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Comments
bit
I would hope that by now tow truck operators would know all Subarus are AWD. It's been half a decade already.
Better yet - never put yourself in a position to be towed.
bit: don't quote me on this, but I think there are holes.
-juice
Downed signs or incorrect signs can lead to being towed...
-mike
Subaru - 1
Impreza - 1
Outback Sport 2
Outback - 1
AWD - 2. :-)
Dennis
-Greg
Actually, Greg, they should come out with a "Dave" badge.
-juice
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/lucien3/php3/openframe.php3?page=newnews/newsarticle.php3?id=2637
1x S U B A R U (emblem)
1x AWD (sticker)
1x 2.5RS IMPREZA (emblem)
2x 2.5RS (sticker)
They're all coming off as soon as I get my car back. ;-)
I agree, the WRX's badging is tasteful.
-Colin
Less than 5 seconds to 60! Sweet!
There is this Camaro that parks near my work, on the street, and it has something like 12 fake "SS" badges all over it. Even the license plates say something to that effect.
Funny thing is it is not an SS! No hood scoop even. Apparently the young guys in the Civic Type Rs are not the only ones!
-juice
Let's see, my Forester has:
1x big SUBARU on the back
2x Forester stickers on the side
2x AWD stickers on windows (now off due to tint)
1x Forester badge on back
1x AWD badge on back
I'd loose the stickers if anything.
When I was renting the OB Ltd Sedan, I thought it had way too many badges on the back.
I guess it's just me.
Ken
MWWST
-juice
I have to tell you, it's the best steering Jeep I've ever driven. The ride seemed a tad bouncy, but very much in control. It was tight as drum. The quality, from what I could see was excellent. The rear passenger space was roomy, and very comfortable—light years ahead of the Cherokee in this regard.
The Forester is still the better vehicle on a winding road, and it rides better too. But still, IMHO, Jeep did a great job with the new Liberty. I just hope the next Forester will be more up to the task in terms of towing and off-road capability.
One thing for sure, it's a tall vehicle, much like a Trooper. Getting things on and off the roof rack will be a chore.
There is a lot of items in the "G" package, but, as I've mentioned before, I just wish there was more "standard content" to the vehicle, and less "nickel-and-diming" in terms of options.
Here are some prices for various options:
Off-Road package: Sport = $765.00, Limited = $520.00
Tow package: Sport & Limited = $325.00
Tow package (if you order Off-Road package too): Sport & Limited = $245.00
Alloy wheels: Sport $310.00
Sunroof: Sport & Limited = $700.00
The dealer indicated that, according to his order book, you can only get A/T tires on the Sport if you order the Off-Road package. A/T tires are a no-charge option on the Limited. I forgot to ask what ABS would cost.
Also, looking under the hood, there seems to be room for a V8 (a lot of space between the front of the engine and the radiator). Hmmm...
Bob
There is a lot of pressure from the newcomers. The Santa Fe goes for $22k, and the Escape for about $25k, both well equipped.
Question is, should Subaru emphasize value, and stay at the current price levels, or go for best-in-class, and allow prices to hit the high twenties?
Tough choice, I think.
-juice
A comparably equipped Explorer will be over $30K. Same with the Highlander.
Also, the one I drove was the top-of-the line model. It came with leather and a bunch of other stuff I don't really need. My choice would be a less expensive "Sport" model, optioned the way I want it.
Bob
What I was saying is that most small SUVs start around $18k and go as far as $25k. $27k is pretty much pushing into uncharted territory for the small SUV class.
I guess it'll have company when the Freelander arrives, perhaps as a premium small SUV?
-juice
-mike
The Grand has had some major issues. Jeeps tend to be durable, but not reliable.
-juice
I agree, reliability is yet to be determined. Jeep did build a brand new state-of-art factory for this vehicle though. So quality, once they're up and running at full capacity, should be better than before. Interestingly, the (simpler) Cherokee has been fairly trouble-free. It's been the best of the Jeeps in that respect.
Bob
IMO, we're not going to get much more towing capability in a car.
Dennis
-mike
Stephen
The Liberty I drove had Select Trac, which has a full-time 4WD mode, in addition to a low range and a neutral position in the transfer case. The advantage of the "neutral" position, is that if it needs to be towed, you don't need to put it on a rollback.
