North American International Autoshow

awdsvx · #1 01-09-2004, 12:18 PM

Last night I got to go the North American International Autoshow. It was vendor day, and I was invited by Tier One Supplier to the auto industry. So I got to see everything before the general public. Nice show overall, very hard to get parking around Cobo Hall. The Subaru area was not very exciting. It lacked a WRX STI. Subaru displayed the new legacy. The concept that Subaru had was a big disappointment overall. The concept back in 1990 for the SVX was better. Very ugly design. I also took a walk to the Saab area to see the new Saab 9-2 (aka WRX) From what I gathered from the product specialist at the Saab kiosk is that the Saab 9-2 gets leather, powered seats, different HVAC controls, front facia, some what different radio, still 6 disc, sun roof, little different rear spoiler on the hatch. The ignition is the same as the WRX, I was told, it was kept the same due to cost, so the typical Saab igniton right by the gear shift will not be there. I was even allowed to go over the temered glass barrier to open the door to get a up close look. The interior treatment looks somewhat more upscale, better fabrics and a 2 tone leather seats. So is it worth the extra money for a Saab 9-2 -vs- a Subaru WRX??? For me, netheir is a car for me. I am actually looking at a Acura TL with a 270 H.P. a nice navagation system, cheap BMW 330 I with more power that the bimmer and the refinments & amenities of one. But I am still going to keep my SVX if I buy my Acura TL.

Mr. Pockets · #2 01-09-2004, 12:25 PM

I miss the NAIAS. I should've just pestered Doug until he agreed to let me go with him and his friend.

Okay, mostly I just wanna see what a dirty old man like Doug does in Windsor.

...or maybe not...

Anyway, I'm surprised Subaru even has a concept with them. The last one I remember seeing was the Baja, and it was well past concept stage at that point. What did they have at the show? And, you're right, their display at the show is hardly the most impressive. But then the real beauty of Subaru's cars, to me, is driving them and living with them on a daily basis. So what if they don't have the glitziest (is that a word?) display?

awdsvx · #3 01-09-2004, 12:40 PM

If Subaru had better marketing way back when and promoted the SVX better via the AutoShows, more people would of been more inclined, if not aware of the SUBARU BRAND, to buy the SVX or XT6. The SVX and XT6 were relatively unkown and still today still unknown. I have people today still asking what type of car I drive or they look at my SVX in wonder. So it very important for a car manufacture to have a very visible pressence at a major autoshow to show the future products and to promote them. And to that point goes back to the SVX and XT6, poor marketing, poor sales of the car which equals terminating the car at the end. The SVX design to me, is still fresh and cutting edge, but design alone can not help sales, but along with design, good PR and getting the word help sell cars.

GreenMarine · #4 01-09-2004, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by awdsvx
Last night I got to go the North American International Autoshow. It was vendor day, and I was invited by Tier One Supplier to the auto industry. So I got to see everything before the general public. Nice show overall, very hard to get parking around Cobo Hall. The Subaru area was not very exciting. It lacked a WRX STI. Subaru displayed the new legacy. The concept that Subaru had was a big disappointment overall. The concept back in 1990 for the SVX was better. Very ugly design. I also took a walk to the Saab area to see the new Saab 9-2 (aka WRX) From what I gathered from the product specialist at the Saab kiosk is that the Saab 9-2 gets leather, powered seats, different HVAC controls, front facia, some what different radio, still 6 disc, sun roof, little different rear spoiler on the hatch. The ignition is the same as the WRX, I was told, it was kept the same due to cost, so the typical Saab igniton right by the gear shift will not be there. I was even allowed to go over the temered glass barrier to open the door to get a up close look. The interior treatment looks somewhat more upscale, better fabrics and a 2 tone leather seats. So is it worth the extra money for a Saab 9-2 -vs- a Subaru WRX??? For me, netheir is a car for me. I am actually looking at a Acura TL with a 270 H.P. a nice navagation system, cheap BMW 330 I with more power that the bimmer and the refinments & amenities of one. But I am still going to keep my SVX if I buy my Acura TL.

Hey man, are you going to the show tonight?? My girl Alissa will be there... Probably drooling over the Subaru's and stuff... If you do go tonight and see a brunette about 5'4" 125lbs at the Subaru area, ask her if her name is Alissa... If it is tell her that Chris(GreenMarineSVX) from the SVX Network says hi!!!

That would be really cool of ya!!! It would catch her completly by supprise!!!!

awdsvx · #5 01-09-2004, 01:42 PM

I am not going tonight, that is the charity preview with all the excutives, vips, politcians with $500.00 tickets each. Sorry I am the low "grunt" on the food chain. I only work on the design of the cars. But I am going back to the Autoshow next week when it opens up to the general public. It is going to be very crowded and busy. That is why I like to go when only the people in the industry are only invited. You get the chance to go up close to the cars. I actually got up close to the Austin Martin Vanquish " James Bond's Car" last night. They let me through the barrier to get a good look. But when I go next week I will stop by the Subaru area again and inquire about your friend.

