Topic: CD Article: 2008 Subaru Legacy and Outback

[Autos_Editor]

Today's First Drive:

Revised styling and some equipment upgrades are the major changes to the 2008 Subaru Legacy and Outback models, reports Senior Editor, Paul Williams.   They'll be in showrooms this month, he says.  
   
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Read the article | View the photos: Legacy; Outback | All the First Drives

[roamer]

     Subaru really has to stop hiring high school kids to run its styling dept. That grill and the wheels on the '08 Outback are horrendous.

[Mitlov]

Interestingly, Canada is now the only North American market that continues to offer the Legacy in a wagon body-style. Consumers in the U.S. don't relate to the wagon look, but apparently we Canadians know a good thing when we see it.

Sad but true.  There are three in Ashland, including mine, but for comparison, there are about 5,000 Outbacks.

[sailor723]

Nice cars but WAY overpriced for what they are! (especially in the higher trim levels)

[airbalancer]

They are a nice car
My one problem is if I have the driver seat adjust, the try to seat in the rear seat I find it too small

[quadzilla]

Five-speed manual transmissions are available, along with four-speed automatics for the 2.5i and five-speed automatics for the 2.5GT.

I see they are still using the 4 speed auto 

For 2008, electronic stability control is fitted to the Legacy 2.5i Limited and GT sedans. It's not available otherwise.

Too bad they couldn't make this standard or available on all trim levels.

I'm a fan of Subies but they are getting behind in the game and costly (Cdn pricing) and I feel they are relying on the fact that AWD will sell these cars (which it does) but people are looking elsewhere now.

They need something to make them new again...how about the diesel Legacy/Outback?

[2latecrew]

I stll have a big issue with SOC pricing but they did hold the line on pricing for 2008 and its going to work out great for my father. He wanted an 07 2.5i Limited but they had none so they agreed to honour the 07 price he negotitated for an 08 when they came as long as the difference was not more than $200 (they did not know at the time). Not only was the 08 pricing the same as 07 so he'll get his deal (over $2000 of MSRP biy they have a lot of markup in tose things) but the 08 comes with stability control and the 07 didn't even offer it).

Before anyone askes he's leasing it because of his low mileage driving habits so getting one form the US wasn't an option (and for many other reasons too)

[sailor723]

but they did hold the line on pricing for 2008

Big whoops!....given the increase in the value of the Canadian dollar prices should have dropped by 20% or more on most Subs. SOC announces "no price increase" like they're doing consumers some kind of a favour instead of price gouging

[Mitlov]

I just noticed that the 2008 Legacy gets a telescoping steering wheel.  About d--- time.  Mine is an inch or so closer to my chest than I like.

[coldcase]

but they did hold the line on pricing for 2008

Big whoops!....given the increase in the value of the Canadian dollar prices should have dropped by 20% or more on most Subs. SOC announces "no price increase" like they're doing consumers some kind of a favour instead of price gouging

 

[2latecrew]

but they did hold the line on pricing for 2008

Big whoops!....given the increase in the value of the Canadian dollar prices should have dropped by 20% or more on most Subs. SOC announces "no price increase" like they're doing consumers some kind of a favour instead of price gouging

No argument from me or most anyone regarding the stupid price difference between US and Canada.

But I highly doubt any manufacturer is going to make a big adjustment like that on a new model year even if its the right thing to do.

Imagine:

Joe Blow buys his brand new 2007 Legacy for 30K in June.

The 2008 Legacy with Stability control that wasn't available before shows up on the lots for 24K in July. You might gain some new customers from the lower price but you'd also have a riot on your hands from loyal current customers.

It would be thew right thing to do long term but they won't do it. They are very profitable it seems the way things are.

[pickles]

I definately agree that SOC has to be more consistent with US pricing issue. Not sure how our halifax dealer is surviving.  Including myself, I know of 21 co-workers from the military that have bought from accross the border.

