Suggestions to SOA: Ref. Future Models

[rsholland]

Ford will soon be stopping production of the police-spec Crown Vic (the consumer version stopped in 2007).

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090...own-Vic-is-out

This presents a real opportunity for Subaru. They (SOA) should actively court the law enforcement market with the Legacy, much more so than in the past. The car is now larger, has a regular-gas burning H6, AWD, rugged, built in America, all of which should appeal to police departments.

Bob

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[WRXBob]

I do not know if anyone has suggested this, but I'd like Subaru SPT to sell crate motor like other manufacturer does. Something like a stronger long block for us who like to mod car.

[RichM]

This is how I would really like to have an Impreza optioned and why. Hopefully the marketing people at SOA are listening.

Vehicle purpose:

One and only car, daily driver, grocery getter, road trip car, weekend getaway. Utilitarian and reliable first and foremost, Fun factor is a close second. Otherwise I’d be looking at civics’ and Kias’ not the Impreza.

2008- 2010 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 5 door.

Unlike some I really like the look of the current Impreza. The hatchback makes it a great grocery/hardware getter and a nice car to toss camping gear in for a weekend in the woods with friends. The slight added ground clearance is nice for dirt road driving. I probably won’t mind the handling since I rarely go to the track with a car, that’s what my sportbike is for.

Engine:

2.0 liter H4 turbo diesel, 150+hp, 250+ lb-ft torque. I want the efficiency, and based on the specifics of my personal commute it is more economical than a hybrid

Transmission:

6 speed manual from the 2010 Legacy/Outback. I don’t mind rowing my own. A manual tranny is more reliable, efficient and requires less maintenance than an automatic. The added gear would allow a taller final which might squeak out 1 or 2 more miles per gallon depending on tuning and driving habits.

Colors;

Exterior: Cypress Green Metallic/Dark Grey Metallic (from the full-sized Outback) I like dark green it’s my favorite color. Don't care for the pastels of the current crop of cars, not limited to Subaru.
Interior: Ivory Cloth

Differentials:

Center: viscous locking
Rear: Mechanical Limited Slip Differentials (LSD) from the full-sized Outback.
This would be to add an additional level of handling/security on loose dirt or snowy/wet roads. I feel a mechanical system would be more reliable/robust than an electronic system.

Brakes:

Front: 11.6 inches (from the GT/WRX)
Rear: 11.3 inches
The more brake the better. I have a long hill that I come down every day on the way home from work. I used to drive a 2 ton car with 10.2 inch front brakes, the combination was very sensitive to rotor material quality. I learned this the hard way after turning a set of rotors twice in two weeks and replacing the rotors twice in a month. It might seem like overkill but the reliability is worth the slight added expense. Also, might as well fill the 17 inch wheels that come in the Outback Sport. I guess I could always scour junk yards for spindles and brakes off a WRX, but having factory support is nice. The parts are available, so why not.

Seats:

Manual adjustable seats.
Heated. I don’t like the cold that much.
Leather would be a nice potential option.
With no electric motors it is one less thing to break in my opinion. Same as the brakes I guess I could pull them from a junk yard if I’m really set on it.

Gauges:

Sport gauges from WRX.
Yes I know I’m not looking at a sport car, But knowing the temp of your engine before it blows up is a nice thing in my opinion. I really don’t like idiot lights, I like the idea of a gauge cluster that gives me as much information as possible and lets me decide what is important and what isn’t. I could always go with a set of pillar gauges or do the same as the brakes and seats, depending on the wiring harness, retrofit them from a donor WRX.

I wouldn't change anything else from the brochure, isn't this enough anyway.

That’s my wish list SOA. I’m even trying to being rational about the parts coming from other Subaru vehicles and mostly in the same model line. One would think that it could be done economically. All but the engine and transmission might even be accomplished by a dealer for a price, hint. Any dealers out in NASIOC land think most of this could be put together for less than $28K? drop me a PM.

