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well, then here is alway WRX in the cards...
Here in Austin, based on my unscientific survey of Subaru's driving by these is what I have concluded.
Foresters - Mostly women, not young ones. Most in their 30's or middle aged. I've seen a few butch types at the dealership but not more than any other type of woman. The second biggest group would be middle aged men.
Outbacks - A pretty even mix of men/women, mostly middle aged or older. Some with kids. A few young people who tend to be the outdoor enthusist type (bicycles).
Outback Sports - Oddly enough seems to have the largest demographic variety. A good mix of men/women and young/older. I'm just as likey to see a middle aged man roaming around in one as a young person. There seem to be slightly more men than women.
Impreza - Pretty rare, almost always young people, mostly guys.
Impreza WRX - Only seen 4. Guys in their 30's.
In Austin Subaru owners are almost exclusivally white. The city itself is about 9% black, 20% hispanic, 3% Asian/other and the rest white.
Actually an interesting demographic that Subaru should be going after with their Outback wagons are old people. A friend of mine's elderly mother just got one after considering many others.
The reason she got it was
A) It wasn't too big
C) Easy to get into and out of (back problems)
D) Smooth Ride (back problems)
As a side note, I find it amusing that one might (specifically, males) factor in their disfavor of ads featuring less than feminine spokespeople when considering purchasing a Subaru. It's silly and folks really need to grow up. Yes, I may be outspoken but there you have it. It's about the cars really and not who hucks them!
Now, back to your regularly scheduled program... :-)
Stephen
Ross
'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
evilizard: I guess I fall into the second Austin Forester demographic.
everyone else: I'm sorry to hear that potential Subaru owners may be turned away by the notion that buying and driving one makes some statement about your sexuality. Then again, if you're that insecure that you need a motor vehicle to help define that characteristic in you, you need more help than all-wheel drive and a limited slip rear differential.
SoA does have a connection with the issuers of the Rainbow Card, a credit card targeted toward the gay community. I recall reading about it in an interview with Navratilova shortly after she began the Forester campaign.
Most of you probably know by now that the Forester's celebrity spokesman in Japan is Antonio Banderas. I don't know if that's relevant to the conversation but a factoid just the same.
When I alluded to the connotations with the color pink in my earlier post, I was thinking of more than just the gay community. Bright pink like the shade STi uses is often seen in children's toys. Seeing a rugged, high-performance AWD vehicle decked out in the colors of Barbie's SUV - and maybe even sporting a bunny rabbit symbol to boot - strikes me as somewhat ironic, humorous even.
Ed
PS: Oh yeah, Jeep 101: I'm going solo tomorrow from 5 - 7 PM though I can invite a friend. The site is very close to my office so I though it would be convenient to go after work. One of my co-workers who owns a Cherokee got an invite and is going on Saturday.
As far as the whole lesbians drive Foresters thing, I can assure you, I am not a lesbian! ;-)
-juice
A) That is a person I like and who's judgement I trust, if they think its good then it must be good (IE Micheal Jordon Selling Nike/Ball park franks).
Of course people with a strong self image of one type (or perhaps people who are very insecure about their image but want it to be of a type) might find the image or characteristics portrayed undesirable and thus stay away from that product regardless of its merit. For example Lets say the perfume Chatue de Ville actually makes pretty damn good lighter fluid. Bubba is not going going to be using it for his saturday cookouts.
Like it or not Image sells (or doesn't sell) and not to just a few but to most. A strong image can really sell or really hurt, just look at actors who have been typecast. Many are capable of roles outside what you traditionally associate with them but if you ever see them in such a role you can't help but thinking of what you normally associate with them.
Folly of human nature, immaturity, not thinking, being a lemming or whatever you want to chalk it up to the fact is it's reality.
I loved the tough-guy XTerra commercials, even the music. But I didn't go buy one, those things are little more than pickups with a cap.
I agree with most of your points, just offering a counterpoint.
-juice
-mike
My cousin has a Nissan Xterra. When I got in for a close examination is sure was a lot flimsier than it looked at first. Course the reason he bought it was for ....drum roll please....
