2013 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Limited. Amazing 2.5l H4 Economy & Luxury With 33k Miles on 2040-cars

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Subaru puts China production on hold amidst slowing growth

Subaru's 2015 sales and production forecast estimates the Japanese brand to sell about 60,000 vehicles in China this year, a 10 percent rise. However, a recent decision not to build a factory there might make future growth more difficult. Given the changing state of the market, the automaker doesn't seem concerned by the potentially lost sales. According to Bloomberg, even if the Chinese government gave permission for Subaru to build its planned joint venture factory with Chery, the Japanese brand would not take advantage of it. "Since the profits are split with your partner, you would have to double the sales to maintain the profits you earn by exporting from Japan," said Akira Mabuchi, the company's executive in charge of China, according to Bloomberg. Subaru is in the odd position of being the only major Japanese automaker without a joint venture partner to build cars in China, but the massive year-over-year growth there seems to be slowing. Auto sales in China were up 6.9 percent in 2014, according to Bloomberg, compared to 14 percent in 2013. Also, Chinese consumers have been famously averse to buying Japanese vehicles with only half of the consumers there even willing to purchase one. Instead, the company is focusing on the US market, according to Bloomberg. The decision makes sense. While Subie's sales in China shrunk 2 percent in 2014 to about 55,000 vehicles, the company grew 21 percent in the US to 514,000 units. The automaker already has plans to add capacity to its factory in Indiana. News Source: BloombergImage Credit: Jae C. Hong / AP Photo Plants/Manufacturing Subaru

Six 'shut up and take my money' cars

Any time you see this iconic moment in pop culture - Shut up and take my money! - posted in response to a new car reveal, rumor for an upcoming model or even lip-service to a vehicle that should exist, you can bet there's some intrinsic good in the idea. Though depending on the person offering up the cash, that good could take the form of extraordinary form, functionality, weight savings, power, handling, etc. You get the idea.
In fact, when I first proposed this list, I reached out to the Autoblog staff to help me brainstorm. Here are some of the ideas they offered up that I ultimately didn't use: Jaguar XE Coupe, Pagani Huayra Roadster, Mercedes-Benz S-Class "parade car" (cabriolet), Morgan 3-Wheeler with Ducati V-twin, Ford Transit Connectamino (pickup), Mercedes CLA63 AMG, Ford Fusion 5.0, BMW i8 Spyder, Lexus RC-F Shooting Brake, Volvo XC90 Polestar. Oh, and things we collectively wanted to stick Dodge's Hellcat in were almost as numerous as models that Fiat Chrysler Automotive currently makes (though none quite so compelling as the Grand Cherokee you see above.)
Ultimately though, while I used a couple of ideas from my colleagues, the list of cars I'd shell out for unquestionably is very personal. Though it isn't complete, what follows is a selection of cars whose very existence would prompt me - or the trust-fund-baby versions of me - to utter without hesitation: "Shut up and take my money."

There's a 2017 Subaru Impreza hatchback, too

The heart of the new Impreza is the new Subaru Global Platform. It's a unique item, partially because it sees Subaru using terms we don't always associate with affordable C-segment hatchbacks and sedans. Agility – a phrase more often reserved for performance vehicles – is a big part of the new platform. The basic suspension layout hasn't changed dramatically, with struts in front and a double-wishbone setup in back, but Subaru is claiming a 50-percent reduction in body roll. The new platform, meanwhile, promises a 70-percent increase in body rigidity compared to the current car. In short, this should be a much more tossable Impreza. And a turn, a more tossable WRX. We likey. It will also be a more powerful car, too, although only just. The new 2.0-liter flat-four engine has been blessed with direct injection, boosting power up from 148 to 152 ponies. Like we said, only just. Subaru was cagey on transmissions, simply saying that "highline trims" would get a Lineartronic CVT with a seven-speed manual mode. View 11 Photos Like the current Impreza, the updated model will be offered in base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trims. We're taking particular note of the Sport, which gets 18-inch wheels, a unique suspension tune, and active torque vectoring. It should make for an entertaining package, although customers aching for something more comfortable should look to the nicely equipped Limited. The top-end trim adds a power driver's seat, eight-inch touchscreen, push-button start, a Harmon/Kardon stereo, leather upholstery, and 17-inch wheels. Subaru's awesome EyeSight safety system will also be offered, too. The 2017 Impreza goes on sale later this year, following this week's New York Auto Show debut. 2017 Subaru Impreza reveal. autoblog.com/new-york-auto-show Posted by Autoblog on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 Show full PR text SUBARU INTRODUCES ALL-NEW, U.S.-BUILT 2017 IMPREZA®; NEW GLOBAL PLATFORM DELIVERS MAJOR GAINS IN HANDLING PERFORMANCE, CRASH SAFETY AND RIDE COMFORT Sedan and 5-Door Styles New Subaru Global Platform Significantly Enhances Safety, Ride Comfort and Agility Award-Winning EyeSight®, Plus New Driver Assist Technologies SUBARU STARLINK® Safety and Security Features and Apps New Subaru Design Language Debuts 2.0-liter Boxer Engine with Direct Injection and Higher Performance First Impreza to be Built in U.S.