We have received two excellent reviews on Google+ Local this week!

Jerome K. 
Grove Heights, Minnesota 
Jun 27, 2013
Quality : Excellent Appeal: Excellent Service: Excellent
"My wife and i were considering our first new car & everyone at St. Cloud Subaru was SO nice and helpful they weren't the least bit pushy and we couldn't be happier with our new Impreza wagon. we drove up from Inver Grove Heights MN and the trip was well worth it for the service we received we'll definitely be back when it's time for some new wheels!"

Max D. 
St. Cloud, Minnesota 
Jun 27, 2013
Quality : Excellent Appeal: Excellent Service: Excellent
"Everyone was friendly and helpful in the staff - my salesperson Jeff Maxwell, was helpful and friendly, along with the other employees, and everyone seemed to help each other. I bought a Subaru from this dealer many years ago (and had a series of used Subarus thereafter) and this was the dealer I chose to check out first - and never even tried another dealer. The experience was even better this time than last."

Read more of our positive customer feedback here!

Launch Control: Oregon Trail Rally and Subaru PUMA Rallycross Team Test - Episode 6

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Autoblog goes on an African safari, Subaru-Style

... And Learns To Love The Ostrich

When one thinks of a safari, they naturally draw pictures in their mind's eye of wild animals, like lions, elephants and giraffes. I'm no different, and it was with visions of long telephoto lenses over vast runes and dunes that I embarked on a 19-hour plane ride from Phoenix, Arizona to Plettenberg Bay in South Africa, camera gear in tow.

My particular safari through the wilds of South Africa included none of those things, however. Sure, I did spy a random baboon or two (they didn't seem particularly friendly), several other unknown primates and some random wild cattle, but the trip I found myself a part of centered around a rather unexpected South African specialty: the ostrich.

Never heard of an ostrich safari? Well, neither had I, and my trip wasn't exactly a 'safari' in the classic sense – I wasn't riding around through the African plains in an open-top Land Rover with guides pointing out the various wildlife for my picture-taking pleasure – but I did drive to and fro over the hills and dales of Africa's southernmost tip, and I did see plenty of flightless fowl. I ate some, too, and it was as deliciously different from chicken as you can imagine, with lean red meat (the other red meat?).

All of this got me thinking... Since I was ferrying myself around in one of a flock of Subaru Forester crossovers, perhaps the prevalence of the strange birds made sense. Consider: If Toyota, Honda and Nissan are the Japanese equivalents of the lions, elephants and giraffes you'd expect to see on safari, it may not be a stretch to consider Subaru the ostrich; the outsider struggling to prove it belongs in the same conversation as the big boys. If you don't buy the comparison now, follow along as we compare and contrast Subaru – and the Forester in particular – with the ostrich in several unique and unconventional ways, starting with its looks

No matter which way you slice it, the ostrich is a funny looking bird. Some may call it ugly, but I wouldn't go quite that far – ostrich feathers have long been prized for their opulence and beauty, and there isn't a prosperous designer in all of Paris who eschews the occasional use of some brightly hued ostrich leather. Its long neck is gangly, its peaked eyes make it look a bit... intellectually impaired, and its body appears to be suspended on twigs. It's an offbeat amalgam of shapes, and it's nothing if not unique in the animal kingdom.

While the ostrich may not typify classical beauty, neither does the average Subaru. From bug-eyed headlights to tacked-on scoops and wings that would look more appropriate on a home-built aircraft, the Subaru of days past is known for going its own way in the styling department. With its most recent models, including this 2014 Forester, though, the automaker has seemingly gone out of its way to style a machine that's less of an acquired taste than many Subies of yore.

Gone is the hood-mounted air intake that had become a signature element of turbocharged Foresters, and in its place is a somewhat more complicated plastic lattice of ductwork affixed to the bottom of the hood that routes cool air to the still-top-mounted intercooler. It's a design specifically intended to tone down the Forester's previously unique appearance and to improve aerodynamics, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit to kinda missing the scoop. Fortunately, turbocharged Forester XT models still have some interesting lines, most notably on either side of the lower fascia and front bumper, where catfish-like gills (or are they reminiscent of an ostrich beak's offbeat overbite?) add some flair to the base model's otherwise staid features. 

