Your points are valid, I do see where both of you are coming from on this.
Over here all Subarus sell in very small numbers, although the Prezza used to be popular with the yoof market before the hunchback came along.
- Because of the AWD all Subarus are invariably good to drive, particularly in bad conditions.
- Because of the AWD and the flat four petrol engines they have a well deserved reputation for being costly to run. Remember that our petrol here is way more expensive than it is in the States.
The galling thing is they now have this wonderful flat four diesel engine, but it has come too late to alter the public perception that a Subaru is an expensive car to own. What is noticable here now is the number of dealers giving up Subaru as a brand. Nobody is buying them, their CO2 usage ensures they are highly taxed and this negative is compounded by their being hard on consumption.
They are supposed to be bringing a flat 6 diesel to the market soon, and judging on the strength of the flat four diesel, this thing will be terrific. Knowing that they suffer from foot-in-mouth in marketing terms, I am betting they will introduce it first in the Tribeca. I don't know what you guys think of Tribecas, but over here they are considered too big, too heavy, too slow and too ugly. You could not sell one as a hearse, because nobody here wants to be seen dead in one.
Yet I am guessing that Subaru will introduce the engine that everybody needs in the car that nobody wants. It's their unique and colourful way of ensuring failure.
The new overgrown Legacy does look frumpy, yet they claim it is lighter and faster. I'll reserve judgement in that case, but I prefer the smaller current model.
Joe