New Subaru Impala???

[Ron Mummert]

VW is shifting more and more into the platform sharing strategy that crippled GM and killed off British Leyland. Audi, VW, Bentley, Skoda, and SEAT all share platforms, engines, drivetrains, and interior pieces. Audi and Lamborghini will share platforms, and there's nothing to suggest VW won't help itself to that as well. Worse, Audi and Fiat have just consumated a deal that gives Maserati access to Audi's Quattro drivetrain, and their aluminum technology used on the A8. Hopefully they'll be able to escape the fate that has befallen GM and BL - it would hurt to one day think of the A4 as a Cimmaron. [/B][/QUOTE]



Oh, well - Let's all go rent that 1977 classic movie "Network", listen again to Ned Beatty's tirade to Peter Finch in the conference room, & realize there's nuthin' new under the sun.

Ron ("I'm mad as h*ll, but can't remember why"!)

My only comment is if Subaru get contaminated by GM
I will never own a new Suby.

This is the reason I will not get a Hummer.

Victoria

[Seraph]

Originally posted by astralbody
My only comment is if Subaru get contaminated by GM
I will never own a new Suby.

This is the reason I will not get a Hummer.

Victoria

I still believe in H1. H2 and new H3 on the other hand are POS.

i saw someone say that the trim on audis is better than on subarus. to that i say: you're right!! BUT!! Check out the 2005 Legacy. You'll be suitably impressed by the improvements that Subaru has made. I test drove one in Singapore - the inside looked and feeled european, the driving was pure subaru. they've made a huge leap in terms of interior quality.

[dcarrb]

Originally posted by phoenix96


GM's ahead of you:

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/200...s/motoring.htm

Very depressing to see a Chevrolet logo on a Subaru product; one more reason to despise General Motors.

The way things are going, soon there will be only one car company (and one bank, one utility, one department store chain, one grocery... and the guy at the top the only person left employed).


dcb

[GreenMarine]

That's terrible... I think I'm gonna go loose my breakfast now... Either that or cry... I just can't see any reason why a **** company such as "Chevy" or "GM" should have any association with Subaru... I think it's a case of "the bully and the smart little nerd".... The bully wants to be as smart as the nerd, the nerd just wants the popularity that the bully has... So they team up... It is a sad day....

[phoenix96]

Originally posted by GreenMarineSVX
That's terrible... I think I'm gonna go loose my breakfast now... Either that or cry... I just can't see any reason why a **** company such as "Chevy" or "GM" should have any association with Subaru... I think it's a case of "the bully and the smart little nerd".... The bully wants to be as smart as the nerd, the nerd just wants the popularity that the bully has... So they team up... It is a sad day....

You must look at it another way too... GM's money gives FHI and Subaru more to spend on their own R&D, as well as exposing the cars to a wider market than they might otherwise have.

[LarryIII]

I was discussing the FHI-SOA /GM marriage with a Subaru dealership owner. Officially GM owns approx. 20% of Suby stock.
Like all marriages, this one has good times & bad. Suby & Chevy were supposed to have a shared platform mini-SUV (Chevy) mini-van (Suby) out by 2007. That did not happen. The reason is that Suby balked about using GM engines. Suby is commited to flat (H-type) engines. GM wanted them to use straight fours and V-6's.
That goes against FHI's design philosphy of "Symetrical AWD".
Shall we say that the bloom is off the rose and that the marriage is not as blissful as it once appeared.

It is to GM management's credit that they got Subaru and SAAB to work together. Having owned both Subarus & SAABs, I can state that both companies are similar in philosophy. Both are engieering oriented. Both believe in building 'driver's cars'. Both are non-mainstream and a bit quirky.
If GM leaves Subaru & SAAB alone and lets them collaborate together, I think we should see better products from both of these companies.
I know that I would love to see an AWD Subaru with a Suby flat 6 with SAAB designed twin turbos and SAAB brakes. IMHO nobody knows more or has more experience with tubocharging production street cars than SAAB. SAAB brakes are great. They are the kind that can put you through the windshield when you stop short and are not wearing a seat belt. They are like the brakes in a Porsche.

Originally posted by DavieGravy

There are many Toyotas just rebadged as Lexus, and Lexus was created just to legitimize (for those people that care - Americans some might say) selling Toyotas at twice the cost of ordinary Toyotas.

uh....WTF?! cars only...

