Outback: 2.5i, Limitd,  XT, LLBean	Forester: X, Sports, Premium, Limited	Tribeca	Impreza: 2.5i, Outback Sport, WRX, STi	Legacy: 2.5i SE, GT, 3.0R

How many cars does Subaru make?
6 cars. They are  (small to large) Impreza, Forester, Legacy, Outback, and the Tribeca SUV.
Baja was discontinued after 2006 model.
They are described below. Check spec pages above for all the options, costs etc.

What are the differences?

Impreza  smaller like a Corolla, Civic, Mazda 3 etc. Available in 4 door sedan and 5 door wagon-hatchback, optional turbo performance model

Forester

2009 The all new redesigned 2009 Forester available mid-March 2008
2008 available with optional turbo performance model.

Legacy/Outback  Starting with 2008 models, Legacy is only available in sedans, Outback only available as wagons.
Engines: 4 cylinder, optional 4 cylinder turbo, 3.0 6 cylinder engines.

Tribeca
2009- No changes for 2009 models
New 2008 available in June. An SUV with available 7 passenger seating, DVD, Navigation. Standard 250hp 6 cylinder
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What is a Tribeca? The Tribeca is an SUV with 5 or 7 passenger seating. Based on the Legacy/Outback platform. Well equipped with standard 256 3.6L 6 cylinder engine, VDC all wheel drive system, heated power seats, MP3 CD player, dual front climate controls and rear air, 6 air bags including front and rear side curtains, tire pressure monitoring system, sunroof, chipped immobilizer anti-theft key etc. Available Limited models with leather, 7 passenger, upgraded stereo, DVD player, Navigation and much more.

What is an Outback? The Outback is a crossover "rugged road" wagon available as either the larger 'Outback' or the smaller  Impreza 'Outback Sport'.

Baja was a 4 door truck based on the Legacy platform, seats 4, and has a small bed, made for 4 model years only from 2003-2006. Production stopped April 2006. The rear seat folds down to reveal a door opening to the bed to allow for longer cargo. Subaru calls this system 'Switchback'. Only the 2.5L 4 cylinder engine is available. 1st shipped 9/02.

What is a WRX or WRX STi (STi renamed STI for 2006)

New for 2009 WRX now has 265horsepower, larger turbocharger, upgraded susepension, standard spoiler, power sunroof. 2.5GT Premium with automatic still has 225hp
2008 WRX is a performance 2.5L 226hp turbo Impreza sedan or wagon.

2008 STi  is an ultra high-performance WRX wagon. Prevous models were sedans. There was a Limited in 2007 (800 made only) with leather, sunroof etc, white or silver.
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Platforms: what are these car based on?
Legacy/Outback/Baja platform (Baja discontinued 2006)
Impreza/Forester platform
Tribeca SUV platform which is a stretched version of the Legacy/Outback

Engines  (see SnapShot for more details)
Legacy: 2.5L 4cylinder, optional turbo
Outback:  2.5L 4cylinder, optional turbo or 3.0L 6 cylinder
Impreza: 2.5L 4cylinder, 2 optional turbos
Forester:  2.5L 4 cylinder, optional 2.5L 4 cylinder turbo
Tribeca: 2008: 3.6L;  2007: 3.0L 6cylinder
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Why do I want all wheel drive? I live in a dry warm climate.
All wheel drive is a full time traction system that is effective on dry as well as slick roads and helps maintain stability and control  under most conditions.
It is a benefit in all driving conditions but of course especially any area where there is snow or rain including the Northwest, Northeast, Midwest.

Is there an SUV? The Tribeca 6 cylinder with optional 7 passenger seating...

Is there a mini-van? No.

Is there a Hybrid?No, but a diesel is expected in the next few years, first in Europe starting February-March 2008 and then here perhaps in 2009

what should this next question be?  Ideas welcome.

