Outback: 2.5i, Limitd,  XT, LLBean	Forester: X, Sports, Premium, LL Bean	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. 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 LL Bean, XT, XT Limited. Price dropped on 2.5i. Ca (California) spec emissions required for CA, WA, CT, MA, ME, NJ, NY, OR, PA, RI, VT on 4 cylinder (non-turbo) models.
2008 available with optional turbo performance model.

Legacy/Outback  Legacy is available in sedans, Outback available as wagons. 4 cylinder, with optional 4 cylinder turbo or 6 cylinder engines.

Tribeca  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 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)

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
B9 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. 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 LL Bean, XT, XT Limited. Price dropped on 2.5i. Ca (California) spec emissions required for CA, WA, CT, MA, ME, NJ, NY, OR, PA, RI, VT on 4 cylinder (non-turbo) models.

2008
Outbacks are wagons, the Outback sedan has been dropped. All Legacys are now sedans. So if you want a wagon it's the Outback, and if you want a sedan it's a Legacy. Most noticable change is an all new grill so the car has a very different look, also new headlights and tailights, new alloy wheels, new colors, new cloth interior. New telescoping steering wheel with tilt, includes cruise control. Top of the line 3.0R LL Bean 6 cylinder and XT 4 cylinder turbo model steering wheels have audio and SI Drive controls. VDC, electronic stability control, is optional on 2.5i LL Bean and 2.5i Limited LL Bean, both also include Navigation, and VDC continues to be standard on the 3.0R LL Bean and XT turbo. 2007's Outback Basic has been renamed the Outback and has full wheel covers. Tire pressure monitoring is standard on all models. Key and remote is now one piece instead of separate key and remote as in previous years. All models are now pre-wired for either XM or Sirius satellite radio (was only XM for 2007). EPA fuel economy ratings lower due a change in testing standards.

Legacy wagons are discontinued and all Legacys are now sedans, and Outbacks are wagons. 2007 was the last year for the Legacy wagon. No price increase. The top of the line is the new 3.0R sedan 6 cylinder. This model comes with Bilstein Suspension and SI Drive like the GT specB,  5spd automatic SportShift transmission and new steering column Paddle Shifters etc. The GT specB continues, with new cloth, so there are now 2 performance models.  All Legacys are lightly re-designed with new rear end, a new steering wheel that now telescopes as well as tilts and has cruise control, with upper end models also getting steering wheel audio and SI Drive controls  One piece key and remote replaces the separate key and remote, Tire Pressure Monitoring is standard on all models. Satellite radio is now either XM or Sirius (was XM only). Re-designed outside mirrors with turn signals on the GT and 3.0R. EPA fuel economy ratings lower due a change in testing standards

Impreza  The 2008 Impreza is all new and now based on the Legacy platform, so it really is totally different. All models include front, side, and front and side rear curtain airbags, Immobilizer chipped key, anti-lock brakes, power windows-locks-mirrors, a/c etc etc. The ride is significantly smoother than previous models, there is finally more back seat room, the rear seats fold flat in sedans (long overdue).
There is a 4 door sedan and 5 door wagon. List prices start at $17640 for the 2.5i sedan, $18140 for the 5 door 2.5i wagon. The optional automatic transmission is now the SportShift with manual mode. VDC (vehicle dynamics control) is available on all models except the base 2.5i. Navigation-DVD audio system is available on the 2.5i Premium and has very good resolution, tilting screen and more.
The Outback Sport 5 door wagon has standard All Weather Pkg with heated seats, heated front wiper de-icer and heated defrosting outside mirrors.
Roof Rack is now available on all models including sedan, and is quick on-off.
The WRX is available as a 4 door sedan and 5 door wagon. The ride is no longer as 'firm', it is definitely smoother and more refined. Navigation is available on top of the line model. List price for the sedan starts at $24995, wagon starts at $25495. VDC is standard on all models. The STI sedan is gone, replaced by the 5 door wagon, and is available in 3 models. List prices start at list price $35,640 with 5 spoke alloys, upgrades include a forged BBS wheel and fog light package, and Navigation is available.

Tribeca  Redesigned for 2008, 3rd year. New 3.6L engine replaces 3.0L and runs on regular fuel with better power band. Larger rear side cargo windows for better visibilty, smoother riding suspension, raised roof rack rails for cross bars replaces fixed position cross bars, new front grill, new rear end and cargo door, new head and tail lights. Interior remains much the same.

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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