Just as Subaru put the Forester on a bit of a makeover, the feathers from traditional South African wild Cape Ostriches weren't considered pretty enough for use in ladies hats in the late 1800s. This led to selective breeding and the introduction of the walking-feather-duster known as the South African Black Ostrich, which is said to have some of the most attractive plumes in the world.

Moving past aesthetics brings us to some other typical Subaru traits, such as the well-known benefits of its all-wheel drive. After all, power – in the case of the Forester XT, a stout 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque scratch and claw at the tarmac below as the driver hits the gas – is nothing if it can't be turned into forward momentum. There may not be another automaker in the world with as much expertise in the all-wheel-drive passenger car arena, and that know-how pays dividends when encountering less-than-ideal surfaces. I climbed two dirt-road mountain passes in the Forester in South Africa, traveled across mud, sand and rocks through sparsely populated lands and even crossed a river on a ferry powered by three men with harnesses and some ropes. The Forester never missed a beat, providing plenty of surefootedness when the going got tough. Or when the tough are sitting back on a floating platform carried on the clearly much tougher backs of much tougher men.

The ostrich, too, is properly adapted to South Africa's diverse terrain. Boasting a top running speed that can crest 40 miles per hour, the ostrich is the fastest bird in the world. In fact, it's the world's swiftest bipedal animal, bar none. It uses half as much energy as a human does when running, thanks to some particularly springy tendons in its legs, and can maintain speeds of 30 miles per hour for as long as necessary, allowing it to wear down its predatory combatants. Where the rubber meets the road, as it were, lies one extremely large talon on a toe that measures a full seven inches in length. This toe and claw combination grab at the ground to maximize traction, allowing the ostrich to put down all its prodigious power – powerful enough that a single ostrich kick can disgorge a lion or, indeed, a human.

Speed will do neither the ostrich nor the Forester any good if it's slow to change direction. Fortunately, both the animal and the 'ute are well suited for the challenge, and it all has to do with how they carry their mass. Two factors come into play here: mass centralization and the center of gravity.

Picture an ostrich's body, and pay attention to where its weight – as much as 350 pounds – is carried: right in the middle. Think of it this way: a 20-pound bowling ball is much easier to twist, spin or otherwise cause to change direction than a 20-pound barbell with its weight at the ends. And, unlike most other birds, the ostrich has legs made with solid (as opposed to hollow) bones, putting much more weight below its body than on top.

Subaru has a long and storied history of following similar principles in the design of its cars, particularly in keeping its mass as low to the ground as possible and therefore ensuring a low center of gravity. Like a cone placed big-end down, the Subaru Forester's low center of gravity keeps it stable and makes it less likely to tip, and that's the chief reason why the automaker continues to defy convention by using a boxer engine. With its cylinders, crankshaft, oil and even the engine block itself kept as deep inside and low down as possible, Subaru's latest 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is the beating heart that makes the Forester more fun to drive than most of its rivals in the crossover kingdom. It's also worth noting that the continuously variable transmission used in the Forester XT may be the best iteration of its ilk I've ever sampled.

It's at this point that I'll grant you the acknowledgement that the South African ostrich has pretty much nothing to do with cars, so I'll stop regaling you with ruminations of our fine feathered friends. With that admission out of the way, even if you still don't buy the correlation between Mother Nature's most offbeat bird and Japan's most offbeat automaker, I at least hope you've learned something after dutifully reading through these thousand or so words, if not about South Africa or the Subaru Forester, then surely the Struthio camelus var. domesticus (there, bet'cha you didn't know that).

