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
-Ian
I would not mind seeing Subaru products rebadged as something else, I just don't want to see things happen the other way around.
Though that article sort of has Saab getting an Impreza clone, styled to look like a Saab. Seems redundant to me, except that it could be the only 2/3 door Subie.
"Ecsaine" is a cool word. ;-)
Bob: I like the idea of a 3.5l H6 for the SUW, and I'm telling you, the 3l H6 should be the standard engine for the Outback.
-juice
-Ian
A set of small lights, front and back, to indicate the condition of the driver.
For example, here are some possibilities:
1) I'm lost! Cut me some slack, that's why I'm driving like an old man.
2) I'm on vacation and don't care when I get there, so just pass me on the left.
3) OMG, If I don't make it home within the next 5 minutes, my car's interior will be ruined! Ruined, I say! Those damn chili dogs bite back every time!
Well you guys get the idea. I think this will prevent a lot of road rage.
I've always thought it would be cool if our license plates were our cell phone #'s so you could call the person in front of you to tell them to put their book/makeup away and pay attention to the light in front of them that just turned green or to remind them to check their blindspot next time rather than cutting you off. Then again... maybe not such a good idea... ;-D
-Ian
-mike
-Dennis
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=305030&am- p;am- p;referrerid=767
-Dennis
Perhaps they'll surprise us.
-Brian
I don't like the idea of rebadged Subarus for several reasons. I ranted about this in the Cafe a few days ago. It dilutes the brand image that Subaru has been crafting for itself; it also speaks very ill of GM and the US auto industry as a whole in that it shows that the Americans no longer have any original thoughts in their heads when it comes to designing new vehicles. Yeah, let's go buy Swedish and Japanese companies and force them into our branding strategy - that's the ticket. Meanwhile we'll dupe the masses by dolling up light trucks and selling them the fantasy.
Lighter note: I got an e-mail from SoA yesterday polling me on my favorite WRX STi color combination. Four colors are being offered: WR Blue, white, silver, Java Black. The option of gold or silver (which looked anthracite in the picture) alloys was given. I don't know if that should be interpreted to mean that WRX STi buyers will be given a choice between the two colors.
Ed
PS: juice: I'd like to e-mail you offline. There's a good possibility I may have to travel to Brazil on business in the near future. Congrats on the publicity.
Bob
distant second would be blue with gold wheels.
not interested in any others... :-D
-Colin
They need more choices, and some that are very refined and expensive looking, IMO. I feel the same way about the WRX colors.
Bob
STi not at other shows? That is FALSE, it's already been to one. Check the photo gallery, someone even took pics.
Oh, an STi in silver with anthracite wheels? I dunno, though, if you go all out it may as well looks like the rally car (blue/gold).
Ed: just add @ifc.org to the end of my handle. This is a great time to visit Brazil - great exchange rates and people are in good spirits because the new Pres just took office.
-juice
No more shows, LOL! That's a big one!
-juice
-mike
Info from SoA gets freaky when Patti is out. :-)
-Dennis
juice: will catch up with you in the near future. Thanks for the overview.
Ed
Also, HIDs are standard, and the Momo steering wheel has 3 spokes, as God intended.
Truly a complete car.
-juice
STi color: I think I would have to go Silver with the anthracite wheels for the stealth factor (with a trunk lid swap as well). With the WR blue and gold wheels as my second choice.
-Ian
-Brian
Bob
-juice
Bob
-juice
-mike
What's wrong with Green that it is not offer?
Electric Pink would be wild.
-Dave
Bob
I like the dark green on the current Forester and the Legacy GT. I didn't like the green that was available on the Forester in 1998-2000, when I was last shopping (no offense, juice ;-) ).
IIRC the Java Black Pearl that will be offered on the '04 WRX has a more brownish undertone, like the current Forester? That's not as nice as the beautiful Midnight Black Pearl on the current car (like bluesubie's) which is really a blue-black, or as nice as the Black Diamond Pearl on my Forester with its reddish undertones.
Hmm...my next Subie may not be black after all. The only other WRX colors I like are WR Blue and white, though. I'd really love a steel gray metallic in the Subie line; the old Forester and old WRX got it in the JDM. The limited-run Impreza RB5 got it in the UK. It looks really nice on the Acura TL-S and 5-series BMWs.
Ed
Seriously, Subaru needs to offer more color choices—for all their models! I don't see why some of the Outback colors aren't more available on other Subie models. I think a WRX in Wintergreen (or whatever the replacement color is now called) would be great. They need to offer more what I call "rare" colors to the color palette, to compliment the "raw" colors now being used.
