slothy2020 said:
IMHO, I am not worried about the emissions of cars 5 years or newer. Factories, tractor trailers, and the POS cars that I see on the freeways are the real danger. I rather see money going into hybrid tractor trailers. I would also like to see the government make driving more of a privilege than a right and make it harder for old broke down crap piles stay on the road.
That's an interesting point. In our great state, lawmakers have been unable to pass a law that mandates tarps for gravel trucks, much less stricter emissions control. Either one is a nuisance for me, but the tarps at the very least would have saved me a windscreen and several chips of the dozens my nose has...
25K is a low-mid level car not meant to be luxurious, most cars in this price range use the same materials for the interior have the same rattles. With my WRX I have had absolutely no rattles or interior issues. (maybe I’m lucky) This car had what I expect for the price range. In some ways it excided it, very few cars come with 6 disc changers at this price.
I think you've been fortunate. There are several pieces that are known to rattle, like the trim piece closest to the windscreen and a large plastic piece in the rear, on the right side behind the rear door, or the driver's seat belt that squeaks. In the US, we are all somewhat fortunate. Despite a poor economy, the average person can buy a car with only 1 year's income. Still, $25K is a good chunk of change, and I think a car costing that much such have interior quality comparable to, if not better than, a Honda Civic costing half as much. Ironically, in my particular car, the 6-disc changer you mentioned buzzes and rattles -- I think it's the face plate piece that shoes the frequency or disc number...
I 100% agree companies need customer feed back, and you have some valid points for improvement. It would be nice if they had a city car for the states, but that’s our fault for buying SUVs and big V8’s for so many years.
They used to make an absolutely brilliant, minimalist 600cc city car. As a matter of fact, every single Subaru I've seen that is below 1,000 cc, I have really liked. Are they exciting? No, not usually. But for minimalist motoring, for getting to work and making the least mess and costing the least, they were absolutely great. These never came to the US I don't think, and the truth is that the realities of the US are different. The distances here are huge, and the motorways almost demand at least 1.5L motors. Still, they could stuff the 1.6L they saddle the (heavy...) Impreza with in other markets into a Justy-sized vehicle, and I would seriously consider buying one -- even factoring in a $200 bargain-basement paint job from the maestro, Earl Sheib. What better for $3/gallon gas and traffic jams?
I don't mean to come across as totally negative. My bugeye was and is a brilliant car. The headlamps and nose arrangement not only remind me of the 1963 model Subaru, they mirror the air vents and clock pod on the dashboard inside. The motor is INCREDIBLY easy on oil, reflecting careful thought and design (the oil analysis numbers I've gotten indicate IMO that the motor ought to last indefinitely...). Everything on the car seems designed to come apart relatively easily, to help repairs and maintenance. There is a LOT of thought in the bugeye car.
This is what I expect and demand of them. I didn't buy any other car, I bought this specific car because I expect and demand the most from them. Whether it's reasonable or not, that's whay I want. Innovation. It's just disappointing when I see it elsewhere and not from them. I would like to buy a B9 for my wife, but the Highlander is quieter, has a more tractable motor, and comes as a hybrid. All this makes it difficult to suggest the B9 seriously. As for the paint, it's just silly how frail the finish is on 02 models at least.
Subaru was/is the "other" Saab -- a symbol of people that think differently, a symbol of well-meaning dorkiness at times. I think reliability, innovation, ruggedness, and progressive thinking ought to remain their hallmark, as that IMO is what got them where they are.
On another note, this Cabernet has a kick to it that I'm just noticing...