There's one more tie that binds the two-legged bird with the four-wheeled automobile. South African folklore holds that the introduction of the Ford Model T, which was assembled and sold in South Africa using knockdown kits manufactured in Canada, is partly to blame for the rapid retraction of the ostrich feather industry. Ostrich feather sales peaked in 1913 before collapsing in 1914 as stylish ladies found it darn nigh impossible to keep a heavily feathered hat on their heads once an automobile got up to cruising speed, leading to the introduction of less outlandishly styled headwear.

Feathered hats, unlike ostriches themselves, can indeed take flight. Such issues, I might add, wouldn't exist in the Subaru Forester, which has plenty of headroom, isn't drafty and isn't available as a convertible. 

Source: autoblog

Car Tip

Why buy the expensive stuff? Just use a little toothpaste to clear up those faded headlights.

 

 

Go Skateboarding Day

Last year during Global Rallycross Texas, Subaru Factory Team driver Bucky Lasek did a perfect gap to 50/50 rail grind in his Subaru PUMA RallyCross STI!

Virtual Shotgun Ride in a 600 RWHP Subaru Impreza Drift Car [Video]

Converting your Subaru Impreza WRX STI to rear-wheel drive kind of defeats the purpose of the car, but not if you’re going to use it for drifting like the guy in the adjacent clip. The video offers us a virtual shotgun ride in an Impreza drift car that’s been thrown around violently on the track.

The vehicle prides itself with no less than 600 RWHP thanks to a Pima Racing tune, taking part in the European Drift Championship. The footage was captured at the Castelletto di Branduzzo track in Italy, with the extreme piece of Japanese machinery devouring one corner after another.

Don’t forget to buckle up before hitting the “Play” button!

Subaru of America, Inc.'s Central Region, in Partnership with the Village of Itasca, Attempts to Set a Guinness World Record.

Subaru of America, Inc.'s Central Region, in partnership with the Village of Itasca, announced  that it will attempt to set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® record for the "Largest Parade of Subaru Cars." The attempt will take place on July 13, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. The parade will start at 500 Park Boulevard in Itasca, Illinois.

Starting June 17 through July 8, interested participants can register their Subaru in the parade by visiting www.subaruparade.com; registration is limited to the first 500 vehicles.

Subaru is the current GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS record holder for "Largest Parade of Subaru Cars." In July 2009 Subaru set the record with 339 vehicles parading on a 4.2 mile route through Itasca, IL. Subaru is attempting to break its own record with a similar route

In celebration of this exciting event, Subaru's Central Region will collect a $10 registration fee with all proceeds benefitting PAWS Chicago and Salute, Inc. For more information on these worthy organizations please visit their respective websites at www.pawschicago.org and www.saluteinc.org.

An official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS adjudicator will be on site to observe and confirm this record attempt.

In addition to going for the record and helping raise funds for two great organizations, parade participants:

• Will receive a special gift bag (one per car).
• Are invited to attend Itasca Fest following the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS attempt. This fest is great for the entire family and features: live entertainment, carnival rides, food, bingo, and entertainment for children.
• Are eligible for a special event room rate of $79 per night* at The Westin Chicago Northwest hotel. For your convenience, this four-star, four-diamond hotel is located within walking distance from the start of the parade. The event rate is good for parade participants only and based on availability. * Rate does not include tax.                          

Source: Subaru

Did you know?

Sylvanus Bowser built the first gasoline pump on September 5, 1885.

Happy Flag Day! Show your American pride and fly your flag high today.

Show your American pride and fly your flag high today.

Throwback Thursday: Ken Block drives his Subaru on the mountain

Wordless Wednesday

We're going to let this amazing Subaru fan photo speak for itself.

Bugs are out!

After getting your car washed and serviced, be sure to stop in and pick up some Z Shield paint protectant!

10 Best Summer Drives in the Midwest

“Are we there yet?” are four words you won’t hear from your restless backseat drivers (or, more truthfully, you won’t hear those words every five minutes) when you embark on one of the 10 scenic summer drives we’ve outlined for you in the following pages. These routes offer so much to see (and do) that even the most tireless passengers will be speechless.

