What's up with the 2005 pricing structure?

[null]

Was thinking about trading in my '02 H6 Sedan for a '05 wagon until I saw
the prices. What is Subaru
smoking? $30K for a 4 cylinder wagon? Come on!! They're just slightly less
then a STi.
My H6 fully loaded didn't even cost me $25k. Even dealers
I've talked to agree that the price are too high. One dealer said just
wait till the 7 passenger comes out
we've been told it'll sticker for $35k. I used to think Subaru was the
affordable AWD now I'm looking at
going back to GM at least I don't have to second mortgage to buy one.

So, someone enlighten me as to why Subaru has decided to price their
vehicles along the lines of BMW, Volvo and Saab.

 

[tcassette]

Because of the higher profits available, Subaru has been on an "upmarket"
trend for the past few years. The LL Bean and VDC Outbacks were the
beginning. By upping the quality of the interiors in particular, they can
offer a compelling alternative to Toyota and the European brands, especially
VW and Audi who also offer AWD but at slightly higher prices. If a company
realizes it will never sell the volume of cars that its more mainstream
Japanese and Korean competitors do, then the premium niche market can still
pull in pretty good profit (more per unit). Subaru's GM cousin Saab is even
selling 2 versions of the 9-2, which are essentially upgraded Impreza and
WRX models. Given that Subarus are probably more reliable than Volvo, Saab,
VW, and Audi, and about the same reliability as BMW, they will do fine in
the market by pricing at least a bit under comparably equipped models of
those brands.

And, a knowledgeable, patient buyer can get a Subaru at invoice pricing.

 

[anon]

Can anyone tell me how the American Year model system works in terms of
your cars?

It is not even midyear 2004 yet, and many posters here seem to be
talking about buying, or having ALREADY bought a 2005 model vehicle.

What gives???

Here in Australia, our years are consistent with the ACTUAL year we are
living in. We will not be able to buy a 2005 model until...surprise
surprise.... 2005 !!!

 

[Ned Pike]

In

Can anyone tell me how the American Year model system works in terms
of your cars?

It is not even midyear 2004 yet, and many posters here seem to be
talking about buying, or having ALREADY bought a 2005 model vehicle.

What gives???

Here in Australia, our years are consistent with the ACTUAL year we
are living in. We will not be able to buy a 2005 model
until...surprise surprise.... 2005 !!!

null wrote:

Here in the US, the only rule is that a car must be available for sale on
January 1 of its model year. Historically (back in the Big 3 Detroit days),
the new model year started in September/October of any given year. In the
past few years, that tradition has been blown to hell.

 

[anon]

Thanx Ned for your response

I guess from an Aussie point of view, we don't have a large local
automotive manufacturing entity - we have our local 2 (Aussie-spec GM
Holden & Ford) and I think we also build Mitsubishi locally - but all of
our Subarus are imported Japanese manufactured - so I guess this is why
we continue with the 2005 available in 2005 (or at the VERY earliest,
Nov or Dec 2004 AFAIAA)

 

[Losiho]

Can anyone tell me how the American Year model system works in terms of
your cars?

It is not even midyear 2004 yet, and many posters here seem to be
talking about buying, or having ALREADY bought a 2005 model vehicle.

What gives???

Here in Australia, our years are consistent with the ACTUAL year we are
living in. We will not be able to buy a 2005 model until...surprise
surprise.... 2005 !!!

Afraid not ! Subaru Australia will be releasing the updated MY05 range
(all models) in August 2004. On the upgrade list (so I've heard) is a manual
tranny for the Liberty GT !

 

[Brent Burton]

| In | anon <(e-mail address removed)> spewed:
| > Can anyone tell me how the American Year model system works in terms
| > of your cars?
| >
| > It is not even midyear 2004 yet, and many posters here seem to be
| > talking about buying, or having ALREADY bought a 2005 model vehicle.
| >
| > What gives???
|
| Here in the US, the only rule is that a car must be available for sale on
| January 1 of its model year. Historically (back in the Big 3 Detroit days),
| the new model year started in September/October of any given year. In the
| past few years, that tradition has been blown to hell.

It's happened sporadically since the '60s. When Ford introduced
the Mustang is was a 64 and-a-half model year, debuting in March IIRC.

New car models in the US are introduced earlier every year it
seems.

But that's OK, because magazines are delivered earlier now, too.

What this means is that _Car and Driver_ will review the newly released
2005 Wundebar XTsIq in its August 2004 issue ... in June.


-bpb

 

[anon]

HA HA HA ! ! !

