|
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
09-16-1999, 09:12 AM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 281
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Mill Creek,WA,USA
Vehicle:99 Legacy GT Ltd. Black, 91 GVR4 #1298 |
Subaru Legacy GT Focus Group
Went to a Subaru Legacy focus group last night. Subaru hired an independent company to talk with perspective buyers and owners of Subaru Legacy GT's. The focus group consisted of 4-10 people with a moderator (recorded and video taped). The first group was the perspective buyers and the second group was us.. the owners. We were asked to review the brochures of Subaru's new Legacy vrs. Audi A4, Volvo C70 Sedans and BMW M3.
From the focus group it is very apperent that Subaru is trying to find a upscale image with the new Legacy. It was also apperent that they wanted the image to be performance oriented. When the first group (perspective buyers) came out they were all taking about the A4 and BMW. I don't know if Subaru reached them. When it came time for us (4 Legacy GT owners) we all had mixed reactions to the fact that Subaru wanted to make an upscale performance image out of the Legacy. We all agreed that the new GT was a great looking car but feelings were mixed on the image. We all taked about 'practical, dependable, safety and value for the money'. We discussed the pros and cons of each vehicle and what each brochure was targeting and the points they were trying to convey. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience. We each received 50 bucks to boot! When the moderator asked if we had any final comments I made the following remark: "If Subaru wants to market this car in the same breath as the Audi and BMW they are going to have to add some bite to the bark. Bring us the B4 twin turbo or get the Flat 6 in this car. Otherwise when magazines like Road&Track and Moter Trend get ahold of this car they are going to be dissapointed by a 2.5 165hp flat 4. And Subaru will not get any respect or credibility to back the attempted image." The others in the group agreed fully. It was great to get to express my feelings to SOA. I hope they take notice of what the overall feeling was of the group. Hopefully they will be suprised that some Subaru owners know about and long for the B4.. if only in our dreams. |
09-16-1999, 09:21 AM | #2 |
Guest
Member#:
|
I agree with the "bite for bark" statement. At 165bhp, the legacy is decent for it's weight (HP to weight ratio is comparable to Accords and Civics), but when you start comparing it to the upscale euros, it starts to pale to the power that they provide.
So what are they going to do, let's look at it this way: If they decide to market to the Audi/BMW crowd, they are going to lose face, IMHO, because that crowd *expects* more than what the Legacy provides for the price, on the other hand, if they decide to market to the Accord crowd, they will do good because they provide so much more (AWD, etc). Just my ¥2 A ------------------ --- Stripped White '93 Accord (no hood, no trunk, no quarter pannels, no bumper/grill/lights, no front doors, no airbag, no ignition) |
09-16-1999, 09:48 AM | #3 |
Tri-State Track Instructor
Moderator Member#: 197
Join Date: Aug 1999
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: Kenilworth, NJ, Caroga Lk, NY
Vehicle:'14 Touareg TDI '14 BRZ http://48hrs.info |
If they are going to take on Audi and BMW, they are going to need 2 things.
1) A bigger platform to compliment the legacy. (something that can accomodate a big flat six, possibly with turbo) so that legacy drivers will have somewhere to go up once they outgrow the legacy. 2) more power (as has been mentioned earlier) six or turbo four. I'd love to see a turbo flat 6 putting out 350+ HP and the size of say an A6 or A8. -mike ------------------ Paisan '97 Rodeo @ 129mph soon to be '00 Legacy GT Limited '91 Escort Crap Parents '97 Legacy L |
09-16-1999, 10:36 PM | #4 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 105
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Fremont, CA 94538
Vehicle:2000 Legacy GT Ltd WHT |
I think if Subaru wants to make something compareable to 3 series to A4, they should have a complete brand new model name.
