Subaru Crew - Future Models II

1…145146148150151…446

Comments

  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Don't worry CB70

    When/if the X-trail comes here it will be severly decontented like EVERY SINGLE OTHER Japanese vehicle! ARGGGG Makes me mad.

    -mike
  • goldencouple1goldencouple1 Member Posts: 209
    X-Trail is sold across the border in Mexico. I checked. I guess someone came across to do a little shopping. It was very new looking and very, very red.
  • sweet_subiesweet_subie Member Posts: 1,394
    I am tired of my Outback 4cly.......so i test drove the 03 forester & WRX.....WRX is really a HOOT to drive.....it would be a perfect engine in the Forester.

    The salesman says Forester Turbo is coming in 2004 for us....

    Anyone heard this as well ?
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    The '04 Turbo Forester is a long-standing rumor. It's a virtual certainty.

    Bob
  • sweet_subiesweet_subie Member Posts: 1,394
    I saw the baja....in the showroom.........the one used for Boston Auto show......frankly, it looks a bit ugly.....two tone does not work for this truck.....monotone would have made the truck look much better....

    Subaru needs to focus on making their cars look good....even 03 legacy looks odd.....it is OK to look rugged but shoulb not be out of control............
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    NZ Forester

    I prefer the all-black grille (no chrome surround) that the NZ Forester has. I hope when the turbo Forester makes its way here, it gets this grille treatment. It looks more aggressive, IMO.


    http://www.subaru.co.nz/models/forester/


    NZ Legacy H-6

    More info on the Legacy H-6.


    http://www.subaru.co.nz/launches/


    http://www.subaru.co.nz/news/index.html?id=204


    Bob

  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Patti - tell someone at SOA that they just have to bring over the B4-RS30 Legacy to the U.S.! Well, ok, I suppose I could suffice with a B4-RSK ;-)

    I see that the blue I like is called 'Deep Blue Mica'.

    -Brian
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    paisan is right, the XTrail will probably come with no manual tranny, sans that water option, and sans the drink heater/cooler, to cut costs.

    The NZ grille is better, and the whole front looks better with the lights on, BTW.

    B4-RS30? Isn't that a contradiction? Shouldn't it be B6-RS30?

    -juice
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    I thought the same about the RS30 being a B4, instead of a B6. So, it seems that the B4 is a model description, rather than an engine description. Correct?

    No matter what they'd call it here, I'd take either one! I updated my 'dream car' listing in my profile too. Before it was just 'Blitzen', now it's model specific. :)

    -Brian
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    I think I'd like that GTB wagon in Graphic Black Mica myself.

    To be honest, I'm not sure what I'd like next from the Subaru line. Much will turn on family and career status at that time, but I can say whetever replaces the Forester will have to have better acceleration for those wonderful on-ramp/off-ramp/passing maneuvers.

    Ed
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    I do like the Black too. Heck, I'd strongly consider that orange/red if that was the ONLY color available for a B4-RS_! (replace _ with 'K' or '30')

    We've already got a people hauler (her MPV), so we don't necessarily need another wagon for my daily driver. But, I bet when the time comes ('04?) that we'd consider both a wagon and a sedan.

    -Brian
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You'll never learn Ed, another black car? ;-)

    I thought B4 meant Boxer 4 cylinder, but maybe it means Bad-@$$ 4 wheel drive!

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    I'm tired of dealing with black Subaru paint - the only paint I've ever seen where swirl mark remover puts in MORE swirl marks - but I just don't like any of the other colors.

    I strongly dislike that orange-copper Dodge concept car paint, nor do I care for reds of any kind. Subaru has some nice greens but the tan interiors are too yellow and clash with the usually gray lower cladding paint. Silver is out, too. White might be okay. I like the WRX's blue but every little WRC wannabe is driving a blue one, much the same way every Dale Earnhardt wannabe is driving a black Chevy Monte Carlo. Yellow? As the New Yorkers say, fuhgeddaboudit. If I wanted to drive a yellow car I'd get a job as a cabbie.

    If SoA could offer a nice dark metallic gray - bluish or brownish - I'd be interested. I know they offered this on Imprezas and Foresters in other markets.

    Ed
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Why is Silver out? Those are stealthy and easy to keep clean.

    Your pain is self-inflicted. ;-)

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Silver fades badly and spots easily. I've owned two - a '79 Accord and the '63 Studebaker that currently resides in my garage, where it won't fade. Actually the Stude is more a pewter than a silver, plus having been repainted with modern enamels and clearcoat it's less likely to do so.

