Q&A's with SOA Blog Here

[legacy_etu]

Originally Posted by Sub!eDr!ver

Re: A4/325/G37 comment: That's what I really like about the '05-09 Legacy - it aspired towards up-market, but the '10+ shifted back towards Camry/Accord. That's probably another reason for lost interest in the GT (that, and the cable-operated shifter, and the non-sporty looks, and little marketing (aside from the hood-scoop ad), and...).

So, SOA Blog, here's what I think happened: the '05-09 models pushed the boundaries of near-luxury, bringing Legacy buyers upmarket, then the Legacy back-pedaled and moved back down-market, Legacy buyers didn't want to move back down-market, so we then started looking at Audi & BMW instead of following the Legacy back down.

The downside for us enthusiasts still in the Subaru fold is that mainstreaming the Legacy has been rather successful for bringing in new buyers, meaning that Subaru will probably continue that trend.

Ditto! I loved my 05 Legacy GT limited wagon. It was reasonably upscale and classy looking with utility and performance at a reasonable price. I regretfully sold it a couple of years ago and am starting to look for a replacement for my current ride.......and there's nothing at all that interests me that is a wagon,is sporty looking, has AWD, looks good, 250hp or better and is less than 35K. So now I find myself shopping the used car sites looking for a well maintained 05-07 Legacy GT limited wagon.


The 10' Legacies were definitely a move to appeal to the Camry/Accord crowd of which I do not aspire to belong to...


Sorry, no question for you here....just some rambling rant........

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[keepclam]

Originally Posted by laufu

Starlink....Subaru...7 Sisters...

Aha Radio and Eyesight, that's 2. Can I assume we will see 5 more new technologies for Subaru's Starlink in the near future?

Bluetooth, iPod integration, Navigation, Homelink... *shrug*

[SOA Blog]

Originally Posted by legacy_etu

Ditto! I loved my 05 Legacy GT limited wagon. It was reasonably upscale and classy looking with utility and performance at a reasonable price. I regretfully sold it a couple of years ago and am starting to look for a replacement for my current ride.......and there's nothing at all that interests me that is a wagon,is sporty looking, has AWD, looks good, 250hp or better and is less than 35K. So now I find myself shopping the used car sites looking for a well maintained 05-07 Legacy GT limited wagon.


The 10' Legacies were definitely a move to appeal to the Camry/Accord crowd of which I do not aspire to belong to...


Sorry, no question for you here....just some rambling rant........

The 05 legacy was a bargain.. agreed.. but you can't make money on a bargain. So either the price had to go up or some product actions had to be made. Legacy today is still great value, but maybe not the steal it was in '05.

[chanomatik]

You can create customer loyalty on a bargain, though. I can't wait for Subaru to get big enough to re-introduce the Legacy GT sedan and wagon and the manual Forester XT. Maybe things will change once Subaru starts producing more product in America?

[subySerb]

Originally Posted by Hondaslayer

SOABlob

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2453123

I know it is pure rumour and speculation, but pay attention! A BRZ shooting brake (and a convertible) should be looked into. I am not currently in a position to purchase a new car, however this is something that would work (and in a few years when I am re-established I would buy)

-Ben

SOABlog --> SOABlob--> SOABob

[chanomatik]

Originally Posted by Hondaslayer

SOABlob

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2453123

I know it is pure rumour and speculation, but pay attention! A BRZ shooting brake (and a convertible) should be looked into. I am not currently in a position to purchase a new car, however this is something that would work (and in a few years when I am re-established I would buy)


-Ben

You want this thread:
Suggestions to SOA: Ref. Future Models

[Hondaslayer]

Originally Posted by subySerb

SOABlog --> SOABlob--> SOABob

SOABlob and I have an understanding.

Originally Posted by chanomatik

You want this thread:
Suggestions to SOA: Ref. Future Models

Yes I did, damned NASIOC APP (ok, it's really my fat fingers )

[manticus]

Originally Posted by chanomatik

You can create customer loyalty on a bargain, though.

Not really.

The problem with "bargains" is that they're:
A) not profitable, and
B) risk losing a lot of loyal customers when prices are raised

So, every year you have a bargain, you get more sales (which can be detrimental to profits if you're losing money per vehicle), and when you end it a large percentage of those customers will not buy again.

