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Old 02-20-2008, 09:14 PM   #1
BigElm
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Default Q&A's with SOA Blog Here

Let's go ahead and start a fresh thread. If you want to comment or make suggestions without needing a response from any of those persons using the SOA Blog UN, then feel free to post it in the "Suggestions to SOA" thread (Sticky).

If you feel like entertaining yourself, then you can post your questions to SOA Blog here.
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Old 02-20-2008, 09:26 PM   #2
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SOA Blog,

I have a few questions/comments, and I know you can't answer some of them, but it's nice to know someone at SOA will see them haha.

1) Owners of the STI or even WRX that want to upgrade to a larger sedan with similar performance only have the option of a BMW 335xi or an Audi S4. Why? The Legacy GT Spec.B is more expensive than the LGT but it does not offer better performance. Legacy GT STI might be a good idea...

2) Why in the world does the Navigation and Sirius package on the 2008 WRX include ALL premium package features EXCEPT for the 10 speakers? My Navi has the ability to adjust the Center channel, and yet I do not have one. Movies are not heard properly because they are designed to send voices through the Center and music/background through the normal speakers. If I paid for all Premium Package features (there are TWO 2008 WRX's in my family) why did I get jipped on the speakers? I know the wattage is less, but still. It isn't right.
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Old 02-21-2008, 10:21 AM   #3
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SOA Blog,

Subaru has 'broadened and enhanced' my choices so much the past few years, that there are no longer any cars in the lineup that I am interested in buying for myself, except the STi. My wife is getting a Tribeca.

I know you can't just add these models back in, but how much will sales need to increase in the US before we can get a turbo Legacy wagon added back in the mix? No, not an Outback, a Legacy.

Thank you!

-Allen
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Old 02-21-2008, 08:10 PM   #4
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I think you guys are doing a good job without me! Remember, our main role here is in "news and rumors" rather than giving tech answers or answers about this or that product offering. Like all car companies, we do a fair amount of customer research, (how well would a particular type of car sell, who would buy it, how much would they pay) and then we interpret that data and lay it against what product offerings are possible and see where the public demand and our potential offerings meet. Sometimes, a car will defy the research and there are great examples in the industry of a car that cliniced well but never sold and also the other way around... but research and also the current marketplace give a good idea of what the public is looking for and how much they are willing to pay.
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Old 02-21-2008, 08:42 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SOA Blog View Post
I think you guys are doing a good job without me! Remember, our main role here is in "news and rumors" rather than giving tech answers or answers about this or that product offering. Like all car companies, we do a fair amount of customer research, (how well would a particular type of car sell, who would buy it, how much would they pay) and then we interpret that data and lay it against what product offerings are possible and see where the public demand and our potential offerings meet. Sometimes, a car will defy the research and there are great examples in the industry of a car that cliniced well but never sold and also the other way around... but research and also the current marketplace give a good idea of what the public is looking for and how much they are willing to pay.

I don't mean to sound rude, but what research shows that the consumers want the current Spec B - "as-is" over what it should be? I see there is a rumor to eventually solve this dilemma... but it always comes to mind.

Also, my father was looking into Legacy and Outbacks that offer the H6 but was turned-off at the Premium-only fuel requirement. Why was this issue taken care of in the now-bland B9-less Tribeca and not the rest of the H6 offerings? Not to mention HID's only on the Impreza?

SOA/ SOJ - If you have any career oppertunities, please let me know. (It'l keep me out of Iraq! ) sorry for the OT comment.
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Old 02-21-2008, 08:47 PM   #6
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As ever, it's a factor of applying resources, production capacities, costs etc. The guys that plan these things ''do' think of what you said above, but there might be reasons why it's not possible at any given time.
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Old 02-21-2008, 09:51 PM   #7
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SOA Blog,
Have SOA or SOJ been aware of the problems the '07 STI have been going through? It literally drives like a Ford Focus 'til about 4.5k rpm. It doesn't at all feel like an enthusiast car. It doesn't at all drive the the previous MY STI's.... I am running the second re-flash that was issued by SOA, however the problem is still prevalent.
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Old 02-22-2008, 01:30 AM   #8
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SOA BLOG - SIDENOTE - Please give Legacy owners with nav the ability to retrofit with factory Bluetooth similar to the new WRX's (even though the nav is different). Thanks!
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Old 02-22-2008, 08:34 AM   #9
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SOA if most options are going to groupings, it would be nice to have some special order options. I can wait for delivery.

If the MT is gone but still produced in the plant, would it be cost effective/ an investment in retaining customers to at least offer it as a special?

Not everything performance or semi-performance needs leather.

Better sound systems please.

More colors than silver/grey/gray please.

Keep up the great environmental work. I am not an Outback person, however I will give it a test drive when the time comes because of your environmental record.

Peace,

Greg
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Old 02-22-2008, 10:43 AM   #10
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Dear SOA,

I love your new STI but it's too expensive.
Besides the wagon body I don't see any changes/improvements that are worth $3k more than previous models.

There is a rumor about a Sedan STI coming.
I guess you can't comment on this but any clues would be great .

my suggestions:
Make the DCCD and option to drop the price (most of us never touch it or even need it)
oh! and can you guys also make it for under $32k please.
Thanks

Regards,

Future buyer.
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Old 02-22-2008, 10:53 AM   #11
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As a commuter in Vermont I just want two things, more fuel economy and awd. I don't know what platform that is, maybe make the impreza lighter. bring the diesel sooner or lets see a car slot in below the impreza in size with a fuel sipping NA 2 litre. I wish I could buy 10 STI's and I like all of your models, but what I can afford and what is responsible is a different story. I would think an awd car with 35+ highway mpg would probably be subaru's largest volume car and should be around $16,500 base. thanks for participating in the forums its nice to know SOA is listening.