    Ed (need more coffee)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hmm, I haven't seen owners of newer silver cars complain about fading and spotting. Even my dad's beater '93 Taurus has decent silver paint.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    MMMM my favorite color. Just like my original XT6 AT.


    image


    or the grey of the TLC is nice too.


    FHI also has a nice lighter grey they sell in Australia which I like a lot. Almost a platinum grey.


    -mike

  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Ed, my wife and I rarely hand wax our cars. We do the taboo auto car wash. Her black OB doesn't have too many swirl marks. I would like to compare the cars side-by-side one day. Maybe too much detailing is bad. :-)

    On another note, a friend of mine that just bought a WRX was in Maine on vacation. He doesn't know very much about Scooby mania yet and was shocked at a car flying past him. He caught up with him and the car had "Subaru" on the trunk. They "played" for a few minutes and gave each other a thumbs up. He was completely puzzled at what kind of car it was since he knew it wasn't a Rex, but had awesome power. He told me the car was a "burnt orange".

    Two days later he tells me that he see a Legacy and that's what it was. I showed him a link with the JDM orange/copper wagon. He said, "That's it! That's the color I saw!"

    So, were they testing a turbo Legacy in that color? Or was it a modified/painted Legacy.

    I told him he should've waved the guy over.

    -Dennis
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    paisan: That's it! That'd work, too. The Imprezas and Foresters I've seen had more of a blue tint.

    Dennis: Hmm. Give up hand washing? I could be persuaded. I'll probably do that before Sunday's auto-x.

    Interesting story about the orange-copper Legacy. Very encouraging to those (myself included) who hope for a higher-performace, non-Outback Legacy. Where better to test new product than in remote parts of Maine, which is strong Subaru territory to begin with? It'll blend right in - well, almost.

    Ed
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Ed,


    I feel your pain. Try 3M Swirl Remover for Dark Paint:


    http://www.hawg-wash.com/3mswirlremover.html


    Worked very well on my Forester. Follow up with 3M Hand Glaze and/or Klasse for a nice shine.


    My next Subie will probably be silver. My wife's Jetta (Silver Arrow) looks great even though it gets parked outside and doesn't get quite the lovin' my Forester gets.


    Ken

  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    I only mentioned I'd take the far out orange/red if it was the only color available - just to get a B4! I wouldn't be pleased with it, but I'd manage ;-)

    I like the Winestone color of our Outback because it's darker than red, and can look brown in certain light. My next Subaru will be either black or blue, unless there is a metallic grey (dark) that happens to show up.

    -Brian
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Ken: I DO use 3M Swirl Mark Remover for dark paint. I follow up with 3M Perfect-It wax.

    Brian hits my color choices on the head. White is a long shot.

    Ed
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Ed,

    So, the Swirl Mark Remover doesn't work for you? What do you use to apply it?

    Sorry -- we're getting OT here...

    Ken
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Back when I picked out my Stratus, there were identical models, one white, one black. I choose the black color because it was 'cooler' looking than the white. Cooler could also mean sportier in this case.

    -Brian
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Yeah, OT to the point of going into the Cleaning forum. I use either cheesecloth or a cotton diaper.

    Ed
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    This is OT but it's funny so I'll share it.

    Now that the 2nd baby arrived, my wife asked where all the cotton diapers went.

    Gee, I dunno, honey! LOL

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    juice,

    I think you've been spoiling your other 'baby' in between the first and second one!

    Ken
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    almost bought that Jetta TDi just 'cos the "Silver Arrow" was so good looking. Held off though, in the end. ;')

    So a gunmetal grey is the color to get then, eh?

    I like the silver (NOT silverthorn) of my GT. Purty close to that Silver Arrow job, actually.....
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I usually prefer dark colors, visually, but I have to admit my wife's Wintergreen looks much better than my Acadia Green (darkish) a week after I wash both cars.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Just got my latest issue of Subaru's DRIVE magazine, and they give a brief outline of all the '03 models. Apparently, for the US-market you can now get an Outback H-6 in Titanium monotone, which is the same color as the cladding.

    If you recall, monotone Outbacks have been available in other markets for some time, and also the new Baja is available in a monotone silver.