If the 2.5 gasoline engine could be coaxed to getting a consistent 30 mpg highway I’d be very tempted to accept that option. I am fearful that the next generation Impreza will not appeal to me aesthetically like the current one.

The new Legacy/Outback doesn’t appeal to me like the Impreza. I just can’t justify the size of the full Outback to myself. The full-sized Outback loses the fun factor that the Outback Sport has.

In case the SOA marketing people are listening my demographics are: single, male, late 30s, engineer, $60k+/year, desert southwest USA.
Thanks for the forum NASIOC.

[XanRules]

If they can figure out a good way to keep the 08+ OBS two-toned, like, you know, have it actually matching and flowing with the body lines, I'd still totally go for it.

[Hondaslayer]

RichM, I love you man!

Except make mine a Forester

[AWDPilot]

I know it's stupid, and I know it's been asked for before, but can we please have headlamp washers here in the US?

It's obviously not a engineering challenge, and for us living in the snow/salt belt is a huge improvement on safety for night driving in the winter.

[65Vair]

Originally Posted by rsholland

Also, with the 3.6 H6, let's see towing that can at least match that of the Tribeca. Better still, offer a tow package that will give it Class III towing (5K).

Originally Posted by SubaruFan

Now regarding my own car replacement - if subaru had a 170-180hp Turbo diesel outback wagon I'd be standing in line to order mine right now.

Right on. If you look here: http://www.trailmanor.com/WebDocs/Ca...F/2008-new.pdf you will be hard-pressed to find tow ratings less than the Subaru's, the 4 cyl. manual Colorados and 2wd Outlanders being one of the only choices. The Volvo S60 sedan can tow more than an OB for crying out loud. I don't expect my family to sleep in the OB once I take it to the great outdoors (where the brochure thinks I will end up). A 3500 lb. rating would at least allow you to tow a trailer for the family that can fit into the OB.

[affinity1]

I would like to see future Forester XT models equipped with a nice sound system like the Harmon Kardon in the 09+ Legacy GT.

[Hondaslayer]

Originally Posted by 65Vair

Right on. If you look here: http://www.trailmanor.com/WebDocs/Ca...F/2008-new.pdf you will be hard-pressed to find tow ratings less than the Subaru's, the 4 cyl. manual Colorados and 2wd Outlanders being one of the only choices. The Volvo S60 sedan can tow more than an OB for crying out loud. I don't expect my family to sleep in the OB once I take it to the great outdoors (where the brochure thinks I will end up). A 3500 lb. rating would at least allow you to tow a trailer for the family that can fit into the OB.

What the heck are you trying to tow?

Our Jayco pop-up sleeps 6 and sets up quicker than it takes my parents class c to level out and it only weighs ~ 1800 lbs with all our stuff in it, well within our Foresters 2000 lb capacity (yes, it has trailer brakes)

[sube-trex]

Originally Posted by WRSport

Impreza:

Bring back a dark green

[Not-EWRX]

Anyone know when the 2011 Impreza's should hit the dealership?

[banyan]

Originally Posted by Not-EWRX

Anyone know when the 2011 Impreza's should hit the dealership?

In a year or so...

[diamox]

Bring the diesel to North America and make it turbo, please.

I'd buy a WRX turbo diesel and a forester turbo diesel today if it were available.

[Sir_Xenon]

A lot of car companies are reducing weight to meet emissions and fuel consumption requirements. The Impreza, as we all know, has bloated into a softy.

Lower the weight
INCREASE STEERING FEEL! For the love of cars, this is where we connect to the car
More low down torque.

[HB_Dad]

Originally Posted by Sir_Xenon

A lot of car companies are reducing weight to meet emissions and fuel consumption requirements.

I have had an '09 Forester as a loaner for the last week and a half while my Tribeca is in at the dealership getting a new head gasket under warranty. The Forester feels much lighter than my Tribeca, but the unfortunate drawback is that the vehicle wanders more at highway speeds as if being blown around. Long story short, a lighter vehicle isn't always better...

