Why Subaru?

[8BRZWRX]

I was asked why all the cars I drive in the past decade have been Subarus and here are my reasons.

1) Turbo

2) Power

3) Boxer engine's low centre of gravity (most prominent in the BRZ)

4) All Wheel Drive (excluding BRZ)

5) Rear Wheel Drive (BRZ being first)

6) Safety (Acing Insurance Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

7) A winning Rally Heritage (like WRC)

8) Niche brand

9) Lowest volume Japanese brand in the Philippines for 2012. No data on years prior to this but I assume they did not sell more than in 2012.

Prior to this we were a Honda family with one odd Ford Escape.

Note: This topic was created not to malign anyone. This was started as to start a conversation why owners are happy with their car and why prospective buyers may be interested in pursing it.

[jhnkvn]

I'll play the devil's advocate here to juice things up a bit. If we look at it on a pure brand heritage:

1. Turbocharging is actually Mitsubishi's Lancer Evo's legacy.

2. Power is disputable. In terms of rawness, muscle cars Camaro and Mustangs are probably on the top of the list. For smaller-displacement engines that doesn't use a rotary engine or a turbocharger, Honda probably takes the crown thanks to their VTEC days.

3. Can't dispute that. The only "other" company who religiously uses the Boxster engine configuration starts at 7-million pesos and hails from Germany.

4-5. Err... nah. Lots of companies uses different engine layouts.. it's not like X is better than Y. It's the overall balance that counts. Forester's a FWD or a 4WD. The standard Impreza is also FWD while the STi's a 4WD. In terms of chassis balance, BMW takes the crown.

6. No comment. I'd rather NOT get into a traffic alteration instead of worrying of my safety. Volvo takes this one though.

7. Winning rally heritage, that is arguably disputable. It is the longest participating manufacturer, yes.. but in terms of championships, I believe Citroen has a better rallying record.

8. Because of the small sales volume? It targets the same people as the other manufacturers does. The Forester competes with the CRV, the Fortuner, etc. That's like saying people who drive Mazdas are niche markets. Now if you're specializing in something like McLaren, now that's niche.

9. In 2012, possibly. Although my answer would be: technically no.

- This is because Nissan's passenger car division has underperformed even Subaru. But because it's "brand", Nissan generally outsold Subaru.
- However, this is questionable too because there's no official sales volume for Mazda. But if included, my chip is that Mazda has a lower sales volume compared to Subaru.

In 2013 however, it's the second (if you don't consider Nissan's NMPI) or third (if you do), just above Mazda..... and Lexus which is STILL a Japanese brand mind you. (Philippine car sales figures for July 2013 - Industry News)

If I were to sum it up, Subby's legacy would be their all-wheel drivetrain (they joined the WRC just to showcase it) and their engine boxster configuration. Its collaboration with Toyota (who is pretty much like their 'boss' company) made the BRZ a sweet ride in promoting Subaru's brand image in the country and as a sports car, it's very sweet at its 2M price tag.

[Sweetlucious]

Yeah great question. I don't get it why people who own subarus have a feeling of being more special. Our family own a couple of subarus, one was imported by my father from the states way back late 80s (forgot the what model it is, basta masyadong square ang itsura), the latest was previous generation forester xt. The first sub was used by our family till mid 90s when it started to breakdown. Sold that car bec. it sat in the garage for quite some time due to parts unavailability. It was bought by someone who have the same model (he told my dad that theres only 2 in the country that time). The xt was my college cuv, but I can't stand the rattling sound that came from plastic interior. Some say it maybe cause by the stiff ride bec. of tein c.o. Pero yun camry ko nakalowered din, wala nman ingay. The only person who is happy is our driver kasi the xt is being used part time as our company car, matulin daw.

[ghosthunter]

It's that "rally car" image the brand gives to Subaru owners.

[[archie]]

Sakin subaru means handling, turbo, and great sound of the boxer engine... Parang palyado na maangas

[TheMikProject]

BOXER RUMBLE!

Plus, there's something special going on when 4-cylinder soccer mom vehicles could outpace sports cars.

[admiralpye]

Buhayin ko lang ang thread. I also really like the way it handles sa turns. Very stable even when roads are wet, and for its size (XV) tight turns are a breeze. So kahit masikip ang daan or sa mga parking basement na magulo ang layout, madaling mag bwelta.

Also, I like how the doors are secured by two strong bolts (top and bottom) while most cars only have one. In the unlikely event of an accident less likely for the doors to fly off. But hopefully no one ever has to go through a severe accident like that.


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[Noel Salisipan]

Type ko rin ang subaru especially STI, problema lang madalang ang Casa expecially sa gawing north.

Engine & handling are nice!

[jut703]

For me, cars like the FXT, BRZ, WRX and STI are the special Subarus.

The 2.0 Impreza, XV, and Forester (all sharing the base FJ20 engine) don't have the same exciting boxer rumble or performance of the higher end Subarus.

Kung handling naman, the XV, Forester, and Impreza aren't all that special. Cars like the Mazda 3, CX5, and Focus have equally great handling.

It's more of the halo effect of their top tier cars creeping down. Though I don't see Nissan owners feeling that their humdrum econoboxes are as special as the halo GT-R.