Bob
I know of 100s of people who have no problems with their rodeos, especially '99 and '00 and '01. They did work out the gremlins after the first year.
Side note, I know why they have expanded the Indiana SIA plant. It looks like the next Trooper will be coming out of the SIA plant rather than Japan. Isuzu Japan is going to be expanding their Med Duty Trucks and Bus division.
-mike
I wouldn't mind seeing some co-developed vehicles with RWD and selectable AWD/4WD based on Subaru's multiplate clutch pack technology.
-Colin
-Frank P.
paisan: Fitz also sells Isuzus, so if they can't get me an H6 or WRX loaner I may ask if they have an Axiom. We're road tripping in two cars with several kids so the space would come in handy.
Honda owners expect the very best, and remember the Passport does not match the Rodeo's warranty, then or now.
-juice
-mike
I base my experience on my wife's 95 (before the re-design). In four years it saw only two minor problems - loose hatch latch and then a dead battery at 3 3/4 years. My wife's OB has had 6 or 7 minor problems in 2 1/2 years.
Colin - Yeah, my wife got overly excited accelerating while making a left-hand turn in the rain. Fish-tailed it and hit the curb then went into the oncoming lane. Luckily there were no cars coming. Then it was "hello AWD".
Dennis
Short-term, I don't care. I like to try different vehicles. A Trooper would be fun for a week.
-juice
-Colin
Man, I hate that speedo. Was the old one like that? It has the misfortune of being like the dorky Echo.
They say 0-60 in 7.5 for the Cooper S, nowhere close to the Rex, but still fun.
Note the CVT, too, and how the Euro market one keeps it at 5000 or even 6000 revs for peak power all the time. Too bad the US one was watered down.
-juice-
Select Trac is optional on the Sport (A & B pkgs), Limited (F pkg), but is standard on top Limited (G pkg), which is what I drove. IMHO, Select Trac should be standard across the board. There's no need to offer Command Trac, or 2WD versions. Interesting to note that there are no C, D, or E packages (yet).
It felt quick. I didn't floor it, or anything like that. I didn't feel that I needed extra power. As to the Highlander, probably about the same. It felt quicker off the line than a H-6 Subie.
Bob
If I wanted something purely for off-road type use, I would do one of two things:
1) Get a Forester and get one of those 3" Lift kits...
or
2) Get the Liberty.
Motor trend took the Liberty, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Wrangler up to that super-hard off-road course here in california, and put them all to the test...
Surprizingly, the Liberty came close to the Wrangler in terms of capability, and put shame to the rest of the lineup. Its definatly a serious off-road vehicle.
But, the Forester is as far as Im willing to go into buying anything resembling an SUV :P
Ya, I just read the MINI article too... Im SOOOO ticked theyre screwing with the US CVT engine! ARG! I would actually think about getting that car FOR the CVT, but there messing with it!
2002
I think we've pretty much seen what's going to be new for '02. I don't think we'll see another performance model for this year. I really don't think SOA wants to do anything that will take attention away from the WRX in '02.
We may possibly(?) see the 4EAT "Sport-Shift" man-u-matic brought over from Japan for the Legacy GT.
2003
I think this will be a big year for SOA.
Legacy/Outback
I think the just released SOJ Legacy/Lancaster is a preview of what the SOA Legacy/Outbacks will look like. I predict we will get the same SOJ headlights (perhaps w/HID on top models), tailights (with clear turn signals), grille, aluminum hood, and wheels.
I predict a 2.5 turbo, same WRX momo steering wheel and SOJ Legacy 17" wheels (on performance models), and hopefully a 6-speed manual with the turbo.
I know we all hope for a 5EAT too, but I haven't heard anything to that effect. I'm still hoping...
I also wouldn't be surprised to see a few model names revised. I think the base "GT" will become an "RS" and the the turbo will be called a "GT-S."
Forester
This model has been discussed to death here. Let's just hope that both SOJ and SOA has gotten the message.
Impreza
Tweaks. That's just about it. I hope SOA rethinks the 17" wheel/tire package, offers a moonroof, and the All-Weather package with heated seats and outside mirrors.