Don't worry I will be with my wife!

LOL, Beautiful cars, with beautiful women!

wawazat?? · #6 01-09-2004, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GreenMarineSVX

Hey man, are you going to the show tonight?? My girl Alissa will be there... Probably drooling over the Subaru's and stuff... If you do go tonight and see a brunette about 5'4" 125lbs at the Subaru area, ask her if her name is Alissa... If it is tell her that Chris(GreenMarineSVX) from the SVX Network says hi!!! That would be really cool of ya!!! It would catch her completly by supprise!!!!

I'm going tomorrow with the Detroit and Chicago area Impreza owners. If I see Alyssa (I know her) I'll tell her you were drooling over......sorry, you said hello, Chris.

I asked her about you before at a local meet and she said she didn't remember you?????

Todd

mohrds · #7 01-09-2004, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GreenMarineSVX

Hey man, are you going to the show tonight?? My girl Alissa will be there... Probably drooling over the Subaru's and stuff... If you do go tonight and see a brunette about 5'4" 125lbs at the Subaru area, ask her if her name is Alissa... If it is tell her that Chris(GreenMarineSVX) from the SVX Network says hi!!! That would be really cool of ya!!! It would catch her completly by supprise!!!!

Alissa will be surprised alright...

Doug

wawazat?? · #8 01-09-2004, 02:00 PM

is that the NAIAS typically draws about 800,000 people a year.

Finding a girl to meet the description would be easy, finding her might take a little while.....

Todd

(I'll tell Alyssa that you were stalking ehr on the internet Chris. She'll find that creepy about you, I'm sure)

#9 01-09-2004, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by awdsvx
I am actually looking at a Acura TL with a 270 H.P. a nice navagation system, cheap BMW 330 I with more power that the bimmer and the refinments & amenities of one

And Front wheel drive

with 270HP, talk about torque steer! I would much rather have a Infiniti G35 - with RWD.

wawazat?? · #10 01-09-2004, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChrisR
And Front wheel drive with 270HP, talk about torque steer! I would much rather have a Infiniti G35 - with RWD.

I agree. It's a very nice car.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...3F%3F/3250.jpg

Todd

awdsvx · #11 01-09-2004, 06:59 PM

Lol ok,

Relax, have not made up my mind yet. I was also looking at the new Volvo S 60 R with AWD & 300 H.P. with 295 ft./Lbs of torque. So there, how's that. But it cost more than the Acura TL, I think it starts at $36,000 something if I get my friends Ford employee discount. Well, I still like my SVX so no worries people, plus also the fact that my SVX is fully paid!!!!!

I am just looking to get into a sedan. The new Legacy that is comming out is nice, but I was dissappointed in the U.S. version only gets 250 H.P. while the Japanese version gets 270 H.P. I am just looking at the whole picture as far as: Price, Amenities, Quality, Safety, Performance, Reliability. I am not just looking at Performance alone. I agree the about the torque steer along with the wheel hop if I ever dropped the clutch on the Acura TL. Well at least FWD is better than RWD in the winter. Well time will tell what I will get, still undecided.

Royal Tiger · #12 01-10-2004, 04:51 AM

You could always "chip" the Legacy R to get it closer to the 300 mark. The problem with a Volvo is, it's just another warmed over ford. Doesn't the G35 get AWD soon? You could always go the A4 or A6 route, or even a VW with 4Matic (or is it 4Motion?) Or a Benz, or...... etc. Anything but a ford!!!!

wawazat?? · #13 01-11-2004, 08:44 AM

ton of people, ton of cool cars, and a bunch of Subie driving friends went to it with me. We had a group of Chicago and Detroit area people (Impreza drivers from NASIOC), about 15 in all.

The new Legacy is very nice! Too bad SOA has decided to show it but keep it locked and not allow people to sit in it

I'm not sure what inspired them to do that. The mid-size car market is huge and the last generation Legacy is old, underpowered, and unable to compete with the likes of the new Accord, Camry and Altima (and the sales numbers show). Subaru introduces an attractive new version, along with a high-performance derivative (2.5 T) and then locks it so none of the approximately 800,000 people who attend the show can try it on for size. What the hell are the marketing-types thinking????

The new 3.0 H-6 has beautiful headers. I'll put a picture up later today.

Todd

Chris (GreenMarine), Alyssa asked me to apologize to you, but said she couldn't remember you - really. I described you to her (you know- Marine, Australian, met him at the dragon. She remembered Harry and his accident, but not you-sorry mate)