2012 SUBARU NEWS AND REVIEWS-  FROM CALENDAR YEAR 2012

Subaru News, Magazine Reviews, Links - 2012 Archive page. 
Includes Tribeca, Outback, Legacy, Forester, Impreza, WRX, STI,  BRZ, XV Crosstrek,  Hybrid, Diesel, Concept Cars, Baja, SVX...

Latest News is on the  Homepage and is usually moved here monthly

10/31 10 months into the year, 2 months left to go and Subaru has already outsold all of 2011. In fact, the cars are selling so fast that some dealers in traditionally strong Subaru areas are running low on cars.
The press release: "Subaru of America, Inc. has reported it has broken its previous yearly sales record with more than two months of the year still remaining.
Sales for 2012 have now surpassed the previous sales record of 266,989 vehicles which was set in 2011 and mark the company’s fifth year of sales growth and fourth successive sales record. Sales in 2012 have been driven by the all-new 36mpg Impreza, and the addition of the all-new XV Crosstrek small CUV as well as the BRZ sports car.
“Subaru is celebrating yet another record,” said Thomas J. Doll, executive vice president and COO, Subaru of America, Inc. “Our brand is poised to exceed sales of 320,000 vehicles for 2012 and with a full year of sales for the XV Crosstrek and other new models on the way, we expect 2013 to be yet another record year for Subaru.”

10/30- Consumer Reports 2012 reliability rankings- Subaru is #6. The rankings are on Consumer Reports subscribers’ experiences with 1.2 million vehicles to predict how well new cars that are currently on sale will hold up.
The top 10 brands are #1 Scion, #2 Lexus, #3Toyota, #4 Mazda, #5 Subaru, #6 Honda, #7 Acura, #8 Audi, #9 Infiniti, #10 Kia
But not every car by every company is are created equal- buy the magazine to read the complete article with all the details or subscribe online at ConsumerReports.org
Here's a summary from AP,  "Japanese brands took the top seven spots in Consumer Reports' annual reliability rankings, pushing aside their U.S. and European rivals. Toyota Motor Corp.'s Scion, Lexus and Toyota brands took the top three spots and the Toyota Prius C, a subcompact hybrid, got the best overall score. Mazda, Subaru, Honda and Acura were close behind. The rankings, released Monday, predict the reliability of 2013 model-year vehicles based on surveys of Consumer Reports' readers. This year, 800,000 people submitted information on 1.2 million vehicles from the 2010 to 2012 model years. The rankings are critical for auto companies, since Americans frequently cite Consumer Reports as a main source of car-buying advice.
Ford and Lincoln, once top performers, plummeted to the bottom of this year's rankings because of persistent problems with glitchy touch screens and bumpy transmissions. Ford was also hurt because three normally reliable models — the Ford Escape, Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ — are all new for 2013, so Consumer Reports couldn't predict their reliability....
... The best-performing U.S. brand was Cadillac, from General Motors Co. Volkswagen AG's luxury Audi brand made the biggest strides in this year's survey, climbing 18 spots to No. 8. It was the best-performing European brand. Glitch-free new models like the A7 sedan got high marks from Jake Fisher, Consumer Reports' director of automotive testing.
"They're out-BMWing BMW, easily, in terms of the driving dynamics," he said.
Electric cars also got impressive results. The all-electric Nissan Leaf was Nissan's best performer, partly because its electric motor has fewer parts than a gasoline engine, Fisher said. But the Chevrolet Volt — an extended-range electric car that has both an electric system and a conventional engine and transmission — also got the highest score of any GM vehicle.
"GM took a lot of painstaking time to develop that car," Fisher said. The Volt was recalled earlier this year because vehicles crash-tested by the government showed a risk of fire when coolant leaked from the battery. But Consumer Reports' rankings don't reflect that, since the magazine only asks respondents to note issues that have happened on their own vehicles. Only vehicles with 100 or more responses are included. Among 2012 models, the magazine got the most responses for the Honda CR-V, with nearly 3,000. Fisher said the magazine is getting about the same number of complaints as it did five years ago. But issues with electronics, audio and touch-screen systems have increased while complaints about mechanical problems are down...." read this entire article

10/29 Political campaigns target voters based on many factors including your car. Subaru is not specifically mentioned...
From a March 2012 press release "Over the past two years Strategic Vision has collected political party choice on more than 38,700 (76,103 two-year total) new vehicle buyers with some fascinating discoveries. A slight majority of new vehicle buyers state they are Republican (37% vs. 31% Democrat). However, this changes when specific product segments are examined. For example, 69% of people who purchase convertibles are Republicans. If we were to consider luxury vehicles as another example and were to stereotype Republicans for a moment, many would guess that most luxury vehicle segment buyers are Republicans—true? This is true only if you're talking about Luxury “Sedans” (49% vs. 27%), not Luxury “Multi-Function (station wagons),” those buyers are mostly Democrats (37% vs. 30%). read the entire article

Segment	Political Party	% Comparison
Small Car	Democrats	35% vs. 26%
Small Multi-Function	Democrats	42% vs. 24%
Medium Car	Democrats/Republicans (tied)	34% vs. 34%
Medium Multi-Function	Democrats	38% vs. 25%
Luxury Car	Republicans	49% vs. 27%
Luxury Multi-Function	Democrats	37% vs. 30%
Convertible (< $30,000)	Republicans	69% vs. 18%
Minivan	Republicans	40% vs. 26%
Small SUV	Democrats	34% vs. 32%
Medium SUV	Republicans	41% vs. 18%
Medium Crossover	Republicans	38% vs. 30%
Large SUV	Republicans	76% vs. 5%
Luxury SUV	Republicans	53% vs. 22%
Standard Pickup	Republicans	40% vs. 24%
Full-Size Pickup	Republicans	51% vs. 24%

10/28 are you researching small All Wheel Drive hatchbacks, wagons, 5 doors, or crossovers? Here is a partial list of cars with their EPA ratings

10/21 winter is coming- protect your cars from rodents. They can do serious damage just nibbling a few wires under the hood, and a warm engine is awfully inviting on a cold day.  Winter car care tips, and here's more info on a rodent damaged car http://www.cars101.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=504
".... Besides maple trees that create the lovely autumnal color, we also have oak and hickory trees surrounding our property. So we have nuts. And, so we have squirrels.
We confounded the little devils by building a squirrel-proof bird feeder, and our cardinals, bluejays and chickadees have been grateful for that. But evidently squirrels are either more determined, or more patiently clever than one might think. I’ve watched them try time and again to shinny up the bird feeder pole, only to slip back down empty-handed.
Our bordering stone walls are also home to chipmunks, and tiny field mice habitually winter in our garage. We’ve learned to co-exist with all the chattering, skittering little creatures that enliven our yards. At the repair center, the vehicles were taken into separate bays as we read articles about Putting the Garden to Sleep and Saving $$ on Fuel Costs. After a short wait, the owner approached us, handing me a small object that resembled a bird’s nest and giving my husband two acorns.
“That’s the reason for the funny noise,” he informed us. “Field mouse nest in the Subaru and nuts in the Nissan’s air blower.” I’ve read that as squirrels find nuts in the fall, they bury them one by one all over their territory. They then find their nuts through an excellent sense of smell, but they supposedly also remember where the nuts are stored. I guess we’ll have a perplexed little critter coming up short on his acorn count this winter. And one poor, homeless little field mouse. read the entire article

10/20-  don't forget about Subaru brand home and back-up Subaru generators
"Subaru Industrial Power Products announces Steve Hartung has been named director of strategic sourcing. Hartung has 18 years of experience in engine manufacturing and sales, and most recently has been responsible for Subaru’s Minneapolis-St. Paul sales territory as a regional sales manager. In his new position, Hartung’s primary focus is on strategic sourcing of American-made parts to be used in Subaru V-Twin engines assembled at the Fuji manufacturing plant located in Tokyo, Japan.
In addition to new responsibilities, Hartung continues to act as the regional sales manager for the greater Minneapolis area. Hartung has been with Subaru Industrial Power Products for two years. For 16 years prior to that, Hartung was the director of manufacturing for Robin America. He managed the manufacturing process for the Wisconsin Robin line of engines, focusing on the V-Twin line of engines for Polaris and Billy Goat" read the entire article 

10/8 Soggy Subaru Lifted from the Rogue River after 19 months
"The 2010 Subaru driven into the Rogue River in a suicide attempt in March of 2011 was finally lifted from the river Tuesday morning by a Sikorsky heavy lift helicopter and dropped into a nearby field to be towed away.  Kate McKay Boone, then 36, drove the car into the river in an attempted suicide but swam to safety when the car began to sink. She was fined $135.  Boone’s insurance company, Progressive, and the state negotiated the safest way to remove the car was by helicopter and the Sikorsky had been fighting wildfires in California until recently and afforded a window of opportunity. The operation cost between $11,000 and $15,000." the original article

10/6 September car sales boomed for most Japanese companies
"Most of the import car brands had a roaring month in September but the biggest two U.S. automakers lagged behind.
With the exception of Nissan, the major foreign nameplates had strong, double-digit sales gains, with Toyota and Honda rebounding from depleted inventory and sales levels caused by the earthquake in Japan a year ago.
Toyota reported monthly U.S. sales of 171,910 vehicles, up 41.5% from a year earlier. Honda sales jumped 30.9% to 117,211 vehicles. Subaru had September sales of 27,683, a 32% increase. Nissan, however, reported sales of 91,907 vehicles, down 1.1% from the same month a year earlier.
Volkswagen Group of America said it sold 36,339 vehicles in the U.S. last month, a 34.4% increase and its best September since 1972.
The South Korean brands also did well. Hyundai Motor America said its U.S. sales increased 15% in September to 60,025 vehicles. Kia Motors America said its U.S. sales jumped 35.1% in September to 48,105 vehicles.
"The Kia Optima had one of its best months of the year .... The model continues to attract attention even with all the noise of the big name redesigns in the segment," said Jessica Caldwell, an analyst with auto information company Edmunds.com. "Those big-name models, as it turns out, are good for cars like Optima because midsize car shoppers are likely to stumble on to it as they research the redesigned and refreshed competitors."
Meanwhile, General Motors Co. said its sales rose almost 2% to 210,245 vehicles, its highest September U.S. sales since 2008. Ford Motor Co. sales stalled. The carmaker sold 174,976 vehicles in September, about 200 fewer than the same period a year earlier. Of the American brands, Chrysler Group had the best month, selling 142,041 vehicles in the U.S., a 12% improvement from the same month a year earlier and its best September since 2007. The retail segment of the auto industry — cars sold to consumer rather than rental car companies, governments and commercial customers — continues to grow..." read the original article
 
10/5 Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA)  gets Governor’s Service award for volunteerism in the community.
"The Governor’s Service award is the state’s most prestigious award for service and kicks off the 2012 Governor’s Conference on Service and Nonprofit Capacity Building.
SIA was honored, along with seven other organizations and people, at a dinner Monday night at Gov. Mitch Daniels’ residence in Indianapolis attended by more than 200 people.
“We are humbled to get the award,” said Tom Easterday, executive vice president of SIA. “Obviously, we don’t do things in the community to receive awards, but the recognition really represents a ‘thank you’ to our associates.”
SIA earned the Corporate Service award for its support of numerous community organizations, including the Lyn Treece Boys and Girls Club.
The automaker also hosts numerous charity walks and runs on its premises. Its next charity walk will be Oct. 13, with a fundraising goal of more than $70,000.
Community service is part of Subaru’s overall mission, Easterday said. “Subaru, as a company, has always been very conscientious about being involved,” Easterday said. “Here at SIA, we really wanted to focus on a strong spirit of volunteerism in the community." the original article

10/4 a Subaru helps rescue a lost beaver
"There are two times during the year when beaver come to my attention -- early spring and late fall. Spring is the time when they are the most vulnerable to predators and in the fall they are susceptible to the inconsistencies of nature.
Last spring, while driving between Paxson and Maclaren on the Denali Highway, we came upon a medium-size beaver in the middle of the road near the top of the Maclaren Summit. The snow berms were at least four feet high on the sides of the road and there was no water for miles. What in the world was a beaver doing way up there?
Spring is the time of year when young beaver, usually 2-year-olds, leave the family house to make their way in the world. Beaver lodges are home to the family group. In the Interior of Alaska, this group usually consists of six to eight individuals. There are the breeding adults, their young from the previous year and the new young. The spring kits are born in early May after a gestation period of about three and a half months. The house gets crowded with the new additions, so off go the teenagers to make their own way in the world.
The beaver we met on the Maclaren Summit was a wandering juvenile, looking for water. We knew his chances of survival were poor. Every large predator eats them --wolves, wolverine, lynx and bear. Even a medium size fox can handle a young beaver.  There was only one thing to do if he was to have a chance at survival -- take him to water. I threw my coat over him and he obligingly put his head in a sleeve. With him thus immobilized, I zipped the coat, picked him up and put him in the Subaru. That seemed like a good way to transport him down to the Maclaren River and safety..." read the entire article 

9/24 Subaru is growing, selling more cars than ever, and looking for all new digs for the national HQ. They already have a new distribution center under construction in Florence, NJ. Then last October (2011), Subaru's Portland region consolidated buildings and moved into a new $20 million 413,700sf combined headquarters, parts warehouse and west coast distribution center in the Rivergate industrial park of North Portland.
"Subaru of America Inc. is looking for 225,000 square feet for a new North American headquarters. It retained the Philadelphia office of CBRE Inc. to search the South Jersey market for some options, which are limited unless it’s new construction or conversion of an existing industrial building. Subaru couldn’t be reached for comment.
The company moved into its current national headquarters at 2235 W. Marlton Pike in 1986 in Cherry HIll, N.J., according to its website. The seven-story building cost $18 million to construct and totals 115,000 square feet. About 300 Subaru employees work there.
It also maintains other space in South Jersey. It has an operations center in a 59,000-square-foot building in Pennsauken, N.J., where it has about 200 employees from its customer loyalty, government relations, parts, service, financial services and other departments. It also has a regional office and warehouse in Westampton, N.J., according to its website.
The company also recently agreed to have a mega distribution center and training facility built. NFI Real Estate of Cherry Hill broke ground last month on a 526,050 square-foot building at NFI Park at Florence Crossings at 2020 Route 130 N. in Florence, N.J. It is a short distance from the New Jersey Turnpike and Pennsylvania Turnpike extension and is considered to be the largest built-to-suit development in New Jersey this year. Subaru got some breaks for the project. It took advantage of a program called Payment In Lieu Of Taxes, which is a tax incentive provided by Florence. The building is expected to be completed by June 1, 2013. CBRE Inc. represented the automaker in that deal, too" read the original article

9/18. LA Auto Show, 11/30-12/9  is going to have a Subaru 'World Debut'.
Of course the model isn't disclosed but we can always guess.
The best uneducated guess:  BRZ concept STI, convertible or turbo, Impreza concept hybrid, Crosstrek low boost turbo, Outback concept CVT diesel, Legacy Limited Special Edition upgrade package with bigger wheels, spoiler, pushbutton start, or the redesigned 2014 Forester? The new Forester is coming, probably around March, and is the mostly likely candidate for a world debut. Will the US version be a 2.5L CVT with lots of zip and good economy,  or a 2.0L CVT with little zip but better economy,  will there be a Forester hybrid, will the redesign still have the great utility and visibility that people really appreciate...? Let the rumors fly. The LA Auto Show website

9/11 help break the Guinness World Record by making the longest parade of Subarus, in Elk Rapids, Michigan 9/16
The attempt is to break the record of the longest parade of Subaru's, currently held by SoA.  On September 16, 2012, family, friends, neighbors, rally enthusiast and Subaru fans, will assemble in honor of rally car driver, Matthew Noble Marker, in Elk Rapids, Michigan, in an attempt to break the current Guinness World Record for the Longest Parade of Subarus!
The current record involved 339 cars in partnership with the Village of Itasca, in Itasca, Illinois, on July 11, 2009.
The parade will cover a minimum of 2 miles through the quaint streets of Elk Rapids, with no more than a car’s length between each Subaru vehicle as they parade the route, in compliance with Guinness Book of World Record requirements. Participants are required to bring a valid drivers license and current proof of registration and insurance to the check-in tables on the day of the event. After you register online for the event, you will receive an automated confirmation email. In the week preceding the event, please keep an eye on your email for updates and detailed schedules for the days event. Here is the link for information, and to register http://www.subaroots.com/registration-form/

9/3 Saab is gone, well, the old Saab is gone but something will continue. The remnants of Saab, struggling for the past few years and in bankruptcy since December 2011, has now been bought by a Chinese company who plans to build electric vehicles for export to China.  But the new cars will have to come with a new logo since the Griffin (head and wings of an eagle, body of a lion) wasn't included in the sale. Perhaps a Phoenix (bird that dies and is reborn in a fire) would be a good replacement for the Griffin since the company seems to be have multiple lives. Of course, GM sold a Pontiac Phoenix from 1977-1984 so there might be some lingering resistance to adopting a GM name as a logo.  On a side note, Tim Colbeck, who started with Subaru in 1999 and marched up the corporate ladder until he quit as the senior sale VP to become President of Saab NA in April 2011, is now President of Saab Parts NA since there are no cars to sell anymore.
"The buyer of bankrupt Saab completed the deal to acquire most of its assets in a step that advanced its plans to make electric vehicles but said it would not be able to use the Swedish automaker's distinctive griffin head logo. Saab, which has been making cars since 1947, crashed into bankruptcy at the end of 2011, less than two years after General Motors sold it to Dutch sports car group Spyker. Buyer National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB (NEVS), whose electric vehicles will be based on Saab cars, said completion of the purchase would speed up the process toward the start of production. "In approximately 18 months, we plan to introduce our first electric vehicle based on Saab 9-3 technologies and a new technology electric powertrain," Karl-Erling Trogen, NEVS chairman, said in a statement on Monday...."  read the entire article

8/25 advertising- the 2012 political season is upon us with its onslaught of Love Me-Hate Him advertising.
Here is Mitt Romney's ad plan for the final months of the Presidential election. President Obama of course also has a plan.
Nominee Romney's team includes professional ad guy Vinny Minchillo, who was with Subaru's ad agency Temerlin Mcclain in the 1990s.
On Mitt Romney's plan: "It may not be Sterling Cooper, but Mitt Romney has his own set of self-described “Man Men” crafting the advertising strategy for his presidential campaign.  The Washington Post reported that Romney’s team of advertising gurus includes Vinny Minchillo, a onetime “Wheel of Fortune” contestant who made J.C. Penney and Subaru ads before getting into politics, and Jim “Fergie” Ferguson, a tattooed Texan who crafted the famous “Beef, it’s what’s for dinner” slogan.
But this time, they’re selling a man instead of cars or hamburgers. The Post reported that much of the millions Romney raises goes to the “Mad Men,” who are planning a barrage of ads in key battleground states for the last 10 weeks of the campaign. While the team didn’t reveal specifics, they said their ad strategy boils down to a single message: “It’s the economy, and we’re not stupid....” read the rest of this article

8/11 Malcolm Bricklin and Harvey Lamm started Subaru, they brought the 360 to the US in 1968. Malcolm Bricklin left Subaru in a bit of a hurry, and while Subaru struggled and finally started to catch on in the mid-70s, Mr Bricklin went on to some short-lived automotive endeavors- the Bricklin SV-1, Yugo, X-19 Bertone, but he's mostly revered for Subaru, right? Well, maybe not revered.  Mr Bricklin's babies are also Autoweek's Project Hell babies.... 
"But hold on a second—what about the man who first brought Subarus to North America? The man who kept the flow of Fiat X1/9s and 124 Sport Spiders coming into the country after Fiat gave up on the entire continent? The marketing genius behind the Yugo? That's right, Malcolm Bricklin. We wasted no time in finding a couple of restoration-ready projects bearing the Bricklin stamp.
The company that built the speedy Nakajima Ki-84 "Frank" fighter aircraft for the Imperial Japanese Air Force evolved after the war into Fuji Heavy Industries, and in 1958 started mass-producing a tiny air-cooled two-stroker called the Subaru 360.
This car worked pretty well in crowded Japanese cities, and Malcolm Bricklin saw a business opportunity: Americans were crazy about little German cars with rear-mounted, air-cooled engines, so why wouldn't they buy the 360? Bricklin brought about 10,000 Subarus into the United States from 1968 through 1971, but sales suffered from a "Not Acceptable" rating from Consumer Reports in 1969, and Volkswagen dealers didn't lose many sales.
Still, with so many of the diminutive Subarus being brought over, you'd think that it would be possible to find an affordable one to serve as the basis of a Hell Project today—and you'd be right!
We've discovered this 1970 Subaru 360 in Northern California (go here if the listing disappears), with an asking price of a single grand. The car is in Sacramento, but the seller has decided to list it in San Francisco, because that's where the car was purchased new in 1970.
The seller's father bought the car in 1987, presumably in rough shape, and the seller claims that it ran at the time. Yes, those three magical words that sound so good in the Hell Garage: Ran when parked!
What's a little thing like a quarter-century when you're looking at such a historically significant vehicle, we ask you? There's rust. Parts are missing. The interior is gutted. On the plus side, you get all the glass, the bumpers and the emblems. How hard could it be?
If you think that DeLorean did a fine job of extracting vast quantities of cash from employment-hungry Northern Ireland to build the DMC-12, you should be even more impressed by Malcolm Bricklin's achievement in squeezing millions from the Canadian province of New Brunswick for the construction of his dream project, the Bricklin SV-1.
The SV stood for "Safety Vehicle," and the wild-looking car had all sorts of innovative safety features built in. It also had such not-so-innovative features as leaky gullwing doors and cracking plastic bodies, and SV-1s didn't quite fly off the dealers' showroom floors. Only about 2,900 Bricklin SV-1s were built, which makes them quite rare today.
Is it even possible to find a project-grade SV-1? Yes!
This 1975 Bricklin SV-1 in Massachusetts is on eBay with a starting bid of only $2,000, and all it needs is an unprecedented miracle a bit of TLC to get back to like-new condition. The seller doesn't want to waste time with convoluted word-twisting description, instead cutting right to the chase: "car needs to be restored,engine runs good and drives,body was painted poorly and is orginal,doors have been upgraded to air,interior needs to be replaced,hood has a scoop installed very poorly,car needs work."
So, the engine runs, the interior is unspeakably horrible (we're reading between the very few lines here), the body has been cruelly violated with J.C. Whitney's cheapest fiberglass scoop, a coat of black house paint and who knows what else, and the doors have been "upgraded to air," which we assume means they are now actuated by compressed air instead of . . . well, whatever scary system came factory-installed.
The good news is that this is one of the Ford 351W-powered cars, rather than the earlier type with AMC 360 motivation, which means you should have an easy time dealing with engine and transmission issues." read the original article, with photos 

8/6 7 passenger Subaru Exiga station wagon in Australia. The Exiga is a 7 passenger, Australian 2.5L Liberty station wagon with the CVT. The Liberty would be a Legacy if it was sold in the US. It's around 186.5 inches long and 65" high, so about 2.5" shorter than our Outback but about the same height. Its a tight fit for 7 people, the 3rd row is too small for comfortable family use. If Subaru wants to grow in the US, they're missing out on the family market and could use a true mini-van. Its true that the mini-van market is small but Subaru has done well when they don't follow the standard, well beaten path used by all the other car companies.
"The 2013 Subaru Liberty Exiga is now on sale in Australia, with the mid-sized wagon finally adding the long-absent seventh seat while retaining its existing prices.
Subaru Australia previously offered the Liberty Exiga as a six-seater in 2+2+2 configuration as it was only available from the factory with a lap seatbelt in the second-row middle position – a feature that would have compromised the car’s five-star ANCAP safety rating.
Now standard in 2+3+2 form, the Subaru Liberty Exiga gets lap-sash seatbelts in all seating positions, as well as three sets of child-seat anchor points.
The introduction of the seventh seat is part of a modest 2013 model year update that also brings revised door mirrors and a new 17-inch alloy wheel design to the range-topping Premium variant...
The upgrade comes just six months after Subaru Australia launched the 2012 model year Liberty Exiga, which introduced a reversing camera and steering wheel-mounted controls for Bluetooth, voice command and AUX/USB functions to the base model, and automatic headlights across the range. The Subaru Liberty Exiga is powered by a 123kW/229Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder ‘Boxer’ engine and is teamed exclusively with a continuously variable transmission (CVT)." the article with more photos

8/5  Subaru Indiana America was Subaru Isuzu America when it opened in 1990. I went on the tour years ago- it was fun but there was a clearly marked 'tourist' path we had to follow and were lots of rules including no photos. Sounds like this tour was more in depth
"25 years. That's how long the Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) plant has been in Lafayette, and Saturday,  the company took the day to celebrate.
Community members were invited to visit the plant and see what goes occurs on a daily basis. Attendees were given a tour of the SIA facility, in order to thank them for their support over the years.
SIA spokesperson Jennifer McGarvey said the company usually only gives tours of certain parts of the plant due to safety reasons. She said Saturday, community members and family members were able to get a more-behind-the-scenes look. "This is a time that we were able to rope off a lot of areas to make sure it's safe for everyone, but you can go all the way from our stamping shop, our body shop, all the way back out to engine, which is something the public doesn't normally get to see," said McGarvey.
McGarvey said the celebration doesn't just last Saturday, it will be a year-long event. She said SIA will also hold a fundraiser 5K run-walk in October, and the funds will be used to build a safe haven home." the original article.

8/4  How many ways to beat the traffic? Try going above it... it does 40mph in the air and up to 100mph on the ground. Its the Maverick Subaru powered flying car that uses a Subaru 190hp 2.5L engine and CVT transmission. Dual Drive with Transaxle and Propeller. Flies Like a Car with Integrated Controls. The spec sheet says that on the road it can do up to 100 mph. Gets around 30mpg on the highway.  It has headlights, brake lights, turn signals and a horn.  Base price $94,000.00 as of 1/1/12. FAA Certified LSA Light Sport Aircraft. Check out the Maverick Flying Car website
 8/2 Subaru really wants to continue the growth, and accelerate to a strong record braking year-end finish by introducing the 2013s with lower finance rates than they would usually offer on the brand new models. The 2013 Outback, Legacy and Forester rates are 1.90% up to 63 months, and 2.90% for 72 month. BRZ continues with 2.90% to 63 months. All rates on approval of credit.

7/17 local Seattle area Shoreline-Mukilteo independent Subaru repair shop Smart Service gets reviewed in the Everett Herald
"If you're running a small business against big chain competition, how do you set yourself apart?  Smart Service owner and mechanic Michael Corbin says the answer is specialization, offering loaner cars like dealerships do and finding creative ways to advertise.
Corbin has been driving Subarus since the late-1980s. At the time, he was working as a mechanic at a dealership. Impressed by the unique engineering and all-wheel-drive that has for years set Subaru apart, this small business owner/entrepreneurial mechanic saw opportunity to specialize in maintaining and repairing just one make of car. He opened his first Smart Service shop in Shoreline in 1999....
Fortunately, Corbin's pick is also in line with what many folks around here are driving; The Northwest is one of the strongest areas in the country for Subaru ownership. And it's a brand that has a reputation for manufacturing cars that will go the distance.
"It's not unusual to see cars come into the shop with over 300,000 miles," said Corbin. "For whatever reason, many Subaru owners seem to take pride in getting the most out of their vehicle."
My Subaru driving experience is mostly behind the wheel with the occasional wiper blade or oil changes, air filter replacement or topping off fluids. But when it comes to the major projects like brakes, tune-ups or engine diagnostics, I seek out the experts. I recently took my 2001 Outback to Corbin's Smart Service shop in Mukilteo, where I learned that my car had some manual transmission differential issues that would require upwards of six hours of labor to repair.
Disappointed that after 189,000 miles I would need to sink a good chunk of money to get the repair done, I was pleasantly surprised that the shop had a loaner car that I could drive for the days that my car was in the shop.  Many repair facilities and dealerships offer shuttle service to their customers. Some car dealerships will provide loaners when a major repair is required on a vehicle. These cars are typically low-mileage and perhaps are meant to entice the customer with a bias to make their next car purchase.
Only a handful of small independent mechanics offer loaners. More commonly, they will provide a special offer through local rental car companies. The Smart Service Mukilteo shop has four loaners; the Shoreline shop runs with five. And none of these cars has fewer than 150,000 miles! The one I drove for two days had 363,000 miles -- and counting! You can't miss these cars when they're out on the road. True, I was driving a promotional billboard from place to place throughout South County. But the benefit of having a car at my disposal without jockeying vehicles to get my car to the shop and myself back home was a major plus. Smart Service is recognized by AAA of Washington as a Top Shop repair facility; they've consistently achieved this rating since 2005.
"We're happy to be connected with AAA and the evaluation services they provide. With results from AAA surveys, interviews and site visits, our shop's credibility continues to grow," Corbin said.
It's not easy to get perfect customer service feedback scores for an entire month of shop transactions. With nearly 150 cars a month receiving some form of maintenance or repair at the Mukilteo location alone, one would think that a few folks could find cause to complain. Yet in March Smart Service in Mukilteo earned AAA's distinguished 100 percent award.
The success of Smart Service can be attributed to several key factors. "The team that has been with the business is committed to excellence," Corbin said. "What started out as a one-man operation in 1999 is now at 14 employees, four of whom are part-time."
The business has seen virtually no turnover in the past few years. "Employees who are respected and feel well-treated truly extend the same to our customers. Customers think we're performing miracles, yet we've focused on a culture of treating them fair and honest while delivering high-quality service," Corbin said.
Treating customers and employees well is certainly a good foundation. Establishing expertise and delivering quality service is the day-to-day challenge that keeps a business growing.
Differentiation by providing something as simple as high-mileage, roving billboard loaner cars signals that even a small independent shop can compete through innovation. And in this economy, every small business owner needs to consider this simple question: What makes us different?" read the original article

7/12 Carfax's pursuit of the Subaru contract lands Carfax in court
" A federal judge refused to dismiss claims that Carfax made false and defamatory statements about AutoCheck's vehicle history reports to sink the competitor's $2.3 million deal with Subaru. Ohio-based Experian Information Solutions sells vehicle history reports under the name AutoCheck. It directly competes with Carfax, which sells similar reports for customers to check if a used vehicle has ever been in an accident.
In December 2011, Experian sued Carfax, for making disparaging and false statements about its product to derail a $2.3 million deal with Subaru dealerships. It claimed that Subaru was committed to a contract with Experian, under which Subaru's Certified Pre-Owned program would offer customers free AutoCheck reports, but that Carfax interfered before the contract was signed. Carfax sent Subaru a letter claiming that "AutoCheck's auction frame data is highly flawed." The letter also said that "AutoCheck will allow a significant number of problem vehicles into [Subaru's] program," and "there is a good chance Auto[C]heck will miss a problem vehicle." After Carfax sent the letter, Subaru reconsidered its deal with Experian and eventually decided to give the contract to Carfax. U.S. District Judge Edmond Chang upheld the core of Experian's defamation claim...." read the entire article

7/6 The U.S is a country of many languages- its summer, time to get in your Subaru and drive around and find them
"As fuel prices drop in the United States and temperatures keep going up, many Americans are hopping into their cars and pulling out their maps, smartphones, tablets, or GPS devices to get on the road. Where should they travel? Elizabeth Little, author of the newly released Trip of the Tongue, has some suggestions. Over the course of two years, she traveled thousands of miles in an old Subaru, chronicling her encounters with Navajo, Crow, Puyallup, Quileute, Makah, French, Louisiana Creole, Gullah, Basque, Norwegian, Haitian Creole, and Spanish people. In this interview, she discusses her book and offers tips for other would-be language road-trippers.
NK: What drew you to feature the Basque-speaking communities in Nevada and Idaho?
EL: Basque is one of those languages that every budding polyglot comes up against early in their studies...
NK: You also chose to write about Spanish in New Mexico. Why did you decide to write about such a language that so many people are already familiar with?
EL: While it's true that one of my goals in writing this book was to introduce readers to the surprising diversity of language communities in the United States...
NK: In South Carolina, you explored Gullah, a language most Americans might have never heard of, but unknowingly have a connection with through the story of Br'er Rabbit, Porgy and Bess, and the song "Michael Row the Boat Ashore." What else do you wish more people knew about Gullah?
EL: The thing I wish more of us understood about Gullah -- and about all Creole languages for that matter...
NK: Of the languages you discuss in the book, which is your favorite (if you can pick just one), and why?
EL: ... I would say generally that the languages that interest me most are the indigenous American languages -- if I were ever to completely lose my mind and decide to go back to school, I would probably want to study the languages of the Pacific Northwest.
NK: What advice would you give to other would-be linguistic road-trippers?
EL: ... take the road less traveled. Get off the highway and go to a town or a state you've never been to before..." read the entire article  

7/5 pillow talk,  aka car companies hook-ups
"Think of the greatest and most awful collaborations you can. Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg? Check one in the "greatest" category. Architect I.M. Pei and the famous Louvre Museum? Still open for interpretation. Celine Dion and Chrysler? Beautiful and short-lived -- and only one of them came out rich.
We all like to see collaborations, whether they flourish or flop. They can prove the impossible (bacon and chocolate) or the inevitable (Snooki and birth control). It’s a human need to see two sides work together (or try to), a humble admission that we can’t do everything alone, and the suspense of creating something awesome from very different parts. The automotive world, as Dion can attest, works the same way. Here are a few good and bad examples.
The Good:
Toyota and BMW: This is quite the information exchange. After a handshake at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, the details are out. Toyota will share its exhaustive hybrid knowledge with BMW, notably to develop new lithium-ion batteries and possibly entire powertrains....  BMW will supply Toyota with diesel engines...
Alfa Romeo and Mazda: This one came out of nowhere, but again, it shouldn’t go wrong. Mazda wants to go back to the original Miata’s basic, ultralightweight design, and Alfa Romeo wants a superbly balanced rear-wheel-drive chassis to mimic the famous Spiders of old....
Jeep and Maserati: The last time these two came together, they made an embarrassing failure that neither of them would care to remember. The Chrysler TC by Maserati was a watered-down hack job...
Subaru and Toyota: No one outside these two Japanese companies knows who was mostly responsible for the inexpensive, rear-wheel-drive sports cars known alternately as the Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S. (Probably Subaru, since Toyota has mostly forgotten how to make cars with a pulse.) In any case, these cars are the hottest-selling models in the country, and there’s no question the aftermarket community will wrap their hands around them in short time. Aside from being identical twins with different badges, these cars are already successful and prop up both companies.
And the Ugly:
Chevrolet and Daewoo: Nowadays, Korean automaker Daewoo is otherwise known as GM Daewoo, the brainy division that created the well-received Chevrolet Cruze. Before this car, though, Daewoo tried entering the U.S. market on its own in the 1990s, failed miserably, and then began building subcompact cars and selling them here as Chevrolets...
Suzuki and Nissan (and GM): The Suzuki Equator is simply a rebadged Nissan Frontier. It’s a basic truck with little going for it in terms of amenities or stand-out features -- and that's putting it nicely...
Saab and Anyone: This is not so much a collaboration as open heart surgery without anesthesia. Saab has been ripped apart and gutted..." read the entire article   
6/30 from employee to boss, its not the usual salesman story...
"...Kupper had been working as a derrick hand in the oil fields before the area went through a bust in the 1980s. He always had been a bit of a car buff, he said.
He likes to drag race in his free time. Growing up in Ray, he had three older brothers. “With three older brothers you have to like tinkering with cars,” he said.
Kupper moved to Mandan in 1987 and started selling cars for Ivan Gandrud Chevrolet. “I thought I’d start selling cars until I found a real job,” he said. “I’ve been looking ever since.”
Dave Ressler bought the dealership from Gandrud in 1988. Kupper worked his way from salesman to finance, to used car manager and eventually to general manager.
When Ressler decided to move to Bozeman, Mont., in 1999, he offered to sell the business to Kupper over the next 10 years. Kupper recognized the opportunity and in November 2010 it officially became Kupper Chevrolet Subaru.
“That doesn’t happen to a lot of people,” Kupper said. Kupper now has three dealerships, two of them in Mandan and one in Bismarck. His day starts at 7 a.m. and is spent bouncing among all of the locations. “After 25 years, I still love coming to work,” he said...." read the entire article  

6/27 hunting wild asparagus in a Subaru in Seattle
"For Langdon Cook, a walk in the woods isn't that different from a walk through the produce section of the supermarket. He's a writer, blogger and all-around outdoorsy type, but in outdoorsy Seattle, he's made his name primarily as a forager.
He's kind enough to let me tag along on a mushroom hunt in the Cascades. In the back of his Subaru (the official car of the Seattle outdoors) he already has a basket full of morels, porcinis and coral mushrooms — the fruits of about ten miles of hiking, he says. He doesn't want me to be too specific about our location because other mushroom hunters might yell at him. But he's not so protective of his foraging secrets. In fact, he enjoys teaching people how to spot food...." read the entire article

6/22 JD Power announced results for the 2012 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS) when they survey new car owners for problems. The Initial Quality Study, now in its 26th year, serves as the industry benchmark for new-vehicle quality measured at 90 days of ownership.
The scores are Problems Per 100 cars, or PP100.
Lexus is the highest-ranked nameplate in the industry for a second consecutive year, averaging 73 PP100. With 75 PP100 each, Jaguar and Porsche follow Lexus in a tie to rank second. Jaguar posts the largest improvement in the study- reducing problems by 39 PP100 and vaulting from the 20th rank position in 2011. Cadillac (80 PP100) and Honda (83 PP100) round out the top five rank positions.
The Industry Average is 102 PP100. Subaru is at 109 PP 100, between Volvo and Jeep. Below are the rankings...
The #1 is Lexus with 73 PP100 (73 problems per 100 cars), Jaguar  75, Porsche 75, Cadillac 80, Honda 83, Acura 84, Infiniti 84, Toyota 88, Mercedes 96, BMW 97, Mazda 97, GMC 99, Nissan  99, Ram 99, Chevrolet 100, *Industry Average 102*, Audi 105, Buick 106, Hyundai 107, Kia 107, Lincoln 107, Volvo 108, Subaru 109, Jeep 110, Suzuki 115, Chrysler 116, Scion 117, Ford 118, Land Rover 119,  Dodge 124, Mitsubishi 124, VW 124, Mini 139, Fiat 151, Smart 151. Read the entire press release
6/19 Summer starts tomorrow Wednesday June 20th. Its the summer solstice and the longest day or the year

6/17 - a shredded tire- photos

6/15 ended June 15th...  $500 Costco gift card - buy a new Subaru by June 15th and get a $500 Costco gift card from Costco.  A Costco member who purchases or has a signed purchase order for one - except BRZ, WRX, and STI-  from any new Subaru dealer (yes, ANY Subaru dealer, Yes any Subaru dealer)  through June 15, 2012 can download a redemption form for the $500 Costco gift card at http://www.costcoauto.com/Subaru/Default.aspx

6/11 on the temptation of texting and ticketing distracted drivers
"Now that the driving season is upon us, it's time more people saw flashing lights in their rear view mirrors. Let's make it open season on distracted drivers.
The use of cell phones in cars has been controversial for years, yet still only 10 states in the country ban it, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. But increasingly people are using their phones not for talking but for surfing the Web and texting, prompting pop psychologists to talk about smartphone addiction.
Disease or not, many people can't help but pick up their phones even when they are driving.
Furthermore, the level of potentially tempting distractions promises to increase in the coming years as automakers add local restaurant reviews, movie ticket reservations, and Facebook and Twitter to in-dash systems. From Cadillac to Subaru, these systems are already appearing in new models this year. And big companies see big demand among consumers. Verizon, for example, just announced this week it is purchasing Hughes Telematics, the company that supplies many of these systems to car manufacturers, such as Mercedes-Benz. Obviously, this epidemic is not limited to one socio-economic group or area of the country....
New York, Vermont, and D.C. all have laws strictly banning these distracting practices (Vermont inconsistently does not ban handheld calling), yet they continue unabated. And it is dangerous. In the 5 seconds it takes to read a short text on a phone while you're doing 55 mph you will have driven the length of a football field—with your eyes closed.
A recent law prohibiting pedestrians from texting in Fort Lee, NJ, was much ridiculed, as if it were the modern day equivalent of the grumpy old man shouting, "Hey, you kids, get off my lawn." However, there's more than a few good reasons to hand out $85 texting tickets to pedestrians: If we can't stop drivers from texting, we better make sure that pedestrians don't text so they can keep their eyes peeled for the reckless drivers....
The difficultly facing police is the tricky nature of enforcing such laws, however, even when there is the political will. Police in Massachusetts have complained that it's difficult for officers to get into a position where they can see that a driver is texting on a phone, rather than just holding a device or tapping a contact to place a hands-free call. (Demanding the phone and checking the time stamp on a message once they've pulled a citizen over seems a little too invasive.)
So officers in some municipalities have taken unusual steps. In New York City, cops often lurk just outside tunnels looking for drivers who text in traffic. In Ottawa, Canada, it was reported recently that cops went undercover as homeless panhandlers --not to catch drug dealers but to spy into the windows of cars and catch their operators texting red handed.
Creative as these enforcement methods may be, it will become more of a challenge for law makers and law enforcement to police distracted driving in the future. Smartphone apps are rapidly being ported to in-dash systems with touch screens of their own. Auto companies are disabling some functions when a car is in motion, but they feel pressured by consumers who want to read Yelp restaurants reviews from the front seat.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is so anxious about such a future that it stated in a 177-page set of proposed guidelines that virtually anything like this -- including navigation systems -- is a dangerous distraction.  Brace yourself for a (painful) learning process, as police pull people over more often and hand out expensive tickets until everyone breaks the habit. Or finds a new distraction." read the complete article...

6/10- a bumper-stickered Subaru in Silver City, New Mexico
"AT Cole talks about restoring the rare cienega on his ranch, one of only a handful remaining in the Southwest. One of my favorite quotes in reporting on this series came from Lucinda Cole.  She and her husband, AT, are the owners of the ranch near Silver City where Randy Jennings took me looking for Chiracahua Leopard frogs.When the Coles retired to this ranch, it was with the intention of restoring native habitat that could support endangered species like the Leopard frog and Gila topminnow.  But they did not enter the scene naively: "We didn't want to move in and be environmentalists...we had bumper stickers all over our Subaru when we first came here and we took those all off, and we just want to get along. And so (AT) bought a hat..."
Meaning, a cowboy hat (you can see him sporting it here).  And now, she says, "I think our neighbors all know (that we're environmentalists).  But by the time we settled in after nine years, they like us now...so no matter what we do here I think we're ok." 
That's saying something in an area where it's not uncommon to see trucks with bumper stickers declaring "save a rancher, kill a wolf."  While the Coles are purposely choosing not to tread into the hot coals of the wolf issue (sticking, instead, with birds, fish and amphibians), I love the idea that the recovery of endangered plants and animals could just be a matter of  a few people buying hats and being nice to their neighbors." read the entire article

6/8 NPR's Car Talk guys Click and Clack are retiring after 25 years but don't say goodbye because re-runs are forever
"Tom and Ray Magliozzi, aka Click and Clack the Tappet Brothers, the comedian mechanics who host NPR's Car Talk, will tell their listeners this afternoon that as of this fall, they'll no longer record new programs. But their weekly call-in series will continue to be distributed by NPR drawing on material from their 25 years of show archives.
"My brother has always been 'work-averse,' " says Ray, 63. "Now, apparently, even the one hour a week is killing him!"
"It's brutal!" adds Tom, 74.
The brothers have been taping Car Talk at WBUR in Boston for 35 years, and the show has been a staple on NPR Member stations for the last 25 years. With older brother Tom turning 75 this year, the guys decided it was time to "stop and smell the cappuccino."
NPR will continue to distribute the weekly show ... to stations across the country. Beginning in October, the Car Talk production team will actively produce new shows built from the best of its 25 years of material – more than 1,200 shows – with some updates from the brothers. The guys will also still write their twice weekly Dear Tom and Ray column, and put their feet in their mouths in surprising new ways on the web and Facebook. ...
The brothers will mark their 25th anniversary on NPR this fall, and then put the series in the hands of their producers, who will continue to produce the show."  the original article 

6/6 Subaru is 3rd on the ALG list of top perceived brands. ALG issues the Automotive Lease Guide, used to determine the residual values for leases. This Perceived Quality Study is one of the tools they use.
"Now in its 5th year, ALG’s Perceived Quality Study (PQS) is a semiannual consumer survey of perceived automobile brand quality. The PQS report highlights the survey results of 3,000 - 4,000 U.S. consumers in order to gauge perceptions of mainstream and luxury brands. PQS is one of the metrics ALG examines in calculating our industry benchmark residual values, helping companies and consumers understand the future value of their vehicles.
While Honda continues to lead the way among mainstream brands, ranking highest since the Spring 2010 survey, Toyota stays on a corrected course from its setbacks in 2010.
Overall rankings remain similar to the previous measurement, particularly for highly rated brands. Of the 10 top-rated brands there was only one change in rankings, with Ford moving up one spot. That said, Honda and Toyota still represent the top tier of quality perception, with the second tier consisting of Subaru, Ford, Nissan and Volkswagen."
Here's the list of mainstream companies: Honda, Toyota, Subaru, Ford, Nissan, VW, Mazda, Hyundai, Mini, Buick, Scion,  Ram trucks, Mitsubishi, GMC. Jeep Kia, Chrysler, Dodge, Suzuki, Fiat, Smart.  read the entire report  


6/5 Subaru and Toyota discuss plans regarding future Camry production at Subaru's SIA plant in Lafayette
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. President Yasuyuki Yoshinaga said the maker of Subaru cars is preparing to begin talks to renew its contract to build Camry sedans, the best-selling car in the U.S., for Toyota Motor Corp.
While the company has orders to build the Camry until the model is overhauled in about four years, Fuji Heavy doesn't know whether Toyota will retain its services for the next generation of the midsize sedan, Yoshinaga said this week.
Fuji Heavy, which uses about a third of its U.S. manufacturing capacity for the Camry, needs to know soon to determine its own expansion plans, he said.
"My hope is that we can have a decision about the future direction within this year," Yoshinaga said. "We would like to maintain Camry production."
Renewing the deal would extend Subaru's reliance on Toyota as the European crisis, slowing Chinese economy and the strength of the yen threaten earnings growth.
For Fuji Heavy, dropping Camry manufacturing would give the company room to expand production of its more profitable Suburu Outback sport utility vehicles and Legacy sedans in the U.S. without having to build another factory. ...
Toyota spokesman Joichi Tachikawa said he couldn't immediately comment on Fuji Heavy's future production of the Camry.
Yoshinaga, 58, also said Fuji Heavy will propose developing more automobiles with Toyota to build on the success of their latest sports car — called the BRZ for Subaru and 86 for Toyota.
The move would deepen a partnership that began in 2005 when Toyota bought 8.7 percent of Fuji Heavy. It raised the stake to 16 percent three years later. This year, they started selling a codeveloped sports car and Subaru plans to begin offering its first hybrid vehicle — based on Toyota technology — in 2013.
Fuji Heavy has been devoting some of its capacity, 37 percent of its total in the U.S. last fiscal year, to make the Camry for Toyota since 2007.  Still, Fuji Heavy is allocating some of its factory space to Toyota at the expense of its Subaru-brand cars. Because of the shortage of capacity in the U.S., Fuji Heavy is cranking up production in Japan, making itself more vulnerable to the yen. The Camry generates operating profit margins of about 2 percent to 3 percent for Fuji Heavy, while the Subaru Legacy and Outback yield margins exceeding 10 percent, according to estimates by Koichi Sugimoto, a Tokyo-based analyst at BNP Paribas SA.
... Subaru sold 3,551 BRZs in Japan in the first two months, almost quadruple the company's initial target, and is starting sales of the two-door coupe in the U.S. this year. People placing an order now will have to wait until next March to get the car, he said.
"Since the BRZ/86 is so popular, it's natural to consider expanding the lineup," he said. "For example, adding a BRZ sedan."...  read the entire article  

5/28, Monday is Memorial Day. We are here because others aren't. Thank you to those who serve and those who gave all.

