Subaru Compared to Porsche by Auto Editor?

This weekend, I felt very irritated by an article in our local paper. The automotive editor was drooling over the high output of the 3.0 liter Subaru SUV engine. In his raving, he mentioned that the Subaru engine was a horizontally opposed six cylinder layout and then he wrote "does the name Porsche ring a bell?"

Somewhere in this article, the same crazed editor admitted that the engine could produce more power than the suspension could handle. I guess American auto editors don't care about how well the whole package works together - they only seem to care about the output of the engine. I thought we progressed past point this in the US after the early Corvettes that could go like hell in a straight line but couldn't corner or stop at all!

Anyway, I now admit it. I am a Porsche snob. I do not like it when someone compares a Subaru to a Porsche just because they both have horizontally opposed six cylinder engines. And an SUV at that. I hate SUV's!

Did anyone else see this article and feel the same way?

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Bob Thayer
1971 911T
rthayer@hdrinc.com

I've seen many articles that mention that Subaru's flat four and flat six engines are similar to Porsche engines (at least in geometry). None of them claim that they are as good as Porsche, but they justify the unusual engine style by claiming some kind of Porsche heritage.

BTW, the Subaru 2.5L 4 cyl. at 185 h.p. isn't a bad little powerplant, and does have a couple of the advantages of the Porsche engine, low profile, and low center of gravity. I think there is even a 240 h.p. version avialable in Japan, and popular with rally car racers.

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Bill Krause
'79 911SC Euro

Hmmm...I may be revealing a bit too much here but in a former life I did own a Subaru SVX. It was a very nice car (240hp 3.4L F6) but for some reason Subaru didn't see fit to market it (it was only made for 5 years or so) or build a 5 speed tranny for it (grr!!!). Eventually it found itself sold to my aunt. It was the last nice Subaru IMHO. Don't worry, guys--it was just something to drive until I found the car I REALLY wanted--I ain't goin' back.

Actually, the Subaru 4 cylinders are pretty popular for aircraft conversions. Lots of experimental (kit planes) out there have a Sub engine in them. Probably more cost-effective than putting a Porsche 6 in there .

blue
'81 911SC Targa
(the car I really wanted)

I don't pay any attention to those idiots who write about cars in newspapers ... and very little to the general car mags anymore, either! Car and Driver lost a LOT of credibility when they pronounced the Honda CRX a sports car ... and David E. Davis' Automobile lost any respect a few years back when it said a Lincoln Mark VIII had better brakes than a Porsche Turbo, simply because the Lincoln had ABS and the 930 didn't. It didn't seem to matter that the 930 stopped from 80 mph over 70 feet shorter than the Lincoln!!! Those kinds of statements demonstrate automotive lunacy ... to me!!!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

Agreed, Warren - I'm sick of modern media's completely defocused ideas of what their mission is. It used to be that enthusiasts would write about something they were passionate about, and the advertising monies they brought in were secondary. Nowadays, the media is solely concerned with making money, and has completely disposed of any values in the pursuit of that.

Sensationalism, and telling the reader what they want to hear, has taken place of accurate journalism in the 21st century.

Sorry, didn't mean to pontificate, but I just feel your pain all too well, Warren. Comparing a Subaru to the Porsche line is ludicrous.

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Mark Szabo
1986 911 Targa 3.2

I don't like the porsche snob knocking subarus, I own both. The legacy is also an all aluminum engine, and just so you know I have over 200k on one. Reliable as hell and cheap to get parts for. I respect the quality and reliabilty. And consider it an unbelievable engine, for what it is designed to do. I respect it and don't knock it. Compared to american 4 cylinder crap it is a porsche. And I don't feel insulted when anyone compares it to a porsche when it comes to layout and design. It's closer than anything else on the market and the car editor guy was right when he mentioned the same layout. That's all he said was layout. I don't consider my carrera that holy and thou that I get offended when someone uses it's name in the same sentance as a subaru design. Actually it's primitive to the subaru design as far as the air-cooling goes.

IT IS THE SAME as saying someones fat ugly wife has the same characteristics as a playboy centerfold ( 2 arms, 2 legs and boobs). Same type of comparison, no more, no less. Or saying that your pretty wife shares the same design as Roseanne. Offended yes, correct-you bet. I think I'm done venting

To Johnd, the owner of the Subaru - my apologies. I am now attending PSA (Porsche Snobs Anonymous) meetings on a regular basis and am well into recovery.

In all seriousness, I would feel irritated if someone insulted my Saturn station wagon. The Saturn does not excite me, but it is reliable, easy to drive, economical to repair, gets good gas mileage, and is great for hauling dogs and groceries. I can't say any of the above about my 911. I own two very different types of cars for different purposes.

When I think of fun, it is the Porsche I want to be driving!



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Bob Thayer
1971 911T
rthayer@hdrinc.com

Hey! Plus the Saturn has those high speed "Dent Resistant Panels" that were first used by NASA on the Space Shuttle!

that is also the reason I have the awd subaru wagon. You gotta look at the engine-go to the dealer and look, you'll be impressed. It's the only other mass-produced all aluminum flat four and six on the planet, DOHC,multiport, etc. really impressive. I also drive my 911 for fun.

Leland,

NASA just WISHES they had dent resistant panels on the Shuttle, but, of course, GM didn't come along with them until 3-4 years after the Shuttle had already started flying ... for the Fiero!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

Don't get us all wrong, John. Actually, the first car I'd consider after my Porsche would be a Subaru, for many of the reasons mentioned. They're great cars.

To compare one to a Porsche is certainly correct...just not necessarily prudent given the company you're in

And for some reason, I get lots of insults on the car I drive in foul weather - a 1987 Ford Escort. It's got 172000 on it and it's still going strong. Try to not think about the engine swap at 107000.

Hey my 92 eclispe is almost as cool as my turbo cab NOT!!!
The thing I hate the most is driving the eclipse and seeing another 911. What should you do? I don't think you can wave, flash or anything without scaring the 911 driver. The only upside is saving my baby for the special times together. That and fuel economy. I think a large RV would blush at the fuel consumption of a turbo on the boost

david 89 turbo cab

I always wave. Hell, I wave when I'm on foot.

They get especially scared when I drive my 87 Escort with a destroyed driver's front fender, waving maniacally at them as if they were some great golden god.



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Mark Szabo
1986 911 Targa 3.2