Subaru Crew - Future Models II

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Comments

  • bpizzutibpizzuti Member Posts: 2,743
    Ouch, that's about $5k more than I was planning to spend...I just can't see myself spending more than $30k on a car...
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    That's MSRP. I'm sure you can get it lower than that. $5K lower? I doubt it. :(

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'm figuring $32k or so with VIP pricing.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    My dealer, Herb Gordon Subaru, has an H6 Outback w/Eyesight stickering just under $37K, so again I think $35K sounds about right for an XT w/Eyesight.

    Bob
  • saedavesaedave Member Posts: 694
    The 250hp comes with an asterix - 93 octane. 91 octane minimum so that contradicts what we heard earlier about using regular fuel. Bummer.

    Not liking the weight gain (XT), premium fuel requirement (XT),

    I've decided I'm keeping my 2010 XT. Lack of a Limited model sans navigation, etc. will make the price way too high. Additionally the new look is NOT an improvement.

    Perhaps there will be a Crosstrek XT without too much junk added later.
  • bpizzutibpizzuti Member Posts: 2,743
    Actually, I prefer the new look. I don't like swoopy curves all that much, and the Forester's styling looks a lot more blocky and sharp-edged. Looks more like a truck, basically, and less like a jacked-up coupe.

    I wouldn't mind an XV Crosstrek XT myself though. The Forester XT looks like it's going to be fairly porky when it comes to weight.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I like the Impreza Sport. The wife would probably go for the new, bigger 2014 Forester.
  • bpizzutibpizzuti Member Posts: 2,743
    I could probably put up with the 2.5i if it wasn't for the lack of shift paddles.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It really depends on the tuning of the CVT. I've sampled a couple of good ones, and a couple of awful ones. It varies a lot.
  • bpizzutibpizzuti Member Posts: 2,743
    I always prefer to have a manual override available to me, just in case.

    Besides, there's not much separating that Forester XT from an automatic-equipped WRX. Which is what I really want. And doesn't exist right now. :shades:
  • saedavesaedave Member Posts: 694
    Besides, there's not much separating that Forester XT from an automatic-equipped WRX

    Except probably a considerably higher insurance premium for the WRX. :(
  • bpizzutibpizzuti Member Posts: 2,743
    Except probably a considerably higher insurance premium for the WRX.

    This is a valid and important point. I bet part of the reason Subaru is moving the WRX to its own model as at the "request" of insurers. The Impreza having the whole Dr Jeckyll/Mr. WRX thing might have made it tough to determine rates for the model.
  • colin_lcolin_l Member Posts: 591
    Not really. There is less difference between a WRX and standard Impreza than there is between the STi and standard WRX. The insurance price difference is rather large.
  • rblnrrblnr Member Posts: 124
    good news for Subaru:

    http://www.ibtimes.com/press-release/20121203/subaru-america-inc-reports-best-no- vember-sales-company-history-915203
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They've been on a roll for a while now, wow.

    With 4EATs and no DI. Imagine when they update those.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/03/btw-subarus-sharc-won-the-2012-design-challen- ge/

    Too bad none of us could ever drive it!
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    edited January 2013
    Coming on all '14 Foresters with navigation; mid-year '13 Legacys/Outbacks; '14 Imprezas, XVs, and BRZs with navigation.

    http://www.media.subaru.com/pressrelease/405/1/subaru-debut-starlink-2013-consum- - er-electronics-show

    Being demoed right now at the CES in Vegas. Subaru has a booth there for the first time.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'm lazy so I'll wait for the video demos. :shades:
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,706
    What the flip?

    Eyesight, Starlink.... ? Seriously, Subaru, focus on driver's cars, not cars that drive themselves! I wonder if we can trade that gimmicky junk in on diesel tech for North America?!

    :mad:
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The market wants that stuff....the take rate is very high so far.
  • bpizzutibpizzuti Member Posts: 2,743
    I still think the ultimate is going to be some standardized MicroUSB dock/interface in the dash.