Bob
-mike
-mike
Bob
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30- 5907
Bob
So I like the Wintergreen and the new Sea Mist Green, the silvers, the gold, maybe add a slate color, but not too dark. Or how about a light metallic blue?
STi won't ever be stealthy. I'm not sure if removing the spoiler would be enough, frankly.
-juice
Granted, Subaru will sell every one of their initial offering of the STi. But what about down the road, say a few years from now? By that time most of the gearheads will already have their STis, and Subaru will need to expand that model's customer base. If they ever want to attract a more "mature" audience, I think a stealthier version will need to be added to the lineup.
Maybe that's the role of the next Legacy turbo?
Bob
It doesn't seem beyond the typical STi buyer to remove the wing and sell it, make a small fortune in the process, and maybe swap rims too.
I guess that's what I would do, so I don't find it a big deal. In fact, if you do that yourself it's even MORE stealthy, because it'll look different than the standard STi.
-juice
Ken
-Brian
Bob
Offering the STi only in full-blown regalia is one example. Another is the very limited color choices of most models.
The supreme irony here is, that in Japan, they offer all sorts of options. For example, you can get 3 - or 4 different grille options for the WRX. The Japanese-spec models often have different seats. The list is almost never ending as to what is available over there. Contrast that with what is *not* offered here, is startling, at the very least. Over there they cater to virtually every market segment, no matter how small. Over here they cater to only the large segment, and ignore all others. I find it amazing—and very frustrating.
Bob
Options in JDM cf. North America/rest of world: you're on target w/r/t oversimplification of NA product line. Subaru is in the process of expanding its brand image to include high performance AWD vehicles. It must try to do so without losing its customer base of engineers, educators, health care personnel, and all those who make up the "reliable, affordable, all-weather transportation" segment. Included in that mix is the "outdoorsy" and "aspirational purchasers" (read: wannabe outdoorsy) segment.
I don't know the rationale for catering to the very small segments in Japan; I harbor this gut feeling that they won't cater to the same segment in this market out of some sort of xenophobia. The fact that they do to some extent in the UK, with the help of Prodrive, counters that argument. Of course that could be me thinking like the ugly American.
My feeling is that if any market shows enough demand and profit potential to justify increases in production, those increases will occur.
Okay, enough pseudo-socioeconomic talk from me. I have no problem with the WRX STi coming in the guise that it does. I wouldn't mind if it ONLY came in WR Blue with gold wheels. It is clearly a halo model meant to draw from Subaru's rallying experience from a technical and marketing perspective. I agree with your opinion that a high-performance Legacy may be the car to capture the "mature" driver who wants performance in a less blatantly performance-oriented visual package.
I also feel that Subaru can become a Japanese equivalent of Audi - if it isn't on that path already, and if GM doesn't turn it into the Japanese equivalent of Saab. (An argument can be made that it already is, after a fashion.) I just hope Subaru doesn't turn into Audi from a quality and reliability standpoint. If it is forced to use GM switchgear and Delco electronics that could easily happen.
Ed
I think STi shoppers will be more familiar with PlayStation 2 then they will with Neimen Marcus, for instance.
I used to go to local iClub meets, and one guy, Jason, had a painted STi replica spoiler. There was not ONE other RS owner there that wasn't at least a little bit envious. Crowds would tend to gather around his car.
Sorry but I think Subaru absolutely nailed it. Owners are going to gush over it, including that huge twin airplane wing on the back.
Yes it's flashy but we are too old!
-juice
The STi won't carry the bias of reduced ability to talk out of a ticket like a Mustang or Corvette, at least not intially. Police officers aren't that savvy.
-Colin
Lots more Mustangs and Corvettes on the road (including the undercover ones)!
Ken
Bob
I know a lot of folks are excited about the turbo model, but I'm just looking at what changes may be in-store for the regular Forester.
Integrated armrests? More colour combinations? Is it too soon to expect much after the changes made to the 2003 model?
To be honest, I haven't yet event sat in a Subaru, not to mention driving one. The Forester has always been a favourite of mine - it just seems so pragmatic and practical! When I bought my RX300, part of the reason was because there wasn't a Subaru dealer in the neighbourhood -
now there is and I really don't want to miss out on giving this brand a try - particularly the Forester - it just seems to have so much personality - like a "puppy" just eagerly waiting to see what you want to do next. I know back seat room is an issue for some people, but most of the time I'm just driving the kids to practices, the local video store, Gramma's house, etc.
I do quite a bit of highway driving - but just on my own for business - I think the Forester will meet most of the challenges I throw at it.
Sorry to ramble - love cars - it gets away on me sometimes - thoughts about the '04 would be appreciated though.
Thanx
Bob
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30- 6153
Bob