Is the BRZ too good to be true?

Posted by on April 10, 2012 No comments

If Subaru could be defined with one acronym it would be: AWD.  All-wheel drive has been standard on Subarus from the get go because of the inherent advantages that come along with sending power to both the front and rear wheels, all the time, simultaneously.  So why on earth would Subaru agree to put their name on something that is not all-wheel drive?  The answer is simple… the 2013 Subaru BRZ changes everything!

The BRZ is a collaboration between Subaru and Toyota.  What the two came up with is a two-door sports car that is going to make a splash like the Miata did when it first came out.  I understand that enthusiasts are already denouncing the BRZ because it doesn’t employ Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system.  I grant that this is a major departure for Subaru but the fact of the matter is the reviews and the numbers speak for themselves!

According to numbers release just last week via MotorTrend magazine, the BRZ is selling at a four times faster in Japan than Subaru first anticipated.  The pre-orders in the States are well past expectations and the buzz around the biz is that you may not be able to go to your local dealer and find one.

The BRZ has the makings to become something iconic like the industry saw in the 90′s with the Miata.  The car is purpose built to be fast, fun, and safe.  A new Boxer engine is employed that generates 200hp out of a mere 2L of displacement.  That’s right gear heads, just think about what the BRZ STi version will put to the tarmac.  (I don’t have any numbers about the STi spec BRZ but my guess would be a turbo and the power would be around 250!)

If this interests you (I assure you it should) do some research online and check out the reviews.  The positive buzz from nearly every test pilot sounds like they have been paid off by some Subaru thugs – the truth is there just isn’t much to complain about in the BRZ.

(Estimated time of arrival in Canada – early to mid Summer.)

Leasing or Buying? Which Way Should You Go?

Posted by on March 29, 2012 No comments

One of the most common questions we encounter in the car buying process is “Leasing or buying, what’s right for me?” The truth is, there is no “right” answer when it comes to the question of which is better, leasing or buying. Everybody has a different situation and a different use for their vehicle, and that in turn will influence which option works best for you. First off, we’ll explain the main differences between the two.

When you buy, you pay for the entire cost of a vehicle, regardless of how many kilometers you put on it. You pay GST (and PST/HST depending on where you live) on the total cost of the vehicle, and make a monthly payment based on an interest rate determined by the bank/lending institution. Your first monthly payment is made a month after signing the contract, and later you may decide to sell or trade the vehicle for its depreciated resale value. At the end of your finance contract, you own the vehicle outright provided you have met all of the obligations of your contract.

When you lease a subaru, or any manufacturer for that matter, you pay a stipulated portion of the vehicles cost, based on the time frame and amount of kilometers you will drive. You pay GST/PST/HST only on your monthly payments, you also pay an interest rate determined by the bank/lending institution, and your first monthly payment is made at the time you sign your contract. At the end of your stipulated lease term, typically 36 or 48 months, you have the option to simply return the vehicle (provided you have met the parameters of the lease), or you can purchase the vehicle for the pre-determined depreciated resale value.

In the short term, lease payments will almost always be slightly lower than a finance payment on the same vehicle. In the long run however, if you plan on keeping your vehicle, financing will prove to be less expensive.

TYPICAL LEASE VS BUY SCENARIO

On a 2012 Subaru Impreza 5-door Touring Package (MSRP $22,595) with $2,500 down a 48 month lease payment works out to $312.50 with GST included. On the same vehicle with the same $2,500 down a 60 month finance payment works out to $440.05.

So which is better for you?

Lease - If you enjoy driving a new car every three or four years, want a lower monthly payment, like having a car with the latest features, drive an average number of kilometers, and don’t like trading or selling vehicles after you have used them, leasing would be a good option for you.

Buy - If you don’t mind a slightly higher monthly payment, prefer to build up equity and resale value, like having ownership of your vehicle, prefer paying off a loan and keeping a vehicle payment free for a period of time, prefer to keep your vehicles long term or like to customize your vehicles, buying would be a good option for you.

Who says Subaru designs are getting too generic?

