Subaru Crew - Future Models II

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Comments

  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Blah, blah. Yes they sold many cars that weren't turbocharged. But they DID sell an enormous number of turbocharged trim level cars (again, FWD or AWD-- don't care) in a price point and market that a 1993 Impreza turbo could have occupied. Occupied? No, DOMINATED.

    -Colin
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    People were moving away from turbos, for the most part, during that period. I think US makes gave them up completely by then.

    So they could have had an increasing share in a shrinking market. Major red flag.

    OK, I'm part bean counter. I took some business courses in grad school. Point is if it had failed, there would be no WRX today.

    In 2001, the WRX snuck in to an unsuspecting market and caught it by surprise. $24 grand for a giant killer, when all everyone else has is VTEC (Vanishing Torque in the Engine Compartment, as someone put it). The timing was good.

    These are the good old days. Shoot, I should just shut up and go buy one.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    My dealer currently has a GSX with 80K miles on the lot, it's been calling my name...

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    This year 2001:

    WRX, XT6, RS, SVX all are in G-stock

    Proposal for 2002:
    WRX = D-stock
    RS, SVX = G-stock
    All other Not Otherwise Classified Subarus = H-stock

    Hmm, maybe a VDC sedan could clean up in H-stock with some nice R-compounds????

    -mike
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Yes I know it was no slacker Frank, but the Impreza turbo was _better_. The Europeans haven't been raving over it since the early 90s for no reason... and they are less impressed with the new WRX since it's heavier and slower.

    There is no reason a 190-215 HP Impreza turbo wouldn't have been every bit as successful, and possibly moreso, than the 2002 WRX if it were launched in 1993-94 instead. I would have bought one! I kept my Camaro instead of buying a DSM though, and then later choose a slower RS over an Eclipse GSX. (driveability, handling, weight, insurance cost, appearance)

    -Colin
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Foresters, I assume? ;-*

    Ed
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Hey Juice, why don't you get two while you're at it. Make mine a black 5-sp wagon :-)

    -Frank P.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I'm not sure they'd let a forester run, but most likely they would. It would fall into H-stock since it's not a WRX, SVX or RS.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It's too heavy to run competitively. RS springs fit, though that's about as low as you can go!

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    H-stock is pretty easy, depends on the region you are running with.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I like the current all-purpose setup, at least for my needs. I would like to lower it for autocross, but then I would give up towing/hauling and clearance for the beach.

    Ideally, I'd like some adjustable coilovers, like I've seen for the Miata. Where you can crank 'em up or down to adjust their height - sweet. Give me 5" for sporty driving, up to 8" for the sand.

    -juice
  • jimmyp1jimmyp1 Member Posts: 640
    Every car is different, but, I had a friend at the dealership where I bought my 1995 Impreza Coupe. The dealership was also a Chrysler/Jeep?Eagle dealer. I struggled with the possibility of spending the extra money and getting a Talon Turbo. My friend told me that the dealership was about to not stock anymore Talons because they filled up their service bays all the time. My friend would have gladly sold me the Talon, but he talked me into the Subaru, and boy, am I glad he did.

    Jim
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    image


    ...at 6-7pm Pacific/9-10 pm Eastern. Hope to see you there!

    http://www.edmunds.com/chat/subaruchat.html

  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    juice -- are you considering auto-xing Sandy? :-)

    I like the idea of adjustable height. How much do those coilovers cost?

    Ken
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    juice isn't the only one...I'd like to give that a try! I want to go to a performance driving school first, though.

    Who said anything about being competitive? Don't you think it'd be a hoot to run a Forester against less well prepared drivers in hotter cars? Anyway, there's always rallycross.

    Ed
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    the cheapest ride-height adjustable coilover I've seen for Subaru models (Impreza-chassis models, some older Legacies) is an adjustable sleeve made by Ground Control. with a set of KYB AGX adjustable struts they are around $850 IIRC.

    for that same price I bought a much nicer set of used Tein HA coilovers... retail is closer to $1200 though.

    adjusting the ride height on them isn't bad, but it's not so easy that you would want to do it often. figure 10-20 minutes per corner, since you would have to jack the car, remove the wheel, move the spring perch, etc.

