Are we ever gonna know...with enough time to say No?

[blueBRZ]

I'm sure that pricing will be revealed soon enough....but are we ever going to have anything more to go on than pictures, demo cars and the opinions of auto journalists that had limited (track only) time with a pre-production car in a very controlled setting?

All of these demos that are floating around car shows and dealerships are being driven by somebody (one had 1400 miles) and yet these privileged few remain silent. The demos are only serving as teasers to all of us. Sure...you can look at it...photograph it...sit in it...listen to the dealer rep start it up...climb into the trunk...but in NO WAY are you allowed to drive it! Why? If these demos are pre-production units, they're probably headed for the crusher anyway. Why can't we take it for spin around the block? Mileage shouldn't matter. What is the big secret?

The first shipment may be only seven short weeks away and I'm getting nervous. No pricing...no firsthand test-drives (on regular North American roads)...just not enough. I don't want to find out what all the secrecy was about, moments before I have to write the big check and sign the papers! Eek!

I know this is the big downside of being an early adopter...but it's one thing to do it with a high-end electronic piece, and another with almost $30k! I still don't get the shroud of secrecy...if it's really that good...let us decide with enough time to back out if we so choose.


-blueBRZ
one of 1st in line for a WRB 6MT Limited in NoVA

[DaveyG]

All you have to do is put down $500 to order one. You don't have to write the big check yet and you can always cancel. simple.

[Grimlock]

It may be an insurance thing. Liability can cause companies to do all kinds of crazy things. Remember that Mazda shipping boar that listed to one side? All of those cars were crushed. They could have easily been sold/ given to racers, but Mazda didn't want the liability.

I'm looking forward to in-depth reviews as well, but the only review that will really matter is the one you do yourself when yours gets to the dealer.

[Longhorn248]

Grimlock hit the nail on the head. It's all about the lawyers. In our sue happy society there's no way a manufacturer is going to let a customer drive a 'pre-production' car that hasn't been verified as production ready for fear of legal recourse.

[Lighting Red]

I second your sentiment, blue BRZ. Look at all these demo models floating around US roadways, and we cannot drive one. At least let the people with a deposit drive it (dumb, I know, but I'm reaching). We can sign non-liability forms. Cost is one thing, but I really hope the driving experience is worth the wait. I also do not want to cut a big check for a car I will not end up liking. The signs are good at this point, but all the pictures and teasers in the world do not make up for 1-on-1 time. Hell, just give 15 minutes.

As for the price, I hope it is not knocking on $30-large. Can I afford it? Yes. Do I think the car as it is is worth $30,000? No.

[blueBRZ]

That makes perfect sense regarding the liability aspect...but I guess my musings were more about the bigger picture and the cloud of secrecy. Will Subaru (or the dealers) give us more to go on before we're in position take the plunge?

And yes...I know I can get my deposit back...but when I get the call and then the moment that I first lay eyes on it...the emotions will take control...and my typically sound judgment will be affected to a degree.

[Spaceywilly]

eh? I am going to test drive mine and make sure I like it and the price is ok before I buy it. If I decide not to buy it, I'll just get my deposit back. We already know the price will be 25,XXX. Does that $1000 swing really mean the difference between buying it and not buying it? The biggest thing for me is not knowing when my car will come in, if they call me one day and say, well your car is here come buy it, that could be an issue. It would be nice to have at least a general estimate (maybe a 2 week window).

[KevinDuMa]

Only one dealer by me is offering a refundable deposit. Like I said before buying a car is a big investment I'm not giving them a penny til' I get pricing and a test drive.

[86'd]

I think it has less to do with the legal reasons and more to do with just keeping that last shroud over the car.

Not to mention if anything did happen, there's only currently like one or two cars per region. One accident and you risk not showing off the car to other buyers.

Heck not even an accident, just faults, you don't want people exposing something that can go wrong, this early. That's what TSBs are for after you buy the car.

I would like to see those sorts of test drives that Japan is getting in all of those YouTube videos, but again, those are very controlled and probably to only a select few, with NDA signings and all of that.

[Longhorn248]

Originally Posted by blueBRZ

That makes perfect sense regarding the liability aspect...but I guess my musings were more about the bigger picture and the cloud of secrecy. Will Subaru (or the dealers) give us more to go on before we're in position take the plunge?

And yes...I know I can get my deposit back...but when I get the call and then the moment that I first lay eyes on it...the emotions will take control...and my typically sound judgment will be affected to a degree.

I've never followed the launch of a Subaru vehicle before, but I've seen other members mention that they're pretty tight lipped before a release, so this should be somewhat normal.

[blueBRZ]

I followed the release of the 2006 GTI MKV pretty close...and ended up buying one when they first came out. However, I was able to drive the Jetta GLI several months prior which had the same engine/transmission setup...so I kinda knew what to expect. Plus, the MKV GTI had already been out in Europe for awhile and there were plenty of first-hand driving experiences (available online) by the US launch.

This time around...

[cassidy0998]

The secrecy makes the car look better.

Think about it - If there are some negative things about the car performance or pricing wise, why would they go ahead and release the information now? They're going to wait - They're relying on hype and anticipation of buyers - many are holding off. When the truth is revealed (possibly an unflattering $25k+ base FR-S price) we will have waited so long, skipped out on other purchases, and just say "Aww heck, take my money anyway".


I, for one, will say no thanks.

If this car is so wonderful, and so affordable - why the wait?

Sorry to be a negative nancy, but this simple issue has totally put a bad taste in my mouth for this car. If we see some of the BRZs at $30K+ this whole wait has been for nothing. (For me)

[tranzformer]

Originally Posted by cassidy0998

I, for one, will say no thanks.

If this car is so wonderful, and so affordable - why the wait?

Sorry to be a negative nancy, but this simple issue has totally put a bad taste in my mouth for this car. If we see some of the BRZs at $30K+ this whole wait has been for nothing. (For me)

Right there with you brother.

[Longhorn248]

Originally Posted by tranzformer

Right there with you brother.

+1 $30k and I'm elsewhere. Absolute max MSRP for me is $27k. Anything over and I'll be looking for a used something else instead.