I will say Honda Accord is a very refine car, equal or better then the new Legacy. But you never hear people compare Accord (V6) to a BMW 3 series or an AUdi A4. Honda Corp spend millions to build a more upscale name "Acura" to fight the eurpean car makers... Before Subaru wants to compare their cars to German make, maybe they should make them compareable to the Japanese brand, Honda and Toyotas.... (you got to learn how to walk before you run!) |
10-29-2003, 06:41 PM | #5 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 24687
Join Date: Sep 2002
Chapter/Region:
BAIC
Location: home
|
i dont get it, so there are focus groups for subaru?
where can I get more info? |
10-29-2003, 07:31 PM | #6 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 17193
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Vehicle:1991 Legacy RS White |
so the new USDM Legacy has NOT got a turbo variant?? what about the new twin-scroll single turbo GT available in Japan (and Aussie & New Zealand)?? you guys not get that?? I'd be TOTALLY up in arms with SOA, this is a brilliant ride.....lighter than the outgoing B4 & twin-entry single turbo = WOOF WOOF! surely SOA wants it???
|
10-29-2003, 07:34 PM | #7 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 4615
Join Date: Mar 2001
Chapter/Region:
BAIC
Location: Don of the Wagon Mafia
Vehicle:05 FXT/01 OB/97 OB Yes. |
Look at the date on this thread
This is talking aobut the previous generation of Legacies We're getting a 2.5 turbo in Spring. |
10-29-2003, 07:34 PM | #8 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 16653
Join Date: Mar 2002
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Central MA
Vehicle:2017 Mazda 6 2013 Toyota Vanling |
Why did someone resurrect a 4 year old post?
|
10-29-2003, 08:08 PM | #9 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 4615
Join Date: Mar 2001
Chapter/Region:
BAIC
Location: Don of the Wagon Mafia
Vehicle:05 FXT/01 OB/97 OB Yes. |
I'm not sure
it's happening all over the place, 2,3,4 year old posts are popping up. |
10-29-2003, 09:11 PM | #10 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 10188
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Ottawa
Vehicle:2007 Forester XT |
Quote:
|
|
10-29-2003, 10:36 PM | #11 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 23337
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clearwater, FL
Vehicle:1997 Legacy GT Sedan Black |
I see dead threads. They're everywhere!
-- Bill |
10-30-2003, 02:20 AM | #12 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 11858
Join Date: Nov 2001
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Spokane Valley WA
Vehicle:1998 Silver Legacy |
Quote:
LOL!!!! |
|
10-30-2003, 11:54 AM | #13 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 33302
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Vehicle:2005 Leggy GT Sedan Brilliant Silver |
It is the day before Halloween!
MUH, HA, HA, HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
10-30-2003, 01:46 PM | #14 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 22146
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Tulsa, OK
Vehicle:2012 Acura TSX wagon WRB |
Here I was expecting something new until I read the part about needing more than 165hp. Then I noticed the date. What a letdown.
|
10-30-2003, 02:17 PM | #15 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 22879
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: missoula , montana
|
Halloween is comming and old posts are comming back to life!
I'd agree with the other guy that said subaru needs another name if they wanted to play with the upscale players. People think of subarus as dependable cars that are of a decent value. If subaru tries to make a upscale legacy to the point of a bmw it will just get laughed at. So come out with a new luxury performance line and give it the bling and power it needs and leave the current subies to us that want a less expensive car. brent |
10-30-2003, 05:54 PM | #16 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 38460
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Sydney, Australia.
Vehicle:2005 Liberty 3.0R B Obsidian Black |
The new Legacy in Japan has the new H6 motor with 240hp. It is coming to Australia in 2004 but I don't know about the US. Some have compared it favourably with the BMW 330. I have driven the new Outback H6 with the 240hp motor with the 5 speed tiptronic auto and its a screamer!
Also the GT Legacy 2.5turbo is supposed to be going to the US with 250hp. |
10-30-2003, 10:25 PM | #17 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 22879
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: missoula , montana
|
250 hp- hope that's underated like the forester was underated. Is the turbo legacy going to be in the current body style or will it be the all new looking one?
Brent |
10-31-2003, 06:28 AM | #18 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 44700
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Melbourne Australia
Vehicle:1999 2ndGenOutbackGX Green Mica |
Quote:
So you eventually got to drive the new Outback 3.0R ? How does the H6 engine compare to the GT ? |
|
10-31-2003, 09:22 AM | #19 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 5030
Join Date: Mar 2001
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: Martinsburg, WV, USA
Vehicle:1999 Legacy 2.5GT 19 Audi RS3, 13 Armada |
Man you should have made a statement like base model legacys should have at minimum the 2.5 turbo that is in the Forestor and and elite model completly decked out with a flat 6 twin turbo or single turbo to really compete with M3 or Audi S4. Combine that with the amount of time spent on getting the WRX STI's chassis tuned properly and a suspension that compliments it.
