"Boxer_4" (Boxer_4)
11/21/2019 at 10:30 • Filed to: None
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"Boxer_4" (Boxer_4)
11/21/2019 at 10:30 • Filed to: None | 2
| 13 |
Similar basic ideas, different executions, vastly different success rates.
The journey from the Outback Sport and related counterparts to the XV and Crosstrek deserves an exploratory post at some point.
Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> Boxer_4
11/21/2019 at 10:35 |
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I had a 2002 outback sport, it was a pretty good car. The success of the crosstrek is amazing and frankly I laud subaru for figuring out it just needed more body cladding and an additional 1" of suspension lift.
KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
> Boxer_4
11/21/2019 at 10:41 |
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I used to have the one on the right 10 years ago.
Ash78, voting early and often
> Boxer_4
11/21/2019 at 11:03 |
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The weird thing about living where Subies are just getting popular is that I’ll see something like a Legacy sedan or a ( non-WRX) Impreza or Outback Sport and do a doubletake. Definite unicorns amid the sea of Crosstreks and Outbacks today.
TheTurbochargedSquirrel
> Boxer_4
11/21/2019 at 11:07 |
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You could use the evolution of the sport trim as one piece of evidence that the 2012-2016 generation of Impreza was a dud. That and everything else disappointing about that gen from the driving dynamics to the complete lack of sound deadening, to the rattles, and so on.
If you can’t tell I did an 8 hour round trip in my sisters 2012 Impreza Sport last weekend and wanted to die after about 5 hours.
cmill189 - sans Volvo
> TheTurbochargedSquirrel
11/21/2019 at 12:21 |
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Can confirm. That year range is horrific.
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Boxer_4
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/21/2019 at 18:47 |
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The thing is, Subaru already had the formula thanks to the early Outback. The 1995 Outback was just like the 1995 Outback Sport where both were just two-tone paint and upgraded interiors. The 1996 Outback got an additional 1" of ground clearance over the Legacy, and by the 2nd generation the Outback had quite a bit of body cladding. The same was never applied to the Outback Sport.
To be fair though, the early Forester could be considered that car for the Impreza platform. It wasn’t until the Forester got significantly bigger that there was a hole in the lineup.
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Boxer_4
> Ash78, voting early and often
11/21/2019 at 18:50 |
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You can find some 1st generation Imprezas and quite a few 2nd generation Legacy and Outback models around here. We weren’t packed with Subarus before the ‘10s brand explosion, but they weren’t exactly scarce, either.
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Boxer_4
> KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
11/21/2019 at 18:52 |
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I almost bought GH Outback Sport before I had a great offer present itself for the ‘09 Forester I ended up with. Spark Silver/Steel Silver and Sage Green/Steel Silver were my favorite color combos on this generation.
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Boxer_4
> TheTurbochargedSquirrel
11/21/2019 at 18:55 |
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The pre-facelift of this generation - and to a degree, the equivalent generation Forester- were definitely a lower point compared to the generations around them. The facelift helped quite a bit, at least on the Forester.
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TheTurbochargedSquirrel
> Boxer_4
11/21/2019 at 18:58 |
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The generation you own is a completely different platform compared to the 2012-2016 models. The 2017+ cars are built on Subaru’s global platform and I like them very much. The 2012-2016 models are a unique chassis. I nearly bought a 2019 Impreza Sport and my Mom has a 2019 Crosstrek that is very nice.
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Boxer_4
> TheTurbochargedSquirrel
11/21/2019 at 19:06 |
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“This generation” meaning the GJ/GP Impreza you originally referenced in your first post. And I threw in the SJ Forester.
The Global Platform GK/GT (such as my Crosstrek), and the SK Forester are a huge step up platform wise over those , for sure.
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Ash78, voting early and often
> Boxer_4
11/22/2019 at 09:00 |
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I did see a Legacy GT wagon a few weeks back, first one in a decade. That was pretty cool and incredibly rare.
I’m just surprised with the current explosion, especially for a place where AWD used to be a “nonessential” feature. I’ve never seen a brand pick up steam so fast over just 3-5 years. My biggest theory is the CVT additions — like most brands with full-time AWD, about 10-15 years ago the fuel economy was pretty meh (I have an older 4motion/quattro) and that turned a lot of casual buyers away. It wasn’t long ago that AWD (with traditional automatics) would mean a 3-5mpg penalty over 2WD.
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Boxer_4
> Ash78, voting early and often
11/23/2019 at 11:41 |
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Yesterday I saw a 2nd generation Legacy GT wagon modified cosmetically to appear like the JDM model. It reminded me how good looking I think the 2nd gen wagon looks.
I recently moved from a 2009 Forester with the non-turbo 2.5L (EJ253 ) and the 4-speed auto to a 2019 Crosstrek with the 2.0L (FB20D) and the CVT. Keeping in mind the difference in engine displacement/horsepower and weight (~175 lbs less in the Crosstrek ), I’m seeing an 8-10 mpg increase in the same driving conditions depending on the circumstance. That is huge.