Don't wait for the Easter Bunny to put those car keys in your basket this year!

Come in for the Subaru Love Spring Event! The great deals only last until Monday! Check out our website to see offers on your favorite Subaru models!

 

 

Thanks goes out to Car and Ell for leaving us two great reviews on Google+ Local!

 Ell S. 
St. Cloud, Minnesota 
Mar 27, 2013
Quality: Excellent Appeal: Excellent Service: Excellent
"I was impressed with the level of personal attention we received from both Ms. Rostad and from the service department manager. They were a pleasure to interact with!"
 
Carr K. 
St. Cloud, Minnesota 
Mar 24, 2013
Quality: Excellent Appeal: Excellent Service: Excellent
"The St. Cloud team is amazing. Jake Bowland even stayed after close to explain how to set up my Bluetooth!"

Read more of our customer feedback on Google+ Local!

XV Crosstrek "Save Some"

Subaru to Debut First Hybrid at 2013 New York Auto Show

Hybrid cars and SUVs have become so commonplace that it can be a surprise when an automaker doesn't have one in its lineup.

Today, Subaru announced it will introduce its first hybrid at the 2013 New York International Auto Show next week. The Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid gets the honor of adding a more fuel-efficient option to the surprisingly popular XV Crosstrek, which is based on the Impreza hatchback.

More information will be revealed next week about the hybrid's powertrain. Subaru also says it will debut a new concept performance car in New York.

Source: Cars.com Kicking Tires

Congrats to the entire team on this excellent review from Drucilla!

Drucilla W. 
St. Cloud, Minnesota 
Mar 22, 2013
Quality : Excellent Appeal: Excellent Service: Excellent
"I was impressed with the level of personal attention we received from both Ms. Rostad and from the service department manager. They were a pleasure to interact with!"

Read more feedback from our customers on Google+ Local!

The history of SUBARU

March Into Spring Cleaning

It’s that time again. You can’t put it off or go in slowly, you just have to March in headfirst and start spring cleaning. Spring cleaning is not only for your home but is also important for the upkeep of your vehicle. Just like continuing to ride on bad brakes or putting off an oil change after 5,000+ miles, neglecting the interior and exterior of your vehicle can cause more damage to it. Keeping your vehicle clean is not just about the sleek look but over time, a car's paint erodes due to the effects of sunlight, UV radiation, air pollution, acid rain, and salt. The longer foreign materials sit on your car's surface, the more difficult it is to remove and the more likely it will cause damage.

Most think (I know I did before doing some research!) that you don’t need to wash your car after it rains – the rain is cleaning it for me. Actually, that is one of the most critical times to wash your vehicle because of the ill effects of acid rain. The water evaporates but the acid lurks behind and eats into your vehicle's finish.

Cleaning a car is simple right? While it's the most basic procedure in car care, it does deserve a little thought. Follow the tips below for the proper washing techniques.

Clean the tires and wheels before washing the body of your vehicle, and use a separate mitt for each. You want to avoid contaminating the vehicle's paint with the debris from your wheels and tires. A tire cleaner with a firm brush is the best method.

Now it’s time to move on and wash the body of your car. Almost one-third of car owners use damaging non-automotive products for washing their vehicles. Using dish detergent and other household cleaners can strip the wax finish on your car. Look for a product sold specifically for automobiles. A formulated automotive wash will gently lift the grime while protecting the finish. Starting at the top, wash one section at a time, thoroughly rinsing away the soap. Work your way down toward the front, sides, and rear of the vehicle. Save the back-end of the car for last since it usually has the largest buildup of dirt and grime. To avoid those nasty water spots afterwards, dry your vehicle down with a chamois or similar product.

Almost half of vehicle owner’s never wax their cars. Waxing is recommended at least twice a year for maximum protection. (More frequent waxing may be needed if your car is black, red or white since these colors are more vulnerable to UV rays and acid rain.) Waxing serves three primary purposes: cleans a car's finish, improves the shine, and most importantly, protects the surface against the aggressive effects of foreign materials. Waxing sets up a protective barrier against hostile attacks from the environment, keeping your vehicle's appearance protected for years to come. Before applying the wax check for foreign particles on the paint. Once the surface is clean, apply the wax. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for application. It is often recommend not using the product in direct sunlight.
 
Keeping the exterior of your vehicle clean is important but so is the interior. Frequent vacuuming of the upholstery and mats will remove much of the dirt that can contribute to wear and tear of the fabric and carpet. Clean interior surfaces like panels, with a suitable interior cleaner and apply a protectant to prevent damage from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. To further protect your interior, an application of a fabric guard will repel water and stains and make further clean-ups much easier. And lastly, spray some odor-eater to freshen the car's interior.

While spring-cleaning this season, don’t forget your vehicle. To keep it looking it’s best and lasting longer, frequent washing and waxing is important. Keeping a clean vehicle will you give you a sense of accomplishment and gratification. Also keep in mind that a clean, well-maintained car can be worth up to 50 percent more than one in 'fair' condition, according to the Kelley Blue Book. Now that should get everyone out there throwing away the burger wrappers in the backseat and gathering a bucket and rag!

Source: Jiffy Lube

The ‘Top Gear Effect’ – searches for Subarus rockets during Africa special

Searches for the Subaru Impreza skyrocketed during the airing of last Sunday’s Top Gear episode, which heavily featured the car.

The Top Gear special, set over two episodes, saw Clarkson, Hammond and May set off across Africa to find the source of the River Nile – a journey that would take them through multiple countries and across some of the world’s most treacherous terrain.

Rather than choosing hardy four-wheel-drive vehicles easily capable of such a task, though, the trio were each told to pick an estate car worth around £1,500 – with Clarkson opting for a BMW 5-Series, May a Volvo 850R, and Hammond a Subaru Impreza.