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[oliver1013]

Since I don't need a turbo I'm good with an NA forester. Its the cheapest 4x4 amongst CRV, CX5 and Rav4.

Tapos lo and behold the most capable pa pala just in case you'll need 4x4 capability, and most equipped, priced at only 1.55M. Yeah my primary reason, its the cheapest

[fortallmighty]

Owned both STi and FXT, Handling is the answer to this thread.. period.. ( beg to disagree with previous poster re Mazda 3, CX5, Escape and focus...) cant compare oranges and apples... due to low center of gravity of boxer engine - makes you feel more confident on corners and quick turns.

[admiralpye]

I agree; handling of Subaru (even the Forrester and XV) is different, and not at all the same with Mazda, CRV, etc. People who say that probably haven't test-driven a Subaru properly. I was skeptical about it before as well. But after driving it, I knew it was the one for me.


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[niky]

I agree; handling of Subaru (even the Forrester and XV) is different, and not at all the same with Mazda, CRV, etc. People who say that probably haven't test-driven a Subaru properly. I was skeptical about it before as well. But after driving it, I knew it was the one for me.


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I've trail-brake drifted a CX5.

Can't say I've ever done the same in a Forester (and it's not a very safe vehicle to try that on... ). The XV, though... it's one of the only crossovers I'd rate beside the CX5 (though it is smaller and lower)

And the Mazda3 is also much more willing to hang tail than the outgoing Impreza sedan (non-WRX, mind). The old 2.0R MT hatch was a hoot, and fun to chuck sideways, though the steering is not as good as the Mazda3.

The one handling benefit Subarus have is a relatively neutral balance due to the more typically 55:45 weight bias (versus 60:40 for transverse engined competitors). Yes, the lower COG from the boxer helps, but mostly what you're feeling is the weight balance.

Not saying Subarus aren't great. I love some of them. But if you say Mazdas don't drive as well, well... that's because you haven't test driven a Mazda properly...

[beginnerz]

Ive driven a toyota 86 but not yet a brz. For those who have driven both, which has better handling? Or are they just the same?

[admiralpye]

I've trail-brake drifted a CX5.

Can't say I've ever done the same in a Forester (and it's not a very safe vehicle to try that on... ). The XV, though... it's one of the only crossovers I'd rate beside the CX5 (though it is smaller and lower)

And the Mazda3 is also much more willing to hang tail than the outgoing Impreza sedan (non-WRX, mind). The old 2.0R MT hatch was a hoot, and fun to chuck sideways, though the steering is not as good as the Mazda3.

The one handling benefit Subarus have is a relatively neutral balance due to the more typically 55:45 weight bias (versus 60:40 for transverse engined competitors). Yes, the lower COG from the boxer helps, but mostly what you're feeling is the weight balance.

Not saying Subarus aren't great. I love some of them. But if you say Mazdas don't drive as well, well... that's because you haven't test driven a Mazda properly...

I don't drift as I don't really have any need for it or desire for it, so you are rght I don't know what you are talking about, if that's what you mean. And I'm nt knocking your beloved Mazda either. My cousin's car is a CX 5 so I have experienced it a lot of times on wet and rainy highways and roads and The XV is more stable and solid, and comparing the tight turns and spots (like infernal parking spaces), they are both good, but the XV was easier to handle during these situations. There is nothing wrong with that because the Mazda has other qualities the XV doesn't have. But it's just not true for me that they're the same in these two areas.


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[niky]

I don't drift as I don't really have any need for it or desire for it, so you are rght I don't know what you are talking about, if that's what you mean. And I'm nt knocking your beloved Mazda either. My cousin's car is a CX 5 so I have experienced it a lot of times on wet and rainy highways and roads and The XV is more stable and solid, and comparing the tight turns and spots (like infernal parking spaces), they are both good, but the XV was easier to handle during these situations. There is nothing wrong with that because the Mazda has other qualities the XV doesn't have. But it's just not true for me that they're the same in these two areas.


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Understand completely... the XV is one of the best driving cars, IMHO, in the crossover class right now... of course, that's partly because it's a lifted Impreza, but the weird thing is, I like the way it drives better than the Impreza sedan, which kind of left me cold.

The CX5 is a car that it takes time to gel with. Definitely more edgy, but for people who like a playful car, it's a lot of fun.

[greatauror28]

Ive driven a toyota 86 but not yet a brz. For those who have driven both, which has better handling? Or are they just the same?

It depends, GT86 and early (pre-monogram and 10 series) FR-S'es are more tail-happy than BRZs.
Same with the suspension, you'll find that the BRZ has a stiffer suspension setup than the gt86/fr-s.

[oliver1013]

For a sub 1.4M car with this tech, its cheap really.

[fortallmighty]

im curious with the Mazda so i requested to drive my brother in law's 2014 CX-5 skyactiv all the way to Tagaytay Highlands and back, went home at night na going down to Nuvali with minimal traffic... ride is smooth and soft better than the Rav4... but it is way behind the Subaru's on twisty corners, push the pedal for power on straight line accelaration.. still incomparable with the XT, the Subaru is more of a pocket rocket, the Mazda is just a normal SUV with adequate power and cushy ride..was bored actually.. enough said. ( my brother in law was driving my XT.. and he wont give me my keys back )

[jasonub]

My x5 drives better