5/28 Credit- the only way to get a real credit report for free is at www.annualcreditreport.com.  FICO scores can be industry specific, so a credit score for a car purchase will have different criteria and be different than one for a mortgage, cell phone, credit card etc. Here's a nice short article about credit in general.
"Question: I recently went to one of those free credit report websites and paid for a copy of my FICO credit scores. The report said my FICO score is 722 and my husband's is 720, which are both considered to be "excellent" credit. But when we applied for a mortgage and the mortgage company pulled our credit report, the FICO scores that they came up with were much lower than the report that we pulled two months ago. They said my "mid" FICO score was 675 and my husband's was 652. This caused us to get a higher mortgage interest rate than we were originally quoted. We are pretty upset.
Could our credit scores really drop that much in only two months? We have not opened any new credit cards or purchased a car or done anything in the past two months, so this doesn't make sense. Please explain how this could happen.
> Answer: This has become an increasingly common problem with all the advertising for "free credit report" and "free credit score" services. There is only one website where you can truly get a free credit report from the three national credit reporting bureaus: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. That website address is www.annualcreditreport.com/.
You are allowed to request one free credit report every 12 months from this website, and it is totally free. However, if you want to see a copy of your FICO credit scores, you must pay for that because it is provided by a separate service. The problem is that there are several different kinds of FICO credit scores, and the scores that you get from the paid credit report services are often better than you will get when a mortgage company pulls your credit report.
First, let me explain that FICO stands for Fair, Isaac & Company. They are the originators of credit scoring based on complex computerized models that take into account a variety of factors including your past payment history, amount of money owing on each of your credit accounts compared to the total credit limit for each account, length of time your credit accounts have been established, the number of recent credit inquires and new credit accounts; and the total number of active credit accounts on your credit report.
Each of the three credit reporting bureaus generates its own credit score based on your credit data. FICO credit scores range from about 450 to 850. Anything above 740 is considered excellent credit. Your credit scores are a snapshot of your credit picture at the moment that your credit report is pulled. The scores can change dramatically in a couple of months, or even in a couple of days if your credit balances have changed....  A FICO score pulled by a mortgage company takes into account many more credit factors than a FICO score pulled by a retail store or a car dealer, so the numbers will be different.... The FICO scores that you get from the "free credit report" services are meaningless." read the complete article by Steve Tytler at the Everett Herald

5/27 All-wheel-drive, but not a Subaru?
"Looking for an all-wheel-drive foreign sedan. I have a Subaru Outback now but want to trade for a sedan, but not necessarily a Subaru.
If all-wheel-drive and a foreign nameplate are your main criteria, you have many sedans to choose from. However, most are priced much higher than the Subaru Outback, whose base prices run from about $23,000 to $32,000.
Just a couple of non-Subaru all-wheel-drive sedans are in that range, including the Mitsubishi Lancer and Suzuki Kizashi. The Audi A4 is just above it, starting at $33,300. If you're OK with spending more, you can add cars such as the Acura TL, Infiniti G37x, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Volvo S60 to your list, as well as several others, depending on how much you're willing to spend. The Cars.com Vehicle Recommender can help you narrow the list to the ones that fit your budget.
We're sure you have reasons for specifying a foreign brand, there are good reasons to consider domestic brands as well. For example, the Ford Fusion is available with all-wheel drive, and it was named the most dependable midsize car in J.D. Power and Associates' 2012 Vehicle Dependability Study, which measured problems on 2009 models in the third year of ownership. The Ford Taurus, also available with all-wheel drive, had the third fewest problems among large sedans in that study, and it was the highest-ranked large car in J.D. Power's 2011 Initial Quality Study, which measured problems during the first 90 days of ownership. The Fusion and Taurus also are Top Safety Picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety." the original article  

5/26 Fuji has buyers for their cars and even for part of the company...
"Volvo’s Chinese owner offered to take a large minority stake in the Japanese maker of Subaru cars, an offer – never accepted – that illustrates its ambition to expand business in China and around the world and gain more technology to improve its own cars.
Two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said Zhejiang Geely Holding Group offered to buy a stake of about 20 per cent in Japan’s Fuji Heavy Industries late last year through an investment banking intermediary.
If the bid had been successful, it could have paved the way for a joint-venture company in China to produce Subarus which currently have to be brought in from abroad.
China has been the world’s biggest auto market by volume since 2009.
By taking over Volvo and now possibly another foreign brand, Geely wants not only to expand its business around the world quickly but use their technology and auto design and manufacturing expertise to improve its own-branded cars....
Geely’s interest in Fuji Heavy ‘sounds like a good strategy’, said Mr Yale Zhang, head of Shanghai-based consulting firm Automotive Foresight.
Volvo is a premium brand and Geely’s own brands in China are all affordable low-end brands.
‘Fuji Heavy could have filled the gap in the middle of product offerings Geely has,’ Mr Zhang said. A 20 per cent stake would have made the Hangzhou-based automaker the biggest shareholder in Fuji, ahead of Toyota Motor, which currently has a 16.5 per cent stake. The sources said Fuji Heavy never responded to the offer..." read the entire article

5/17 Subaru does double duty as a compost hauler
"I have been busy hauling compost like a fiend these days! I line the back of my Subaru with plastic and fill it up with the leaf compost that our municipality gives away for free every spring. I must have slogged at least a dozen loads so far this season. And I have many more to go. It pays off in the end, though, in reduced weeds, reduced watering and increased soil fertility.
Right now I am in the process of preparing my garden beds for vegetable planting. Within the next two weeks, it will be time for the warm season crops to go in and I am way behind on the prep work for their arrival. I still need to hammer in the tomato stakes, spread the compost in the beds, sort through my bucketful of cucumber seed packets, and mulch the paths with straw. Always lots to do!..." read more, and about pest control
5/15 Puma sponsors Subaru rally team.
"Subaru of America, Inc. has announced the official sponsorship of sportslifestyle brand PUMA for the Subaru PUMA RallyCross Team. As part of the multi-year sponsorship agreement with Subaru, PUMA becomes the official supplier of team and racewear and an exclusive licensing partner to the team for footwear and apparel. As part of the team sponsorship PUMA has developed custom graphics for the three Subaru WRX STI program cars.
The Subaru PUMA RallyCross Team is the factory backed rally team for Subaru of America, Inc., managed by Subaru technical partner Vermont SportsCar. The all-star team consists of BMX legend and professional Rally athlete Dave Mirra; Professional skateboarder Bucky Lasek; and three-time European RallyCross champion Sverre Isachsen. The team will be competing in the six-round Global RallyCross Championship (GRC) series.
"I am stoked to have Sverre and Bucky join the team," said rally veteran Dave Mirra "Sverre has been an unstoppable force in European rallycross and will definitely be an asset to the team with his experience and talent. I have known Bucky for years on the X Games circuit, it is great to see another extreme athlete cross over to rallycross; his enthusiasm for racing and fearlessness should be great to watch."
Sverre Isachsen, aka The Viking Warrior, has been a motorsports addict his whole life. After competing in local autocross and rallycross events in his native Norway, he set his sights on the European RallyCross Championship. After a strong debut in 2002 he dominated the series and was crowned its champion in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
New to the team, 12 time X Games Skateboarding Vert Medalist Bucky Lasek, is no stranger to the world of automotive racing. Bucky has competed in the Mustang Challenge series as well as a handful of Porsche Cup races. He began intensive rally training at Dirtfish Rally School where he honed his all-wheel drive skills behind the wheel of a Subaru WRX STI.
The team will compete in 2012 Subaru WRX STI rally cars that have a fresh new look for rallycross featuring a unique Zombie Cat graphic. PUMA brings a fun and colorful design aesthetic that, when mixed with the adrenaline of the sport, is sure to excite drivers, fans, and spectators alike. Mirra, Lasek, and Isachsen will sport official fireproof PUMA racing suits emblazoned with Zombie Cat graphics, and a new performance-racing shoe called the PRX Subaru. PUMA will be releasing lifestyle footwear, tees, and accessories inspired by the team and rally cars beginning in June.
"The sportlifestyle that PUMA represents is a great fit for Subaru, owners, and motorsport fans", said Dean Evans, Chief Marketing Officer for Subaru of America, Inc. "We are pleased to align with another global brand, and one that will enhance the image and awareness of our rallycross team."" the original article.
For detail on the events, go to www.global-rallycross.com/

5/14 China isn't working out for Subaru to build a new plant, so they look back to the US to increase sales and production.
"Just 10 months after outlining a five-year business plan centered on China, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. has shifted its focus to North America, as efforts to establish a Chinese joint venture run into head winds. In a major setback, the maker of Subaru-brand vehicles said Tuesday that it appears it will be difficult to launch production at a China joint venture by the March 2016 date set out in the business plan. Fuji Heavy had been counting on China production to help it reach its goal of tripling annual sales in the world’s biggest auto market to 180,000 vehicles over the plan’s five years. The company cut its China sales forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2016 to 100,000....
... Underlying the change of focus in the Japanese car maker’s business plan is a lack of progress in forming a joint production venture in China, for which it sought permission from the Chinese government in the middle of last year.
“We’ve tried everything but nothing has happened,” Fuji Heavy President Yasuyuki Yoshinaga said at a press conference, adding that the car maker will continue its bid to set up a joint venture there as “the importance of China remains the same.”
... Fuji Heavy, Japan’s smallest major car maker by sales volume, is the only domestic auto manufacturer with no local production base in the rapidly growing Chinese market excluding Daihatsu Motor Co., which has closed its China factory.
The auto maker, in which Toyota Motor Corp. holds a 16.5% stake, has been looking to set up a joint venture with Chinese car maker Chery Automobile Co., according to people familiar with the matter. For the time being, Mr. Yoshinaga it will export vehicles to China from Japan, despite the yen’s strength.
With its China drive stalled, the company said it will ramp up annual capacity at its Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. unit by the summer of 2014 to 200,000 vehicles, from the current 170,000. Demand in the U.S., its biggest market, remains solid. Fuji Heavy lifted its North American sales target for the fiscal year ending March 2016 to 410,000 vehicles from the previous 380,000, since it now projects that market, rather than China, will generate the largest share of its global sales increase.  The company is also considering further increasing output capacity in North America, probably at the SIA unit, though options remain open at other locations, too, Mr. Yoshinaga said." read the original article

> Subaru and Costco, ends June 15th- buy a new Subaru by June 15th and get a $500 Costco gift card from Costco, through June 15th.  A Costco member who purchases or has a signed purchase order for one - except BRZ, WRX, and STI-  from any new Subaru dealer (yes, ANY Subaru dealer, Yes any Subaru dealer)  through June 15, 2012 can download a redemption form for the $500 Costco gift card at http://www.costcoauto.com/Subaru/Default.aspx.
The selling dealer does not have to be a Costco dealer, the offer is good through ANY Subaru dealer, it does not have to be a Costco dealer. You just have to buy a new Subaru by June 15th and fill in the form.  The car can be any new 2011-2102-2013 Subaru except for BRZ, WRX, STI, and it excludes VIP deals.  From the April 11 entry below:  "... The offer includes all new Subaru models, except for all BRZ, Impreza WRX and WRX STI models and is available through June 15...."  read the original article at autoremarketing.com

5/12  a credit screw-up due to similar names takes years to correct
"Sandra Cortez went to buy a new car on her lunch break, and about an hour later, the Denver dealership staff was threatening to call the FBI to haul her away as a suspected terrorist.
The dealership’s routine check of Cortez’s credit report turned up something unusual on that day in 2005. It was an alert indicating that the woman was on a government list of suspected terrorists, international drug traffickers and others associated with weapons of mass destruction.
Cortez, now 68, was really just an accountant who wanted a new silver Subaru to better navigate the mountain roads she traveled to reach her favorite hiking trails.
The credit report Cortez had seen long before she walked into the dealership was clean. She had excellent credit, and she had no inkling that she was linked to a Colombian woman with a similar name wanted for drug trafficking. But like so many other consumers, Cortez didn’t realize that the credit reports issued to businesses are not the same as those given to consumers.
The ordeal engulfed the grandmother for the next five years. Her many attempts to fix the problem with TransUnion and the federal government on her own all failed. Cortez pleaded with the credit-reporting agency to correct her credit history but received no help.
She eventually hired Jim Francis, a consumer-law attorney in Philadelphia, and sued TransUnion. Cortez endured a grueling legal battle that included a trial and years of appeals. She originally was awarded $750,000 by a jury, but that later was reduced to $150,000. And the government took about a third of it in taxes.Officials for TransUnion’s lobbying group, which speaks for the company on all matters, declined to comment on the case. Current owners of what was then the John Elway Subaru dealership were unfamiliar with the case and declined to comment.
Cortez is still driving her 2005 Subaru — and still stinging from the experience of buying it. “Most people think if you pay your bills on time, you will be OK in the credit world,” she said. “But that’s not how it always works. And sometimes, the mistakes can be paralyzing....” read the entire article

5/13- Mother's Day- remember Mom


5/8 Consumer Reports June issue is available now. This issue reviews and compares the new Impreza and Kia Soul, which is kind of an odd pair,  and also the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX5, and computer security software, home dehumidifiers,sunscreens, gas grills, internet, cable TV and phone services etc. Buy the issue at newsstands and online 

5/5 women and men buy Subaru-  who buys what.... 43.9% of Subaru buyers are women. women buy 50.2% of Foresters
TrueCar.com, has released its third annual demographic study based on car-buying behavior in 2011, examining gender differences in auto buying, based on over eight million retail purchases in 2011.
"The brand with the highest percentage of retail sales to females in 2011 continues to be MINI  (46.2 percent), followed by Nissan (45.7 percent), and Kia (45.6 percent) compared to 2010 when MINI (47.9 percent) came in first, followed by Kia and Honda respectively (46.8 percent and 46.0 percent).  There were fourteen brands with a female ratio over 40 percent in 2011 and newcomer FIAT landed at 41.9 percent."
The highest percentage of male buyers primarily purchased exotic brands.  This year, only one exotic brand in 2011 with 10% or less retail sales to women, Ferrari (7.5 percent) compared to 2010 when there were six brands."  read the entire article

An article about the survey above reads, "Female car buyers really gravitated toward smaller, more fuel-efficient cars," said TrueCar analyst Kristen Andersson in a statement. "It was the complete opposite for male buyers, who preferred either a fast, sporty vehicle or more heavy-duty vehicle, like a large truck or SUV."
It's no surprise to find men and women playing to type. But it's worth emphasizing that few of these divides were stark: More than half of Mini buyers are still male, for example, and plenty of women buy Land Rovers and Cadilacs. "While gender preferences amongst the buyers of various automotive brands still exist, the gap is narrowing," TrueCar vice president Jesse Toprak said in a statement. But few will be surprised to hear that more than 88% of those who bought a new Porsche 911 last year were men." read this entire article

5/1 Subaru extends customer help call center hours. New hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30-8pm, Friday 10:30-5, Saturday 9-3:30. Hours are EST.  Ph 800 SUBARU3, (782-2783)

4/28 The Mayors of SIA's Indiana hometown W. Lafayette (John Dennis) and Lafayette (Tom Roswarski) write about spinning cats and touring Subaru factories in Japan.
John Dennis writes "Hidy-ho there, Hoosiers! Greetings from Ota City, Japan. We have successfully conquered our first Japanese road trip, and it was pretty amazing. But first things first. The meetings with the Subaru executives went very well. We had a very involved presentation about Subaru's production, finances and the impact the tsunami has had on the overall production. We don't really consider all of the different distributors and vendors that have been impacted by the earthquake and tsunami. Subaru has done an amazing job in keeping up with demand and quality in their product.
Tony and I also visited the Tokyo City Hall. See the enclosed picture. Yuparoonie, two twin towers for city hall. It is a beautiful structure, and the courtyard is nothing short of amazing. After the meeting we all loaded on a bus and hit the road to Ota. The trip was to only take a few hours, but as always, there were just things we had to do. While "en route" we stopped in a small city where there was an incredible blend of historic structures, like 500 years old or older, that have been modified to house shops and restaurants. I tried to leave a copy of our historic preservation ordinance, but they were more interested in selling me a stuffed spinning cat. Honest. Apparently it was a child's toy, a stuffed cat-like animal if you will, that attached to a stationary bar by bending its stiff tail around it, then the cat would just start spinning. Its eyes were closed, so it looked rather gruesome. I will be bringing several home for gifts. After the spinning kitty event, we found a restaurant for lunch, and once again our inability to communicate became an issue. I ended up with a pot of boiled weirdness with noodles. Nuh-mee. Eventually we loaded back up on the bus and tooled on down the road to Ota. One observation: The roads in Japan are clean, well maintained and so smooth you could play marbles on them. Well done, Japan! Wednesday is a full day of meetings and meals. Overall, Japan is a very welcoming county that truly understands and respects its history and culture. On a personal note, my dad and my older brother hiked to the top on Mount Fuji when we lived here in the early 60s. Although it was a bit rainy on the way to Ota, I believe I got a quick view of the foothills that they must have encountered on their assent of Fiji. Coolieo. That's it for now. Dennis out.
Tony Roswarski: An eventful day Here Wednesday Day 3. This is a very busy day, starting off with a meeting at the Subaru plant in Ota City. We met with Yukihiro Kozuka, senior general manager, Eiji Ogino, general manager, as well as with other members of the leadership team.  We were given information about the plant and its overall philosophy, which is definitely "customer first."  We took a tour of the plant and also learned about technology firsthand. We were given to opportunity to drive a car with an automatic braking system using Eye Sight version 2, which is a camera system that uses dual video cameras to recognize obstacles or another vehicle stopped in the road, even when you don't. The system stops the car. The Subaru Gunma plant is located on Lafayette Drive, named so because of our sister-city relationship. Many people are very familiar with our Lafayette Plant.  Our next stop was the Shigeru Co., which is the parent company of Heartland Automotive, which operates in Lafayette. They supply the instrument panels for SIA. We met with Kan Shoda, chairman of the board, and Atsuo Shoda, president, as well as other company officials. We exchanged welcomes and our commitment to each other. Heartland will be building a new facility in Lafayette, which speaks well for all of us. We toured the plant. Their operation was very efficient and seeing the raw materials to the end product was impressive. They are definitely committed to quality and being strong supplier for Subaru. Our next stop was the NHK Co., which has a plant in Frankfort. NHK makes the seats for Subaru. The process for making the seats was interesting, as every part of the seat is made in-house and assembled. The pace of the work was extremely fast and a few of the task were definitely not easy. Associates were actually running at times. They work on a very tight schedule to deliver their products on time. I believe our visit was well received. At this point, the formal business part of our day was over. Our host took us to the top of a small mountain to see what was left of a 500-year-old castle. It was interesting, and the view was beautiful. We then met with our sister-city delegation for dinner. Wednesday was a good day. At every stop, we were greeted by numerous people and treated so well. At NHK, there were probably 30 children and adults waving American flags as we pulled in. You can feel the sense of friendship and mutual respect between all of us." the original article

4/19 What cars sell the fastest. What's on the lot for the least amount of time, from car transporter to a new owner's driveway? 
According to a study by Edmunds.com, it's a combination of the latest hot, must-have cars, perennial favorites like the CRV, and low production companies.
The car that sells the fastest off the car lot, ie is on the lot for the shortest amount of time, is the Prius C at only 8 days. Thats means the typical Prius is sold within 8 days. The manufacturers with the most quick sellers are Toyota, Audi, Hyundai, and Honda with the most quick sellers.  This is a good and bad thing- it mostly good because it means the cars are selling, but it also means there aren't many available on lots for buyers to see and choose from, and buyers won't always wait for the next shipment or settle for a 2nd color choice etc.
  Here's the list: #1 Prius C, 8 days; Audi Q7 and Mazda CX5, sod within 11 days; Hyundai Elantra within 12 days; Porsche Cayenne and Audi A5 is off the lot in 13 days; BMW X6 and Subaru Impreza is gone in 14 days; Honda CRV and Lexsus CG350 in 15 days; Hyundai Veloster and VW Jetta Sportwagon at 16 days; Toyota Highlander Hybrid 17 days; Kia Soul and Toyota Camry hybrid sell within 18 days; Audi A6 and Land Rover Evoque at 19 days; Honda Pilot and Hyundai Accent with 20 days, and the BMW X3 in 21 days. Read the entire article and on Edmunds.com


4/8 SIA gets new leader.
' Subaru of Indiana Automotive’s (SIA) parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd. (FHI), has announced that SIA’s current President and CEO, Mr. Motokiyo Nomura will return to Japan on April 1, 2012 to become President of Subaru Living Service Co., Ltd. SIA is proud to welcome new President and CEO, Mr. Masaki Okawara, who will take over the position on April 1. Mr. Okawara currently serves as Senior Vice President of Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. Mr. Okawara joined Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd. (FHI), SIA’s parent company, in 1982. He began as an engineer in Trim & Final Manufacturing Engineering. In 1989, Mr. Okawara was assigned as a startup member of SIA. From 1989 to 1994, he held the position of Manager in Trim & Final Manufacturing Engineering at SIA. Before his second assignment to SIA in April, 2011, Mr. Okawara held several General Manager positions at FHI, including serving as General Manager of the Second Production Department of FHI’s Yajima Plant. He will be promoted to Corporate Vice President for FHI and President and CEO of Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. as of April 1, 2012.

3/31 SIA Subaru Indiana Automotive celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
The company was incorporated March 16, 1987, and started production Sept 11, 1989 60,000 Subaru Legacys and 60,000 Isuzu pickups and Rodeos.  The plant was officially dedicated on October 16, 1989. In January 2003, SIA Subaru Isuzu America became Subaru of Indiana Automotive. Isuzu production stopped July 23, 2004, the Subaru Baja was produced through April 2006, and Toyota Camry production started February 28, 2007.
July 28, 2012 - 25th Anniversary Open House Saturday, July 28. "During this extra-special event, SIA will open its doors for an up-close and in-depth look at the inner workings of this unique manufacturing plant. If you've toured SIA before, you'll want to come back for the Open House. Self-guided tours will take you down to the production floor, where you can view the giant stamping presses that cut and mold steel in seconds. You'll get a close up view of some of the hundreds of robots that are precise to a fraction of a millimeter. You'll be amazed at the miles of conveyors that take the steel skeleton of a car through this 3-million square foot plant as thousands of parts are added one-by-one until it is ready to drive off the line. You'll get a glimpse at the engine plant where the famous Subaru BOXER engine is assembled. You'll see the tester line where each and every vehicle is put through a rigorous series of quality checks to ensure our customers get the highest quality and safest vehicle on the road. You'll also learn about SIA's environmental initiatives and see how SIA became the first U.S. auto plant to achieve zero landfill status. On behalf of all of the Associates at SIA, we express our sincerest gratitude for the Greater Lafayette community, Tippecanoe County and the State of Indiana for your support over the past 25 years. It is our mission to continue to be an exemplary corporate citizen as we Team Up for Tomorrow!

3/27- Subaru grilling spatula is available. A full length handle, bottle opener on the end. Grilling season is almost here. For the Subaru enthusiast. For sale around $30 at your local dealer. Check out some other Subaru stuff

3/21 Subaru pressure washer and generators. click for more info

3/19 spring starts tomorrow Tuesday 3/20

3/12 a new Subaru owner reviews the Sirius XM satellite radio that came with the car.
"I had forgotten how much I like the Grateful Dead. I had also forgotten that I was a high-schooler shooting the peace sign in the audience at the Freedom Hall Louisville show on June 18, 1974. And hey! Here's that show on the friggin' radio! SiriusXM friggin' radio!
Like a vault of musical bullion beamed down from an astral disc jockey, Sirius Radio was implanted (free!) (temporarily!) inside the dashboard of our new Subaru. During the first weeks of owning the car, my fascination with it interfered with my ability to drive safely.
As we drove off the car lot in January, I couldn't control my saliva. I cranked through the 130-plus channels with the same expression on my face as that darling boy had the first time he saw the alien in E.T.
The choices were sick. Forty-five sports channels, including one devoted to nothing but Canadian sports. There are eight other Canadian channels and five channels devoted to Latin programs.
There are 17 yap radio channels — talk programs devoted to politics, mostly focused on the extremes. You can get your God on 24/7 with two religious talk channels, one devoted to the Catholic Church, the other to all other churches on Earth (mostly Christian).
All things queer are compressed into one gay talk channel. If you want traffic reports in cities you're not in, have at it. There are traffic channels for Boston, Miami, Detroit, Chicago and other towns. Maybe they're designed for people to listen to on their way home so as not to feel stuck by comparison.
But those are diversions from the main course. Music. The music channels have names ranging from the utterly literal to the utterly incomprehensible.
There's Elvis of all sizes on Elvis Radio. The Chairman of the Board is forever in charge on the tragically spelled Siriusly Sinatra. The Boss of you is working up a sweat on E Street Radio. There's great gobs of grunge on Pearl Jam Radio. And you'll scream and scream when you enter Ozzy's Boneyard.
Then there are the incomprehensible channel names, which remind me of the names they give to men's and women's boots on Zappos.com. What would you guess is on Faction? Nine Inch Nails, of course. The Bridge? Any guesses? James Taylor. How about a hit of Lithium? Wash it down with Everclear. Head to the Spa for, what else, uh, jazz. Deep Tracks is now playing "Dear Mr. Fantasy," from a frantic-sounding Graham Nash.
No matter how much or how little of this you want to listen to, Chanhassen, Minn.-based SiriusXM is riding high on the crest of a techno-entertainment wave. Since the start of the year, Sirius stock has risen nearly 21%. In 2011 the company posted net income of $427 million on revenue of $3 billion.
In this business, it's subscriber rates that get investors horny. Sirius added 1.7 million of them last year, for a total subscriber base of 21.8 million. Critics say Sirius cheats these numbers, since the company counts owners (like me) of new cars that came with a free trial among their numbers.
The pony-up letter from Sirius arrived, just as Ryan at the Subaru dealer said it would, last week. Almost exactly eight weeks post-purchase. I'm opening it right now.
"Dear Andrew Moore," it says. "Welcome to SiriusXM!" Which is a nutty greeting given that the letter goes on to say: Pay up or see ya. A yearly subscription is $184.64.
So now it's time to make a decision. We have three in college. That's the kind of thing that gives weird relevance to specific sums of money. $184.64 is almost exactly what I paid last September for my daughter's Spanish textbook. My final analysis of the service is not working out to Sirius' advantage. Here's how it goes.
I use four channels. Willie's Roadhouse is old-school country, and it delighted me at first. But dagnabbit. Willie's was the first place I realized, after hearing the same Johnny Paycheck song three times in one week, that Sirius has a seriously short playlist. There's all the country music in the world. Hell, there's all the Johnny Paycheck in the world. The same Johnny Paycheck song three times in a week?
I crossed the fields to the Outlaw Country channel. But for every Old 97's song over there, you get cracked with a Kid Rock number.
My devotion to Bluegrass Junction reminds me of Cubs fans I know. No matter how many times I'm disappointed, I always go back for more. It's not individual artists who bum me out there. It's that the channel showcases new bluegrass artists — which is fine, as long as you play a few standards.
But no. New bluegrass, not to be confused with Newgrass, which is old, is tooth-rotting sweet. None of the danger and recklessness of its forebears. Bill Monroe would not listen to this. Why should I? So disappointing; enough to send me over to the Message music channel, which is Christian.
That leaves the Grateful Dead Channel, where the honeymoon is also over. I remember now why I stopped listening to them in 1990. Bob Weir still can't sing, and curiously, "St. Stephen" never gets better no matter how many times it's played live. In the rearview mirror of our new Subaru, there's a little square of backup video camera. This feature excited me at first. Now it seems dumb.  Kind of like SiriusXM radio." a link to the article

3/10 spring ahead, turn clocks forward tonight- daylight savings time starts tomorrow

3/11 Subaru quits making mini-cars to free up production for Crosstrek and other, larger cars. They will buy mini-cars from Japanese automaker and Toyota partner Daihatsu. Daihatsu sold cars in the US from 1988-1992 (remember the Rocky?). There are no Subaru mini-cars currently in the US market.
"Subaru maker Fuji Heavy Industries is to stop producing minicars to concentrate on more profitable small and midsize models. Although there is still strong demand for minicars in Japan, where they account for more than one third of the market, Fuji Heavy, which sells around 600,000 vehicles a year globally, lacks the muscle to run the gamut from minicars to large passenger cars on its own.
Small cars also offer smaller profits and production of the Sambar, which was launched in 1961, will end this week. The company has sold roughly 3.7m of these over the years.
Other Japanese carmakers will continue to focus on minicars. Nissan and Mitsubishi established a joint venture last year for minicar development and Honda is adapting minivehicle technology for larger passenger cars.
Fuji Heavy corporate senior vice president Motohisa Miyawaki said the same number of engineers is necessary to develop minicars as for larger passenger vehicles. Consequently, the automaker will focus on horizontally opposed engines as well as four wheel drive and crash safety technologies in hopes of developing unique offerings that set it apart from competitors.
The XV sport utility vehicle, due for release this June, is based on the Impreza. Miyawaki added: "By shifting resources to such vehicles, we were able to become more nimble with development." A capital and business tie-up with Toyota means that Fuji Heavy will still obtain minivehicles from Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu." the entire article  

2/29 CR annual car issue is out and its always worth buying.  The magazine should be on news stands early March, subscribers will have it early. Its worth buying.
The big news is that Subaru is the #1 car manufacturer for the first time ever, and the Impreza is the top small car. 
  > "Who makes the best cars?
"Subaru replaces Honda atop the automaker report cards. Subaru’s score of 75, two points higher than last year, reflects better test scores for such redesigned models as the Impreza, Legacy, and Outback over the last few years. The 2012 Impreza, which we just tested, now tops the small-sedan class and is our Top Pick in that category. Subaru’s average road-test score of 82 is the highest in our analysis. Moreover, all of Subaru’s models now have at least average reliability, thanks to fewer problems with the sporty Impreza WRX."

"Each automaker’s overall score is based on an equally weighted composite of roadtest and predicted-reliability scores for all of its models that we’ve tested. The road tests comprise more than 50 individual evaluations, covering performance, safety, fuel economy, comfort, convenience, interior quality, and more. The predicted reliability scores come from our latest Annual Auto Survey, which drew 1.3 million responses..."

Here are other comments in the April issue available from your local news stand or online.
Mazda showed the most dramatic improvement among the 13 manufacturers rated... It climbed to second place from last year’s seventh
Toyota is among the top three automakers for the fifth straight year...
Honda, which had been the perennial winner for the past four years, slipped two points to fourth place among 13 major automakers, behind Mazda and Toyota... Honda’s overall score dropped by two points and its average road-test score dropped one point. Honda models, however, are still among the most reliable on the road overall.

2/26 4 skiiers die in Seattle area avalanches, last Sunday Feb 19th, including Jim Jack, 46, a judge on the Subaru World Freeskiing Tour...

2/25 when going to visit Santa, always drive a Forester. Its the ultimate utility vehicle because not one but five reindeer fit inside
'Santa may use a sleigh but a driver in the far north of Norway found a more inventive way to transport his reindeer: he packed three in the back seat of his car and two in the trunk and drove off, The Local Norway reported.
None was wearing a seatbelt.  The Local said police were astonished to spot the antlered heads in the back seat of the Subaru Forester and then find the other two in the luggage compartment. The unidentified driver claimed he had received clearance from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority to transport five of his reindeer from Karasjok to Børselv, a journey of some 62 miles (100 km).'  the article

2/20 Subaru art from Canada Subaru Canada had a contest and the entries are great. You can see all the entries including the winner now at the Canadian Intl Auto Show at the Toronto Convention Center Feb. 17-26.  Here's the Subaru deviantART webpage, and most importantly, the entries. They're all good, but check out 'Born to Rally In the Snow' below, its the winner by L Gonzalez


an article: "deviantART is a great place to see just how far the human mind can go, with this artist website almost offering something for every taste. Subaru seems to be pretty well aware of this, as the company’s Canadian arm has recently held a contest, inviting users of the website to upload “original creations that celebrate the bold design, superior handling, and meticulous engineering that Subaru vehicles are renowned for." The company offered $2,500 to the first place winner (the image you see above), which came up with “Born to Rally in the Snow”, also offering financial compensations for the next two spots and mentioning the runner-up. All the artworks are being showcased in a “space-defying gallery” located in Subaru’s stand at the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto.' the article.

2/17 Subaru abandon plants to build cars in China? They will have to look elsewhere to increase capacity.
"Subaru’s parent company Fuji Heavy Industries has recently declared that the company is having second thoughts about the joint-venture with China and that the company plans to abandon the idea of building cars in this country. 
FHI President and COO Yasuyuki Yoshinaga said that this decision was made due to the fact that there weren’t enough preparations made to successfully manufacture Subaru vehicles in China, and so the company is not entirely optimistic about the Chinese auto industry.
At the end of 2011 Subaru and Chinese automaker Chery had plans on forming a joint-venture at the beginning of 2012, planning to build a $369 million production plant in Dalian, a city near the border with South Korea. This was to be made on one condition: Subaru cars will be sold with a Chery badge and through a Chery-run dealer network." read the entire article
Model specific news, reports, reviews, articles etc are below. 

2/12 what damage a a rodent can do under the hood of a car
A warm engine on a cold night is very inviting for mice and rats. it can get expensive fast. Click for some ideas on how to minimize the risk and some photos of a car with rodent damage.

2/8  Subaru powered bicycle moped goes up to 30mph using a Subaru Robin 1.6 horsepower EHO-35,  33.5cc, 1 cylinder engine.
"Design Logic Bikes, the innovative designer of motorized utility bicycles, is proud to announce the launch of their new 2012 Da Bomb...
“We were looking to really push the envelope of utility bicycles with this model,” says Lance Portnoff, CEO of Design Logic Bikes U.S.A. “I took 9th place in the 2010 Death Race in Arizona with our prototype Da Bomb, and we have put over 300 test hours into improving it.”  The new Da Bomb can reach speeds of up to 30 mph and an amazing 150 mpg, making it a green option for transportation and recreation. Design Logic Bikes achieves these numbers by mounting a Subaru EHO 35 cc four stroke engine with an American made Staton gearbox to the frame, which features a built in rack capable of carrying 150 lbs. The Da Bomb can also be pedaled with the engine off, increasing its fuel efficiency exponentially, or ridden with no engine at all.
“This year is going to be huge, as not only have we updated the Da Bomb, we’ve also released our new Da Trail,” says Portnoff. “This bike has a shorter wheelbase, making it a perfect platform for electric bike kits.”  Along with the release of the 2012 Da Bomb and the new Da Trail, Design Logic Bikes U.S.A. would also like to announce that they are promoting an east coast racing series for motorized and electric bicycles in the spring of 2012. Updates and info will be posted on their website. www.DesignLogicBikes.com 

1/31 What consumer purchase has changed your life, presumably for the better?
It certainly depends on ones age- for some it might be the car. But, in the last 40 years or so, I'd choose the machines of convenience- the computer, laptop/tablet, cell phone, the timer on the automatic coffee maker, TV remote control, phone answering machine, digital camera (both better and worse- I take a lot more photos and think even the bad ones are good haha), cordless devices (shaver, drill etc). I am holding off getting a reader like the Nook but that could become one, and GPS is close, but I still read a map...
For some, the Subaru Impreza is a life-changer, read below.
the article "We are a consumer society and some of us (my hand is up) are always willing to try new things.
(This doesn't always work, my wife will tell you. I bought a solar watch/calculator back in the 70s. It worked for a while, then gave up even though I provided it with plenty of sun. Maybe I should put it on eBay -- or in a museum.)
Anyway, the folks at Consumer Reports asked readers and its own staff for their favorite consumer products.
Readers' choices were: KitchenAid stand mixer, Vitamix blender, iPad, iPhone (iToo), 3M Nexcare waterproof bandages, FoodSaver vacuum sealers, Pledge Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair, Schick Intuition razor, 10x magnification mirror and Ninja food chopper.
Consumer Reports staff favorites: Garmin GPS (Put that on my list, too!), Packing Cubes, Remington Wet 2 Straight Flat Iron, Furminator (for pulling off really big fur wads on your cat), Bugzooka Bug Catcher Vacuum, Motorola Droid, Sawzall, Louise Solomon Yoga & Pilates Total Body Toner Video, Thule Roof-Rack System, Contigo Travel Coffee Mug and Subaru Impreza."  the original article  by Dennis Rockstroh

1/24 Subaru looks to the Sun Belt for growth  
"Subaru aims to generate 20% of its U.S. sales from Sun Belt states in the next two years, up from just 15% now, as it chases a fourth straight year of record sales. The brand also is racing to improve dealer service throughout the country in anticipation of an increase in service business that will result from the rapid sales expansion.
Subaru plans to boost spending on training and other improvements at least 18% this year to prepare its dealer network for repair work and customer service, Subaru of America Inc. COO Tom Doll said at the Detroit auto show. Improving its retail network and expanding in the South are key elements of Subaru's goal to reach U.S. sales of 350,000 units by 2016, while keeping a market share of at least 2%.
Subaru sales climbed 1% to a record 266,989 units in 2011, trailing the market's 10% increase, partly because the March 11 earthquake in Japan disrupted production. The maker of all-wheel-drive crossovers and SUVs expects record sales of 320,000 vehicles in 2012.
Growth in the South will underpin the expansion. Subaru gets about 15% of its sales in the South today vs. about 9% two years ago, Doll said. That will rise to 20% in the next two years, he said. In the longer term, Subaru wants to get a third of its sales from the region.
Sales in the South are benefiting from former Saturn dealers that Subaru picked up after General Motors killed that brand. Subaru picked up about eight former Saturn dealers in the Carolinas and Florida, replacing less successful dealers in its network.
The former Saturn shops generate a 33% increase in sales over the dealers they replaced, said Bill Cyphers, senior vice president of sales.
Subaru ended 2011 with 155 dealers in the Sun Belt states, up from 130 at the end of 2007, Cyphers said. Since 2009, the brand has filled 38 open sales points in the region and experienced another 19 buy-sells, in which an existing dealership changes ownership, he said.
Subaru is shooting for a nationwide network of 630 dealers by 2015, compared with 620 today.
Subaru also is focusing on improved dealer service.
Because the brand has boosted sales 50% over the past three years, executives expect to see service rates double in the next three years as the expanding fleet ages.
"Our ability to continue to grow our business will depend on how well we can get these customers serviced," Doll said. "We're conquesting so many competitive brands, we have to make sure they have a good experience with us. We've got to get our dealers thinking different."
Last year, Subaru added four training managers to the 13 it already had nationwide, he said. And this year, it plans to add four training locations to the 10 it has.
Subaru said it expects to run 750 training sessions in 2012 for a total of 9,300 hours of instruction, up from 588 sessions and 6,260 hours in 2010.
Subaru also will keep pushing dealers to improve customer waiting areas, Cyphers said. Dealership improvements will be covered by dealers. But Doll estimated that Subaru will increase spending on training 18 to 20% this year."  By Hans Greimel at AutoNews.com    

1/21 Eagle SX/4 all wheel drive. From 1981-1983, Eagle, owned by AMC, made a very cool all wheel drive 2 door hatchback called the SX/4. 
I recently saw one on the street. Click the image for photos

12/31 2011-  goodbye 2011 - a rough year for Japanese car companies including Subaru.
The year started well with a running start after a strong end to 2010.
The Puppy Bowl was a good alternative to Super Bowl advertising.
The March earthquake and tsunami disaster quickly resulted in shutdowns and delays. 2011 model shipments slowed, 2012 models were pushed back months. The the highly anticipated redesign of the 2012 Impreza with 27/36 MPG went from an expected August/September delivery to November/December. 
In March, Tim Mahoney, SoA's successful Chief Marketing Officer, left Subaru for VW. A few months later, in May, another longtime SoA executive, Tim Cobeck, Senior VP of sales, left to become President and COO of Saab NA.
In April,  Takeshi Tachimori became SoA President and CEO.  The Impreza XV concept, later named the Crosstrek,  was shown in Shangai. 
In July,  the 2,000,000th Subaru was assembled at SIA (Subaru Indiana America) in Lafayette, Indiana. The first cars were made September, 1989
Subaru sponsored the X Games in LA . Saudi women petitioned Fuji/Subaru to support a boycott in support of their right to drive. 
In August Subaru named their version of the rear wheel drive coupe being co-developed with Toyota, the BRZ, which is an acronym for "Boxer engine", "Rear-wheel drive" and "Zenith". It would first be shown at the Tokyo auto show in November, and the US version will be shown in Detroit 1/9/12.
By late summer, inventory was at the lowest point due to the earthquake. Despite all the troubles, demand remained strong and sales were still up for the year through September. People buy great cars.  Used Subaru prices were high. 2012 Outback and Legacy finally start arriving, almost 3 months late. 
The 2012 Impreza reviews are good as journalists get early test drives of the new 148hp engine and CVT transmission. Subaru begins accepting pre-orders for the car in September and by the end of October there are almost 3000 orders placed, helped by a early pre-order bonus. The cars are expected in mid-late November and people are patient as they wait for their car.
In late November, as the Imprezas should be arriving and inventory of all models finally increasing, there is a recall on the brake master cylinder that immediately stops almost all 2012 Outback, Legacy and Impreza sales. It takes weeks for replacement brake cylinders to start arriving.
By the end of December, 2011, sales were strong and the new Impreza was a success.
Looking forward, 2012 has 2 hot new models coming- the Impreza Crosstrek with 8"+ ground clearance, and the BRZ that went from an unnamed rear wheel drive curiosity to something people look forward to seeing in the spring 2012. 
Subaru survived and prospered in a tough year- you can't keep a good car company down. 

