doug_999

Of note, Andreas Zapatinas is the former design director of Alfa and to add flame to the fire, was trained by... yes, Chris Bangle (let the real thread begin).

Speaking of which, count me as a person who once said they would never own an E60 (the current gen 5-series) right when they came out. However, the design really grew on me and yes, now I own one. While I don't find it as good looking as the 3rd gen GS, it is better looking than the Infinti M (IMHO). The A6 is a sweet car as well but dare I call it a bit bland? The front grille is not an issue here in IL since your front license plate cuts right through it making it look just fine - but the rear is bland. So give me a car with some style (GS/5-series).

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

I liked the darth vader grille on the WRX/STi but the Tribeca *shudders*

Lexmex

I have had a few BMW friends start to look at other options when they are looking to sell or trade in, whereas previously they would have gotten another BMW. They are not Bangle fans.

I actually thought the Subarus looked better than a lot of other vehicles.

LexFather

I disagree, if anything, the new designs of both have attracted NEW owners, people who have never owned the brand before, and alienated previous and loyal owners.

As for Subie, thank goodness, those front ends were HORRIFIC

2ndchance

I only feel bad for the owners of the '05 models. Their model year lasted for 1 year, and then the production company said 'Sorry, it sucked'. It's like being the owner of the previous generation of Eclipse. Or an Aztec.

WHAT DOES RESALE VALUE MEANLOLLERSKATES?

Incendiary

Or a Zephyr.

Koma

iTrader: (3)

Well hardly anyone bought the Zephyr.

Incendiary

Well, while not top of its class, it did sell 2000-3000 per month. That's at least better than um... uh... um... the X-type.

BoDarville

my understanding is this guy came aboard after that grille design had been slated, and had nothing to do with it, but that he did have influence on the interior design of the tribeca, which gets a lot of props, so i think he was fired for other reasons (having sex with the cleaning lady on his desk, perhaps?)

toy4two

a SF newspaper reporter got fired after calling it a ******

Koma

iTrader: (3)

Well my point was that the Eclipse sold a lot more, lots of people got screwed on that.
If you bought Zephyr, than that was your own fault.

Lexmex

Ah Alfa, now that rings a bell as we do have Alfas down here and I thought the grill looked similar.

This is an Alfa 166.

Richie

Thank god they are changing it.

doug_999

Yes, there was a big hubabub when they hired the guy and how the new grill looked a lot like Alfa. However, BoDarville is probably right and the design was probably done way before he came on board - still, he probably liked it and let it go thru

HKGS300

There were some rumors that GM wanted Andreas Zapatinas for this post as Chief Designer ... since GM is longer involved with Subaru, it would be difficult for Zapatinas to stay.