Subaru BRZ commands brisk sales in Japan as U.S. debut nears

Subaru’s BRZ sporty coupe, scheduled to go on sale in the United States April 20, is off to a brisk start in Japan, selling at a monthly rate quadruple initial forecasts.

Since the car’s Feb. 3 debut, Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. has sold 3,551 of the rear-wheel-drive BRZs, the company said in a statement today.

Subaru had forecast monthly sales of only 450 units in Japan. But it is not uncommon for newly released models in Japan to generate explosive orders at first before tapering off.

The sporty 2.0-liter, four-cylinder BRZ, which starts at 2.06 million yen ($24,830) in Japan for a stripped-down version, is the platform-sharing twin of Toyota’s Scion FR-S.

The U.S. monthly sales goal for the BRZ is 500.

Initial sales data suggest the BRZ is tapping a coveted younger customer base attracted to the car’s promise of sportier driving.

So far, nearly 60 percent of BRZ customers are under 40 years of age -- and two-thirds are picking the six-speed manual over the automatic transmission. The top-selling color is WR blue mica, in a nod to the signature hue of Subaru’s WRX performance line.

Courtesy of Auto News

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2013 Subaru BRZ tested at 0-60 in 7.3 seconds, 1/4 mile in 15.3

The 2013 Subaru BRZ is "one of the most rewarding cars we've ever driven" says Edmunds after subjecting the new coupe to some track time. This, despite having a 0-60 time that rivals that of some minivans – 7.3 seconds. Inside Line says those numbers are mostly due to an overactive rev limiter that forces a third-gear shift at 59.2 mph. We bet that's an early tuner fix. Also likely to be improved with an aftermarket reflash is the 15.3-second quarter-mile time.

So you won't be winning many stoplight drag races in box-stock form, but as we all know, there's far more to a fun car than just straight-line numbers. According to IL, "the BRZ offers a level of engagement that, until now, has been either too costly or too impractical for the average enthusiast." They even go so far as to compare the BRZ's overall character to a Lotus Exige and the beastly Porsche 911 GT3(!).

No, the BRZ can't hang with either of those hardcore Europeans, but Inside Line says its balanced mixture of handling, cost, every day usability, and practicality make for "a perfect balance between date nights and track days."

Courtesy of Auto Blog

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Replacing Your Timing Belt

Replacing your timing belt regularly is essential

A significant element of the “brain” of a car engine, the timing belt (aka cam belt), controls your vehicle’s valve timing. The timing belt connects the crankshaft to the camshaft, which controls the opening and closing of valves necessary during the internal combustion process. On some engines, it may also turn the water pump. According to Wikipedia, the first car to use a timing belt was in 1945, and the timing belt first went into mass production in 1962 with the German Glas 1004 car. It hit America with the 1966 Pontiac Tempest, and the 1966 Vauxhall introduced the modern-day use of the timing belt with the four-cylinder overhead cam design that is common to most cars today. Auto manufacturers recommend that the timing belt be replaced at regular intervals, so it is wise to consult your owner’s manual and keep accurate records.

Make changing the timing belt part of regular maintenance

All automotive belts are important to an engine’s proper function, and the timing belt is no exception. It’s made of rubber, so it’s relatively inexpensive. However, it can also snap without warning. Depending upon whether you have the “free-wheeling” type of engine (as AutoMedia.com puts it), a snapped timing belt can cause the engine pistons to bend the valves, which requires the head to be removed. That’s an expensive repair procedure, so have your timing belt replaced regularly. As the timing belt is typically covered up and not easily visible, it’s generally a good idea to have a trained professional perform the inspection and replacement. However, mechanic-savvy consumers can perform the procedure at home. See About.com’s detailed instructions for more info on the procedure, and be careful not to over-tighten.

How long will a timing belt last?

