Yep $ is always an issue. I mean I guess on something like a porsche $300 air-bags wouldn't matter much to the owner. Same for the Audi All-road, since they are in a higher overall cost of vehicle $300/corner for replacements may not phase them at all.
I just wanted to throw something out here because its been bugging me. I drive past a particular Subaru dealer on my way to work every day. I noticed about 3 or 4 weeks ago they put a red WRX sedan out front. I assumed it would be gone in no time (maybe even already purchased and just not picked up yet). Well, the days went by and it sat there in that same spot. About 2 weeks went by and a silver one popped up on the lot right next to it. So now these 2 cars have been sitting there for over a week now. What's the deal? I feel like I should stop in just to see what's going on. Maybe the dealer is not willing to bargain. But, I've got to wonder, is there a possibility that interest has died down already??
'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
Are you in Northern NJ? I ask because I've seen the exact same thing - silver and red WRX sedans sitting pretty by the side of the road for what seems like a long time!
Maybe they're not being discounted. I know of one NNJ dealer in particular that offered no discounts on the WRX last spring. Maybe people are getting better deals in Central NJ. ;-) IMO, people posting dealer experiences here and the i-club can affect sales.
Also, from what I've read it seems that a good number of WRX purchases are from the factory instead of off the lot. Some people are probably waiting for the 03's to come out as well.
I knew it was too similar! I saw the cars at the Subaru dealership in Denville on Route 46. We should team up and buy 'em both - red for you, silver for me!
I already tried. almost had one, too, but we realized we just couldn't afford it right now.
I do like the red.
is that denville? guess I am right on the border. I work at the very next street (Waterview blvd.) and that is parsippany. I have no idea, I live 60 miles from where I work so the area is completely foreign to me.
i was very close to stopping this morning to check if they are autos or manuals, but just couldn't do it. If they're manuals I'd be crying and wishing all day.
'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
Denise McCluggage's "Now and Then" editorial in the 3/18 issue of AutoWeek. Seems like Ms. McCluggage has been reading my mind (or is it vice-versa?)...
As you all know, I have long been an advocate of seeing a small hard-core off-roader come from Subaru (and much to the amusement of most here, I might add). Well it turns out Denise has similar visions—but with a twist: Not badged as a Subaru, but perhaps a (baby) Hummer!
She thinks that GM's Mr. Lutz would just love to knock off the Jeep Wrangler, with a baby Hummer (aka Kid Hummer, aka Skink). Her vision of the "Skink," would be powered by a boxer four. Now, I wonder where that engine would come from...
Her article is an interesting read, with lots of neat suggestions as to how this vehicle could be built.
BTW, this is just her "fantasy" (and mine too). There are no plans for such a vehicle. Although, I'm sure Bob Lutz reads her column too...
On those 2 WRX's sitting there unsold, I suppose it could be a combination of things.
Someone mentioned (can't recall whether it was here or elsewhere) that the red was going to be discontinued (for 2003)due to lack of popularity? But silver seems to be a hot ticket. Most WRX's I've seen have been silver.
It's certainly possible that auto models may sit longer than manuals.
Wonder what (if any)"test drive" mileage is on those two cars? Someone mentioned that they thought many WRX's were "ordered" rather than bought off the lot. Personally, I'd be reluctant to but a WRX that had been extensively test driven, wondering how it had been treated. Many buyers may feel the same and simply not want to take a chance on a "tester", preferring instad to wait for an "ordered" car.
Denise is great. Maybe she's fantasizing because she wants something similar but more interesting to replace her Vitara?
Congrats on the MPV, that does seem like a steep discount off MSRP. We test drove the newer ones, too, but the wife just can't get excited about vans, good as they are.
The NY Auto Show is only a couple of weeks away. Can you give us a "hint" of what we might expect from Subaru? I'm assuming the Baja and new Forester will be there; any new surprises??
AFAIK, The Hill-Holder clutch is NOT used in the WRX, in other markets. I was looking in my new UK Subie brochures, and noticed that every manual UK Subie, including the the turbo Forester—but excluding the WRX (and Justy), had the Hill-Holder clutch.
Someone commented on it recently on the i-club. They had a close call and the h/h almost got them in trouble. IIRC, you depress the brake to engage it. This guy had someone in front of him roll back on a hill. For a second, he forgot that you had to press the brake again to disengage it (to roll back from the car in front). It would probably take some getting used to.
