By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
-the only Serge
-mike
What about a 3 door hatchback "value" model based on the Impreza TS. I mean for college kids, entry level. Impreza has stepped up enough that it's really not entry level any more. It could have the 156hp 2.0l from Japan, for great fuel efficiency.
Noone's even mentioned hybrids. Amphicars? Flying cars?
OK, now I've really had too much Juicy Juice, but things that transform and serve multiple functions are the wave of the future.
What about a flexible wheelbase model, with stacked seats that came apart as the wheelbase stretched? It could be a 2 seater or a 2+2.
Or maybe the rear axle could be hinged. It could move towards the back on the street, and then swing down and forward to lift the body for off road excursions.
We shouldn't have done this on a Friday. Maybe we'll pick one day a week where we can have a free-for-all care-free brainstorm session like this.
-juice
1) 225 hp+
2) 6spd manual
3) Hybrid Gas/Electric giving 50 mpg city/60 hwy
4) AWP standard on all Subaru's
5) Full size spare tire
6) Tinted glass all around
7) Skid Plates standard (SOA does'nt even offer them now!)
8) 8 way Electric seats for BOTH driver and front passenger
A lot of this does not seem that far fetched.
Mark
-juice
-Brian
-juice
I can't recall, but I do remember reading somewhere about USPS actually using them.
-Dave
I don't think Subaru is currently offering this model.
Bob
http://www.cars101.com/postlsub.html
-Dennis
-juice
-Brian
"Significantly, Subaru will launch a heavily facelifted Impreza before the end of the year. It is expected to be new from the windscreen forward. This is the biggest – and earliest – facelift in the Impreza's history".
One question, would you all be willing to pay a significant number of $$$'s to get it?
Jon, Jon - I wouldn't expect anything major on the Impreza for a few more years. A 5 year cycle for major changes keeps prices down and it helps the value of trade-ins (they don't look like the "old style".). Of course, I do not know anything specific - just my opinion.
Thank you all for sharing and keep it coming!
Patti
BTW there are a few RHD postal Legacies around these parts as well. My beloved Studebaker offered RHD Larks as "Rural Router" models, but mail delivery isn't what I had in mind. Actually some of juice's "contractor edition" Forester idea would make it through. Dodge is doing this right now with its new Ram, complete w/built-in generator; Subaru could do it as well with the portable generators made by FHI under the Robin brand name.
Anyway the vehicle I have in mind would be able to serve rural areas in the following roles:
1) light-duty hauler of cargo, like dry goods to country stores
2) light emergency medical duty (not a full EMS vehicle, more like the old-time ambulance, carrying people to dialysis sessions, carrying medical supplies to reservation health centers, e.g.)
3) light-duty service vehicle, like that which would be used by utility companies or TV stations to set up remote broadcasts
Some characteristics:
1) AWD and high ground clearance
2) Flat load floor; driver's seat and removable passenger's seat standard
3) Two doors plus large door or doors in rear, not a liftgate; people should be able, if not to fully stand, at least to crouch inside
4) Everything behind the two front seats is a blank canvas. Tie-downs in floor and structural side beams which can serve as mounting points for shelves racks, bins etc.
5) Rubber non-skid flooring, "hoseable"
6) Other options include the portable generator, electric winch, PTOs front and rear, ladder racks top or side, externally accessible cargo bins, dual fuel tanks. Maybe a provision for a third or fourth removable seat. Roof vents (flip-up type) front and rear. A multitude of 12V outlets. Removable storage "console" between front seats which could hold a laptop PC. AWD options could include locking diffys, LSDs, dual range transmissions.
When I thought about it today it seems like an AWD minivan might fill the bill. Actually if the PT Cruiser had AWD and higher ground clearance it'd work too. As much as I dislike the Cruiser (both visually and as a driver) I really like its variety of cargo configurations. That'd mean possibly two different vehicles. Anyway I'm envisioning something along the lines of an AWD version of the old sedan delivery/panel truck bodystyle.
I'm not sure if there is a market for this vehicle in this country anymore. I did brainstorm it once before with a former client for use on Indian (believe it or not, many of them do not like the term "Native American") reservations.
Ed
PS: Patti, I loved the Forester woody show car a few years back - you beat the PT to the punch - but woodies are like elephants; I like looking at them but I wouldn't necessarily want to own one.
-mike
Ed
-mike
Not sure what you're referring to here? The ideas I suggested (swing-up-into-the-roof cargo guard, and cargo blind that retracts into the cargo area side) can't be that expensive. Some of the other suggestions may (or may not) be costly.
Bottom line: if it makes the vehicle better, probably yes. One thing Subaru seems to be very good at, is choosing items that are worthwhile to include as standard content. We're just trying to help push the process forward a bit.
Bob
http://www.autospeed.com/A_1229/viewarticle.html
It looks like about 255HP, which is not to bad, overall, perhaps even better than using the H-6?
many of us would kill to get a US legal one!
US motorists tend to like low end torque so the H6 may be the only high powered legacy we will see.
Bob
-Colin
They definitely need to bring the sport-shift to more cars and make it standard with the auto on the GT, WRX and Forester (whatever the new top model is).
-Dennis
Note to Honda we're the fourth largest city in the U.S. Why did you not have the Pilot there for us to see? I had several Honda reps try to tell me about how great the Pilot is going to be with no vehicle to show me. Aren't you rolling this thing out in a few months? Don't you want to generate any buzz about it? I mean do you really want reps telling me go look at the MDX and the Odyssey because the Pilot is going to be like those but really cool?
