State Fair of Texas...

janikphoto · 09-30-2007, 09:40 PM

They have the car show every year at the state fair, and this year was not a good year for legacy models. No limited edition, not even a turbo. Come to think of it, no forester turbo on display either. They had ONE turbo, and it was a wrx. They had another n/a impreza, two n/a legacy models, one n/a forester, and two n/a tribecas (obviously n/a... where's the tribeca sti?!?)

So, maybe they are worried about showing a $30k price tag at the fair? Maybe they aren't focusing on turbos anymore?? Maybe subaru doesn't want my business??? Why do they have to play up the grandma-factor on the legacy at the car show?!?!?

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Wiscon_Mark · 10-01-2007, 09:45 AM

Don't most Texans drive trucks anyways?

Should've brought an old Baja Turbo.

Jonathan · 10-01-2007, 09:26 PM

Never having been to Texas, I am not qualified to comment on the Texas State Fair... However I am not going to let that minor detail stop me.

I would imagine that the Texas State Fair (TSF?) is an event meant primarily for families, and as such the high performance fringe element is something that Subaru would like to distance itself from when staging events meant for families.

Could this possibly be Subarus thinking ?

Jonathan · 10-01-2007, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiscon_Mark

Don't most Texans drive trucks anyways?

Should've brought an old Baja Turbo.

Yes, many Texans do indeed drive pickup trucks. From what I have read, much of middle America (including Texas) values the heavy-duty serious truck capabilities offered in the more traditional RWD, body-on-frame full-size half, three quarter, and one ton trucks... And these new fangled Mini-trucks (Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Colorado) to say nothing about these newer toy "Truckettes" (Subaru Baja, Honda Ridgeline, or for that matter the twenty-year-old VW Rabbit Pickup) aren't really taken seriously by the serious truck people, and these vehicles remain a "fringe element" vehicle that sells only in relativly small numbers to non-truck people located on the east and west coast suburban areas. The Bajas poor sales performance is likely a significant reason for its demise (although at some point Subaru may indeed release a new "Brat" or "Baja" type vehicle in the future).

While for sure there is indeed a very large market for the more established mini-trucks, there is also a very good reason why after ten years of selling in the full size truck class, Toyota is finally pushing performance capabilities of their new and improved Toyota Tundra trucks (with serious towing and hauling capabilities and a more traditional 350 cubic inch V-8 that offers more power than 85% of the truck buying public will ever need). For some strange reason(s) even the light-duty mini-truck buyers consider the top trucks performance capabilites a significant factor in their truck purchasing decision.

janikphoto · 10-02-2007, 02:00 AM

Well, in years past, they've had an sti, a baja turbo, and a legacy turbo on display at the fair. They didn't seem to mind pushing the performance aspect then... And other companies show off fast, sexy cars at the fair. I think subaru is worried they can't compete with the lexus and infinity models on display, so they went with base model/stripped cars that could compete with the buicks and hyundai models instead?!?

And I used to drive a truck (as do most/many people here), but there are also tons of cars here in dallas. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of subaru cars on the road now. They've seemed to gain popularity over the last few years in TX, as I keep seeing more and more all the time, especially the newer legacy and forester.

maclif · 10-02-2007, 08:17 AM

Every time I go to the Texas State Fair, it seems like there are about 300 full size trucks on display along with full size cars and the suv flavor of the week. The attitude I get from the fair (well, really and the entire state) are vehicles that will haul one person 90% of the time, but have the ability to carry four people in a way that will make the neighbors envious.

Wiscon_Mark · 10-02-2007, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maclif

Every time I go to the Texas State Fair, it seems like there are about 300 full size trucks on display along with full size cars and the suv flavor of the week. The attitude I get from the fair (well, really and the entire state) are vehicles that will haul one person 90% of the time, but have the ability to carry four people in a way that will make the neighbors envious.

Yeah, there's a lot of crap like that here in WI, too, it's not like Texas is the only one (they just have more people). The Majority of truck owners don't care about anything other than their own image and definitely don't use the truck practically.

You know who you are, that Suburban Dad, not getting any from the wife, living through your ****ty job, Parking your Ford F150 Harley edition in the 2 car garage!

What really floors me, is Chevy and Hummer pushing their vehicles, bragging about 20mpg highway.

Anyways, I'm guessing that Subaru had some research behind their sales based on the state fair, and decided to push the cars that they definitely sell more often. We're enthusiasts, and we value the LGT over the 2.5i, but that doesn't mean that most buyers won't. N/A Foresters and Legacys outsell all Subaru turbo models pretty much every years.

jey · 10-02-2007, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiscon_Mark

What really floors me, is Chevy and Hummer pushing their vehicles, bragging about 20mpg highway.

That is something to brag about. Our 03 Tahoe gets like high 16s on the highway, but then again I'm keeping it over 70 mph. I bet I can get 18-19 if I'm driving 55 the whole time.

janikphoto · 10-02-2007, 09:01 PM

well, infiniti is showing off their new, more powerful and sexier g35 (or is it a 37 now?!?) and many of the other car companies are showing off models decked out with leather, gps, sunroofs, and the works. I'm sure subaru has a plan, I was just a bit disappointed to see so many base models on display this year.

Wiscon_Mark · 10-03-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jey

That is something to brag about. Our 03 Tahoe gets like high 16s on the highway, but then again I'm keeping it over 70 mph. I bet I can get 18-19 if I'm driving 55 the whole time.

When you're using those vehicles as they should be used, you're not worried about gas mileage. You're worried about power, how much they can haul, tow, etc.

If you want good MPG, avoid trucks, SUVs, and other large, heavy vehicles altogether.