 

1. STILLWATER

You could argue that the scenic town of Stillwater—located on the Lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway—is the perfect summer drive destination because it’s less than 30 minutes from the Twin Cities; and you would be right. At least partially right. The short drive and prime location on the St. Croix (one of the last unspoiled rivers in the country within close proximity of a major metropolitan area) are two appealing reasons to visit, but that’s only part of the story. The historic character of the valley’s community is another main draw. Many of the buildings in Stillwater are listed on the National Register of Historic Places—even the Stillwater Lift Bridge, extending over the St. Croix River from Minnesota on the west to Wisconsin on the east, is on the National Register. Drive up into the hills to see the lumber baron’s mansions from the early 19th century before parking your car and wandering down Main Street, featuring several blocks of unique gift and antique shops, then walk along the river before enjoying a malt at Leo’s.

2. UPPER ST. CROIX AREA

Head just 50 miles northeast of the Twin Cities to the sister cities of St. Croix Falls, Wis. and Taylors Falls, Minn. for the wild and scenic St. Croix River, phenomenal hiking trails, music festivals, live theatre, artists of all kinds, paddleboats, waterparks, wildlife, and wineries. Drive from Stillwater north on Highway 95 to Highway 8 before turning north and winding your way down into the valley. “After all these years, I still get a thrill coming down the hill and catching my first glimpse of the St. Croix from the bluffs near Franconia,” says Danette Olsen, a founding member of the St. Croix Marketing Alliance and the executive director of the Festival Theatre in St. Croix Falls. The options for enjoying a summer afternoon in the area are as varied as the steamboats that travel down the river. Visit the National Park Service headquarters and interpretive center, hike the trails in over 2,000 acres of park preserve, go on a riverboat cruise, check out the galleries, shops, live theatre, Franconia Sculpture Park, and the art of wine-making at Chateau St. Croix, zip down a waterslide at Wild Mountain, or dine at a variety of nearly 20 restaurants, many with outdoor seating. Lodging choices include everything from campsite and cabin rentals to hotels and B&Bs. Come on a Friday for music in the park, play a game of mini golf, tour the Folsom House, bike down the Gandy Dancer trail, view domestic and wild animals at Fawn-Doe-Rosa, or board the historic Osceola train.

3. OWATONNA

Drive an hour south of the metro, where the crossroads of Highways U.S. 14, U.S. 218 and Interstate 35 meet, to Owatonna, home to the first Cabela’s World’s Foremost Outfitters store in Minnesota, built in 1998—the second largest tourist attraction in Minnesota only to the Mall of America. Classic, small town charm can be found in the town square, with its picturesque fountain and Central Park Bandshell (featuring outdoor concerts all summer long), downtown shopping, dining, 24 parks, numerous trails, an aquatic center, and three championship golf courses, in addition to being home to the Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children (the only state school orphanage in Minnesota’s history), the Steele County Historical Society’s Village of Yesteryear, and the RAD Zoo, featuring creatures of the reptile and amphibian world. Visit during the Steele County free fair, the largest county fair in the state, Aug. 16-21, 2011.

4. MINNESOTA'S BLUFF COUNTRY

Drive along Highway 52 south of the Twin Cities on to Minnesota’s bluff country. A descent into the Root River Valley comes complete with hairpin curves that feel like you’re in the mountains. Just south of Preston, County Road 16 branches off to the historic town of Lanesboro, one of the prettiest towns around. If you want to continue seeing amazing scenery, get on a bike and ride along the Root River and Harmony-Preston Valley Trails, ranging from level terrain to more challenging trails that opens up to gorgeous vistas. See a play at the nationally recognized Commonweal Theatre, check out the Cornucopia Art Center, tour Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park (a restored historic fur trade center and village) in nearby Preston, visit the Amish community of Harmony, and spend time in the charming shops and restaurants.