Its similar to a price leader strategy - sure, you can sell your stuff to price shoppers for a while and inflate your numbers, but price shoppers are also notoriously likely to jump ship the second your prices go up. Better to produce something at a profitable amount, market its quality, and attract the customers that really value quality.

So what's the result of a "bargain" deal? Lots of unprofitable sales and lots of runoff when the sales end. It's definitely not a good position to be in.

[chanomatik]

No, you CAN create customer loyalty with bargains... if you continue the bargain. You fell right into my trap, manti!

Seriously, I do agree with you. I only left that line to see who would pick up on it. I'm a sad individual.

That's how I've seen this whole redesign thing. People on NASIOC keep saying, "Oh, these cars are so ugly," but the numbers are only INCREASING. Subaru is only getting more recognition. Even my friends and family are being turned on to the current models of Legacy and Impreza. Personally, I don't really care what they look like anymore, I just want my turbocharged Legacy sedan and wagon to come back.

[legacy_etu]

Originally Posted by SOA Blog

The 05 legacy was a bargain.. agreed.. but you can't make money on a bargain. So either the price had to go up or some product actions had to be made. Legacy today is still great value, but maybe not the steal it was in '05.

Agreed, but I would have preferred you guys decided to up your pricing to be more profitable vs. downgrading/decontenting the model. I'd pay closer to 35k for the same 05 Legacy Gt Limited wagon if you were still making it today.

Maybe I'm getting old, but I'm having a harder and harder time justifying the cost of new cars these days..........

[SOA Blog]

Originally Posted by legacy_etu

Agreed, but I would have preferred you guys decided to up your pricing to be more profitable vs. downgrading/decontenting the model. I'd pay closer to 35k for the same 05 Legacy Gt Limited wagon if you were still making it today.

Maybe I'm getting old, but I'm having a harder and harder time justifying the cost of new cars these days..........

yes, you might but there are not enough people like you. If we'd have increased our pricing in 2008, we'd be selling half the 170,000 we used to sell, not the nearly double we are selling now.

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by SOA Blog

yes, you might but there are not enough people like you. If we'd have increased our pricing in 2008, we'd be selling half the 170,000 we used to sell, not the nearly double we are selling now.

Unfortunately, this is true. If Subaru went up market with the Legacy GT they would get closer to the S4 and 335i xDrive and that market is not really looking at Subaru. We Subaru owners are looking at Audi/BMW, but it doesn't really work the other way. SOA barely sold the GT at a good price, now increase it and it's even worse. We would win, but SOA would lose.

Frankly, the current WRX is the same size as the BP Legacy GT. If SOA wanted to fill the gap, they could make a luxury model. Or, just release the Sportwagon that has been shown as a concept lately.

[legacy_etu]

Originally Posted by SOA Blog

yes, you might but there are not enough people like you. If we'd have increased our pricing in 2008, we'd be selling half the 170,000 we used to sell, not the nearly double we are selling now.

Yes, understood. The car buying masses drive the product produced.......and what the masses seem to care about is an appliance mobile that gets them from point A to B and has no soul.

So that leaves folks like me either spending serious coin on a BMW/Audi or ??? buying older used products .............

[chanomatik]

Originally Posted by legacy_etu

Yes, understood. The car buying masses drive the product produced.......and what the masses seem to care about is an appliance mobile that gets them from point A to B and has no soul.

So that leaves folks like me either spending serious coin on a BMW/Audi or ??? buying older used products .............

I, too, wish it was less about the numbers. I'd much rather stretch for a $35k+ Legacy that has what I love about Subaru than stretch for a $42k+ luxury model elsewhere.

Snow Drift makes a good point that the 3G WRX/STI are basically the 2005-2009 Legacy. They definitely lack the refinement of the Legacy, so emphasis on "basically".

[derkahn]

Originally Posted by cannedtuna

Post this here: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...2#post38829112

SOA Blog can't discuss future models.

fine don't answer my future models question answer the question of why subaru won't offer options that other companies (cough mini) gladly offer at a premium ill pay..
is it still a future model question if they offer it in other markets???

