Subaru Crew - Future Models II

1…166167169171172…446

Comments

  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    No, that doesn't surpirse me, either. The Forester 2.0XT I saw in Italy had the same wheels as the current 2.5XS - same trim level as a whole, as a matter of fact. I find that encouraging in that I could swap my 17" wheel/tire combo to a current-gen Forester if the need arose.

    Ed
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I prefer those rims on the Forester, too. Much nicer than the telephone dial type on the current XS, and easier to clean.

    I got those brocures Ken sent me. I'm looking them over and will share some comments shortly - for instance, some of the very high-end turbo models do not come with a moonroof (Colin would be happy to know). Also, looks like the JDM interior did not get the new center console with the built-in cup holders, at least on some models.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    << Also, looks like the JDM interior did not get the new center console with the built-in cup holders, at least on some models. >>

    That's because they offer the dual-range tranny, which has a gear lever on the center console, which "our" console does not allow for. There's not enough room for both that extra gearshift and the cupholders. You will find that (other) console being used in all markets that offer the dual-range tranny, not just Japan.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That must have sealed the fate for the Baja, then. Cup holders are more important than a low range in the US, sadly.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Just salivated over the brochures Ken sent me. Yummy. Bob and I could spend at least 3-4 hours just browsing these. I'm sure we will, actually.

    This isn't necessarily new info, but I'll share some observations about the differences JDM models offer.

    Cross Sports:
    * nice, simple front bumper
    * mesh grill, body color surround gets A+
    * shiftronic on the auto
    * 2 rim options, Nav option
    * different center console, 1 cupholder
    * different center dash, too, 1 pop-out cupholder
    * windows look tinted?
    * no moonroof and cross bars, though

    Give us the gorgeous grill, bumper, rims, shiftronic, and of course the turbo engine. But I have GOT to keep our moonroof. I actually prefer the regular 2.0XT model.

    Impreza Wagon:
    * again console is totally unique, not even shared with JDM Forester
    * sport shift buttons on the wheel are sweet!
    * HIDs glow very blue
    * small moonroof hidden under "Equipment", de-emphasized (on all models actually)
    * very few roof rails, even fewer cross bars

    So give us the engines, the shiftronic w/buttons, and the moonroof at least as an option. Though keep our roof rails. Need to keep emphasis on utility, at least with the wagons.

    Impreza Sedan:
    * rear wipers Bob would love
    * STi steering wheel is 3 spoke, red stiching
    * seats are fantastic, blue on some
    * 20S is their base model, 155ps is about 152hp right?
    * even their BASE model gets shiftronic, jeez!
    * 3 grill options

    So, give us 3 spokes and those sweet powertrains. But bring the 20S model over here, maybe to replace the TS, and maybe even put that engine in a Legacy Brigthon to earn CAFE credits. Then the other cars could get more power options.

    to be continued...

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I want Japanese brochures too. :(

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Oddly, the trim rings around the speedo come in chrome, red, or gold. The possibilities are endless.

    Now, by model, first the Blitzen 6:
    * the most gorgeous Legacy IMO, monotone
    * 4 mesh grilles in the front
    * gun metal color rims, beefy
    * headlights have 3 distinct areas (our Legacy has one, Outbacks and GTs have 2)
    * rear wiper for Bob!
    * VDC, Mac, 2-tone interior, includes Ivory leather
    * door sill scuff plates
    * but...no moonroof! Nobody is perfect

    The definitive muscle car in the line up. Absolutely stunning looks, the rims and the mesh on the front are subtle yet beautiful. Add a moonroof and I would kill for it. Heck I'd add one myself to get all this.

    RSK S and S401 (sedan) and GT-B S (wagon):
    * still no moonroof
    * shiftronic
    * sedan's grill is nicer than the wagon's
    * yet another different center console, 1 cup holder, plus the slide-out one in the dash

    Nice but to be honest I prefer the Blitzen 6's less flashy styling by far. The dash looks like my dad's 2001 Outback Limited. Impreza gets that same cup holder, but Forester gets one like mine that slides out from the top of the dash. How many consoles do they make? 50?

    Lancaster:
    * 4-5 different grill options
    * milder 2 tone colors, green on light green is nice
    * no gold on rims, more subtle
    * ivory leather is nice
    * very cool retractable dog gaurd, looks to be built-in to the seat
    * no moonroof or cross bars

    So again, I'd steal some of the nicer styling cues, like the color combos and rims, and some unique features like the dog guard, but I'd keep the moonroof and cross bars for this decidedly utility model. Maybe they just sell that stuff seperately, I can't read the text!

