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Think they dropped the ball big time on the new shape Impreza, went from looking similar to the Mitsubishi Evo to looking like a small GTI style car, completely lost it's character in my opinion.
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new shape Impreza . . . completely lost it's character in my opinion.
Has the performance Impreza ever been about aesthetics though really? It's always been just a plug-ugly family saloon with scoops and spoilers. I think its popularity is all down to the performance for price.
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I suspect they'll last longer than Chrysler in the UK. Given the state of Chrysler's finances, I keep expecting them to give up making RHD cars any day soon.
At least Subaru (being Japanese, who also drive on the left) will continue to make RHD cars, so as long as we're prepared to buy them, they don't need a huge quantity to remain viable.
I reckon the pound will drop heavily in 2010, so imported cars will go up in price again. If you're in the market for a new car which you intend to keep long-term I'd aim to buy before the election. Just my opinion.
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The new Legacy estate looks just like a Vectra. Not a 'bit like' , it's 'just like' it!
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They got the looks just right in the previous incarnation, then ruined it IMO.
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I spotted an 09 plate one owner 5 door hatchback petrol (new shape) Impreza with 5k miles on the clock and A/C on the Bristol Street Motors forecourt this morning. They want £7800 for it. It looks as good to me as anything I have seen on a Ford or Vauxhall forecourt for less money. Worth buying or not? Has anyone driven one? Based on this post, are there likely to be future warranty issues?
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I am a big Subaru fan but I am not optimistic. The Legacy styling is bland, Impreza unfocused and the new Forester is just too big. It now competes with Honda CVR, Hyundai and Kia etc. Previous model was smaller and filled its own niche.
There are now only two dealerships in NI and as dealer numbers fall so will the public's inclination to buy. Last week's FT suggested that previous SAAB owners should look at Subaru as an alternative. Not sure if this is hopeful or kiss of death.
alfalfa
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I can't understand why Subaru want to be mainstream, their recent designs seem just as bland as the hordes of euroboxes now prevalent.
Buyers of new Subarus were always individuals in that they wanted an extremely capable car that didn't shout 'look at me', unlike most of the competition....maybe they arn't bothered if their superb car isn't the height of fashion either.
Still very few cars will live with a Subaru on a twisty road, and when it gets wet the difference is devastating.
I've never felt so ill until being passenger in my lad's RA classic imprezza, never felt combined cornering and acceleration/deceleration like it in a road legal car...i wouldn't like it meself it's starts getting going at 4000rpm and is on song at 5000+ up to about 8000 iirc, i just hate having to treat a vehicle so.
The VED changes have hit them hard, probably why the Diesel version exists, i would be running 3 litre Legacy now if it wasn't for the VED and it's effect on killing the used values.
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The £/yen exchange rate hasn't helped one bit either.
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Buyers of new Subarus were always individuals in that they wanted an extremely capable car that didn't shout 'look at me' unlike most of the competition....
Can you really say that about the spoilers-and-bodykit all blinged-up previous versions of the Impreza?
Not a car to own if you don't want to be noticed.
Didn't shout "look at me", it absolutely yelled it
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Can you really say that about the spoilers-and-bodykit all blinged-up previous versions of the Impreza?
In standard form they didn't look as bad as that, mostly it was aftermarket bolt on stuff when they went into second and third owners, the new ones i delivered always seemed quite reserved.
I agree though certain models did go ott, but the vast majority weren't bad, and Legacy was always understated even in it's sportiest package.
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Subaru's problem was never blandness. Their cars would sell even if they looked like old Volvos. There always is a niche for solid, honest and humble car brand for the rural bloke who lives on unpaved road on top of the hill. The issue is market space and pricing. In Japan and US Legacy or Outback is $22,000 car. In UK the same Tourer range is suddenly a $46,000 car.
The cars that fight for a market share of £17,000 Octavia Scout but are priced like BMW 5 series.