Nope the Hill Holder works off the clutch cable. When you depress the clutch and the car is placed in 1st gear IIRC, the cable pulls on the E-brake cable engaging it, when you let go of the clutch, it releases the parking brake. I have the hill holder on my XT6 but the previous owner disengaged it. I'm tempted to have the guy putting in my clutch re-connect it but I think I'll pass. Actually I'll read in my chilton manual tonight and give you an exact description, I know there is a diag in there.
Mike is correct in describing the action of the hillholder. It functions on the clutch release.
While I learned my driving on my dad's '36 Plymouth and manual trans were not a problem by the time my dad bought the Studebaker, the hillholder did make things easier for smoother take off on an incline.
...and I pop up from a long period of hibernation. What manner of Studebaker, Don? My '63 Lark doesn't have the hill holder as it has a Borg-Warner 3-speed AT.
My dad's first was a '46 Starliner coupe in red. That was followed by a grey Land Cruiser and finally by a blue one. The blue one was the first one with an automatic trans. I later owned a '50 green Champion convert in the later '50's.
By then, it was time to say "farewell". Family cars became Oldsmobiles (this is what the Studebaker dealer resorted to) and my cars became "foreign."
Now I want to see a Forester XT6 or at the least a 3.0XT Personally I'd love to see a nice advertisement with my new Red XT6 sitting next to a Forester XT6 with some headline "Ground Breaking as the original" .29 Co-efficient of drag I'm not sure any car has broken that yet.
i-Club Forums > i-Club General > Member's Car Gallery > [non-permissible content removed]-spec Turbo Forester in Canada
Sorry that the link didn't work. Should've tried the "make a shorter link" tool.
Don: Those first post-war Studes are wonderful cars, and still relatively plentiful. They made a very nice proprietary automatic until their finances got too bad off and they outsourced from Borg-Warner. Same went for Packard, though the Ultramatics (Packard's name) were apparently difficult to service.
I am taking over as editor of my local Stude club's monthly newsletter starting with the April issue, which means probably even less time on the boards until I relearn Publisher.
I had an opportunity to look at that Forester a few weeks ago when it was in the service dept. at our local dealership being prepped. I was told that it had been shipped over for filming some commercials in Banff, Alta. Right hand drive, seat arm rests, navigational system on top of the dash where the storage container is, hood scoop for the turbo. Automatic, hence no dual range. Not sure where the commercials were going to be shown since the Forester had a number of features that aren't currently available in North America. Since it wasn't supposed to be available to the public, I didn't get a chance to sit in it or pop the hood for a closer look.
If it's Japanese-spec, it would be 2.0. The rear images aren't clear, and are low res, so it's hard to tell if that's a "2.0" or a "2.5" badge on the rear hatch. I've copied all the images, and pasted them in Photoshop, and may make a 21-page PDF.
Ed, great catch! That surely will earn you another "Golden Hawk" award! )
I was able to log on via the I-Club. You need to scroll down somewhat. There are several links. The first two didn't work. The third(?) one did.
It's the 5th posting. There are 21 images of the new turbo Forester in a "plum" color. There are some great close-ups, and angles we haven't seen before.
I'm not wild about the door armrests. I like the current design better, which angles up at the front somewhat. I find this a better arrangement for using the power window switches. My Explorer has a flat armrest, and I prefer the armrest on our Forester better, because of the change in angle.
If you look on that info "plate" from under the hood, it states the engine type as being "EJ20..." Our Forester has the same plate, but it says "EJ25..."
Comments
-mike
'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
Bob
-juice
Are you in Northern NJ? I ask because I've seen the exact same thing - silver and red WRX sedans sitting pretty by the side of the road for what seems like a long time!
-jim
Maybe people are getting better deals in Central NJ. ;-) IMO, people posting dealer experiences here and the i-club can affect sales.
Also, from what I've read it seems that a good number of WRX purchases are from the factory instead of off the lot. Some people are probably waiting for the 03's to come out as well.
My 2 pence.
-Dennis
'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 knew it was too similar! I saw the cars at the Subaru dealership in Denville on Route 46. We should team up and buy 'em both - red for you, silver for me!
...now if you can just talk my wife into it...
jim
I do like the red.
is that denville? guess I am right on the border. I work at the very next street (Waterview blvd.) and that is parsippany. I have no idea, I live 60 miles from where I work so the area is completely foreign to me.
i was very close to stopping this morning to check if they are autos or manuals, but just couldn't do it. If they're manuals I'd be crying and wishing all day.
