SD t-bird pick-ups

jmcgliss · July 25, 2009, 11:31:47 PM

I've voiced opinions to Subie USA, Japan, and our dealership that you guys would probably endorse, but alas we were on the wrong side of what the beancounters' told marketing to build. What was once a well-proportioned wagon you could drive to a hotel gig (just got back from one) or a car club track day now has to have mainstream SUV/crossover heft. Screwwwww that. Sound like any musical instrument companies?

Barklessdog · July 26, 2009, 05:55:01 AM

What do we know?

I thought the same of the new Forester which now could be the twin of a Ford Escape. BUT, it turned out to be Subaru's best selling car / SUV leading them to be the only two manufacturers to make a profit and increase in sales last year, while the old Outback had poor sales.

The new Outback will probably follow in sales. At least the Legacy looks slightly better, but alas no Legacy wagon for the US.

Go figure.

TBird1958 · July 26, 2009, 11:04:08 AM

The bright side of it for me is that I expect mine to last at least another 90k, perhaps by the time I really need a new one they'll have pulled the S#%t back together on what's really needed in the market. Small durable wagons are so versitile - I've never had a better car to gig with, or just to get around in.

eb2 · July 27, 2009, 01:02:15 PM

I have checked out a few Legacy wagons. The things have a high resale value, which I wouldn't go for. I am a wagon guy though, so I am currently driving a VW Passat wagon, which is my second one. Nice looking, durable, and having both CD and cassette is my favorite combo. The triptronic shifter thing is a boggy piece of work, but I stick in auto and wish it would move smoother. My Escort wagon was wonderful though, and I would have gotten 200k on it until it got smacked. I still lust after the 90s Caprice wagons though, or a 72 Kingswood Estate...roomy, powerful, used gas the old fashioned way: they burned it!

Barklessdog · July 27, 2009, 03:19:19 PM

Funny review here-

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/review-2010-subaru-outback/

Towering more than four inches higher than its predecessor, spanning two inches more across the beam, standing another awkward inch higher off its tires, the new Outback looks—no, is huge. The super-chunk roof rails are grossly exaggerated (until you discover the trick design that allows the crossbars to disconnect and swing 90 degrees to find residence integrated in the longitudinal rails). The rear quarter view screams "Venza!"—which is like shouting "movie" in a crowded firehouse. Curiously, there wasn't a Tribeca on the showroom floor. Cannibalism avoidance? Either that or the former "flying vagina" was hidden by the swollen Outback.

The Outback's ergonomics couldn't be further from Audi's if they were designed by Daewoo. Every button on the Outback's dash now requires reading glasses, a precise finger and a map. Twin Big Gulps and a swollen armrest bin take precedence over the handbrake, which has been demoted to a tiny button buried left of the steering column amidst a myriad of other tiny, illegible, and obstructed switches for stability control, external mirrors, trunk release, and a bunch of curious blanks. To compensate, the twin steering column stalks are chunkier. Thanks. So much.

Pandering to the least common consumer denominator by creating yet another lifeless, overgrown, misguided fashion-trend of a rolling appliance (read: CUV) will guarantee Subaru's continued sales trajectory. It's a winning model perfected by its new step-parent Toyota, which makes this revelation of suck all-the-less surprising.

jmcgliss · July 27, 2009, 04:45:28 PM

Epiphone Thunderbird IV Silverburst "special run" w/ 2005 Legacy GT turbo 5spd wagon "1 year only". DIY version of the VW First Act guitar promotion.

TBird1958 · July 27, 2009, 06:59:21 PM

Now that works!

OldManC · July 27, 2009, 07:53:24 PM

NICE!

jmcgliss · July 27, 2009, 08:04:54 PM

Thanks; it's pretty good for a faux 'bird. Is a TB from China a dragonbird? A dimsumbird?

I'll post playability comments in the silverburst thread.

Dave W · July 27, 2009, 09:36:24 PM

Quote from: Barklessdog on July 27, 2009, 03:19:19 PM
Funny review here-

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/review-2010-subaru-outback/
....

Now that's funny! Somebody must have told Subaru that ugly is the new cool. Maybe they're trying to woo Pontiac Vibe buyers.

Barklessdog · July 28, 2009, 04:04:47 AM

Quote from: jmcgliss on July 27, 2009, 04:45:28 PM
Epiphone Thunderbird IV Silverburst "special run" w/ 2005 Legacy GT turbo 5spd wagon "1 year only". DIY version of the VW First Act guitar promotion.

Nice bird & car, they look great together. Sucks that they are no longer selling Legacy wagons here. No turbo for the new Outback as well. Does the Tbird have a turbo?

jmcgliss · July 28, 2009, 07:05:07 AM

Wish Subie made a roof rack attachment for basses. Cyclists get all the attention.

Barklessdog · July 28, 2009, 02:34:14 PM

Comparison pics of the new & old Subies

TBird1958 · July 28, 2009, 02:39:52 PM

THAT'S AWFUL! Yes, I meant to use caps..............

Dave W · July 28, 2009, 02:41:12 PM

Is that real or photoshopped?

Whatever happened to their motto "inexpensive and built to stay that way"? I guess that went away when they discontinued the Justy.