GM why have the new Hummer at the show if you aren't going to let anyone in it? Is it not close to production after all? Other than the concept cars, Porsche, and Astin Martin the Hummers were the only car you couldn't get in; Mercedes, Jag, Rover no problem knock your self out. Also, GM why spend the money on a line you are killing off? The only people in the Olds area were really old or cutting thru to something else. What is with that ugly mini-Cadillac? Do you really think you're going to attract the luxury import crowd with that Aztec inspired design?
I liked most of the futuristic concept cars. In family sedans(affordable) Passat and Altima appealed to me the most. I think the Vibe/Matrix will be a winner for the small car segment.
I didn't see people swooning over any particular vehicle.
Juice--I sometimes can't believe Mazda and Ford are parts of the same company. Now if more of Mazda could flow to Ford they'd be better off. I see the attraction the MPV. I won't buy one until the safety rating improve though.
BWM where was the Mini? That was one of the few cars I was really going to the show to see.
Dual rear cup holders
Dog Gate
WRX mud guards
Wagon OEM body kit
Other major features:
Shiftronic: autos are currently an $800 option over the price of manual, so make shiftronic a $1000 option instead.
6 speed manual: make it a no-cost option instead of the auto on the H6. That leaves the $800 extra over the cost of a regular 5 speed manual. People that want this are willing to pay for the sportiest and the best.
Low range: yes this costs money, but my thinking was the Forester Sport would be a back-to-basics model, so it would still be value priced. For less than $500 it would be worth doing.
Hose-out rubber interior: I can't imagine that rubber mats and vinyl cost more than carpeting. This is a bit far-fetched anyway.
Rear disc brakes: yes, add $200 to the price of the low-end models that don't have them, then market these as good values among the safest cars on the road (IIHS scores, 4 discs w/ABS standard across the board).
Where should Subaru cut costs? The Macintosh is great and all, but I think the rumored $4000 cost of it would be better spent on several other things. Give me a 6 speed manual, a low range, and 20 more horses, and you could still end up with a car that costs less to produce.
-juice
-Colin
The VDC costs $2152 more than the LL Bean. For that you basically get VTD, VDC, and the Mac. Let's ignore the rest for now.
Toyota charges $559 at invoice for traction and stability control on the competing Highlander. In Subaru's case, they are even deleting the rear LSD, so it should cost less, not more. Let's say $400.
VTD is hard to quantify. But let's peg it at maybe $400 over and above AWD.
That leaves the Mac to foot the bill for $1352. Your estimate may even be on the low end, because remember, it's not like the LL Bean doesn't have a stereo - it even has a 6 CD that the VDC doesn't. So the Mac costs $1352 over and above the price of the Clarion in the Bean.
I think that could easily pay for the stuff I'm asking for. Or offer the option of getting VTD+VDC without the pricey stereo for those of us that listen to "Sesame Street Live". ;-)
-juice
-mike
VDC is basically VTD+TC+SC, right?
-juice
$1000-1200 would still be too much.
I say it would cost more like $700-800.
-Dave
KarenS
Host
Owners Clubs
From the article:
"When asked why the Forester can't be equipped with the 3.0-liter six-cylinder from the larger Outback model, Subaru officials said that they wanted to maintain the Forester's nimble handling characteristics, a trait that would be compromised by the heavier engine."
Bring on the turbo!
-Dennis
-juice
American butts want softer ride. This country isn't going to be happy until we are all riding around in Buick Roadmasters again.
As for the 3.0 question, well, just say you are bringing the turbo already, instead of this blah blah "keep the nimble handling" thing....we all know the H6 isn't much heavier.
Still a nice freshening overall, if a little RAV4-ish. It will certainly help keep the car competitive.
* more use of aluminum, 90 lbs less weight
* 16" rims standard
* EBD on S models
* bigger front rotors
* quicker steering ratio (by far)
* wider track
* nicer sun visor material
Just kidding about that last one! ;-)
Edmunds missed a lot of that stuff.
-juice
I was fed the same line when I asked a Subaru District Technical Manager why they don't add the H6 to the Legacy GT line. I was told that they tried it, but didn't like what it did to the handling.
We all know that the H6 is not much longer and only slightly heavier than the H4. Chances are that it wouldn't drastically affect the handling characteristics of current vehicles.
Could it be cost? Emissions? What gives?
Ken
It probably has to do with production capacity, cost, and meeting CAFE standards.
-juice
Bob
-mike
-juice
The car will also have different alloy wheels, a momo steering wheel and a sportronic shifter in the automatic. The most important change will be the changeover to the VTD (Variable Torque Distribution) all wheel drive system that is in the WRX. I was told this means it is very likely that a turbo will eventually be installed in the car.
I think the tubro with the sportronic shifter would be very nice.
I'd be surprised to see a turbo, only because the Legacy is built in the US, and the turbo engines are made in Japan. Plus, they make the H6 right next door to the Legacy production line.
We'll see. I hope I'm wrong.
-juice
I think this is a good move, removing the "Limited" name from the car. It (the word Limited) is so overused, that any and all meaning of the word has long been lost. I hope they also remove it from the Outback lineup too.
Bob
I like the 2.5 GT label, though.
-juice
My predictions - H6 sometime for the '03 MY and a turbo or s/c for '04.
It's kinda funny (or sad) that the GT has the same engine as the base Impreza now.
-Dennis
-juice