TRIBECA NEWS AND REVIEWS 2012 calendar year news click for archived news from 2011 articles edited for length, content   -s

M

12/7 Tribeca... the rumors abound that the Tribeca is at or near the end of its life after 8 model years. Tribecas can still be factory ordered, not that many people do. And there are plenty of 2013s and even some 2012s available on lots. So far, YTD 2012 (through November) people have bought 1,866 Tribecas- that's the total amount-  down from 2467 in 2011 (through November). For comparison, the Crosstrek, which has only been out for 2 months, has already sold 3987, and the BRZ which is in extremely limited production for the US, has sold 3647 (though November). 9/27 Crosstrek and Tribeca brochures now at dealers.  Crosstreks are starting to arrive, many are pre-sold. The brochures are 20 pages long. The 2013 Tribeca brochure is almost identical to the 2012 brochure, it has the same photos and text pages, except for the model and specs. All 2013 Tribecas are the Limiteds. 8/8 2013 Tribeca prices and specs released. The only model for 2013 is the Limited. Both Premium and Touring models have been dropped. No price or feature changes except a Brake override system has been added, and new Venetian Red color replaces ruby red. Destination raised $20 to $795 from $775.  2013 Tribeca spec page    5/23 Tribeca- more rumors that it's ending. Its true the Tribeca had a difficult 2006 model year birth into a Subaru family that didn't fully appreciate its looks and engine. And its also true that it has always been a slow selling also-ran in the 7 passenger (really 5+2) SUV category, but its not only the first model's divisive look and ongoing low sales that will cause its demise. SoA likes to have a 7 seater, they need a family SUV or minivan (gasp), and no doubt the Tribeca's tooling is long paid off so the per car profit is high. Without an understudy in the wings, the Tribeca could continue on. But Subaru wants to grow grow grow and needs to make room at SIA where they make the Tribeca, and more importantly the Outback and Legacy. So the Tribeca will see a 2013 model,  though perhaps a short run as the article below indicates. And then after some time, a new 7 passenger will come around, possibly based on a comparable Toyota model. > The latest rumor is from Motor Trend "Subaru Tribeca crossover production is to be cancelled by the end of 2012, our Japanese correspondent Peter Lyon is reporting, citing a source close to the automaker. First released in 2005, the original B9 Tribeca met with half-baked reviews as seen in our July 2007 review, in which we said, “One name too many. Good looks too few. A 3.0-liter engine in a 3.5- to 4.0-liter world.”Even the quick grille redesign and more powerful 3.6-liter 256-hp and 247 lb-ft of torque F-6 engine replacement in the 2007 face-lifted model was not enough to attract significant buyer numbers to showrooms. Sales fell from 10,975 units in 2008 to 5930 in 2009 and just 2472 in 2010. Last year, the Tribeca rebounded slightly, with 2791 units sold. By contrast, Toyota sold over 92,000 Highlanders in that same year. “I’m amazed the Tribeca has lasted this long,” says our source.| When contacted for an official on-the-record comment, a Subaru spokesman responded, “No, Tribeca is not dead, and will be on sale for the 2013 model year.” Beyond the 2013 model year, though, the Subaru representative wouldn’t comment...." read the entire article  5/4 Tribeca comments, from 4 Automobile magazine reviewers. Yes there will be a 2013 Tribeca. > "Ah, the Subaru Tribeca. This is the strangest product available at a Subaru dealership. You'd be forgiven for forgetting the Tribeca is still on sale since hardly anyone buys them and the product hasn't seen a meaningful update in several years. This nameplate has to be on the do-not-refresh list and I expect it to quietly fade away very soon. Despite its pathetic fuel economy and lack of marketing attention, the Tribeca is reasonably good to drive. There's adequate power, decent body control, and a comfortable ride. The Tribeca does lots of things pretty well, but it doesn't excel in any category. That's just a recipe to be forgotten. Every other vehicle in this segment has some key characteristic that makes it worthy of purchase. The Tribeca is just average to good in every respect except fuel economy, which is a bad place to be worst-in-class these days" > "....Subaru's Tribeca has registered on the radar of few consumers looking for a mid-size utility vehicle. After spending a weekend with the car, I can understand why. Although there is nothing the Tribeca does poorly, there is not much that it does particularly well. Plus, in appearance and character, there is little about the Tribeca, other than its badge, that says "Subaru." While its vehicles have become more mainstream, the perception of Subaru as a fringe brand is still intact and the Tribeca embodies none of the quirky ruggedness or uniqueness that built the Subaru brand..." > "The Tribeca is old, with little to recommend it other than Subaru's reputation for quality and reliability. It's an anonymous three-row crossover with a very cramped third-row seat. It's so anonymous that, in a crowded and dark parking lot, I couldn't find it; I saw a glimpse of a grille that could have been it, but I concluded it was a Chrysler Pacifica. I pushed the unlock button on the key fob and what I thought was the Pacifica chirped its horn and flashed its lights, and then I remembered that Subaru had copied the look of the Pacifica when it got rid of the Tribeca's original, ugly, aviation-inspired grille. Is there anything positive to say? Well, yes: the interior ergonomics are excellent; temperature, fan settings, radio dials, etc., all are easy to operate." >"the Tribeca stands out in our collective memories from its debut back in 2005, when it was supposed to herald both a new naming scheme and face for Subaru. Its original moniker - B9 Tribeca - was shortened to just Tribeca in 2008 at which time is also got a mild facelift to rectify the strange, three-port grille. At least people had been talking about it until the facelift - there's no such thing as bad PR, right? - it's just too bad that the Tribeca went from offensively ugly to offensively anonymous. What the Tribeca does have going for it is that its price undercuts almost all of its three-row crossover competition. Equivalent versions of Honda's Pilot, Toyota's Highlander, and Ford's Explorer all run north of the Tribeca's price tag; only the Hyundai Veracruz and the Dodge Journey come in cheaper". read this entire article 3/30 final day for 2012 factory orders for all Outback, Legacy, Forester, and Tribeca models. 2012 orders for Forester, Tribeca, Outback and Legacy end at 3pm today 3/30. This is early for Foresters, perhaps the 2013 model will get some updates (CVT?)  in advance of the 2014 make-over. Outback and Legacy manual transmission and 3.6L models had already stopped on 3/6. Dealers will continue to receive 2012s but in diminishing numbers. Low production models will sell out quickly. Subaru already announced 2013 Outback and Legacy details yesterday. 3/16 Tribeca reprieve... yes-no, yes-no... "Subaru's slowest-selling standalone model, the seven-seat Tribeca medium SUV, has been given a stay of execution until at least the end of 2013. Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior told GoAuto that the 2013 model year Tribeca has just been signed off, meaning it will remain in production “through to the end of 2013”, but could not guarantee whether the model will continue after that date..." the complete article 3/9- What comes after the Tribeca, Subaru's almost 7-passenger, drifts over the horizon?   Subaru needs a family vehicle, a real 7 passenger instead of a 5+2, and a minivan fits the description. It also would have been the right choice back in the late 1980s when Subaru decided to build the wonderful and offbeat 2 door SVX instead of the minivan that was also on the drawing board. But that's hindsight. Back then, 2 door Japanese sports cars were popular (Supra, RX, Z), but that wave quickly passed to bigger and bigger SUVs, and the SVX was left as a conversation starter. The SVX certainly was different (that's a Subaru?), it was fast, sexy and exotic, and yes, expensive, so it didn't sell well and today is a cult favorite, mostly - and sadly- a footnote.  Back to the present though, and while burying the Tribeca is slightly and officially pre-mature, its not too early to toss a coin into the automotive wishing well. I would like to see a 5 door, 5/7/8 passenger, all wheel drive, 3.6L mini-van. Make it a Subaru so it doesn't look or feel like a Chrysler or Toyota, give it all wheel drive and 7" ground clearance, keep the size tight (not an extended model, Subarus buyers don't buy 'big'), make the seating flexible (like a Chrysler or Toyota), and price it reasonably and watch all the kid, camping, dog loving, home owning Subieites jump in and drive one away when their Outback is worn out. Of course some will bemoan that mini-vans are ugly, boring, as sexy as an old bathrobe and worn slippers, but who cares, this is a model that does it all, and appeals to every utility oriented, practical 'everything-in-one' Subaru owner.  In the recent past, all wheel drive minivans have included the Ford Aerostar, Chevy Astro, and VW Synchro. Of course when the Tribeca (another footnote) is gone, will Subaru just pony up a rebadged Toyota Highlander/Sequoia? Maybe they will, but there's also the Sienna to start tinkering with.... Here is an article by writer Joe Yogerst on the state of the mini-van. "Long before anyone used the term “crossover,” America was besotted with another genre-bending vehicle called the minivan. A cross between a van and a station wagon, they emerged as the ideal family vehicle. Although they have been eclipsed by other genres in recent times, minivans are still going strong.  “The truth is, the minivan is the most thoughtfully designed vehicle on the road today,” said Edmunds.com executive editor Michael Jordan. “It’s a little miracle of easy access, clever storage, comfortable seating and electronic entertainment/connectivity.” The minivan has a long history. Car buffs trace its origin back to the 1936 Stout Scarab, which offered a removable table and a second row of seats that could be swiveled around to face it. Toyota and Dodge both launched minivan models in 1984 to address a growing market: baby boomers and their children.  Perhaps because of their safe suburban image and boxy shape, the minivan has been the butt of many jokes.  “It’s fashionable to disdain the minivan, but this is pure social snobbery,” said Jordan, who added that the value of a minivan is in the way it’s used, not the way it looks. “That’s why kids love minivans and old men in snappy sports cars do not. A minivan cannot be improved by a gas-guzzling engine, a badge from Germany and tailfins.”  “Minivans get knocked by people who don’t own them,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director of Kelley Blue Book. “Based on per-passenger fuel consumption, they are also remarkably efficient. These days even their looks have improved.” Today’s minivans are certainly not the cheapest vehicles on the road, with low-end MSRPs generally running between $25,000 and $40,000. The higher prices are a result of the extra features packed into most models nowadays.  “Minivans continue to get more luxurious and feature-filled,” Nerad said. “Though the current leading minivans — Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan — are not all-new for 2012, they continue to be the class of the field.”  The Odyssey’s appeal is based on a blend of great handling dynamics and a slate of options that includes a wide-screen TV. The Chrysler/Dodge minivans offer the broadest range of features — things like seats that fold into the floor and under-floor storage areas, plus dual-screen rear entertainment to keep the kids occupied. In terms of sales, Dodge Grand Caravan leads the pack with 160,000 units sold in 2010. Chrysler Town & Country was second (126,000) followed by the Honda Odyssey (119,000) and Toyota Sienna (113,179). Other popular models include the Kia Sedona and Volkswagen Routan. And more models are on the way: VW is expected to introduce a 21st-century version of its legendary Microbus in 2014. Indeed, the segment continues to evolve. A combination of factors has led to the introduction of smaller, more affordable models like the Mazda 5 and the forthcoming 2013 Ford C-Max. “These European-style minivans take the minivan formula and shrink it to a size that’s more compatible with an era of higher gas prices and smaller paychecks,” Jordan said.  “Because we’ve grown used to the current generation of minivans, these new vehicles seem small at first,” he continued. “But ironically the Mazda 5 … offers the same amount of passenger space as the original minivan that transformed America — the 1984 Dodge Caravan.” read the original article by Joe Yogerst 3/4 For sale,  Tribeca limousine. Its at Singer Subaru in Plaistow, NH font>.  8 passenger, 73,171 miles. Its listed at $75,000, and probably open to offers.  At least you get the optional front mesh grill and chrome wheels.  click for photos and info or call 888-635-9262 1/26 Tribeca. Another in the ongoing low-simmering rumor that the end is near, that 2012 might be the final year for the Tribeca. It could be true this time.  In 2011, the Tribeca's US total sales was 2791 which was at least a modest 12.90% increase from 2472 sold in the US in 2010. Thats only 5263 cars in 24 months so it shouldn't be a surprise if they drop it. But Subaru has needed a 7 passenger all wheel drive mini-van SUV since the early 1990s and hopefully in the next few years they will offer one. Perhaps like the BRZ, it will be developed with Toyota. "Subaru’s troubled people-mover to fade into history late this year. Subaru has confirmed it will dump its controversial Tribeca, with the soft-roader-based people mover now likely to disappear from the Australian market as early as next year. While Subaru has previously hinted at the Tribeca’s demise Akihide Takeuchi, the car maker’s project manager for its product and portfilio planning division, confirmed to Drive this week that the Tribeca’s US production line would start to switch off in December, ending a troubled seven-year run for a vehicle that sparked one of the fastest facelifts in automotive history. The Tribeca still sells in significant volumes in Australia - according to Subaru’s local chief executive, Nick Senior, it still accounts for 100 sales a month with very little advertising budget - but Takeuchi says capacity of the Tribeca’s US-based production line is needed for other models in the Subaru line-up"  the original article

Outback news and reviews 2012 calendar year news click for  archived news from 2012 articles edited for length, content

-

12/22 IIHS crash test give the new Top Safety Pick+ rating to the 2013 Legacy and Outback built after August 2012, and 11 other cars. Its interesting that Camry and Prius don't make the new Top Safety Pick+ grade, but the Suzuki Kizashi does though Suzuki announced recently that is pulling out of the US market. "IIHS rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor based on performance in a moderate overlap frontal crash, small overlap frontal crash, side impact and rollover, plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts. To qualify for the 2013 Top Safety Pick+ award, vehicles must earn good ratings for occupant protection in at least 4 of 5 evaluations and no less than acceptable in the fifth test. To qualify for the 2013 Top Safety Pick award, vehicles must earn good ratings in the moderate overlap frontal test, side impact, rollover and rear tests, regardless of their rating in the small overlap frontal test. "To reward 2013 models with superior crash protection, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is awarding the new Top Safety Pick+ accolade to 13 cars. All earn good or acceptable ratings in the new IIHS small overlap test as well as top marks in other IIHS evaluations. Winners include the Acura TL; Dodge Avenger and its twin, the Chrysler 200 4-door; Ford Fusion; Honda Accord 2-door; Honda Accord 4-door; Kia Optima; Nissan Altima 4-door; Subaru Legacy and its twin, the Subaru Outback; Suzuki Kizashi; Volkswagen Passat and Volvo S60. The Acura TL and Volvo S60 are midsize luxury cars. The other models are midsize moderately priced cars. "Of the 29 models evaluated so far in our small overlap frontal crash test, these 13 cars offer the highest level of all-around crash protection," says Adrian Lund, IIHS president. "We're pleased to recognize them with our new Top Safety Pick+ award for 2013." ...For 2013, 117 additional vehicles earn Top Safety Pick. To qualify for Top Safety Pick vehicles must have good ratings for occupant protection in the moderate overlap frontal test, side impact, rollover and rear tests, regardless of their small overlap rating. "Models that earn Top Safety Pick also offer outstanding protection in many crashes," Lund says. "These vehicles are much safer choices than most vehicles on the market just five years ago." IIHS introduced the small overlap test in 2012 to further improve occupant protection in frontal crashes. Luxury/near luxury midsize cars were the first group of vehicles evaluated, followed by midsize moderately priced cars. IIHS will announce additional Top Safety Pick+ winners as it continues to test models. Results for small SUVs are expected in the spring. The small overlap test replicates what happens when the front corner of a car collides with another vehicle or an object like a tree or utility pole. In the test, 25 percent of a car's front end on the driver side strikes a 5-foot-tall rigid barrier at 40 mph. A Hybrid III dummy representing a 50th percentile male is belted in the driver seat." the complete list of Top Safety Picks 12/6  Aha radio-  Aha is by Harman/Kardon and funnels music, radio stations, even audio books through your phone to the car's Navigation system. It will be on the 2014 Forester, and 2013 Legacy and Outback in early 2013. Navigation is required. 11/10 Brilliant Brown Pearl color no longer available to factory order on Outbacks. It was a new color this year and only available on the 2013 2.5 and 3.6 Outback Limited with the Special Appearance Package. Initially it was only going to an option through August but it continued to be an available to order through early November. Its no longer listed as an option on new orders which means the Special Appearance Package can now only be ordered in white or black. There are still Brilliant Brown Special Appearance Package Outbacks for sale on lots however, and some more are coming in, but if you want a Brilliant Brown colored Special Appearance Package Limited, now is the time to look for best selection and price. 2013 Outback specs and details 11/9 2013 Outback webpage updated to include the 3 new Navigation packages that include the Aha by Harman radio/phone/internet integration system available early 2013. The packages are Navigation with Aha, Navigation with Eyesight and Aha, and Special Appearance Package with navigation and Aha. The 2013 Outback webpage  here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/04/07/2734691/confusing-premise-makes-awake.html#storylink=cpy 9/21 2013 Outback Limited Special Appearance package in the brilliant brown color continues to be available. Initially it was reported that the color would only be produced through August. 9/22 more US built Subarus coming? "Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. could start cranking out vehicles in addition to the Outback, Legacy, Tribeca and Toyota Camry at its Lafayette manufacturing plant, the company’s vice president said Friday. “There is a possibility of expansion in the future,” Tom Easterday said at a monthly industrial luncheon hosted by Greater Lafayette Commerce. “New products are possible. We’ll just have to wait and see. We should know in the next couple of months.” SIA’s parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, is studying the pros and cons of moving production of an existing Subaru product to the Lafayette plant, Easterday said. “The study is looking at several factors, including projected market demand, cost of the project, forecast for future currency fluctuation and the supplier base. No decision has been made at this point,” Easterday said. Driving the possible change is the increased cost of shipping products overseas, Easterday said. “The theory now is to build it where you sell it,” Easterday said. SIA announced in May that it was planning a $75 million expansion to its Lafayette facility in order to increase Outback and Legacy production. Easterday said the expanded plant will be able to produce 180,000 vehicles per year compared with its current 150,000 capacity. Those figures do not include overtime production capacity. Easterday said the 2013 models, which feature an engine with better torque and about 10 percent higher fuel economy, are popular. Outback sales in August improved nearly 50 percent over the same month last year. SIA is set to manufacture 265,368 vehicles this fiscal year, which would be a record for the plant. The previous production high is 216,000, accomplished in 1998. Both numbers reflect overtime production capacity.' the original article  9/16 Audi AllRoad competes with the Outback but costs a lot more "How much will some people pay to be assured they're not driving a station wagon? About $3,200, if the * * * 2013 Audi Allroad is any indicator. That's the difference between the base price for a new Allroad and the 2012 Audi A4 Avant station wagon, the car the Allroad replaces. Plus $150 a year for gasoline, of course. That's the EPA's estimate of how much more it will cost to fuel the Allroad than an A4 Avant wagon, despite the vehicles' identical performance and drivetrains. The Allroad is an attractive, luxurious and sporty crossover SUV that's essentially a mildly restyled, more-expensive version of the attractive, luxurious and sporty A4 station wagon Audi sold until the beginning of the 2013 model year. (Hint to bargain shoppers: Your local Audi dealer may still have one.) Prices for the 2013 Audi Allroad Quattro start at $39,600. The five-passenger crossover SUV comes with a fine 211-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. I tested an Allroad with a few options that stickered at $42,900. The Allroad is no better than the A4 Avant, though it will almost certainly outsell it and earn Audi more money. It's a truism in the auto industry that Americans love crossover SUVs and abhor station wagons. Gentlemen, start your platitudes: It's the free market in action. There's a sucker born every minute. Never go against a Sicilian when death is on the line. Well, maybe not that last one, but the others apply. ...The Allroad does much better when compared with other automakers' luxury wagons and crossovers. Its direct competitors include the front-wheel drive Acura TSX wagon and AWD wagons like the BMW 328i xDrive, Cadillac CTS4, Subaru Outback and Volvo XC70. Midsize upscale crossovers like the Infiniti EX, Land Rover Evoque, Lexus RX and Mercedes-Benz GLK will also compete with the Allroad. The Allroad's combination of fuel economy, luxury and all-wheel drive is unmatched. The EPA rated the Allroad 20 m.p.g. in the city, 27 on the highway and 23 in combined driving. That beats all the competitors I've named but the Acura, which can't match the AWD Audi's performance, and the less-powerful and luxurious Subaru...' read the entire article.  9/8 SIA making Outbacks and Legacys as fast as they can. "Strong sales figures for Subaru could lead to increased vehicle production at a 3,600-worker central Indiana factory where it already has expansion plans. Subaru reported August sales were up more than 35 percent from a year ago, joining other automakers in pushing U.S. sales to their highest level in three years. Those increased sales make it likely Subaru will want more of the Outback and Legacy models built at the company's Lafayette factory, Subaru of Indiana Automotive vice president Tom Easterday told the Journal & Courier for a story Wednesday (http://on.jconline.com/Olwv4F ). Subaru previously planned to build 172,000 Outback or Legacy models this fiscal year at the factory. A production boost would mean more overtime work for the plant's employees. "Everbody's positive about it," Easterday said. "It gives everyone a very po sitive outlook to the future." The company announced plans in May for a $75 million expansion that will allow the factory to build 180,000 vehicles a year without overtime, an increase of about 24,000 vehicles from current capacity. The factory produced nearly 171,000 vehicles last year by including overtime. Subaru said then it anticipated adding up to 100 jobs by the end of 2014. The Lafayette factory opened in 1989 and also produces Toyota Camrys. The factory is the only one Subaru has in North America and builds more than half the Subaru vehicles sold in the continent.' read the article. 8/28- Outback brochure error  on Outback brochure, on page 19 with the security features at the top. Printing date 6/12 on the lower rear of the back cover. The error is the PASSIVE SAFETY section, the  'Subaru advanced frontal airbag system' shows as not available on the base 2.5i model. That's incorrect. It is standard on all models. This will be corrected on later printings of the brochure. 8/17 Consumer Reports comments on Eyesight "We recently took delivery of our new 2013 Subaru Outback, with some improvements over the previous 2010 model we tested. One is Subaru's new EyeSight system. This pro-active safety system uses a pair of cameras over the rearview mirror to know when to stop the car, if the driver isn't paying attention. We had a chance to try this and several other EyeSight features in a brief demonstration Subaru recently set up at our test track. The EyeSight manages adaptive cruise control, lead vehicle start alert, lane departure warning, lane swaying, pre-collision warning, and pre-collision throttle management and braking. In other words, the EyeSight system sounds an alert if the driver approaches an object in front too fast, strays outside the lane, or begins weaving inside a lane. The EyeSight system looks like a big plastic box, with two heads peeking down from the on either side of the rearview mirror, almost like police lights—except the boxes are for cameras, not lights. The cameras detect cars and other obstacles in front of the Subaru. The system sounds a warning if the driver is approaching them too fast, and it can apply the brakes up to maximum force if the driver still doesn't respond. Insurance industry studies have shown such forward collision warning and systems have been effective in reducing accidents. (Read: "Automatic braking and better headlights reduce accidents.") In the demonstration, Subaru set up 12 large foam blocks with the image of a stopped Outback near the end of our track. As we approached (in Subaru's EyeSight-equipped Legacy), our driver was told to hold the speed at 20 mph and not let up on the gas. The car automatically applied the brakes in time to stop in front of the target. However, when our driver instinctively adjusted the gas, the car assumed he was paying attention and released the brakes, so we smashed into the foam Outback ahead of us. That's the way the system is designed, so if there is an escape route to the side, for example, you can accelerate into it. The next time, our driver held the throttle steady, and the car stopped short of the target. The automatic collision-avoidance braking can only keep you completely out of a collision if you're closing on the car or obstacle in front of you at less than 20 mph. (For example, if the car in front is going 50 mph, you can't be going more than 70 mph.) That's because it takes 2.5 seconds for the system to recognize an obstacle and brake. At higher closing speeds, the system will still apply the brakes to reduce the severity of a collision, but it can't stop the car in time. At lower closing speeds, EyeSight also uses pre-collision throttle management. It will reduce the throttle to as little as 5 percent to encourage the driver to slow down before the pre-collision warning and pre-collision braking are needed. EyeSight's cameras can also help in stop-and-go driving (once the driver has engaged the adaptive cruise control) by following the car ahead at one of three preset distances. The system can't be turned on below 25 mph, but once activated, it will stay on even if you fall below that speed, maintaining pace with and stopping behind the car in front when needed. When traffic restarts, it sounds an alert and requires a quick tap on either the accelerator or the cruise-control Resume switch to restart, Subaru says. Two switches in the headliner can shut off the lane departure and lane sway system, along with the pre-collision braking system, but you have to hold down the buttons for two seconds. Holding the main cruise control switch down for two seconds engages the traditional cruise control. Other automakers have had similar systems for several years, and we have tested several. But they tend to be bundled into expensive technology or safety packages on pricey luxury cars. EyeSight is a standalone option on Outback and Legacy models that costs $1,295. One thing it lacks is side blind-spot detection, which typically illuminates a light by the appropriate side mirror if it detects an obstacle to the side.  As our 2013 Outback continues to make its way through our testing process, we'll continue to report on EyeSight's effectiveness. And we'll continue to refine our testing procedures to sort the better collision mitigation systems from the also-rans." the article 8/9 A 2010 Outback sits under water for over 1 1/2 years "From her deck overlooking the Rogue River, Penny Toman can see the top of a 2010 Subaru Outback about a foot below the water's surface. A bit of rust and slimy green gunk decorate the deteriorating car that has been in the river for more than a year, she said. The car belonged to Kate McKay Boone, then 36, who attempted suicide March 7, 2011, by driving the vehicle into the river at Valley of the Rogue State Park, according to police reports. Jackson County sheriff's spokeswoman Andrea Carlson said the following day that the car would be removed in the next few days when water levels fell. But the next few days have turned into nearly a year-and-a-half, and the white Subaru Outback remains underwater. "We're wondering why nothing has been done," said Toman, 59. Sheriff's officials said they've had a difficult time locating the car because of high water levels and currents that moved the car downstream. Now that the Subaru is visible near the 3400 block of Rogue River Highway, discussions between Boone's insurance company, which is responsible for removing the car, and Valley of the Rogue officials have delayed the removal process. After driving the car into the river, Boone escaped the vehicle and was arrested and lodged in the Jackson County Jail for nine days on charges of disorderly conduct, littering in a waterway, resisting arrest and attempting to assault a public safety officer, according to Carlson. Boone was convicted on March 17, 2011, of second-degree disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, both misdemeanor charges. Boone paid a $135 fine but was not required to pay for the car's removal, according to court documents. Lt. Pat Rowland, manager of Jackson County sheriff's Field Services Division, said officials haven't removed the car because it isn't considered a safety hazard and isn't blocking a water channel. If it moves and blocks a channel, Rowland said, officials would remove it. "I know everybody's working on it," he said. "It's a work in progress. It'll get moved. I just don't know when." Boone's insurance company, Progressive, contacted Valley of the Rogue several weeks ago about removing the car. Company spokesman Jeff Sibel said part of the reason it has taken Progressive so long to remove the car is because sheriff's officials couldn't locate it.." read the entire article 8/7 Manual transmissions- there will always be people who want a manual transmission but Subaru is making fewer than ever. For 2013, Subaru reduced the Option Packages available on the Outback Premium manual, and dropped the Legacy Premium manual model altogether. Forester, Impreza, BRZ, and WRX STI are still available with manual "Cars with manual transmissions are making a modest comeback, but with tens of millions of drivers lacking the ability to operate a stick shift, analysts don’t expect a big jump. Auto Information company Edmunds.com says that vehicles equipped with manual transmissions accounted for 7% of autos sales so far this year. That compares to a 3.9% share of sales in all of 2011. If the trend holds, the manual transmission share of auto sales will be the highest since 2006. “A combination of factors – from the growing age of vehicle trade-ins bringing more manual drivers back to market, to a greater proportion of smaller cars on the road – is creating a small spike for stick shifts,” said Ivan Drury, an Edmunds.com analyst. “But even though manual cars are on the rise now, they’re on track to be virtually extinct in the next 15 to 20 years.” Automakers are offering fewer vehicles that have a manual transmission as an option.   Edmunds.com found that 64% of all 2012 model year vehicles are available only with automatic transmission. Ten years ago the number was a much smaller 48%.  Technology and pricing trends have ended some of the traditional advantages that manual transmissions had over automatics. At one time, manual transmissions always achieved better fuel economy, but with the advent of six- and eight-speed automatic transmissions, that’s no longer a sure bet. Edmunds points out that the automatic version of the Ford Focus has better fuel economy than its manual sibling. Similarly, a car with a manual transmission once was always less expensive than the same model in an automatic. Several General Motors vehicles, including the popular Chevrolet Cruze and the Cadillac CTS, now cost the same for both versions, according to Edmunds.com." the original article- notice the photo in the article- it's a BRZ Limited 7/16 2013 Outback photo pages have been uploaded, (Legacy images soon) with more Outback images to be added next week. Exterior, Interior   7/11 2013 Outback and Legacy finance rates now available at the same rate as the BRZ, starting at 2.90% 24-63 months, top credit. No rate for 72 months. Leases are also now available 7/9 2013 Outback and Legacy now arriving at dealers. Foresters expected later in July. 7/7 2013 Outback review "Drove one about a week ago, a 2.5 Premium CVT. Was pretty impressed, as the car seemed a bit quicker than the '12 model; and it seemed to handle a bit better too, although I didn't get to drive it on any challenging roads. Bottom line is that I came away impressed. Today I went to another dealer to drive another, as I always like to follow up with a second road test to confirm my initial impressions, and to hopefully garner some more insight into the vehicle. Well today I was not disappointed, as the model I drove was a Limited CVT with the new and updated navigation—and the all-new optional Eyesight! Not only that I got to drive it on some fun country roads, as was able to check out the revised suspension. Comments:  The suspension is a big improvement over the '12 model. The car felt really taut on the curvy country roads. Subaru has claimed that it has reduced body roll by 40 percent. I believe it. The car felt much more "Euro-like" on the country back roads. As good as this felt, I'm sure the Legacy is even better. A big thumbs up here. As with the earlier version I drove, the '13 Outback with this new FB25 engine felt quicker than earlier models. Even the salesman who was with me commented on that, as this was the first time he had been in the '13 model. He also commented that the CVT whine, found on earlier models, was absent in this car. My only wish is that engine had direct injection with ~ 190 or so horsepower, as 173 hp is merely average in this segment. Having said that, there is definitely more low- and mid-range power than before, and that's where most people spend their time anyway. So again, a solid thumbs up here. The navigation also seems to have been improved. The salesman commented on the graphics being better than before. It also uses an SD card for easy map upgrades. We played with it a bit, but really can't compare it to the older version, as I'm not that familiar with it. I can say what I saw here was fine, and can only assume it's better than what they previously offered. A rear-view camera is part of the package, and that worked fine—and is almost worth the price in itself. For those who tow (me!), a rear-view camera is really helpful in lining up the trailer hitch with the trailer. As to the Eyesight, I had mixed feelings. It warns you should happen to wander out of your lane, which is good. However any time you change lanes intentionally, it also warns you with a buzzer. After a while I think that buzzer might drive you nuts. So I'm not so sure I like that aspect. (note- if you use the turn signals it doesn't buzz). Now the adaptive cruise control (part of Eyesight) I love!  You have three choices of how much distance you want between you and the car in front. You also get a graphic on the instrument cluster showing what distance of separation that you have selected. I like that. When you come upon a slower car in front, you are alerted by a quick buzz and a graphic of the rear of a car appears next to the cruise indicator on the dash. The car also slows to the speed of the vehicle in front. You don't have to do anything. It's really neat. Should the car in front speed up and pull away, the graphic on the instrument cluster disappears along with a buzz to let the driver know that the vehicle in front is no longer within the CC range. Also neat is the actual mph that the CC is set at is displayed. In my case, it was 60 mph. The downside to Eyesight is that you have to get navigation and the moonroof. Those who don't want those features are out of luck. This vehicle also had the optional rear seat back rubber protectors, which work in conjunction with the rear rubber cargo floor area protector. This is the first time I've seen these. They've been offered in other markets before, but never here. The seat back protectors appear to be permanently attached to the seats, which may (or may not) be a problem? The MSRP for this vehicle was a bit over $35K. Yeah, that's a lot for a 4-cylinder car. Bob" 7/1 On the 2013 Legacy and Outback brochures. Both are 20 pages. The Legacy brochure photos were taken in Seattle- the cover photo is the bow of a Washington State ferry, and on the rear cover the Seattle skyline is in the background of the ferry.  The silver Legacy on pages 3/4 is on the Yesler Way I-5 overpass in downtown Seattle, and red Legacy on pages 4/5 is in the Pioneer Square district. The background photo (center pages 10/11) and Eyesight descriptive text in both Legacy and Outback brochures is the same, the only change is its either a Venetian Red Legacy or Outback driving closely (using cruise control?) behind a silver Forester. 6/29 2013 Outback and Legacy brochures are now at dealers. That means the cars are close behind. Some dealers might already have them. 6/21 Is a Jetta Alltrack coming, pointed at the Outback and Forester? and maybe with a diesel? "Volkswagen is not finished with plans to extend the Jetta portfolio. The suits inside the Wolfsburg, Germany, headquarters are mulling a plan for a crossover version of the future Jetta SportWagen along the lines of the recently introduced Alltrack concept. “We think there is definite sales potential in North America and other world markets for a new lifestyle-targeted Jetta model,” a senior Volkswagen source divulged. “It could be based on the successor to [the] existing model.” The vehicle under discussion is a Subaru Outback fighter, complete with elevated ride height, uniquely styled bumpers and light graphics, additional wheel-arch cladding and specialized interior trims. To keep development costs in check, the wagon and the crossover would share the same steel body and mechanical package. The crossover, which likely would take the name Jetta Alltrack for sales in the U.S. market, was conceived to offer the choice of either standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. It could potentially be sold in other markets, including Europe, as the Golf Alltrack. With the next-generation Tiguan due out in 2014 set to increase in size and offer an optional third row of seats in North America, Volkswagen clearly sees room at the lower end of its lineup for another crossover offering. The Jetta crossover would be assembled alongside future incarnations of the existing Jetta sedan and SportWagen and the upcoming Jetta four-door-style coupe at a plant in Mexico. All four will be based on Volkswagen's new modular platform structure. Four-cylinder direct-injection gasoline and diesel engines for the Jetta models will also be sourced from Mexico." read the article 6/20 2013 order system is now available for Outback, Legacy,  and Forester (and BRZ but that's been available).  Today is the first day to factory order a 2013 Outback, legacy or Forester. 2013 Tribeca, Impreza, Crosstrek and WRX STI are not yet available to order.  The Legacy and Outback have some good upgrades, including suspension and steering upgrades, new front grill, wheels, bumper and fog lights. There are new option packages, new Eyesight driver assist system, and new colors. Outback gets a new Special Appearance Package with push-button start, integrated turn signals in the outside mirrors and more, and this should be a very popular package. Its available in 3 colors- black, white and new brilliant brown, all with new Saddle Brown leather.  The two new Outback and Legacy colors, Venetian Red and Twilight Blue, are available in both the off-black or the warm ivory interior. Contact your local dealer (list of dealers) to place an order if you've been waiting, or contact me if you'd like to order one in the Seattle area. Research the 2013 specs, colors and list prices Forester, Outback, or  Legacy. 6/13 2013 prices and features announced. 2013 models are not yet available for ordering but should be very soon. For 2013 specs, prices and more: Outback, Legacy and Forester 6/3 Eyesight- an overview of the major components of Subaru's Eyesight safety system. This review is from Australia.  Its soon to be available on 2013 Outback and Legacy Limited models. Sort of like having Mom or Dad in the car, the lane sway function warns when changing lanes without using turn signals. Now if it could only disable the cell phone texting... "For the majority of new car buyers, Subaru’s EyeSight system is revolutionary. In reality, it’s nothing we haven’t seen before, although until recently most of the technology has been exclusive to high-end European luxury cars.... Subaru EyeSight is the combination of seven different new-generation active safety features that will help prevent or limit the impact of a potential accident. They go far beyond what we have seen in cars for the past few decades. The first and perhaps most useful in inner-city driving conditions, is the pre-collision throttle management system... say you’re pulling into a car park and get distracted by a song on the radio or an incoming phone call, you quickly go for the brake pedal and accidently floor the accelerator pedal. This may seem unlikely, but it’s one of the most common causes of car park incidents. EyeSight’s cameras can work out if there is an object is in front of your car when the accelerator is suddenly pushed and restrict engine output, significantly reducing the risk of damage or injury.... The second system is adaptive cruise control, which can ‘lock on’ to a vehicle in front and follow it at a predetermined distance and up to a predetermined speed. Essentially it takes the need for the accelerator and brake pedal out of the equation for long drives. All you have to do is steer.... The Subaru system is a second-generation unit and can bring the car to a complete stop with traffic and resume when the car in front starts moving.  Like similar systems in Volvos and Mercedes-Benz vehicles, it does have some limitations. For example, it gets a little annoyed when another car merges between you and the target car, leading to sudden deceleration. It can at times not even realise there is a car merging until it’s right in front of your bumper. As a result, it’s important to not rely solely on the system for all your acceleration and deceleration inputs... The pre-collision braking and brake assist systems are there to either prevent or limit the damage caused by a front-on accident. If the driver becomes distracted or disabled (e.g. suffers a heart attack) and the vehicle is driving straight into another object, the system audibly warns the driver of a potential impact and then automatically applies braking force if it detects a collision is forthcoming. In some cases this will stop the vehicle completely while in others it will simply limit the speed prior to impact, helping reduce the severity of the crash. The assist system helps bring on full braking force in case the driver is not applying full brakes.... Subaru has taken the approach that if an impact is imminent, maximum braking is the way to go.... This system can potentially save many lives and as more and more manufacturers introduce it as standard equipement. Nonetheless, it can also be rather annoying. It does tend to get a bit alarmed when you’re accelerating towards another car to, for example, make a green light or prepare for an overtaking manoeuvre, giving you audible warnings that can drive you mad. If you’re a car enthusiast (or an aggressive driver), you’re likely to quickly try to turn it off.... The lane departure and vehicle sway warning systems are also part of the ‘can-drive-you-mad’ category. They give audible warnings when the car is drifting across a clearly marked lane without indicating or when the system recognises that the vehicle is drifting to the other side of the road unintentionally. It’s all well and good in theory, but only after having it on for a week do you come to appreciate just how often you either cut clearly marked lines or leave your lane without indicating. It’s a great way to teach you how to drive within the lines and it does this by constantly blasting you with warnings like a high-school teacher... Last but not least, the lead vehicle start alert system is something we haven’t seen before. It essentially gives you a reminder if you’re in traffic and the car in front has started to move without you noticing. It’s rather handy and very unobtrusive." the entire article.   6/1 Subaru removes 2013 model order forms except BRZ.  Subaru changes their mind, removes 2013 online order forms for Outback, Legacy and Forester. Over the past weeks, 2013 Outback, Forester and Legacy order forms were online and those models could be ordered. Those forms have now been removed which means orders are not accepted for those models. I'm not sure if any 2013 orders, other than BRZ which is available for ordering, actually went through successfully.  Stay tuned for updates 5/30 Outback 3.6R review. The 3.6L Outback models for 2012 are 3.6R, Premium and Limited. For 2013, its 3.6R and Limited, the Premium model has been dropped "This last week I received my fourth Subaru to test, a 2012 Outback with the six-cylinder engine.  It was the 3.6R “Limited” model in Ice Silver metallic with black leather interior.  This car is made by Fuji Heavy Industries, a Japanese firm, in Lafayette, Indiana.  The Limited is the top-line Outback, out of six models offered in both four-, and six-cylinder configurations.  This one had  an option package that included power moonroof, navigation system, 440-watt harman/kardon  stereo, Bluetooth phone, backup camera, and Ipod/USB connections.  This $2,995.00 package, plus $223.00 for “puddle lights”, brought the total M.S.R.P. to $35,886.00, including freight.  I really enjoyed the puddle lights that shine beneath each of the four doors on the vehicle, after dark. The Outback is a derivative of the Subaru Legacy wagon, introduced in 1994.  It was originally called the “Legacy Outback”, and the Legacy name was dropped in 2003.  Subaru in the 1990’s could not afford a new design for its “crossover SUV” to be produced, so simply modified an existing offering.  They added side body cladding, raised the ground clearance, and added a rugged-looking rack on the top.  In 2009, the second generation Outback came out, and sales since then have been brisk – over 90,000 in 2010 and over 100,000 in 2011.  Crossover SUV’s are quite popular nowadays, and in large part it is the fault of the Subaru Outback. Power for the Outback is supplied by a 3.6 liter, “boxer” six-cylinder, DOHC, all-aluminum engine with 256 horsepower and 247 lb. ft. of torque.  Boxer refers to its horizontally-opposed configuration, like a Corvair or Porsche.  The weight of the engine, although modest, is kept at a lower center-of-gravity with this design.  Ground clearance, however, is a category-best 8.7 inches.  The transmission is a five-speed automatic with manual mode and paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.  All-wheel drive, is, of course, standard equipment.  Fuel economy is rated at 18-city and 25-highway for the car, and I observed about 20 mpg during my trips to Denver (2), along with running around Greeley.  The tank holds 18.5 gallons of regular gasoline and acceleration from zero to sixty is reportedly in the 8/9 second range.  Wheelbase/length/weight are 107.9”, 188.2”, and 3,631 lbs., respectively. The front leather buckets in the Outback are nice, and the three-passenger rear seat is split and reclines somewhat.  Cargo space is 34 cubic feet with the back seats up and 71 cubic feet with the back seats dropped down.  The center passenger in the rear has a shoulder belt, adding to the Outback safety reputation.  Both of the front seats are power-adjustable, and the driver ergonomics are fine. I don’t think the Outback styling is its calling card, but I happened to like it OK.  The 17” alloy wheels on the Limited are attractive, and they are surrounded by 225/60R17 all-season radials.  The silver paint was offset with the dark cladding and bumpers, and the black roof rack gave the car an off-road look.  I did not go off-road, but took some bumpy dirt roads with satisfactory results.  I like the hefty feel of the car both in town and out on the highway.  While on one of the Denver trips, I enjoyed dinner at John Elway’s (sizzle), and found pleasure in the ride down and back in the Outback (steak – solid, sturdy, safe, and stylish)." the original article  5/29 diesel CVT in the next Outback set for Australia "Subaru will take the next step in its dynamic diesel story by with the introduction of its first automatic transmission diesel variant. The Outback 2.0 diesel with Lineartronic™ Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) will build on the significant success of the manual diesel variants of Outback and Forester. It will be the first time Subaru has offered an automatic diesel in Australia. Nick Senior, Subaru Australia Managing Director, said: “Diesel Foresters and Outbacks represent up to 20 per cent of sales of those models, so the addition of the diesel auto Outback for Model Year 2013 is significant news for Subaru. “We know there’s massive pent up demand for auto diesels, particularly in rural and regional areas, so it’s a great opportunity for us to meet the needs of those customers. “The CVT transmissions in our petrol cars are a huge hit, typified by new XV and Impreza, so we can only see good things for Outback auto diesel.” Mr Senior said engineers from Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) have been working with Subaru Australia engineers. “FHI engineers have just returned to Japan after extensive testing of the pending Outback diesel CVT.  “We’re very excited and we suggest customers pre-order with dealers to ensure early delivery.” Pricing and specification are yet to be announced.  Outback 2.0 diesel with CVT is expected to be on sale in quarter one of 2013." the original article 5/20 2013 Subaru Outback and Legacy orders now available. No prices announced. Check out the 2013 Outback page (Legacy page soon) 5/19 Subaru, on a growth spurt and spurned by China,  expands the Outback and Legacy SIA plant in Lafayette "...Over the next two years, Subaru will invest approximately $75 million to increase production output in order to meet estimated consumer demand for the Subaru Outback and Legacy. Construction on a 52,000 square-foot expansion to the plant’s body assembly section is expected to begin this summer. “We are proud but not surprised. Each time I have visited with Subaru leadership they have stressed how pleased they are with the performance and productivity of (Subaru Indiana Automotive),” Daniels said. According to the executive vice president of Subaru Indiana Automotive, Tom Easterday, the company has produced more than 3.6 million vehicles since production started in 1989. “The expansion of (Subaru Indiana’s) capacity is necessary to meet the growing demand for Subaru vehicles in the North American market,” Easterday said. “The success of the Legacy and Outback is the result of innovative design focused on the needs of our customers. The new expansion will enable company associates to build 180,000 vehicles on regular hours, compared to the current limit of 156,000. Approximately 3,600 people work at the company’s 832-acre Lafayette campus. More than 600 workers have been added in the last three years, Easterday said.." the entire article 4/12 early safety advocate drives an Outback "Shahan is the founder and president of Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety (CARS), a driver of some of the most important advances in auto-related safety and financial protection regulation. The gig: Rosemary Shahan is the founder and president of Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety (CARS). The Sacramento organization has been the driver of some of the most important advances in auto-related safety and financial protection regulation on the books today. Shahan, 62, championed the nation's first lemon law in California, which has since been copied in every state. She was a major force behind the federal air bag mandate and laws protecting military service members from abusive car loans. And she's not finished. Accidental activist: A native of Canton, Ohio, Shahan attended Case Western University on a full scholarship. There she met her husband, a naval officer with whom she lived in Italy and Greece, where she worked as a teacher. Shahan found her calling when the couple moved to San Diego and had a run-in with a Volkswagen dealer in 1979. The dealer took their broken Dasher wagon in for repairs, but after several months hadn't fixed it, yet refused to release it from his shop when she asked to take it to another mechanic. Furious, she picketed the dealership for five months until the dealer gave in. "I was the world's worst picketer," Shahan said. "But I prevailed." It could happen to anyone: The experience was revelatory for Shahan, who heard dozens of stories about rotten dealers thanks to her picketing. "I felt this was un-American," she said. "It shouldn't happen in a country where everyone's voice is supposed to matter." Energized, Shahan began agitating among California legislators to pass a bill that would protect consumers from defective cars. In hearings, automakers defended current practices. But consumer data found that more than a million defective new cars a year were being sold to the public. The so-called lemon law, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in 1982, gave dealers four chances to fix a car before it was dubbed a lemon and the dealer had to refund the car's sale price. A full-time obsession: That same year, Shahan formed Motor Voters (short for Motor Vehicle Owners Together Ending Ripoffs) and threw herself into a new cause: safety. She and her husband moved toWashington, D.C., and Shahan joined the effort to require all cars to have air bags. It was one of the nastiest fights in a city known for them, but Shahan and fellow supporters refused to quit. Air bags have been required in all new passenger vehicles since 1989. California state of mind: After a split with her husband, Shahan in 1993 returned to California, the nation's largest car market. She soon founded CARS, a registered lobbying group that allowed her to take up issues with politicians in Sacramento. Not about the money: Shahan doesn't sport Gucci loafers or bespoke Italian suits like other lobbyists — not on the $45,000 she pays herself. She hasn't taken a major vacation in years. "There were years I made only $7,000 doing it," she said. "But I get to do what I love." But what does she drive? When her 1988 Volvo finally gave out in 2010, Shahan bought a used Subaru wagon she found on Craigslist, taking care to get it inspected first. "I've never had a car payment in my life," she brags. Letdown: For years Shahan pushed a voter initiative known as the Car Buyers Bill of Rights that would have dramatically changed the way dealers sell cars in California. But the initiative fell victim to backroom political wrangling. When a bill finally passed in 2005, it was a shadow of the original. "It could have been something great," she said. Next up: In 2004, two sisters driving a car rented in Santa Cruz were killed after an engine fire disabled the vehicle's steering, leading to a head-on collision with a semi. The car had been subject to a safety recall a month before, but the rental car firm chose not to fix it. Shahan has been fighting to get federal legislation passed that would require rental car companies to remove all vehicles from their fleets until recall service is performed. "It's a matter of trust," she said. Motto: When the going gets rough, which isn't uncommon when doing battle with multibillion-dollar corporations, Shahan tries to remember a line attributed to Mohandas Gandhi. "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." Personal: Shahan is a dog lover who once adopted a border collie with a broken leg. She dreams of driving up Pacific Coast Highway and seeing Northern California, but can never tear herself away from work long enough to do it. "My work is my hobby," Shahan said. "  the original article 3/30 final day for 2012 factory orders for all Outback, Legacy, Forester, and Tribeca models. 2012 orders for Forester, Tribeca, Outback and Legacy end at 3pm today 3/30. This is early for Foresters, perhaps the 2013 model will get some updates (CVT?)  in advance of the 2014 make-over. Outback and Legacy manual transmission and 3.6L models had already stopped on 3/6. Dealers will continue to receive 2012s but in diminishing numbers. Low production models will sell out quickly. Subaru already announced 2013 Outback and Legacy details yesterday. 3/29 2013 Outback and Legacy details announced. They will debut at the big NY Auto Show April 4-16 alongside the all new XV Crosstrek. New Outback and Legacy models usually arrive in late spring/early summer, the Crosstrek is expected later this summer. The 2.5L engine and CVT are new, the suspension has been improved on all models among other changes. Dropped models:  The Legacy GT, Legacy 2.5i Premium with manual transmission, and both Legacy and Outback 3.6R Premium models have been discontinued. If you want one now is the time! 2013 Outback details The 2.5L engine and CVT are new, the suspension has been improved among other changes. Limited gets optional memory drivers seat and keyless unlock with pushbutton start. Models includes 2.5i and 2.5i Premium with 6 speed manual or CVT, 2.5i Limited CVT, and 3.6R and 3.6R Limited with the 5 speed automatic. The Outback 3.6R Premium model has been dropped. The CVT is the 2nd generation with smoother and quicker response. Suspension upgrades reduce body sway and lean up to 40%. Other steering and suspension enhancements are for a smoother, quieter ride with better handling. All models get a new grill, headlights, bumper, fog lights, and brake override system so when brake and gas are pressed at the same time, the brake overrides the gas and stops the car. There will be other minor changes. The 3.6L and 5 speed automatic transmission remain the same. The 2.5L DOHC engine is new, its the FB25 that was first used in the 2011 Forester. Thats a big change for the 13s. The new 2.5 engine has a timing chain (replaces timing belt), and gets better fuel economy plus has more power. It has 173hp up from 170hp, and 174ft-lb torque up from 170. 2.5L economy increases to 24/30 combined 26, up from 22/29 combined 24 for the 2012-2010 models New- Eyesight system will be available on both Legacy and Outback. No details yet on which models it will be available.  Eyesight is a new, multi-functional, forward viewing dual camera system that warns you if the car is wandering out of the lane (lane departure warning) or it detects an object in front the car in which case it helps stop the car by activating the brakes or increasing brake pressure, and uses engine management to reduce RPMs and lower the speed. It has Adaptive Cruise Control that helps maintain a set distance from the car in front. And it lets you know if, when stopped at a traffic light, the car in front has started moving. new on all 2013 Outback models- The roof rack rear crossbar now adjusts for a wider spread. Thats good news for carrying long loads like surfboards and kayaks etc. Suspension: body sway or lean has been decreased up to 40%, plus other steering and suspension enhancements for a smoother, quieter ride. Cloth material on 2.5i, 2.5i Premium and 3.6R models has been upgraded, and the silver trim will be replaced by a new matte woodgrain trim (no word on if this new trim is also on the Limiteds). new on.... 2.5i: now has steering wheel audio controls with hands free bluetooth, audio streaming, and USB (like 2012 Premium/Limited) 2.5i Premium: no changes announced other than the new seat material, adjustable crossbar, suspension improvement, and dash trim. 2.5i Limited and 3.6R Limited: long overdue power memory drivers seat is finally available for the first time on any Outback. Its part of a new Special Appearance Package that also includes another all new feature, keyless access with pushbutton start. Other new Limited upgrades for 2013 include rear A/C vent, upgraded electro-luminscent dash display with 3.5" info display, new navigation/gps system with Nav traffic and SD card. read the 2013 Outback press release 3/26 The 2013 Outback and Legacy to be at the NY Auto Show April 6-12 (4th-5th are press days).  The cars will be be mildly refreshed and are expected in late June. Among other changes, Subaru Eyesight will be officially introduced. Its an advanced driver assistance system with multiple functions that will be available on some 2013 Outback and Legacy models.  The Eyesight system  uses 2 small, forward facing cameras on either side of the rear view mirror to create an image of the road immediately ahead of the car. > It warns you if the car is wandering out of the lane (lane departure warning). > It if it detects an object in front the car, it helps stop the car by activating the brakes or increasing brake pressure, and uses engine management to reduce RPMs and lower the speed. > It has smart Adaptive Cruise Control that helps maintain a set distance from the car in front. > It lets you know if, when stopped at a traffic light for example, the car in front has started moving. 3/25 older Outbacks - "Karen Swicker, a social worker in Massachusetts, was on her way to visit a client when she noticed a puff of smoke next to her left elbow. The door of her 2002 Subaru Outback was smoldering. She pulled over, and within minutes, the door was in flames. "By the time the fire department got there, it was fully engulfed in flames," Swicker told The Huffington Post. "The door melted." Swicker's case and five other complaints registered with the government prompted Safety Research & Strategies, an automotive safety consulting firm, to ask the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to open an investigation into the possibility that there might be a defect in the electronic components in the door, which could cause fires. The agency in February announced it was investigating 309,00 General Motors vehicles and 830,000 Toyota vehicles for the same kind of fires happening in driver side doors. The safety agency is looking into the possibility that GM and Toyota use the same supplier. A Subaru spokesman said the company is aware of Swicker's incident and is looking into it. “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is committed to ensuring the safety of vehicles on America’s roads," a spokesman for the agency said. "The agency is aware of the potential issue, is monitoring complaints and other data closely, and will take appropriate action as necessary.” ... One North Carolina car owner, whose complaint is listed in the NHTSA's anonymous complaints database, said the owner's son was driving their 2004 Subaru Outback in a Target parking lot when he noticed smoke and heat coming from the driver's side door. By the time he stopped, flames were coming from the door. The Durham Fire Department extinguished the blaze. Another driver said he or she could feel heat coming up through the buttons on the driver's side arm rest, and then the fire started. Yet another said the flames melted a two-inch hole in the door. It didn't take many complaints for NHTSA to decide to look into the issues at Toyota and GM: There were just six complaints from Toyota owners and 12 from GM owners. None of the cars were totally destroyed by the fires, but doors melted and some seats were singed...." read the entire article 3/8  a few winter cars for snowy, slushy driving, from NY Daily News.. The Outback makes their list "We had a mild winter. But it isn't always that way and for those living outside the big city, wise East Coast drivers put winter performance as a key priority when considering a purchase. It may be new and sleek, but if it doesn't hold the road in winter you'll end up walking. The criteria for “Best Winter Car” isn’t very far from what anyone wants on any car – you want it to start every time, don’t want to get stranded and you want it to keep you safe in the event of an emergency.  That said, there are some rides that simply do better through the white stuff than others. The FORD F-150, that tried-and-true best-selling American workhorse pickup, is a top snow-buster. Not only is visibility excellent all around, its 4-wheel drive configuration lets it punch through small drifts and its fuel economy is better than most gulpy trucks on the market. That’s due to its 365-horsepower EcoBoost V6 engine, now the most popular engine in Ford’s crop of trucks. It’s also got hill-start-assist, which helps when encountering icy inclines. The SUBARU OUTBACK doubles up not only as a great family car, but a great all-arounder for all kinds of weather as it comes with a a Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system as well as a Vehicle Dynamics Control system, keeping you steady on slippery surfaces. It’s also comfy and its looks are handsome if a little bookwormish.  Choose the 3.6R for your winter travels as it’ll give you more oomph, or opt for the base model 2.5i. Options include a Cold Weather Package. Minivans are typically horrible in snow, but the TOYOTA SIENNA AWD is one of the few exceptions as it features an optional On-Demand All-Wheel Drive System with Active Torque Control on its V-6 Sienna LE, XLE and LTD. You can fit up to eight people in its innards, though one or two may have to be of small stature. Options include a Dual-View Entertainment Center on the XLE/LTD models as well as a Navigation Package and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control on the primo LTD variant. The ACURA MDX is stylish, powerful, well-balanced and solid little SUV, but it also happens to work well in snow, with a Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system and a lot of features designed to combat old man winter like power heated leather seats and tri-zone climate control. It’s got a powerful 300 horsepower V6 engine perfectly matched to its small dimensions, and standard equipment includes power heated leather seats, a premium audio package and a power rear liftgate plus available Technology, Advance and Entertainment Package upgrades. Rugged, fun, young and fantastic when the sun it out, the JEEP WRANGLER can also handle the kind of weather seen in Montana winters. And if you fit a snowplough your neighbors will love you! More elegant, more confortable (and more money) takes you to the JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE with a powerful engine, great grip and a frame designed for off-roading. " the entire article 3/6 Outback and Legacy- orders are no longer accepted for 2012 Outback, and Legacy 3.6R and Legacy with manual transmission - that's the Legacy 2.5i manual, Premium manual and 2.5GT - as Subaru starts to prepare for the end of the 2012 model year. There will be a good selection for a while but if you want a 2012 3.6L Outback,  or Legacy 3.6L or manual transmission, its time to look seriously. 2/27 Diesel automatic - an Outback diesel CVT is going to be available next year in Australia. Now that a diesel CVT is available, will the US get one or will the cost of the diesel engine and higher US diesel fuel prices be a deterrent? from Australia: "Subaru will start to fill a significant hole in its model lineup when it launches an automatic version of the turbo-diesel Outback soft-roader in 12 months. And further down the track the company expects to add auto-diesel Forester and XV models to its SUV range. However, they won’t arrive before 2014. Passenger car models with diesel would be further out than SUVs. The auto in the Outback will be a high-torque version of the Lineartronic CVT which is gradually spreading through the Subaru range, replacing traditional torque converter autos. “Next year at this time we’ll have an Outback CVT diesel on sale,” Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior confirmed at last week’s Impreza launch. “We sell about 70 Outback diesels per month and once we add the auto we will double that quite convincingly,” he said.  He said auto was more crucial to boosting sales of the Outback, rather than the Forester, both of which offer the same 350Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel boxer/six-speed manual alongside petrol manual/auto options in the range. “We take Outback to a lot of field days and motor shows and the message from people is ‘once it has an auto we are interested’,” Senior said. “The Forester diesel is a little different. We sell around 180-200 per month with the manual and we don’t get the same feedback with the Forester in terms of an auto as we do with the Outback.” The new generation Forester is due next January, and Senior indicated it probably wouldn’t have a diesel at launch, and when it does arrive it won’t initially be with an auto. He said that was simply due to engineering projects taking their place in a bulging Subaru development schedule. Intriguingly, Senior said the arrival of a high-torque Lineartronic in Outback indicated its potential suitability for high-performance models such as the next generation WRX and STi due in 2014. “If you’re able to put that sort of torque through a CVT it then opens up the possibilities of it being in our more performance variants.  I think that’s the future direction for us.”  the article  2/16  seen on a car lot, a 2002 Outback Limited 3.0R VDC. It was the top of the line model from 2001-2004 and the first to have Subaru's VDC stability control, which is where the name of the car came from.   I just made a photo page about this car, click here or the photo to visit the page. 2/15 recall- 2012 Outbacks and Legacys for side airbags that might not deploy. A total of 387 new 2012 Outbacks and Legacys - that's 381 cars in the US and 6 in Canada - have been produced with one or both side curtain airbags that may not inflate during a side impact collision.  The recall calls for replacing the defective air bags, and dealers will know which ones to replace on a car. Recall #WVZ-36. NHTSA says "These vehicles may be equipped with side curtain airbags that contain an incorrect propellant mixture for the initiator component used, resulting in insufficient output of compressed gas," said NHTSA in its recalls summary of the problem. "The side curtain airbags may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury." Subaru told the federal safety agency that it has not received a technical report of the problem from any market, including the U.S. Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries received an initial report of the problem through Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. from component supplier Takata U.S.A. that the side curtain airbags had not deployed during their sampling inspection. Letters to owners will be mailed in February. The recalls has already affected more than 2,700 Toyota, Honda, Subaru and Nissan vehicles, but that number could grow if the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration determines that more automakers used similar defective parts. All four companies with recalled vehicles told NHTSA that the Americas unit of Swedish safety parts maker Autoliv Inc. made the propellant for the side air bags... 2/10 recall- side airbags might not deploy on Outback and Legacy in Canada. Reportedly only 6 Canadian cars are involved.  From Transport Canada "On certain vehicles, the side curtain airbag inflators may have been incorrectly manufactured and, as a result, one or both airbags may not deploy as intended. Failure of a side curtain airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted), could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant.... Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace one or both side curtain airbag assemblies." the Transport Canada website