This varies by manufacturer. It could be about 10,000 miles for a belt tension check, or as many as 100,000 miles before total replacement. If there’s any doubt, preventative maintenance is better than waiting until it snaps and the valves warp. If you drive hard and live in a warm climate, you will probably have to change the timing belt more often, as excessive heat causes rubber to crack over time. Exposure to oil or antifreeze can also wear down the rubber, so if you have a leak, you’ll want to inspect the belt. Since the cost of a new water pump is relatively low compared with the cost of having a mechanic go in and check the timing belt, many experts recommend replacing the water pump at the same time as the timing belt.

 

Courtesy of CarDealExpert.com

Subaru Debuts New EyeSight™ System

- Stereo Camera Based Driver Assist System
- Pre-Collision Braking
- System Capable of Pedestrian Detection
- Lane Departure and Sway Warning
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Optional in 2013 Legacy and Outback

CHERRY HILL, N.J., March 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. has announced the debut of its EyeSight™ driver assistance system. The suite of safety and driver assist technologies will debut at the New York International Auto Show on 2013 Legacy and Outback models. EyeSight will subsequently appear on other products in the Subaru line-up. EyeSight integrates adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, and vehicle lane departure warning. The new technology, which can also detect obstacles in front of a parked car and limit potential damage in an impact, will become available later this year.

Combining safety and convenience features, the Subaru EyeSight system will be one of the most affordable of such technologies available in the United States market. EyeSight uses two charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras developed by Subaru. EyeSight is mounted inside the car on the upper edge of the windshield, thus reducing the potential for damage that could occur in bumper-mounted systems, such as radar. The EyeSight system processes stereo images to identify the vehicles traveling in front, as well as obstacles, traffic lanes and other items. The video information is relayed to the EyeSight computer, which is also networked with the car's braking system and electronic throttle control. Below speeds of approximately 19mph, EyeSight is capable of detecting pedestrians in the vehicle's path and can activate in order to mitigate or even avoid the collision. Under certain circumstances, Eyesight is able to bring the car to a complete stop, thus avoiding a collision.

Pre-Collision Braking Control and Collision Mitigation

At relative speeds under approximately 19 mph, EyeSight's Pre-Collision Braking System can detect obstacles in the car's path and, if the driver has not applied the brakes in time, the system can do so to slow the vehicle or bring it to a full stop to help avoid the potential collision. Pre-Collision Braking is always on in the background to act like a second set of eyes for the driver. It can also be turned off temporarily for off-road or rough road travel.

At relative speeds above approximately 19 mph, EyeSight can apply the brakes when an object is detected, and will attempt to brake if the driver takes no evasive action, or does not brake appropriately. In this way it will mitigate potential damage from a collision. The system, which can recognize programmed objects such as vehicles, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians, can help mitigate collision damage.

Lane Departure and Sway Warning

By monitoring traffic lane markers and lines, the Subaru EyeSight system can detect if the car begins to wander outside the intended lane without a turn signal being used, or if the car begins to sway within the travel lane. Using the turn signal cancels the warning.

Adaptive Cruise Control

Intended for freeway use, Eyesight's Adaptive Cruise Control system can maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, braking and/or accelerating the car as needed to maintain the driver-selected target speed and traveling distance. Adaptive Cruise Control is operational from 1-87 mph and can fully brake the vehicle to a stop if the system "locks on" to a vehicle ahead.

As an added convenience, Adaptive Cruise Control assists the driver in heavy "stop and go" freeway traffic by maintaining distance from the vehicle ahead. This feature can help reduce driver fatigue, which can therefore help keep the driver alert.

Additional EyeSight Benefits

In heavy traffic conditions, EyeSight will also alert the driver when the vehicle ahead has moved if he or she doesn't react within several seconds. The technology can also help reduce collision damages by cutting the throttle when it senses an obstacle in front, but the accelerator pedal continues to be pushed. The system is also effective when a driver shifts into 'Drive' inadvertently instead of 'Reverse' when backing out of a parking space. The stereo camera design of EyeSight provides a detection angle wider than that of radar-based systems.