I think generally we need to let them know that a Legacy with the WRX's turbo 2.0 isn't going to impress us. Its definitely not going to impress the Bimmer class market. The S4 and M3 have reached near supercar status but are obtainable. We need a standout Legacy worthy of the same stature. 350hp Turbo 6 would do it along with B4 styling Ques. Brad |
10-31-2003, 10:43 AM | #20 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 8048
Join Date: Jul 2001
Chapter/Region:
International
Location: Toronto / 神戸
|
Quote:
Im pretty sure the gearing will be tweaked for the tubo Legacy to get the performance numbers. Much like the Forester XT with its insane 4.44. Tho it is expected if it is seriously expected to go up against Saab's 9-3T vector, Audi's A4 2.8 or Bimmer's 330/328. |
|
10-31-2003, 12:38 PM | #21 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 4242
Join Date: Feb 2001
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Aurora, IL
Vehicle:1999 BD SUS GRN/GLD gimme Legacy TPH wagon! |
Quote:
AG Driven by guts inside! |
|
10-31-2003, 01:11 PM | #22 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 2629
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Michigan
|
WHy do people talk about power and not handling???
The legacy handles like a friggin camry. I guess that is the competition. I got my car to have great ballance by doubling the size of the rear sway bar, and then adding lots of caster and stiff bushings with the ALK. Now the car handles good for a heavy AWD car (although I always like RWD better). It is alot of fun like this, but I am getting so tired of the stiff ride with the ALK (makin my CD skip all of the time). Handling VS ride - you can have both but not in a Legacy. I got so pissed, I went and bought an Audi. Much better fit and finish, and a suspension much better than a basic strut set up. I love it! Audi doesn't have diddly for HP, so I went and doubled the turbo's boost for some WRX style fun. Cheap and easy. I really can't do anything to the subie 2.5l engine without destroying the engine and transmission. Shoot, I go through a clutch every 20K on this car anyway (what the heck is going on with that???). Unfortunately the subie brakes are way too small on my car. It scares me to try to stop the subie after driving the Audi. I know Subaru can do it (just look at the forrester turbo, WRX, STI...). My legacy is a poor attemtp at a GT. I can't believe they even put that logo on the car at all! (did I vent enough? Power, suspension, brakes, interior fit and finnish - all way lower than an audi I hate to say...) |
10-31-2003, 11:36 PM | #23 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 4242
Join Date: Feb 2001
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Aurora, IL
Vehicle:1999 BD SUS GRN/GLD gimme Legacy TPH wagon! |
Quote:
AG Driven by guts inside! |
|
11-01-2003, 06:25 PM | #24 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 22879
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: missoula , montana
|
Subaru and audi are two completely different cars. Sure, they compare the same for things like awd, four door, but if you want a top trim car buy the audi.
Personally i think subies are somewhat on the cheap side for materials and the overall fit and finish is only so so. Example; look at the carpet in a wrx, it's so damn cheap looking. Another; try taking anything apart on a legacy and you are sure to break it because the plastic is cheap in quality. Yeah, subaru shouldn't have ever put the "GT" bagde on the car, but they did. Hopefully if they are going to still bagde it that why they'll at least give it some nuts to make up for their shortcomings on the earlier cars. Brent |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
FS/FT : CT: 2000 Subaru Legacy GT LTD $4600 | SlowGT | Private Vehicle 'For Sale' Classifieds | 21 | 08-10-2010 03:01 PM |
FS : PA: 2005 Subaru Legacy GT Limited black/black | vettez062002 | Private Vehicle 'For Sale' Classifieds | 8 | 06-28-2010 11:06 PM |
FS: Kartboy shift lever and front bushing, Legacy GT knob, Group N tophats, 27mm RSB | Cyclops | NWIC Private Classifieds | 15 | 04-25-2008 10:19 PM |
Subaru Concept Car Focus Group (Ecker) | cerelius | Newbies & FAQs | 6 | 07-11-2005 08:42 AM |
Subaru Legacy GT or Subaru Forester XT??? | JessiB | Newbies & FAQs | 13 | 04-09-2005 12:33 AM |