[MazdaFan]

I have 3 suggestions, I hope at least one of them will happen in near future:

1) Modernize 2.5i engine with DOHC, Direct Injection and timing chain.
2) Offer a limited edition sport trim for Forester (FXT with 6spd manual and lower profile tires, dropped suspension)
3) Offer a limited edition sport trim for Outback (2.5 turbo or DI engine, 6spd manual, dropped suspension, low profile tires).

[im2lazy789]

2 requests:
1. GT1 Wheels from the WRXS as an accessory option here in the states, or standard on the WRX Premium.
2. Legacy 3.6 Spec B (or just a manual option for the 3.6R)



p.s you might want to pass word on to Subaru UK that advertising a part as designed with FEA is not a great idea, as nearly every structural component should be anyways. This implies that "hey! this part was analyzed!"

[design1stcode2nd]

This is sparked by the latest Carbon Concept photos. It seems pretty obvious that Subaru wants to broaden the buyer base for the Impreza line-up. We all can understand this, more units is good for the company. The STI however is targeted towards the enthusiast. Who else buys a $35-$40k economy car with go fast parts on it. I’d like to suggest a few trims or option packages that SoA might consider having here.

Interior Package: Basically the Carbon concept interior with an nicely done steering wheel (See GTI or even the DAMD wheel currently offered). This helps get rid of the econobox stigma.

Seating package: Recaro seats or similar. Your competition offers them in the same market for the same or less money. So the real question is why we don’t already have them.

A-Line trim: Perhaps comes standard with the interior package and has a ZF 6 speed or good dual-clutch (to be honest some of the newer autos, especially those that do away with the torque converter are as good. See BMW’s decision to not offer the DCT on future M series cars). This one will do the most to broaden the market for you. Offer it on the STI and WRX.

Spec C (or whatever naming convention you want to use): This is the daily driver enthusiast car (not just a track car). This one is basically to fix what most enthusiasts and many car reviewers feel are flaws in the car as it stands now. You can take a look at the member journals for just a couple of hours and see what gets fixed or done the most.

Seating and interior packages would be options but the car would come standard with stiffer sways and endlinks (something like 22 or 24mm bars), stiffer bushings, tighter steering rack with harder bushings to increase road feel, higher compression springs, free flowing exhaust with proper ECU tuning (basic stage 2), better turbo (nothing huge) and the big thing is a block, rods, pistons, etc that can handle 400whp. Not saying it comes from the factory with that kind of power but overbuild it. Some lightweight wheels and better braking feel would be good as well.

Now what the “Spec C” does is provide Subaru with a Halo car, one that beats the other’s in the magazine races and gives you good press, the one that has enthusiast excited about the car and singing its praises.

It’s about the love right? Show us some love Subaru. Make a car so great I don’t trade mine in 3 years from now for a used M3 Sedan or Audi RS4.

You may also want to consider hatch and sedan and of course making it better looking would help (see VW Scirocco for hatch and Opel Insignia for sedan (or anything Audi or Alfa Romeo)).

[affinity1]

Future models of Forester XT could really use an upgraded sound system like the Legacy GT's Harmon Kardon.

[Mechie3]

I'd really like to see a Subaru that looks like the latest Toyota FT-86 concept with the power of a WRX. I don't plan to sell my 06 WRX, but at the same time, I'd like a car with a more traditional sports car look to park next to my rally-ish looking car.

[bp_968]

Originally Posted by Mechie3

I'd really like to see a Subaru that looks like the latest Toyota FT-86 concept with the power of a WRX. I don't plan to sell my 06 WRX, but at the same time, I'd like a car with a more traditional sports car look to park next to my rally-ish looking car.

+1

Been eyeing 135i's to fit that slot. The concept car would be cool but not with the suggested 146hp they are talking about. And to be honest, I'd just as soon toyota build the engine after reading a few threads about the 08 sti engine failures.