Cautions

EyeSight is not designed as a substitute for due care and attention to the road. The system may not react in every situation. There are certain operational limitations, such as when weather conditions obscure the view of the cameras. Finally, even with the advanced technology used, a driver with good vision and who is paying attention will always be the best safety system.

Courtesy of Subaru

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil

You can improve your gas mileage by 1–2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1–2 percent. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1–1.5 percent. Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.

Courtesy of FuelEconomy.gov

18 Under 18: Kristen Kelliher

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Youngest female to summit the tallest mountains in each of the 48 contiguous states

ESPNHS is honoring 18 male and 18 female teen athletes who are doing remarkable things on the field, in the classroom and in their communities.

As her classmates fret over final exams, Kristen Kelliher is preparing for her ultimate test.

Last September, the 17-year-old from Norwich, Vt., became the youngest female to summit the tallest mountains in each of the 48 contiguous United States. And if all goes according to plan, she'll conquer North America's highest peak -- Alaska's Mount McKinley -- in May, thereby reaching the apex of all 50 states.

Kelliher's climbing odyssey began in 2002, when as an 8-year-old she hiked up South Dakota's Harney Peak with her family during a cross-country trip. The next year, she read about a boy who had highpointed in all 50 states and determined to match the feat.

During vacations with her mother, stepfather and three brothers, Kelliher reached highpoints in 42 states between 2004 and 2007. She resumed her quest in 2009 and last year climbed three of the country's most imposing peaks -- Oregon's Mount Hood, Washington's Mount Rainier and Montana's Granite Peak. Saving her home state for last, Kelliher set the record by scaling Vermont's Mount Mansfield at 17 years, 4 months and 13 days of age.

Although Kelliher's ascents have included peaks in five states that rise less than 900 feet, she has climbed mountains in 11 states that top 11,000 feet. Her grit was particularly evident last July, when she reached the 14,410-foot summit of Mount Rainier after two previous unsuccessful attempts. "You have to be open to trying again," she said.

Optimistic and unassuming -- there was little fanfare surrounding her record at her New Hampshire high school, a friend said -- Kelliher has incredible tenacity and drive, according to her stepfather, Bill Bender, who summited 47 of the 48 peaks with her. "She's both physically and emotionally very tough," he said.

An all-state field hockey goalie who also competed interscholastically in basketball, crew and downhill skiing, Kelliher graduated a semester early from Hanover (Hanover, N.H.) and planned to climb Hawaii's Mauna Kea (13,976 feet) in February. And she has been working to raise $17,000 to finance her travel to Alaska and a guided trek up the 20,320-foot Mount McKinley. "I've had several neighbors of family members want to help support me, but I'd rather do this on my own," she says.

To fulfill her latest goal, Kelliher has been writing to manufacturers of outdoor gear seeking sponsorship and "babysitting like crazy," as Bender puts it. Although through December she had banked only a fraction of the funds, Kelliher's track record of persistence makes it hard to bet against her.

SOURCE: espn.go.com

Subaru Importing Just 6,000 BRZ Coupes Into U.S.

If you’d rather have a Subaru BRZ parked in your garage than a Scion FR-S, we recommend you get your financing in order as soon as possible.  In fact, we’d even suggest you call in sick today to visit to your local Subaru dealer, since the automaker has allegedly set the number of BRZ coupes it will import into the United States.

Car and Driver, citing correspondence with an unnamed Subaru dealer, reports that only 6,000 BRZ coupes will be imported into the U.S. for the 2013 model year. That ties directly back to Subaru’s business case for the car, which called for sales of 5,000 to 7,000 units at roughly $25,000 each to achieve profitability.

It’s also a savvy business move on behalf of Subaru, since importing fewer cars than the market demands is one sure way to keep prices high. BRZ buyers can expect to pay full sticker price at a minimum, and we’re sure the internet will soon be abuzz with tales of outrageous dealer markups on the long-awaited sport coupe.