I understand the whole currency exchange mantra and recession but I'm affraid when the importers price top trim Outback 3.6R, which costs £19,000 ($31,000) in US, at the same level as Audi A6 Allroad Quatro in UK we are just not going to see that many of them on the road.
I would love to own one, but the moment Outback became £34,000 crossover car and Legacy became £28,000 estate, you just know it's not going to happen. They are not that fast, not that economical, luxurious or technologically advanced to ever be able to justify it to its market niche.
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Subaru dealers are also asking £18000+ for 18-24 month old Legacy estates. Not surprisingly, they never seem to shift off the forecourt. If they'd been priced realistically, I might have considered one as my next car.
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Have you collected the Audi yet mlc ?
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Tomorrow morning Humph. Oddlly, I'm not that excited (which is a bit worrying). I was out in the Pug today and realised I'm going to miss the seats and quiet, effortless cruising ability. Still can't help but look back at it when I walk away.
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Oh it'll be fine I'm sure once you see it. Might be wise to get a little sign made up for the back window saying "Honestly I'm not an Estate Agent" though.....
;-)
Anyway this has nowt to do with Scoobies so, sorry all ! End of thread drift.....
Edited by Humph Backbridge on 17/01/2010 at 16:49
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I guess the other issue is that they'll never have a place in the company car market due to high emissions meaning company car tax is very high.
The same thing bumps up the road tax, which is neither here nor there in the great scheme of things, but does put people off.
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The same thing bumps up the road tax which is neither here nor there in the great scheme of things but does put people off.
It maybe doesn't for the first 3 or 4 years but once the car gets to 7 or so years it will become an increasingly big portion of the cars value to be spent every year, and who knows the lengths increasingly panic stricken politicians will go to.
Its one of the reasons why the pick up isn't an Amazon and why my old MB isn't a Legacy or something else.
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Must admit that the new Outback has completely underwhelmed me in the pictures and the price makes me want to weep.
Having had my Outback for just over three years I am being tempted to change as SWMBO wants to keep her A-class but would like a seven seater for occasional use. I have thought about renting, but I may consider a Tribeca. Same unburstable mechanicals as the Outback in a larger body. Hmmm
But will Subaru be in the UK in five years time - I have to say that they will become rarer and rarer as they become more mainstream and less individualistic. No-one who seems my car knows what it is, but they know they like its looks and drive. To me it is so much better than turning up in an X5 which is a red rag to a bull for most of my customers.
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"never have a place in the company car market "
No? Friend of mine has a diesel (boxer) Outback that he's well pleased with, especially after the recent snow. His only expressed regret is that it belongs to the company.
Agree about the road tax, though. As with mpg, it is perception that matters. Still, old Legacys are good bangernomics material, especially the saloon!
Edited by J Bonington Jagworth on 17/01/2010 at 17:22
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Have never owned a Subaru,mainly due to the fact that Subaru dealerships are few and far between ie Im in Liverpool and the nearest dealer is in Rochdale.Also the prices are way too high even for second hand models a pity,cos I quite like the new Diesel Forester.
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I read somewhere the other week that Subaru are doing very well in the US, where they increased sales in 2009 whilst the overall market contracted. It seems that the US importers deviated from the Japanese-led strategy of moving upmarket, and priced the cars keenly with a "value for money" message. It strikes me that the UK importers just need to take some tips from their US counterparts...
Do any of us really want to spend the extra cash on so-called premium cars, when the likes of the Ford Mondeo, or pretty much any set of wheels from Kia and Hyundai are so accomplished these days?
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It strikes me that the UK importers just need to take some tips from their US counterparts...
>
Low volume, High RRP, High cost of spares
I agree Subaru needs some new thinking, marketing, pricing..............increased volumes will bring rewards.
Currently Subaru UK seem to be re-arranging the seats on the Titanic
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I think Subaru will be in the UK long term. They are doing well in other countries. In the UK they are imported by international motors group and there was some talk in trade of the japanese hq taking the concession off them if things get much worse. Pricing and support is all wrong at the moment, and it neednt bee that way.
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