Forester news and reviews 2012 calendar year news click for  archived news from 2011 articles edited for length, content

m

12/29 Forester 0% for 24, 36, 48, 60, 63 months available through 1/7/13. 12/6  Aha radio-  Aha is by Harman/Kardon and funnels music, radio stations, even audio books through your phone to the car's Navigation system. It will be on the 2014 Forester, and 2013 Legacy and Outback in early 2013. Navigation is required. 12/4  2014 2.5L Forester and paddle shifters. The Subaru 2014 Forester site under 'specs' indicates that the 2.5L CVT has Paddle Shifters. Hopefully the 2.5L will have them, but the photo of the Limited at the LA auto show clearly shows the shift lever with 'low mode' L-D, and no paddle shifters on the steering wheel. See the photos on the 2014 Forester page. Hopefully Subaru will hear from enough people who want the 2.5L CVT to have Paddle Shifters that they add them before production starts. By the way, the same specs table also shows the power gate is an option on the Limited, but other Subaru places show it as standard on the Limited. 11/30 2014 Forester page and photos now available. The new model looks great, seems to retain the utility and function of the previous models. The X model benefits from a CVT and 24/32 MPG (which is much better than the 2013s 21/27mpg) . The 250hp 2.0L engine should kick-start the slow selling 2013 XT (rated at 224hp).  But it seems Paddle Shifters will not be available on the X models. For Subaru, this is a notable move away from driver involvement. The only choice for X model is going to be Drive and Low mode, like the current base model Imprezas.  This means there is no way for X drivers to downshift the CVT to accelerate when merging or passing on freeways, or power up hills, or just to fully manage the transmission in snow or rugged road driving. This is a dramatic change for Subaru, they have always (always) had automatic transmission gear selectivity, whether it was with a standard 1/2/3/D, Sportshift, or Paddle shifter. Low mode is basically a 2nd 'gear' setting. More on the new Forester later.  2014 Forester webpage 11/28 2014 Forester will be shown at the LA auto show today, 3:40pm See it live http://www.subaru.com/auto-show/la-2012.html 11/25 they're unwrapping the 2014 Forester in a few days There's going to be a power gate. That's one new feature and there will be more announced, but in the meantime here's a short wish list of things it would be nice to see Memory driver's seat Pushbutton keyless start Rain sensing windshield wipers Keep the large panorama moonroof Better front cupholders than in the current models More models with side mounted turn signals for better visibility One piece key/remote to replace the old fashioned separate pieces Large outside mirrors are good, especially heated. How about dimming too All Weather Package to include splash guards, cargo tray, rubber floor mats Tires pressure monitors that self-register so a technician isn't required to register them A real foul weather, camping, skier version with vinyl floor and cargo area, real mudflaps Keep the rubber rear bumper cover- don't switch to the clear vinyl one like on other models XT turbo- give it a sportier look plus upgraded suspension, brakes, wheels/tires etc to handle the power Prefer a manual parking brake, but if they use the electric one, have the the incline assist activate it when the car is put in park 11/24 another 2014 Forester review with photos "It's the next Subaru Forester, due throughout the United States and Canada by the middle of 2013. The 2014 Forester represents the fourth major overhaul of a vehicle introduced in 1998, at the leading edge of the “crossover” wave. The next Forester's dimensions increase slightly, starting with the wheelbase (1.0 inch), length (1.4 inches) and height (1.4 inches), but curb weight increases just 46 pounds. Hip points are higher, doors slightly larger. The bigger body/frame weighs no more than the current Forester's, according to engineers, thanks to a broader application of high-carbon, high-tensile steels, and torsional rigidity increases 150 percent. Subaru expects best-in-class crash ratings in government and IIHS tests. From the driver's perspective, the stiffer structure allows a substantial increase in suspension-damping force for better response and stability, without a corresponding increase in flex or vibration. Inside, there's more shoulder room and front space, a deeper dash, a new instrument panel and new dual graphic displays. A particularly tall automotive journalist notes that the driver's seat seems much less confining. There's more rear-seat space, too, and a less-intrusive center tunnel. Feature upgrades include 440-watt Harman/Kardon audio with the Aha smart-phone app, a programmable liftgate and Subaru's new, optically controlled EyeSight adaptive cruise control and guidance. The base engine is about the only carryover component. Subie's familiar, port-injected 2.5-liter boxer four generates 170 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. Transmissions include a six-speed manual (up from five) and a CVT (replacing a conventional four-speed). These, better aero and other efficiencies address a historical Forester weakness: fuel economy below the class mean. Subaru predicts EPA ratings of 24 mpg city, 32 highway with standard all-wheel drive, and the best base-engine 0-to-60 mph time among its competitors... Styling might be the least “new” thing about the 2014 Forester. In profile, it's hard to spot differences between this one and the 2013.... The 2014 Forester looks a bit richer, thanks to LED-infused light clusters and other more expensive looking jewelry. There are a lot of happy Forester buyers out there, so it's hard to knock Subaru for its conservative approach. The Forester ranks second on Subaru's North American sales chart, and it consistently outsells a whole bunch of similarly sized, similarly purposed vehicles, from the Acura RDX to the Jeep Compass to the Volkswagen Tiguan.While technology and features have changed, the crossover's basic, multi-use utilitarian appeal hasn't changed at all. ....We're sure the Forester's base engine is strong enough to compete with anything in the class. The ride/handling balance will please drivers under a wide arc of bell curve, and the Forester is more stable at high speed than many competitors. The steering—with a new rack-mounted electric motor—feels a bit numb on center, but comes in nicely moving toward the edges. One thing stood out, and it has nothing to do with the mechanical systems. The trend in a lot of crossovers is thick, pushed-out A-pillars and big, pulled-tight side mirrors that create triangles of mass, blocking a big chunk of the driver's sightline when looking ahead through a corner. The Forester counters by putting the mirrors on struts and filling the triangles with a quarter window, thereby reducing the visual obstruction you'll find in some vehicles in this class. Compared to many competitors, the '14 Forester also offers an off-road bonus. A one-button program called X-Mode changes several control parameters for off-pavement use, including throttle/torque map, stability management and torque split, and it adds hill-descent control. So equipped, the Forester manages off-road exercises and steep grades with less drama and driver intervention (or skill) than a Hyundai Tucson or Toyota RAV4 require... ...The 2014 Forester doesn't do anything best, but, even more than its predecessor, it does a lot of things quite well, like only a handful of vehicles in its price range. That all-roles, Swiss Army-knife quality represents the core appeal of a crossover to begin with. In some respects, Subaru as a brand is like Saab in the 1970s and into the '80s, and then again in the late '90s. For reasons that aren't easy to pinpoint, it appeals to a certain sort. We'd guess the next Forester has the requisite Subie-ness, now packed in an improved package that fits the crossover role to a T. And it might look just different enough to let the world know it's new." read the entire article with photos 11/23 2014 Forester shown in China, and to be shown at the LA Auto Show next week 11/28 "Subaru has unveiled the all-new 2014 Forester in China at the 2012 Guangzhou International Motor Show in the midst of consumer backlash and economic uncertainties in China. Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., the maker of Subaru automobiles announced today that the all-new 2014 Forester has made its Chinese debut at the 2012 Guangzhou International Motor Show which opened today in Guangzhou, China. As the new crossover rolls out across the globe the Forester is expected to be a global car and will make its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month. Subaru unveils the new Forester in China at a time when its Japanese competitors have shut down plants in China due to a territorial dispute between Asia’s two largest economies. Subaru is the only major Japanese automaker that does not have a plant in China and it has been a blessing in disguise. Subaru’s smaller presence in China has helped shield it from a consumer backlash triggered by a decades-old territorial dispute involving a group of islands called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. Chinese consumers have responded by not purchasing Japanese cars which has caused deliveries to slump and the competitors factories have been idled. China is an important market for the all-new 2014 Forester and is Subaru’s third largest market, after the U.S. and Japan. The popular Forester makes up 50 percent of the brand's sales in China, and the all-new crossover is expected to continue to lead Subaru sales in the market. Even though its growth in the country has slowed, Subaru sales in the U.S. and Japan have surged. Even though the consumer’s anti-Japan protests have subsided in China, tensions continue to simmer. Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. President Yasuyuki Yoshinaga said at the unveiling of the new Forester SUV last week in Tokyo, “Selling cars in China is difficult now. Luckily we can cover the loss there by producing more cars for Japan and the U.S., since we don’t have a plant in China...." read the entire article   11/22 the 2014 Forester will be shown at the LA auto show November 28th, 3:40pm PST. Can't be there? See it live http://www.subaru.com/auto-show/la-2012.html 11/18 about the video introducing the 2014 Forester "Over the years we’ve seen some crazy adverts from brands promoting their latest autos and this has included a car riding waves, although it is pretty obvious these vehicles can’t do most of the things shown in TV ads, but the message is strong and the videos mostly work by driving interest in a new car. Subaru’s new 2014 model of Forester has been promoted in a recent marketing video, which uses Projection Mapping to reveal the new model. The World Premiere for the 2014 Subaru Forester had been on November 13, 2012. The video below this article shows that unveil, which lets you see the new Subaru Forester being built in front of your eyes using Projection Mapping. This presentation had been shown during the auto event in Tokyo and involved two Foresters covered, and then a projector displayed images on these covered cars, which we’re sure you would admit is pretty impressive? What do you think of the 2014 Subaru Forester launch in Tokyo? We loved the way Subaru used digital robotic arms to build the drivetrain, which is then added to the new 2014 model. Take a look at the video below that runs for just over 3 minutes, and let us know if you think this is one of the most innovative auto launches. It is worth noting that similar reveals have been used for the Toyota Yaris and a Lamborghini before, but this is certainly our favorite launch to date." the original article with video 11/14 Some folks got flown to Japan to drive the 2014 Forester due next year. Even though I have a passport someplace I wasn't one of them darn it so will have to settle for a trip downtown to the annual Seattle Car Show which opens today. The Subaru display at the car show will no doubt not include a 2014 Forester, but will probably have a BRZ, Impreza, and Crosstrek which is more than most local dealers actually have for sale on their lots (supply problems and order delays keep bedeviling Subaru- if you have to have a problem, its one of the better ones). But Seattle doesn't get a world debut or unveiling, its Seattle after all and Subarus pretty much sell themselves so there's no need to have a big splashy do. Anyway, back to Japan.... below are 2 articles from writers who got free trips in exchange for articles, to drive both the 2.5 and 2.0L models. The fuel economy ratings for the 2.5 CVT is estimated at 25/32 which is excellent and as many people hope for. It fits right between the Outback CVT's 24/30 and Crosstrek CVT's 25/33 MPG. The current 2013 Forester only gets 21/27 and that just doesn't cut it in today's market. Of course the writers are car reviewers so they spent more time with the 2.0L XT performance model. Granted its more fun to drive but the XT has not been a volume, bread-and-butter seller for Subaru. Perhaps if as reported, the new XT runs on either regular or premium gas, turbo sales might increase, but keep in mind that performance usually drops as the octane does.  Subaru has the new model introduction thing down pat. The articles are good with enough info to keep the the buzz high and gossip flow steady. There's no specific model line-up, feature/details, or prices for potential buyers, and there are plenty, to grab. That's to come later.  Expect more details at the 2014 Forester's North American coming out party at the LA Auto Show November 29th. from Jalopniok's Jason Torchinsky...  "The Subaru Forester has long been the vehicle of choice for outdoorsy people, competent, no-nonsense lesbians, and Vermonters (not to be confused with Vermonsters, a colossal tub of ice cream incapable of purchasing a car), and I don't think that's going to change with the new 2014 model. It's been updated in some pretty significant ways, but it retains the fundamental qualities that have made it a niche favorite. Only now it does it all faster, roomier, and a bit uglier. (Full Disclosure: Subaru flew me out to Tokyo, put me up in a hotel, fed me, and even let me drive a tiny truck they didn't fly me out to drive. Also, they always made sure I was pretty much out of earshot before making fun of me to other journalists.) These impressions to follow are from my time behind the wheel of a pre-production mule of the 2014 Subaru Forester. For a mule, however, it was very, very close to the final production model, and I was told only would differ in extremely small ways. So, while these impressions likely will be valid for the production version, I can't absolutely say that, so we'll wait to give a Jalopnik Number until we get our hands on an official production model. A lot's changed on the Forester since the current model, most obviously the body design. I'm personally fond of Subarus in a general sense, though I feel like design-wise they're like a good kid entering middle school and making some strange and misguided choices appearance-wise. Like that short, stocky, funny friend you had in the sixth grade who shows up for the first day of seventh grade in unfortunate skinny jeans, eyeliner, and massive limp bangs. You know what he's trying for, but it's just not really him. The new Forester feels like that. It started out as a car-like SUV with a simple, clean design with interesting proportions, and with each successive redesign it's gotten more SUV-like and more over-styled. This new one has some decent design cues here and there— the angled-corner motif on the headlights and grille, for example, but the general look is a bit overdone. Especially that lower front bumper/valence with all the grilles and slits and fake intakes. It's not bad, as such, but somehow manages to be slightly boring despite all the overworked detailing. I guess that's sort of an achievement right there. It's not all bad news, as the new more raked windshield design provides a good increase in interior room, and there's thoughtful touches throughout, like doors that are designed to close in a way that prevents off-road dirt from making it into the car. Inside, you've got a nice, modern-feeling if not breathtaking SUV interior. The rear seats have been thoughtfully designed, with cupholders moved so that a toddler in a child's seat can reach them. Having a toddler who often likes to reach for drinks, I can attest that this is a wonderful change. I'm sure many toddler eyes will be spared poking by drink straws from this one simple innovation. Also nice when you have a kid is the auto-opening rear hatch, new for this year as well. The dash has one confusing decision: Subaru has added a very up-to-date feeling color LCD screen, but for some reason decided to place it on the upper center of the dashboard where it's hard for everyone to see. I've grown used to seeing these LCDs in the main instrument binnacle, and moving it so far out of eyeline seems like a terrible idea. The optional infotainment system has its own centrally-placed LCD, so I have no idea why they felt the one with the useful driver's information should be placed in the middle as well. There's two flat-four boxer engines for the new Forester, a 2.5-liter normally aspirated and a 2.0-liter turbocharged. The NA engine makes 170 HP/174 lb-ft, and the Turbo one makes a very respectable 250 HP/258 lb-ft. For the 2.5, you can pick between a 6-speed manual and CVT, and the CVT is the only transmission for the Turbo 2.0. The Turbo, of course, is the interesting engine here. You may recognize it from it's more glamorous job hauling around BRZs and FR-Ses. Here, Subaru has swapped out Toyota's TDI for their own Gasoline Direct Injection system and, of course, they've placed a turbo on it. I'm sure this turbo will end up in BRZs before too long as well, from the factory or not. The turbo is placed under the engine, which is fine in a vehicle with high clearance, but may make things trickier for people hoping to do straight swaps onto a BRZ. Now that I'm talking about the engine, I'm going to jump into what this was like to drive. I drove it on Subaru's banked test track. We were limited to a maximum speed of 100 mph, which is fine for a car like this, really. Most of these cars lives will be spent far below that speed. On the turbo, the acceleration is great— it gets to 60 in 6.2 seconds (the NA does it in 9.5). Subaru made sure to point out that a V6 Porsche Cayenne does it in 6.1 seconds. Yes, they're targeting the base-level one, but it's still a decent comparison. They also had a V6 Mustang race it for the journalists while we were there, and while the results were close, it sort of looked like the Mustang wasn't really trying too hard. Silly stunts aside, the Turbo Forester felt quite quick and was a pleasure to drive. The low center of gravity from the low-mounted, flat engine could absolutely be felt, especially when compared with other competing small SUVs I drove on the track as well. The Forester felt planted and very controllable, not nearly as top-heavy as its shape would suggest. The CVT is interesting in the car as well. It has three modes— economy/normal, S (sport), and S# (Sport 'sharp'). Of the three, S is actually the fastest, and the smooth, stepless quality of a CVT can be felt here. It's a constant, smooth transition between ratios, and provides a nice power curve, I felt. What baffles me is the S# mode, because it's entirely a psychological trick. Essentially, Sport Sharp makes the stepless CVT pretend it's an 8-speed automatic transmission, by changing the straight ramp up of ratios into a sawtooth-pattern of gear steps, with the engine revs slowing and speeding up accordingly like they would if actual gears were used. I suppose it sort of feels like you're going faster, but only because we're used to hearing and feeling gear changes. The reality is it's actually a bit slower and less efficient. I'm sure some drivers may prefer the fake gear changes, but it's fundamentally a bit silly. Personally, if you're going to use the car's computers to fake this kind of thing, you should have settings so the driver can choose how they want to be faked. What if, instead of a modern-seeming 8 gears, I'm nostalgic for the old Ford LTD wagon my folks had growing up? Can I dial in just three steps? That'd be more fun, and no more absurd. The steering felt decent, not quite as numb as I was prepared for, possibly because the electric assist is on the rack as opposed to the column. Rack-mounting the assist motor should also be an advantage for off-roading use as well. The body and chassis are more rigid (they say 150% so) and the car did feel pretty solid on the track, but I didn't do anything really, really demanding. Brakes were excellent on the Turbo, a bit less so on the NA. Really, the Turbo is the model you need to be looking at here, anyway. I didn't get to drive off-road, but I did get to try some interesting things: driving up a hill, with rollers on one side of the car. This was to simulate if half your wheels were on ice, and the Forester new traction control system did adapt quite quickly, letting me drive up the steep hill with only a couple seconds of wheel spinning and the car doing lots of math. I was also driven on Subaru's off-road course by one of their engineers that I can only assume they usually keep chained up in a closet. The guy was insane, barreling through gravel-filled ditches and up 45° slopes like a maniac, getting sideways on dirt road turns and generally driving like a loon. It was a blast, and the new Forester seemed to cope with everything quite well. I was just a passenger here, but the fact that the engineers hoon the cars with such abandon is a good sign. All told, I think Subaru's done a good job updating the Forester. They've retained the useful qualities of the car, highlighted the unique parts (low-center of gravity boxer engine) and actually made it quick and fun to drive. Let's just hope there's a facelift scheduled for 2015." read the original article with photos And from MotorTrend "We're deep inside Subaru's Tochigi Proving Grounds north of Tokyo, and our test driver is getting rowdy in a turbocharged prototype of the all-new 2014 Subaru Forester. Rocks are furiously pinging off of Subie's new crossover as he whips it into a gravel rut and gracefully executes a four-wheel drift as the 2.0-liter FA20 turbo wails away. So, yeah, seems capable enough. The new Forester is a hugely important vehicle for Subaru, and while flinging it around off-road is fun and all, the brand's execs/engineers/designers/PR flaks -- heck, even the security guards at Tochigi's main gate -- know full well that its fourth-generation crossover, which accounts for roughly a quarter of Subaru's sales, must perform at its American dealerships. Translation: Make it bigger, quieter, more efficient, and more capable. At Tochigi, we had a chance to get an up close and personal look at the new Forester, including a few high-speed hot laps around the facility's massively banked, 2-mile parabolic oval and infield track, and from what we can make of it so far, Subaru has achieved its goals of improving the weak points of its outgoing model without messing too much with the formula that scored it our 2009 Sport/Utility of the Year title. Designers always get to mess with a new-generation vehicle, and while the 2014 Forester's basic footprint remains roughly the same (every major exterior dimension is within an inch or so of the outgoing model), there are some noticeable changes, chief among them no more hood scoop for the turbo, as Subaru says it's aiming for a more mature, refined look. The XT does get its own mug to distinguish it from non-turbo models, including blade-cut look flourishes, unique foglamps, and HID lighting, and it also gets bigger brakes and rim/tire packages. The Forester's front and rear fascias have also been updated, with new head and taillight treatments and foglamp housings, and an updated grille. The rear spoiler has been re-engineered to aid with aerodynamics; there's a slightly more sloped rear roofline; there is 8.7-inches of ground clearance, and the A-pillar has been moved forward to help grow overall room and improve vehicle access. The interior changes are more dramatic. The curved front dash of the outgoing model has been reshaped for a more horizontal feel. Engineers worked extremely hard on improving ingress and egress for shorter folks in front and children in the rear, and rear-seat legroom has been improved. Soft-touch points are more prominent, and the instrument panel and center stack have also been modernized. One-touch fold-down second-row 60/40 seats open up to a slightly bigger cargo area, and the rear tailgate now has an available power option. Subaru has also upped its game in the telematics/entertainment departments. The Forester will be available with Subaru's EyeSight suite of safety tech, harman/kardon audio (we cranked it up and it sounds tight), and enhanced navigation and smartphone integration features, including Aha Radio. Motivating the new Forester are two engine combinations, one new and one well-worn. All 2.5i models get Subaru's 2.5-liter naturally aspirated flat-four with 170 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque, which is essentially unchanged, but both transmissions are new -- a six-speed manual and Subaru's Lineartronic continuously variable transmission, replacing the ancient four-speed auto and five-speed manual. Subaru is quoting 0-60 mph times in the low 9-second range for the 2.5 models. The XT comes in one combo only, a turbocharged, direct-injected (Subaru's own system, NOT Toyota's DI unit from the BRZ/FR-S) version of Subaru's new 2.0-liter (no, the turbo won't fit in the BRZ) rated at a maximum 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft, paired with an optimized version of the CVT (no, the XT won't have a manual). What you will get with the "high torque" Si drive CVT for the turbocharged XT are two sets of "manual" modes in both six- and eight-speed flavors. Neither mode will get you to Subaru's claimed 0-to-60 mph time of 6.2-seconds for the XT any faster than if you just matted the gas and let the CVT take it to redline and wail away, but the mapped-out ratios will help keep the turbo in the power band in certain situations -- and it's always cooler to pop the paddles and impress your friends, anyway. Fuel economy for each is an estimated max of 24/32 city/highway mpg for the 2.5i and 23/28 for the XT, well above the outgoing models and right there with the best in the segment, front- or all-wheel drive. The turbo also is capable of running on regular gas right up to 93 octane, although performance will vary depending on the type of dino juice added. We had a brief stint in each new Forester flavor (CVT only) around Tochigi's imposing oval and a one-lap blast around the facility's handling course back-to-back with the previous-gen base model, and the differences were patently obvious. Both new-gen Foresters were much quieter at speed and under high revs, and were far more adept around the handling course, where playing with the sport paddles proved most beneficial. Subaru engineers spent considerable time improving chassis rigidity, response, and stability, with a goal of reducing the dreaded pitch and wobble. One lap around the handling loop confirmed that the engineers did their jobs well. Gold stars all around. After our laps we also had an opportunity to sample Subaru's new low-speed traction system, dubbed X-Mode (maybe the X-Men had a hand its development?), which reduces wheelspin dramatically to whatever wheel needs it most when the going gets slippery. The system can be activated at speeds below 13 mph and disengages after 25 mph. X-Mode's hill-climbing control demonstration centered on a Forester getting its two left-side wheels stopped on a set of rollers on an incline. In X-Mode it easily moved off the rollers with little effort. Let's just say the Hyundai Tucson and Toyota Rav4 all-wheel-drive models also on hand for the demo did not fare nearly as well. Hill decent control is also part of the X-Mode package, which takes Subaru's all-wheel drive prowess to the next level of sophistication. We'll have to get more time in actual production versions of the new 2014 Forester to form more robust and informed opinions, but it doesn't take a Subaru engineer to tell us that the new Forester indeed stays true what made the present model a success, while bolstering areas where it needed it the most. And if you want to rip around in a gravel pit when it goes on sale early next year, it can do that, too." read the original article with photos 10/31 Initial 2014 Forester details announced. The Forester has been a consistent top seller for Subaru and this is a this is a major and long awaited redesign.  Its a little bigger and will get better fuel economy. The bottom line for most people? If they liked it before they'll like it now -  the changes are more evolution than revolution. And if it's too big, there's always the new Crosstrek. The new US Forester will use the same 2.5L engine with 170hp used in the current 2.5X models. That's a relief for all the people worried the US models would get a 2.0L with only 148hp.  A CVT replaces the dated 4 speed automatic Sportshift currently in all models, which will increase fuel economy and could encourage some buyers to wait for the 14s. The turbo performance models get an strong new turbo 2.0L direct injection engine with 250hp and and all new high-torque CVT.  The increased power is going to please enthusiasts and car reviewers while the CVT will leave them asking for a 6 speed manual and optional 7 or 8 speed automatic. Premium gas is recommended but no longer required. This all new 2.0L turbo is the first of the new turbos to come in future BRZ, WRX, and STI turbos. The new Forester is slightly longer, wider and taller than the 2013s, but not much. The overall length grows by 1.4" and the wheelbase by .9". Its expected the rear seats will benefit the most. The 2014 Forester will stand at 68.2" high, or 1.3" higher than the the 2013 Forester and 2.40" higher than the Outback's 65.8" height. Thats in keeping with the competition. If you like the current size, the 2014 will not disappoint, though the increased height will make putting accessories on the roof harder. Again, there's always the new Crosstrek if the Forester won't work. Harmon Kardan and probably Aha will be available. The car will be shown at the LA auto show 11/30-12/9 and a lot more information will be available then, including if the 2014 still has the great rear visibility that the current model has. Hopefully it does. The cars are expected to arrive winter 2013.  It will be for sale in Japan early November 2014 Subaru Forester, publicity photo from SoA feature compare the 2014 Forester to the 2013 Forester engine standard models 2.5-liter 4-cylinder,170 hp @ 5,800 rpm  174 lb.-ft. peak torque @ 4,100 rpm. Chain drive standard model transmission 6-speed manual optional Lineartronic CVT 5 speed manual optional 4 speed automatic with Sportshift turbo model engine new 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, direct fuel injection, turbocharging, intercooler 250 hp @ 5,600 rpm* 258 lb.-ft. peak torque @ 2,000-4,800 rpm Premium gas recommended 2.5L 4 cylinder, multiport fuel injection, DOHC, turbocharged with intercooler, with 224hp @ 5200rpm, and 226lb-ft torque @ 2800rpm. Premium gas required turbo model transmission new high-torque CVT with 6-speed and 8-speed manual modes and Hill Descent Control 4 speed automatic with Sportshift all wheel drive Standard on all models standard on all models- continuous awd on manual models, active awd on CVT or automatic (XT) models wheelbase 103.9 in.  (+.9" over 2013) 103.0 length 180.9 in. (+ 1.4" over 2013) 179.5" height 68.2 including roof rails,  (+1.3" over 2013). (The Outback is 65.80" high). 66.9" including roof rails width 70.7 in. (+ .6' over 2013) 70.1 wheels, tires 2.5-liter: 17 x 7" alloy with 225/60 R17 all-season 2.0-liter turbo: 18 x 7" alloy with 225/55 R18 all-season X 16x6.5" steel wheel with 215/65 R16 all season tires X Premium, Limited, Touring, XT Premium, XT Touring: 17x7" alloy with 225/55 R17 all season tires 10/25 Factory Orders-  Subaru fesses up, announces that ordered cars are going to take longer and longer to arrive. With Subaru riding a wave of popularity and cars selling quickly, there's been a shortage of cars available on lots for a while now. This is especially true of the Japanese built Impreza, Crosstrek, BRZ and WRX/STI. This is a good/bad problem. The good part is Subarus are selling. Once known as a mostly functional car for skiers, hippies, campers and dog lovers etc in the northeast, northwest, rocky mountains and other frosty, wet areas, and widely unknown everyplace else, Subarus are now the It Car and selling everywhere.  Even where it's warm and dry all year round. As a result of the reduced inventory on lots, more and more people are either putting deposits down on already scheduled incoming cars, or are factory ordering if what they want isn't on the horizon. This even further reduces the number of cars available on lots because more arrivals are pre-sold and spoken for. And with Subaru trying to expand into every market, they now have a whopping total of 1,209 possible model, trim and color combinations and that doesn't even include individual options. As a result of the increase in orders, the ETA (estimated time of arrival) of factory ordered cars is getting pushed back. This is the bad part.  Its like your favorite neighborhood restaurant getting a glowing review, all of a sudden it's 'discovered' (like it hasn't been there for years and years),  and there's a line to get in on weekends. Then reservations are recommended, then required, then its 4 weeks out to get in and so on. Meet Subaru, the little car company showing everyone how to make consumers fall in love with a car. Previously orders usually took 6-10 weeks.  Now Subaru has announced a longer wait time for orders. These ETAs are not fixed. They're are a guide as to how long the wait could be. Of course some cars will arrive sooner and others later but it can take months for a car just to be matched to the order and a future ETA released. how can Subaru possibly have 1,209 models? Impreza- there are 189 possible Impreza model, trim and color combinations. Crosstrek- there are 48 possible Crosstrek model, trim and color combinations WRX/STI- there are 96 possible WRX and STI model, trim and color combinations Forester- there are 136 possible Forester model, trim and color combinations Outback- there are 448 possible Outback model, trim and color combinations, including PZEVs Legacy- there are 240 possible Legacy model, trim and color combinations, including PZEVs Tribeca- there are 24 possible Tribeca model, trim and color combinations BRZ- here are 28 possible BRZ model, trim and color combinations > according to Subaru if you order a Impreza, the ETA will be around 4 months starting with the next full month after you order. Crosstrek, the ETA will be around 4 months starting with the next full month after you order. WRX/STI, the ETA will be around 4 months starting with the next full month after you order. Forester, the ETA will be around - oops.. no orders accepted. The redesigned 2014 is expected late winter/spring. Outback, the ETA will be around 3 months starting with the next full month after you order. Legacy, the ETA will be around  3 months starting with the next full month after you order. Tribeca,  the ETA will be around 3 months starting with the next full month after you order (is anyone ordering a Tribeca). BRZ, due to the way BRZs are allocated, the ETA is estimated to be 4-7 months out, but Subaru will back-fill as model and color is available. There's no ETA until shortly before the car arrives. 10/23 2012 Impreza and Forester navigation system update process announced Please note: updates to 2012 model year Impreza and Forester vehicle navigation systems are now available from Nokia via the following link: www.navigation.com/subaru-na Although ’12 systems are the first to go live on this new update system, additional carlines and newer model years will soon be available for updates as well. Customers interested in updating their navigation systems can do so through the following process: 1. With vehicle on, eject SD Card (see pg. 18 in Navigation System Owner’s Manual for SD card ejection procedure) 2. Insert SD card into computer SD card reader 3. Open web link: www.navigation.com/subaru-na 4. Click “ Buy Updates or Extras” 5. Register a user ID and password 6. Select head unit (currently only 12MY Impreza and Forester head unit available) 7. Select update for purchase 8. Download Naviextras Toolbox to computer 9. Use Naviextras Toolbox to download update to SD card 10. Replace SD card in vehicle navigation head unit with vehicle off 11. Turn on vehicle to confirm update For additional questions about the update process and the Naviextras Toolbox software, please visit the FAQ on the Subaru Navigation Update page: https://subaru-na.naviextras.com/shop/portal/howto-guide?guide=Toolbox (May require user registration or logging in as Guest to access FAQ.) 10/17 redesigned 2014 Forester to be shown at the LA Auto Show or  Detroit Auto Show in January.  The next WRX is due in 2014 "The WRX is heading for the biggest makeover since it was created in the 1990s as part of the product renewal plan that's already seen the new Impreza on the road and will soon produce a next-generation Forester. But the workload at Subaru in Japan, including development of the BRZ sports car and then getting it into full-scale production, means there is no chance of an early update to the WRX. "I don't know where talk of 2013 would have come from. The WRX has always been 2014," the managing director of Subaru Australia, Nick Senior, confirms to Carsguide. "The strategy that was put in place three years ago was that the WRX and STi would take on a life of their own. And the Impreza becomes a standalone model as well. "From a timing point of view, Impreza was first cab off the rank, then the introduction of the BRZ as well. The timeline for WRX and STi slots into 2014." Senior refuses to discuss rumours of a radical remake of the WRX that turns it into a sportier compact hatch, despite persistent talk around the world and dozens of artist's impressions of how the car could look. "It will be performance oriented, and a visually exciting car," is all he says. "I think the enthusiasts will not be disappointed. It has been a mandate from day one when doing this next generation that it is not to lose its edge." While the WRX is over the horizon, the new Forester is closing fast and brochure pictures of the newcomer have recently hit the internet. Senior says the car is locked for Australia and hints at a motor show appearance in the USA soon, either at Los Angeles in November or Detroit in January. "We'll have a new Forester in quarter one. They are working through the launch plan as we speak. They haven't decided where they will show it...." read the entire article. 10/14 some early 2014 Forester information. Nothing has been confirmed about the US models yet but its widely expected and hoped that they will have a 173hp 2.5L with CVT- not a  148hp 2.0L-  and MPG similar to the Crosstrek's 25/33/28 and slightly better than the Outback's 24/30/26.  The Forester is expected in the U.S. late winter but there will be a lot of information between then and now, including teasers and/or concepts at cars shows. Also due in the 2013 is the long long (long) awaited hybrid. "...It’s not hard to see that Subaru didn't want to alienate buyers of one of its most popular global models when it came to design, as the new Forester looks like a more modern, or evolutionary, if you prefer, interpretation of the current model.  Besides the more forceful face incorporating Subaru's latest grille design, the high-riding, station wagon gains some new styling cues, the most notable of which concern the more prominent wheel arches and heavily sculpted door sills, the addition of a small quarter window up front and new door mounted mirrors. The previously mentioned brochure gave us a grainy glimpse at the Forester's interior with the dash looking a lot like the one fitted on the new Impreza and XV models. Talking about the Impreza, it's almost a given that Subaru used its platform to build the new Forester. According to the brochure, the new model is a little bit bigger than the current Forester at 4,595mm / 180.9 inches long (+35mm), 1,795mm / 70.7 inches tall (+15mm) and 1,695mm / 66.7 inches wide (+20mm). It also rides on a longer wheelbase at 2,640mm / 103.9 inches (+25mm), which should improve space for the rear passengers. The increase in exterior dimensions benefits the load area as well as it now stands at 505 liters (488 liters when opted with a power tailgate), versus the soon-to-be replaced 2012 Forester's 450 liters boot capacity. In Japan, the new Forester will offer buyers a choice of two gasoline engines, a 146Hp (148PS) 2.0-liter unit coupled to either a 6-speed stick shift or a CVT, and a 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged flat four rated at 276Hp (280PS) that's connected exclusively to a CVT. The engine options in other regions remain unknown, but as we mentioned in our previous posting, we believe that the U.S. market model will likely be available with Subaru's new 2.5-liter flat four rated for 173hp and 174 lb.-ft. of torque, while the European spec version, with 2.0-liter petrol and diesel boxer units, both delivering around 150-horses. Japan will be the first country to get the new Forester starting in mid to late November followed next year by the rest of the world"... read the entire article, with photos. 9/25 the 2014 Forester is coming. Subaru has already stopped accepting orders for the 2013s, and popular models will become scarce over the coming months. Scans of the brochure of the 2014 Japanese version, on sale in November, have been making the rounds of websites, see image below. The Japanese (and European) Forester has a 2.0L engine but its hoped the US model due late winter/early spring 2013 will retain its current 2.5L and with the addition of a CVT, get a much improved-  and much needed - fuel economy boost. The new model is slightly larger than the 2009-2013, but not by much so if you like the current size, you should also like the 2014. Details are expected (hoped for) at the Paris, then LA car shows, but one can expect Subaru to release information on the US model slowly to keep up a high level of anticipatory gossip while also not confirming or denying the persistent rumor of a possible hybrid version.  (If anyone reading this has secret information, please send it to me). a scan of the brochure for the Japanese 2014 Forester > Here's an 2014 Forester entry on autoblog.com. "Upon its introduction for 2008, we couldn't help but feel that the third-generation Forester was perhaps Subaru's most attractive design effort in many, many years. While there was little that was groundbreaking about the design, its simple two-box shape was – and is – clean and free of extraneous details. To be fair, the Japanese automaker has always been renowned more for their technological designs (e.g. all-wheel drive, boxer engines) than their aesthetic ones, but this Subaru was proper work. Thus, we've been awaiting the range's promised successor with more than a little trepidation – we've seen modest design tweaks undue the visual appeal of previous Subarus too many times. Judging by this early look courtesy of what look to be scans of a Japanese Domestic Market brochure, we needn't have been so concerned. The new Forester is expected to carry a 2014 model year designation here in the U.S. when it goes on sale here next year, and it's almost certain to share its platform with the new-for-2012 Impreza and XV Crosstrek. Based off the measurements disclosed in the JDM brochure, the new Forester will ride on a modestly longer wheelbase (less than an inch longer than the 2012 model), be a bit longer (roughly 1.4-inches) and wider by under an inch. It will also stand a sliver taller, but such minor differences will likely be very tough to discern with the naked eye. Up front, the Forester has a bluffer and more assertive face, with a markedly more aggressive lower fascia with what look like vertical slat vents adjacent to smaller, low-mounted fog lamps. Subaru's wing-form element has nestled into a boxier grille form – the outgoing model's chrome fillet and badge rode on the top edge of the grille, but here it slides down a bit, standing out more thanks to a dark mesh backdrop. Like the new Impreza, the Forester adopts a five-window greenhouse, with a small quarterlight up front and new door-mounted side mirrors. The rest of the two-box shape looks decidedly similar to the outgoing generation, but that's not a bad thing. Prominent fender flares and new wheels mark out the rest of the profile. Out back, there's a larger roof-mounted spoiler, new rear hatch skin and a fresh bumper cap as well. What we can see of the dashboard in the grainy brochure image appears to be the same unit found in the Impreza, which is to say simple and frill-free. We're hoping there are some upgrades in the materials and center stack technology, as we found the Impreza's cabin to be honest but underwhelming. In Japan, the Forester will apparently be available with the buyer's choice of a 146-horsepower, 2.0-liter four (yoked to either a six-speed manual gearbox or a Continuously Variable Transmission) or a 276-horsepower, 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged four, the latter only available with a CVT. For those keeping score, the outgoing Forester is available in the U.S. with a pair of 2.5-liter engines, one with 170 hp and the turbocharged model with 224 hp. It isn't immediately clear what engine(s) will be available in the States, but we think it's unlikely that the JDM 2.0-liter will be offered, if only not to go "backwards" on the spec sheet in terms of power. Thus, it's reasonable to assume that the company's newer 2.5-liter FB flat-four will find a way underhood, and it offers 173 horses in today's Legacy." click for the article and many more scans. 9/15 2013 Forester order system will end Wednesday 9/19, 5pm. After that, the 2013 Forester can't be ordered anymore. Dealers will have a good supply for a while but don't hesitate if there's one you want, This means the redesigned 2014s are getting closer.  7/4 2013 Forester brochures at dealers. 20pp. no major mechanical or body changes. The X model gets handsfree bluetooth with steering wheel controls and stereo with USB and wireless streaming. Premium  has new optional 'Plus Pkg' with stereo upgrade to the 4.3" display in the 2012 Limited/Touring, and the rear view camera is now optional on it. The Premium with manual gets standard all weather pkg. The sky blue color is dropped, deep cherry pearl (off-black) is available, and marine blue pearl now has platinum interior (was the gray with off-black). All the 2013 Forester specs and details 6/21 Is a Jetta Alltrack coming, pointed at the Outback and Forester? and maybe with a diesel? "Volkswagen is not finished with plans to extend the Jetta portfolio. The suits inside the Wolfsburg, Germany, headquarters are mulling a plan for a crossover version of the future Jetta SportWagen along the lines of the recently introduced Alltrack concept. “We think there is definite sales potential in North America and other world markets for a new lifestyle-targeted Jetta model,” a senior Volkswagen source divulged. “It could be based on the successor to [the] existing model.” The vehicle under discussion is a Subaru Outback fighter, complete with elevated ride height, uniquely styled bumpers and light graphics, additional wheel-arch cladding and specialized interior trims. To keep development costs in check, the wagon and the crossover would share the same steel body and mechanical package. The crossover, which likely would take the name Jetta Alltrack for sales in the U.S. market, was conceived to offer the choice of either standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. It could potentially be sold in other markets, including Europe, as the Golf Alltrack. With the next-generation Tiguan due out in 2014 set to increase in size and offer an optional third row of seats in North America, Volkswagen clearly sees room at the lower end of its lineup for another crossover offering. The Jetta crossover would be assembled alongside future incarnations of the existing Jetta sedan and SportWagen and the upcoming Jetta four-door-style coupe at a plant in Mexico. All four will be based on Volkswagen's new modular platform structure. Four-cylinder direct-injection gasoline and diesel engines for the Jetta models will also be sourced from Mexico." read the article 6/20 2013 order system is now available for Outback, Legacy,  and Forester (and BRZ but that's been available).  Today is the first day to factory order a 2013 Outback, legacy or Forester. 2013 Tribeca, Impreza, Crosstrek and WRX STI are not yet available to order.  The Legacy and Outback have some good upgrades, including suspension and steering upgrades, new front grill, wheels, bumper and fog lights. There are new option packages, new Eyesight driver assist system, and new colors. Outback gets a new Special Appearance Package with push-button start, integrated turn signals in the outside mirrors and more, and this should be a very popular package. Its available in 3 colors- black, white and new brilliant brown, all with new Saddle Brown leather.  The two new Outback and Legacy colors, Venetian Red and Twilight Blue, are available in both the off-black or the warm ivory interior. Contact your local dealer (list of dealers) to place an order if you've been waiting, or contact me if you'd like to order one in the Seattle area. Research the 2013 specs, colors and list prices Forester, Outback, or  Legacy. 6/13 2013 prices and features announced. 2013 models are not yet available for ordering but should be very soon. For 2013 specs, prices and more: Outback, Legacy and Forester 6/9 Forester comment from the WSJ's Jonathan Welsh Q: I am contemplating purchasing a 2012 Subaru Forester. I try to get at least 12 years out of my vehicles. Would you recommend the Forester as a wise choice? I have never owned a Subaru before and not sure of its reliability.  A: Readers often complain when I say nice things about Subaru, but my family's experience with our 1998 Impreza and 2007 Outback has been nearly flawless. They are sturdy, endearing cars that simply soldier on without fuss. Fuel economy could be better, especially for the Outback. But in general we have been happy with them. I also appreciate that Subaru embraced all-wheel drive long before it was in fashion. The Forester is also a pioneer in the now-popular crossover segment, and I see many on the road that are 12 or so years old. I would buy one, but you should definitely take a test drive to make sure you like it." the article   6/1 Subaru removes 2013 model order forms except BRZ.  Subaru changes their mind, removes 2013 online order forms for Outback, Legacy and Forester. Over the past weeks, 2013 Outback, Forester and Legacy order forms were online and those models could be ordered. Those forms have now been removed which means orders are not accepted for those models. I'm not sure if any 2013 orders, other than BRZ which is available for ordering, actually went through successfully.  Stay tuned for updates 5/2 a question and answer about dog friendly cars "Q: Do you think there's any chance of Honda bringing back an updated version of the Element? I just bought a gently used 2008 model and feel as though I've found my vehicular soul mate, mostly because I'm a dog owner and cyclist and love the fact that the back seats are removable. The car seems to have a fairly large following among owners online. —Ann Vick, Redwood City, Calif. A: Honda says it is not planning to develop a direct replacement for the Element. However, the car maker has been guiding fans of the discontinued vehicle to its new CR-V compact crossover. Of course if you (and your dog) try one out you'll see that the CR-V's interior space isn't as "perfect" for pets, bikes and other gear as the Element's. Still, your best bet is to try out other small SUVs and crossovers like the CR-V, Subaru Forester and Chevrolet Equinox. There are also capable wagons like the Volkswagen Jetta and Acura TSX that could work if your dog isn't a large breed." read the entire article 4/23 1960s plastic artist and furniture designer glues plastic rats to his old Forester "Have you seen a black Subaru with black plastic rats affixed to its roof and hood tooling around Hancock County (that's in Maine)? Have you wondered who in the world is behind that wheel? Well, the car belongs to retired designer Neal Small, described by The New York Times in the ’60s as the “Prince of Plastic” for his furniture and sculpture creations of Plexiglas and Lucite. “As far as I’m concerned, anything is a vehicle for art,” Small said during an interview at his Steuben residence. “Art is the mark of our time just like the cave drawings. Each piece is a history of that particular time...." see a photo of the rat car and read the rest of the article about 60s artist/designer and Subaru driver Neal Smal 4/20 2013 Forester orders now available. No prices or new or changed features have been officially announced. Color changes: Sky Blue dropped, Marine Blue now with platinum interior instead of black, new Deep Cherry Pearl (on 2012 Imprezas) with black now available. New- All Weather 'Plus' option package for X Premium includes fog lights and the 4.3" LCD stereo with optional back-up camera. Check for more details 2013 Forester 4/2 PZEV goes national and is required on all Foresters and Impreza. All Foresters allocated to dealers and all Imprezas ordered or allocated to dealers starting 4/1 will have PZEV emissions which adds $300 to the MSRP. 3/30 final day for 2012 factory orders for all Outback, Legacy, Forester, and Tribeca models. 2012 orders for Forester, Tribeca, Outback and Legacy end at 3pm today 3/30. This is early for Foresters, perhaps the 2013 model will get some updates (CVT?)  in advance of the 2014 make-over. Outback and Legacy manual transmission and 3.6L models had already stopped on 3/6. Dealers will continue to receive 2012s but in diminishing numbers. Low production models will sell out quickly. Subaru already announced 2013 Outback and Legacy details yesterday. 3/17 Forester.. the 2013 Forester will be available later this fall. Thats when new model year Foresters generally are released.  The 2013 is expected to be very similar to the current 2012 model. Its the 2014 model that is going to be redesigned. Among the many, many changes expected in the 14 are a CVT transmission replacing the current, old-reliable 4 speed,  and a more aerodynamic shape. Both of these changes are for better fuel economy. The Forester has always had a very useful utilitarian, boxy, functional shape, easy to load gear into and for dogs to jump into etc. It also has the best rear visibility of any of the small SUVs. Now there are a few early 2014 model spy photos around (a lot of photos of wjat looks like the same car). Its hard to tell exactly what it looks like under all the plastic wrap,  false panels, rear spoiler (off a Forester XT?) etc, but at least this early test model seems to still have retained some of the squared rear, though it does look more sloped,  At least it doesn't look like it has the hard to see out of rear windows of the Toyota Rav or sales leader Honda CRV.  Again, its hard to tell.  Check it out-  here are some articles with photos. Since Subaru hasn't released any specs or details on the 14s, much of the articles below are supposition, but the photos are interesting, and this is just the start of the 2014 Forester rumor mill.... > from Car and Driver.  "Caught testing on public roadways in the U.S., the pending fourth-generation model was running with a Honda CR-V and a Ford Edge, which indicates the expectations Subaru has for the newest Forester. Why It Matters: Subaru has long been the go-to brand for wagon- and crossover-driving members of the crunchy elite. With entries from nearly every brand impinging on its territory, however, Subaru’s ability to update and adapt one of its bestselling vehicles without compromising its core attributes will be crucial for the brand’s success. Platform: Expect the Forester to continue to use an adapted version of the Impreza platform with conservative increases in width and length. The previous Forester was one of the first Subarus in decades to utilize fully framed windows, and that will carry forward to the 2014 model. A small quarter window is now located at the base of the A-pillar where the mirrors previously resided; the mirrors have been moved to the doors. The row of spines on the hood is likely (we hope) part of the disguise... Given that it was just launched, the new Forester surely will carry over the current naturally aspirated 2.5-liter FB-series flat-four, likely with the addition of direct injection. We expect a turbocharged model, too, but probably of a smaller displacement; the 2.0-liter FB engine in the Impreza is a good candidate for forced induction.." this article and photos > from Motor Authority.  "Subaru is in the midst of an ambitious new strategy dubbed “Motion-V” that will see the automaker’s fuel consumption and emissions cut 30 percent by the middle of the decade. However, cleaner running vehicles is just one pillar of the all-encompassing plan that will also see the launch of safer, more advanced, and more refined vehicles. The good news is that the first of these new models will be on sale before the end of 2013.  The first two have already been revealed in the form of the BRZ sports car and Outback Sport-replacing XV Crosstrek. The third is likely to be the next-generation Forester, which has been spied testing in prototype form. Due in time for the 2014 model year, which means we may see it launched by late 2013, the new Forester will stick to the proven formula of a practical SUV-crossover with strong off-road performance and efficient powertrains. This fourth-generation of the popular nameplate will once again be based on the Impreza platform, and it appears to have grown slightly in length and width. In terms of design, the prototype appears to be wearing a similar grille to that found on the Impreza and we can clearly see that the side mirrors have been attached to the side of the doors rather than at the base of the A-pillar....  Subaru has stated that it will launch its first hybrid model in 2013 as well, with the car initially launching in Japan though arriving in the U.S. by the end of that same year. It will be based on an existing model, possibly this new Forester, and will feature Subaru’s own proprietary hybrid design rather than technology borrowed from part-owner Toyota." this article and photos 3/14 recall on 2009-2012 Foresters  built between November 26, 2007 and March 13, 2012 The rear center seatbelt might not work correctly with some child safety seats (CRSs) that require a short belt routing configuration. The center seatbelt has an Automatic Locking Retractor that may not lock with those seats.  It is necessary to replace the rear center seatbelt. New unsold models must be checked and fixed prior to sale. Recall code WQA-37 3/1 All Foresters and Imprezas to have PZEV emissions starting with April 2012 production. No Fed spec Impreza or Forester orders will be accepted after March 1st. Outback and Legacy will continue to be available with both specs, available depending on where you live. PZEV currently is MSRP $300.  About PZEV: PZEV is an acronym for Partial Zero Emission Vehicle and used to be known as California Spec or Cal Spec.  Impreza, Forester, Outback and Legacy 4 cylinders (non turbo) have been available in either Fed or PZEV emissions for many years. PZEV cars are less polluting,  with tune-up specs designed for faster engine warm-up, and revised more effective catalytic converters and air flow systems resulting in cleaner exhaust. It has been required in some of the states with strongest Subaru sales, the list currently includes CA, CT, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OR, RI, PA, VT, WA.. PZEV emissions currently adds $300 to the MSRP, no word on if this will change now that all Impreza and Foresters will have it.