    Bob
  • dassubdassub Member Posts: 13
    I just received my '03 Outback brochure from Subaru, and the Titanium monotone VDC is pictured. I like it . . . very rich-looking.
  • mrk610mrk610 Member Posts: 378
    Very nice looking .Saw one already down in Stone Harbor/ Avalon area . Any time a new car comes out you can bet somebody from SH/AV area will have it 1st around here . I have also seen the new Hummer, Mini Cooper ,new 7 series BMW .

    Mike k
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    All current Subarus with turbos can be instantly identified by their hood scoop. The H-6 Subie has only a small "H-6 3.0" badge as its signature. I think it needs something a bit more forceful, visually.

    My suggestion is that, in addition to the H-6 3.0 badge, that all future H-6 Subies come with a small air scoop on the side of each front fender; something like that found on BMW M-3s, and Aston Martins.

    A small fender air scoop, such as I described, would be a strong visual signature, and as effective "model identifier" as is the hood scoop now found on the turbo models.

    Bob
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Honda, for example, gives you dual exhaust (or at least dual tail pipes) on 6 cylinder models. That probably could be an inexpensive way to 'distinguish' the H4 to the H6.

    Better yet, why not put a hood scoop on the H6's AND give it a turbo! ;-)

    -Brian
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I think twin exhausts, as Honda does is still too subtle. I, for example, was not even aware that Honda did that on their V6s. And if I (the most anal person on this site) didn't know that, I doubt many others would notice either.

    I still think the M-3/Aston Martin-type twin fender scoops is a better way of going. It will be instantly recognizable, yet still subtle.

    Bob
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    At least I know that Honda does the dual exhaust on the Accord V6, not sure about their other V6 models.

    The H6 Outbacks do get the 3.0 emblem on the back. And they get a VDC or LLBean (respectively) emblem on the rear portion of the front quarter panel. And, as you mentioned, both are too subtle and very easy to miss.

    If you're going to start messing with the body, specifically the cladding, why not do the cladding in a different color than the H4 Outbacks? Maybe have a different wheel look too.

    -Brian
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    like that of the turbo's hood scoop, suggests "power." Color-coding the cladding doesn't do that.

    The turbo's hood scoop, from the front, is a visual bulls eye. It's "in-your-face," and screams POWER. The (small) fender scoops also suggest power, but in a much more restrained and elegant manner. Think of them much in the same way you would think of a trim athlete in a designer-label suit; powerful, stylish, understated, and perfect for the Outback and Legacy image.

    Speaking of color-coding, think of the scoops as engine-coding:

    Hood scoop = turbo
    Small fender scoops = H-6
    Hood scoop + small fender scoops = turbo H-6

    Bob
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Engine coding of some sort would help. If they were to go down the fender scoop route, they ought to tweak up the H6 for a few more ponies too. ;)

    I'd love to see a B4 on the back of a Legacy.

    -Brian
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Tweak the H-6! Especially now that the '03 Honda's 3.0 Accord V6, in addition to the Altima, now pumps out 240 HP. Now the Subie H-6 only looks "average," at best in terms of power.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Yep the V6 Accord (what other V6 cars are there in the honda lineup?) has dual exhaust, not available on the I4. Also the V6 also only comes in an AT like the H6 only comes in AT.

    -mike
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    Except for 03'Accords where the coupe will be available w/v6 and 6spd MT. :-)

    Stephen
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Didn't know that, this was as of '02. :)

    -mike
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Instead of inventing new stuff, my vote would be to use more of the styling cues from the JDM GT30:


    http://www.subaru.co.jp/legacy/n/n2/rs30.htm


    Man, that is one pretty looking car!


    Ken

  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Just bring that thing over!!!!!

    I'd love a B4-RS30 (I'd even settle for an B4-RSK!). I asked Patti nicely, but never heard back from her. ;-)

    -Brian
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Bob: I swear I read the MTM topic first, and just mentioned the same thing! It's cool, lots of people are averse to two-tone.

    Fender scoops? Sure, but make them functional. I'm thinking squeeze 230hp out of that engine, and so the scoops are needed for additional cooling. Yeah, that's the ticket.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I'd like to see 229hp so that it's just under the 230 of my SVX :)

    -mike
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    ...it (the H6) should have more beans than the 2.0 H4 with 227hp in the WRX. And it really should be somewhat more noticeable than 2 or 3 or 5 hp. 240hp?