Others
STX/Brat
Again, let's hope for the best.
SVX
I think we'll see some sort of coupe and or roadster, but not until 2004.
Bob
The new Mini is so cute! I had "real" Minis, 3 in all, over the years. I can't wait to drive one of the new ones. The centrally mounted speedo is true to the old car, and to Sir Alec Issigonis' mission of making the car starkly, frugally economical; all it took to change a Mini from left-hand to right-hand drive was a different steering rack! (Which the Edmunds story gets wrong, BTW; Minis had rack and pinion steering from day one.) And the tach mounted on the steering column is hilarious! Minis had only a speedometer for instrumentation, (the Coopers added oil pressure and volt meters) so of course everyone added their own tach and -- you guessed it -- they strapped them to the steering column, which by the way was quite simply a cylinder which came straight up out of the floor without being hidden or camoflaged in plastic or anything else until it got up to the turn signal stalk. Sliding windows, hollow doors with "pockets" big enough to swallow a pair of dictionaries, rubber cone suspension, 10-inch wheels.
Ah, nostalgia :-)
However at $30k for a "new" Mini (a top line gussied up S), I think I'll be limiting my intake to a test drive. That's too much money by about $8k; what in the world are they thinking.
Cheers,
-wdb
Bob
Ah, nostalgia :-))
The reserve tank was tricky. You had to have the lever open in order to get gas INTO the reserve, say when you were filling up, then you had to remember to flip it back to CLOSED. (Remembering to do so was made more difficult by the fact that the lever was out of sight under the dashboard.) If you forgot, and you ran out of gas, you'd reach for the lever and, ooopsie! It's already open, and you are really, truly, OUT of gas. I did it on a regular basis :-)
Regards,
-wdb
-mike
This was the only car I've ever flipped—thanks to that notorious swing-arm rear suspension. I put one of those "Camber Compensators" on it, to no avail.
Boy, the stories/adventures I could tell... but I won't ;-{)
Bob
Stephen
After what I put that vehicle through, it's a miracle I'm still alive. I remember once being caught in a blizzard. Myself and an earth mover plow were the only vehicles on the road. I was headed for a friend's house out in the country, and the snow was deep and drifting. I made it about 10 miles to my buddies house, by keeping it in 1st. gear and never stopping. If I had stopped, I would have never gotten going again. It was pretty scary.
I spent the night there, and the next day, after the plows had made it through, there were drifts 10' high on the sides of the road. Thinking back, it was a pretty stupid thing to do. So much for AWD...
Bob
Not as wild as that leg story, though. ;-) Reminds me of Duece Bigalow, Male Gigalo.
At least they drove the wheels where the weight was, and they bad boxer engines. Plus, loads of character. No wonder there are lots of ex-Beetle owners here.
-juice
One day though, as I was replacing yet another muffler on our 1966 Beetle, I looked at the utterly rotted out rockers (which were also the heater ducts and the swing axles and the 6-volt battery that was about to fall through the floor, and I just decided I'd had enough. I've not owned another Volkswagen since, which is not saying anything about their subsequent cars -- only that I have a preconception about them. Just like paisan does with Fords ;-)
Cheers,
-wdb
So, no Audi S8 for you then, eh? ;-)
-juice
Interesting to note, this vehicle was shown recently at an Aussie Auto Show using the "Outback Sport" name. After extensive studies, Subaru of Australia determined that there was too much confusion with the Legacy-based Outback, hence the "RV" name.
I have to agree. I have long thought that the name, "Outback Sport," must be a marketing nightmare for SOA. Most people associate the Outback as being a derivative of the Legacy line, now only to be also confronted with a model derived from the Impreza line too. It's confusing at best, and lazy marketing at its worst, IMHO.
I think SOA would be well advised to follow the Aussies lead here.
Bob
http://www.autoweb.com.au/start_/showall_/id_SUB/doc_sub0105251/article.html
Patti- Please make FHI give us dual-range tranny's in all of our SUW's!
Personally, I like the OB Sport name over RV. When I hear RV, I think of those monster motor homes.
Dennis
RV, I dunno. Maybe just Impreza Sport.
-juice
I like "RV" (recreational vehicle). It fits in nicely with "RS" and "TS."
Bob
Bob