERE! Why can't SOA see the sense of these ideas?

    I would still love it to see it with maybe an extra inch of ground clearance and some slightly bigger tires than the regular Imprezas. Give them a power seat with height adjust and I would pay WRX money for such an OBS.

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • rblnrrblnr Member Posts: 124
    They can't win.
    They build a peaky turbo and everyone whines about turbo lag.
    They add a twin scroll and get rid of that lag, and now 0-60 in 5.5s is boring?


    Yeah, it's really a head-scratcher. Especially about 5.5 being boring. 4 secs and you look like a Mercury astronaut in the cockpit -- that would be exciting I guess.
  • aaykayaaykay Member Posts: 539
    I think the only way to make a determination on how the new car drives, is to actually drive it. That will prove/disprove how much more quieter/noisier or handles better/worser when compared to the current model.

    Overall, I was okay with the looks of the new car, except for the tail-lights and the grill. If the brakes are the Legacy GT brakes, then those should be fine with me too, even though they went back to a 2-piston/1-piston setup, as opposed to the current 4-piston/2-piston setup. The narrower tires (205mm vs the 215mm of the 07) probably will aid in improving the mileage numbers and hence those are not deal-breakers for me.

    The things that disappointed me were the fact that they deleted the roof rails from the hatch/wagon, in addition to the severe slope of the rear of the hatch. That reduces the utility aspect by quite a bit, even though they improved the shape of the hatch area due to the replacement of the struts with the more compact Double wishbones. Obviously another pet peeve was the retainment of the 4EAT in this new model, when the whole world has moved onto 5EAT and beyond, at this price range.
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