    -Brian
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    The H-6 should match or exceed the HP of either the Accord or Altima V6s, so that means at least 240 HP. Make the engine bigger if need be.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'd like to see 231hp just so paisan stops pointing that out! ;-)

    Actually, give us torque, not HP. I don't want a powerful engine that makes its peak torque at 5000rpm, where people don't go in normal driving. Give me torque in the 3000-4000 rpm range, and I mean all of it.

    -juice
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    Since posting the link might spur discussion on the "other" board, I will simply post a B4 Owner's thoughts. For all of us to chew on.

    "Where *do* you want to go?

    This is an off-the-cuff post, and I don't mean it to sound like I'm telling you all what to do.

    But I think I can safely say that the Legacy Forum members share a general sentiment, one of owning a B4 RSK, or at least having the option to have one in the States.

    As a multiple twin-turbo Legacy owner, I would like to offer a counterpoint.

    I've driven multiple Subaru vehicles, of all sorts, and I do find that the 2.5-litre series of Subaru vehicles offer adequete power. Really. For around town driving, freeway cruising, and other more mundane aspects of vehicular pleasure, the 2.5-litre is actually somewhat superior to the twin-turbo. I'd wager the H6 even more so. Simply enough, when you are doing less frenetic driving, you tend to live below 4000rpm, not above, and the 2.5-litre and H6 offer as much or more torque in that range.

    Above that, the B4 kicks major booty. It kicks too much, though, and that's the point of these thoughts. In town, and even on the freeway (well, payedway in my case) there are very few occasions where I can use full throttle, or even 2/3rd's throttle. This isn't because I fear a speeding ticket - what police? - but because it's simply too fast for that. The B4 has more power than brakes, rubber and suspension, in stock form. (The braking is IMO - it's got better brakes than all other vehicles in it's class). If you all haven't noticed, AnotherB4 and I do not run on standard suspension or rubber. Literally the first thing I did upon getting my new Legacy was put in a new braking system. While the major justification was for the track, the truth was that the B4 twin-turbo lacks a bit in terms of braking and suspension and rubber. Wait, I know, I know, you are about to exclaim then "well, what about us with our American-spec suspension????". I'd agree that it needs a bit more - but it's not as drastic as the B4's, given the difference in power, and where it's made. I've driven a 2.5-litre Forester in America for 2 weeks, and as a family-oriented vehicle, it was much more than adequete.

    To give examples, all I have to do is look at performance icons, such as the RX7 twin turbo or the S2000. Both are high-performance vehicles - but in the S2000's case, and until recently in Japan, the RX7's case, the B4 was faster in a straight line. It has more motor than either vehicle. It has enough motor to scare a GT-R. It has enough motor to give the majority of Japanese "supercars" a scare. The problem is, it doesn't have the same suspension or rubber that those cars have. Brakes are another matter, finding adequete ones (IMO) are hard. But wide rubber, lower curb weights and better (at least, firmer) suspension setups are not hard to find on the sportscars. It is a bit hard to find on a B4, though, because the car wasn't designed for it. The saving grace of the B4 is an excellent chassis and AWD system.

    So here's my advice on it - if you want a bit more than your current Legacy has, there are low-pressure turbo options in the states that will give it to you. They also may be more driveable than the B4 because of the low-pressure, low-range torque setup. However, once you have done that, you've set yourself onto an expensive path of suspension and brake and rubber upgrades, and you should remember that. The Legacy family of cars make excellent grand touring vehicles, and while you definitely can go beyond that, keep in mind the costs. If you really want to hoon around, but just once in a while, than a second hooligans-only vehicle may be cheaper than upgrading your Legacy or buying a new B4 when they do come to the states.

    You see, you all have an option that us Japanese B4 owners don't have. You have free or cheap parking. If I was given a choice, I would buy two or three cars, and use them according to purpose. The B4 for the performance-oriented family car is a fantastic compromise - but it's a costly one. If given actual freedom, I'd probably like to get a B4 for the family car - but I wouldn't use it for hooning around in. It would probably be an automatic, and to be honest, it's just as likely to be a Forester or wagon. Then I'd get something sportier for myself. And a '57-'64 beater truck with battleship-grade sheetmetal for hauling sportscar parts in.

    Feel free to ignore me, it is all IMHO. But I would suggest to enjoy what you do have, and spend your money wisely on what you want.

    Cheers,

    Paul Hansen"
Sign In or Register to comment.

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles

Your Privacy

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.