'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
-mike
If you stop in let me know what you find...
jim
As you all know, I have long been an advocate of seeing a small hard-core off-roader come from Subaru (and much to the amusement of most here, I might add). Well it turns out Denise has similar visions—but with a twist: Not badged as a Subaru, but perhaps a (baby) Hummer!
She thinks that GM's Mr. Lutz would just love to knock off the Jeep Wrangler, with a baby Hummer (aka Kid Hummer, aka Skink). Her vision of the "Skink," would be powered by a boxer four. Now, I wonder where that engine would come from...
Her article is an interesting read, with lots of neat suggestions as to how this vehicle could be built.
BTW, this is just her "fantasy" (and mine too). There are no plans for such a vehicle. Although, I'm sure Bob Lutz reads her column too...
Bob
got 13k.....
paid 10.5 k more.
bought the 02 MPV ES ( 28.3 msrp) for 23.5...thought it was a great deal...
went to Quirk Mazda, Quincy, MA....
If you consider new MPV & live in cold areas, consider 4-seasons package....it is worth it !
Someone mentioned (can't recall whether it was here or elsewhere) that the red was going to be discontinued (for 2003)due to lack of popularity? But silver seems to be a hot ticket. Most WRX's I've seen have been silver.
It's certainly possible that auto models may sit longer than manuals.
Wonder what (if any)"test drive" mileage is on those two cars? Someone mentioned that they thought many WRX's were "ordered" rather than bought off the lot. Personally, I'd be reluctant to but a WRX that had been extensively test driven, wondering how it had been treated. Many buyers may feel the same and simply not want to take a chance on a "tester", preferring instad to wait for an "ordered" car.
Bob
Congrats on the MPV, that does seem like a steep discount off MSRP. We test drove the newer ones, too, but the wife just can't get excited about vans, good as they are.
-juice
Bob
It would certainly make convincing my wife to get a stick shift easier if I could remove the fear of rolling backwards on hills.
Ken
Bob
Ken
-Colin
Bob
http://TheCarConnection.com/index.asp?article=4715&sid=192&n=158
-juice
I only use the handbrake method on the steepest hills of SF when some bozo is right on my rear bumper and when I need to parallel park on an incline.
I wish I could get as far as the handbrake method with my wife. Getting her to roll in first took 10 years off my life (and hers too). :-)
Ken
-juice
Since the engine and tranny are the same, what are the odds that you could retrofit the '03 hill-holder into an '01 Forester ?
And while I'm at it, how 'bout that bigger brake booster ?
I'm thinking way ahead here, of course, don't have any issues with either component right now...
Has anyone here actually tried driving a vehicle with the Hillholder?
Ken
Don
Ken
It would probably take some getting used to.
-Dennis
Its a simple matter to learn to hold the car with the handbrake until the clutch bites.
Cheers Pat.
-mike
While I learned my driving on my dad's '36 Plymouth and manual trans were not a problem by the time my dad bought the Studebaker, the hillholder did make things easier for smoother take off on an incline.
Don
Ed
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/mahkiam/....src=ph&.view=t
Photos of a MY03 JDM turbo Forester brought over to Alberta, Canada for inspection. The turbo Forester's designation is 2.5XT a/o/t X or XS.
Ed
Cheers Pat.
By then, it was time to say "farewell". Family cars became Oldsmobiles (this is what the Studebaker dealer resorted to) and my cars became "foreign."
Don
-mike
Ed, what forum in the I-Club?
Bob
i-Club Forums > i-Club General > Member's Car Gallery > [non-permissible content removed]-spec Turbo Forester in Canada
Sorry that the link didn't work. Should've tried the "make a shorter link" tool.
Don: Those first post-war Studes are wonderful cars, and still relatively plentiful. They made a very nice proprietary automatic until their finances got too bad off and they outsourced from Borg-Warner. Same went for Packard, though the Ultramatics (Packard's name) were apparently difficult to service.
I am taking over as editor of my local Stude club's monthly newsletter starting with the April issue, which means probably even less time on the boards until I relearn Publisher.
Ed
Ed, great catch! That surely will earn you another "Golden Hawk" award!
I was able to log on via the I-Club. You need to scroll down somewhat. There are several links. The first two didn't work. The third(?) one did.
Bob
I'm not wild about the door armrests. I like the current design better, which angles up at the front somewhat. I find this a better arrangement for using the power window switches. My Explorer has a flat armrest, and I prefer the armrest on our Forester better, because of the change in angle.
Bob
Did you notice the blackwall tires? They look so much better than the white-lettered tires that we get.
Bob
Bob