The "My Dealership Told Me" Thread

[carnz-pj-410]

the only body change i see coming in the near future is the widebody for the STi sedan impreza, and probably a face lift, but other than that probably nothing big

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[graysonsubaru]

2010 STI's are arriving at dealers now. We have one due late this month. They show the same body type model codes are 08-09 and no new colors that I saw in the system.

Someone else had mentioned to me that they thought the 10 STI would be a sedan, but it is not for this year..

[rsholland]

I just had my second (!) new WRX steering wheel installed today, as the leather keeps fraying (and I've only got just a bit over 13K on it!). This is getting old, fast. Thank goodness it's covered by warranty.

Anyway, while I was there, I was chatting with a couple of sales guys, and here's what I heard:

• One of the guys heard that the Subaru/Toyota coupe—in Subie trim, would be AWD, and the Toyota version would be RWD. How will that be accomplished? Not sure. Apparently this has been an ongoing battle between Toyota and Subaru, and as he currently understands it Subaru won the AWD battle. Hope he's right. We'll see...

• As to the engine in this coupe, he believes it to be a highly revised/refined version of the old 2.2 engine. DOHC? Not sure. Direct Injection? Not sure. Chain driven camshafts? Not sure—but 2.2 is the likely size.

• Most of the Tribecas built, are now for export. In fact they sell more Tribecas in Russia than they do here.

• One of the guys is pretty certain that the Tribeca is doomed, at least here in North America. When will sales stop here? He's not sure, perhaps in a year or two? Since they've recently invested so much time and effort in other markets, it could well continue overseas.

• They also heard rumors of a Limited STI trim, which should arrive this spring. As to content, probably leather, moonroof and the AWP. It's not in the 2010 WRX/STI brochure, as I picked that up (and Impreza brochure too) today. They also seem to think the current Impreza line will be redone shortly. That's likely to be when the STI sedan arrives.

Now, you can certainly scoff at that info, but I've found the sales guys at this dealer to be pretty accurate in the past. So I have no reason to doubt what they say. Then again, things could change between now and when these cars arrive.

Bob

[unclemat]

Toyobaru AWD. Fail. If that's true than the RWD Toyota will be crap, too if the engine stays hanging in front of the front wheels. Time to save up for an Elise.

[keepclam]

Originally Posted by rsholland

One of the guys is pretty certain that the Tribeca is doomed, at least here in North America. When will sales stop here? He's not sure, perhaps in a year or two? Since they've recently invested so much time and effort in other markets, it could well continue overseas.

IMHO, it'd be a bone-headed move by SOA to drop Tribeca just as the rest of the world gets a full model change due MY2011. Especially if the US economy starts pulling out of the toilet by then. At least see how a full redesign goes over in the US, if FHI's doing a redesign anyway.

[rsholland]

That's what this guy is saying. He's a Subaru salesman who says that he's been to a meeting on this vehicle.

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-...awd-prius.html

The Gen III just came out this year, why would toyota be talking about an AWD Prius?

Thats because it is not Toyota!!! The new AWD prius will be called the SUbaru Prius, thats right Subaru..

For many that do not know, Toyota owns 16% of the Japanese Company Subaru. As a matter of fact Subaru has the worlds best AWD system and the Boxer engine, which toyota bought from Subaru 2 years ago.

So for the new prius, it will be an AWD vehicle with a lithium ion battery.
--For the record-- I sell subaru, so i have been to meeting on this vehicle already* They say it will be out by 2012 or 2013--

We all know that Subaru is working on a hybrid. We also know that Toyota is rumored to be spreading the "Prius" name to other Toyota models. So whether this guy has some of his facts mixed up, who knows; but some of what you read here could be true.

Bob

[keepclam]

Toyota bought the AWD system and boxer engines from Subaru? That's a good one. The poster also misstates that Toyota owns 16% of Subaru, when it's actually Fuji Heavy.

Yeah, I have little doubt we'll see a Subaru with Prius technology, but I'd be shocked to actually see a model called the Subaru Prius. That sounds like a marketing mess for both brands, but would be particularly damaging for Subaru, which already gets tons of false information passed around saying it's owned by GM or by Toyota. Subaru thinks they already have a hard time with consumers who think they're a Swedish or Australian brand.