Subaru dealers are now accepting pre-orders with a fully-refundable deposit, even though the list pricing of the car has yet to be established. Deliveries are expected to begin in May, so we anticipate that Subaru will release full pricing details in the coming weeks.

The BRZ’s brother-from-another-mother, the Scion FR-S, isn’t likely to have its production capped at such a low number. If you miss your opportunity to buy a Subaru, we’re sure that Scion would be happy to do business with you.

SOURCE: motorauthority.com

Join us this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the 34th Annual Homelife Show: An Exhibition for Living!

We will be giving away 4 Goodyear tires on April 14th and you can register for the giveaway at the show all weekend long! Unable to make the show? Don't worry, you can also register at the dealership on Sunday, while hanging out out with local radio station, WGXL who will also be there and doing giveaways all day. We look forward to seeing you this weekend!

Click here to learn more.

Join Us for Our Spring Tire Sales Event this Saturday & Sunday at The Car Store!

Spring is here, and it's time to put away the overcoats and look forward to more comfortable weather. With the spring driving season upon us, it's a great time to freshen up your ride with new tires. Save this Saturday, March 17th and Sunday March 18th at The Car Store! Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 To schedule your service online, simply click here.

Thank you Anna, for your amazing review on Jared and our dealership!

"Jared is the man! He was professional. He knows his trade. He gave me the bottom line on everything right up front. All my rear suspension was wrecked. It could have been so discouraging for me. Two good things happened in this visit. The first thing good is that Jared was a blessing to me. I know The Good Lord will bless Jared in return. The other good thing is that we found the money to pay for this big job. I give The Car Store an A+ for having Jared on board and I give Jared an A+++ for being so helpful to me in this difficult time. The other person I would like to thank is Victoria, your young cleaning lady. She taught this old dog a new trick....how to use this iPad! Thank You all." - Anna Z.

Click HERE to read more reviews.

Monday Maintenance Tip: Check Your Tire Pressure Regularly

Tires tend to lose air over time. You can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure.  Buy a digital tire gauge and check your tires once a month and before a long trip. Proper inflation pressures can be found in your owner's manual or on a sticker on the car.  Remember to check tire pressure only after the car has been sitting for several hours in order to ensure that the tires are cold -- the friction of driving heats the tires and increases pressure, which can hide an under-inflated tire. 

Courtesy of fueleconomy.gov

Thank you to our amazing customers for writing these great reviews!

"I recently purchased my first Subaru from the Car Store. The Car Store made the entire buying experience very smooth. The staff was attentive, professional, and knowledgeable. Similarly, the Car Store was willing to work with me to match my needs with a vehicle and purchase plan. I continue to get my car serviced at the dealership, where the maintenance staff is efficient and polite, and the drive-up drop off makes the maintenance experience stress free. I highly recommend this dealership!" - Sarah

"Only place in the upper valley I go to for work on my Impreza. It's easy to set up appointments, or just drop off the car. They also have a very convenient shuttle for pick up & drop off." - Tiranna

Click HERE to read more reviews.

Introducing The "First Car Story" Campaign Supporting The All-New 2012 Subaru Impreza

First Car Story's proprietary tech-nology allows users to direct, animate, relive and share their first car story, with the ability to tag friends and share across social platforms.

On February 24th, the Subaru Market-ing Department launched the First Car Story campaign supporting the all-new 2012 Subaru Impreza. This campaign will use the universal connection people have to their first cars to introduce the 2012 Impreza –it is the chance for many to experience love again in the smartest first NEW car one can buy.

Through April 30th, consumers will see TV spots, digital banners, Facebook ads, blogs and TV or website integra-tions with partners like MTV, ABC, NPR and YouTube driving them to the campaign hub, www.firstcarstory.com . Here, consumers will tell their first car story and see it turned into an animated video (they can also narrate their own voice and set to a personalized music track). Through Facebook, Twitter, or email, consumers can then share the video with friends and family in their social network.