    -Colin
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Well up here I've only seen punky spoiled Civic-esqe kids ricing out their WRXs, being totally punky, not the type of people in the usual subaru crowd. Very disappointing to say the least. Kids don't have the $ for a civic either, the parents just buy em for the kids. Spoiled brats!

    -mike
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Maybe that's just the Staten Islanders :-). Other than i-club meets, I've seen only a few WRX's on the road. They've all been upper 20's-mid 30's age range and pretty friendly with little or no rice.

    Dennis
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Was it here that people were talking about HID's?

    Anyway, here's the i-club president's HID's on his WRX.

    http://i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=76991


    Dennis

  • dsackmandsackman Member Posts: 145
    Chatted with my dealer yesterday (SF Bay Area). A large number of the more than 100 WRX models they have sold were to "ricers" and/or to kids with their parent check books in tow.

    When the first BMW M5 came out in South Africa, the dealers would not sell you the car unless you have taken and passed a formal performance driving class. The class was paid for by BMW (included in the selling price) and was to prevent people from doing stupid things and give BMW a bad name.

    Too many WRX's are getting wrecked. Maybe Subaru needs to do the same thing?

    Daniel
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Actually, there have only been a few subies sold on SI of which they are not to kids. Kids in SI wouldn't be caught dead in a subaru, they only have BMWs, Lexi, Caddys, etc. I'm actually referring to a lot of the I-club members in the Tri-state group, as well as a lot of the ones I've seen in NJ and LI.

    -mike
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Gotcha. The group that was in the Pine Barrens was pretty good though.

    Dennis
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    That group was IMHO "the old style" subaru and Isuzu group. I also have a feeling that the group of I-club guys who come for the Sept 15 Pine Barrens run will also be of a different caliper. My buddy scott last week was totally shunned at the E-town auto-x by the other WRX guys because he didn't have any cool mods (like stickers, body kits, wings, etc) Its one of the first times I've seen a subaru owner get shunned by other subaru owners...

    -mike
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,762
    can you clue me in on the Sept. 15th gathering you're talking about? I would appreciate it.

    thanks.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Rob, paisan originally posted it in the Events Forum but I can't find it.
    Here's the same post on the i-club:
    http://i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=75474&highlight=pine+barrens
    and pictures from last time:
    http://www.isuzu-suvs.com/subaru/pinebarrens.html


    Dennis

  • jregen7243jregen7243 Member Posts: 91
    I hate to say it, but the only people that I have seen driving WRXs around Central Jersey are guys in their late teens to early 20's. It's hard for me to believe that these kids can afford a car like this on their own (insurance included). Certainly, people in this age group should not have a car with this kind of power unless they are extremely responsible, and I'm surprised their parents would trust them with this type of car. When I was 17, I was looking to buy a brand new 1987 Buick Grand National (parents' checkbook). Fortunately it didn't happen, otherwise I probably wouldn't be alive today.

    Jon
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    The terms being bandied about are not allowed on this site...for the reasons that their many connotations include racial insults. Whether or not you find the terms acceptable is irrelevant, Edmunds.com simply will not tolerate their use.

    Messages will be removed containing these terms.

    KarenS
    Host
    Owner's Clubs
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I think there are a lot of terms that could be removed, anyone who says anything deemeening about anyone else's car could technically be demeening...

    -mike
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Karen that works for me. How about the term "boy racer"? There has to be a word in the english language to describe the cars, mindset and scene that won't be offensive.

    -Colin
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    there has to be a way to describe that mindset.

    -mike
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    I don't enjoy trying to settle arguments about PC semantics. There are many words/phrases that have arbitrary standards and judging what is acceptable/appropriate isn't going to please everyone. But, hey, if you want to coin a new term that absolutely, positively will not have someone calling foul...be my guest. :-)

    KarenS
    Host
    Owner's Clubs
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Actually the term 'boy racer' is in limited circulation and people often ask what it means just like a certain other term recently bandied about, except I've never seen anyone take offense to it... not even girl racers. ;)

    It does kinda mean import tuning enthusiasts as a whole though, not necessarily just those that are doing heavy cosmetic modifications (chrome, bodykits, badges, decals).

