Why the new Legacy looks like that

[ifcar]

The old Legacy after a 6-mph front-end collision:



The new Legacy after a 6-mph front-end collision:




http://www.iihs.org/sr/sr4410/default.html

[the Teuton]

I miss the understated looks of the old model, but cheaper to own and operate is always a good thing. Subaru is on a roll right now.

[S204STi]

That's a dramatic improvement!

[the Teuton]

I really don't see where it needs repair.

[ifcar]

I really don't see where it needs repair.

Probably some scuff marks and snapped bumper cover clips here and there, maybe some damage to the components underneath. The sort of thing that most people would probably only get fixed if someone else were at fault and their insurance was covering it.

[TBR]

Wow, that's impressive. Still ugly though.

[Raza]

Ugly's ugly.  Don't crash.

[GoCougs]

IMO that's not why the car is a styling mess. Subaru needs to address wheel well/wheel size ratio, dump the lower body cladding and ridiculous wheel arc, and give it a bit of a forward rake.

[SVT666]

Wow.  The new car looks like the old car does after the 6 mph crash.

[Xer0]

Wow.  The new car looks like the old car does after the 6 mph crash.

[Colin]

I have to congratulate Subaru............. from offering a car that had universal respect, with the old model, they have launched a car which I have yet to see anyone in the UK say that they like. Indeed, if you read the thread on the Autocar forum, all the current owners of the old model say that they have absolutely no intention of going anywhere the latest styling goof-up.

First they dilute the appeal of the Impreza, and now they throw away their Legacy buyers......... don't think they can survive on Forester sales alone.

At least when Peugeot beat their cars with the ugly stick more times than you could imagine, sales magically went up (god knows why!).

[MX793]

Doesn't the 6 mph collision test to see what happens if you run into a pickup or SUV at 6 mph?  Looks like the old car's bumper was a hair too low to line up with that of a truck, which is why the grille got all bashed in.  The new one's taller bumper and nose obviously aligns better.  My solution would be to impose bumper height limits on pickups and SUVs.  Commercial trucks have them.

[r0tor]

First they dilute the appeal of the Impreza

to be honest... no they haven't.  I test drove both recently.... compared to the new cars, the old ones feel like really really cheap econotrash.

I came away with thinking that the subie fans bitching about the car are the people out there that believe the only way a car can handle good is if its stiff as a board... a ride in a RX8 or 3 series would quickly squash that myth for them

[S204STi]

to be honest... no they haven't.  I test drove both recently.... compared to the new cars, the old ones feel like really really cheap econotrash.

I came away with thinking that the subie fans bitching about the car are the people out there that believe the only way a car can handle good is if its stiff as a board... a ride in a RX8 or 3 series would quickly squash that myth for them

That plus Subaru fans tend to be absurdly anti-change.  Any time Subaru redesigns a much-loved model it gets tons of hate from all the current owners about how badly they effed up, yet with time even the most ardent fanbois eventually realize that yeah, that new car sure is nice after all.

[CALL_911]

That plus Subaru fans tend to be absurdly anti-change.  Any time Subaru redesigns a much-loved model it gets tons of hate from all the current owners about how badly they effed up, yet with time even the most ardent fanbois eventually realize that yeah, that new car sure is nice after all.

I'm guilty of this.

[the Teuton]

So am I.

[Raza]

to be honest... no they haven't.  I test drove both recently.... compared to the new cars, the old ones feel like really really cheap econotrash.

I came away with thinking that the subie fans bitching about the car are the people out there that believe the only way a car can handle good is if its stiff as a board... a ride in a RX8 or 3 series would quickly squash that myth for them

Um, the old WRX is not really very stiff...at all...

[the Teuton]

Um, the old WRX is not really very stiff...at all...

I believe it was 140% stiffer than the old Impreza it replaced.

[S204STi]

Um, the old WRX is not really very stiff...at all...

I'm guessing he means spring rates and shock dampening.

[Pommes-T]

Am I the only one who realized the old one was rated "poor" and the new one "acceptable"?

Other carmakers can build good looking cars that achieve that.

Oh and at least the wings from the SUbaru badge look the same on that old one after the crash and on the new one.

[nickdrinkwater]

Subaru is on a roll right now.

Howso?

[S204STi]

Howso?

They and Hyundai were the only two automakers to show positive growth overall in 08, and this year they are up even further.  If that helps clear things up.

Legacy sales are up like 15% with this supposedly ass-ugly redesign.

[TBR]

They and Hyundai were the only two automakers to show positive growth overall in 08, and this year they are up even further.  If that helps clear things up.

Legacy sales are up like 15% with this supposedly ass-ugly redesign.

People buy lots of ass-ugly cars.

[S204STi]

People buy lots of ass-ugly cars.

Har har...  my knee is raw from slapping it.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I don't get it. It's not even ugly.

[TBR]

Har har...  my knee is raw from slapping it.

Wasn't supposed to be funny. Sales are no indication of taste.

[S204STi]

I just like how your taste is the gold standard.

[TBR]

I just like how your taste is the gold standard.

It isn't just my taste; the consensus in the enthusiast community seems to be that this car is ugly.

[SVT666]

It isn't just my taste; the consensus in the enthusiast community seems to be that this car is ugly.

I think the word "ugly" is heavily overused in the automotive enthusiast crowd.

[Raza]

I believe it was 140% stiffer than the old Impreza it replaced.

What did they use for the suspension in the old one?  Pudding?  Hopes and dreams?