    How can Subaru possibly make a profit with so many variations? They must make about 50 different grills.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Bob: if you'll be in my area let me know and you can take them. We can then circulate them to Hutch, Loosh, Mike, whoever wants to see them. This stuff is too cool to miss.

    I imagine you'll come up with a huge wish list after you see all the cool stuff they get. I forgot to mention the Nav system, which gets far more press than the moonroof and all roof racks and accessories combined.

    It's a philosophy 100% different from SoA, though. Full emphasis on performance and electronic gadgets. Here they emphasize utility all the way, and features (not necessarily gadgets).

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    << How can Subaru possibly make a profit with so many variations? They must make about 50 different grills. >>

    I asked basically the same question about 6 months ago.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Imagine the cost of stocking spare parts for, say, collision damage. Grills probably break all the time. And they have to stock parts for every model, every model year, probably hundreds in all for one simple part.

    Let's simplify, streamline. The mesh grill on the Blitzen 6 is beautiful. Put it on every Legacy and Outback, period. Put a similar design on all Forester, a 3rd on the Impreza.

    Go with the US dash and console, which has better cup holders. Replace the low range lever you showed me with a simple button and a warning light to remind you it's engaged.

    Plus, in the future, use more modular designs. In other words, design things with all the different features in mind, so they can be added on.

    I bet parts and accessories sales double if they do that. They could make a fortune just selling HIDs and Nav systems.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    restricting powertrain options here, because of all of the "federalization" issues. But to offer a zillion different grilles, interior arrangements, etc., for the home market&#151;yet offer other markets one flavor (vanilla) is crazy.

    The money spent in planning, design, manufacturing, and inventory of all these different variations&#151;for such a small company, seems all out of wack. I said that 6 months ago, and I say it again.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    What bothers me is that they bring things like shiftronic and VDC over here and try to pitch them as hyper-premium mega-buck features.

    Hello? Mitsu, Hyundai, and Kia all offer manual shift capabilities, some with more gears too. You can get stability control on a lowly Focus, and most VWs are getting it now. This is becoming mainstream stuff.

    So yeah, I want to see those things on more models, but not for $4-6 grand more than the current models. I guess that's one reason I'm afraid to even ask for HIDs and a Nav system.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I've mentioned "wish list items" for Subaru to do for the North American market. Usually, the response back from the Crew is Subaru is "too small a company" to do that; they can't afford to do it.

    Well, they sure can afford to do it (in spades) for the home market...

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the US-spec STi come with those.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    keeps the OnStar, I doubt if we will get a navigation system, even as a stand-alone option.

    Bob
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Xenophobia?

    Ed
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Not only that, Bob, I bet the US market is bigger for them. 180k sales per year or so, how many do they sell in Japan?

    I could be wrong, I'm just guessing.

    Also, Forester and Impreza are made in Gunma, so no excuses. Why a 20S Impreza sedan, their cheapest, gets Shiftronic, and NONE of the Foresters or Imprezas here do is beyond me!

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    You just sent me to the dictionary. ;)

    Bob
  • cptpltcptplt Member Posts: 1,075
    do Hyundai and Subaru get theirs from same source, I was in a Sante Fe last week, looked awfully like that on a 03 GT
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    quote: ...I'm looking them over and will share some comments shortly - for instance, some of the very high-end turbo models do not come with a moonroof (Colin would be happy to know).

    sun/moonroofs do not belong on a serious motorsport coupe / sedan. if you want to see sky above your head, get a true roadster.

    they leak after time, creak after time, and weaken the center of the chassis far too much.

    -Colin
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    << they leak after time, creak after time, >>

    It's never happened to me, and I've had either a sunroof or moonroof on almost every vehicle I've owned since the mid-80s.

    Bob
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    it most definitely happened to my '99 Impreza RS. and many other RS' as well.

    design flaw cured in the New Impreza, hopefully.

    -Colin
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    I think all cars are prone to creaks over time, not just ones with moon/sun roofs.


    -Brian

  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I'm sure my creaking was accelerated by the harsh suspension, uprated swaybars, and DOT-legal slicks. Long-time autocross cars tend to have wrinkles in the sheetmetal around the B- or C-pillars.

    And my "new" winter car has a leaky sunroof. But it's a '93 Taurus SHO so whaddya expect... fine piece of machinery, that.

    -Colin
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Wouldn't you be better off with snows on the Bimmer?