5. WATERTOWN, SOUTH DAKOTA

Most people, when thinking of South Dakota, think only of Mount Rushmore—and while that national memorial is truly awesome, there’s so much more to see in this great state.

Watertown, South Dakota—the state’s fourth-largest city—is one of those must-see cities, located on Interstate 29 100 miles north of Sioux Falls and 140 miles south of Fargo. Home of the Redlin Art Center (housing over 150 of world-famous wildlife artist Terry Redlin’s original paintings), internationally acclaimed artist Josh Spies (his gallery is located uptown in the historic Goss Opera House), the Bramble Park Zoo and Discovery Center, the Mellette House, built in 1883 by Arthur C. Mellette and restored as a memorial to South Dakota’s first governor, the Kampeska Heritage Museum, and specialty retail shops in the hip Historic Uptown district, and water recreation on Lake Kampeska and Lake Pelican, Watertown has something for everyone.

6. BEMIDJI

The Great River Road from Lake Itasca (the source of the Mississippi River) east to the Chippewa National Forest makes for a memorable drive up North to the Bemidji area, a cultural oasis in the heart of the wilderness. The drive to Bemidji is a good four hours, so plan accordingly.

While visiting the area, stay at Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge on the northwest shore of Lake Bemidji. Accommodations include lakefront rooms, suites, townhomes, a romantic whirlpool suite with a fireplace, and cottages with anywhere from one to four bedrooms, all spread out along 1,700 feet of natural sand beach. Check out the Camp Rabideau historic site, a Civilian Conservation Corps camp built in 1935 to house the men that constructed fire towers, bridges, roads, and trails in the area. Four of the camp’s 15 buildings have been restored and are open to the public for touring during the summer. Other attractions include the interpretive Bog Walk in Bemidji State Park; the famous Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues; the Paul Bunyan Playhouse; excellent biking and hiking trails; and phenomenal golfing and horseback riding.

7. NORTH SHORE

Built into a steep, rocky hillside, Duluth, two and a half hours north of the metro, overlooks the sparkling blue waters of Lake Superior. Most visitors see the vista unfold as they crest the hill of Interstate 35, and what a view it is.

“You never get tired of watching the lake and it’s many personalities,” says Gene Shaw, director of public relations for Visit Duluth.

The town is full of outdoorsy activities: You can skip rocks along the shoreline, walk along the Lakewalk, get an overview of the scenery from Enger Tower, tour the grounds at the historic Glensheen Mansion, or visit Leif Erickson Park. Perhaps one of the most unique Duluth activities is watching the Aerial Lift Bridge and the massive ships coming into port.

Continue cruising along Scenic Highway 61 to Lutsen, a drive that takes about 10 minutes longer than the Expressway, but definitely worth the extra time. Rather than just a drive, Highway 61 is a destination in itself. As you approach the Lutsen–Tofte area, the scenery begins to shift. The ancient Sawtooth Mountains signal your arrival.

Whether you’re seeking solitude, family time, recreation, or romance, Bluefin Bay on Lake Superior, in the Lutsen–Tofte area, has the right ingredients for the perfect North Shore vacation. Once you arrive at Bluefin Bay, enjoy a plethora of outdoor recreational opportunities ranging from high-adrenaline mountain biking to kayaking on Lake Superior to guided Lake Superior fishing charters to endurance hiking along the Superior Hiking Trail. Other attractions include the family-friendly Lutsen Mountain alpine slides, golfing at Superior National Golf Course, or naturalist-guided wildlife viewing excursions in Superior National Forest.

“But the real star of any vacation at Bluefin Bay is the greatest of lakes herself, and the way you feel when you’re this close to Lake Superior. That’s why we consider our lake-inspired spa treatments, lakeside campfires, summer Saturday night barbeques, and romantic lakewalk to be absolute musts for every North Shore vacationer,” says Lori Schaefer, marketing director for Bluefin Bay on Lake Superior. “We provide the views, the warm and friendly hospitality, and the umatched natural surroundings, and then we leave it up to our guests and let them define the perfect vacation—and they do.”