Someone else posted about an overbuilt Spec-C model and I'm afraid we are not going to see that stuff much anymore. Just look at Porsche. For 6-8 years now they have build cars that are basically designed to last through the warranty mileage period and then its a crap shoot and they are still making money hand over fist. Many of the Boxster enthusist boards (and this includes the cayman and 911) are reporting upwards of 20% engine failure rates.

And that's on cars that *start* in the 50,000$ price range.

[Airborne_J]

Originally Posted by HB_Dad

I have had an '09 Forester as a loaner for the last week and a half while my Tribeca is in at the dealership getting a new head gasket under warranty. The Forester feels much lighter than my Tribeca, but the unfortunate drawback is that the vehicle wanders more at highway speeds as if being blown around. Long story short, a lighter vehicle isn't always better...

No, but it USUALLY is...

As for my suggestions...

I believe the towing capacity is one of the advantages of the new diesel engine. The new outback and foresters could stand to benefit from higher towing capacities w/o sacrificing much. (I'm no engineer, but I'd think this to be true.) Granted, most subaru owners know how to pack light and buy smaller trailers etc., but that's because they're practically forced to.

Additionally, I'll be in the market for a new car sometime in the next couple of years (subaru owners average 7 years between purchases, right?) These are the things I'll be looking for.

Direct Injection or Diesel - Subaru is well behind the times here, however that's all right as long as what they're developing and rolling out is an impressive system with good numbers. I'm a patient person, but I want to be impressed if I'm going to wait.

Lightweight - Subaru should not be satisfied with "only increasing the weight by 50lbs or whatever the 08 wrx did... They should be satisfied when they can say no weight gain. And they should be excited when they can say they shed some weight.

Lastly, I'm a bit of a tech buff and I'd like to see some more gadgetry standard.

FYI...If the new concept offers DI, is ~2700lbs, and has enough hp (200-220) to get out of it's own way, then I will want one!

[e11ys]

Please, please, please, please DO NOT make the new coupe AWD. That would be a huge mistake, and it would alienate all the enthusiasts that are so excited about this car. You already offer sporty AWD vehicles (the WRX and STI). Making the coupe AWD would take away sales from the WRX and STI. This new coupe should be about getting back to basics: RWD, lightweight, great weight distribution. Thanks.

[HB_Dad]

SOA, what's more important? Keeping your loyal following who believe in what you stand for or attempting and failing to cater to the clueless mainstream who won't look twice at Subaru anyway? I would think the choice would be an easy one.

[Digitalfiend]

Originally Posted by HB_Dad

SOA, what's more important? Keeping your loyal following who believe in what you stand for or attempting and failing to cater to the clueless mainstream who won't look twice at Subaru anyway? I would think the choice would be an easy one.

I love your responses and it is exactly how I feel. A strong AWD system is one of the reasons I love Subaru. We can argue all we want about RWD vs AWD in the handling department at the track, but the bottom line is, AWD is awesome on the street for any climate that gets cold, rain, and snowy.

If I wanted a rwd coupe I'd be driving an 135/335i or 370z. I have absolutely no interest in a small, rwd, coupe/roadster like the Miata. With that said, as someone who has owned an '05 STi, and now has an '08 STI and '09 WRX, I'd would definitely consider a 265-300hp AWD performance-focused coupe as my next Subaru.

As for the next STI, I would really love to see:

- 330-340hp, with a focus on maintaining more power past 5500rpms while still keeping the mid-range grunt. Give us a slightly bigger turbo to work with.

- I would like to see Recaros as an option and would pay up to $1500cdn to get them.

- Give us forged pistons please. I'd gladly pay an extra $500cdn for forged pistons from the factory. Having a strong engine that is easily modified is what builds mindshare among enthusiasts. While my '08 engine has made it 30K km so far, it'd be nice to have the extra head room for tuning.

- I want my aluminum hood back.

- Better steering feedback. When I buy a car like the STI, I want to feel the road, not be insulated from it.

- Give us the best tires available for a particular brand. Why did we get unproven SP600s instead of well-tested Z1 Star Specs? I don't care if I have to replace my tires after 40K km. I bought the car for performance, not putting around.