BRZ NEWS AND REVIEWS IN 2012 2012 calendar year news click for  archived news from 2011 articles edited for length, content

M

12/20 BRZ on icy roads "It’s early Sunday morning, something like 4:45am.  The ambient temperature hovers around 20 degrees fahrenheit and a layer of thick, icy fog hangs just above the ground. “(Expletive), I’m going to miss my flight,” I thought, as I feverishly ridded my windows of an inch-thick layer of ice.  Sure, I’d replaced the 2013 Subaru BRZ’s stock Michelin Primacy summer rubber with a fresh set of Nitto NT-SN2s, but how stable would the BRZ prove to be during my 25-mile drive to the airport across an asphalt skating rink with zero visibility? Perfectly stable, as it turned out. The 2013 Subaru BRZ’s neutral handling traits even shone through on icy roads.  With sensitivity to throttle and steering inputs as well as the extra grip afforded by siped cold-weather tires, the car navigated three icy freeways while keeping up with the flow of traffic. I made the trek to the airport in 50 minutes with an average speed of 45 MPH (including a 3-mile detour), and averaged 36.1 MPG.Further proof that when properly equipped, the 2013 Subaru BRZ will do just fine in a wintry climate.  Stay tuned, as there’s a snow storm predicted to be rolling through on Tuesday night...." read the original article 12/15- BRZ review from Automobilemag.com- its fun but not perfect "There's no good daily driver that's also a perfect driver's car. After living with a 2013 Subaru BRZ Premium for five months, we've noticed a few problems with the car. The day after our last monthly update, we had to order a replacement right taillight because ours filled with condensation. A simple fix, right? Sure, if you can find the part, which is currently back-ordered until January. A minor problem, but our new car no longer looks so new. There have also been sporadic problems with the navigation system. At first we spent all of our time running our favorite roads in the new BRZ to enjoy its stellar chassis and predictable handling. Lately we've been venturing a bit farther afield and discovered how poorly the navigation system performs. Everyone who tried to use navigation has reported multiple instances of the unit losing the GPS signal. A visit to the dealer was in order. We learned the BRZ has a technical service bulletin for the GPS antenna mount as well as an SD card exchange program for the navigation software. Another simple fix, right? Again, it would be only if the parts are on hand. We're told the new mounting bracket and SD card will be available in a week or two. Such is life with a brand-new car before the bins at the factory parts depots are full. In any case, don't expect to see our new Subaru BRZ on a long road trip for a while. While we spent our first few months enjoying the Subie as driver's car and fair weather toy, the experience of daily driving is finally putting us in touch with reality. We expected the stereo to sound much better with our new driver's door speaker installed, but the speakers still serve up "a constant stream of distortion," according to senior editor Eric Tingwall. The touchscreen interface's tiny buttons have yet to find a fan and Tingwall has gone so far as to suggest an aftermarket Sony head unit for the car. We aren't quite ready to give up on the factory unit until we test the revised navigation software, but the universal loathing for the stereo controls is difficult to ignore. Two hatchback-owning associate Web editors find the BRZ difficult to live with on a daily basis. Over a weekend with car, Jake Holmes disliked the "middling rear visibility, thrashy engine, notchy gearbox, somewhat stiff and buzzy highway ride, and a real lack of back seat room." Donny Nordlicht took issue with the "hard, cheap plastic everywhere, the black-black-fake silver color scheme, the unusable center console (I didn't dare try to get Starbucks with this car), or the infuriating infotainment system with too-small controls (both hard buttons and on the screen) and Bluetooth system that refuses to stay connected." On the other hand,, deputy editor Joe DeMatio found the BRZ Premium to be surprisingly practical for a run to Costco with two kids in tow, ages 13 and 11: "I was a little worried about packing it all in, but I needn't have been concerned. Anna fit nicely in the front passenger's seat, Logan was nestled in behind her, and I was able to pack a cart full of stuff into the trunk, including two 40-lb bags of dog food, a case of La Croix water, 6 gallons of apple juice and assorted other grocery items." Another staffer put the daily driving complaints into perspective: "This is a fantastic driver's car. It's not at all surprising that it's compromised as a daily driver. There's no good daily driver that's also a perfect driver's car, so far as I know. The two missions will always be at odds with each other. But something like a Volkswagen GTI would be a better compromise daily driver than the Subaru BRZ." Although the 2013 Subaru BRZ Premium isn't the perfect daily driver, we're not going to park it for the winter. A set of 215/45R-17 Bridgestone Blizzak LM60 performance winter tires just arrived from the Tire Rack, our official wheel and tire supplier, and we mounted them on the stock wheels. We didn't want to give up the steering feel or precision we've come to expect from our BRZ, so we opted for a little less ultimate handling capability in the snow and a bit more responsiveness on dry pavement. There's a chance these tires won't get us through a huge snowstorm, but we're willing to park the car for a night or two if winter turns out to be especially white this year. So far we find the BRZ's steering with the Bridgestone Blizzaks to be almost as good as it has been with the stock summer tires, though we haven't yet had an opportunity to assess performance in slippery conditions. Check back next month to see if we get the White Christmas of our dreams." the original article 12/11 BRZ, rear cargo tray now available. factory/port installed MSRP $72. Dealer parts dept MSRP $69.95. BRZ specs, options, photos 11/5 Scion FR-S Fails the 'Moose Test' "Different countries and regions have their own safety standards. In Scandinavia, one of the most important evaluations a new vehicle can undergo is the Moose Test. The procedure involves evading an imaginary elk on the road - a common issue in those northern Europe. Most passenger cars pass the test just fine, yet some SUVs have trouble performing what comes down to an emergency lane-change maneuver without tipping over. But you'd expect the Toyota GT86 to pass the test just fine, right? With the lowest center of gravity in the industry, the flat-handling sportscar (also know as the Subaru BRZ or Scion FR-S) should be able to handle just about anything you could throw at it, but this video begs to differ, in its own funny way. The clip is all of nineteen seconds long, but is sure to make you laugh." watch the video on carbuzz 10/25 Factory Orders-  Subaru fesses up, announces that ordered cars are going to take longer and longer to arrive. With Subaru riding a wave of popularity and cars selling quickly, there's been a shortage of cars available on lots for a while now. This is especially true of the Japanese built Impreza, Crosstrek, BRZ and WRX/STI. This is a good/bad problem. The good part is Subarus are selling. Once known as a mostly functional car for skiers, hippies, campers and dog lovers etc in the northeast, northwest, rocky mountains and other frosty, wet areas, and widely unknown everyplace else, Subarus are now the It Car and selling everywhere.  Even where it's warm and dry all year round. As a result of the reduced inventory on lots, more and more people are either putting deposits down on already scheduled incoming cars, or are factory ordering if what they want isn't on the horizon. This even further reduces the number of cars available on lots because more arrivals are pre-sold and spoken for. And with Subaru trying to expand into every market, they now have a whopping total of 1,209 possible model, trim and color combinations and that doesn't even include individual options. As a result of the increase in orders, the ETA (estimated time of arrival) of factory ordered cars is getting pushed back. This is the bad part.  Its like your favorite neighborhood restaurant getting a glowing review, all of a sudden it's 'discovered' (like it hasn't been there for years and years),  and there's a line to get in on weekends. Then reservations are recommended, then required, then its 4 weeks out to get in and so on. Meet Subaru, the little car company showing everyone how to make consumers fall in love with a car. Previously orders usually took 6-10 weeks.  Now Subaru has announced a longer wait time for orders. These ETAs are not fixed. They're are a guide as to how long the wait could be. Of course some cars will arrive sooner and others later but it can take months for a car just to be matched to the order and a future ETA released. how can Subaru possibly have 1,209 models? Impreza- there are 189 possible Impreza model, trim and color combinations. Crosstrek- there are 48 possible Crosstrek model, trim and color combinations WRX/STI- there are 96 possible WRX and STI model, trim and color combinations Forester- there are 136 possible Forester model, trim and color combinations Outback- there are 448 possible Outback model, trim and color combinations, including PZEVs Legacy- there are 240 possible Legacy model, trim and color combinations, including PZEVs Tribeca- there are 24 possible Tribeca model, trim and color combinations BRZ- here are 28 possible BRZ model, trim and color combinations > according to Subaru if you order a Impreza, the ETA will be around 4 months starting with the next full month after you order. Crosstrek, the ETA will be around 4 months starting with the next full month after you order. WRX/STI, the ETA will be around 4 months starting with the next full month after you order. Forester, the ETA will be around - oops.. no orders accepted. The redesigned 2014 is expected late winter/spring. Outback, the ETA will be around 3 months starting with the next full month after you order. Legacy, the ETA will be around  3 months starting with the next full month after you order. Tribeca,  the ETA will be around 3 months starting with the next full month after you order (is anyone ordering a Tribeca). BRZ, due to the way BRZs are allocated, the ETA is estimated to be 4-7 months out, but Subaru will back-fill as model and color is available. There's no ETA until shortly before the car arrives. 10/23 2012 Impreza and Forester navigation system update process announced 10/19 about factory orders on hard to find models, the Impreza, Crosstrek, WRX STI, and BRZ.  These are some of the hottest cars around and demand is greater than supply. Factory orders of these hard to get models can take longer than the 8 weeks of previous years. This is especially true in Subaru's traditionally popular areas where dealers have to order cars exceeding their normal allocation because there aren't enough cars on the lots to sell. "...Due to the supply limitation of our fast-selling carlines, effective October 4th, sold orders that are above and beyond a dealers earned allocation by carline will carried forward to a future allocation and will be marked with HOLD.... HOLD orders will be released from HOLD once the dealer has earned enough units of the carline in question..." 10/18 BRZ gets STI trim and updates at the Australia International Auto Show in Sydney. Some may find it's way to the US. The next car show is in LA, 11/30-12/9 "Though it’s not quite the new BRZ STI model we’ve been hoping for, Subaru has unveiled a range of performance upgrades for the BRZ sports car developed by its performance arm Subaru Tecnica International. The upgrades were previewed today on a concept vehicle at the 2012 Australian Motor Show taking place in Sydney, and are said to be going on sale soon. The highlight of the new range is a sporty body kit consisting of a front spoiler, side sills, rear diffuser and trunk lid spoiler. Also previewed today were new 17-inch light alloy wheels, a coil spring set, a sports muffler, adjustable strut tower bar for the front suspension, and a few interior bits and pieces.  So far the range has only been confirmed for the Australian market, though they do hint at some of the upgrades that may be offered to customers in the U.S. and other markets where the BRZ is sold.  In addition to the STI-enhanced concept, Subaru also showcased a BRZ race car developed by Possum Bourne Motor Sport (PBMS) and available for order from the New Zealand-based firm. Designed for club-level competition, the race car is built to order and features upgrades such as a full roll cage, Recaro racing bucket seats with six-point Sabelt harnesses, carbon fiber interior panels, 18-inch Enkei wheels, AP brakes, Cusco adjustable suspension, and much, much more. PBMS has stated it plans to offer more extensive upgrades, including modification of the engine and transmission, though no details on these have been released yet". the original article. 10/17 2 door WRX seen in Michigan. The next WRX/STI and BRZ will certainly share components. "High on many Subaruphiles' wish list is a new two-door WRX STI, and the Japanese manufacturer might just be working on such a model. A two-door WRX-looking, highly camouflaged mule was recently spotted testing in the Ann Arbor, Mich., area. Subaru has a research-and-development facility in Ann Arbor. Subaru officials would not comment on the prospects for a 2014 WRX coupe, saying no such model is in the plans for the near future. The mule could have been testing an engine and suspension package for the much-rumored, but not yet official, STI version of the BRZ.  Whatever it is, there was no mistaking the boxer-engine exhaust note, which is much more difficult to camouflage than the sheetmetal car body." the original article with photo 10/13 advertising- BRZ to be in the Fast and Furious 6 movie, due May 2013 "Subaru BRZ is reportedly having a starring role in the next installment of the “Fast and the Furious” franchise. Subaru has sent five BRZs over, most of which will probably end up wrecked beyond recognition. It is going to be great publicity for the car, especially if turns up with a heavy body kit and play a goodie role. One thing’s for sure, the Fast Six BRZ cannot have the standard 200 hp engine. It is too weak to be in a movie about fast cars. We don’t know yet is Subaru has tricked out the FF cars. After the success of Fast Five everybody is looking forward to the next part, hoping to see more awesome cars, girls and guns. The cast isn’t half bad either. In addition to Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Dwayne ‘ The Rock’ Johnson, Jason Statham is apparently going to have cameo role. Cool.  Fast Six is set for release on May 24, 2013." read the original article 10/11 BRZ and STI comparison from an 2010 STI 5 door owner who works for automobilemag.com "With all the hype surrounding the BRZ, you'd almost be forgiven for thinking Subaru has never offered a car that appealed to enthusiasts before. While Subaru cars may be most closely associated with Whole Foods and dog parks to the average person, the brand is widely known for its rally heritage and WRX STI model among driving enthusiasts. Sandon Voelker, our videographer and WRX STI owner, borrowed our BRZ for a weekend to see how the rear-wheel drive sports car felt in comparison to his all-wheel drive turbocharged hatchback. Before we get into Sandon's detailed observations, it's important to note he's a videographer and an avid bicyclist - he always has his car packed with video cameras, bikes, or both. He is absolutely convinced no other car on the market could beat the STI for his specific needs: cargo capacity, above average performance, and a sticker price under $50k. Even if the BRZ was on sale last year when he bought an STI, he wouldn't have seriously considered buying one. Sandon instantly noticed the BRZ's more supportive seats once he sat behind the wheel, which is admittedly covered in lower quality materials than his STI's steering wheel. He is asking his dealer if the BRZ seats will fit his car because: "performance wise, the BRZ seats are miles ahead of the STI's. I never slid into the door when going around a turn." Sandon prefers the pedal placement in the STI because heel-toe shifts are much more natural, but he was able to adjust to the BRZ's position with "deliberate preemptive foot placement." Unfortunately that also meant spending more time with Subaru's less-than-desirable touchscreen infotainment system, which can't hold a candle to the standard buttons and knobs that control the stereo in his STI. When it comes to design, the two cars are worlds apart due to their different body styles and Sandon admitted his bias right away: "Not everyone loves wagons like I do." He digs the look of the BRZ and complimented everything from the moderately aggressive stance to the roofline, although he'd like a bit more bulge in the fenders, especially when compared to an STI. Unfortunately the clean lines and tiny footprint of the BRZ don't leave enough room inside the car for a bicycle or two and the roofline that looks so good doesn't offer factory mounting points for a roof rack like the STI's. Well, at least his video equipment fit inside with the rear seat folded flat. Voelker sees his hatchback in a new light: "My STI is kind of a Sport Utility Vehicle in comparison." Of course interior quality and styling are minor considerations for either the STI or BRZ. Sandon spent lots of time driving the two cars over the same loops to explore the differences in their character. It doesn't take long to determine southeastern Michigan's roads favor the STI's more potent engine and more aggressive summer tires. Voelker still had fun in the BRZ, for which he credits the trifecta of "great chassis setup, the appropriate amount of power, and those low rolling resistance tires." That's right, the same tires that have been chastised by other drivers get praise here. Sandon goes so far as to say he thinks stickier tires would make the BRZ "downright boring" because they would no longer match the amount of power the engine produces. As far as the rumored turbocharged BRZ goes, Sandon isn't sold on the prospect: "a sudden surge in power (once the turbo provides boost) would likely be more difficult to balance with a rear-wheel drive car." In Sandon's eyes the very balanced BRZ makes for a better track toy than his STI, but he prefers the STI for daily driving because it offers all-wheel drive for Michigan's snowy winters and the cargo capacity he needs to move bikes and video equipment. We'll be living with our BRZ as a daily driver for the remainder of our Four Seasons test, so our next move is likely choosing a set of winter tires with help from our friends at the Tire Rack to prepare for the possibility of an early snowfall. Be sure to check back next month to find out which snow tires we are testing and how they change the BRZ's demeanor." read the original article. 10/9 BRZ low idle vibration on a few early production vehicles- the fix is a reflash of the ECU. "Just to clarify, this is a simple ECU mapping issue that is fixed using a re-flash of the ECU and it is an extremely rare condition found in a small number of US Subaru BRZ vehicles. Customers will be alerted to the issue by a check engine light. The condition causes no damage to the engine and a TSB is in-process.  It is not related to mileage and no replacement of the ECU is needed at any mileage to rectify the issue, the ECU re-flash is the fix. The issue is caused through the ECUs reaction to normal mechanical variations and is statistically very small. There has already been a fix at the factory level and it was an ECU mapping change, not an engineering process or mechanical modification. The ECU mapping was too restrictive in the original mapping set up." read the entire article on Jalopnik.com 9/28.  A BRZ XT concept car was shown at the Paris Auto Show. There are a few new models coming in the next year- the redesigned Forester, a hybrid is hoped for, a Tribeca replacement concept is possible. We'll have the wait for the big US auto shows for the start of the information flow-  at the LA auto show 11/30-12/9, 2012, NAIAS Int't Auto show in Detroit 1/19-27, 2013, the Chicago auto show 2/9-18, or the  NY auto show 3/29 - 4/7, 2013.  "The Subaru XT was a small coupe from the '80s that offered all-wheel drive and a turbo engine, and now, Subaru is revisiting the designation on its 2012 BRZ XT Line Concept. While we would love to imagine a day with a turbocharged Subaru BRZ driven by all four wheels, we'll have to wait until later to learn the true details of this car. The XT moniker has also been used more recently to denote the turbocharged models of the Subaru Forester, so there's that, too. For now, though, all we have to work on are pictures of the car, and from what we can tell, Subaru's definitely injecting more attitude into the much-loved rear-drive coupe. Visual changes include carbon fiber (or at least a carbon fiber look) on the roof panel, decklid spoiler and mirror caps, while the blacked-out 11-spoke wheels expose red-painted calipers at all four corners. XT Line Concept badges adorn the front fascia, fender vents and the C-pillars. Inside this mysterious concept, the BRZ gets some bright red leather seats with embossed XT logos and some added carbon fiber trim on the gauge cluster brow and door panels. Honestly, the XT Line Concept looks more appropriate for SEMA rather than today's Paris Motor Show reveal, but hopefully Subaru will release a press release with additional information later. Until then, enjoy the live images." click for the article and photos 9/7 Crash tests- BRZ and FR-S rated a Top Safety Pick in IIHS crash tests. "The Acura ILX, a small luxury car; Ford Escape, a small SUV; and Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ, both small two-door cars, earn the Institute's top award for good performance in the moderate overlap frontal, side, rollover and rear impact evaluations. All are 2013 models."  BRZ Top Safety Pick 8/30 BRZ convertible in 2014? The rumor is still alive "Scion may be passing, but Subaru is gearing up to chop the top off its celebrated new sportscar. We recently reported that, while Toyota was developing a convertible version of the GT-86, American buyers would not be getting a drop-top version of the Scion FR-S. North American enthusiasts may rejoice, however, at the latest testimony from Automotive News: the Subaru BRZ will be available as a drop-top starting in the 2014 model year.According to lead engineer Tetsuya Tada, the sportscar co-developed by Toyota and Subaru was designed to be a convertible from the outset, so the conversion shouldn't be too difficult." read the original article 8/20 Impreza, Crosstrek, WRX, STI, and BRZ factory orders could take longer than in previous years. Subaru will be supplying 2013 Japanese built models that are in short supply for dealer inventory first before special orders. Some orders are showing up with November-December delivery dates, 3-4 months out. Though they could be filled sooner, this is longer than the app 2 month window of previous years.  Subaru will get you the car of course, and your dealer can always check for a car that's close to what you want either in stock or already scheduled for inventory if you don't want to wait. 8/13 Subaru gives Edmunds.com a long term BRZ test car. Edmunds bought a FR-S and will modify and drive it to the limit which is why they bought it (so they don't have the give the beat-up car back to Scion). The BRZ will be used as a daily driver and Subaru will take it back in 12 months- so there will be at least one used BRZ available. "The 2013 Subaru BRZ (and its mechanical twin, the Scion FR-S) represent a new era in small, light, rear-drive performance, and this means different things to different groups of people. On the one hand you've got the tuner crowd. The minute it hits their driveway, they're thinking about upgrading the wheels, tires, suspension and engine as soon as they can. We're down with this mentally and so, back in June, we bought a 2013 Scion FR-S with the intention of modifying it to see exactly what this little car was capable of. Tuning, however, isn't everybody's bag, and the twins represent a return to simple, easy-to-drive cars that are rewarding beyond their numbers. That's why some owners aren't going to touch a thing. They're not going to ruin the ride in the hopes of more Gs. They're not going to ruin the in-cabin noise levels in hopes of gaining a tenth here or there. They just want a basic sports car that does extraordinary things when called upon. This test is for them. We'll be leaving our BRZ alone for the duration of this test. If it needs tires, we're likely to replace them with similar ones and not super-sticky rubber — that's what the FR-S is for. When we first tested the 2013 Subaru BRZ, illuminated by the experience we said, "Perhaps there's a lesson here. If this is all that's required to make a sports car with elegant control, engaging feedback and enlightening limits, we have only one question: Why isn't every manufacturer doing it?" Will we still feel this way after a year without real power, without adjustable suspension, without the creature comforts that dominate the automotive landscape today? Without the current mantra of "more, more, more!"? We've been impressed with the Subaru BRZ each time we've driven it. Now we've got 12 months and 20,000 miles to see if that feeling holds up when the BRZ is put to the test of being a daily driver. Follow along with our Long-Term Road Test blog for more on our 2013 Subaru BRZ..."  the entire article  8/10 BRZ review "On Tuesday, I finished an 800-mile New England trek in a black-on-black BRZ, Subaru's first-ever rear-wheel-drive sports car. I hopped out on the side of Route 107 in Gilmanton just long enough to snap a few photos, and not a moment more. That's because Route 107 is brilliant. Route 107 makes your ears compress and pop. Route 107 is the reason lightweight cars like the Subaru BRZ exist. And it goes on for miles upon miles, where the entire road was seemingly all mine. The BRZ, when it's not on the road side, is a man-magnet. Teenage boys and 40-something fathers couldn't take their eyes off the little Subaru. I stopped counting the amount of caveman-like head nods and open mouths along my drive. As one boy told me while I left a gas station in Holderness, the BRZ is "f$#$ng sweet." Apparently, this car completely sells itself. I like how it looks, too. It's simple and pure. It's under $30,000 and not at all fast. It feels fast, thanks to a high-revving flat-four with a slightly lumpy idle that's like nothing else on the market. The steering and brakes are Porsche-worthy in their response (and dare I say, the BRZ has a more responsive electric steering rack than the new 911, which now is a little numb on-center). As I write this after hiking for three hours and spending another three hours behind the wheel, I don't feel tired or sore, which says a lot about the BRZ's comfortable driving position and supportive seats.  Check this space again for more "Overdrives," where I'll occasionally post what I'm driving and where I'm driving it. This time, I admit, I got lucky."  the article 7/20 BRZ/FR-S ancestor swung from a different branch on the same tree Stop me if you've heard this one before...Two automakers that hail from the same country get together to build a new car. But it's not just any car – it's meant to be a true sports car. It is to be rear-wheel-drive, lightweight, powered by a boxer engine, and most of all, affordable and accessible to the masses. Building this car together would satisfy the needs of both automakers and cut down on costs. If you think I'm talking about the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ, you'd be wrong. Those cars have been written about pretty extensively lately (and rightfully so, because they're fantastic), but they've also made me think about a sports car joint venture from another era: the Porsche 914. The trouble is, while the Toyobaru twins seem to be largely successful as far as reviews and sales go, the 914 was, well… not. Today it has gone down in history as an odd and unfortunate bastard child in the torrid, everlasting romance between Volkswagen and Porsche... It was small, weighed a smidge over 2,000 pounds, and had its engine behind the cabin like a proper race car. Other goodies included a fully independent suspension, a targa top, a five-speed manual transmission and fuel injection — a very impressive package for its time. It even had two trunks! How many trunks does your stupid car have? Plus, with a price tag of about $3,500 when it was introduced in 1970, the 914 would be quite affordable (that's only about $20 grand in today's dollars). AND it had a Porsche badge! If such a car were made today, people would be stabbing each other's faces in the streets for the chance to buy one. Alas, like in-car record players and the movie Prometheus, many things that seem like great ideas on paper don't work out so well in real life. Here's how the 914 came to be, according to Classic Motorsports: In the late 60s, Porsche needed a replacement for the 911's low-rent four-cylinder cousin, the 912. At the same time, VW needed a replacement for the Karmann-Ghia that would ideally be more than just a fanciful-bodied Beetle. Perhaps over some hefeweizen and sauerkraut (these are the only things I know about Germany besides the fact that they blew up Pearl Harbor to avenge the death of the Kaiser), Ferry Porsche and VW executive Heinz Nordhoff hammered out an agreement where their respective companies would build the car together. The car would be designed by Porsche and powered by a VW engine, and under their original plan, both manufacturers were to get a version of the car. But after Nordhoff died, a new executive mandated that the car be sold in Europe as the "VW-Porsche 914." In America, it was simply sold as a Porsche. As one might expect from the car's size, weight, and mid-engine architecture, handling was pretty sharp. Acceleration was not. The problem was that the engine they went with was the air-cooled 1.7-liter, 80-horsepower flat four from the Volkswagen Type 4 sedan. This was in no way a performance engine, and it showed. Even in the 914's lightweight body, 0-to-60 mph came at a lofty 13 seconds, giving the driver plenty of time to wonder if his or her purchase was really good idea. But perhaps the 914's biggest problem was one of perception. With all of its VW components, many enthusiasts refused to accept it as a "real Porsche." It also suffered from a poor shift linkage, somewhat awkward styling and cut-rate quality that reflected its low-cost, parts bin origins. The car was not well received by the motoring press at the time. Porsche attempted to up the ante by selling a six-cylinder version called the 914/6. But that car's price tag put it within close reach of the superior 911, which made it an even bigger flop than its less-powerful sibling. In the end, as Ate Up With Motor tells it, the 914 was put out to pasture for good in 1975, bested by more competent sports machines like the Datsun 240Z. The Vo-Po didn't fare too badly in auto racing, securing a win in its class at the 1970 24 Hours of LeMans. It was even successful enough to sell about 120,000 copies. Many can still be found on the roads today, driven with the top open by a quirky and attentive owner or doing battle with a Fox-body Mustang or a Dodge Neon in some Lemons race. It's interesting to see how far Porsche has come since the days of the 914. The bargain sportster is a pretty far cry from the luxobarge Cayennes and Panameras we see today. The company would have a great deal more success at mid-engine convertibles when it unveiled the Boxster in the 1990s. Since then, enthusiasts have been clamoring for a less-expensive, sub-Boxster sports car that could be a successor to the 914 - perhaps even built with VW's help. Now that the two companies are properly married and not just living in sin, who knows?" read the original article  7/19 smoking hot BRZ ad in Canada "Can your car make paint bubble, heat a puddle of water, and burn a hole through a Styrofoam cup? Neither can mine, but apparently the 2013 Subaru BRZ is that hot. “Scorched” takes place in a parking garage, where an alarm is blasting, signaling an unknown heat source. Where’s the fire that’s melting cups, boiling a puddle and bubbling paint from the walls? The answer comes when the sprinkler system activates and water hits the BRZ, creating a steam-filled garage that the smoking hot BRZ drives through. Watch it here, created by DDB Canada‘s Toronto office and directed by Radke’s Common Good." 7/13 In Australia, the BRZ will only be sold online, and there are only about 200 of them for 2012. Online sales... this is a car maker's dream- dealerships for test drives, trade-ins and service, while the company sells the cars so no salespeople, no rebates or incentives, no price haggling... "The new Subaru BRZ that will become the brand’s only non-all-wheel-drive model in Australia will also be its only vehicle not to be sold in dealerships.  Subaru Australia has announced it will sell its new rear-wheel-drive sports car exclusively online from Monday (16th July) as a result of severely limited BRZ supply. The company says global demand for the coupe means it anticipates only about 200 BRZs being available in Australia in 2012. It believes only about 80 to 100 vehicles will be available by the time its online BRZ section goes live on Monday... The company believes the plan is unique for the automotive industry. “This may well be a world first in terms of being able to complete the entire new car purchase process online,” said Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior.  “We knew we wouldn’t have sufficient BRZs to supply our entire network immediately following the launch.  “High demand with short supply gave us some challenges on how to give our customers the best possible purchase experience.”  Demonstrator versions of the Subaru BRZ, however, will be made available at a selected number of showrooms from its network of 105 dealerships." read the entire article 6/26 BRZ at the track- autoweek compares 7 fun drives: Fiat Abarth, Mini Cooper S, Civic Si, VW GTI, Genesis coupe, V6 Mustang, Subaru BRZ "...If Mazda produced a coupe version of the MX-5 Miata, we'd imagine it being similar to what Subaru has created with the BRZ. The two cars share the a philosophy based on rear-wheel drive, low weight and affordability—an ethos that has helped the little Mazda thrill drop-top enthusiasts and club racers for more than two decades. Expect the BRZ (and its Scion FR-S cousin) to follow a similar path and become a staple at road courses all over America. Why? Because after two days of track testing, Autoweek editors walked away in agreement that the Subaru was the most driver-focused car of the seven-car bunch. The feedback and response through the steering wheel, tight chassis and sensational fade-free brakes entertained us lap after lap. The 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder uses port and direct injection to produce 200 hp. Unfortunately, Subaru could only provide an automatic model for our test. On the plus side, the auto offers a decent paddle-shift mode with rev-matching for downshifts. And in speed tests, it helped return a respectable 7.21 seconds to 60 mph and covered the quarter-mile in 15.65 seconds. Where the engine shines is at the top end of the rev range. Staying in the power is easier with the six-speed manual that we've experienced on previous drives of the BRZ, making the auto box maddening at times. We definitely recommend the three-pedal BRZ if you're shopping one. Is more power needed? No. Would it be welcome? Absolutely. But when a car is designed from the start to have a low curb weight and a low center of gravity like the BRZ, having adequate power is all you need to make it fun. Through the track's winding infield, cranking the well-weighted steering wheel loaded up the suspension, and the BRZ held a tight line. Changing directions happened quickly, with little body roll. If you want to kick the rear out, turn off all of traction aids and goose the throttle. There's enough grunt to rotate the back around. The package is completed with a simple cabin, supportive seats and a comfortable driving position. And for weekend racers, Subaru says there's room to haul a set of wheels and a small toolbox with the rear seats folded down to give the coupe a practicality argument. Simply put, the BRZ is the affordable, fun-to-drive, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe that's been missing from the market for so long. With only 6,000 coming to the United States during the first year, we predict demand easily eclipsing supply. read the entire review 6/23 BRZ and FR-S shortages. They're the fastest selling cars, off the lot in 4-5 days.  Many of the cars have deposits on them before they even arrive. A lot of people have ordered a BRZ (model, color etc) and Subaru is supplying very little information regarding delivery dates, not even a future delivery month. Starting this week dealers can at least search current and scheduled BRZ inventory "Michael McHale, a spokesman for Subaru of America, was quoted as saying, “The BRZ being rear-wheel drive, we made a conservative production request. We pegged our allotment roughly to sales of the WRX,” he said, referencing the brand’s rally-oriented all-wheel-drive sports car. That conservative approach has led to gripes from every market where the BRZ would be sold. “There are only so many that can be built in the year, and if you want more, you have to take from another market,” Mr. McHale added. “And nobody wants to give up their allocation.” It generally takes dealers about 53 days to sell a showroom model. The Subaru BRZ is selling in just four days and the Toyota Scion FR-S is selling in five days. It looks as if both automakers will need to rethink their strategy and produce more cars as the supply is going much quicker than the demand can accommodate." the rest of the article 6/22 BRZ current and incoming inventory can now be searched locally and regionally by dealers. 6/15 BRZ brochures now arriving at dealers. If you're in the Seattle area and want one, let me know. I also have a few Crosstrek brochures. 6/8 BRZ- racing around in a BRZ and 7 of its competitors, from Motor Trend " Cheap Thrills: Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ Face Off Against the Ford Mustang, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Mazda Miata, and VW GTI .... The launch of the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ twins has poured a double shot of buzz into the bang-for-the-buck tumbler. For well under 30 large, these two 200-horse coupes offer the tried-and-true formula of front engine, rear drive, and low weight, but add to that a limited-slip, summer Michelins, and a Nuerburgring-tuned suspension. Any questions?But rather than compare just the Scion and Subaru, we gathered today's hottest two-doors -- the refreshed 305-horse Ford Mustang V-6; the 274-horse Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T; the 2500-pound Mazda Miata, the benchmark for fun; and our front-drive champ, the twin-clutch VW GTI -- to crown the best driver's car, with stipulations that each start at around $25,000 and cash out below today's average transaction.... To set fast laps at the Streets of Willow Springs, we put hot-shoe Randy Pobst behind the wheel of each. And after the tires and brakes cooled, we evaluated the six on our demanding circuit in Malibu. When the dust settled, one two-door left us cleaning out our garage. ....The Subaru BRZ is a special car. This much is obvious after just a few turns on a curvy road, where a delicate balance between the steering, throttle, shifter, and tires emerges. It offers a pervasive sense of control, allowing you to place the tires within millimeters of your intended target. The engineers' focus on a low center of gravity is evident: Every movement the BRZ makes seems to start below ground level.... Why the BRZ Beat Its Twin... The Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ are built in the same factory in Gunma, Japan, and are far more alike than different. They share every major component, but differ in bumper fascia, bits of exterior and interior trim, and, most critically, in suspension tuning. At the end of the day, the BRZ's handling edge gave Subaru the win over the FR-S...." The results: 6th: Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec, 5th: Volkswagen GTI, 4th: Ford Mustang V-6,  3rd: Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring, 2nd: Scion FR-S, 1st: Subaru BRZ Limited. read the complete article with speed tests and all   6/7 BRZ updates > BRZ accessory pamphlet now arriving at dealers. > Premium model- fog lights are on hold. Adding optional fog lights to the Premium is temporarily hold due to an issue or problem installing them in conjunction with the LED or driving lights. More details to come. > owner's manual correction- revised owner's manuals will be sent to BRZ owners who took delivery before June 4th. This will replace manuals that have incorrect details on the passenger airbag on/off status. There is no problem with the car or airbag system, its an owner manual replacement only. 6/4 another BRZ review.. its a time machine to a dusty corner of your brain: it makes you want your youth back, the devil may care car of days long gone that would cost a fortune to rebuild today or just risk driving a tired old survivor. Or for one writer, the BRZ is a new ticket to his past...  "Somewhere between three to four thousand rpm: This story isn't about the Subaru BRZ. This story is about what it did to my brain. There are probably a handful of minds out there better qualified to answer which part of the grey goo held this memory. This moment.  When it comes to cars, there's millions of dollars being made each year in the sale and acquisition of memories lost. If you had a big block Chevelle, or a Fox-body Mustang, you can practically spec your Total Recall-mobile right down to the colour of the rally stripes it had. There's plenty for sale. What if you didn't have to go back to get the memory? We're not talking about getting the latest retro wagon. It's not a fender, or a curve, or an instrument panel homage. It's the soundtrack. The one thing that very few manufacturers have been able to achieve in the creation of the tribute vehicle. They've certainly tried, like the MG-esque burble of the first-gen Mazda Miata exhaust. Add these tones to the right throttle pressure, the right thrust, and way-higher-than-usual redline's, and you create a time machine. There has been quite a selection of personal, affordable sports cars in the past forty-odd years that realized that not everyone was interested in V8 power, rock-crusher 4-speeds, and the straight line. The new cool was dynamics. Cars like the Datsun 240Z, Mazda RX-7, and the Toyota Corolla GT-S all had their respective hey-days. The Fairlady got fat, the Rotary is dead, and Toyota hasn't had anything car-cool since the mid-’90s. This certainly explains the creation of the Scion FR-S, a badly-needed fun bolster for the Toyota-proper camp. The Subaru BRZ? It is by no means WRX, nor STi in nature. We're still trying to remember the last model year when a Subaru only had a pair of drive wheels. As for remembering the 1980s, even Subie had some weirdness they'd probably prefer to be fuzzy with on details. Already, the questions are arising as to who's car this really is. Toyota contributed the exterior skin, interior, and a very healthy infusion of cash to make the cars a reality. The Subie is skin deep, with chassis and powertrain think borrowed from the best of the current boxer bin. Both BRZ and FR-S are built on the same Subaru assembly line. It's a Subaru. It's a Scion. It's both. The late ’80s saw plenty of seat time in various import sports for this scribe, thanks to the day job at a Toyota dealership. From the new to the trades, there was plenty of opportunities to sample, with a two dealer location family on opposite ends of town. They loved to swap the inventory around. Someone had to move it. That was me. The car that was on the Most Wanted move list was the Corolla GT-S, AKA AE86. Of particular remember was the high-revving nature of the GT-S, with shift points at or near the 7,000 RPM mark. Hey, those used cars couldn't be out of circulation for extended periods. It may be a rose-coloured memory, but it seems that all recollection of things AE86 were consistent; it didn't do anything wrong. It never felt like you could get into serious trouble. The Moment. It happened at about four thousand RPM, pushing the BRZ onto its first on-ramp, literally a minute-thirty into the drive. As the tachometer spun higher, it was as though 24-ish years were quickly erased, peeled away like layers of an onion. “I'm 19 again!” I screamed, as my drive partner gave a worried grin. My hair grew back. My pants shrunk from a 36 to a 30. Even optimism popped in for a visit. It was the engine and exhaust note. It was power where expected. And after 20-odd miles of winding secondary road, it was confidence. The kind of confidence that all skills of driver can embrace. Getting bent into shape. Is it simply the return of a proper rear-wheel drive sportster? Perhaps. Whether it's BRZ, FR-S, or a vintage GT-S poking out from some undiscovered grandmotherly garage, keep those approximate power specs in your grey matter. Add in the equations of balance and dynamics. Mix with liberal dollops of throttle, shifter stir, and brake punch. Elevated heart rate, without the white knuckles. Now just try to keep that smile off your face." the article    5/24 BRZ review  "You look fat in that. Of course I’ll be late. Your baby reminds me of Gollum’s uncle. This is what the 2013 Subaru BRZ might say if it could talk. The all-new, rear-wheel-drive sports car starts at $26,265, and boy is it honest — perhaps more so than any other car on the market today, save for its mechanical twin, the Scion FR-S. The two were jointly developed by Subaru and Scion’s parent company, Toyota, with both assembled by Subaru in Japan. The question about the BRZ is, can you handle the honesty? The answer may surprise you. For starters, only an honest car would dare to tell you that you don’t need 8,756 horsepower to have a good time. This Subaru has a modest 200. Torque? A tidy 151 pound-feet. This, from a naturally aspirated (no turbos or superchargers) 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine featuring direct injection. Zero to 60 mph happens in 6.4 seconds, according to Motor Trend. Such figures may seem quaint when minivans are creeping toward 300 horsepower and the latest Shelby version of Ford’s Mustang will have more than double that. (RIP, Carroll.) But remember that the best sports cars of yesterday raised your pulse not with acceleration that compressed expletives out of your lungs but with balance and handling borne out of the car being lightweight and thoughtfully engineered. This Subaru continues that trend, a difficult feat in an era of ever-expanding safety equipment and crash regulations that have consistently raised curb weights over the years.  