I was just wondering to hear what everyone's thought's are on Subaru's current direction? Here are mine:
Design
My thoughts were very well expressed in something that was written for EVO magaizine when they were taliking about the Impreza P1 in thier "car of the decade" article:
IMO, this is correct. Subaru is straying from what made the GC's so fun to drive. (coupe and very playable chassis) Though I like the later models there is no beating a GC in style, handling, and over all charm. That is what Subaru should be improving on, and by making all sedan's they are not improving. Yes, it is more rigid, but Coupe not only is more stylish, but also is much more fun to drive. Yes, subaru is making more power in their cars, but they are forgetting what made cars like the P1 so loved by subaru entusiasts, car mag. editors, and the world.
USDM Performance
Here they are going in the right direction. By bringing turbo models to the masses here in the US, they are expanding their buyer group and also making there car's hella more fun to drive by doing this.
Other things
One thing though that pisses me off though was the whole emissions thing with the outback. To me that is not what I think subaru stands/should stand for. I mean raising the car by 1 inch to just get SUV emissions? Arg.

Also, A 7-pass SUV? HUH? Isn't subaru the one that has allways bragged aboutt not handling like an SUV?


Now it is time for your thoughts...

 

The SUV I can overlook, as it would be hard to have a car company these days without a more traditional looking SUV in its lineup. I only hope that beats the pants off every other SUV out there in off road handling.

The Outback thing is a little hard to swallow. I don't agree with it in the least.

As for the direction of the Impreza. I'm glad the WRX is finally here. I'm very happy that I'm able to buy turbo Subarus right now. My only hope is that the next generation of Impreza or WRX looks better then the two most recent ones.

 

WRX -- i think that Subaru needs to bring out a shortened 2 door coupe version of the WRX in addition to the 4 door sedan and 5 door wagon. it couldn't be that hard to do, and would appeal to a segment of the market that misses the GC8 style cars and the handling that they offered. do with an STi motor, and you've got one hell of a car.

New Turbo Legacy -- spot on, period. its what the Legacy needed.

the seven passenger SUV thing is awful, Subaru should steer clear of that crap and stick to what they do best -- boxer powered four wheel drive sedans and wagons. screw the SUV craze.

 

at roughly the same price as the wrx makes me wonder what direction the new impreza will be headed

 

What about the Subaru Scrambler concept car? I heard that was going into production. It had a tiny gas engine coupled with a generator engine like the Toyota Prius hybrid. That would be a nice change but doesn't seem like Subaru's specialty is making little convertibles.

 

I always like the older versions of the outback because they had the rugged look. The look like they could go and should go offroad. Although I like the new outbacks and legacys and the fact that they have craploads of power they have lost that rugged look which I think is a drawback to the whole subaru lineup. They are too pretty to be taken off road now. They are turning into a more luxury car, similar to BMW's.

I wait for the day when the new legacys will school cars worth twice as much, wihtout any mods done to them.