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Subaru isn't looking back

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 3:47 pm
by entirelyturbo
They've gotten closer to being nothing more than a GM clone.

Apparently, they're looking at having a minivan for the Japan home market. It was originally rumored that it was coming here, but apparently, it's just Japan.

Still... a Subaru minivan? Next thing they're gonna come out with is an Impala clone :roll:

The Subaru we once loved is gone, replaced by GM's money-hungry, corporate kiss-ass attitude.

http://ymmv.coffeehaus.com/archives/001325.html

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 3:54 pm
by greg donovan
i hate to argue w/you but i am afraid i have to.

subaru made a small 4 wheel drive service van called the sambar in september 1961. so im sorry but they are looking back.

here is my source:

http://www.subaru-global.com/about/hist ... ubhead-001

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 4:10 pm
by greg donovan
google image search for the sambar. or go here:
http://www.geocities.jp/poohtibitama/ex1subaru.htm

it is pretty cool.

i tried posting pics but they dont allow hotlinking and i dont wasnt to go through the trouble of adding this stuff to my thawa gallery.

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 4:21 pm
by greg donovan
also google the subaru domingo. it looks like an old toyota minivan w/a camper roof. it was launched in '83.

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 4:47 pm
by subawhatsubawho
Subaru makes the R2 which is a 4 door version of their mini-van
http://www.subaru.co.jp/r2/

They also make a 2DR version called the R1
http://www.subaru.co.jp/r1/

The Pleo (seems more mini-van to me)
http://www.subaru.co.jp/pleo/

and they still make the sambar
http://www.subaru.co.jp/sambar/tough_package/index.html

There are plans for a convertible all-wheel drive hybrid roadster
Image

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 6:33 pm
by scottzg
eh? do you expect a recently successful company to rely on the future success of just 2 products? They have to have financial stablility in order to take the risks that appeal to enthusiasts.

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 6:39 pm
by tris91ricer
scottzg wrote:eh? do you expect a recently successful company to rely on the future success of just 2 products? They have to have financial stablility in order to take the risks that appealonlyto enthusiasts.

You forgot the other end of that statement:

. . . and confound shareholders, and non-motorheads.

Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 2:13 am
by Richard
Guess who's the biggest shareholder of Subaru? GM. That's right. 51%. I'm glad I'm stuck on Legacy Sport Sedans. I couldn't stand driving GM cars when I had to for work. I'd rather drive a VW than a GM squeakbox.

Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 2:45 am
by entirelyturbo
Sorry Richard. GM owns nowhere near 51% of Subaru. The number sticking in my head is 20% at the most, 15% is a possibility too.

I do understand that the aforementioned cars are "vans" of sorts, but I wouldn't come close to calling them minivans like we have, which is what I think this new one will be.

I'll bet they come out with a huge luxury sedan next with a V8 and rear wheel drive :roll:

Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 3:12 am
by greg donovan
subyluvr2212 wrote:Sorry Richard. GM owns nowhere near 51% of Subaru. The number sticking in my head is 20% at the most, 15% is a possibility too.

I do understand that the aforementioned cars are "vans" of sorts, but I wouldn't come close to calling them minivans like we have, which is what I think this new one will be.

I'll bet they come out with a huge luxury sedan next with a V8 and rear wheel drive :roll:
i have read several articles where subaru execs saying they will NEVER deviate from the boxer/awd platform.

Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:51 am
by THAWA
Did you even look at the date?

Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 5:03 am
by Richard
Arrrrggh!! I just spent the last two hours trying to find where I saw GM's ownership stake of Subaru. I know I read it somewhere recently. I read too many articles and it makes my head hurt. I googled for a while and all I could find was the 1999 purchase of 20%. I'm POSITIVE I read not too long ago that GM owns more than just 20%.

Can anyone find the definite number of what GM owns in Subaru?

Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 5:11 am
by THAWA
20%

Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 5:13 am
by Richard
poo on me

Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 5:34 am
by legacy92ej22t
:lol:

Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 5:34 am
by azn2nr
Image

looks liek a rat face on a 350z ass

Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 6:30 am
by greg donovan
azn2nr wrote:Image

looks liek a rat face on a 350z ass
i like it. those wheels look like they were the inspiration for the new 05 17" legacy wheels.

Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 3:20 pm
by rallysam
Tribeca?

Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 10:11 pm
by AWD_addict
Oh that Scrambler and its crazy yellow windshield.

Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 12:34 am
by Richard
Since when has there been a market for a Subaru convertible? Aren't they known for their superior off road capability? Who would consider taking that in snow? Subaru should stick to owning their little corner of the market and not take the GM approach - a car for every type of person and every purpose.