A BRZ with the standard six-speed manual transmission weighs about the same as a Toyota Corolla — a bit under 2,800 pounds. Add 50 more pounds for the optional six-speed automatic. The extensive use of high-strength steel and an aluminum hood helped keep the weight down. Also keeping things light is the fact that this is not a particularly big car. It has the wheelbase of the small Hyundai Accent hatchback, and it’s a mere 4 inches longer. On the road, the BRZ looks larger than it really is... ...It’s inside this Subaru that its diminution is most noticeable. Although it has a pair of rear seats, consider them extensions of the trunk and not fit for anything bipedal. The front passengers sit in the driving equivalent of the attack position; hips low, legs stretched out, seat reclined. Keeping the weight of occupants as close to the ground as possible and designing the engine to be compact and low give the BRZ a center of gravity equal to that of your average coffee table. Subaru brags that at 18 inches, it’s one of the lowest centers of gravity of any production car in the world. Thus, when you throw the BRZ onto curving, sweeping roads, don’t expect the thumb-sucking pushover predicted by the naysayers who derisively scoff at its horsepower or torque output. Instead, get ready for some good, clean thrills from a vehicle not unlike a bigger, more refined go-cart. You only need moments behind the wheel to know this is a purpose-built sports car; everything happens quickly and with reason. .. Instead, the BRZ compounds talent and skillful inputs with one of the highest dollar-per-fun ratios in the automotive landscape.  This honesty is also important to remember in daily driving. While the suspension setup is remarkably balanced and devoid of body roll during any kind of cornering, it’s a very firm ride around town. It’s also noisy. Your Aunt Gert’s 1989 Cadillac Brougham this isn’t. Subaru has wisely kept options for the loud cabin to a minimum....  Whether that’s a good value depends on how you prioritize the fun you expect to wring out of your purchase. This car is undeniably down on power to other performance cars of its ilk. But to dwell on this deficit misses the point of the BRZ. It has a balance of old-school thrills and connectivity to the road that additional power would probably upset.  Fortunately, it’s honest about its purpose. And your waistline." read the entire article   5/19 Texas car auto writers pick their favorite cars- BRZ is the performance compact of Texas. "The Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) held their annual Spring Roundup in Fort Worth and voted the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country as Family Car of Texas. Second Place was awarded to the new Ford Taurus and Third Place went to the Nissan Quest.  Overall, the ‘Best of Show’ honors went to the Town & Country and the Nissan GT-R.  Previous award winners for the Family Car of Texas title have been the Dodge Journey, Ford Taurus, and others. The event was closed to the public, so the only ones in attendance were credentialed journalists and car representatives of the various manufacturers.  As a long-time TAWA member and veteran of this annual event, I was active all day long, going from one vehicle to the next, dutifully completing my ballot..." read the entire article The winner and runner-ups... The Compact Car of Texas: 2013 Dodge Dart, 2nd 2012 Buick Verano,3rd 2012 Hyundai Veloster. The Subcompact Car of Texas: 2012 Fiat Cabrio, 2nd 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, 3rd 2012 Scion iQ.   The Green Car of Texas went to the 2012 Chevrolet Volt, 2nd 2012 Nissan Leaf, 3rd 2012 Toyota Prius C. Full-Size Car of Texas winner was the 2012 Buick LaCrosse, 2nd 2012 Dodge Charger SXT, 3rd 2012 Hyundai Azera.  The Mid-Size Car of Texas was voted as the 2012 Buick Regal GS, 2nd 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco, 34d 2013 VW CC Sport Plus.  The Mid-Size Luxury Vehicle of Texas was voted as the 2012 Cadillac SRX, 2nd 2012 Infiniti M35h, 3rd 2012 Audi A7.  The Full-Size Luxury Vehicle of Texas is the 2012 Chrysler 300.  The Minivan of Texas award goes to the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country, 2nd 2012 Toyota Sienna, 3rd 2012 Nissan Quest. Best New Feature: 2013 Dodge Dart; Best New Interior: 2013 Ford Taurus SHO; Best Value: 2013 Dodge Dart; Performance Compact of Texas: 2013 Subaru BRZ; Performance Coupe of Texas: 2013 Ford Mustang GT; Performance Sedan of Texas: 2013 Ford Taurus SHO police package; Performance Utility Vehicle of Texas: 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8; Supercar of Texas: 2013 Nissan GT-R Black Edition. 5/12 BRZ Monroney window sticker error- it might not have the correct model/code. This one below incorrectly labels this Limited (model code DZF) as a Premium. The DZF code is correct and the price is correct - Monroney window price stickers 5/10 BRZs arriving at Northwest dealers! Please remember that the cars don't arrive in the same order that they were ordered.   Note-  for delivery mid May-  black Premium, automatic transmission, with rear spoiler, dimming rear view mirror, compass, Homelink,  rear bumper applique, chrome fender trim.. MSRP $28423 Please call if interested 206 769-7821 5/7 I have a few BRZs available that are available for delivery this May- a silver limited automatic with no options, and a black Premium automatic, fully loaded. Price is MSRP. Please contact me for details. 5/3 BRZ prices in Canada, only slightly more than US. The BRZ is expected in Canada in June. MSRP is Ca $27,295, Ca$28,495 for the six-speed automatic. The Sport-tech Package (Limited in the US) is MSRP  Ca $29,295 and $30,495 for automatic.  4/27 BRZ. If Scion expects to sell 20,000 FR-S's per year after the initial first year rush, how many does Subaru expect to sell? "While speaking with Ward’s Auto, Scion CEO Jack Hollis stated that the niche automaker expects to move at least 10,000 units through 2012 from when the new Scion FR-S goes on sale June 1st. Scion has only received 1,243 pre-orders for the new sports coupe but they’ve received around 27,000 requests for information on the new vehicle when it becomes available. Based on that, Hollis expects to be able to sell every FR-S that they can have shipped to the US from the production plant in Japan. Unfortunately for Scion and those hoping to get their hands on an FR-S right away, with the production facility also building the Toyota GT86 and the Subaru BRZ – both of which will carry higher price points – Scion may have a hard time meeting the early demand. In contrast, Subaru only plans to sell between 5,000 and 7,000 versions of their BRZ sports coupe which shares every feature shy of the badging with the FR-S. Subaru is more of a niche brand of its own, with that group having more interest in the all wheel drive turbocharged sedans that the company is more well known for so there could be less interest from the Subaru world. However, considering how much interest there is in the motorsports world from the Scion community and the fact that the FR-S will serve as the range topping sports model – the FR-S could potentially hit those goals for 2012 and 2013. While the 2012 Scion FR-S enters the American auto industry as the bargain brand’s most expensive model, it is still among the lowest price rear wheel drive sports cars on the market with a price starting just over $24,000. When looking strictly at rear wheel drive, 2-door sports cars in the US market, the main competitors are the Ford Mustang, the Chevrolet Camaro, the Dodge Challenger, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, the Nissan 370Z and the Mazda Miata. Compared to that group, the $24,000 Scion FR-S is less expensive than certain packages from Mazda (hard top Miata versions start close to $28k), all Hyundai Genesis Coupes, all Nissan 370Z coupes, all Dodge Challengers and all of the V8 powered Ford Mustang coupes and Chevrolet Camaro coupes. The open aired Mazda Miata, the Ford Mustang V6 and the Chevrolet Camaro V6 all carry low base prices than the Scion FR-S." the original article 4/26 BRZ- the lightning red BRZ Premium makes its final stop in the Seattle/Puget Sound area at Skagit Subaru in Burlington Thursday 4/26-Saturday 4/28. It was at Dewy Griffin Subaru in Bellingham (ph 360-734-8700) Monday 4/23- Wednesday 4/25. It was at Hanson Subaru in Olympia (ph 360 943-2120) Friday 4/20- Sunday 4/22,  Roy Robinson Subaru in Marysville right off I-5, 4/16-19 (ph 360-659-6236),  Carter Subaru in Ballard 4/15-16, Peninsula Subaru in Bremerton/Gorst 4/12-14 (ph 360-479-4320),  Tacoma Subaru Monday 4/9-11,  Walkers Subaru in Renton 4/5-7 (425-226-2775),  Eastside Subaru in Kirkland 4/2-4 (425-820-8993),  Puyallup Subaru 3/30-4/1, Scarf in Auburn 3/27-29 (253-737-1345),  Chaplin's in Bellevue 3/24-26 (425-641-2002),  Carter Subaru Shoreline 3/23-26 (me, at 206 769-7821). 4/25 BRZ- behind the scenes videos on behind the scene thoughts on making the BRZ sports car "The Subaru BRZ might be most appreciated for reintroducing the adjectives "small," "light" and "fun" to those who prefer not to have a convertible top with their Japanese sports car. Yet, as has been covered before, it's a neat example of packaging, with Subaru engineers having put big ideas into the BRZ's small spaces. The Japanese automaker has knocked together 22 minutes of behind-the-scenes chats with the engineers who made the BRZ to show you how they did it, and how they managed to pack all of the handling and safety bits around the fun bits. This should come as no surprise, but the video is in Japanese with English subtitles, but it's worth the extra effort. It's in two parts and you'll find both by scrolling below. watch the videos on autoblog 4/21 BRZ ... it won’t turn you into an overnight drift sensation. "Where Audi is intent on creating cars for market segments that don’t yet exist, the Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT86 sports coupe twins do almost the opposite: they have a market segment all to themselves – the £25k, rear-wheel drive sports coupe market – because everyone else has abandoned it. In decades gone by, young tearaways would have had their pick of the Mazda RX-7, Porsche 924, Toyota MR2 and GT Coupe (aka the AE86 on which the GT86 riffs), Ford Capri, Opel Manta, the Nissan 200SX and more. Now they’ve got the cheaper Mazda MX-5 soft-top (which is too soft and rolly to be good to drive), or the BRZ/GT86. Yes, Caterhams, Lotuses, 370Zs too – but they’re all quite different propositions. Why nobody sells a cheap RWD sports coupe - until now This means there’s a strong possibility that the target demographic will have been weaned on front-wheel drive, and are quite possibly ragging the backside off a hot hatch at this very moment. But they’ll be male and they’ll have egos, which means they’ll be curious as to what a big drift in a rear-wheel drive car feels like, and they’ll be doubly keen to master the art so they too can show off to their friends and talk local plod through the large black marks and the lingering cloud of smoke at the quite roundabout. I know, because that was me a decade ago and that curiosity led me to buy a leggy BMW M3. So, back to these hot hatch owners. They’ll be intrigued that a big part of the BRZ/GT86 appeal – which Toyota in particular has played on – is the fact that it’s extremely sideways, and that it’s sidewaysness is said to be easily exploited by those people who haven’t gone very sideways before. So are the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GT86 twins sliding pros? Here’s the rub: the BRZ/GT86 isn’t very sideways. Yes, if you pull the handbrake or give it a big Scandinavian Flick on the track the thing will adopt the kind of angles usually fleetingly glimpsed by WRC spectators just before Jari-Matti Latvala plummets off a cliff face, but then so would a Kia Picanto. The BRZ/GT86 is a brilliant thing to drive, but it has very little power, which means you need to drive it absolutely flat out and throw it around in a way that’s often impossible out on the road, simply because you can’t see what’s coming round the next bend and therefore can’t commit to the accelerator – just like that old AE86. Ironically, it actually takes a whole heap of skill and years of experience to unlock the potential of a car that we’ve been told is perfect for rear-drive novices. So here’s what’s going to happen: said hot hatchers will pick the car up from the dealership, turn all the traction control off and go for a blast. They’ll drive it as hard as they dare, swinging it through corners and stamping on the gas, chucking it into hairpins and willfully trying to unsettle the rear, and all the while traction will be total. And you know what, not one of those drivers will say anything about it, because they’ll be too scared to be the limp-wristed bloke that can’t even drift what they’ve been told is the most driftable car in decades. Great car, that BRZ/GT86, and it’s a safe way to learn the basics of rear-wheel drive, but be warned: it won’t turn you into an overnight drift sensation." the original article 4/16 BRZ build your own function is available on Subaru.com. You can choose color, Premium or Limited model, and manual or automatic transmission, but no 'options' are listed yet. There is 'accessory' list but those are the part only and prices listed are without installation. Often accessories are things like ashtrays, license plate frames, cargo organizers, oil caps, battery tie downs, severe weather kits etc and are dealer items only, not available installed on the car from the factory. There are a few BRZ accessories that are also available factory or port installed like dimming mirrors, chrome fender trim, rear bumper diffuser/underskirt, and the installed price might only be slightly more. For all available installed and part only prices, check my BRZ webpage.  Click here for Subaru's build your own page  Note- I am taking BRZ orders at MSRP with no mark-up so if you're in the greater Seattle or NW area and want a BRZ please contact me 4/14 Aha audio forwarding will be in the BRZ but probably other Subarus in the future. Or if not Aha, something else will be because technology is changing so quickly that car companies can't keep up.  Aha eliminates that technology cliff for manufacturers by allowing cell phones to function as the receiver, forwarding audio from various sources to the car's receiver. Aha is by Harman Kardon and Subaru already uses their radio stereo audio infotainment system in Outback, Legacy, and Tribeca. "Though Web-connected infotainment systems have become important selling points for automakers, endlessly vetting and serving apps to those systems after making the sale may not be how companies want to use their resources. Outside firms have stepped into the void, acting as middlemen between content providers and a car’s telematics system... Essentially, Aha uses a smartphone’s Bluetooth connection to funnel content, like hundreds of streaming Internet radio stations, to the vehicle’s in-dash system for playback over the car’s stereo. The company also bundles other content for access on the dash, including audio books, news feeds from NPR and CNN, and even Facebook posts that are read aloud by a Siri-like automated voice.... Aha aggregates all the feeds under a single app, which can be updated at any time by Aha over online servers and fed directly to the driver’s smartphone, for broadcast over the car stereo. This effectively removes an automaker from the content-curation business...." read the entire article 4/9 BRZ STI- when it comes won't be a turbo 'While the Subaru BRZ and its Toyota GT-86 / Scion FR-S equivalent are two of the most anticipated Japanese sport coupes in history, critics have complained that their 200-horsepower output simply isn’t enough. Subaru has heard those comments, too, so the automaker has already begun working on an STI version of the BRZ. As Subaru’s global marketing manager, Atoshi Atake, advised Auto Express, “Let me say this - we will certainly satisfy our customers. We are already working on a faster version.” The news should come as no surprise, since Subaru showed a BRZ STI concept at last year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. It’s very likely that a production version will closely resemble the concept, down to the aerodynamic body kit and lowered suspension. We’re not sure the oversized rear wing will come as standard equipment, though. Under the hood, the BRZ STI will likely go a different route than current STI models. Since there’s no room for an intercooler up front, turbocharging is out. You can cross supercharging off the list, too, as Subaru is concerned that it would impact the BRZ’s fuel economy and require a larger gas tank. Instead, Subaru will improve the car’s air intake, add a less-restrictive exhaust, increase redline to 7,500 rpm and revise the variable valve control system for optimized performance. These modifications are expected to boost output to around 250 horsepower, a full 25-percent increase over the base model. The STI version will be lighter in weight, too, thanks to racing bucket seats, a carbon fiber hood and, potentially, even a carbon-fiber roof. Lighter wheels will be used, and the car will further benefit from upgraded brakes and a stiffer suspension for track day use. Unfortunately, there’s no timeline on the BRZ STI, and Subaru’s biggest problem at the moment is ramping up production to meet demand. In Japan, Subaru has sold over 3,500 BRZs in the past two months, some four times the number it expected to sell." the original article 4/7 BRZ review and why it feels so fast....  'It's Thinker Than You Fast It Is' "How do we know when we're going fast? Generally speaking, we don't. Observers on Earth's surface rotate around its axis at 40 meters per second; Earth itself revolves around the Sun (30 kilometers/second); and the Sun rotates around the galactic center at about (220 km/s). Meanwhile, the whole kit is being dragged in a stately gyre toward the constellation Virgo at about 370 km/s. What, you don't feel that? We don't because we judge motion by acceleration, that is, a change in velocity. This information comes to us in several ways, including cues from our vestibular system (inner ear) and by something called proprioception, which is the awareness of our musculature bracing and flexing to compensate for our body's inertia. This is going somewhere, I promise. Behind the wheel of a car we mostly rely on our binocular vision to tell us how fast we're driving. The landscape peels away to either side of us at oblique angles. Our brains process this information in terms of what psychologists call "looming" and "changing disparity signals." A mailbox gets bigger as we get closer. Our brains compute the growing retinal image of the mailbox (an object of known size) and integrate the difference with the apparent trajectory of the object as perceived by our left and right eyes. This is called motion-in-depth perception. And yet for all this formidable wetware, we're still pretty bad at judging speed and easily fooled. Honest, officer. Imagine, for instance, how a mailbox 10 feet tall would throw you off. Speed perception is also variable depending on our age, eyesight and emotional state. If we're frustrated and late, we feel like we're traveling more slowly than we are. Meanwhile, a car that is supremely quiet, comfortable and capable—let's say, a Porsche Panamera Turbo—will actually dull the vividness of speed such that we can be perfectly at ease going the speeds of small aircraft. Subaru has turned our faulty perceptions of speed into a positive. Meet the new Subaru BRZ: 200 horsepower, 2,800 pounds, 2+2 seating, six-speed manual gearbox (an automatic is also available) and rear-wheel drive. Figure about $25,000 to start. A joint project between Subaru and Toyota (which will sell the car in the U.S. as the Scion FR-S), the BRZ is a handful of sports-coupe sunshine that does something brilliant, even revolutionary: It feels fast, even though it isn't, particularly. The BRZ's moderate performance expectations are telegraphed by its simple design. The volumes and cab-rearward profile of the BRZ are classically sporty (the Scion will vary only in the front and rear clips and lighting instruments), but there's not a lot of surface excitement here. There are small engine vents at the base of the A pillars. The rear of the car is tricked out with a small deck-mounted spoiler—more for visual balance than aero balance—and a faux diffuser diapering the lower clip, including a very cool triangular brake light. But note the absence of aggressive, ground-hugging rocker panel trim or broadly flared fenders. Note also the amount of empty space in the wells around the wheels. This is known in design parlance as "dead-cat space"—I'm not kidding—and designers try very hard to minimize it. The problem with a lot of sporty cars is that they are so massively overqualified for the street. Take a car like the Mustang Boss 302: 444 hp, limited-slip rear differential, race-tuned suspension and 9.5-inch-wide, 19-inch Pirelli P Zero tires. Sounds nice, right? But on the street you have to go so hard just to get the car to slide around a little bit, just to feel a little bloodlust, you're always in danger of losing your license. Fear of incarceration is kind of a buzzkill. The BRZ, very much by design and very much in the style of the great Mazda MX-5, goes in the other direction, drawing out and exaggerating automotive cues that give the impression of going fast at wholly more sane speeds. One hugely affective cue is auditory: Thanks to resonator tubes pumping intake and exhaust sounds into the cabin, the BRZ snarls and burrs and howls like a garage-built retro rod, even when it's accelerating away from a light like an ice-cream truck (0-60 mph in about 6 seconds). This thing is a mouse with a megaphone. Subaru also cagily put most of the engine's twist up high in the rev counter, with peak torque of 151 pound-feet at an astronomical 6,400 rpm—the high, hollow, splintering engine note is what you'd hear if you crashed through a grove of bamboo. The engine is an evolution of Subaru's flat-four boxer (code-named the FA), with Toyota-sourced direct-injection heads. Subaru says the car's center of gravity is a mere 18 inches off the ground, comparable to that of a Porsche Cayman R. And, since this is a rear-drive car, the engine could be situated well back in the chassis, more than 9 inches aft of where it would be in the all-wheel-drive Impreza. The low CG and the centralized engine placement give the BRZ an intuitive sense of mechanical leverage over the road. This thing feels like it rotates precisely around the driver's right hip. Tires: If this car were built by, say, BMW, the designers would have packed the fender wells with no-profile tires and splendid 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels. Such footwear looks great and commands serious cornering grip. The trouble is, it raises the limits of adhesion so preposterously high that it is almost impossible—or at least highly ill-advised—to break traction on the street. The BRZ is conspicuously under-tired, with 17-inch Michelin 215/45s front and rear—and thus the dead cat. You can goose the throttle around a corner and the rear tires will happily chirp as the car's rear end steps out entertainingly, at least until the stability control intervenes. Most passenger cars are set up to understeer, which is to say, the front tires will slide before the rear tires. But the BRZ, a rear-drive car with most of the weight on the front wheels (54/46, front/rear weight distribution), wags its fanny like a runway model. There is probably not another car on the street that can execute a rally-style Nordic flip as effortlessly as the BRZ. The 45-series tires provide much of the compliance to soak up small road jitters, leaving the suspension (struts up front and multilinks in back) free to cope with the larger energies of body roll, pitch and yaw. The end result is a small car with decent around-town ride quality combined with a feisty, lean and taut feel. “Clever design choices, from the engine to the tires, make the highly fun BRZ drive like a far speedier car.” The same could be said of the other control surfaces. The electric-power-assist steering is blink-quick and sports-car heavy, with a supple precision and tactility utterly out of the Mazda MX-5 playbook. Likewise the short-throw gearshifter, which snicks through the gates with an oily heft. Add it all up: The nap-of-the-earth seating position and long hood; the shouty engine and exhaust; the triggerfish steering response and twitch-twitch of the manual gearbox; the merry tail-swinging and the chirpy tires. The BRZ thus perpetrates a splendid and useful fraud on its buyers: a not-so-fast sport coupe that is an absolute riot to drive. As long as we're going to Virgo, we might as well enjoy the ride." the article from WSJ's Dan Neil 4/6 BRZ destination is $770, not the $750 Subaru currently charges on 2012s. Destination will probably rise to $770 on all other 2013 models. BRZ prices are: Premium manual $26,265, automatic $27,365; Limited manual $28,265, automatic $29,365. Destination to Ak is $920. BRZ webpage 4/5 BRZ Prices and more model details announced at the NY auto show- MSRP price including $750 destination: Premium manual $26,245, automatic $27,345; Limited manual $28,245, automatic $29,345. BRZ webpage 4/3 BRZ Prices to be announced at the NY auto show April 5th the day after tomorrow. This show is shaping up to be the biggest Subaru event of the year with the already announced introduction of the 13 Outback, Legacy, XV Crosstrek, EyeSight saftey technology, and now much looked for BRZ prices. 3/24 BRZ- the red BRZ Premium making the rounds in the Seattle/Puget Sound area is at Chaplin's in Bellevue this weekend, through Monday. On Tuesday it should be at Scarf Subaru in Auburn. 3/22 BRZ- Scion announces FR-S list prices. Subaru remains quiet with no prices released yet. The Scion is priced at MSRP $24200 +760 destination = $24960, and for the 6 speed automatic $25300 + $760= 26,060. The FR-S will be available in Raven, Asphalt, Hot Lava, Argento, Ultramarine, Firestorm, and Whiteout.  BRZ info, photos 3/20 BRZ arrives for display at the NW area dealers. Sorry, its only a "sit 'n see", in other words not for test driving, but at least its around!  Its the red car on the truck in the image below. It will make the round of local dealers. The model is a lightning red Premium with automatic transmission. Its currently at Carter Subaru in Shoreline for a few days (contact Joe Spitz there for details) and then it will go on to the other local dealers. Again, its not available for test driving but at least you can see and sit in it.  Click for more photos 3/18 BRZ- there's an early BRZ marketing pamphlet given to dealers. It has the rear disc brakes at 15" but that's reportedly incorrect, it should say 10.5".  My BRZ info page 3/3 BRZ - just when you can finally order the BRZ (due to arrive in May) comes word that Toyota is considering a future GT86 convertible. GT86 is the Toyota version of the Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S triplets. No mention if the BRZ or FR-S will get this hypothetical ragtop but Subaru sure could use a convertible, especially an all wheel drive convertible (ok... now I'm just fantasizing). No doubt any drop-top would be far in the future. "The Toyota GT 86 coupe is one of the most anticipated sports car from Japan this year (along with its siblings – the Subaru BRZ and the Scion FR-S). According to the chief engineer behind the new rear-wheel-drive sports car, Tetsuya Tada, the Toyota GT 86 will be offered as a convertible later down the line. Now, this isn’t to say that the Subaru BRZ and the Scion FR-S will also be offered with a drop-top – but keep your fingers crossed. In an interview with AutoBild, Tada said: “The GT 86 was designed from the outset [so] that we can build it as a convertible.”  No word on when the model will debut."  this article 3/1 BRZ  orders finally available after years of wondering, rumors and waiting. No prices yet. The Options list has been updated. Dealers won't get many each month, so early orders will avoid a longer wait. Call your local dealer. Subaru hasn't released prices yet or taken BRZs to many dealers for a display though hopefully that will happen soon so people can see and at least sit in one. 2/28  BRZ order process. Each dealer has been given a fixed number of BRZs over the next 7 months (May-Nov 2012) which will be spread out so they don't all arrive at one time. The number of cars is based on the dealer's 2011 WRX/STI sales and overall volume. Extra orders in addition to the allotted number of cars may or may not get filled. The monthly total for the entire country is expected to be 540 cars and there are over 600 dealers so not all dealers will get a car each month. There is no VIP program available on the BRZ. Subaru hasn't released prices yet or taken BRZs to many dealers for a display though hopefully that will happen soon so people can see and at least sit in one. from Subaru "It is important dealers fully understand the order filling process as you  submit your sold orders.  In summary, allocations for the 7 months May-November  have been developed for each dealer.  Fulfillment  of a dealer’s  allocation quantity will be spread basically pro-rata over the 7-month period and will not accelerate based on the number of sold orders submitted nor will it be reduced based on the number of sold orders other dealers submit.    The most important factor is for individual dealers to ensure their sold orders are submitted in the order with which they want them filled.   SOA will look to fill the oldest sold order within a dealer’s allocation from the pool of cars available irrespective of when that order came in versus any other dealer’s order." 2/24 lower priced tuner BRZ not coming to the US. "The 2013 Subaru BRZ that’s heading to our shores may carry a little more content than its sister, the Scion FR-S, but that doesn’t seem to be the case in England. New reports suggest the UK will also receive a new de-contented BRZ trim level, designed to appeal to budget-conscious enthusiasts located across the pond. This stripped-down BRZ may not actually be that big of a surprise: Toyota offers the “Customize Grade” on the nearly-identical 2013 GT 86. The new base trim level on the U.K.-spec 2013 Subaru BRZ is aimed at the same do-it-yourself tuner crowd as the 86′s Customize Grade. Details on the stripper BRZ are scarce, but if its anything like its Toyota cousin, it may come with black bumpers and mirrors, 16-inch steel wheels, and an interior devoid of a sound system and air conditioning. One key item that the stripped 86 is missing (and likely the the base BRZ will miss out on too) is the helical limited-slip differential that’s standard equipment in North America. As a result, base BRZ owners abroad may have to endure “one-wheel peels” or slap on an aftermarket differential. According to Subaru, we’ll only be getting two (well-equipped) trim levels here in the States at launch – the BRZ Premium and BRZ Limited. Subaru has decided to position the BRZ upmarket from the Scion FR-S clone that Toyota will offer here. That’s not to say a stripped-out BRZ won’t ever happen here, as Subaru did once offer a stripper version of the WRX back in 2006 called the WRX TR. When pressed on a possible BRZ TR, officials wouldn’t say that the prospect is completely out of the question here in the U.S. That said, Subaru did admit that a stripper BRZ would not attract “the buyer we are looking for in the U.S.” read the article 2/23 BRZ details released confirming many of the rumors Subaru has trickled out over the past 6 months.  Orders accepted starting March 1 with delivery starting May. Dealers will only get a small number of cars each month (1-4?). Prices have not been announced yet.  Models are Premium and Limited. Both models get 6.1" Navigation GPS. Limited adds leather/alcantara trimmed interior, heated front seats/mirrors, fog lights, keyless pushbutton start, and climate control.  Colors include wr blue pearl, lightning red, crystal black silica, dark gray metallic, satin white pearl and 2 new colors, galaxy blue silica and sterling silver metallic.  2013 BRZ spec page 2/13 with the BRZ/FR-S coming out, here are 4 1960s Japanese sports cars from Honda, Toyota, Mazda, and Nissan. Toyota's gorgeous 2000GT was designed by Toyota with engine mechanicals by Yamaha, which is similar to Subaru building the new BRZ/FR-S. The Datsun 240 was a game changer. Through the 1970s, Datsun was the largest Japanese car company in the US. "From cheap and chintzy to dull and boring, Japanese cars have often battled a bad reputation among American and European enthusiasts. On the eve of the new Scion/Subaru sports car, which is neither cheap and chintzy nor dull and boring, it's worth a look in the rearview mirror at four cars from the dawn of the Japanese auto industry that were exceptional enough to catapult their makers into the ranks of the world's largest and most respected automobile manufacturers. > Honda S800 Years produced: 1965-69, Original price: $1275 It might look small in the company of these cars, but Honda's first-ever automobile -- the S sports car -- isn't just small, it's minuscule.... > Mazda Cosmo Sport 110S Years produced: 1967-72, Original price: $4389 The S500/600/800 might have been Honda's first car, but the Mazda Cosmo was the world's first car with a truly viable rotary engine -- a twin-rotor. Its futuristic styling was the perfect complement to the Jetsons powerplant under the hood: a 110-hp thing of wonder not much larger than a basketball.... > Toyota 2000GT Years produced: 1967-70, Original price: $6611 If the Honda's engineering ingenuity and the Mazda's rotary engine blazed the trail for their makers' futures, then the 2000GT is the perfect example of why Toyota -- and Lexus -- are where they are today. In fairness, some of the credit goes to Yamaha, which assembled all 337 2000GTs and developed the DOHC cylinder head that bolted to the Toyota Crown sedan's 2.0-liter straight-six block. The car's design was done by Toyota, and styling that appears a little overwrought in photos is beautiful in person. With shades of the Jaguar E-type in its complex curves, the backbone-frame 2000GT looks much like a Lotus Elan underneath. Ironically, it's the tall Lotus-style rear suspension towers that necessitated the upward kink of the rear side windows -- and in the process created one of the most beautiful greenhouses of all time.... > Nissan 240 (Fairlady) Z432 Years produced: 1969-73, Original price: $5139 If it was the Toyota 2000GT that grabbed the attention of car enthusiasts worldwide, it was Nissan's Z that pried open their wallets. It took Chevrolet a quarter century to sell 500,000 Corvettes -- Nissan moved that many Zs in a decade. More important, the Fairlady Z, or Datsun 240Z as we knew it, was the final, fatal shot that killed the mainstream British sports car. Sized appropriately for big American frames, it was sculpted like an Italian supercar and stuffed with reliable, modern technology. It had a fixed roof in place of the leaky British canvas top, and it had the performance to brush aside all of its competition. And that's exactly what it did..." read the entire article from automobile magazine 2/6 BRZ is in good company. Here are one writers comments on some recent 2 door hits and misses  His list includes the MG-B, Fiero, 240Z, MR2, Solstice/Sky, XKE, TT, 914, CRX, Cooper coupe. "From the Pontiac Fiero to the poor-man's Porsche: Automakers have always tried to bring affordable fun to the masses. The hearts of auto enthusiasts everywhere beat a little faster recently with the introduction of two new sports cars: the Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S. The two autos are essentially identical because they were developed jointly by the two companies. The all-new, rear-drive chassis is from Subaru, as is the engine; Toyota did the design and extra bits for the motor. As they used to say in the old Doublemint chewing gum commercials: Double your pleasure, double your fun. The appearance of the two is notable: Affordable sports cars have been in short supply in recent years. The target market of young men isn't exactly flush with cash, insurance costs weigh heavily, and sports cars have a short shelf life. As much about fashion as they are about driving, they tend to wilt in showrooms after 18 months. Even the durable Mazda MX-5 Miata, starting its 23rd year on the market, has become a specialty item -- 2011 sales totaled 5,672 cars." read the article with his comments on the cars 1/30 BRZ, is at the Philadelphia Auto Show, along with an old XT and SVX. Check them out now, January 28-Feb 5, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Of course the corporate HQ  in Cherry Hill NJ and the operations center in Pennsauken, NJ are both a very short drive from Philadelphia just across the Delaware River and so its natural some special cars would be there.  If anyone is going to go, please send me an email.  more info here  1/23 a brief comment on the BRZ at the Detroit NAIAS auto show "...The Subaru BRZ has a surprisingly nice interior, with open sight lines, supportive seats, and quality materials. The interior in the FR-S is very similar, but I wasn’t able to sit in the Scion and, from what I’ve read, it won’t be available with the Subaru’s up-level faux suede trim. How did the joint venture sports car end up with a nicer interior than you’ll find elsewhere in either partner’s lineup?..." by M Karesh 1/22  Cruising Seattle in the snow in a Subaru looking for a coffee ...  "Some days, I confess that I feel very Northwestern. Most days, I suppose. But some days, more so than others. Take yesterday, for example. It snowed. While everyone else was panicking about it, I was hopping in my Subaru and heading off to find any coffee shop situated on a decent hill. Snow is great. Snow is fun. And driving down snowy hills in an all-wheel-drive vehicle produces an obnoxious feeling of superiority. Of course, when looking for hills in Seattle, one doesn't necessarily need to look far. But for hills and coffee at the same time, the Phinney Ridge neighborhood is an excellent bet. I ended up at Cafe Bambino, most of the way down 65th, ordering an Americano and trying to determine whose coffee they were serving..."  the entire article  1/13 Subaru adds AHA radio by Harman as an option for 2013 models, starting with the BRZ.    Subaru already has Harman/Kardon (h/k) audio equipment in the Legacy and Outback- its optional in Premiums, standard in Limited models. I wonder if Subaru stereos will now be AM, FM, HD, Aha, CD plus USB and 3.5mm auxilliary jacks. Announced at CES Jan10-  'Aha, an interactive platform that makes web content safe for drivers today announced new automotive and content partnerships that will bring web connected infotainment safely to millions of drivers, right through the radio. Honda and Subaru are currently working with Aha to integrate with the Aha platform starting with model year 2013 vehicles... Aha has become the web-connected "fourth band" of the car radio, alongside AM, FM and satellite radio. Aha's platform uniquely enables drivers to safely and easily access great audio content from around the web, and transforms non-audio web content into radio stations... Aha announced partnerships with Honda and Subaru that will seamlessly bring Aha into Honda and Subaru vehicles to let drivers interact with web-based content right through the radio. Honda and Subaru are among the first automotive manufacturers to integrate Aha's service into their vehicles....' What is Aha radio. It allows smart phone user to stream radio through the car stereo. 'Aha is a service that helps users safely and easily access their favorite web content from smartphones and compatible electronics devices. Founded in 2008, and acquired by Harman in 2010, Aha was created by some of the most passionately mediocre Ping-Pong players and coffee enthusiasts in all of the Silicon Valley. They also happen to have decades of combined experience developing automotive, location-based, cloud computing, and mobile services for the likes of SiriusXM, eBay, PayPal, Amazon, Motorola, Yahoo!, Palm, Wired, Rhapsody, and more.' http://aharadio.com,  about Harman and Aha 1/10 BRZ arrives in Detroit at the NAIAS North American Int. Auto Show, and also at the CES in San Francisco. Expect prices and specs early Spring.  > "Take a first look at the U.S. production model of the 2013 Subaru BRZ, January 14-22 at the Detroit Auto Show. The full specs are out, adding many standard features to the lightweight design. The new 2.0-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine features 200 horsepower and sits lower and farther back in the engine well, enhancing the torque and handling while offering greater fuel efficiency and power. MacPherson struts, a double wishbone rear suspension and 17-inch wheels give the ride a smooth finish. The U.S. model also comes with limited-slip differential, High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, GPS navigation system and Bluetooth hands-free technology standard. The 2013 BRZ is expected to be available stateside this spring."  from  subaru.com > "Subaru's long-awaited BRZ sports car made an appearance at the 2012 Detroit auto show, and despite its small exterior size, there's room inside for taller folks — as long as they steer clear of the rear seats. Subaru's cars lack a consistent face, and the BRZ introduces yet another look featuring a large front intake with black plastic trim on the upper edge. The hood is extremely low — lower than the top of the front fenders at some points — and the wedge headlights lend a dose of aggressiveness. Still, something isn't quite right with the car's stance; it looks like it's sitting a little high on its wheels, with too much of a gap between the tires and fenders. I have no doubt the aftermarket tuners will rectify this in short order. Subaru added some appliques on the BRZ's front fenders. Some automakers do a nice job with these, like BMW with its M cars, but the BRZ's have a dull, tacked-on look that diminish the design. The tail matches the front-end's aggressiveness with a large rear diffuser, dual exhaust tips and an available rear spoiler.The BRZ's small, low footprint is deceiving because the cabin easily accommodates 6-foot-plus adults. Very long front-seat travel helps in this regard, and the steering wheel tilts and telescopes. Granted, with the driver's seat all the way back rear-seat legroom is nonexistent, but the backseat is marginally useful to start. With the rear seats folded, Subaru claims there's enough cargo space to carry four extra wheels and a jack for a day at the track; I suspect those rear seats will stay folded more often than not. The front bucket seats are relatively wide so the side bolsters don't hold you too tightly, and the dashboard sits like a ledge in front of you. There are some unique interior bits like toggle switches on the center control panel, and materials' quality is decent overall. The stick shift moves with a direct, mechanical precision.  At a time when most cars — sports cars included — have grown larger and heavier, it's refreshing to see something like the BRZ enter the market. With a curb weight of just less than 2,800 pounds, the car keeps the weight down, which should pay dividends all-around as far as the driving experience is concerned." the Chicago Tribune article  > "Powered by new generation FA-Series 2.0-liter Boxer four-cylinder, generating 200 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque, the production BRZ boasts one of the lowest centers of gravity of any car in the world and is also among the lightest two-door coupes on the market, weighing in at a relatively bantam 2,762 lbs. That makes it some 300 lbs less than the Lotus Evora and a whopping 500 lbs less than the Hyundai Genesis Coupe. With a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions (the latter with sport and manual paddle shifts), plus pedals optimized for heel and toe downshifting, along with an optimized front strut suspension and independent rear, the BRZ promises to be one of the most fun to drive cars available in American when it goes on sale as a 2013 model." the article 1/5 BRZ  is getting close. The US version is going to be unveiled at Detroit's N. American Int. Auto Show January 9, 2012. It will also be at the CES Consumer Electronics Show January 10-13, Las Vegas.  Are you in the Seattle area and interested in the BRZ? Contact me

