Subaru: the luxury-only car maker?

[Dominic Richens]

From my reading of the Subaru "glossies" and web sites about their new
models, Subaru does not see people who want functional, well made,
economical AWD cars as being their potential customers. If you think back
to the 90's there were always trims like the "Brighton" and models like the
Loyale that were pretty basic and hence fairly cheap.

Now it looks like even a "base" Legacy LSi comes with electric-everything,
cruise-control, heated seats and "simulated-wood-grain" finish?!

Well, that 2004 VW Jetta TDI Wagon is looking attractive (costs about the
same though, except it gets 1250km/tank

 

[Rockin Ronnie]

From my reading of the Subaru "glossies" and web sites about their new
models, Subaru does not see people who want functional, well made,
economical AWD cars as being their potential customers. If you think back
to the 90's there were always trims like the "Brighton" and models like the
Loyale that were pretty basic and hence fairly cheap.

Now it looks like even a "base" Legacy LSi comes with electric-everything,
cruise-control, heated seats and "simulated-wood-grain" finish?!

Well, that 2004 VW Jetta TDI Wagon is looking attractive (costs about the
same though, except it gets 1250km/tank

Subaru is carefully carving out it's niche.

Ron

 

[FFF]

Now it looks like even a "base" Legacy LSi comes with electric-everything,

Nothing basic about an LSi

florian

 

[John M.]

From my reading of the Subaru "glossies" and web sites about their new
models, Subaru does not see people who want functional, well made,
economical AWD cars as being their potential customers. If you think back
to the 90's there were always trims like the "Brighton" and models like the
Loyale that were pretty basic and hence fairly cheap.

Now it looks like even a "base" Legacy LSi comes with electric-everything,
cruise-control, heated seats and "simulated-wood-grain" finish?!

Well, that 2004 VW Jetta TDI Wagon is looking attractive (costs about the
same though, except it gets 1250km/tank

The whole auto market is moving in this direction as people come to expect
more and more items as standard.
It's not just a Subaru thing. However, w/ Subaru, at least you get the
reliability and most advanced AWD system on the road.
Regards,
John

 

[Alpha Male]

Subaru is not designing cars for the purely cost-driven consumer. Subaru
designs cars for people who understand that importance of investing a little
more money into having well-built, well-equiped vehicles. If Subaru made a
disposable car like the the Cavalier or any Daewoo/KIA, how would they stand
out above the rest?

In the past Subaru was a cheaper car, but over they years they have created
a niche market that caters to those who want something unique.

Chris