-SOA can subaru offer headlight washers and recaro seats please.. lot of people will pay for em..

[Snow Drift]

SOA Blog, any response to the news that SOA is no longer funding the Grand-Am Subaru Road Racing Team run by Phoenix? Source: http://www.grand-am.com/tabid/141/ar...mance-200.aspx

I find this very disappointing.

[banyan]

SOA Blog, why are you not offering AWP with 2014 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Premium? Please don't tell us that there is not enough demand for AWP in a Subaru

[Hondaslayer]

Originally Posted by legacy_etu

Yes, understood. The car buying masses drive the product produced.......and what the masses seem to care about is an appliance mobile that gets them from point A to B and has no soul.

So that leaves folks like me either spending serious coin on a BMW/Audi or ??? buying older used products .............

Originally Posted by chanomatik

I, too, wish it was less about the numbers. I'd much rather stretch for a $35k+ Legacy that has what I love about Subaru than stretch for a $42k+ luxury model elsewhere.

Snow Drift makes a good point that the 3G WRX/STI are basically the 2005-2009 Legacy. They definitely lack the refinement of the Legacy, so emphasis on "basically".

Selling refrigerators allows SOA to sell fun things like STI's and BRZ's, even though they need to be "dumbed down" so the masses can help support the program. Look at it this way, SOA gives us a canvas and says "enjoy"

Refrigerators are a good thing.

[G-Omaha]

Originally Posted by Hondaslayer

Refrigerators are a good thing.

Especially when mounted on skids/sleds....

[legacy_etu]

Originally Posted by Hondaslayer

Selling refrigerators allows SOA to sell fun things like STI's and BRZ's, even though they need to be "dumbed down" so the masses can help support the program. Look at it this way, SOA gives us a canvas and says "enjoy"

Refrigerators are a good thing.

took me a minute to get what you were saying...I'm with you now.

Agreed that the WRX/ STI and BRZ are their fun, exciting models. Unfortunately they don't work for me space-wise. The 05 Legacy I had was my first Subaru and it had everything I could ask for, sportiness, utility, looks, decent luxury and awd. I was very happy with my first Subaru and thought , wow, what a great car and brand . I was definitely looking to replace it with another Subaru. When I went to replace it they didn't have anything equivalent for me to upgrade to as the new Legacy was a downgrade and the Tribeca isn't sporty. Funny, I thought the Legacy was supposed to be Subaru's flagship model


Anyway, I'm still watching the future lineup from Subaru and maybe someday they'll come out with something that suits me.

[sir_wagon]

Originally Posted by banyan

SOA Blog, why are you not offering AWP with 2014 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Premium? Please don't tell us that there is not enough demand for AWP in a Subaru

Agree. The Forester is a high volume model for Subaru in the US-market. There should be enough demand for a practical option such as this across several versions of the vehicle.

While we at it, how about offering a sunroof option on the Crosstrek with manual transmission SOA?

[chanomatik]

Originally Posted by sir_wagon

Agree. The Forester is a high volume model for Subaru in the US-market. There should be enough demand for a practical option such as this across several versions of the vehicle.

While we at it, how about offering a sunroof option on the Crosstrek with manual transmission SOA?

My bad, dawg, but you want this thread: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1080743

Beautiful idea, though! Crosstrek and Forester are ideal candidates for 6MT turbodiesel. Need more torque!

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by chanomatik

My bad, dawg, but you want this thread: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1080743

Beautiful idea, though! Crosstrek and Forester are ideal candidates for 6MT turbodiesel. Need more torque!

I would buy a used turbodiesel 6MT Foreseter a few years post release SO hard for use as a winter beater. The BRZ purchase knocks out any new car purchases for the foreseeable future.

[chanomatik]

I agree. I think the only car I would desire more is that BRZ STI Concept. Gimme dat butt and dem wheels!

SOA Blog:

Can you convince them to release the BRZ STI Concept body kit, pllleeeeasse?! At least the fender badge that reads "STI" that's also used on the BRZ GT300.

[hardingsan]

Originally Posted by chanomatik

Beautiful idea, though! Crosstrek and Forester are ideal candidates for 6MT turbodiesel. Need more torque!

2x. i would trade up in a heartbeat.