WRX AND STI NEWS AND REVIEWS IN 2012 2012 calendar year news articles edited for length, content

m

click for archived news from 2011 12/19 WRX review- its good but old, fast but not pretty... and there's nothing else quite like it... "As with any tidbit of information that may appear biased, this review needs a disclaimer. Chances are this review may turn out one-sided. During my week with the 2013 Subaru WRX Sedan, I swore to myself I would be impartial and display Swiss levels of neutrality; but deep down, my inner Subaru “fanboi” tried his hardest to make an appearance. Phrases like “this interior isn’t out-of-date, it is retro chic” would circulate inside my head before I returned to my senses and realized a spade is a spade; the interior is old. Oh, and while I am embarking on an editorial confessional, I guess I better fess up to the fact that I also use to own a WRX until less than a year ago—a 2010 Limited Hatchback model. For 2013, the Subaru WRX is still based on the previous ‘GR’ Impreza platform and not the all new GP/GJ Impreza that debuted in 2012. Being based on a chassis that is now in its sixth model year, Subaru has made periodic improvements to the WRX to keep it relevant, like the addition of the 265 hp motor in 2009 and the standard wide-body refresh in 2011.  But it is now 2013, and it is safe to say the WRX is showing its age and an all-new version should show up in a year or two.  Until that day, we will continue to get this completely unrefined but solid, high-performing vehicle—the automotive equivalent to a 10-kg sledgehammer. At the heart of any good WRX is a turbocharged Boxer four-cylinder engine.  The 2013 WRX continues to feature the most powerful flat-4 engine ever installed in a WRX...   Combined with the only transmission choice, a five-speed manual, the 1,455-kg WRX can rip from a dead stop to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds according to Subaru’s website, although, some U.S. magazines have been able to hit 96 km/h (60 mph) in 4.7 seconds thanks to calculated clutch abuse. ... When the WRX went wide-body in 2011, the standard single tip exhaust was replaced by the STI’s quad-tip, dual exhaust system.  This new exhaust setup is louder than the old single outlet exhaust and gives the WRX a bit more Boxer-rumble at low rpms... The more I drove this ‘new’ 2013 Subaru WRX, the more it felt like a throwback to Japanese sports cars of the late 80s and 90s, where all the money was spent on chassis and drivetrain development with styling and interior as mere afterthoughts...  I did grind third gear a few times at first; a clear indication that I am out of practice with the WRX’s be-direct-and-forceful gearbox... What surprised me most about the WRX was the steering.  Three years ago it felt fine; decent at best.  But times have changed and it is overly light and lacks the feel the BRZ, or even the new 2012 Impreza.... And now, time for some of my biased Subaru enthusiasm to shine through.  I really like what the wide-body did for the WRX in 2011; a lot.  It may not have made it any more modern looking, but it did make it much more aggressive compared to older models - especially the quad tailpipes.  With the flared fenders, front skirt, and rear valance treatment, the WRX looks the part of a proper performance car, which it is, and not a pretender, which it isn’t.  It’s too bad the interior didn’t receive a similar treatment in 2011. When I bought my WRX three years ago, I did not buy it because of the interior. It felt hopelessly out of date then, and looks downright ancient in 2013.  There are hard, ugly plastics everywhere, including the center armrest. This car has been in production since 2008 and recent niceties like menu screens and modern HVAC controls are absent... Honestly though, anyone who buys, or doesn’t buy, a WRX based solely on the interior specs is one misguided consumer; the WRX is the sum of its drivetrain parts.  By cheaping out on the interior, Subaru can keep the price low and ensure the WRX is the performance bargain it has always been at (Canadian) $32,495.  There are nicer interiors in this class, like in the Volkswagen GTI or MINI Cooper S, but neither offer the flat-out performance of the WRX.  On the flip-side, there are vehicles with a decent interior that can match the WRX in performance, like a Focus ST, Mazdaspeed3, or Genesis Coupe 2.0 R-Spec, but all are missing the WRX’s secret weapon; all-wheel drive.  The Mitsubishi Ralliart does offer all the things the WRX does, but, it may well be the only vehicle out there with an even worse interior... So, is this car still relevant in 2013?  Yes, if for no other reason than its performance-per-dollar ratio.  Sure, Subaru’s own BRZ is more neutral, has better steering feel, is more engaging to drive, and, of course, is cheaper. But, the WRX would still be crowned the victor at most speed contests around a racetrack.  Regardless of your preference, it is amazing that a company as small as Subaru offers two dedicated performance vehicles (3 if you count the WRX and STI separately), while others, like Toyota and Kia for example, offer none.  Keep it up, Subaru" read this entire article 12/14 WRX, STI, and Impreza in the UK have been dropped due to slow sales! Since the WRXs were hugely popular rally winners in the past, its surprising sales have sunk that low, but their loss could be our gain -  this could mean more inventory for the US where Subaru is scrambling to meet demand. Subaru will continue to sell the Crosstrek (called the XV), Legacy, and outback "The Subaru WRX STi and Subaru Impreza will cease to be a feature on UK’s roads from next year. While an all-new Impreza was launched in Japan and the US last year, a spokesman for the brand confirmed that there isn’t enough demand for cars like the Impreza in the UK, so the new model will not be added to the UK line-up. He said: “The new Impreza has been under evaluation in the UK for 12 months, but the decision has been taken not to bring that car to the UK because of insufficient demand.” The decision also means the end of the line for the WRX STi. Subaru split the Impreza and WRX STi nameplates into two separate models in 2007, when the third generation Impreza arrived, and demand has dwindled as the performance model can no longer compete with more modern rivals in terms of design, interior quality, performance and emissions. The spokesman said: “Currently we have no plans to bring in further [WRX STI] stock after the current stock sells out – which should takes us to early summer depending on demand.” Instead, Subaru will focus its UK efforts on its XV, new Forester and Outback SUV models: “Subaru is concentrating on what it’s really good at – so we’re concentrating on SUVs and the BRZ – we’re hoping to get more [BRZs] next year to satisfy strong demand for that car.” He added that he “could not confirm what happens to the Legacy after the end of 2013”. read the entire article 10/30 300 Special Edition 2013 WRX Premium and STI sedans to be available May 2013. Announced October 30th at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, Subaru will produce 300 Orange and Black Special Edition WRX Premium and STI sedans- 200 WRX and 100 STIs. The Tangerine Orange cars will have black WRX or STI graphics, custom black alloys, black front fender badging, and black outside mirrors. The interiors will be dark with orange stitching on the seats, shift boots and door trim, and orange edged floor mats and logos. The STI sedan will include fog lights. The cars will have their standard powertrains,  no engine or horsepower upgrades were announced.  The announcement also didn't include details if the cars will be numbered. Prices have not been announced. With around 625 dealers and only 300 cars, these will go fast. Contact your local dealer soon if you want one.  2013 WRX and STI specs and photos Want to see the tangerine orange? its also on the Crosstrek 10/25 Factory Orders-  Subaru fesses up, announces that ordered cars are going to take longer and longer to arrive. With Subaru riding a wave of popularity and cars selling quickly, there's been a shortage of cars available on lots for a while now. This is especially true of the Japanese built Impreza, Crosstrek, BRZ and WRX/STI. This is a good/bad problem. The good part is Subarus are selling. Once known as a mostly functional car for skiers, hippies, campers and dog lovers etc in the northeast, northwest, rocky mountains and other frosty, wet areas, and widely unknown everyplace else, Subarus are now the It Car and selling everywhere.  Even where it's warm and dry all year round. As a result of the reduced inventory on lots, more and more people are either putting deposits down on already scheduled incoming cars, or are factory ordering if what they want isn't on the horizon. This even further reduces the number of cars available on lots because more arrivals are pre-sold and spoken for. And with Subaru trying to expand into every market, they now have a whopping total of 1,209 possible model, trim and color combinations and that doesn't even include individual options. As a result of the increase in orders, the ETA (estimated time of arrival) of factory ordered cars is getting pushed back. This is the bad part.  Its like your favorite neighborhood restaurant getting a glowing review, all of a sudden it's 'discovered' (like it hasn't been there for years and years),  and there's a line to get in on weekends. Then reservations are recommended, then required, then its 4 weeks out to get in and so on. Meet Subaru, the little car company showing everyone how to make consumers fall in love with a car. Previously orders usually took 6-10 weeks.  Now Subaru has announced a longer wait time for orders. These ETAs are not fixed. They're are a guide as to how long the wait could be. Of course some cars will arrive sooner and others later but it can take months for a car just to be matched to the order and a future ETA released. how can Subaru possibly have 1,209 models? Impreza- there are 189 possible Impreza model, trim and color combinations. Crosstrek- there are 48 possible Crosstrek model, trim and color combinations WRX/STI- there are 96 possible WRX and STI model, trim and color combinations Forester- there are 136 possible Forester model, trim and color combinations Outback- there are 448 possible Outback model, trim and color combinations, including PZEVs Legacy- there are 240 possible Legacy model, trim and color combinations, including PZEVs Tribeca- there are 24 possible Tribeca model, trim and color combinations BRZ- here are 28 possible BRZ model, trim and color combinations > according to Subaru if you order a Impreza, the ETA will be around 4 months starting with the next full month after you order. Crosstrek, the ETA will be around 4 months starting with the next full month after you order. WRX/STI, the ETA will be around 4 months starting with the next full month after you order. Forester, the ETA will be around - oops.. no orders accepted. The redesigned 2014 is expected late winter/spring. Outback, the ETA will be around 3 months starting with the next full month after you order. Legacy, the ETA will be around  3 months starting with the next full month after you order. Tribeca,  the ETA will be around 3 months starting with the next full month after you order (is anyone ordering a Tribeca). BRZ, due to the way BRZs are allocated, the ETA is estimated to be 4-7 months out, but Subaru will back-fill as model and color is available. There's no ETA until shortly before the car arrives. 10/23 2012 Impreza and Forester navigation system update process announced 10/19 about factory orders on hard to find models, the Impreza, Crosstrek, WRX STI, and BRZ.  These are some of the hottest cars around and demand is greater than supply. Factory orders of these hard to get models can take longer than the 8 weeks of previous years. This is especially true in Subaru's traditionally popular areas where dealers have to order cars exceeding their normal allocation because there aren't enough cars on the lots to sell. "...Due to the supply limitation of our fast-selling carlines, effective October 4th, sold orders that are above and beyond a dealers earned allocation by carline will carried forward to a future allocation and will be marked with HOLD.... HOLD orders will be released from HOLD once the dealer has earned enough units of the carline in question..." 10/17 2 door WRX seen in Michigan. The next WRX/STI and BRZ will certainly share components. "High on many Subaruphiles' wish list is a new two-door WRX STI, and the Japanese manufacturer might just be working on such a model. A two-door WRX-looking, highly camouflaged mule was recently spotted testing in the Ann Arbor, Mich., area. Subaru has a research-and-development facility in Ann Arbor. Subaru officials would not comment on the prospects for a 2014 WRX coupe, saying no such model is in the plans for the near future. The mule could have been testing an engine and suspension package for the much-rumored, but not yet official, STI version of the BRZ.  Whatever it is, there was no mistaking the boxer-engine exhaust note, which is much more difficult to camouflage than the sheetmetal car body." the original article with photo 10/11 BRZ and STI comparison from an 2010 STI 5 door owner who works for automobilemag.com "With all the hype surrounding the BRZ, you'd almost be forgiven for thinking Subaru has never offered a car that appealed to enthusiasts before. While Subaru cars may be most closely associated with Whole Foods and dog parks to the average person, the brand is widely known for its rally heritage and WRX STI model among driving enthusiasts. Sandon Voelker, our videographer and WRX STI owner, borrowed our BRZ for a weekend to see how the rear-wheel drive sports car felt in comparison to his all-wheel drive turbocharged hatchback. Before we get into Sandon's detailed observations, it's important to note he's a videographer and an avid bicyclist - he always has his car packed with video cameras, bikes, or both. He is absolutely convinced no other car on the market could beat the STI for his specific needs: cargo capacity, above average performance, and a sticker price under $50k. Even if the BRZ was on sale last year when he bought an STI, he wouldn't have seriously considered buying one. Sandon instantly noticed the BRZ's more supportive seats once he sat behind the wheel, which is admittedly covered in lower quality materials than his STI's steering wheel. He is asking his dealer if the BRZ seats will fit his car because: "performance wise, the BRZ seats are miles ahead of the STI's. I never slid into the door when going around a turn." Sandon prefers the pedal placement in the STI because heel-toe shifts are much more natural, but he was able to adjust to the BRZ's position with "deliberate preemptive foot placement." Unfortunately that also meant spending more time with Subaru's less-than-desirable touchscreen infotainment system, which can't hold a candle to the standard buttons and knobs that control the stereo in his STI. When it comes to design, the two cars are worlds apart due to their different body styles and Sandon admitted his bias right away: "Not everyone loves wagons like I do." He digs the look of the BRZ and complimented everything from the moderately aggressive stance to the roofline, although he'd like a bit more bulge in the fenders, especially when compared to an STI. Unfortunately the clean lines and tiny footprint of the BRZ don't leave enough room inside the car for a bicycle or two and the roofline that looks so good doesn't offer factory mounting points for a roof rack like the STI's. Well, at least his video equipment fit inside with the rear seat folded flat. Voelker sees his hatchback in a new light: "My STI is kind of a Sport Utility Vehicle in comparison." Of course interior quality and styling are minor considerations for either the STI or BRZ. Sandon spent lots of time driving the two cars over the same loops to explore the differences in their character. It doesn't take long to determine southeastern Michigan's roads favor the STI's more potent engine and more aggressive summer tires. Voelker still had fun in the BRZ, for which he credits the trifecta of "great chassis setup, the appropriate amount of power, and those low rolling resistance tires." That's right, the same tires that have been chastised by other drivers get praise here. Sandon goes so far as to say he thinks stickier tires would make the BRZ "downright boring" because they would no longer match the amount of power the engine produces. As far as the rumored turbocharged BRZ goes, Sandon isn't sold on the prospect: "a sudden surge in power (once the turbo provides boost) would likely be more difficult to balance with a rear-wheel drive car." In Sandon's eyes the very balanced BRZ makes for a better track toy than his STI, but he prefers the STI for daily driving because it offers all-wheel drive for Michigan's snowy winters and the cargo capacity he needs to move bikes and video equipment. We'll be living with our BRZ as a daily driver for the remainder of our Four Seasons test, so our next move is likely choosing a set of winter tires with help from our friends at the Tire Rack to prepare for the possibility of an early snowfall. Be sure to check back next month to find out which snow tires we are testing and how they change the BRZ's demeanor." read the original article. 9/20 Why is it hard to find Imprezas or the coming Crosstrek, why aren't there more on car lots? The answer is Subaru sells between 4500-8400 Imprezas each month (8545 was an Impreza record, set in May 2012), and there are so many models and dealers that no dealer gets enough and there is always a shortage. How many Impreza and Crosstrek models and packages are there? There are 27 Impreza models, various combinations of  4 door sedan and 5 door hatchback in 2.0i, Premium, Limited, and Sport trim, with manual or CVT transmission, and many Option Packages including combinations of moonroof, All weather Package, 17" wheels, and/or Navigation. And there are 7 colors. So 27 models x 7 colors = 189 possible Imprezas that a buyer might want. Then add Crosstreks to the assembly line in Gumna Japan and there are fewer and fewer of any one model. A Crosstrek is an Impreza 5 door with some body and mechanical upgrades, and 8.7" ground clearance. There are 6 Crosstreks- Premium manual, Premium CVT, and Limited CVT - and there are 8 colors, for a total of 48 possible cars that a buyer might want and Subaru has to ship to dealers every month. Add them all together and there are 237 Impreza variants to build each month, and that doesn't include individual options like rear bumper appliques, splash guards, security upgrades, fog lights, stereo upgrades, multiple cargo nets, side moldings and etc etc.  And with around 625 dealers asking for cars, no one dealer will get very many. Its possible but unlikely that Subaru will pare down the number of models to a manageable figure. 9/14  more on the Olympus Rally coming up next week, September 22-23 in Olympia, WA "The Rally America National Championship season concludes with a bang with this year’s largest assembly of top national and international rally teams at the Olympus Rally on September 22-23rd in Olympia, WA. Over 70 teams will return to the gravel logging roads once used in the 1980′s World Rally Championship located just outside the Washington State capital and will extend into the picturesque Pacific Northwest peninsula. All eyes will be on the much anticipated rematch between Ford, Subaru and Mitsubishi’s top rally drivers. The manufacturers previously met at the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood last February in Salem, MO where Monster World Rally Team’s Ken Block from Park City, UT and Alex Gelsomino from Santa Clarita, CA won the event in their 2012 Ford Fiesta HFHV marginally besting Subaru Rally Team USA’s David Higgins from Trefeglwys, England and Craig Drew from Forest of Dean, England.... Block and Gelsomino will once again face Subaru Rally Team USA’s Higgins and Drew who are expected to throw everything they’ve got at the Monster World Rally Team to avenge the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood. After already locking up the 2012 Rally America National Championship, Higgins and Drew can focus solely on beating the Monster World Rally Team.“It’s great to be able to go to event without having to worry about points and looking forward to competing against Ken again,” commented Higgins, “After five weeks with no rain I think dust could be a major problem. I’m hoping for some rain in the coming week, otherwise the luck of the draw will have an even bigger meaning! Ford and Subaru’s battle will be joined by the Rockstar Energy Drink Rally Team Mitsubishi EVO of Antoine L’Estage from St-Jean-sur-Richlieu, Quebec and longtime co-driver Nathalie Richard from Halifax, Nova Scotia. L’Estage and Richard actually tailed Block when he lead the 100 Acre Wood Rally and looked like the team that could beat Block until L’Estage suffered an untimely transmission failure that passed second place to Subaru. As the top of the leaderboard duke it out, the Olympus Rally will ultimately decide the winners of the 2012 Super Production (SP) and 2012 Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) National Class Championships as well...." read this entire article, visit the official Olympus rally website  9/1 - 2013 Impreza and WRX STI brochures now at dealers. Both are 20 pages and almost identical to the 2012 brochure photos and text. The 2013 Impreza brochure has all the exact photos taken in front of the Candle Cafe on the beach in Venice Beach, Ca., and the same various car and scenery photos. The inside rear cover with the colors has been changed. The WRX STI brochure is also the same as the 2012, with the same photos. The double page photo on the inside cover and on page 1 is identical to the 2012, except the car has been edited to be gray instead of the discontinued Lightning Red used in the 2012 brochure. The text blurb on page 5 has been changed to one from automobilemag.com, replacing one from Popular Mechanics. The STI 5 door on the model description page #16 has also been changed to gray from the red that's not available this model year. 8/27 Subaru Rally September 21-23 in Olympia, Wa  After a four year absence, the Olympus Rally, the sixth and final round of the 2012 Rally America National Championship, will be returning to Olympia and run on stage road near Shelton. Washington generally has great weather late summer-early fall. Visit the official rally website  8/20 Impreza, Crosstrek, WRX, STI, and BRZ factory orders could take longer than in previous years. Subaru will be supplying 2013 Japanese built models that are in short supply for dealer inventory first before special orders. Some orders are showing up with November-December delivery dates, 3-4 months out. Though they could be filled sooner, this is longer than the app 2 month window of previous years.  Subaru will get you the car of course, and your dealer can always check for a car that's close to what you want either in stock or already scheduled for inventory if you don't want to wait. 8/15 all models can now be factory ordered including Crosstrek and WRX/STI. Orders of hard to get models like WRX, STI, Crosstrek, Impreza could take longer than in prior years as Subaru tries to manage inventory, balancing orders with dealer inventory.  Hopefully the wait won't be as long as BRZs, they're an especially long wait due to the small number of vehicles available. Hopefully the other models will arrive in 2-3-4 months, and with better Estimated Arrival Date even if only a 'month of' ETA. This is for fresh orders, it would be sooner if an acceptable model is already in the dealer's incoming system. Orders will now be taken from a dealers allocation rather than be added to it which could affect pricing 8/14 WRX and STI orders should be available Wednesday afternoon 8/15. Dealers can already check cars scheduled for September delivery 7/28 Subaru announces 2013 WRX, STI, and Impreza prices. Orders are not yet available Destination raised $20 to to $770 (from $750) WRX and STI prices are up $200. No colors or options announced, and no changes expected to any of the models. 2013 WRX, STI MSRP including destination: 4 door WRX $26,565, Premium $29065, Limited $30,065.  5 door WRX $26,565, Premium $29,065, Limited $30,065. 4 door STI $35,065, Limited $38415. 5 door STI $37,065 Impreza price increases vary by model MSRP prices including destination: 4 door: 2.0i (now includes bluetooth) $18665, CVT $19665. Premium (manual now includes all weather package) $20565, CVT (does not incl all weather pkg) $21,065, Limited $22765 5 door 2.0i $19,165, CVT $20,165,  Premium (manual now includes all weather package) $21,065, CVT (does not incl all weather pkg) $21,565, Limited $23,265 Sport Premium $21,565, CVT $22,565, Limited $23,765 6/28 Subaru PUMA RallyCross Team is in downtown LA for X Games 18 June 28th to July 1st.  The Puma Zombie Cat graphic is great. 5.28 2.0L turbo for next WRXs... its all about fuel economy on all the new models Subaru is planning We recently confirmed that we won’t be seeing a turbocharged Subaru BRZ anytime soon; however, we now have a fairly good idea of what kind of power such a model will eventually bring. Subaru has dropped the first turbocharged variant of its 2.0-liter, FA-series flat-four engine—the naturally aspirated version of which powers the BRZ and its Toyota/Scion brethren—into the refreshed Japanese-market Legacy sedan and wagon. The turbo FA20′s output numbers are impressive: 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. In the JDM Legacy, the engine is bolted to Subaru’s CVT, likely for fuel-economy reasons; we’d expect a turbo BRZ to offer a proper manual transmission and an auto similar or identical to the one it uses now.... Turbo BRZ uncertainty aside,  we’ll likely see this engine appear on our shores within the next year or two under the hood of the next-generation WRX and STI. We previously confirmed that the sporty models will be powered by a turbocharged iteration of the 2.0-liter FA motor, and that the STI’s engine will produce north of 300 hp. The new 2.0-liter turbo four will replace the 2.5-liter turbo in the current 265-hp WRX and 305-hp STI. Although the thought of a 296-hp WRX and an even-more-powerful STI sounds pretty good, chances are the WRX will make something less than that, while the STI will make a little more. A big motivator for Subaru moving the WRX and STI to the smaller 2.0-liter turbo is, of course, fuel economy—the current 2.5-liter is thirsty. It goes without saying that more power and better efficiency for the next WRX and STI are good things. Now all we have to do is wait for the duo to arrive..." read the entire article 5/16 Importing JDM cars- '... While he had owned some of the models most revered by enthusiasts, including soulful examples like the Subaru WRX and the BMW M3, not all the boxes on his wish list were yet checked. He dreamed of owning something exotic — nothing so readily available as, say, an Aston Martin. Last year, at age 26, Mr. Collins finally landed that dream car: a 1985 Toyota Corolla. Not just any Corolla, though. His is a Japanese-market Corolla GTV, a 205-horsepower performance coupe that shares little with the generic front-drive sedans most American buyers associate with Toyota’s economy-car nameplate. Mr. Collins is among a group of enthusiasts who covet Japanese cars configured just as they would be in a Tokyo showroom. His Corolla — in its native land, a Sprinter Levin — is equipped as home-market models were, down to the right-side steering wheel. He estimates there are fewer than two dozen such cars in the United States. “A GTV is much more rare than having a Maserati, Ferrari or Lamborghini,” Mr. Collins said. “I know more people that have those, or Bentleys or Porsches.” Owning a J.D.M. car demands commitment — an earlier burst of exposure waned with tightening enforcement of federal safety and emissions rules — yet there are rewards. And with the pool of cars eligible to enter the United States legally soon to include some enticing models, the J.D.M. following has the potential to grow. Some enthusiasts go to great lengths, and often considerable expense, to find cars in Japan to import, even flouting the law to do so. Others take a similar American-market model and transform it into the Japanese equivalent part by part, even if the difference is apparent only to aficionados. Part of the appeal that motivates these specialists is the allure of horsepower. “The engine is tuned differently, it has more power and it’s easier to upgrade than the U.S. model,” said Kirk Dunlap, who has owned four J.D.M. cars. He currently drives a special edition 1984 Toyota Sprinter Trueno with a factory “Panda Car” paint scheme. The black-and-white livery matches a car from “Initial D,” a popular Japanese animated feature and graphic novel in which a young driver becomes a street-racing champion through skills honed as a tofu delivery boy. Although the Japanese-market engines are often smaller in displacement, they are typically higher revving. “They are way more aggressive, they put out way more horsepower, they take way more abuse,” said Paul Scott Jr., the owner of ECS Performance in Windsor Locks, Conn., who has built some half-dozen J.D.M. replicas.  It’s not only powertrain differences that collectors pay attention to. When Mr. Scott converted an American-spec 1997 Subaru Legacy into a limited-edition J.D.M. Legacy GTB, he moved the steering wheel and driver controls from the left side to the right. He also installed a thermostat-type climate-control system, a feature not offered in American Legacys until later years. In this, Mr. Scott sees a hint of conspiracy. “I personally think they say, ‘This is our best stuff, we aren’t going to share it,’ ” he said. It may be a bit less sinister than that. Differences in safety and exhaust-emissions standards between the United States and Japan mean that authentic J.D.M. cars can, for instance, use lighter window glass. In addition, the Japanese standards present fewer barriers to automakers wanting to turn out short runs of performance models. “They are able to do very small batches of cars without having to recertify them the way we do here,” said Dominick Infante, a spokesman for Subaru of America. Subaru is a popular marque for J.D.M. conversions, an offshoot of the brand’s success in rally racing and the devoted following for its hottest road models. In Japan, Mr. Infante said, factory STI versions of Impreza sedans, Legacy wagons and Forester crossovers have been produced. While federal regulations create hurdles for enthusiasts who want to import cars that were intended for sale only in Japan, there are workarounds. Regulatory agencies make exceptions for cars over 25 years old, which is why people like Mr. Collins are now able to import mid-1980s cars...." read the entire article   5/9- Impreza 2.0 or WRX... "If you've ever driven the rock-hard, super-fast version of the Subaru Impreza, you know it's a car with great bones. In this hopped-up trim, the Impreza WRX is one of the most thrilling cars you can buy with four doors — and that includes much more expensive offerings like the BMW M3. The WRX is raw, exciting and total proof that this car's architecture is designed to withstand the brutal demands of a performance car. The majority of Subaru buyers, though, don't choose the wild WRX and instead opt for the more sedate, efficient and affordable flavor — the regular ol' Impreza — which is what I've been driving for the past week. The Impreza is a car with a cult following for its four-wheel traction and reputation for longevity. Lots of people who live in mountainous areas love it because the all-wheel drive system is perfect for navigating icy roads in the winter, but it gets much better gas mileage than, say, a Jeep Wrangler. It's like a small, good-looking Jeep for practical people. The Impreza was totally redesigned for 2012, although it doesn't feel like a back-to-the-drawing-board kind of redesign. It's more an evolution of what the Impreza has long stood for, which is great traction and a solid driving feel. It's tough to compare this car to anything else on the market because there's not much that competes with it directly. A typical front-wheel-drive sedan is going to get better gas mileage than the Impreza and probably come with a classier, roomier interior for the money. But it won't have all-wheel drive. And there are plenty of big SUVs and crossovers that are available with all-wheel drive, but they generally get worse gas mileage and cost far more than the Impreza. Most would start over $30,000, compared with just $17,495 for a base Impreza.  That means if you want a small, efficient car that will make you feel confident in the snow and mud, this is pretty much your only option. Aside from the great traction on gravel, ice and mud, one of the Impreza's best features has traditionally been its fun driving feel. It was hard to see that in my test car, though, because Subaru opted to fit it with a continuously variable transmission that saps most of the excitement out of it. Subaru is one of the few car companies to use a "boxer" engine layout, which is famously employed by Porsche and BMW, so the five-speed manual transmission would be a much better choice for drivers who want that German sports car feeling on the cheap. It's what I'd recommend.  There's also a five-door hatchback version of the Impreza that adds to its versatility. With the hatchback, you can fold the back seats down to reveal a gigantic cargo area that's designed for carrying big, bulky things. Even with the back seats up, it comes with more storage room than you usually find in this class.  The clean, crisp styling is also an improvement over the outgoing Impreza. Pricing starts at $17,495 for the basic 2.0i and ranges to $22,595 for the more luxurious Sport Limited model, which comes with leather seats, automatic climate control and the CVT automatic transmission. The much more exciting Impreza WRX starts at $25,595 which, for me at least, would be incredibly tempting." read the original article 4/24 update- Impreza, WRX and STI cut-off date extended one day- it was Monday April 23, now is Tuesday 4/24 at 4pm 4/20 2012 Impreza, WRX and STI sold order cut-off date is Monday April 23.  So get your order in quickly. 4/17 WRX with tractor treads? How about putting them on a BRZ... Turn almost any car into a weather beast by replacing the tires with these treads by American Track Truck in Michigan. This might be the slowest WRX around, but its sure to get you there in the snow or sand. According to their website, AmericanTT started making these in 2008 but I haven't seen one cruising around Seattle yet. If you're frustrated that your new all wheel drive WRX/STI has summer tires, or the BRZ is rear wheel drive, this might be the ultimate solution. No word on what it does to the fuel economy, but in this case if you have to ask, its not for you.   www.americantracktruck.com. From Jalopnik "This 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX is unique in that it comes with both street sneakers and snow shoes. Sure the tractor treads are of limited value if you don't live where they get more than a dusting of snow, or perhaps the Sahara desert, but they're easily removable according to the ad. In fact you could store either set of footwear in the trunk - and probably back seat, those things looking like they take up a lot of room - so you'd be prepared for any contingency. After all, isn't that what the Boy Scouts taught you to be?.." 2/3 Subaru rally, they win the first one... "Defending 2011 Rally America National Champion David Higgins launched his 2012 title defense with Subaru Rally Team USA by achieving a decisive victory this past weekend at the Sno*Drift Rally. Higgins, driving a 5-door 2012 Subaru WRX STI rally car, dominated the rally leading from the start and winning 15 of the event's 24 competitive stages... ...The Sno*Drift Rally, round one of the six-event 2012 Rally America National Championship, challenged nearly 70 top rally teams with over 130 miles of snow and ice-covered roads in northern Michigan....  Higgins and Subaru Rally Team USA head next to the high-speed gravel roads of The Rally in the 100 Acre Wood, Feb 24-25, in central Missouri." the entire press release   1/8 STI review "The third quarter for our long- term 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI started with a full physical in the form of a 15,000-mile service visit. In addition to the normal oil change and tire rotation, the dealership checked the electrical and cooling systems, tuned the engine and added fuel-injector cleaner and an air filter. It also checked on the Brembo brakes, which still had 90 percent of material remaining after nine months. "Either these Brembo brakes hold up extremely well, or we're just not driving it hard enough," one editor said. The summer softened up the interior plastics, which made less noise than in the winter months, when they tended to squeak a lot more. Their silence did leave more room for tire and wind noise to work its way into the cabin. As refined as this car is compared with previous generations, it still ranks low on driving serenity. "The STI remains very raw," one editor noted. "There were times it sounded as if debris was falling off, and the racket this thing makes simply moving down the road is rather intrusive to passengers." But that's not what most drivers care about with the 305-hp WRX STI. Enthusiasts like us want a snorting muffler, a gaudy wing and the lightning throttle response that the WRX STI provides. It burbles at idle with a solid bass note before working up to a high-pitched metallic wail near redline. It's an absolute terror on the road, too, shooting gaps wherever we point it. With a click of the SI-Drive control, the WRX STI goes from mild to wild, and fuel consumption seems to go from acceptable to "I can't believe we have to stop again." The WRX STI has built quite a name for itself on the streets. Kids stop to admire, and older people curse the decibels while the pilot just smiles. The blue pearl paint gleams in the sun, striking a menacing silhouette in rear-view mirrors. People see the bugeye headlights and boy-racer wing and get out of the way immediately. The WRX STI was solid mechanically, only requiring eight days out of service for an unidentified gouge in the front bumper. The return included a heavy wash and detail job, which almost made the body-shop visit worthwhile." the article

Baja, Bricklin, SVX, Loyale, 360, Brat etc and all other older models and other older car related news, articles etc 2012 calendar year news click for archived news from 2011 articles edited for length, content

-

11/26 about piston slap on older Subaru with the 2.5L engine "I bought a 2003 Subaru Legacy SE sedan a little while back for my girlfriend. It has the “Phase 2″ EJ25 SOHC motor. Living in Michigan the AWD is nice, and it was a one owner car with documented service history and I got a good price. The car has 105,000 miles on it, and the previous owner had the head gaskets and timing belts replaced about 10k miles ago by the Subaru dealer. I have no complaints other than the car really ticks on cold start, and does so until it warms up when it the sound goes away. The car doesn’t seem to burn any oil. Based on what I’ve seen online (youtube video and forums) this vintage Subaru is notorious for piston slap and its supposedly nothing to worry about, although Subaru apparently will replace the two noisy pistons for persistent customers. At this point the car was cheap and runs well and I have no desire to tear it down just to replace pistons, but want to know its reliable for my girlfriend. So what are your thoughts on Subaru piston slap: ticking boxer bomb, or nature of the flat-four beast? Sajeev answers: Your letter reminds me why I have a love-hate relationship with Subies.  Some are quirky, illegally fun, loyal friends while others, uh, eat head gaskets, have piston slap and make the underhood’s labor intensive real estate borderline unbearable. There’s a reason why Toyota owns Subaru and not the other way around.  But let’s be clear on one thing: piston slap is just a terrible annoyance, not a serious concern for any automobile owner. It’s much like the TTAC column of the same name, son. Now this website does a fair job assessing the situation. Piston slap is an unfortunate by-product of a manufacturer that picked the wrong piston rings for a particular motor. Your research is valid, you have very little to worry about.  It will suck on re-sale, if you sell it on your own to an unsympathetic buying public on craigslist.  But keep up with the maintenance, don’t thrash it and I predict it will last for another 50-100,000 miles.  If that’s what you really want." read the original article 9/3 1970 Subaru 360 van for sale on Ebay. The seller, in Spokane, Wa., says it has been completely restored, and it does look good in the photos. The auction ends Monday, Labor Day 9/3 at 2:50pm.  The 360 is like a golf cart, not good for driving on busy roads, ie no power and you sure don't want to have an accident in it. But its a must-have for a Subaru collector. How much would you pay for a cute little toy car that will be a hit at all the car shows and Subaru events? Currently at $7500 $9000 at 12:15pm  $10500 with 5 minutes left to bid. The bidding reached $11300 but the reserve wasn't met and the car was unsold.  Check it out 8/29 The beater SVX, Merkur and Cadillac were on featured Top Gear last night (8/28). The SVX got less time than the other models and was sold off at a bargain price of $200. Overall it was a typically entertaining episode, finished off with a double-decker demolition derby 8/26 check out the SVX, Allante, and XR4ti on Top Gear this Tuesday 8/28. Yes I remember when these cars were new and hot. The very Japanese exotic SVX which Subaru brought to market with impeccably bad timing and an inflated price, the hardtop convertible CadillacAllante/Buick Reatta with now classic 1980s and typical GM mechanical problems, and Ford's sporty German Merkur  XR4Ti, whose larger sibling, the Scorpio (both sold at Mercury dealers), had a cushy ride and even power reclining rear seats. On Top Gear " Are there cars that were sales flops because they were simply too far ahead of their time or “misunderestimated”? Our hosts think so, and offer up three rides that they think deserve a second shot at sales success. Rut selects the quirky and even now futuristic-looking Subaru SVX, Tanner the unpronounceable-by-Americans Merkur XR4Ti, known elsewhere as the Sierra, and Adam one of the fastest depreciating cars in the world, the Cadillac Allanté..." read the entire article about the episode, and the Top Gear website  7/30 1969 Subaru 360 painted like a yellow cab. see it Saturday, Aug. 18, 10am-1 pm, Laguna Grande Park, 1249 Canyon Del Rey Blvd. Seaside, Calif. More than 50 oddball cars participating in Hagerty’s Tour of LeMons in northern California on August 18 will be led by a 1970 Subaru 360 Deluxe sedan owned by Mindy Kindelberger of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. Kindelberger won the opportunity after receiving more than 30 percent of votes in Hagerty’s second annual Search for America’s Sweetest LeMon contest. She and her Subaru, dubbed “Lil Cab,” will lead the tour as it departs Laguna Grande Park in Seaside, Calif., at 10 a.m. “Everyone in our hometown of Lake Havasu knows me for my car. People honk, take pictures and wave to me all the time,” Kindelberger says. “My husband and I both love collecting cars, especially the oddballs, which are the ones that always get the most attention.” Hagerty, the world’s leading insurer of classic cars, held the contest to find America’s favorite eccentric automobile. Each owners of a unique vehicle submitted photos of the car and a brief description of why it deserved to win. The top 10 candidates were posted for public vote on Hagerty.com, with the winner receiving an all-expense-paid trip to Hagerty’s Tour of LeMons. The Tour of LeMons gives owners and enthusiasts a chance to enjoy lesser-celebrated vehicles as a counterpoint to the popular and prestigious automotive events that make up Monterey Classic Car Week every August.  “Regardless of vehicle type, the passion for automobiles is the one thing that ties all classic car enthusiasts together,” said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty. “The Tour of LeMons is a way to celebrate the unique cars that otherwise would not typically be honored.”  the original article 1/15 Searching for Japanese 4wd project cars. Sure, the Galant VR4 is hard to find and barely rolling examples of the XT are around for cheap, and there's the Mazda 323 (I did forget about that one) and the Civic, but did there's also the Celica and Camry All-tracs and long-lasting Tercel wagon. On an American car note, does anyone else remember, or care, that the Ford Tempo was available with awd?  "These days, it's no big deal to walk into your local car dealership and drive out in a shiny new car with a reliable, quiet four-wheel-drive system that lets you navigate those icy mall parking lots with ease. Where's the fun in that? Back in the late 1980s, when Mazda 323 GTXs and Honda Civic 4WD Wagovans were spitting out drivetrain components on muddy fire roads and beer-bottle-strewn construction sites across the land, real men knew that nothing said "driving enjoyment" like a 19-mile trudge back to civilization after your Japanese AWD machine proved somewhat less sturdy than your buddy's AMC Eagle.Now that I've moved to Denver from Northern California, I've been shopping for something old, Japanese and all wheel drive as my winter driver--but it has to be cheap. And cool.... Remember how exciting WRC Group A was back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when Mitsubishi Galant VR-4s were out there proving that not all Mitsus were as boring as the Dodge Colt? Only a few thousand VR-4s were sold in the United States as part of the homologation effort, and—to judge by the expletive-laden tirades one hears from single-interest Mitsubishi zealots in online car forums—they are nearly impossible to find at any reasonable price today... Racing provenance is all right, as far as it goes, but the best Japanese cars of the late-1980s/early-1990s were really all about weird gadgets and design that looked like something from hallucinatory science-fiction comic books. The Galant VR-4 was quite a car and sufficiently flaky to qualify as a true Hell Project, but Mitsubishi had turned its back on the incomprehensible digital instruments and Mars Base interior layout that made the Cordia and the Tredia such lovable puzzlers back in the day. Subaru, however, stayed true to the futuristic program with its Alcyone line, taking advantage of the shape of its boxer engines to create a vehicle with all of the most confusing best elements of the Triumph TR7, the Toyota MR2 and the Space Battleship Yamato. Those who wish to add a Subaru XT—as the North American Alcyone was called—face a dilemma from the outset: Do you get the XT6, with its heavy and troublesome powerful boxer-six, or do you go for the XT Turbo, with its Delysidic instrument cluster. In this case, we've decided that the XT Turbo is just too simple, even with the amazing cockpit, and we've dredged the Lake of Fire for this pair of 1988 Subaru XT6s (go here if the listing disappears) in California's Gold Country for a just-barely-over-scrap-price of $850. Yes, my friends, that's two reasonably complete-looking XT6s in a nonrusty region for a mere $425 apiece! The seller had planned to make a 24 Hours of Le Mons car out of them, but "decided to go Mustang instead" (and when I, in my role as Chief Justice of the Le Mons Supreme Court, find out which team ditched an XT6 racer in favor of a so-boring-I-can't-even-type-its-name-again Ford . . well, it won't be pretty). But, hey, making a race car out of these cars would be too easy! You'll want to restore the least horrible nicer of the two to showroom condition and then drive it year-round. Hey, how hard would it be to swap the big EZ36 out of the current Outback into that cramped engine compartment? And while you're at it, you might as well transfer that digital instrument cluster from the XT Turbo to your XT6, finding some way to make the loony bar-graph tach display correctly with two additional cylinders. As for XT interior parts, you'll develop some long-lasting friendships with shut-in Subaru parts hoarders interesting Subaru aficionados around the country as you search for missing bits for your car." the entire article by Murilee Martin

top Subaru Hybrids and Concept cars 2012 calendar year news click for archived news from 2011 articles edited for length, content -

-

12/8 Subaru concept law enforcement drone wins the LA auto show design challenge "Part of the festivities that encompass the LA Auto Show is the annual LA Design Challenge. This year's winner was the Subaru Highway Automated Response Concept, or SHARC. It envisioned automated, zero-emission highway patrolling. The 2012 edition of the challenge was to envision the future of highway patrol in the year 2025. The goal was to conceptualize a vehicle that would account for the needs of "dynamic urban environments." In addition to Subaru's participation in the contest BMW, General Motors, Honda and Mercedes-Benz, all took part in the challenge. The SHARC is essentially a law enforcement land-drone. It is entirely automated and runs on renewable energy. Subaru envisioned a future where the Hawaiian Islands are connected to each other by a large highway system. Such an expansive area would require considerable manpower to patrol. The concept of an autonomous patrol vehicle would eliminate the need for a good number of full-time personnel. Given the proliferation of UAVs and the ongoing development of autonomous cars, this notion of an automated patrol vehicle could be a reality in years to come. For this vision of the future, Subaru was awarded as the 2012 LA Design Challenger winner...." read the entire article with many more photos Subaru's Highway Automated Response Concept winning entry at the 2012 LA auto show design competition 12/5 about a diesel Subaru in the US - is it coming was one of the questions chosen for the 2014 Forester Q&A online session with SoA's Michael McHale and Dominck Infante at the LA auto show I think Mr. Infante gave an honest answer, which is 'maybe'- ie no one has said "No it will never happen", and no one has said yes its in the works. A diesel CVT would sell in the US but its not an easy question, and its not up to SoA alone- mothership FHI would have to decide. The good news is the new Forester turbo's high-torque CVT could be the one to use, which means a diesel CVT is one step closer. SoA is a cautious company and diesel is a risk- would it sell at $30-32000 (that's a wild guess on my part)? Is there enough demand to push costs down on the engine? Other models are in need of attention (SoA, say... how about a diesel replacement for the Tribeca?) The real question facing SoA is do they really need a diesel with the hybrid around the corner.  I think they're going to wait and see how the hybrid does. And its really important to remember that Toyota is the hybrid sales king and owns a chunk of FHI, and they don't do a diesel here in the US. Its interesting to note that in the they chose a question about a possible diesel in the distant future instead of one about what model the long-promised hybrid will arrive in. Now that would have been an answer many people are waiting to hear - will it be an Impreza ? There were thoughts it would be a 2014 Forester but that no longer seems to be a valid rumor. Or will it be a new, un-named model? 2/27 Diesel automatic - an Outback diesel CVT is going to be available next year in Australia. Now that a diesel CVT is available, will the US get one or will the cost of the diesel engine and higher US diesel fuel prices be a deterrent? from Australia: "Subaru will start to fill a significant hole in its model lineup when it launches an automatic version of the turbo-diesel Outback soft-roader in 12 months. And further down the track the company expects to add auto-diesel Forester and XV models to its SUV range. However, they won’t arrive before 2014. Passenger car models with diesel would be further out than SUVs. The auto in the Outback will be a high-torque version of the Lineartronic CVT which is gradually spreading through the Subaru range, replacing traditional torque converter autos. “Next year at this time we’ll have an Outback CVT diesel on sale,” Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior confirmed at last week’s Impreza launch. “We sell about 70 Outback diesels per month and once we add the auto we will double that quite convincingly,” he said.  He said auto was more crucial to boosting sales of the Outback, rather than the Forester, both of which offer the same 350Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel boxer/six-speed manual alongside petrol manual/auto options in the range. “We take Outback to a lot of field days and motor shows and the message from people is ‘once it has an auto we are interested’,” Senior said. “The Forester diesel is a little different. We sell around 180-200 per month with the manual and we don’t get the same feedback with the Forester in terms of an auto as we do with the Outback.” The new generation Forester is due next January, and Senior indicated it probably wouldn’t have a diesel at launch, and when it does arrive it won’t initially be with an auto. He said that was simply due to engineering projects taking their place in a bulging Subaru development schedule. Intriguingly, Senior said the arrival of a high-torque Lineartronic in Outback indicated its potential suitability for high-performance models such as the next generation WRX and STi due in 2014. “If you’re able to put that sort of torque through a CVT it then opens up the possibilities of it being in our more performance variants.  I think that’s the future direction for us.”  the article  1/19 an electric Forester cruises around Bozeman, Montana "Folks puttering around Main Street the past week or so may have noticed a particular Subaru Forester rolling around the past couple weeks. It’s decorated with decals from the Wild Joe’s (coffee shop), lacks a tailpipe and runs on electricity. The car is the recently completed pet project of Ron Gompertz, owner of Wild Joe’s. It became roadworthy late last year and in the last couple weeks was pressed into service as a grocery vehicle for the local coffee shop. Gompertz got the car about six months after starting Eco Auto, a boutique electric car dealership that closed in 2008 after about two years in business. Seemingly everyone that stopped by the dealership would ask how far the small cars would go and whether the vehicles were safe. So he decided to convert a Subaru — what some consider the quintessential Bozeman car — into an electric vehicle. “I thought of it as a Trojan horse,” Gompertz said. Building the Trojan horse proved to be a challenge, as it took about three years of waiting for the car to go from an idea to a reality. After he bought the Subaru Forester from a Denver dealership at a corporate rate, Gompertz drove the sedan to Bozeman. It went straight to Intensive Car, where he had the engine, gas tank, air conditioning and exhaust system pulled out. All the parts were boxed up and later sold for about $2,500. The car was then trailered across town to Autopilot, where the car was fitted with an aluminum mounting for the soon-to-be installed electric engine. It waited around in a garage for about six months before the next step in the process — actually converting the car to an electric vehicle. It was trailered over to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to the garage of a man that converted gas-powered vehicles into electric hot rods, Gompertz said. There it sat for the better part of about three years while the battery technology improved to where the lithium batteries were efficient and cheap enough to install into the car, a job done by a Spokane, Wash.-based Patriotic Motors. The car holds 100 batteries that give the engine about 320 volts, with a range of around 60 miles.The electric car dealership closed down before the car could be completed, however (the heating system was finished last week). But Gompertz is using the car as a grocery buggy and commuter vehicle, ferrying groceries from Town & Country to Wild Joe’s and going from home to work each day. “It’s really the ultimate science project,” Gompertz said." read the article

 
 

SUBARU ADVERTISING and SPONSORSHIP NEWS IN 2012 articles edited for length, content, subject to change, correction -