Throughout this story telling and sharing experience, consumers will be ex-posed to TV spots, images and features of the all-new 2012 Impreza. On every page, they can click directly through to learn more about the vehicle and can even to enter for a chance to win an all-new 2012 Impreza. While completing their sweepstakes entry, consumers can also opt-in to test drive the 2012 Impreza at a nearby Subaru dealership.

Mobile and tablet versions of the site will allow users to browse stories and, again, learn about the 2012 Impreza but story submission is limited to the full site. While the advertising drivers to the campaign end on April 30th, this site will continue to live through the end of the year. This campaign, and site ex-perience, is the first of its kind and something we are truly excited about.

Courtesy of Subaru of America

Subaru First Car Story Mash Up 'An Epic Road Trip'

Subaru XV TV Commercial

A bold new Subaru has arrived!

The all-new Subaru XV crossover is here. The distillation of the best Subaru technologies, smartest thinking and rich Subaru heritage - the best things we've ever done, in the best thing we've ever done.

For more information on the new Subaru XV, please visit: http://subaru.com.au/newxv

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Exterior Car Paint Maintenance

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Exterior car paint maintenance is as simple as washing and waxing, but oftentimes, an overlooked part of car care. Maintaining the paint helps to retain value by keeping a car in its best possible condition while also protecting the paint from the environment.

·         Thoroughly washing the car is one of the most important aspects of exterior paint maintenance. Dust, mud, and acid rain can scratch and dull the paint surface. Frequent washing with a high quality car wash formulated for automotive use will remove surface contaminants and help maintain the shine.

·         Experts recommend using only a microfiber cloth designed for automotive applications to dry a car. Microfiber cloths are specifically designed to trap any residual dust and dirt to reduce scratches on the paint surface.

·         Cleaner waxes can be used on older cars to remove swirl marks or oxidation. However, it is usually suggested that this sort of product not be used on newer cars or cars that have recently been repainted.

·         Car paint sealant or polish is a product that generally only needs to be applied a few times a year, prior to waxing. It is great for helping to protect the paint surface. However, it does not provide as much gloss as wax.

·         Traditional paste or liquid car wax is most often carnauba based and while it will provide an outstanding shine, it must be frequently reapplied in order to maintain protection. Cars that are housed outdoors will need more frequent applications than garaged cars. However, all cars should be waxed regularly.

Most automakers offer their own line of exterior paint maintenance products designed for use on their vehicles, which can take some of the guesswork out of what products to use. Regardless of the products used, it is important that they be applied following the manufacturer’s recommendation. Maintaining car paint will not only keep the car looking great, it will also increase value when it is time to trade in or sell.

 

Courtesy of Autos.com

Our happy customers have wonderful things to say. Thank you both for the rave reviews!

"I have had all my Subaru maintenance work for the past couple years at the Car Store. Everyone in the maintenance department is always very friendly and professional and the work is done as promised for the price quoted. It is nice to have wireless internet in the waiting area. Great people and well run dealership. I highly recommend the dealership."

"I've purchased many new and used Subaru's over the past 12 years from the Car Store. I've also had them serviced there. I've always been treated as though my business was appreciated. The staff is always courteous and ready to help. When I am ready to purchase a new vehicle I'll be visiting Jim Rugg to see what he and the Car store can do for me." - Mike

Thank you for the kind words, Bruce! We appreciate the 5-star review.

"The Car Store in Norwich has taken care of four Subarus I've owned over the past 30 years (and sold three of them to me!) Service has always been excellent - I've never felt pressured to have more work performed than I was ready to pay for, always being informed honestly of what needed to be done and what could be safely and properly delayed. Work is consistently performed efficiently and right the first time. The staff in the Service department is always a pleasure to work with, and the updated waiting area makes it possible for me to be productive while I wait for my service. I look forward to many more years of working with the Car Store team!" - Bruce

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