Lexus
LS - no toyota version
GS - no toyota version
ES - Camry
IS - no toyota version

Toyota
Corolla - no Lexus version
Celica - no Lexus version
MR2 - no Lexus version
Matrix - no Lexus version
Camry - ES
Avalon - no Lexus version (extend Camry platform)

yeah there is a lot of toyota's are rebadged Lexus cars

And no....Toyota is not selling Toyota's for twice the price.
A fully loaded Camry can be had for around $26k...where as a ES can be had for around $30-33k. mmm...according to my 3rd grade math skills, that doesn't seem like 'twice the price'.

-end rant-

[GreenMarine]

Originally posted by YodaIsGod


uh....WTF?! cars only...

Lexus
LS - no toyota version
GS - no toyota version
ES - Camry
IS - no toyota version

Toyota
Corolla - no Lexus version
Celica - no Lexus version
MR2 - no Lexus version
Matrix - no Lexus version
Camry - ES
Avalon - no Lexus version (extend Camry platform)

yeah there is a lot of toyota's are rebadged Lexus cars

And no....Toyota is not selling Toyota's for twice the price.
A fully loaded Camry can be had for around $26k...where as a ES can be had for around $30-33k. mmm...according to my 3rd grade math skills, that doesn't seem like 'twice the price'.

-end rant-

You are wrong about the "IS - no toyota version" that ya said... It was a Toyota platform before a Lexus... It is still made too... Called the Toyota Altezza... Where do ya think "Altezza tail lights came from"... How do I know??? Just ask any of our forign members... They had them in Australia last year when I was there visiting family.... Also, I'm not sure 100% on this or not but the Toyota Avalon is pretty much the same thing as a "Lexus 300 something... I don't know the exact name of the cars because quite frankly I don't like Toyotas... If it is Subaru I am happy with it, but nothing else...


Maybe Nissan, but that would be a cold day in h3ll if I were to buy anything other than a Subaru...

Originally posted by GreenMarineSVX


You are wrong about the "IS - no toyota version" that ya said... It was a Toyota platform before a Lexus... It is still made too... Called the Toyota Altezza... Where do ya think "Altezza tail lights came from"... How do I know??? Just ask any of our forign members... They had them in Australia last year when I was there visiting family.... Also, I'm not sure 100% on this or not but the Toyota Avalon is pretty much the same thing as a "Lexus 300 something... I don't know the exact name of the cars because quite frankly I don't like Toyotas... If it is Subaru I am happy with it, but nothing else...

I thought we where talking about cars sold in the US. I own the car, I think I know it's origins.

As for the Avalon, it's on a stretch/modfied Camry platform which is shared with the ES. Although the ES is REALLY a goosed up Camry.

[Royal Tiger]

Apparently Mr. Don't bash Toyota never realized how much the Land Cruiser, Highlander, and 4Runner look so amazingly like the Lexus SUV's. Must be coincidence. I know you said cars only, but rebadging is rebadging. As for ford, they seem intent on stealing badge engineering honors from GM lately. Most Volvo's, Mazda's, and even Jaguars, are overflowing with ford parts. Not ford money, ford parts.

Originally posted by PA_SVX
Apparently Mr. Don't bash Toyota never realized how much the Land Cruiser, Highlander, and 4Runner look so amazingly like the Lexus SUV's. Must be coincidence. I know you said cars only, but rebadging is rebadging. As for ford, they seem intent on stealing badge engineering honors from GM lately. Most Volvo's, Mazda's, and even Jaguars, are overflowing with ford parts. Not ford money, ford parts.

I agree with you...too much Ford & GM dna in their premium marques.

BTW, you can bash Toyota all you want. Atleast my car can fit a turbo!

[Royal Tiger]

Hey Yoda, at least you're smart enough to sell the neon and not the Honda!!!!!!! Sorry Rob.

[DavieGravy]

Originally posted by YodaIsGod


uh....WTF?! cars only...

Lexus
LS - no toyota version
GS - no toyota version
ES - Camry
IS - no toyota version

Toyota
Corolla - no Lexus version
Celica - no Lexus version
MR2 - no Lexus version
Matrix - no Lexus version
Camry - ES
Avalon - no Lexus version (extend Camry platform)

yeah there is a lot of toyota's are rebadged Lexus cars

And no....Toyota is not selling Toyota's for twice the price.
A fully loaded Camry can be had for around $26k...where as a ES can be had for around $30-33k. mmm...according to my 3rd grade math skills, that doesn't seem like 'twice the price'.

-end rant-

Lexuses sold here in the US are simply rebadged versions of Japan-market Toyotas. Same with Acura. All Acura vehicles sold here are sold in Europe as Hondas at comparable prices to other Honda models. Audi, on the other hand, doesn't do this.