The positive from buying accross the border is the big big savings. Then on the negative if we all keep it up then the local dealer could be belly up and then we have no local dealer is service our subies.  Pretty sure the local sales still out number the cross border sales for our area but the word is out there is little effort involved to save big.

[ghost]

I wish Subie would turn on the juice of these 2.5T engines. They can easily handle another 30hp without jeopardising on reliability. I like thenew bumper. Not as elongated. But my next Legacy would be from US though.... that is if I am getting one.

[johngenx]

You might gain some new customers from the lower price but you'd also have a riot on your hands from loyal current customers.

And then it's over.  Acura did it, and Subaru can do it.  The 1998 3.2TL was WAY more expensive than the 1999 that replaced it.  It killed the resale of the 98's, but Acura saved the model line with it's new pricing.  The Legacy is a very slow seller in Canada thanks to it's much-too-high pricing.  Subaru needs to "pull an Acura" and slash the prices of the Legacy line and amp up the volume.  The need to much more closely match the Accord pricing range (ala the US) and offer AWD "as a huge bonus."

[dorin]

You might gain some new customers from the lower price but you'd also have a riot on your hands from loyal current customers.

And then it's over.  Acura did it, and Subaru can do it.  The 1998 3.2TL was WAY more expensive than the 1999 that replaced it.  It killed the resale of the 98's, but Acura saved the model line with it's new pricing.  The Legacy is a very slow seller in Canada thanks to it's much-too-high pricing.  Subaru needs to "pull an Acura" and slash the prices of the Legacy line and amp up the volume.  The need to much more closely match the Accord pricing range (ala the US) and offer AWD "as a huge bonus."

wholeheartedly!

[coldcase]

Problem is that SOC are morons....I talked to a Subaru Canada rep last January at the Auto Show and I kept getting the "We have the best AWD system" answer to justify the high prices.  I told him I can go buy the same "best AWD system" in the US for a LOT less....he said "yes but that's not fair to your local Subaru dealer"   

Well, the Subaru dealer doesn't make my monthly payments and if SOC would give a break to their dealers, they would be able to give decent pricing.  Idiots I tell you....

[Mitlov]

Problem is that SOC are morons....I talked to a Subaru Canada rep last January at the Auto Show and I kept getting the "We have the best AWD system" answer to justify the high prices.  I told him I can go buy the same "best AWD system" in the US for a LOT less....he said "yes but that's not fair to your local Subaru dealer"   

Well, the Subaru dealer doesn't make my monthly payments and if SOC would give a break to their dealers, they would be able to give decent pricing.  Idiots I tell you....

Maybe SOC will drop their prices when Canadians start voting with their wallets instead of complaining about prices but still buying Subarus?

[airbalancer]

why  pick on SOC
look at Hyundi pricing in the States http://www.hyundaiusa.com/vehicle/veracruz/veracruz.aspx
compared to Cananda
In Canada it starts at $39,999 and in US it is $26,305 and so many different models
We get screwed with everything so get over it

[coldcase]

why  pick on SOC
look at Hyundi pricing in the States http://www.hyundaiusa.com/vehicle/veracruz/veracruz.aspx
compared to Cananda
In Canada it starts at $39,999 and in US it is $26,305 and so many different models
We get screwed with everything so get over it

We do get screwed right now by most car companies on price..sure.   Subaru top of the line model trims just do it even more to the point that it's ridiculous.  So yes I'll pick on SOC and won't buy a car from them until they change their pricing.  If they don't well it's going to be a US version or another brand.

[pickles]

"We get screwed with everything so get over it" I won't get over it!

It's my hard earned money so I will spend it wisely.  Wish more Canadians would start have some backbone and make the big huge saving purchases from the US.  We need to start showing these Canadian companies we will no longer tolerate the big pricing difference from the US and Canada.

If the savings were on a few thousand dollars yeah I would most likely buy in Canada but when the saving can work out to be over $10000 - US here I come.