-

2012 calendar year news. click for archived news from 2011 12/30 2012 Share the Love Event #5 runs through 1/2/13. 12/24 advertising - a review of Subaru Love Love Love campaign "Subaru surpassed even its own sales expectations this year. The automaker can thank a chocolate Lab for that — and a 6-year-old holding the car keys. While some of the world’s top car manufacturers struggled through bankruptcies and abysmal sales, Subaru was building momentum. The maker of the funny-looking cars was the only major automaker to experience five consecutive years of sales increases from 2008 to 2012. If love is what makes a Subaru a Subaru, then a smart marketing strategy is what turned the company’s unexpected sales spike during the worst years of the recession into an annual event. Since launching in 2008, the “Love” campaign has rallied dog lovers, outdoorsy folks and families who already loved their Legacy or Outback to support the entire Subaru brand. The carmaker’s tendency to cater its marketing collateral — print advertisements, TV commercials, digital campaigns — to niche audiences and tug at consumers’ heartstrings helped carry the brand through the recession. It’s what Michael McHale, Subaru of America’s chief communications expert, calls “heart-based” advertising — the core of Subaru’s Love campaign. Marketing experts say commercials like “Baby Driver” (child with the car keys) and “Best Friend” (man with the chocolate Labrador) have been so popular because they’ve connected the Subaru brand with life moments as pivotal as sending your 16-year-old daughter on her first solo drive. As Dad watches the most precious thing in his life grow up, we watch her drive away in a Subaru. It’s a brilliant spot, says Jonathan Baskin, a branding expert, author and former Nissan executive. Subaru still uses it more than two years after its release. “What they’re doing is trying to attach Subaru to these emotional moments that have integrity and exist on their own,” Baskin said. “It’s not that if you think Subaru you should think safety. It’s that when you think Subaru, you think fondly. It’s love.” ... Baskin said. “....  Subaru’s emotional trigger is not about a guy and his libido. It’s about family, safety, love. They’re not running with the pack.” Subaru didn’t always pull at consumers’ heartstrings, a reality that became painfully obvious to the executives at Cherry Hill, N.J.-based U.S. headquarters when sales began to flatten in the years leading up to the recession. So in 2007 the company ditched its advertising agency and decided to give Minneapolis-based Carmichael Lynch a chance. Losing the Subaru account cost agencies DDB and Prometheus $150 million that October, according to some reports. “We were selling on a factual basis rather than on any kind of emotion behind the brand,” McHale said. “But when we talked to Subaru owners, they were telling us, ‘I love my Forester. I love my Outback.’ We needed to reflect that in our advertising.” With Carmichael Lynch holding the reins of Subaru’s creative, brand development and media strategy needs, the “Love” campaign was born. The automaker has built on that campaign ever since, trying to engage consumers’ hearts first, then their wallets.... Subaru’s frequent appeals to its niche markets may have translated into sales, but were a few 30-second TV spots enough to insulate the automaker from the recession? The company seems to think so, and experts agree. (Executives also credit the 2009 redesign of its 2010 Legacy and Outback models, which Bob Rohrman Subaru manager Ryan VanScoyoc says made the vehicles roomier and more attractive.) “Subaru is an interesting player in the U.S. market,” said Janell Townsend, an associate professor of marketing and international business in the School of Business Administration at Oakland University and a visiting associate professor at Michigan State University. “Staying mostly in the niche market allowed them to be successful even in times when there have been challenging market conditions. They haven’t focused on being trendy. (They chose) all-wheel drive. They’re very dedicated to those attributes.”... .... The company also is stepping up its social and digital presence to expand its core market and to keep up with consumers who crave interaction.The carmaker leveraged Facebook several times in 2012 to launch digital campaigns, including its virtual travel resource “Subaru Guide to Everything,” animated nostalgia promotion “First Car Story” and now, the “Love all you can do” Facebook tab.... ...The best thing Subaru can do now, said Baskin, the former Nissan executive and brand expert, is to make sure it manufactures great cars. “Great marketing can’t sell bad cars. The only way they can get away with it is to make sure the performance really lives up to it. I’m presuming they’re all over it.” And since the automaker announced weeks ago that it achieved — for the first time in company history — selling its 300,000th vehicle this year, Subaru’s next big challenge could be topping itself." read the entire article 11/21 - Buy a car and Share the Love, runs through 1/2/13 During this 5th Share the Love event, Subaru will again donate $250 to the buyer's choice of five charities. The charities this year are Alzheimer's Association, The ASPCA- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Make-A-Wish, Meals On Wheels, and the USO 12/3 LA auto show $250 off coupon. Go see the all 2014 Forester, BRZ, Crosstrek, Outback, Legacy etc and while you're there, get a coupon good for $250 off a new Subaru. The LA show coupon is good 11/30/12-1/29/13. Its not good on BRZ, WRX, or STI but if you get any other model, you can save $250. Enter your info in the Subaru kiosk and they'll email you the coupon. There's a place to opt out of being contacted by dealers or salespeople. Here's a photo of my coupon from the Seattle car show. The LA car show runs 11/28-12/9 11/27 advertising- its all about 4 magic letters.... 6 years ago, Subarus tagline was "It's what makes a Subaru, a Subaru" referring to the engineering qualities of a Subaru. Then I think it was ad wizard Tim Mahoney who adding those 4 magic letters to make it "Love, its what makes a Subaru, a Subaru". They completely reshaped Subaru advertising around 'love' and the ads are again as popular as they were in the mid 1990s when actor Paul Hogan was the star. Sales really took off. The current advertising focused on the heart more than the mind, but this compliments Subaru's reputation for engineering and makes the car both a solid logical choice as well as a feel good one. "Subaru is growing fast. The brand has seen 78% growth in sales over the past four years, and has over a million fans on Facebook. The company, which has focused strategy on social media, in recent years built a strong brand identity around a theme -- love -- that at first glance seems absurdly vague and sentimental, especially in a sector that sells expensive, engineering-driven things like cars. Love? Maybe for Chanel, but for cars?  Yet, it works, says Michael McHale, who heads both corporate communications and social media at the Cherry Hill, N.J., company. After all, he says, owners say that's how they feel about Subaru. At a recent meeting of the International Motor Press Association, he gave a history lesson and explained how the campaign, "Share the Love," has put wind in the sails -- and sales -- of a once-stagnant brand. McHale recounts how the company, on deathwatch in the ’90's, pulled itself out of the ICU with Forrester, Outback, and Legacy, but hit a ceiling because it lacked brand identity. "Driven by What's Inside," launched in 2008, didn't help. "It was too subtle and clever," said McHale.  The problem: survey respondents said they had no opinion of Subaru. "They said 'it's not for me,' and that Subaru wasn't relevant to them." But owners "saw us as ready for anything, and progressive, and adventurous. And unless the heart's engaged, you aren't going to buy." Research also showed that the Subaru owner base is three times more likely to hike and bike, three times more likely to be cause-oriented, volunteer-oriented and 3.5 times more likely to own a pet. Which, he said, led to the new, highly emotional brand positioning that also tried to promote Subaru as virtuous and transparent. Ads have real owners talking about their cars, and focus on the brand sponsorship of things like the ASPCA, a rally and performance team, the Geological Society of America, and the science-education foundation AAAS.  The brand also tends to eschew traditional marketing tactics and sports. Instead of the Super Bowl, Subaru did a "puppy bowl." It prefers to sponsor things like PBS' "Antique Road Show," and markets around South by Southwest, the Cherry Blossom Festival in Philadelphia, and fall festivals at organic farms, per McHale. He said Subaru's social strategy on places like Foursquare, Facebook, and Pinterest is to engage influencers, podcasters, commentators, opinion leaders, citizen journalists, social-media mavens, bloggers, and forum gurus.  The latest effort was the fifth iteration of "Share the Love" on Facebook, where users could vote to select two charities to join a roster of three organizations -- the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Make-A-Wish, and the Meals on Wheels Association of America -- that Subaru sponsors. In a yearly fourth-quarter program, Subaru donates $250, up to a total of $5 million, for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased. "Instead of advertising, we try to provide valuable content." read the original article 11/21 lower finance rates announced for 11/21 through 12/3 on Forester, Legacy, Outback and Tribeca Outback and Tribeca rates now 0.90% 24-36-49mo, 1.90% 60-63-72 mo Forester and Legacy rates now 0.0% 24-36 mo, 0.90%48mo, 1,90% 60-63-72 mo finance rates webpage 11/19- advertising David Eiben joined Carmichael Lynch, Minneapolis, part of the Interpublic Group of Companies, as managing director for the Subaru of America account, a new post. He had been account director at Sid Lee, managing and leader the Dell consumer account for North and South America. from the NYT 11/15 Seattle Auto Show runs 11/14 through 11/18, 2012 (As expected, there wasn't a 2014 Forester. Ah well, it will be at the LA auto show in a few weeks.) The Subaru display  had a BRZ, 2 Crosstreks, 1 Outback, 2 Foresters, 1 Tribeca. They had blue Subaru grocery bags and the little 2013-model Subaru Life mini brochure. There's a kiosk in the Subaru display at the Seattle Auto Show and if you enter your name, they email a coupon good for $250 off a car purchase if you buy and take delivery of a new Subaru between 11/4/12 and 1/13/13. You must have an original coupon, no photocopies, which means you have to go to the Seattle auto show. Its good on any car except WRX, BRZ and STI.  Not sure if they will continue to offer the coupon though the end of the car (the 18th) but its a great deal if you're going to buy a new Subaru in the Seattle area. And if you want to buy a Subaru in the Seattle area, contact me.... (of course).   photo of the $250 coupon from the Seattle Auto Show. You have to have an original... 11/4 Subaru likes ®. Jalopnik.com points out Subaru is ®'ing BOXER, as in the the BOXER® engine. Hmmm... I'm concerned. Hey Jalopnik, its lawyer time. If its written as BOXER, Boxer, or boxer, can it be used it in reference to the engine, or Bowser the Boxer® dog, or a guy who boxes things at the warehouse, or even the briefs (and not the legal ones)?  "If you look at Subaru’s website, you’ll notice something. They have lots of information on the site about the kind of engines they produce— horizontally-opposed ones. They and Porsche are the only major automakers still making flat engines like this, and it’s great Subaru makes a big point about it. Hell, they’re my favorite kind of engine! They’re nicknamed “boxer” engines because the back-and-forth motion of the pistons looks sort of like a boxer’s fists. And this nickname has been around a really long time. The first name for this type of engine was a “contra” engine, as Karl Benz called the one he built in 1897. Tatra was using them extensively in cars in the teens and ’20s, BMW used them in motorcycles in this period as well, and by the time Porsche was looking into them for his People’s Car project, they were already commonly known as “boxers.” And it’s not just “SUBARU BOXER®” that they’ve trademarked— it’s BOXER® alone, as well. In short, people have been calling these engines “boxers” long before Subaru ever built one. In fact, Subaru’s first boxer, the EA-52, didn’t come around until 1966. So how is it Subaru has the nickname trademarked? Probably just because they actually decided to do it. You can readily get a trademark on common words and phrases (think about “Apple”) but it seems to me that a specific nickname like this, that they didn’t even come up with, shouldn’t be trademarkable.  Porsche, don’t you have a problem with this? VW, even if you don’t make these anymore? Someone?" read the original article   11/1 Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) event October 1-31  Extended, now through December 3, 2012 . Subaru has their first 'Love Strikes Twice' event 10/1-31, 2012. Subaru wants you to love their new cars, that's been the tag line for years, and now they want to love their used cars too. A car can be loved twice.  Its not a reduced price sale since prices are set by the selling dealer, but the normal CPO 6 years or 100,000 mile powertrain warranty has been extended to 7 years or 100,1000 miles, and the short term 36 month financing on late model CPO (2012, 11) has been dropped to 0.90% for 36 months, on approval of credit. Certified Subarus have had a 152 pt inspection, have a clean Carfax, and are only available on US sales from US Subaru dealers.  10/7 advertising and unadvertising- Ok, its known that American's work too many hours Thats partly due to our shop shop shop culture fostered by advertisements wanting us to buy buy buy. So what does it say when these same companies want their potential consumers to take a vacation? Is it reverse marketing - you should take time off, have fun, live life, but oh... you'll have more fun if you buy buy buy our products? Its un-vertising. "An all-work-and-no-play culture has made Americans desperate to hear that it’s OK to step away from their desks. Brands that find an authentic way to encourage healthy breaks can make a powerful connection with consumers. Compared to workers in other countries, Americans don’t get that much paid vacation time – and many of us don’t even take the days we’ve got. Some brands, including McDonald’s and the Las Vegas tourism authority, have started running ad campaigns championing the idea of breaks, as the New York Times recently reported. This message is powerful because we know this deskbound lifestyle isn’t good for us. We know too much time sitting in front of screens contributes to the obesity crisis, we know stress contributes to a host of illnesses, and we even know breaks can increase productivity. In fact, some employers are starting to actively encourage breaks – the Boston Consulting Group, for example, recently pushed employees to take one night a week off from answering emails, according to the New York Times. So why is it that 48% of Americans leave half their vacation days unused, and a third of workers eat lunch at their desks? It’s not that we don’t want to get away and play. A survey by Kelton Research found that 25% of workers would give up a promotion or even part of their salary for a few more days of vacation. The problem is we’re worried that taking a break may be bad for our careers or our finances. In a survey by Expedia on “vacation deprivation,” some of the reasons people gave for not taking breaks included worries about money and fears that bosses wouldn’t approve. The Kelton Research survey on vacation patterns found workers worried about falling behind at work or simply feeling that they had too much to do to step away.... ... The successful launch of Subaru’s 2012 Impreza with a 25-city “WORK PLAY LOVE” tour is another example. The Impreza is a great fit for the work-life balance theme because it genuinely can go seamlessly from city driving to the great outdoors. We organized 57 grassroots events, partnering with other outdoor lifestyle brands to build on that theme. Connecting the Subaru brand with other brands that promote similar messages, including KEEN and REI, was a great way to strengthen that message. Consumers also want more than a simple sales pitch these days, and providing or encouraging real-life experiences can make a brand stand out. Dealership foot traffic was up after the WORK PLAY LOVE tour, and the events generated 7,000 consumer leads..." read the entire article. 10/1 Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) event October 1-31 . Subaru has their first 'Love Strikes Twice' event 10/1-31, 2012. Subaru wants you to love their new cars, that's been the tag line for years, and now they want to love their used cars too. A car can be loved twice.  Its not a reduced price sale since prices are set by the selling dealer, but the normal CPO 6 years or 100,000 mile powertrain warranty has been extended to 7 years or 100,1000 miles, and the short term 36 month financing on late model CPO (2012, 11) has been dropped to 0.90%, on approval of credit. Certified Subarus have had a 152 pt inspection, have a clean Carfax, and are only available from Subaru dealers. 9/13 Subaru-Trek bike team posters. Check them out... "Leading up to the Summer Olympics, Missoula native and U.S.A. mountain bike team member Sam Schultz earned a nickname: Uncle Sam. It was a no-brainer considering Schultz's opportunity to represent his country, and the patriotic uniform that came along with the honor. Colby Waller, a graphic designer at Thor Design Studio in Washington, D.C., does some work for Schultz's professional team, Subaru-Trek. More than anything, he's a fan of the sport and has followed Schultz's arrival as one America's top riders. Realizing that Schultz had just won a national championship and was about to head to London, Waller got the idea to produce a one-off poster playing off of Schultz's newfound nickname. "I asked Subaru-Trek, 'If I produce this, will you take it to London?' and they were all for it," he says. "It came together pretty fast." About 100 posters were printed, along with a stack of companion posters for Schultz's Subaru-Trek teammate and Canadian Olympian, Emily Batty (see below). The posters traveled to London with the Subaru-Trek team manager and were handed out along the Olympic race course. Waller says a few also made their way back to Subaru-Trek headquarters in Wisconsin. But that's it — nobody else has really seen them, they're not available for fans to purchase and Waller isn't aware of any plans to reprint additional posters them in the future. "It was completely unofficial and completely for fun," he says. "It was one of those things you do just to flex your creative muscle, and to create a collectors item for fans." It's been about a month since Schultz donned red, white and blue in London and finished a solid 15th out of 50 riders, but it's not too late to appreciate this rare piece of memorabilia and Waller's work." see the posters. The Subaru-Trek webpage   9/6 advertising. Some Saturn and Saab owners, and also owners of  cars that compete with the Legacy, will be sent an offer to test drive a new Subaru and get free pre-paid gas card. 9/4 Share the Love charities selected. The two open spots have been filled, completing the roster of 5 charities for the 2012 Subaru Share the Love event where $250 is donated to the customer's choice of charity when they buy a car from 11/21 to 1/3. The 2 new charities this year are Alzheimer's Association and USO. They join ASPCA, Meal on Wheels, and Make-A-Wish, which return from last year. Each group should get around $1m. The voting for the 2 new groups was done on Facebook. The groups not selected were Leave No Trace, Special Olympics, First Book, and American Forests. 8/22 the marketers are trying, but with wages down, tuition up, banks continually being caught in scandal, and companies and politicians with no appreciation or loyalty for workers, is it any wonder that Generation Y isn't flocking to dealer lots to sign up for $20,000-30,000 cars? They have come of age in a country fighting two wars overseas and political one at home, and they struggle to find a confident path to the future that doesn't involve dragging an anchor from the past... Here is an article about that... "The Cheapest Generation... How do you sell cars to Millennials (a k a Generation Y)? The fact is, today’s young people simply don’t drive like their predecessors did. In 2010, adults between the ages of 21 and 34 bought just 27 percent of all new vehicles sold in America, down from the peak of 38 percent in 1985. Miles driven are down, too. Even the proportion of teenagers with a license fell, by 28 percent, between 1998 and 2008. In a bid to reverse these trends, General Motors has enlisted the youth-brand consultants at MTV Scratch—a corporate cousin of the TV network responsible for Jersey Shore—to give its vehicles some 20-something edge. “I don’t believe that young buyers don’t care about owning a car,” says John McFarland, GM’s 31-year-old manager of global strategic marketing. “We just think nobody truly understands them yet.” Subaru, meanwhile, is betting that it can appeal to the quirky eco-­conscious individualism that supposedly characterizes this generation. “We’re trying to get the emotional connection correct,” says Doug O’Reilly, a publicist for Subaru. Ford, for its part, continues to push heavily into social media, hoping to more closely match its marketing efforts to the channels that Millennials use and trust the most. All of these strategies share a few key assumptions: that demand for cars within the Millennial generation is just waiting to be unlocked; that as the economy slowly recovers, today’s young people will eventually want to buy cars as much as their parents and grandparents did; that a finer-tuned appeal to Millennial values can coax them into dealerships. Perhaps. But what if these assumptions are simply wrong? What if Millennials’ aversion to car-buying isn’t a temporary side effect of the recession, but part of a permanent generational shift in tastes and spending habits? It’s a question that applies not only to cars, but to several other traditional categories of big spending—most notably, housing. And its answer has large implications for the future shape of the economy—and for the speed of recovery.... Needless to say, the Great Recession is responsible for some of the decline. But it’s highly possible that a perfect storm of economic and demographic factors—from high gas prices, to re-­urbanization, to stagnating wages, to new technologies enabling a different kind of consumption—has fundamentally changed the game for Millennials. The largest generation in American history might never spend as lavishly as its parents did—nor on the same things. Since the end of World War II, new cars and suburban houses have powered the world’s largest economy and propelled our most impressive recoveries. Millennials may have lost interest in both.... The typical new car costs $30,000 and sits in a garage or parking spot for 23 hours a day. Zipcar gives drivers access to cars they don’t have to own. Car ownership, meanwhile, has slipped down the hierarchy of status goods for many young adults. “Zipcar conducted a survey of Millennials,” Mark Norman, the company’s president and chief operating officer, told us. “And this generation said, ‘We don’t care about owning a car.’ Cars used to be what people aspired to own. Now it’s the smartphone.”.... Subaru’s publicist Doug O’Reilly told us, “The Millennial wants to tell people not just ‘I’ve made it,’ but also ‘I’m a tech person.’ ” ... Ultimately, if the Millennial generation pushes our society toward more sharing and closer living, it may do more than simply change America’s consumption culture; it may put America on firmer economic footing for decades to come." read this entire article 8/18 advertising- Support the one you love ad campaign "Subaru has launched two new ads to support its new campaign, "Support," that shows people giving a literal or moral hand to others, using Subaru vehicles. The effort, via Carmichael Lynch, touts the 2013 Subaru Impreza and Forester vehicles with a eight TV spots, four of which are now airing. One of the new ads shows a husband cheering on his wife during a bike race, jumping in his Impreza to drive to spots where he can cheer her on in imaginative ways. The ad references Subaru's off-road capability, as the guy has to find a remote spot to hold a sign she can see. The other new ad, "Take Your Daughter to Work Day," shows a real-life mother and daughter who take time off in a Forester. The ads tend to use real couples rather than actors, per a spokesperson for the agency, who said upcoming creative includes a spot focusing on a dad and his kids washing their car together, and a dad sending his daughter to school on the school bus for the first time. Another forthcoming ad in the series will be a through-the-years montage of a guy and his dog and the Subarus in which he and his dog have travelled. This week, the company also launched its fifth iteration of donation-on-purchase platform "Share the Love," which donates $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased, but this time consumers choose the charity, via a Facebook tie-in. Consumer votes determine which two charities will be added to the current roster of three under the "Share the Love" retail banner. The Cherry Hill, N.J.-based U.S. retail arm of Subaru says it has donated nearly $20 million since it launched the program four years ago and that based on past sales this year, $5 million in donations will go to the five charitable organizations. The other recipient organizations that will benefit from this year's program include the ASPCA, Make-A-Wish, and Meals On Wheels Association of America. On the Facebook voting list are The Alzheimer's Association, American Forests, First Book, Leave No Trace (an outdoors organization), Special Olympics, and the USO." the article 8/7-26 vote for the Share the Love charities, through August 26. Subaru want fans to select two charities to join three returning charities from 2011 for the 2012 "Share the Love" event. For the second year in a row, Subaru asks you to vote on Facebook, from Aug. 6-26. The choices this year Alzheimer's Association, Special Olympics, Leave No Trace, American Foresters, USO, and First Book. Two of these will join returning groups ASPCA, Make-A-Wish, and Meals On Wheels. Subaru donates $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold from Nov. 21 through Jan. 2, up to $5 million, and has donated $20 million since the Share The Love event started in 2008. You do not have to be a Facebook user or sign up with Subaru to vote, though of course the marketing people really really want you to. You can even vote daily on www.facebook.com/subaruofamerica The top two charities with the most votes will be announced August 27th. 8/3 advertising- The yearly 'Lot to Love Event' runs August 1-31. Its a happy, happy advertising 'event' with no real sale behind it. The emotional message is that it feels good to get a a new Subaru. There's no end of model year close-out advertising or rebates since most of the 2012s are in already short or dwindling supply. 7/29 advertising. North is the name of the ad Portland, Oregon company behind Subaru's Impreza "Work Play Love" tour, this past spring North was born in 2006, when Cole & Weber vet Rebecca Armstrong and Arnold alum Mark Ray bought into and rebranded ad agency Johnson Sheen. They didn’t set out to pursue crunchy clients, but since shoemaker Keen hired it in 2010, the shop has added assignments from brands with a green hue or those looking to play one up. North helped launch Subaru’s 2012 Impreza with a 50-company tour that lured workers outside for “fresh-air therapy.” Other recent clients include Clif bars and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Driven by that and other business, the agency’s staff has doubled to 24 in the past two years, according to Ray.  The original article 7/22- good will marketing: later this year, Subaru's Share the Love Event will contribute $250 to the buyers choice of pre-selected charities. Now Ford will contribute 40 meals to the hungry for each person that goes to a special Ford Escape event... "The combination of cause marketing and product marketing is fairly common in the auto business, but typically the cause is the caboose on the campaign train, not the engine. One exception is Subaru's "Share the Love" campaign, where charitable donations are the driver. The company is prepping its fifth iteration of that campaign, which launched in 2008. When you buy a Subaru, you get to choose among a short list of charities and the automaker makes a $250 donation.  Now, Ford is also hitching cause to the locomotive for the new Escape, with hunger as the issue. The 2013 Ford Escape Hunger Drive ties to U.S. hunger relief organization Feeding America. The Dearborn, Mich.-based  automaker says people can host special parties at which Ford provides an Escape, along with an expert to explain the attributes of the new sport utility vehicle. Ford will provide 40 meals per guest to people at risk of hunger for a total of 1.2 million meals. Participants will also receive a Ford backpack and automatic entry into a sweepstakes. These drive-for-charity events could take place anywhere within a supporter’s community. An event could be tied to already scheduled events at churches, community centers or other civic organizations. The first events are slated to kick off later this month. The program, at www.escapehungerdrive.com, is part of Ford's cause-marketing strategy around hunger, that includes a Ford Motor Company Fund partnership with Newman’s Own for Partnership for Hunger Relief with Ford refrigerated trucks delivering meals.  Ford and Feeding America are touting the new program via social media, per a Ford spokesperson. "Once we have the volunteers that are needed to host the parties, they will be inviting their family and friends. We will then help to get the word out." She says the automaker has hired event agency Xperience to handle the program on the ground.  Ford expects to do about 1,000 parties, "and there is potential that we will hold more," says the spokesperson. "Event attendance may vary, but on average, we would like to see about 20 attendees at each event." the original article  7/19 smoking hot BRZ ad in Canada "Can your car make paint bubble, heat a puddle of water, and burn a hole through a Styrofoam cup? Neither can mine, but apparently the 2013 Subaru BRZ is that hot. “Scorched” takes place in a parking garage, where an alarm is blasting, signaling an unknown heat source. Where’s the fire that’s melting cups, boiling a puddle and bubbling paint from the walls? The answer comes when the sprinkler system activates and water hits the BRZ, creating a steam-filled garage that the smoking hot BRZ drives through. Watch it here, created by DDB Canada‘s Toronto office and directed by Radke’s Common Good." 6/28 Subaru PUMA RallyCross Team is in downtown LA for X Games 18 June 28th to July 1st.  The Puma Zombie Cat graphic is great. 6/28 Subaru sponsors central California Surf Festival August 11-12 The Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association (DSBIA) and the San Onofre Foundation (SOF) in conjunction with California State Parks presents the Doheny Surf Festival 2012, August 11 & 12, a fundraising event to help protect the treasured San Onofre, Doheny and San Clemente State Beaches. Doheny Surf Fest 2012 has partnered with Subaru as the title sponsor. "We are very pleased to have Subaru and many other great sponsorship partners onboard. This year's event will certainly be the highlight of the summer," says DSBIA President, Bill Brooks. The two day event is an expanded version of the summer surf event that has been held for the last 4 years. As one would expect--it will include all things Surf: exhibits, art, surf demonstrations, music, environmental and ocean education, surf apparel, memorabilia, current and past surf star autograph signings along with tandem, Outrigger Canoe and SUP exhibitions and much more. Beer and wine will be available in the Kona Brewing Co. beer garden; great food fare will be served by top food vendors who have supported surfing through the years, among them Serena Mexican Grill, Daphne's California Greek, and Nalu's Island Grill. 6/24 SubieSport magazine plans an expansion into television. "MediaSpigot LLC announced the re-launch of Subiesport Magazine as multi-platform television series making its debut this Fall. The reborn Subiesport will contain magazine-style video content and follow a traditional print publication schedule. To help fund this innovative new show, MediaSpigot is holding a pledge drive at the series’ official web site, http://www.subiesport.tv. Launched in 2004 as a print publication, Subiesport began with a similar fundraising campaign. Due to its enthusiastic base of readers, the magazine rose quickly to become the world’s largest independent Subaru enthusiast magazine with 70,000 readers in 68 countries worldwide. “Subaru owners are uniquely passionate about their vehicles and they demand nothing short of the best. Like the magazine before it, with Subiesport TV we aim to deliver a show that is nothing less than the best car show around that will be enjoyable by enthusiasts of all makes and models.” Said Ryan Douthit, founder of Subiesport Magazine, producer of the new series and himself an owner of six Subarus. “That isn’t going to be cheap.” “Subiesport TV’s combination of broadcast quality production, instant online distribution and magazine-style content makes Subiesport TV a truly groundbreaking series,” Douthit continued. “Subiesport TV is taking print magazines to a place they’ve always wanted to go... they just didn’t know it. And, thanks to the proliferation of mobile video devices like the iPad, iPhone and Android tablets and phones, distribution of a hybrid series like this is no longer a problem. I firmly believe that within five years, many magazines will transition to a similar format.” When the first episode makes its debut, viewers will have the opportunity to watch the full-length show online for free at several online destinations including Blip.tv, Blinkx and YouTube. For a commercial-free viewing experience, viewers can optionally become a member of the show’s official site, http://www.subiesport.tv. The new series will be represented by John McLean Media to international broadcast markets." check out SubieSport.com,  and here's the press release    6/24 more about the Baby Driver ad... "Q. This is about that popular spot for Subaru with the dad talking to the little girl who is at the wheel of his car, as if she’s about to drive it, and then you see that it’s actually his daughter, of driving age, behind the wheel, meaning that to him she will always be his little girl. I noticed that the girl’s top or T-shirt has red and white stripes and when she is replaced by the young woman, it has blue and white stripes. I was wondering if there is a reason for that or was it just an oops. A. The commercial, called “Baby Driver,” was created for Subaru of America by Carmichael Lynch in Minneapolis, part of the Interpublic Group of Companies. The commercial “is unique,” Maria Hileman, communications and marketing manager at Carmichael Lynch, writes in an e-mail, “because it features the real-life father to both the 6-year-old, in red stripes, and the 16-year-old, in blue stripes.” So “having to portray the complex emotions of a protective father was not a stretch for him,” she adds. “Similar to ‘Baby Driver,’ the newest Subaru spot, ‘Looking for Gold,’ is also played by a real-life father and daughter who use their Subaru Legacy to chase down an elusive rainbow,”  Ms. Hileman says. As for the wardrobe question, dear reader, Ms. Hileman sought an answer from Randy Hughes, executive creative director at the agency. “We wanted to tell this story as real as possible and rely on a classic film technique in editing to say that ‘Oh, we were seeing how dad sees his little girl for that moment’ rather than use special effects of morphing or have her change before our eyes,” Mr. Hughes says.  “So we felt that two shirts that were similar but not exactly the same kept it from being ‘too tricksy,’ ” he adds. “It also was another subtle cue that change has occurred in a split-second edit.” “The question has come up before in YouTube comments,” Mr. Hughes says, “and in hindsight may have been over-think on our part.”  “I personally like the jolt of change that it helps convey as the girl puts the car in gear and dad is instantly brought into the reality of the moment,” he adds. “But it was a conscious, although perhaps flawed, decision." the original article.. 5/31 Subaru partners with, and supplies Outbacks to, clothing company United By Blue to help clean waterways "Subaru of America, Inc. announced a new partnership with United By Blue, the ocean-friendly apparel brand.  United By Blue (UBB) removes a pound of trash from oceans and waterways for every product sold.  The all-wheel-drive Subaru Outback will serve as the official UBB cleanup vehicle.  “A partnership with Subaru goes beyond cleanups and cars: it drives home the fact that other companies are as committed to protecting our oceans and waterways as United By Blue,” said Brian Linton, United By Blue Founder and Chief Trash Collector. During a cleanup season, UBB hosts an average of 25-30 ocean and waterway cleanups throughout the country. To date, UBB has removed 105,955 pounds of trash from oceans and waterways in 12 states during 70 cleanups. UBB organic t-shirts, canvas bags and jewelry can be purchased online or from over 200 retailers throughout the US and Japan. "There is no better vehicle for cleaning up waterways than an Outback,” said Mike Cangi, United By Blue Director of Cleanups. “The roof cargo carrier holds all of our cleanup gear, the comfortable seats are perfect for transporting eager volunteers and the open hatchback and collapsible seats make it easy for us to move thousands of pounds of trash in a matter of minutes.” “Subaru is proud to partner with businesses that make the world a better place, so United By Blue is a natural fit,” said Todd Lawrence, Sponsorships and Promotions Manager for Subaru of America. Subaru will co-host a total of four waterway cleanups along the East Coast.  Select items from UBB’s 100% organic apparel line will also be available for purchase through the Subaru Gear. “More than 100 volunteers collected over 7,000 pounds of trash at our first clean-up near the Subaru headquarters in Cherry Hill, N.J.  That’s the equivalent weight of two Subaru Outbacks!  We are looking forward to a successful cleanup season with United By Blue,” added Lawrence." read the press release 5/21 Mud Run in Seattle June 2nd-  at Remlinger Farms, Carnation, WA 98014-6104  "... test your ability to run, climb, jump, crawl, & muscle your way through the most extreme 5k Mud Run Created! As a Survivor you will have to conquer whatever obstacles get in your way and test your all around toughness, strength, stamina, fitness, and mental determination. Upon your victory you will have earned your place in the Survivor world. Then you can celebrate with friends, food, music, beer*, and a muddy fist in the air!"  Sponsored by Carter Subaru, Les Schwab tires, radio stations KZOK, JackFM, KMPS, and 1090 AM, ZICO water, Clear Chropractic, Seattle Athletic Club, Fit Body Boot Camp, Washington State Fire Chiefs, Washington State Firefighters Assoc., NW Infant Survival and SIDS Alliance. The webpage with full information 5/18  Trail tune-up grant....  the winning group will receive a follow-up visit and technical assistance from one of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews. "USA Cycling and the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) announced that, beginning on May 15, the application period will open for the annual USA Cycling/IMBA Trail Tune-Up Grant. Each year, the Trail Tune-Up Grant is awarded to a mountain bike group seeking to jump-start trail improvement projects. These grants are completely funded by USA Cycling members through an optional land access check box on USA Cycling license applications and renewal forms. For 2012, one $2,000 grant will be awarded. Additionally, the winning group will receive a follow-up visit and technical assistance from one of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews. Following is a timeline for this year’s Trail Tune-Up Grant application process: The grant application period is May 15 to Aug. 15, 2012. The winner will be chosen on September 1. The winner will be officially announced during Interbike, September 19-21. For more information on the Trail Tune-Up Grant, including information on how to apply, visit the Trail Tune-Up Grant webpage." 4/22 advertising- running through the mud in California. Sound like fun? Subaru sponsors the Merrell Down & Dirty National Mud and Obstacle Series to benefit Operation Gratitude. "...Thousands turned out at Castaic Lake Sunday to get down and dirty.  About 4,000 runners donned racing bibs for the Merrell Down & Dirty National Mud and Obstacle Series only to get their runner numbers covered with mud and barely readable. A sunny, breezy day at the lake served as a picturesque backdrop to filth, grime, sweat and mud. Men, women and teenagers competed. Children as young as 4 tackled "tike-sized" obstacles, and adults with gray hair, white hair or no hair shared one thing in common - mud. "It's amazing, it's muddy, and it's fun," said Lisa Costello, of Lancaster. "I run marathons, but this is more fun because of the mud and the obstacles." ... Heather Rowland, of Westchester, had so much fun getting muddy last year, she came back for more ... "Make friends with the mud," runners were told by race volunteers sporting official yellow mud-splattered T-shirts. At the mud pit, runners were forced to drop, bellies to the muck, and then crawl under ropes stretched just a foot from the sloppy wet surface.  Some plunged in - face, hair and all - emerging caked in mud.... "I am having a great time. This is fun," said 18-year-old mud pit volunteer Andrea Carrejo who hosed runners down with water as they emerged from the mud pit. "This encourages them to go longer," she said, soaking mud-covered participants. "I mean, that's all they need is a little encouragement."  Her official job Sunday was to help rinse mud out of the eyes of runners temporarily blinded by layers of muck.  "Because when they get in the mud, it gets in their face," she said. "I came here thinking I was going to stay clean. Look at me. I'm very dirty," she said. "But, it's all for a good cause."  Money raised for the Subaru-sponsored event is set aside for the charity Operation Gratitude, which sends personalized care packages to military personnel overseas." see photos and read the entire article Want to participate? The rest of the events for 2012  are  Miami on May 6,  Chicago on May 20,  Dallas on June 3,  Denver on June 24,  Philadelphia on July 15,  Detroit August 26,  New York on Sept 30,  Atlanta on Oct 14,  Sacramento on Oct 28 and a night run on Oct 27.  Go to www.downanddirtymudrun.com for info and to register 4/15 advertising- Subaru is once again a sponsor of Dining Out For Life,  a fundraising event for AIDS service organizations.  Eat out April 26th for breakfast, lunch and dinner at a participating restaurant. A percentage of sales will benefit an HIV/AIDS service organization in your community.  Reservations are encouraged at most Dine Out locations. Let your restaurant know that you will be dining with them because of their support for HIV/AIDS services in your community.  Click here - DiningOutForLife.com - for a list of restaurants and other businesses in your area. Here is the list for the Seattle area http://www.diningoutforlife.com/seattle/restaurants 4/13 advertising- who is she... Q. The young lady who does the Subaru commercial where her boyfriend has lost his sunglasses: What other work has she done on TV or stage? She looks familiar. Actress Eleanor Seigler has made several appearances on The Office as Jessica, the girlfriend of Andy (Ed Helms). She has also been seen on I Met Your Mother, among other series. 4/11 Subaru and Costco "In a partnership that could potentially help bring shoppers out to the lots, the Costco Auto Program — which provides members with savings on vehicles at more than 2,500 participating dealerships throughout the country — has teamed up with Subaru of America for a promotion that rewards Subaru buyers with a Costco Cash Card.  The Subaru Limited-Time Offer provides customers with a $500 Costco Cash Card for completing a member satisfaction survey after the purchase of an eligible Subaru through the program, officials explained. The offer includes all new Subaru models, except for all BRZ, Impreza WRX and WRX STI models and is available through June 15...."  read the entire article from autoremarketing.com Note: any Costco member who purchases a qualifying Subaru from any Subaru dealer can download a redemption form at http://www.costcoauto.com/Subaru/Default.aspx 3/15 advertising, and the adverticle- Brian Johnson, Subaru National Advertising Manager,  in an interesting, frank video, talks about social/digital media vs print/old school media,  and about 'seeding'  websites or blogs to hopefully create viral interest. Subaru likes to dole out (ie seed), information to a certain websites and car magazines to keep the level of gossip high, and the sites are hungry for the info and the hits that follow.  As corporate owned, ad driven social media or other websites get fed info on future models, think of the articles more as adverticles similar to the pimpatorial. And sites - this one included- are always searching for bits. > the article and video "As with many other major brands, Subaru is shifting from broadcast and print to the digital and social spaces. At Subaru, this is being driven from the top, according to Brian Johnson, the company’s National Advertising Manager. Subaru is creating a stronger presence on Facebook and Twitter, as well as shifting from online banners to more content-oriented digital assets. In the past, production may have been complex and expensive. Now, content for channels such as YouTube may be created more on-the-fly, be a bit grittier and contain more humor. Seeding information to blogs has shown to be effective for enthusiast products. Other shifts by the brand include moving away from sales events based on dealers “yelling and selling” and seeking more natural product integration on programming that fits Subaru’s demographics."  the article, the video of the interview  3/5 advertising- Subaru is sponsoring the "Work Play Love" tour to introduce and promote the redesigned Impreza to hard working people. updated 3/13 This traveling roadshow will visit more than 50 businesses around the country, including REI, offering employees a chance to see the Impreza and imagine how it could change your life (for the better of course). Partners in the Work Love Play program are Keen shoes, Trek bikes, Prana clothes, REI and other companies that are "..recognized for having a positive work-life balance," according to Todd Lawrence, SoA promotions and sponsorships manager. "Our 'Work Play Love' tour is a recognition of those efforts and an invitation to come out and play."  There will be more information online soon (a schedule?), in the meantime check with your local REI. Here in the Seattle area, the Redmond REI will host it Sunday March 31st from 10-6. Here is the store's site on the event. Stay tuned here for more info. the official website is http://play.subaru.com but it doesn't have many of the events listed yet... 3/2 advertising- Love Spring Event March 1- through April 2, 2012.  Spring starts March 20th and the Love Spring Event is a reason to visit your dealer because a Subaru is great in all seasons.. you can carry a lot of yard supplies and plants in a Subaru. Get ready for Spring with Subaru gardening gloves. 2/19 advertising. new top guy at agency Carmichael Lynch Carmichael Lynch has promoted Executive Creative Director Dave Damman to chief creative officer which was an unfilled position. Mr. Damman will oversee creative for all Carmichael Lynch clients, including Subaru of America, Jack Link's Beef Jerky and Newell Rubbermaid. Mr. Damman began his work in advertising over 20 years ago at Saatchi & Saatchi , New York, where he served as an art director. Following art directing roles at Dallas' Tracey-Locke and Minneapolis' Initio, he moved to Carmichael Lynch in 1996. 2/14 Happy Valentine's Day In the past Subaru has had a 'True Love Event' with candies - chocolate hearts, red lollipops etc- or other small give-aways but not this year. 2/9 Subaru sponsor the 2012 NW Flower and Garden Show, February 8-12.  Its a popular, big event, so wear comfortable shoes. There are award winning gardens, 100s of booths selling everything for the gardener- from supplies to home made yard-art, work benches to exotic plants. There's a Subaru on display, a camellia red 2012 Impreza 5 door. This is one of the only events Subaru sponsors in Seattle, but don't go looking for a BRZ.  There was a BRZ at NADA in Las Vegas last week, it didn't make it to Seattle, guess they figured that gardeners are more practical and would like to see an Impreza hatchback they can load up with gardening supplies. Bring your Subaru key to the booth for a free key Subaru keychain and bag. The NW Flower and Garden Show  2/7 advertising- Subaru continues as a sponsor of the 2012 Merrill Down and Dirty Mud Obstacle race series where participants get real dirty playing running a 5k or 10k very muddy course, to benefit Operation Gratitude. The 2012 dates are LA, April 14th; Miami, May6; Chicago, May20; Dallas, June 3; Denver, June 24; Philadelphia,  July 15;  Detroit, August 26; NYC, September30;  Atlanta October 14; Sacramento,  October 28.   the website for registering and updates  2/5 advertising- Super Bowl Sunday- Subaru returns as one of the sponsors of  Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl VIII on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5th at 3pm. Last year the show was very popular, and a lot of people signed up to walk their dog instead of sitting on the couch and every once and a while throwing a hail-mary cheeto to the dog or cat...  The Ads: Dog Tested. Dog Approved. "The campaign is designed to resonate with Subaru owners and like-minded consumers. Subaru drivers are two times more likely than the average car owner to have a pet. In fact, seven out of ten Subaru drivers have a pet, and Subaru owners are also more likely to engage in skiing, camping, boating and other sporting activities. To reflect these passions, those activities are depicted in the four new Dog Tested commercials. "The Dog Tested spots have always been about highlighting funny and interesting car situations by using dogs instead of people. This year we continue that theme with a focus on the lifestyle of Subaru owners starring an amazing pack of dogs." the 2012 Campaign Commercials: "Camping" - The dog pack discovers that camping isn't all it's cracked up to be. "The Beach" - A ragtag pack of dogs find out that sun, surf, and sand make for an epic day. "Jackknife" - Backing up a canoe trailer proves difficult for a dog and his buddies. "Ski Trip" - Furry friends spend a day on the slopes. 2/2 advertising- columnist Dave Inman names that tune in the Subaru hockey ad "Dear Dave: I hope you can help me with some music in a Subaru Forester commercial. It’s the one with the mom driving the kids’ hockey team around. I was wondering if it is the Pogues or another band. — Jim, via email.  Dear Jim: The song is “If I Should Fall From Grace With God,” by the Pogues."  the original article 1/29 advertising- Share the Love 2011 results For the 4th year, Subaru generously donated their maximum $1,000,000 to each of the 5 charities this year- ASPCA, American Forests, Make a Wish, Meals on Wheels, and Special Olympics.  The 2011 Share the Love program ran from 11/19/11 -1/3/12. In December alone 33,701 people bought Subarus and at $250 donated per car, that would be $8,425,25 but the donation is a generous $5m total.  The total for the Share the Love over 4 years is now $20,000,000!  Thanks Subaru.  Click for 2011 Share the Love images 1/25 Mark your calendar for the Subaru sponsored Zombie race Run For your Lives Reed Street Productions, creators of the zombie-infested 5K adventure race, Run for Your Lives, announced today that the race will expand beyond its inaugural location outside of Baltimore into 12 cities across the country, starting with the Atlanta area on March 3, 2012. The inaugural race launched in Darlington, Md., last October with more than 10,000 participants and spectators. Atlanta - March 3; Boston - May 5;  Minneapolis - June 2;  Indianapolis - June 23; Denver - July 14;  Seattle/Portland - Aug. 4; St. Louis - Aug. 18; Pittsburgh - Sept. 1; Toronto - Sept. 15; San Diego/Los Angeles - Oct. 20;  Baltimore - Oct. 27; Austin - Dec. 15. Run for Your Lives will take participants through a series of obstacles over a 5K course, all while being chased by zombies. Racers, wearing a flag football-like belt with three flags, must make strategic choices to find the quickest route to the finish line with at least one flag to complete the race as a survivor. Survivors and newly-created "zombies" - those who finish without flags - will be able to celebrate following the event at the Apocalypse Party, which will feature live, local entertainment, music, vendors, food, beverages, and of course, zombies... A portion of every ticket sold will be donated to the American Red Cross. Athletic apparel company, Warwear is the title sponsor for Run For Your Lives, and Subaru of America has signed on as a presenting sponsor of the race. To register for Run For Your Lives or for more information regarding how the race works, please visit: www.runforyourlives.com   1/16 advertising-  what makes a campaign work. Here's an article about advertising that works and that doesn't, and how an ad campaign revitalized Subaru. "Brand USA, a partnership of the travel industry and federal government, plans a $200 million campaign to attract visitors to the country. The theme: "United States of Awesome Possibilities." Suppose Brand USA spent $200 million in each of the next five years promoting its "awesome possibilities" idea. Five years from now, how many people are likely to associate "awesome" with the United States? Not very many. That's the problem with marketing today. Almost every campaign starts with a press conference and a blaze of publicity about a new logotype (the letters "USA" spelled out with multicolor dots), a new website (discoveramerica.com) and an inspirational message (United States of Awesome Possibilities).... Here's the paradox. Even if massive advertising programs were successful in associate these slogans with the companies' brand names, so what? Would you buy an Audi because you thought the company told the truth about its engineering?  And no slogan will work for a brand that covers a wide range of products or services. Before you can bring your slogan down to Earth, you need to bring your brand there so it stands for something. What's a Subaru? "If you asked a Subaru dealer or an employee or the press what Subaru was all about, it was pretty confusing," George Muller said in 1993, when he took over as president of Subaru of America. He chose to focus on four-wheel-drive vehicles. Advertising theme: "The beauty of all-wheel drive." (What the auto industry calls "all-wheel drive," people call four-wheel drive.) It was an exceptionally bold decision because at the time four-wheel-drive vehicles represented 48% of Subaru's sales. But the company had lost $250 million the previous year, so something had to be done. It didn't take long to turn the brand around. Three years later, Subaru was essentially a four-wheel-drive brand, and sales were up 16%, to 120,748 units. Subaru registered a sales increase in 12 of the 14 years between 1996 and 2010. It sold 263,820 vehicles in the U.S. in 2010, more than Volkswagen, Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, Mazda, Chrysler, Buick, Cadillac, Acura and, of course, "Truth in engineering" which moved only 101,629 units. (If Subaru had a better name, it would probably have been even more successful.) read the entire article  1/14 advertising. Subaru returns as one of the sponsors of  Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl VIII on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5th. Last year the show was very popular, and a lot of people signed up to walk their dog instead of sitting on the couch and every once and a while throwing a hail-mary cheeto to the dog. 1/11 advertising- Subaru sponsors SIA Snow Show but its not the same SIA as Subaru Indiana America. Its SnowSports Industries America. The SIA Snow Show is January 26-29, 2012, Colorado Convention Center, Denver. 'This week, SnowSports Industries America (SIA) announced a new sponsorship agreement with Subaru of America, Inc. Through the sponsorship, Subaru will be the Official Vehicle of SnowSports Industries America (SIA), the 2012 SIA Snow Show and On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest. Subaru was also the sponsor for the Winter Trails events held across the country last weekend, January 7, 2012. A reliable vehicle is essential for navigating snow covered and icy roads that get skiers/riders to the slopes, so a sponsorship agreement between SnowSports Industries America (SIA) and Subaru of America, Inc. seems like the perfect fit. 2012 SIA Snow Show and On-Snow  Demo/Ski-Ride Fest',  The Snow Show website

-