Lost the plot???
Discussion
When I and some of my friends and associates took to Subaru vehicles they were cars/hatchbacks/estate cars with good roadholding and handling (and towing) thanks to their unusual design features such as all-wheel-drive and horizontally-opposed engines.
In those days they spent a fortune on taking part in and winning the World Rally Championship which must have been responsible for many sales.
Now that my current Impreza Wagon is a little old, I find they offer only a range of truck-like lumbering vehicles for which they use the US term SUV, but there's nothing (S)porty about 'em and they are of doubtful (U)tility. The brochure photo emphasis is on off-roading, but they fit wheels and tyres more suitable for parading on King's Road and not only have no proper spare wheel but nowhere to put one - let's see one getting home from off-road on a "spacesaver".
Does anyone know if we in the UK are alone in being treated like this, or are normal cars available in other countries, such as Japan?
In those days they spent a fortune on taking part in and winning the World Rally Championship which must have been responsible for many sales.
Now that my current Impreza Wagon is a little old, I find they offer only a range of truck-like lumbering vehicles for which they use the US term SUV, but there's nothing (S)porty about 'em and they are of doubtful (U)tility. The brochure photo emphasis is on off-roading, but they fit wheels and tyres more suitable for parading on King's Road and not only have no proper spare wheel but nowhere to put one - let's see one getting home from off-road on a "spacesaver".
Does anyone know if we in the UK are alone in being treated like this, or are normal cars available in other countries, such as Japan?
GravelBen said:
What, like the WRX? The STI? The BRZ? 
They are also still making the Legacy, Impreza, XV, Outback...
If they're not available maybe you just need to complain to your local importer about what they're choosing to bring in.
In fact the only one that comes even remotely close to your description of a truck-like 'SUV' is the Forester?
Thank you Gravelben (and Marcosal and AdamIndy) for sensible comments. They are also still making the Legacy, Impreza, XV, Outback...If they're not available maybe you just need to complain to your local importer about what they're choosing to bring in.
In fact the only one that comes even remotely close to your description of a truck-like 'SUV' is the Forester?
I did specifically ask if we in the UK are alone and it seems we are. To emphasise my point, we are offered a truck-like Outback but not Legacy, a "crossover" XV but not Impreza. ETA I'm wrong in that there is an Impreza, but it's a weak-kneed 1.6 litre job which can barely tow more than its own kerb weight. The 2 litre and 2 litre diesel are only available on the XV.
So far as I can see the WRX STI and BRZ STI are hotrods and not general-purpose cars with good load-carrying and towing capability like the Impreza Wagon I am thinking of replacing.
If Sam Jeev finds such cars as the Impreza Wagon and the Legacy boring that's his business, but I don't need to know about it. As AdamIndy points out, the hotrods alone would not be good business.
Edited by Allan L on Saturday 23 January 09:10
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