    -Colin
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    How about SS&S: Slammed, Spoilered, and Stickered :-)

    Cheers,
    -wdb
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246

    ..Mike

  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Pocket rockets?

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Are cars that are ACTUALLY Fast, not ones that are ***** out. Poussers are what we are referring to here, you know the big 19" wheels, racing tires, etc. etc., all kinds of performance looking parts, but put em on the track and they can't perform.....

    -mike
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,762
    I also live in central jersey. I have only actually seen 4 WRXs on the road (2 blue, 1 silver, and 1 yellow, in case anyone is wondering :) and I drive 100+ miles a day). None of them were being driven by teenagers. I know one for sure that is being driven by a silver-haired gentleman in polo shirts (I've seen him several times). One was being driven by a 20-something Asian man. One was pulling into an office building parking lot by where I work at 8:30 am (so I'm assuming mommy and daddy didn't buy it, in any case). And the 4th was a woman.

    Just thought I'd help out the conversation.

    Thanks for the link, Dennis. I assume more info. will be coming on there as time passes? I was a member of the iclub .... if only i could remember my logon ......

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    'Folgers'

    (referring to some of the fat cans that are on the exhaust pipes of some cars)

    :-)

    -Brian
  • dsackmandsackman Member Posts: 145
    Why do we just change that starchy vegetable name, you know, the one we are not allowed to mention, to "race". "Race kids", "raced out" and all the other ways to describe a specific sub-culture of cosmetic changes with nothing to back it up.

    Folgers cans on tail pipes. I am breaking up.

    Anybody offended with "race"?

    :-)
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    Once upon a time my dad worked with a guy who was campaigning a Lotus 23 in SCCA. He shared a garage with a guy who was running the SCCA's version of F1, which designation I no longer remember. Anyway, it was a missile-shaped white car, just big enough to house a human body, with a mammoth V-8 Ford engine of some kind hanging off the back. That beastly motor had a set of headers which curled up from the exhaust ports into *huge* collectors which spit the fumes straight out the back of the car. Guess what he put over them to keep rain, hands, small children, etc. from getting in? Coffee cans! They were a snug fit too.

    Cheers,
    -wdb
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    How about Pocket Poussers???

    Bob
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    To borrow from Sport Compact Car ...
    How about Carpet Queen? (i.e.looks good on the car show carpet).
    Dennis
  • perritoperrito Member Posts: 66
    Poussers: what the...?
    How about poseurs?
    |:(
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Carpet Queen!

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I posted the other day about how excited I was when I heard Bob Lutz is coming to GM. I think it's the best news I've heard from GM since the introduction of the '63 Sting Ray—and that was over 37 years ago!

    My only concern is that he's 69 years old. I wish he was 59, or better still 49. I just don't know how much we can expect from him. He's got a 3-year contract with GM, and the fruits of his labor really won't be felt until the '05 MY.

    I know his main task is GM's core products, but I sure hope a bit of the "Lutz Magic" trickles down to Subaru too.

    There has been much in the news the last few days about this—all very positive, from what I've seen. The following is a report from the editor of a Chrysler-oriented site who has spent some time with Lutz. It's a good read. Speaking of good reads, I've got and have read Lutz's book called "GUTS." I highly recommend it. Besides his business philosophy, there's a lot of interesting material about the inner workings of Chrysler Corporation.

    http://www.car-truck.com/chryed/buzz/b080301.htm

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I like both. I like the PP better though :)

    -mike
  • pmagspmags Member Posts: 11
    --Paul
  • dsackmandsackman Member Posts: 145
    Carpet Queen will not work here in San Francisco. There are connotations around the word "queen" and some people may be offended.
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    good to me too.
    Would anyone be offended with S 'n' M (S&M)?

    =Show 'no' Motion
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