Comments? Let me know contact.
Subaru-speak what does this mean? common terms
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2009
>Forester The all new redesigned Forester available mid-March 2008.
Note: the LL Bean name was dropped and replaced by the Limited starting April 2008 production, so both names can be used depending on production date. There are -no- differences other than name, and the Limited doesn't have the LL Bean logos.
The 2009 is a little longer and taller with all new suspension and other upgrades make this a smoother riding car. Minimum 8.7" ground clearance (8.9" turbo). It feels larger than it is, a very comfortable ulitity rig with 6 airbags, standard VDC stabilty control, 4 disc brakes. Available with 4 cylinder and turbo 4 cylinder engine, optional Sportshift 4 speed automatic transmission, optional Navigation.  Models include X, X Premium, X Limited/ LL Bean, XT, XT Limited. . LL Bean name is dropped for 2009 models. Price dropped on 2.5i model. PZEV Ca (California) spec emissions required for CA, WA, CT, MA, ME, NJ, NY, OR, PA, RI, VT on 4 cylinder (non-turbo) models. Price dropped on 2.5i. PZEV (California) spec emissions required for CA, WA, CT, MA, ME, NJ, NY, OR, PA, RI, VT on 4 cylinder (non-turbo) models.
>Outback. New names: the 2.5i replaces the Basic; 2.5i SE replaces the 2.5i. New Harman Kardan audio speaker package plus steering wheel controls on SE and above, dark tinted privacy glass on Limited models and above. The LL Bean name and logos have been dropped. New seacrest (light) green color. Dark carpeting now with taupe interior as well as gray interior (replaces taupe carpeting).
PZEV Ca (California) spec emissions required for CA, WA, CT, MA, ME, NJ, NY, OR, PA, RI, VT on 4 cylinder (non-turbo) models. Price dropped on 2.5i. PZEV (California) spec emissions required for CA, WA, CT, MA, ME, NJ, NY, OR, PA, RI, VT on 4 cylinder (non-turbo) models.
>Legacy. Few changes for the 2009 models. New lower price 3.0R cloth model.  New Harman Kardan audio speaker package on SE and above, dark tinted privacy glass on Limited models and above. New green color. Dark carpeting now with taupe interior as well as gray interior (replaces taupe carpeting).
PZEV Ca (California) spec emissions required for CA, WA, CT, MA, ME, NJ, NY, OR, PA, RI, VT on 4 cylinder (non-turbo) models. Price dropped on 2.5i. PZEV (California) spec emissions required for CA, WA, CT, MA, ME, NJ, NY, OR, PA, RI, VT on 4 cylinder (non-turbo) models.
>Tribeca. New SE model available September 08 with leather, CD changer 160w with rear subwoofer speaker, heated front seats, memory driver's seat, rear a/c (always on 7 pass, now on 5pass). Few other changes for 2009 models. new Ruby Red color
>Impreza
STI no changes
WRX now has 265horsepower, larger turbocharger, upgraded suspension, standard spoiler, power sunroof (Premium).
New WRX 2.5GT Premium with automatic still has 226hp like 08 WRXs.
2.5i gets VDC and rear disc brakes, Premium adds power sunroof
Outback Sport gets chromed door handles.

