After looking at new Subarus at the Washington, D.C. auto show last week, I decided today to check out and test-drive the new Outback Sport, which, like the base Impreza, WRX, and STi, is all-new this year. This was not done by anyone's request, but for my own curiosity, as a possible next purchase for me....I was interested in the car (you guys know I don't take auto purchases lightly, and I do a LOT of looking before I plunk my own money down).

I'll write up a review, or mini-review, if any of you guys want it or are interested in the car. If not, I won't waste time on that and get to the reviews I DO have requests from you guys for.....the BMW 335 and Toyota Sequoia.

 

If it was the WRX or the STi, I would say yes, but the outback isnt my cup of tea.

 

Like to read!!!

 

Mike, the Outback may not win popularity contests, but I would like to hear your opinions on it, as well as the prospect of how Subaru is progressing in the U.S. Market with their new(er) vehicles...

 

You got it, friend. I'll post a review on the new Outback Sport tomorrow.

Remember, there are two different Outbacks.....the larger one (the one I'm currently driving) based on the Legacy, and the smaller one (Outback Sport) based on the Impreza.




As far as Subaru's new vehicles overall are concerned, the advance 2009 L.L. Bean Forester I saw at the D.C show last week (the same greenish-gray one that was displayed at the Detroit Show) was a disaster....terribly cheaped, decontented, and with flimsier doors. The doors, which now have window frames, didn't have the same solid "thunk" and thickness as the 2008 model, the two-tone paint was gone, the wood trim was gone from the steering wheel and shifter, the rear cargo-cover pull-shade was gone, and the outside mirror-mounted turn signals were also gone. However, that was an advance display model that may or may not actually see prouction that way. If it DOES, however, Subaru is going to have a LOT of questions to answer as to why this vehicle was so severely decontented this year.....and this was the top-line L.L. Bean model.....what about the BASE model?

The Impreza 2.5i, WRX, STi, and Outback Sport (all with the same body/platform) are also all-new this year, but, except for the removal of the coolant temperature gauge in the 2.5i and Outback Sport (the WRX and STi still have a gauge) and dropping one or two paint colors, this new line does not appear to have been cheapened much. In fact, the whole line has actually gained something....nice gas struts hold up the hood now instead of a cheap prop rod.

The new Legacy-Outback is not due for another year or two..........according to Subaru, it is scheduled for a 2010 redesign. I can't comment on it because I haven't seen it, but I sure hope that the new Forester on display at the auto shows is not an early indication of what whe new Outback will be. If it is I will not buy a 2010.......and I myself may get a leftover 2008 or 2009 before it is redesigned.

The Tribeca remains relatively unchanged this year except for a much better-looking grille that does away with the odd, Alfa-Romeo-like center-snout. I dislike parts of its interior, however, because of the feel of the center-stack dials and the lack of any wood trim options, but wood trim is not something I necessarily have to have....it's just nice when it's there, that's all.

 

How do you get to drive all these cars? Do the dealers just know about you and hand you the keys?

 

Yes and no. That's part of it.

I know a lot of people (and managers) in the sales buisness...and a few at corporate higher levels. And even with strangers, they know, and can see at a glance, that I am not the average Joe-Blow car shopper. I know cars (often more than the salespeople), and come off as a mature and knowledgeable driver.....someone who will not tear their cars up (and, after 40 years, I haven't damaged a review car yet). Often, they ask me to point out things to THEM.

I'm often asked why I don't write about cars for a living, and am not part of the formal auto press. Simple......I don't WANT to be. I don't care for much of the regular auto press, the way they operate, the way some of them write, and having to work for some editor or publishing company just to get your stuff in print. I'm a firm believer in being honest, complete, and objective in reviews. I believe I can do that best on my own, without having to answer to a boss. And I don't need the money either.....I'm single, make a good pension, have plenty of savings, have tax-free income from investments, and a house and car that is paid for.

And, besides............I simply like CL and CAR CHAT. thumbup: IMO, it's probably the best general auto chat forum on the Internet.

So, enough, now, about me and my history. I'm just one of MANY auto buffs on this forum, and we've got some great ones among them......1SICKLEX, bitkahuna, Robarapta, PhilipMSPT, GS3Tek, RON430, doug999, flipside909, etc.... guys who live, eat, and sleep car talk.

 

I highly respect and value your opinion, and am quite ecstatic of such praise.