    I mean, I can drop my phone in a dock and do nav, Pandora, Siriux/XM, TUneIn, my GooglePlay or Amazon cloud MP3s, and a ton of other things. Who needs a head unit?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I don't want another monthly bill since I already pay for my smart phone, but OEMs want that income.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,706
    That's the take rate amongst the non-driver population. There are still those of us who want cars.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • rblnrrblnr Member Posts: 124
    edited January 2013
    They have to meet the market where it's at to survive. The challenge is to maintain their brand ID while doing so which includes a distinctive driving and ergonomic experience. Fussy touchscreen ventilation controls, for ex., seem more Ford/Lincoln than Subaru
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,706
    As long as those nanny things stay optional, I don't mind them. It just annoys me that they spend their R&D funs on crap like this when they could open up a whole new market with a diesel engine.

    It's so sad that our government is so clueless.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • rblnrrblnr Member Posts: 124
    Bums me out about the diesel too. Will be moving on from my '06 Tribeca this yr., and expect to buy a diesel SUV sized car for mileage reasons. Subaru has nothing in this space.
  • rblnrrblnr Member Posts: 124
    Any noises about the hybrid Subaru said they'd release this year?
  • bpizzutibpizzuti Member Posts: 2,743
    No. Tomorrow is the end of the 2014 Forester embargo. you're not going to hear about the hybrid until the hype from that dies down. :)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    edited January 2013
    So we will finally see some real in depth reviews.
  • bpizzutibpizzuti Member Posts: 2,743
    Read all about it!

    http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1081914_2014-subaru-forester-2-0xt-turbo-firs- t-drive

    http://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/subaru_forester_2014

    http://www.cars.com/subaru/forester/2014/expert-reviews/?revid=59299

    Looks good so far except for the launches with the CVT..apparently it's pretty soft 0-10 MPH, but after that it's fine. They might need to tweak something.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    MA: ...all contribute to what we considered superb body control for a crossover, out on the challenging and technical road course at Inde Motorsports Ranch in Wilcox, Arizona.

    :shades:

    24mpg in a lead foot's hands ain't bad at all.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    TCC gave it an 8.2, which compares favorably to the CR-V (7.8) and CX5 (7.4).

    It also scores a lot higher than the outgoing model (7 to 7.4).
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Cars.com got 27 mpg out of the base model and 25.8 from the turbo. They also complained about off the line acceleration.

    Unlike the other review, he loved the seats. I guess try it on for size, we're all shaped differently.

    Manual Premium models lose the moonroof? But AWP standard? Weird.

    They mistakenly compare the prices to FWD competitors, price 'em with AWD for apples to apples, folks.
  • saedavesaedave Member Posts: 694
    Sluggish off the line is just the opposite of my 2010 XT. I can't imagine buying the 2014. I have compared what I paid with the new Touring version which is the only way to get the cold weather kit: $4,000 more than my Limited was.

    Subaru obviously does not want to sell many XT Limiteds.
  • bpizzutibpizzuti Member Posts: 2,743
    Subaru obviously does not want to sell many XT Limiteds.

    Obviously not, since there isn't an XT Limited.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/25/2014-subaru-forester-xt-first-drive-review/

    Reading it now...
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    23 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, and the turbo no longer requires premium fuel

    We keep going back on forth on this...

    They don't like the CVT, and of the four reviews that was definitely the least flattering one.
  • bpizzutibpizzuti Member Posts: 2,743
    " The good news is that once you push through the tilt, the XT breaks away gradually with a confidence-inspiring forgiveness. Kiss the brakes, go full bore with the throttle and the Forester XT will rotate just like a portly version of the much-loved WRX. That old track-fiend in grocery getter clothing is still under there somewhere, you just have to lift more skirt to find it."

    hardly an indictment of the vehicle. :shades:
  • saedavesaedave Member Posts: 694
    edited January 2013
    I should have said Touring. Same problem: overpriced too loaded model. Eliminating the Limited is a big part of the problem!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Still wasn't as good a review as the others.

    Would love to read more about the AWD and what differences it has vs the base models.
  • bpizzutibpizzuti Member Posts: 2,743
    I should have said Touring. Same problem: overpriced too loaded model. Eliminating the Limited is a big part of the problem!

