Subaru R2 (JDM Keicar)

[keppelk]

Anyone here know anything about the Subaru R2 (or R1)? Ever driven or ridden in one. Thinking about importing one over here (NZ) from Japan.

 

Would love to get a 660cc supercharger AWD model, which is the type S.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_R2

 

http://www.subaru.jp/r2/r2/equipment/index.html

[SubPar]

There were some of these in a recent SubieSport magazine article. Cool little cars, SOA needs to start marketing them in North America.

[keltik]

Id pimp that. With gas being $7 per gallon im starting to re-consider owning a H6 and a EJ20T.....not the most fuel efficient combo :-\

[keltik]

http://www.acemotors.co.nz/result.php?lang=en&VEHICLE_ID=745&title=2004+SUBARU+R2+I

 

Just found this one while looking for some pics of the interior......any idea how much id would cost to get a 2008 model here?

[keppelk]

I'm looking at getting a 2003-2004. Ballpark cost landed in NZ is $12,000 - $13,000. But that is for the top model (type S). That link is a pretty low non-supercharged, non-AWD model. Quite steep for that model, but 24000km and looks tidy as.

[keltik]

If i didnt live in such a rural area - id seriously consider it. SH2 would be a hassle in that thing tho, id live in fear of being eaten by a logtruck.

 

Dont spose ya got the l/100k figures or some performance figures?

[keppelk]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH3jG-91ZAw

 

JDM crash test video on Youtube for it. Seems to handle it OK. Gets a high-ish rating too.

 

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.subaru.jp%2Fr2%2Fr2%2Fequipment%2Findex.html&sl=ja&tl=en&hl=EN&ie=UTF-8

Loads of specs at above links. Can click through the menus on the left and it keeps translating them.

[Bluestone]

Well, I, for one, would be willing (here in the States) to downsize to a microcar like the R2 (the type S w/supercharger and AWD looks mighty sweet!).

Have you come across any mpg figures for the R2S? I haven't been able to find any.

I do think that as gas prices go through the stratosphere, more and more folks will be be willing to make radical changes in their car buying choices and downsize to a microcar like the R2.

With Sube's rated gas mileage currently no higher than 27 mpg, with 17-20 around town, that kind of mileage will be unacceptable for more and more of us as gas prices reach $6, $7, $8 a gallon and even higher over the next few years.

Here in the Bay Area of northern California, gas is $4-$4.30 a gallon at the moment and diesel fuel has reached $5 a gallon . With diesel fuel prices going even higher than gas prices and the spread between the two apparently getting wider, Subaru's diesel engined Outback, likely being sold in the States in a couple of years, might not be economical enough to drive for many.

Anyway, I do think that it's time for the R2 to be offered here in the States.

[keppelk]

Completely agree with you on all counts. Normal 91 octane (R+M) is US$5.94 per US gallon here already, so change is definitely looking like a good idea.

 

Fuel millage here

 

Subaru R2 type S 2wd: 19.4 km/L = 45.63 miles/gallon

Subaru R2 type S awd: 18.6 km/L = 43.75 miles/gallon

 

This model gets best economy. Higher tech engine. Supercharger engine doesn't get Variable Valve Timing.

Subaru R2 R 2wd (DOHC 16 valve VVT): 24.5 km/L = 57.62 miles/gallon

Subaru R2 R awd (DOHC 16 valve VVT): 22.5 km/L = 52.92 miles/gallon

 

By my reckoning it looks like it won't take long to pay off the purchase vs my '86 XT turbo auto millage!

 

Not a huge step in power either (can take small cuts to save wallet:-\):

Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 0.238 kW/kg

Jaguar XKR Coupe 0.137 kW/kg

Subaru Legacy (gen IV EZ30) 0.108 kW/kg

Subaru XT Turbo (auto) 0.072 kW/kg

VW Golf (standard model) 0.063 kW/kg

Subaru R2 type S awd 0.053 kW/kg

[keltik]

'86 XT turbo auto millage!

 

Ouch....

 

If next years model looks more manly - ill take one.