Thanx Brent for the reply

Pity we can't all just stick to the correct dates..... I'm sure it's all
a marketing ploy... to be the first one with the story, just because you
say the date is 2 months early!!!

Like the news bulletins...... Channel Ten, "First at Five o'clock" with
the news..... when everybody is still struggling in the traffic to get
home!!!

 

[Marky]

Afraid not ! Subaru Australia will be releasing the updated MY05 range
(all models) in August 2004. On the upgrade list (so I've heard) is a manual
tranny for the Liberty GT !

What other upgrades, any changes to the 2.5i models? I'm hoping for the same
5 speed tranny from the GT. The auto 2.5i with 4 speed is a bit sluggish
(So i have heard). It needs a 5 speed like the Honda Accord Euro. How about
a 3.0 6 cylinder model. This would be great.

 

[Jkpoulos7]

So, someone enlighten me as to why Subaru has decided to price their

vehicles along the lines of BMW, Volvo and Saab.

They want to move "upscale" and will soon be in dire straits. Subaru's core
audience are educated middle class professionals . Most will seek other
alternatives before spending that kind of money. I bought my 04 OBW because I
got it for under 20k. If I had to pay near the sticker of 26k I'd have bought
something else.
Hopefully subaru wises up and keeps some models affordable

 

[Tha Ghee]

Can anyone tell me how the American Year model system works in terms of
your cars?

It is not even midyear 2004 yet, and many posters here seem to be
talking about buying, or having ALREADY bought a 2005 model vehicle.

What gives???

Here in Australia, our years are consistent with the ACTUAL year we are
living in. We will not be able to buy a 2005 model until...surprise
surprise.... 2005 !!!

traditionally the new models hit the ground in Aug. and that's the new model
year, Aug. 2004 model year 2005 will be on the ground. the only car I can
think of off hand is the Viper that goes calendar year not school year. now
it's all screwy for some models, 2005 E 320 came out in May or something.

 

[Tha Ghee]

HA HA HA ! ! !

Thanx Brent for the reply

Pity we can't all just stick to the correct dates..... I'm sure it's all
a marketing ploy... to be the first one with the story, just because you
say the date is 2 months early!!!

Like the news bulletins...... Channel Ten, "First at Five o'clock" with
the news..... when everybody is still struggling in the traffic to get
home!!!

never understood that either, why would you have any local news before 6
p.m., who's watching it??

 

[Losiho]

What other upgrades, any changes to the 2.5i models? I'm hoping for the same
5 speed tranny from the GT. The auto 2.5i with 4 speed is a bit sluggish
(So i have heard). It needs a 5 speed like the Honda Accord Euro. How about
a 3.0 6 cylinder model. This would be great.

I think the 2.5s will keep the 4 speed auto. I just wish the 2.5s (both
Liberty and Outback) came with a CD stacker, as it only comes with a single
CD player, and there's no way to upgrade or add one later.

The only news I've heard so far is a manual Liberty GT, and colour / trim
changes to the Forester lineup. The Forester STi is definitely a no go for
Australia, and I think price may delay the 3.0R Liberty sedan for the time
being

 

[Marky]

I think the 2.5s will keep the 4 speed auto. I just wish the 2.5s (both
Liberty and Outback) came with a CD stacker, as it only comes with a single
CD player, and there's no way to upgrade or add one later.

Yep, correct me if I am wrong but to get the stacker you need to get the
Sports option pack (leather,stacker and something else i think $3000). You
could put your own deck in but Subaru have not made this easy on this model.

The only news I've heard so far is a manual Liberty GT, and colour / trim
changes to the Forester lineup. The Forester STi is definitely a no go for
Australia, and I think price may delay the 3.0R Liberty sedan for the time
being

Looks like I'll have to settle for the 2.5. Maybe put an exhaust on it to
improve performance a bit. 60/40 seats are also missed.

 

[JaySee]

BMWs aren't reliable. Subaru far surpasses it. My step-father has
had MANY problems with his 99 740iL

 

[Losiho]

Yep, correct me if I am wrong but to get the stacker you need to get the
Sports option pack (leather,stacker and something else i think $3000). You
could put your own deck in but Subaru have not made this easy on this

model.

A CD changer is available on the Luxury and Premium versions (not the base
model or the safety pack). I'd grab a premium pack with a 5 speed manual if
they offered it. The audio and ventilation controls are integrated, so
aftermarket audio installations are very difficult, if not impossible.