I could see a Prius using some adaptation of Subaru AWD and a Subaru using Prius hybrid tech... perhaps an AWD Prius and a hybrid Subaru sharing the same drivetrain for economy of scale & recouping investment costs, but I can't see them share the same body or the same Prius name. I think this salesperson heard some tidbits about future Subaru hybrid using Prius tech at some type of general meeting - probably the same tidbits we've seen here at NASIOC - and is simply messing the story up.

And I can't imagine they'd have a dealership salesperson at a higher-level meeting where they'd discuss things like the name of a future vehicle - that won't be released for 3 or 4 years according to his post - would be discussed.

[rsholland]

Originally Posted by keepclam

Toyota bought the AWD system and boxer engines from Subaru? That's a good one. The poster also misstates that Toyota owns 16% of Subaru, when it's actually Fuji Heavy.

Yeah, I have little doubt we'll see a Subaru with Prius technology, but I'd be shocked to actually see a model called the Subaru Prius. That sounds like a marketing mess for both brands, but would be particularly damaging for Subaru, which already gets tons of false information passed around saying it's owned by GM or by Toyota. Subaru thinks they already have a hard time with consumers who think they're a Swedish or Australian brand.

I could see a Prius using some adaptation of Subaru AWD and a Subaru using Prius hybrid tech... perhaps an AWD Prius and a hybrid Subaru sharing the same drivetrain for economy of scale & recouping investment costs, but I can't see them share the same body or the same Prius name. I think this salesperson heard some tidbits about future Subaru hybrid using Prius tech at some type of general meeting - probably the same tidbits we've seen here at NASIOC - and is simply messing the story up.

And I can't imagine they'd have a dealership salesperson at a higher-level meeting where they'd discuss things like the name of a future vehicle - that won't be released for 3 or 4 years according to his post - would be discussed.

I too had my doubts, even with my posting of this rumor. So I passed it along to one of my contacts over at Edmunds. They did some research of their own, and John O'Dell posted the following over at Green Car Advisor:

http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradv...sman-says.html

Bob

[rsholland]

I just noticed that "patandrich," the guy who did the original posting of this Subaru Prius rumor, has deleted the story from his original posting. I bet someone at SOA (or Toyota) came down hard on him.

That leads me to think that may be some truth here, even if they don't use the Prius name.

Bob

[only1agam]

Originally Posted by rsholland

I just noticed that "patandrich," the guy who did the original posting of this Subaru Prius rumor, has deleted the story from his original posting. I bet someone at SOA (or Toyota) came down hard on him.

That leads me to think that may be some truth here, even if they don't use the Prius name.

Bob

i think subaru WILL use Toyota's hybrid system.. why? at the time the tph had debuted, shortly thereafter rumors had spread that it would be too expensive to manufacture.. don't forget when the tph debuted subaru was also working on the diesel as well... from what i've heard they dropped their OWN hybrid (to save costs and give more time and effort towards putting out the diesel).. there was an article a while back that subaru would focus heavily on the diesel to get it out in europe then eventually the US, once that was launched, within the next few years subaru would adapt toyotas hybrid technology to the boxer engine. perhaps this is why its taking subaru so much time to put out a hybrid on the market (and no the hybrid probably wouldn't have a Prius badge on it. that would be a marketing nightmare).

On a side note for more speculation about the 2 door.. did anyone consider the coupe being along the lines of the b5tph?

(the body not the hybrid tech) did the b9 scrambler hint at this two door also?


here was the "sketch" of the 2 door



do you guys see where i'm going with this? and notice the b9 scrambler has little to no overhang so the boxer engine could fit in the engine bay w/o too much overhang

[Sub!eDr!ver]

I don't think the Scrambler was hinting at anything. They made a concept car that could have been brought to production, but somebody in Subaru killed it. Just like the B11S. Those were two awesome cars that would have made Subaru successful, but I don't think they were quite ready for success, so they didn't follow through.

[EbdGeb]

I just recently picked up a 2010 Outback for my wife and being the owner of a 2008 WRX I had to ask about any rumors related to the future STI models. I heard the same thing from 3 Southern California dealerships.

- wait until 2011: STi will still be available in hatch (no confirmation of sedan), but 50+ horsepower and tighter suspension.

