http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...._code=06650667

 

so they want to be like bimmer?
i guess i'll have to buy a honda next time, cuz i sure as hell can't afford a bimmer.

i don't think its gonna happen. from what i hear, people with money view subarus as a poorer mans car.

 

Well, I hope they don't go too upscale, I don't want to pay $50,000 for an STi

 

We shall protest if the STi reaches over $40,000, for I will not be able to obtain one.

 

5 Years sounds tight. In 7-10 I know they'll be there. Hopefully they'll keep the WRX and STi at similar prices though. That's something that I'm scared about.

 

If you look at the sales figures for Subaru, the majority of their cars sold are the Legacy model (and Outback-variants) which have never been "cheap"--especially all those LL Bean Outbacks. Impreza sales are minor in comparison (not counting Forester as an Impreza in this regard). Given that, I don't think it's much of a stretch to head into Bimmer territory.

 

Agreed. That article even lists that the Outback Limited starts at $34,000.

 

Moving upscale is the goal of every major automaker. Look how far Honda has come in the USDM since the introduction of the ****box Civic in 1975. My friend bought that first U.S. model and it was absolute crap. They've improved the breed. Look at the south Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia - both aiming upwards. It's a smart move on Subaru's part since the lower end manufacturers will start to impact on FHI sales.

I don't worry about Subaru pricing me out of the market. They won't go totally upscale overnight and our wages usually go up over time (though not necessarily buying power ).

--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

My first car was a 1978 Honda Civic...that thing was a POS...but an *indestructible* POS.

 

It is also important to remember that many high-end and luxury lines are moving their prices DOWN as well; Mercedes, Porsche, Lexus, BMW etc. are all offering cars below 45k. The market has figured that the majority of auto sales come in the 15k-35k range, and are moving towards that bulge in the curve.

Subarus have never been "cheap" in cost, really; even my brother's old Loyale wagon was pricey compared to other wagons at the time he bought it. AWD has always been a "luxury" in its own right. The important fact is that Subarus have always been recognized as being a great value per dollar (I have never read a WRX review that didn't use the phrase "bang for the buck") and that isn't likely to change, even if the line moves $5k upscale.

 

IMHO, the new legacy is every bit as much car as an entry level Audi, if not more. The primary difference is the perceived status of Audi and the perceived reliability of Subaru.
I'd buy a nice Legacy over a Bimmer or Audi any day. In fact, when I was shopping for an awd car (when I bought the WRX), I was cross shopping Audi's, BMW 330xi, and Volvo XC. Those were all slightly nicer cars, but the WRX was the hands down winner on utility, functionality and value.