Figures from Motors.co.uk reveal that searches for the rally-bred Subaru shot up by 826 per cent during the airing of the episode – testament to the show’s influence on the market.

Source: Car Dealer Magazine

Barking Up the Right Tree: Subaru Partners with Center for Pet Safety to Make Dog-Friendly Car Harness

It’s no secret that Subaru has a huge owner base with dog-loving, outdoorsy people. Those owners love their dogs as they do any other family member, taking them everywhere with them. Yet, they don’t always have the same protection a human passenger enjoys.

Subaru, partnering with the Center for Pet Safety, is itching to fix that. The automaker and nonprofit announced a partnership designed to come up with a standard to properly test harnesses, wagging the dog before government steps in. New Jersey already proposed making canine harnesses standard.

“The Center for Pet Safety conducted a pilot study which showed that the majority of pet safety restraints currently on the market do not provide acceptable protection in a crash situation,” said Michael McHale, Subaru’s director of corporate communications, in a statement. “As many of our owners have dogs, we feel it’s our responsibility to help them keep their pets as safe as possible when they journey with us.”

The Center for Pet Safety had conducted tests in the past simulating crashes using a 55-pound dog-shaped crash dummy at 30 mph. Not one of the most popular brands of harness tested held up. The Center wants to help harness makers create ones that are more bite than bark.

“We have received requests from all over the world from manufacturers who want guidance on developing a safer harness and, through this partnership, we can finally conduct additional testing to help develop a suitable standard, provide the needed knowledge-base to manufacturers, as well as determine the top performers,” said Lindsey Wolko, Center for Pet safety’s founder and CEO, in a statement.

Recently–starting during Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl in February–Subaru unleashed a series of “Dog tested. Dog approved.” commercials, featuring four-legged friends comically showing their devotion to their cars and crossovers. While not everyone on staff here believes you should have to buckle in your dog before setting off on a road trip, we’re glad to see Subaru extending a helping paw and wagging its collective tail at the opportunity to make that wind-in-the-fur experience all the more safe for man’s best friend.

Source: automotive.com

10 Things You Should Have in Your Car, and Probably Don’t

Everyone knows you should have a flashlight and extra batteries in your car. Ditto for jumper cables, a first-aid kit, cell phone charger and tire gauge. And it’s always a good idea to have an umbrella and blanket, just in case. But there are several not-so-obvious car essentials that you should have on hand, too.

10 items you should keep in your car:

1. Disinfectant wipes: A must-have for so many uses, from picking up spills to cleaning dirty hands to dusting your dashboard.

2. Pen and paper: For leaving reminder notes, or jotting down brilliant ideas that hit you out of the blue, or just needing somewhere to deposit your used gum.

3. Energy bars: To tide you over if you have no time to stop for lunch before your next appointment.

4. Bottled water: Keep hydrated during hot weather and unexpected long rides. Replace periodically to keep your supply fresh.

5. Maps: Keep a U.S. map, a state map and an updated county map handy. It’s nice to be able to see the big picture — where you are and where you’re going.

6. WD-40: Not only can you loosen a lug nut with it, you can lubricate door latches, license plate bolts and screws; protect rubber trunk molding; get rid of dead bugs and dirt; remove dog slobber from seats and dashboard and many other uses.

7. Duct tape: Great for temporary fixes — whether holding your muffler in place, reattaching a side-view mirror or cleaning the dog hair off your clothes.

8. Kitty litter: Absorbs and eliminates odors quickly if someone gets sick in your car. Plus, it can help give you traction if you get stuck in snow.

9. Utility knife: With a knife, screwdriver, file and can opener, this multi-purpose tool can handle a thousand problems. Splurge and get one with scissors, pliers and even a magnifying glass — you won’t be sorry.

10. Matches: Keep a couple matchbooks or a box of safety matches in a freezer bag so they’ll stay dry. You never know when you might need a fire or, for that matter, to light a bunch of birthday candles.

What’s the one item you always make sure you have in your car?

Source: OnStar

Subaru Safety - Live. Love.

The Subaru Love Spring Event is here!

Spring is almost here, and Subaru is celebrating with the Love Spring Event! Kick the season off right with a brand new Subaru now through April 1! 

Check out our inventory and see deals on your favorite models on our website!

Subaru Viziv is a diesel hybrid crossover we could learn to love

With the 2013 XV Crosstrek, Subaru reaffirmed its interest in niche crossovers, and early signs are that it's selling well, so will parent Fuji Heavy Industries green-light another one? That's the question begged by the new Viziv concept just unveiled here at the Geneva Motor Show.

Of course, this is a pure showcar, and the four-seat crossover coupe's drivetrain is suitably next-generation as well. The plug-in hybrid drivetrain system features a 2.0-liter diesel boxer engine mated to a CVT, and a pair of electric motors drive the rear wheels for a through-the-road all-wheel-drive system. By going with motor-driven rear axles, Subaru says it has been able to provide larger rear-seat footwell and lower load floor. More excitingly, Subaru says its control systems allow for side-to-side torque vectoring for improved handling, and the system actually apportions more power to the rear wheels when the Viziv takes a corner.

In typical concept car fashion, the Viziv features flashy butterfly doors that provide access to both the front and rear seats, along with oversized 20-inch wheels and cutting-edge lighting. 

Source: AutoBlog

We just received this 5-star review on Super Pages! Kudos to the entire team on a job well done!

Anonymous 

St. Cloud, Minnesota 
Feb 28, 2013

"I am very pleased with the service I received: I bought the car over the phone, no one tried to pressure me into buying anything I didn't want, and the up-front price that I was offered was as good as the price I might have gotten from a car-buying service I have access to. The car, by the way is great!"

To read more customer feedback, Check out our reviews on Super Pages!