I M A G E.
His friends call it the "Sexterra" because apparently it does much in his quest to get some.
-mike
I liked it better when sports car were trendy.
-juice
My cousin has a Nissan Xterra. When I got in for a close examination is sure was a lot flimsier than it looked at first. Course the reason he bought it was for ....drum roll please....
I M A G E.
His friends call it the "Sexterra" because apparently it does much in his quest to get some.
Anyhow, I know everyone here bought Soobies because of the car. I like the fact that SOA takes some risks on all fronts. It kind of fits my personality which I'm not completely sure is a good thing, but that's a different story. :-)
Stephen
-juice
See Gay Consumers in the Driver's Seat, Washington Post, 4 July 2000, page C01,07, Style section. Excerpt:
"It's Not a Choice. It's the Way We're Built," read the ad posters on bus stops around Dupont Circle. What are they talking about? The car? All-wheel drive? Or, just possibly, could the slogan be commenting on the nature of homosexuality?
It depends on who's looking. "It's apparent to gay people that we're talking about being gay, but straight people don't know what's going on," said Paul Poux, founder of Poux Co., one of the campaign's developers.
-
Many gays have lots of disposable income (dual careers, no kids). Smart marketing, Subaru.
..Mike
..Mike
Stephen
Juice - are WE disagreeing? Or did someone else say they didn't find her attractive and I missed it? Does anybody actually not find her attractive? I said I think she is good looking - I'm not joking. I'm not joking about my wife, either, believe me. She was a field hockey star AND homecoming queen. She can kick my butt all over the place but look good doing it.
"Lesbarus" That's hilarious. How offended do you think people would be if I started using that all the time?
'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
I got tired of friends calling my OB Ltd one. In fact, my friends accuse me of trading in the OB on the WRX just to get rid of the moniker. It's not true, but I let them think what they want. It's much easier that way. :-)
Stephen
-mike
In japan they have J'lo and Antonio Bandaras as spokesmen... And the Pink has nothing to do with feminimity or sex, and its not even on US cars!!!
I was disagreeing about Anna being butch. I find her very feminine, in a beautiful way! You ever seen those underwear ads she did?
-juice
http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_reports/4_06_sub.htm
http://www.subaru-sti.co.jp/blitzen/top/top_f.htm
Man, is that wagon a sleeper or what? They would not know what him 'em.
16" brake rotors? I doubt it. How would the calipers fit around them, you only have 1/2" clearance.
Quicker than a WRX, yum.
-juice
I actually like the looks of the standard B4 better. Am I alone in this?
edit - oops. juice beat me to it. Actually, I like the looks all around better. The spoiler is a big part of the problem, though.
'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
Wifey wants a sedan.
Man, I am just salivating!
-juice
Not a bad car to be compared to, eh?
-juice
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
-mike
Bob
Perhaps I'm just waiting for the right vehicle to say "hey! this thing needs a rear wiper." or perhaps "hey, this rear wiper is a godsend."
In the meantime I'll sit here and think... "geez, I'd rather have better suspension, better seats, even a little more power, or anything else instead of the money spent on a rear wiper." :-D
-Colin
Bob
...at 6-7pm Pacific/9-10 pm Eastern. Hope to see you there!
http://www.edmunds.com/chat/subaruchat.html
-mike
I bet US buyers would find them odd. Weak argument, though. Subies are odd by definition.
I just use Rain X all around. That'll keep even light snow clear. I don't really use my rear wiper often at all.
Then again, the way Colin drives I bet he almost never needs to look back! ;-)
-juice
-mike
The catch with using the wipers is that the windows get real dirty at the end of their swipe.
-juice
Ken
And I don't have a problem with snowfall on the back window-- defroster melts it quite nicely.
-Colin
..Mike
gmongold "Rain X" Aug 7, 2001 9:11am
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
-Colin
..Mike
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/17/automobiles/17CARS.html
You may have to copy and paste it into your browser's address field. You may also have to sign up for a free online subscription to the Times website to view it, but it's simple and painless.