That was my first question (and the first question he was hit with!): "The ProDrive restyling effort of the Impreza will reportedly be introduced at the Paris Auto Show this September, and should be on sale by January in the UK. I'm assuming that we'll get it here as an '04 model? Will the WRX-STi debut in the USA with this new facelift?"
His immediate response: "Oh boy." Then a long pause, followed by side-stepping the issue with "corporate speak."
It isn't reasonable to expect a Subaru spokesman (like MW) to come online to spill the beans by leaking a company secret to folks like us. Yet the most intense interest on these boards seems to center on upcoming models. I wonder if it would make sense for Subaru to let us chat with someone who could explain corporate thinking about future models in terms of the pro & con issues involved to help us get the bigger picture. I'm guessing even that is more than SOA would want to divulge. The payback to them would be the input from the Subaru Crew (which isn't all that hard to get, anyway!).
OK, if an i-Club moderator gets a factory-backed race car, I want one too. I'll run in SCCA Group N with Ramana. Who wants to co-drive? mike is crazy enough. Or Colin.
2WD? Sacreligious. I want AWD on mine. ;-)
I'll apply wishful thinking, Bob. Let's assume in our dream world (la-la land) that all-new does not include replacements. So I want to see:
1. H6 Baja, low range, full mid gate 2. Forester turbo 3. Blitzen 4. WRX STi 5. Grand Forester H6
Dunno, guys, it seems like Jamie Thomas isn't that bad of a driver - maybe not the second coming of Michele Mouton but more than holding her own at the level she's competing.
juice: I hear there's a clapped-out - I mean race-prepped, yeah that's it - Justy waiting for you in Cherry Hill. ;-)
paisan as a woman? Please, I'm trying to eat lunch here!
While I seriously doubt it, that would be sweet, because it would mean they have a 2.5l turbo available for other cars (bigger and hopefully more affordable).
Jamie's doing something right. I happen to know her personally and, while she buzzes at light-speed when conversing w/her, she really does know how to drive! I'm rooting for her to go as far as the rally-bread takes her. :-)
How amazingly subaru comes out with money for a young in-experienced WOMAN driver when there are probably lots of more experience, better teams out there dieing for $ to race with. Like I said, next time I'm coming back as a woman so I can take advantage of all the programs out there for them, since there are no programs for guys out there
I wish her the best of luck too, Love to see I-clubbers going places.
hate to burst your bubble but Jamie is 35ish. not exactly "young" but inexperienced, sure. however she does have skill, determination, loyalty to Subaru and most importantly-- MARKETABILITY.
stated '03 Legacys and Outbacks will start arriving in mid-July. There will be no H-6 Legacy, due to limited engine production capacity. That problem should ease once that new engine factory gets up and running, which should be fairly shortly, I would think.
Dan Barger had a last-minute issue arise and won't be able to join us tonight; HOWEVER, the chat will go on with Heather Christensen and a new guest, Maria Burton, Check Point and Transition Area Manager & Administrative Director.
Hope you can join us at 6pm PT/9 pm ET!
kirstie_h Roving Host Edmunds.com
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
Check the thread I posted again about the Pleo. Jamie's ride is a private Japanese owner. I sure didn't read in there any Subaru sponsership, nor does she get any from Subiegal.com, AFAIK.
Comments
Noone beats Edmunds' signal-to-noise ratio. Noone.
-juice
• Facelifted Impreza will indeed be introduced at Paris Auto Show this September.
• We will get it here as an '04 model, probably next spring.
• North America-spec Sti will debut with this new facelift in the spring, for maximum marketing impact.
Bob
-Dennis
His immediate response: "Oh boy." Then a long pause, followed by side-stepping the issue with "corporate speak."
Bob
Ken
I'm quite happy that Subaru will do the big SUW on their own, and he even implied it might not take as long as MY2005.
-juice
Bob
So let me ask for 8 more:
* more 2.0l turbos
* a 2.5l light-pressure turbo
* more H6s
* 5 speed autos
* shiftronic
* 6 speed manuals
* better unbraked towing
* "free Subie for juice" program
:-)
-juice
http://forums.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=205293&referrerid=767
Direct link:
http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=75454346
-Dennis
Guess this means SPT parts will be no more. ;-)
Ed
OK, Ooh ooh ooh Blitzen... GT-B gimme gimme gimme
drool drool drool :-p....
-Dave
-juice
Steve
Looks like a modern day Justy.
-juice
http://forums.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=205364
Steve
Okay, my guess is that they will be:
1. Legacy/Outback (MY 05)
2. Impreza (MY 06)
3. Mini-car replacement for Pleo (MY 0?)
4. 7-passanger crossover (MY 0?)
5. Sporty flagship coupe (MY 0?)
Bob
-mike
-mike
2WD? Sacreligious. I want AWD on mine. ;-)
I'll apply wishful thinking, Bob. Let's assume in our dream world (la-la land) that all-new does not include replacements. So I want to see:
1. H6 Baja, low range, full mid gate
2. Forester turbo
3. Blitzen
4. WRX STi
5. Grand Forester H6
-juice
-mike
Hey, I'm cute too, in my boxers.
-juice
-mike
-juice
-mike
Bob
juice: I hear there's a clapped-out - I mean race-prepped, yeah that's it - Justy waiting for you in Cherry Hill. ;-)
paisan as a woman? Please, I'm trying to eat lunch here!
Ed
-juice
Bob
-Dave
-juice
Stephen
I wish her the best of luck too, Love to see I-clubbers going places.
-mike
hate to burst your bubble but Jamie is 35ish. not exactly "young" but inexperienced, sure. however she does have skill, determination, loyalty to Subaru and most importantly-- MARKETABILITY.
'nuff said
-Colin
I know I know marketability. Next I'm coming back as a Woman so I can be marketable too
Of course with my luck it'll be in the ancient days of Rome and I'll be doing wash all day!
-mike
Stephen (Always the teaser...)
paisan, you should know she's an avid rally-xer.
How many of you guys have put 4 foot long Subaru banners on the side of your car? ;-)
Yep, marketability.
-Dennis
Jim
Bob
paisan: if you race in a skirt I'll sponsor you. LOL!
-juice
Hope you can join us at 6pm PT/9 pm ET!
kirstie_h
Roving Host
Edmunds.com
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
Steve