I take this with a grain of salt and realize they may all be hearing the same thing from a single incorrect source, but wanted to share nonetheless.

[aaykay]

Originally Posted by EbdGeb

- wait until 2011: STi will still be available in hatch (no confirmation of sedan), but 50+ horsepower and tighter suspension.

Maybe I am missing something but isn't it already a hatch ? Or did you mean a 2-door hatch ?

[EbdGeb]

Originally Posted by aaykay

Maybe I am missing something but isn't it already a hatch ? Or did you mean a 2-door hatch ?

Sorry for confusion - they said it will STILL be just a hatch. Maybe they are planning to quench the Sedan STI cravings with the FT-86 STi coupe... just a thought.

[Mike Wevrick]

^^or available as both sedan and hatch

Originally Posted by rsholland

I just noticed that "patandrich," the guy who did the original posting of this Subaru Prius rumor, has deleted the story from his original posting. I bet someone at SOA (or Toyota) came down hard on him.

That leads me to think that may be some truth here, even if they don't use the Prius name.

Bob

Seems more likely they told him he was wrong and to stop posting incorrect rumors.

[theaero]

We all need some Prodrive P2s.... or 2011 STI sedans.

Prodrive P2! <3

[lowrider89]

ROFL.... my subaru dealership just told me there will be a 2011 legacy STI with 430 hp

- i couldn't help but laugh at him

[rsholland]

Originally Posted by lowrider89

ROFL.... my subaru dealership just told me there will be a 2011 legacy STI with 430 hp

- i couldn't help but laugh at him

Playing the devil's advocate here:

We've been told there will be an STI sedan for 2011; that's been confirmed by a number of sources. However, we have not been told which model line it will be on. Everyone is assuming it will be an Impreza, but that's not been confirmed.

Since there has been a general feeling of disappointment with the current Legacy GT, it would not surprise me if an STI shows up on the Legacy platform.

Bob

[kenzo]

Originally Posted by rsholland

...
Since there has been a general feeling of disappointment with the current Legacy GT, it would not surprise me if an STI shows up on the Legacy platform.

Bob

I've been wishing for a "Legacy STi" for a number of years... Subaru, I'll be at the dealer with a deposit check within hours if this is ever officially announced.

(Assumptions: around $40K, performance similar to or better than Impreza WRX STi, amenities similar to or better than current Legacy GT.)

[keepclam]

Originally Posted by rsholland

Playing the devil's advocate here:

We've been told there will be an STI sedan for 2011; that's been confirmed by a number of sources. However, we have not been told which model line it will be on. Everyone is assuming it will be an Impreza, but that's not been confirmed.

Since there has been a general feeling of disappointment with the current Legacy GT, it would not surprise me if an STI shows up on the Legacy platform.

Bob

My dealership - one of the top 5 volume sellers in the US - doesn't even have a GT in stock. Wonder what's up with that.

[LastResort]

Originally Posted by rsholland

Playing the devil's advocate here:

We've been told there will be an STI sedan for 2011; that's been confirmed by a number of sources. However, we have not been told which model line it will be on. Everyone is assuming it will be an Impreza, but that's not been confirmed.

Since there has been a general feeling of disappointment with the current Legacy GT, it would not surprise me if an STI shows up on the Legacy platform.

Bob

The problem is the 430 HP claim, it's not even remotely credible and really throws the source under a very negative light of "talking out my butt". At least make the HP within reach, say between 330-350, and whole thing becomes much more feasible.

[BigElm]

Originally Posted by lowrider89

ROFL.... my subaru dealership just told me there will be a 2011 legacy STI with 430 hp

- i couldn't help but laugh at him

Half of this is wishful thinking...

[kenzo]

Originally Posted by BigElm

Half of this is wishful thinking...

I'd settle for 330hp.

[BOY]

Originally Posted by BigElm

Half of this is wishful thinking...

all I have to say is the coorect half better deliver!

[Shohin]

Originally Posted by kenzo

I've been wishing for a "Legacy STi" for a number of years... Subaru, I'll be at the dealer with a deposit check within hours if this is ever officially announced.

(Assumptions: around $40K, performance similar to or better than Impreza WRX STi, amenities similar to or better than current Legacy GT.)

Ditto . . .