They're just getting people who want to drive a behemoth to work everyday excited about 20mpg. I think that's pathetic.

jey · 10-03-2007, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiscon_Mark

When you're using those vehicles as they should be used, you're not worried about gas mileage. You're worried about power, how much they can haul, tow, etc.

If you want good MPG, avoid trucks, SUVs, and other large, heavy vehicles altogether.

They're just getting people who want to drive a behemoth to work everyday excited about 20mpg. I think that's pathetic.

Oh yes I understand what you're saying - wrong marketing. It's just one of many things that explain last month's auto sales figures compared to last year. GM stayed flat, Ford lost 20%, Chrysler 5%. At least they beat Toyota - they managed to lose 4.4%, led by a decline in Tundra-buying. Nissan and Honda sales went UP 6.7 and 9.4% respectively.

Subaru? Just had their best September sales month in 20 years, driven by the new Impreza. Even Tribeca sales went up 19%. Go Subaru!

Wiscon_Mark · 10-03-2007, 11:41 AM

Good, I'm glad it's taking off. Enthusiasts can bitch all they want about the new Impreza, it's a nice car.

janikphoto · 10-03-2007, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiscon_Mark

Good, I'm glad it's taking off. Enthusiasts can bitch all they want about the new Impreza, it's a nice car.

yeah, but the styling looks more like a bland toyota or a cheesy mistubishi. At least they are steering the tribeca styling in the right direction. Now, if they'd just make a tribeca sports model... Heck, saturn made a sports version of their VUE, and I thik that's cool. Nobody said that your sporty side should die just because you decide to have a bigger family...

jey · 10-04-2007, 10:04 AM

My biggest issue with the new Impreza is that there is no more limited-slip rear differential in the WRX. I'll take the Outback or Forester XT.

09-30-2007, 09:40 PM	#1
janikphoto Scooby Specialist Member#: 10471 Join Date: Sep 2001 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Dallas, TX Vehicle: 2000 BMW Z3 sold Outback & ForesterXT	State Fair of Texas... They have the car show every year at the state fair, and this year was not a good year for legacy models. No limited edition, not even a turbo. Come to think of it, no forester turbo on display either. They had ONE turbo, and it was a wrx. They had another n/a impreza, two n/a legacy models, one n/a forester, and two n/a tribecas (obviously n/a... where's the tribeca sti?!?) So, maybe they are worried about showing a $30k price tag at the fair? Maybe they aren't focusing on turbos anymore?? Maybe subaru doesn't want my business??? Why do they have to play up the grandma-factor on the legacy at the car show?!?!? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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10-01-2007, 09:45 AM	#2
Wiscon_Mark Scooby Guru Member#: 94945 Join Date: Aug 2005 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Stevens Point, WI Vehicle: 1995 Legacy OB 5MT 2003 Forester X 5MT	Don't most Texans drive trucks anyways? Should've brought an old Baja Turbo.

10-01-2007, 09:26 PM	#3
Jonathan Scooby Guru Member#: 4021 Join Date: Feb 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Natick, MA USA Vehicle: 1999 Legacy GT Ltd Quick Silver Metallic	Never having been to Texas, I am not qualified to comment on the Texas State Fair... However I am not going to let that minor detail stop me. I would imagine that the Texas State Fair (TSF?) is an event meant primarily for families, and as such the high performance fringe element is something that Subaru would like to distance itself from when staging events meant for families. Could this possibly be Subarus thinking ?

10-02-2007, 02:00 AM	#5
janikphoto Scooby Specialist Member#: 10471 Join Date: Sep 2001 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Dallas, TX Vehicle: 2000 BMW Z3 sold Outback & ForesterXT	Well, in years past, they've had an sti, a baja turbo, and a legacy turbo on display at the fair. They didn't seem to mind pushing the performance aspect then... And other companies show off fast, sexy cars at the fair. I think subaru is worried they can't compete with the lexus and infinity models on display, so they went with base model/stripped cars that could compete with the buicks and hyundai models instead?!? And I used to drive a truck (as do most/many people here), but there are also tons of cars here in dallas. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of subaru cars on the road now. They've seemed to gain popularity over the last few years in TX, as I keep seeing more and more all the time, especially the newer legacy and forester.

10-02-2007, 08:17 AM	#6
maclif Scooby Specialist Member#: 11005 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Dallas, Texas Vehicle: 2006 spec. B silver	Every time I go to the Texas State Fair, it seems like there are about 300 full size trucks on display along with full size cars and the suv flavor of the week. The attitude I get from the fair (well, really and the entire state) are vehicles that will haul one person 90% of the time, but have the ability to carry four people in a way that will make the neighbors envious.

10-02-2007, 09:01 PM	#9
janikphoto Scooby Specialist Member#: 10471 Join Date: Sep 2001 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Dallas, TX Vehicle: 2000 BMW Z3 sold Outback & ForesterXT	well, infiniti is showing off their new, more powerful and sexier g35 (or is it a 37 now?!?) and many of the other car companies are showing off models decked out with leather, gps, sunroofs, and the works. I'm sure subaru has a plan, I was just a bit disappointed to see so many base models on display this year.

10-03-2007, 11:41 AM	#12
Wiscon_Mark Scooby Guru Member#: 94945 Join Date: Aug 2005 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Stevens Point, WI Vehicle: 1995 Legacy OB 5MT 2003 Forester X 5MT	Good, I'm glad it's taking off. Enthusiasts can bitch all they want about the new Impreza, it's a nice car.

10-04-2007, 10:04 AM	#14
jey Scooby Specialist Member#: 32503 Join Date: Feb 2003 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Johnson City, TX Vehicle: 2011 Tribeca 1995 Legacy Wagon	My biggest issue with the new Impreza is that there is no more limited-slip rear differential in the WRX. I'll take the Outback or Forester XT.