    Seems counterintuitive to me that Limited is below Touring. But I really don't know if the XT would sell enough to justify another trim, and you can't deny the turbo buyers the high-end bling, so if you could only have one other trim, should it be Premium or Limited? I think it's a fair question actually, which would sell better? Limited has more stuff, but Premium can be had for cheaper, which means more people can opt for a turbo model.
  • bpizzutibpizzuti Member Posts: 2,743
    What we need is a serious eval of X-Drive. I bet they all have the same VDC AWD that starts 60/40 and varies from there.
  • saedavesaedave Member Posts: 694
    I think it's a fair question actually, which would sell better? Limited has more stuff, but Premium can be had for cheaper, which means more people can opt for a turbo model.

    The choices are Premium or Touring. The problem is that Premium can not be ordered with the heated seats, mirrors and windshield; that is a huge deterrent to ordering the Premium model here in Chicago.

    The Touring model probably is more profitable and sales of the turbo may need to be limited because of Corporate Average Fuel Economy requirements.

    If the new XT is as sluggish off the line as one review suggests, the demand may not be great.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    FWIW the turbo take rate in Japan was higher than expected, same for Eyesight. A lot higher.
  • saedavesaedave Member Posts: 694
    The home market version of the turbo may be tuned differently; I believe the output is higher. It may NOT be sluggish off the line.
  • bpizzutibpizzuti Member Posts: 2,743
    The question was regarding Subaru's choice of selling a Premium XT rather than a Limited XT. Your point regarding the all weather package is a good one and is giving me pause too. I but 5k is too much to pay to get it, so I may ask the dealer of we can rig up heated mirrors and windshield somehow.
  • saedavesaedave Member Posts: 694
    Your point regarding the all weather package is a good one and is giving me pause too. I but 5k is too much to pay to get it, so I may ask the dealer of we can rig up heated mirrors and windshield somehow.

    Installing the heat-wire-embedded windshield is possible but not practical unless the associated wiring is already in place on all models OR the wiring is a small separate harness. The labor involved would seem to be excessive (not the windshield replacement itself that is commonly done on the street by glass companies). The heated side mirror assemblies are probably available, but again the harness is the problem.

    Does anyone know whether the harness is common on all models with and without the all weather package?
  • bpizzutibpizzuti Member Posts: 2,743
    They do sell adhesive heating elements that you can wire up and attach to windshields, and I figure one could be attached to the back of a rear-view mirror as well. I just wonder how much it would cost to do the associated labor.

    It would be easier if I could just spend an extra $5k and get the Touring, but that's a lot for that stuff, and I'm not sure I want leather or the power liftgate at all. Wouldn't mind the keyless entry or the HIDs, but that's another $2400 over and above the $5k to get to the Touring.

    Subaru's option packaging has always been annoying...
  • bpizzutibpizzuti Member Posts: 2,743
    Popular Mechanics got a little deeper into X-drive mode:

    Tech Tidbit: X-Mode is a clever take on typical off-road programming, and encompasses a lot more variables you'll engage on washboard dirt roads. First, the CVT holds a low gear ratio longer, essentially simulating first gear as long as the going is slow, and throttle tip-in is muted, enabling more nuanced control on our test drive along desert back roads outside Tucson, Ariz. Second, the default on-demand front/rear AWD power distribution is recalibrated to something closer to a simulation of a completely locked 4x4, and the traction control fights wheelspin more aggressively. Third, there's an auto hill-descent program that engages as long as the vehicle is in X-Mode.

    Read more: 2014 Subaru Forester Test Drive - Popular Mechanics

    http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/reviews/drives/2014-subaru-forester-test-dr- ive?click=pm_latest
  • css1css1 Member Posts: 247
    ""Subaru's option packaging has always been annoying...""

    I share your frustration - With an top MSRP of 36K+ for the XT limited you get no power, lumbar, and height adjustment for the passenger seat!!!

    It's only 4 way power in the Outback. Heated and power passenger seats should be included across the line.

    I've leased 2 Tribecas and currently an Outback - leased because the cars are de-contented here in the USA. I think they do this to keep the prices competitive.

    My 2 cents
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