8. GRAND MARAIS

Stay along Minnesota 61 until the road leads you deeper into the wild boreal forest. With Lake Superior stretching off into the distance and the Sawtooth Mountains rising in the background, a trip to Grand Marais feels like a trip to the sea shore. “After the first glimpse of Grand Marais from the Cutface Creek overlook, you’ll understand why so many people consider Grand Marais the ‘Jewel of Lake Superior,’” says Kjersti Vick, events and communications coordinator for the Grand Marais Art Colony.

Grand Marais is an arts destination with numerous galleries and arts organizations encouraging visitors to get involved. Visit the Grand Marais Art Colony, Minnesota’s oldest colony, for a tour of the campus, or better yet—sign up for a visual arts, ceramics, glass, printmaking or plein air painting class (available year-round for all skill levels). Complete the day with the outdoor activity of your choice and dinner at one of the eclectic locally owned restaurants. Visit July 9–10 for the 21st Annual Grand Marais Arts Festival, when over 70 local and regional artists will set up by the sparkling shores of Lake Superior to showcase their unique handcrafted work, and August 26–September 2, 2011 for the Plein Air Painting Competition & Exhibition, when artists move from the studio to the great outdoors to celebrate the unique beauty of the North Shore landscape.

9. DOOR COUNTY, WIS.

Quick quiz: What has thousands of acres of cherry orchards, vineyards and farms, 300 miles of shoreline, more than 100 art galleries, studios and museums, over 50 beaches, 19 county parks (and excellent camping), 10 lighthouses, five state parks, plenty of outdoor recreation, an old-fashioned drive-in, a world class fishery, eclectic local cuisine (hint: think fish boils), and glorious waterfront sunsets? If you answered Door County, Wis., you are correct. As a result of the area’s numerous tourism-related amenities, Door County was named by Money magazine as one of the top 10 vacation destinations in North America, and it’s less than a six-hour car ride away.

10. BAYFIELD, WIS.

Thanks to Madeline Island, located near Bayfield, Wis. (about a four-hour drive north of the Twin Cities) it is possible to have an island vacation without booking a flight to Hawaii. Madeline Island, a ferry ride from Bayfield to LaPointe, Wis. is one of 22 Apostle Islands and the only island not part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, meaning it is the only developed island of the bunch. This means more opportunities to golf, visit museums, charter a sport fishing boat, sailboat, sea kayak, or canoe, and plenty of shopping, dining, and lodging options. The Madeline Island Ferry Line provides daily transportation to and from the island every 30 minutes during the summer.


Source: Minnesota Monthly

The Subaru Love Strikes Twice Event

Pre-Owned. Pre-Loved. Prepared.
Fall in love with a Certified Pre-Owned Subaru and get 0.99% APR financing for 48 months.*

Now through July 1.

152-Point Inspection

Every Certified Pre-Owned Subaru gets a 152-point safety inspection, where anything that doesn’t meet our high standards is repaired or replaced. From brake pads to tire tread depth, our inspections are extensive and performed by genuine Subaru technicians. These reports are made available for your review. So you can be confident that your Subaru is fully checked, factory-covered and ready for new adventures.

*Eligible on vehicle model years 2010-2013. Financing for well-qualified applicants only. Subject to credit approval, vehicle insurance approval and vehicle availability. Monthly payment of $21.26 per $1,000 financed. No down payment required.
Cannot be combined with any other incentives. Must take delivery from dealer stock by July 1, 2013. See participating dealer for details.

Check out our website for inventory: http://www.stcloudsubaru.com/

Happy Throwback Thursday, fans!

Did you know: On this day in 1933, the first drive-in movie theater opened in New Jersey!

Don't let this be you!

Check out our specials online and get your coupon for a complimentary battery test!

Let's Do That - Extended

It's the first week of June, and the first Motivational Monday!

Make this month amazing!