PS it would be nice if the car did not tick when it is cold.
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Old 02-22-2008, 11:55 AM   #12
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This is morphing into a "what's on my wish list" page - which is fine, but I can't answer all questions - just to say that usually we do think about most of the suggestions you raise here...and usually, if we don't do them, there's "usually" a reason why...

Anyway, I have to sign off now - Mrs SOA Blog is taking me away for the weekend while SOA Blog's Mother in Law is in town....
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Old 02-22-2008, 12:31 PM   #13
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tch..the above guy is a fake. Moderators, can you please look into it. Thanks.

SOA Blog
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Old 02-22-2008, 01:08 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SOA Blog View Post
tch..the above guy is a fake. Moderators, can you please look into it. Thanks.

SOA Blog
Been done
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Old 02-22-2008, 10:12 PM   #15
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Dear SOA Blog,

When will I get my light weight, rally inspired, AWD, asskicking machine back to replace this heavy touring sedan pretender I drive now.

Thanks.
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Old 02-22-2008, 11:38 PM   #16
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Dear SOA Blog,

Will Subaru ever have a genuine halo car? The STI is an attainable performance car but I just want the brand to have a halo car that only the ballers can afford to keep in their garage. The technology can trickle down to the regular lineup, right?

And why didn't the Prodrive P2 become a production car?
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Old 02-23-2008, 01:10 AM   #17
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SOA: Please for the love of God, stop using Bridgestone Potenza RE92 tires. Find a cheaper, yet significantly safer and better handling all season tire. The stock tire is disgustingly expensive, has a horrible tendency to hydroplane, and offers terrible ride/handling characteristics. There are all seasons out there that offer significantly better response in all conditions over the RE92, and cost nearly half the price. These tires have been an annoyance and joke for many of us Subaru owners over the past several years. Tell Bridgestone to provide a better All Season tire, or find another vendor to supply your tires. Thanks.
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Old 02-23-2008, 04:25 PM   #18
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SOA blog, is subaru going to address the tribeca hatch rattle in the 08s as well as the second row vibration? the dad's 08 has these and they're VERY annoying
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Old 02-24-2008, 11:14 AM   #19
kage
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SoA Blog:
Can you address the rumors regarding plans to introduce diesel models to the US? The hypothetical introduction of a 3.6 lite turbo engine would almost mandate the addition of an alternative fuel vehicle to balance out the fleet. SoA could choose to do this in any number of ways:
1. hybrid (assuming Subaru makes one)
2. small car (R1)
3. diesel

Is there a timeline in place for diesel to North America?
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Old 02-24-2008, 01:16 PM   #20
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It 'was' all Prodrive - I've seen that car, and it's nice, but it was their project.

Quote:
Originally Posted by hondaslayer View Post
Is that a true story that you just made up?

The P2 was all Prodrive, it just happened to utilise a Subaru powertrain.
(FWIW Prodrive also works on Hondas and Aston Martin (well now they own Aston martin))
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Old 02-24-2008, 01:23 PM   #21
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Among other things, and in no order: AWD, Boxer engine, performance, durability, reliability, safety, trust - we have internal statements other than these, but the product truths boils down to these. Something in these truths makes owners "love" their Subarus... of course, you could pick at the statements .... but in my experience you can pick at anything if you try hard enough.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Garwin View Post
So what is their official image? Safety? Even if it is, they haven't clearly conveyed that to the public. I'm not sure Subaru knows what they want to be.

And the Prodrive P2 was just another $10,000 more than the STI and I think all of them would be snapped up by enthusiasts. Just make a limited production run of 3,500 P2's or something...
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Old 02-24-2008, 05:17 PM   #22
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Question to SOA Blog - what prevents SOA from offering auto-up at least on driver's window? Even cheapo cars these days have that. Both JDM and EDM Legacy have auto-up window feature and it's a matter of simply using different driver's door switch assembly.

Impreza, Forester and Tribeca owners are lucky since their switches are straight Nissan switches and they can buy one form Nissan/Inifiniti for even all 4-windows auto-up/auto-down. Legacy uses custom switch so short of importing one from Europe it's not easy (there are aftermarket solution but I don't like such intrusions into car wiring).

Last edited by unclemat; 02-29-2008 at 05:46 PM.
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Old 02-25-2008, 04:44 PM   #23
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That's a customer service question - I do suggest he calls customer service on this.

Quote:
Originally Posted by only1agam View Post
SOA blog- answer his question
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Old 02-25-2008, 04:53 PM   #24
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Hi Guys - I'll say it again - noone with priviliged information should talk about future product until we are ready to talk about it - there's just too much competition out there, today's cars to sell etc to be talking about tomorrow until the time is right. I'm sure you can all understand that. It's just the way business is/has to be. Heck, I bought an IPod once and the very next week the new one came out... I wasn't too happy, but I knew why Apple didn't tell me.

And like I said, we don't confirm or deny anything... so that we never get caught in a lie. And.. if we only deny what "isn't" true, and say "no comment" when something IS true, people can work out what is and isn't true... You see?
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Old 02-25-2008, 04:56 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SOA Blog View Post
Hi Guys - I'll say it again - noone with priviliged information should talk about future product until we are ready to talk about it - there's just too much competition out there, today's cars to sell etc to be talking about tomorrow until the time is right. I'm sure you can all understand that. It's just the way business is/has to be. Heck, I bought an IPod once and the very next week the new one came out... I wasn't too happy, but I knew why Apple didn't tell me.

And like I said, we don't confirm or deny anything... so that we never get caught in a lie. And.. if we only deny what "isn't" true, and say "no comment" when something IS true, people can work out what is and isn't true... You see?

So are you saying "No comment." about the '09 changes?
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