Looks like I'll have to settle for the 2.5. Maybe put an exhaust on it to
improve performance a bit. 60/40 seats are also missed.

Choose the wagon if you need split fold seats IMO, the new wagons are
better looking than the sedan - the rear tail lights on the sedan are just a
little too Camry-ish. BTW, I have a 1999 Outback 2.5 auto. There's enough
grunt to keep up with, or beat, Magnas, Camrys and Falcadores (6 cylinder)
in traffic. Just don't expect it to pull like a V8 at freeway speeds. If you
want to improve performance, I've heard a cold air intake frees up the 2.5
nicely.

 

[Mr. A]

They want to move "upscale" and will soon be in dire straits. Subaru's core
audience are educated middle class professionals . Most will seek other
alternatives before spending that kind of money. I bought my 04 OBW because I
got it for under 20k. If I had to pay near the sticker of 26k I'd have bought
something else.
Hopefully subaru wises up and keeps some models affordable

I thought I might buy a leftover 2004 OBW, but for some strange reason the
car seems to have less front seat room than my '95 Legacy.

So I thought I'd hold out for an '05. I went out last weekend to test drive
one. I checked out a Legacy sedan. I was very impressed with the car, and
it seems to have a bit more room than the older generation and felt more
solid on the road. So far, so good. Problem is, for a base Legacy sedan with
automatic the MSRP is $24k. If you want to splurge and get a moonroof, you
have to get the limited model with leather for another couple grand. The
salesman said they're going after the european car buyer. We'll see how that
works out for them.

A big selling point for me in the first place with subaru was the value.

Unfortunately, there seems to be no AWD *car* available in my price range.
With the subarus starting in the mid-20s, or Audis, and Volvos well into the
$30k range, a small SUV like the ford escape sounds downright cheap at $19k.

 

[y_p_w]

because I



I thought I might buy a leftover 2004 OBW, but for some strange reason the
car seems to have less front seat room than my '95 Legacy.

So I thought I'd hold out for an '05. I went out last weekend to test drive
one. I checked out a Legacy sedan. I was very impressed with the car, and
it seems to have a bit more room than the older generation and felt more
solid on the road. So far, so good. Problem is, for a base Legacy sedan with
automatic the MSRP is $24k. If you want to splurge and get a moonroof, you
have to get the limited model with leather for another couple grand. The
salesman said they're going after the european car buyer. We'll see how that
works out for them.

A big selling point for me in the first place with subaru was the value.

Unfortunately, there seems to be no AWD *car* available in my price range.
With the subarus starting in the mid-20s, or Audis, and Volvos well into the
$30k range, a small SUV like the ford escape sounds downright cheap at $19k.

The Impreza 2.5 RS starts at under $19K in a sedan or wagon.

 

[Marky]

A CD changer is available on the Luxury and Premium versions (not the base
model or the safety pack). I'd grab a premium pack with a 5 speed manual if
they offered it. The audio and ventilation controls are integrated, so
aftermarket audio installations are very difficult, if not impossible.

Yes, In my youth (im only 26 now) I had a fairly expensive audio system in
my '88 telstar (audio system is now more expensive than the car itself). I
has a typical doof doof car, big 15" sub etc. Hopefully the stock head unit
in the Liberty is adequate. Speakers can always be changed. Hopefully the
head unit at least has one set of pre-outs for an amp to power the front
speakers. I'll be getting an auto.

Choose the wagon if you need split fold seats IMO, the new wagons are
better looking than the sedan - the rear tail lights on the sedan are just a
little too Camry-ish. BTW,

Yeah, I don't need split fold seats, just thought it could be handy on that
rare occassion.
Unfortunately, I do agree about the tail lights. Hopefully will get used to
them.

I have a 1999 Outback 2.5 auto. There's enough
grunt to keep up with, or beat, Magnas, Camrys and Falcadores (6 cylinder)
in traffic. Just don't expect it to pull like a V8 at freeway speeds. If you
want to improve performance, I've heard a cold air intake frees up the 2.5
nicely.

The GT would be fanatstic but price/premium fuel requirement/insurance does
not justify it for me, I'm sure (it must be) the 2.5 auto will be miles
ahead of my 3 speed auto '88 telstar. Performance mods may not be necessary
for my needs, I can't wait to test drive, hopefully the preformance will
surprise me.

 

[Jkpoulos7]

The Impreza 2.5 RS starts at under $19K in a sedan or wagon.
Impreza is fine for young person/couple but add kids dogs gear and its not
really adequate.
The Outback is fine sizewise but they will suffer if they price it as such