    -Dennis
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Maybe he's protecting the Bimmer from road salt. Having a separate "beater" car for winter driving is common in some parts of the country.

    -Frank P.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    not to mention the M3 literally has 3" of ground clearance to the front spoiler. a spoiler that was just repainted in August...

    plus the Taurus was $2500, snows for the bimmer would've been $1500.

    if you guys wanna discuss further meet me in the Cafe.

    -Colin
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    If I owned an M3 you could bet there is no way it would be seeing salt, Colin's solution is the way to go, although Colin even your winter beater has to be fast, EH! LOL.

    Cheers Pat.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'm not sure which company sources the Shiftronic, but I believe Infiniti also uses that name for their automanual.

    get a true roadster... but I already did! ;-)

    Not a bad beater car, SHOs had engines by Yamaha. I prefer the early V6s, too.

    -juice
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
  • dudedude Member Posts: 123
    I have to admit I was disappointed when my moonroof broke 4 months ago and I had to shell out 500 bucks to fix it, but I enjoy it a lot. Not only it allows people to view the sky but it provides better car ventilation.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    While I agree, it was "news" because it's the only case of moonroof failure on a Subaru I've seen here on Edmunds in the past 4 years.

    I've had 3 in my cars, my wife has had 2, none ever had any problems.

    -juice
  • dudedude Member Posts: 123
    About five years ago, I went to help my brother buy a car in SF and we bought one in suburbs of Sacramento. But anyway, the car we bought was a 1990 Accord EX with sunroof. So we had to drive about 3 or 4 ours back. The radio in that car wasn't working so I was pretty much bored. The road was straight and there were no cars. So, I opened the sunroof, set the car to cruise and stuck my head out. It was so cool....

    P.S. Kids don't try this at home, lol
  • jimmyp1jimmyp1 Member Posts: 640
    New rumors from a guy who sounds like he's connected with a dealer to some degree.....


    http://makeashorterlink.com/?B28423EC2


    Jim

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Moonroof on WRX, finally!

    Leather, too? Hopefully as separate options.

    Adjustable center diff on the STi, schweet.

    -juice
  • dudedude Member Posts: 123
    Adjustable center differential?? Does that allow manually transfer power between front and back?
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    No. It controls a planetary gearset which allows a 35/65 torque split with rear bias, a 50/50 split, or 50/50 LOCKED like a conventional 4WD transfer case.

    Been a feature since the STi version III, 1997.

    -Colin
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    that would be a sweet option on ALL subies!


    -Brian

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yup, better even than VTD.

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    VCCD...sweet. I'm glad they didn't skimp on that. Still, we're not sure about the engine or even the sticker price.

    I'm assuming the STi will get the 6MT. How does the 6MT hook up to the planetary gearset and VCCD? Is it any different from VTD?

    Ken
  • cptpltcptplt Member Posts: 1,075
    IIRC the VTD can only be used with an auto tranny
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Yeah, I believe in layman's terms (i.e. me) the DCCD (Dave Controlled Center Diff) is more or less a manually controlled version of VTD. Actually, I think I read an old article about the 22B calling the DCCD VTD.

    Sound about right, Colin?
    Oh, and remind me again why you don't like moon roofs. :-) That's probably the one thing I really wanted on the '03.

    -Dennis
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Leaky, creaky, weaky, according to Colin.

    That's not been my experience in living with sun/moonroofs for over 20 years, however.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    What would be funny is if I traded my Miata in for a WRX with that moonroof. I'm not sure I could part with Sandy, anyway.

    3 Subies for 2 drivers? Can you imagine?

    It is kind of small for a moonroof, though.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    that's a good summary, Bob! :-D

    -Colin
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    I have had the leaky as Bob Quoted, however in all cases it was just a blocked drain that was causing the leak, after it happened once I knew where to look.

    Having said that a moonroof is a must have option on any car I own.

    Cheers Pat.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Same here, and if the manufacturer gets it wrong, I'll fix that myself.

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    The manufacturers do not often get them wrong, in all the cars I have owned most of them had a sunroof of some kind, and the only problem I have ever had was blocked drains,most of the problems were in my Accords.

    The real problem turned out to be a stupid little tapered rubber plug in the end of the rear drain, it had flutes in the side and a little hole for water to pass, it did not take much to plug it. removing it cured the problem.

    Cheers Pat.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    First appeared on the 1988 XT6 and RX MT. Just and FYI :)

    -mike
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Actually, my wife has the OB LTD and hasn't had any leak problems.
    She probably puts less stress on her car than Colin did on his RS. :-)

    -Dennis
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.