2003 Svx?!?!

[nvrmore100]

Oh well there goes that idea. Might be a nice car either way. I might still take a look at it seriously. I guess we will see.

Ryan

Guys, I have posted it before

This is what the Subaru Dealer told me when asked about the SVX.

Subaru is NOT making a new SVX. They are making a 2 door coupe comming out in 2003 and changing all the designs in their current cars sometime soon (around 03).

Really?

I was getting the SVX fixed, at BELL SUBARU, and I was talking to the Parts Manger. We started BSin' about the SVX and he told me that there were about 300 really fast 5 speed FWD drive SVXes that the Subaru imported into the US. Then I asked him to show me the parts for it on his computer that he was standing in front of. He got quiet and I almost said, "I want my car back now."

I don't know if anyone has seen the program that use to find part numbers but it's pretty cool. They separate the car into the major systems of the car and then it's image driven from there. It kinda zooms in when you click near the location until you find the find all the pieces you need, or would like to replace .

BTW - Don't use Bell Subaru in Rahway, NJ. They removed my 7 year warranty battery(brand new) and replaced it with a Subaru one, removed my battery holder and giving the car back to me with the battery moving under the hood as I drove away. They also removed the throttle body cover, disabled my remote keyless entry system/alarm(which still isn't fixed), and a few other petty things that are just too aggravating to talk about.

[vkykam]

Originally posted by eddycat2000
And last I heard GM owned 10 percent of Subaru, that isn't a very significant stake if ya ask me.

I'm pretty sure that GM owns more than that. 20% or 25% I think.

They recently invested in Subaru/FHI. The 10% was from a while ago, and if my memory serves me correctly I think they up'd the 10% stake earlier on this year.

VK

[wasions]

First, if personal experience means anything at all. Dealers don't know jack. And the ones that say they do . . . know less.

Second, rumor has it that Paul Hogan laughed at Subaru's try at a 'Outback' SVX. Now, I don't know if that affected the Madison Avenue guys like it did management, but I never once saw the SVX advertised - anywhere. It's like they WANTED the car to fail.

The surest way to not sell cars, is to not show them off.

Have they learned their lesson? Doubt it. The next SVX will probably look about as 'stylish' as the new ZX. Can you say bland? As soon as they figure out how to remove enough brio to make it equal to a 21st century Mustang II, they'll advertise the living heck (yes - I said heck - sorry) out of it, and it'll become just another chickmobile (ala Saturn SC, Escort ZX2 - yuck).

Steve

[Aredubjay]

Originally posted by eddycat2000
Quirky '80's grand tourer? Huh?

And last I heard GM owned 10 percent of Subaru, that isn't a very significant stake if ya ask me.

And lastly, *where in thee heck is the offical R&T article*???

Well, in all fairness, the SVX was introduced at the '89 Tokyo auto show --- at least, according to R&T.

[eddycat2000]

Originally posted by Aredubjay


Well, in all fairness, the SVX was introduced at the '89 Tokyo auto show --- at least, according to R&T.

Hmmm...that's not what my brochures say, maybe I'll run it by Peepee and see if he knows for sure.

[EveryShadeofBlue]

Dealers usually don't know much and will bulls**t you all the time and sound really believable. I had a salesman (after he pretended to know something about the SVX) ask me if my '92 was all wheel drive. I believe the magazines over what anyone says at the dealer.

[nvrmore100]

The guy was trying to convice me it had ACTIVE all wheel steering. I looked at him like he was out of his mind, however he was deadset this was the case. I told him, maybe on the rally cars on tv, but something tell me this $19,000 RS doesn't come with it. He then proceded to tell me he even had the manual where it shows it. I took him up on that, unfortunately he couldn't find it. Hmm not suprised.

Ryan

[eddycat2000]

You guys don't really think the sales department is where you need to go to get the right information do you? C'mon, really, you're pulling my finger ain't ya?

Lesson number one: Salesmen will tell you anything you want to hear. The sales department will also put anything on a dealer sticker to make the car more attractive to the buyer. Salesmen at car dealerships are the scum of the earth and would put their own mothers in debt to sell a car.

Lesson number two: Always ask a tech, if a tech isn't available, ask the service manager, he'll generally go out into the shop and ask the tech. If all else fails ask the parts manager...oh, that might not work for you, she was my wife.

IMHO, the SVX's slow sales weren't due to lack of advertising or other "support" from Subaru to try and sell it... at the time, people who had 30-40K for a new set of wheels were starting to switch from luxury coupes to SUV's. Of those who were looking for a nice coupe in that price range, the 3000GT VR4 and the (ugly sister) Stealth looked better on paper than the SVX (not to mention the avail. of a stick?). That said, at the time a friend's father was looking at the 3 cars, and was going to buy the Mitsu until he actually *drove* the SVX. Guess which one he bought? (hint: it had the coolest windows )

The time may be right for a luxury/GT coupe again... BMW is coming out with another 6-series (yes, 6's were far more expensive than the SVX) after more than a decade without a luxury coupe. Also, people are starting to move away from SUV's towards AWD car/suv "hybrids", so a luxurious Legacy "Outback" coupe may not be too far fetched and may sell quite well. But I think I'll stick with my '97

[Seraph]

I was at the i-club meeting at my dealership on Sunday. I had a nice talk with the SOA sales manager and the Japanese guy who designed and is the head of the impreza develepment team.

This is what the story goes:

STX is comming out -- not sure how many or when next year. They have no plans what so ever to create another SVX or 2 door sports coupe any time soon since the market is satuated and the demand is low ATM. They are not designing anything ATM.
On the other hand, i club members requested a 6 speed turbocharged WRX and RS so that might happen on the 03 edition of the car with minor interior adjustments.

Lwin

[nvrmore100]

it was in a motortrend mag a few months back. Not only did it say there was supposed to be an STi version of the WRX (making 280+hp with a 6spd) coming VERY soon to the US, but there is also a Mitsu coming as well. The Lancer Evo is also supposed to come with about the same power rating, awd, and 6spd's. Personally I don't like the quality of the Mitsu's but would go that route myself if I wanted to buy them.

Estimated prices will be very close to $30,000US.

Ryan

[Mr. Pockets]

Originally posted by nvrmore100
The Lancer Evo is also supposed to come with about the same power rating, awd, and 6spd's.
Ryan

I don't know anything about the Evo (although I have heard the same thing), but I did see a Mitsubishi Lancer on the streets of Ann Arbor on Thursday. It had manufacturer plates on it and looked like a base model.

Other than that, the only Lancer I had ever seen was VT SportsCar's Lancer rally car.

[nvrmore100]

The article showed the Subaru STi WRC WRX and the Mitsu Evo WRC beside eachother. Then it talked about how the mean 4wd machines will soon be hitting the streets. Then they went in talking about the "import power craze" etc. Not a lot of good information actually in the article except the most prevelent features and the possible cost of each. What can you expect for a magazine with a whole 5 page writeup on history and future of the Camaro, and Mustang. Sigh...

Ryan (If I do find it, I will post the info on here)

[SVXphile]

I am sure that Mitsu and Subaru are eyeing each other to see which is going to venture into the 280 hp range first, with Mitsu keeping a close watch on WRX sales figures. I hear that there is some problems with the Mitsu meeting emission limits at the moment.

Why doesn't Subaru at least stuff the new 6 into a restyled Legacy GT? I've ridden in a regular GT which was being driven rather briskly through the twisty stuff, and in my humble opinion a engine transfusion and a more aggressive suspension would do wonders for that car. At least it would be a good filler until Subaru REALLY got serious again...

Of course Italdesign would HAVE to do the body.... Don