2007
Tribeca: Models available for 07 include 5 or 7 passenger base cloth model, Limited, Limited with Navigation and DVD (DVD on 7 passenger only).
New standard features include blacked-out grill, auxiliary (ipod) plug, prewired for XM radio, Navigation system now includes back-up camera, 2 position Memory driver's seat on Limiteds. 5 passenger cloth model no longer gets a sunroof. New optional SE package has stainless mesh grill (fits 06 models), chromed wheels, XM satellite radio. Other new options include back-up beeper, pre-wired for XM radio, remote starter.
Legacy and Outback: The models get refined and prices actually drop on many models!
New low priced Outback Basic has steel wheels, deletes heated seats, Limited slip rear axle, rear cargo outlet, power drivers seat, cargo cover, cross bars etc.
Deleted models: Legacy 2.5i SE wagon manual transmission, Outback 2.5i Limited manual transmission, Outback SE, Outback VDC, Outback 3.0R basic, and XT turbo base cloth model.
2.5i model now has tire pressure monitoring, VDC all wheel drive system now standard on LL Bean and XT. All 07 XTs are now Limited.
All models pre-wired for satellite radio, have auxiliary stereo plug (except Basic), MP3 stereo. Due to a new testing method horsepower rating may drop slightly, but this is only a test change, not an actual horsepower change.
December 21, 2007:  2 new 4 cylinder Outback models announced with Navigation system: 2.5i LL Bean and 2.5i Limited LL Bean. Available late Jan/Feb 2007
Forester: X, X Premium, X LL Bean, XT Limited. Price actually drops on most models! X model gets electronic brake distribution, XT gets 17" wheels, all models except X model get auxiliary (ipod) plug. New colors. Late availability: new X Sport and XT Sport models. X Sports includes upgraded stereo with Ipod plug and climate control, XT Sports has VDC electronic stability control with cloth interior, manual seat height adjustments, sunroof etc
Impreza:  New STI Limited model, only 800 made, with leather, sunroof, small rear spoiler, heated seats etc. Does not have forged BS alloys. All models pre-wired for Sirius Satellite radio (standard in the Outback Sport SE). Few other changes. Price drop on 2.5i models and remains the same on WRX, STI.
December 21, 2007 New SE sedan model announced. Includes CD changer with upgraded speakers and auxiliary input plug, moonroof
Baja: discontinued for 2007. 2006 is the final year.

2006
The big news is the all new Tribeca SUV available in May 2005.
Legacy and Outback: 4cylinder horsepower increased to 175 (from 168). The models get refined. Gone are basic cloth interior turbo Legacy GT and Outback XT models. Manual transmission models have been restricted to Outback XT Limited, Legacy GT Limited sedan (no manual GT wagon), and the new for 2006 Legacy 2.5i SE (special edition) model. New colors and navigation available on certain models.
New Models announcd late: October: basic cloth Outback XT model returns. Available early December. November: Legacy GT specB limited production sedan, Outback 2.5i SE wagon offered, plus 4cylinder Outback Limited sedan returns. The Outback 2.5i SE is a 2.5i plus navigation, CD chnager, climate control SE and Limited sedan available mid December.
Forester: Models renamed X, X Premium, X LL Bean and XT Limited. Models dropped are the XS and the cloth XT.  All models get new front and rear end, new head and tail lights, XT has slightly more power.
Impreza: all models now have dual-stage front and front side airbags (STi: front only). RS models renamed 2.5i. Outback Sport and Outback Sport SE models continue. 2.5i and Outback Sport engine horsepower increased to 173horsepower with i-active valve lift system. WRX engine is now the 2.5i (replacing the 2.0L).
Baja: few changes, Available in only 3 colors. Final year, no 2007 model will be available.

2005 completely new Legacy and Outback.
The Legacy is Subarus biggest selling line and the 2005 model is a major make-over!
Available in late May 04, all models get new full front and rear head and side curtain airbags and gets a 5 Star rating
Larger and smoother riding, all new look, new dashboard, new colors, new seats, new engines and new models.
New performance GT and XT models get the new turbo 2.5L 4 cylinder with 250HP, and the 3.0L 6 cylinder LL Bean, VDC wagon, VDC sedan now also have 250hp.
For the first time Subaru offers an optional power passenger seat, dual zone climate controls and much more.
Update: August 2004price increase on all vehicle shipped to dealers starting September 04 and later.
Impreza, available late April. All models get new center console with 2 cupholders, smoked headlight lens, new colors. New optional Outback Sport 'SE' model available 9/04, TS wagon replaced by RS wagon. RS sedan drops in price and gets a new optional Sport model. STi new front differential, wider real wheels, stereo is standard, immobilizer key and more. WRX gets new stereo, new wheels etc.
05 Forester gets an LL Bean model with load leveling suspension, hard cargo floor, XS, XS LL Bean, and XT models get power seat, climate control. XT gets immobilzer key. New colors.
05 Baja will stay much the same, with limited and late (10/04) availability for the leather model which comes with a new hard tonneau cover.. this is the final year.

Previous year-by-year changes

WARRANTY: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 5years/60,000 miles powertrain, Roadside Assistance 3 years/36,000 miles.
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end 09
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photos and all formatting c. J. Spitz.  Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. all information subject to correction and change without notice.