22 - Friday, September 23, 1994 — North Shore News AUTO ADVERTISING Kirk Michael or Marc Rovner 980-0514 AUTO CLASSIFIEDS 986-6222 AIRBAGS, SIDE-DOOR beams, energy absorbent body structure, three-point seat belts — all are impor- tant, proven safety features that are now standard on virtually all vehicles sold in North America. Despite the significance of these features, however, there is one thing from which they cannot protect you: getting in an accident in the first place. Which is why automakers and safety advocates have been push- ing hard fer active safety features, such as anti-lock brakes (ABS), traction control, and four-wheel- drive systems. Most automotive experts agree that accident-pre- vention devices rank higher in importance than injury-prevention features (i.¢., passive safety fea- tures). But like everything else in life, people react more emotionally to things they can see (like advertise- ments showing soft, pillowy airbags). As a result, car buyers are increasingly demanding airbags instead of anti-lock brakes, and side-impact beams instead of four-wheel-drive systems. This shift in consumer taste prompted many car companies to make passive safety items stan- dard, active ones optional and to drop some safety features out of their lineups completely (such 2s the four-wheel-drive systems which were common in cars in the mid-’80s). {am disappointed by the deci- sion of many’ automakers to follow the let’s-offer-what-the-buyers- want principle. But foriunately there is still one company out there which embraces the principle of offering active safety features at affordable costs: Subaru. Subaru was the first Japanese cas company to introduce four- wheel-drive cars to the North American market in 1969, and since then has established a repu- tation as the four-wheel-drive spe- Legacy loaded with features From page 24 easy to miss, the passenger airbag cover reflects annoyingly in the windshield, and the rear windows don’t roll all the way down. Apart from these criticisms, the new interi- cr is attractive, and functional. rated the automatic transmission highly because of its smooth transitions and quiet operation, but I found the man- ual transmission to be sticky and whiny. It does have a useful “hill- holder” system, which prevents rolling back when starting on hills. The Legacy’s competitors include the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Mazda 626 and Nissan Altima, but none of them offer all- wheel-drive. Hmmm. This is one instance when I can say there isn’t any com- petition. 1994 LEXUS ES360 Loaded, impeccable condition save thousards in depreciation -VIEW BY APPOINTMENT ONLY- | === JIM PATTISON TOYOTA pete Be OVERDRIVE cialist. In fact, Subaru sel!s more all- wheel-drive (AWD) and four- wheei-drive passenger cars than any other car company. Audi and Mitsubishi (which markets cars through Chrysler dealers) are two other vehicle manufacturers that focus on AWD cars, but they have not been as successful in hitting the bread- and-butter markets as Subaru — mostly because of high prices, in Audi’s case, and limited model availability, in the case of Mitsubishi products. Mitsubishi's AWD systems are only offered in the Eagle Surnrait wagon, Eagle ‘Talon sports coupe, and Dodge Stealth sports car; Mitsubishi even dropped the AWD option from its own family sedan, Galant, when this US-only car was overhauled some time ago. Other companies, such as Toyota, Ford, GM, and BMW, dropped the AWD passenger mod- els in the ‘80s when the demand for this system diminished. With the exception of sport utility vehi- cles, trucks, and minivans, no otner AWD models are offered by these major companies. This gives Subaru a distinctive advantage as the only full-fledged four-wheel-drive manufacturer in North America. Subaru's entire lineup of passenger cars is avail- able with various forms of four- wheel-drive systems. And the tradition carries on for 1995, with the debut of two new models: the Legacy sedan (see Greg Wilson's Test Drive column) and the Impreza two-door coupe. Also, Subaru's lineup includes the cute but tiny Justy model, the affordable Loyal wagon and the vicious SVX sports cur. The totally revised and re-engi- neered ‘95 Subaru Legacy hits the streets with a bigger, roomier body, quieter cabin, more power- ful powerplani, and refined chas- sis. It promises to offer more of everything, while maintaining a strong presence as an all-weather- vehicle. The car is available as a four-door sedan and station wagon, in both front-wheel and all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions. The Legacy’s more rigid, yet lighter, body is driven via a five- speed manual or sophisticated four-speed automatic transmis- sion, both refined for ‘9S. Underneath its sleek — if some- what generic looking --- skin lies a roomier cabin, dual airbag- equipped dash, and a smoother running 2.2-litre “boxer” four- cylinder engine. The Legacy is priced from about $18,000 to $31,000, with a wide range of options and features available. The front-wheel-drive models are now available with a traction control — another advan- tage over competitors. While the new Legacy is obvi- ously the biggest news at Subaru, it is not the only car Subaru will be pushing this year. The stylish, youth-oriented impreza two-door coupe model joins the rest of the automaker's line for ‘95. The coupe is basically identical to the four-door model, and is powered by a 110-horsepower, 1,8-litre 16-valve engine. The base front-wheel-drive model starts at $17,995, and a fully-loaded AWC version rings in at $20,595. According to Subaru, the Impreza coupe is the lowest priced AWD coupe you can buy in Canada. The all-wheel-drive systems in both models are full-time versions, which means that the system does not have to be manually turned on. Subaru’s AWD system “monitors” various factors and automatically adjusts the amount of power between the front and rear wheels to maximize the traction. AS a previous owner of anothe AWD model, I have to admit that it’s hard to switch back 10 two- wheel-drive cars once you becom spoiled by the unbelievable trac- tion advantage of AWD cars. People say, “When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.” I can’t think of a better phrase that describes Subaru’s rugged, go-everywhere four-wheel-drive 7, OLDS (UPREME STS Leather interior, digital air conditioning, heads up dis- play, C.D. player, power seat, sport appearance package, 200 H.P, sport suspension. Too many options to list! ONLY 12 MINUTES FROM THE 2ND NARROWS 921-7731 131-12th St., NEW WEST. Our (36th § Year 1.C.B.C. - B.C.A.A. - A.R.A. APPROVED CENTRE . FREE COURTESY CARS FOR COLLUSION REPAIRS “LIFETIME GUARANTEE” AS LONG AS YOU GWN YOUR CAR DON TAYLOR Same owner phigh tech equipped shop AYLORM: Not valid with any other offer or discount, extended until Oct. 14/94 Estimates, Consultation 983-7455 - Let our factory trained service technicians check’ your Honda from head to toe, and make sure everything is running smoothly. AirCamre REPAIR CENTER Cert #50354 EX] G/N) Sales & Leasing 984-0331 © 725 Marine Drive, North Vancouver