Posted by on March 23, 2012 No comments

I’ve heard from a lot of Subaru diehards say that they don’t like the exterior styling of the newer Subarus. I see where they might be coming from, but its more than style.

Although I could agree that it’s getting harder to spot a Subaru from a distance, to me, this concern is trumped by quality and the vastly improved interior space offered on every model in the line-up since 2009.  Fitting four average sized adults into any Subaru used to present a challenge; that’s just not the case anymore, not even in a 2012 Impreza.  But I think a lot of this has to do with misplaced nostalgia anyways.

Let’s put this matter into a different perspective.  Subarus may not be quite as distinct as they used to be, but you’d have to agree that their overall styling is definitely moving in the right direction.  The lines seem cleaner, sportier.  They used to have a kind of ‘ugly duckling’ appeal that has been replaced by bolder, more muscular lines.

I also like the fact that now the Subaru Legacy, the Outback, and the Impreza share the same exterior design cues.  This will lead to product differentiation in the long-term and suggest uniformity of engineering and quality, both of which are key factors in Subaru’s success over the last forty years.

Hey, don’t take my word for it, come in and have a look for yourself!

Subaru of Lethbridge
www.subaruoflethbridge.com
3316 1 Ave S, Lethbridge Alberta
1 403 380-6860
1 800 NEW-SUBARU

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Why I would choose a Subaru & why you should too!

Posted by on March 23, 2012 No comments

I have no automotive vocational training to speak of. I haven’t owned that many different vehicles in my time of driving. But what I do know, is that the next time I am ready to buy a car I am only going to one dealership.

The auto industry has become inundated with deals and compensation for a lack of quality and engineering. That being said, the automotive industry has made leaps and bounds in recent memory. Economy is up and the “trickle down effect” from some of the premium brands are making their way into the hands of the typical consumer – ie ME. But for too long people have concerned themselves strictly with sticker MSRP and don’t take the entire picture/car into consideration.

A very brief look at Subaru over the past 20 years will show that even though market share was not anything to write home about, the consumers who bought a Subaru were typically ecstatic with the car and proved to be fiercely loyal. This has translated into some of the best cars that money can buy right now. (If you’re sitting in a vault filled with gold coins like Scrooge McDuck than I wouldn’t worry about reading too much farther.) Consider the 2012 Impreza. It has been totally redesigned for this model year and gets 51 mpg highway. Now at this point some people may scream in horror because other manufacturers are getting closer to 60mpg on the highway. The deal-breaker (for yours truly at least) is that all Subaru’s currently employ the patented Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. But what does that mean to the average person.

It is very simple to write off the lack of fuel economy and buy what would seem to be the better choice in the age of $1.20/L gas. But better fuel economy doesn’t mean that you’re getting a better car. Because Subaru engineers have been able to create a FULL TIME all-wheel drive that exceeds 50mpg highway is no small feat. The competition gets 6 extra mpg but at the cost to the consumer of the safety and capability of an all-wheel drive car.

The only reason I can find in my limited career in the auto business is because it’s too expensive for car makers to create a compact car with all-wheel drive.  Whether or not this is the case I cannot say with any level certainty.  That being said, Subaru has been doing so for over 40 years.

Keeping all-wheel drive in mind, this morning it took me over 45 minutes to make the drive to work (it should have taken about 15 minutes, and I can only assume that not enough people were driving Subaru’s!).  With the capability of full time all-wheel drive the commute in such horrid conditions would have been as easy as Paris Hilton on a Friday night.

I’ll only ever buy a Subaru for the myriad of reasons that I have outlined above.  When buying a new car, a Subaru should be considered and more importantly it should be at the top of your list.  If you don’t believe this post, take a look at the most recent Consumers Reports guide to automobiles.

I rest my case.

Subaru of Lethbridge
www.subaruoflethbridge.com
3316 1 Ave S, Lethbridge Alberta
1 403 380-6860
1 800 NEW-SUBARU

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Exciting things from Subaru

Posted by on March 23, 2012 2 comments

After a visit to the Calgary Auto Show last week, I was able to see a couple new models that Subaru will be releasing in late spring/early summer.

Both models will be released around the same time and one is completely new and the other is a modified Impreza.

The 2013 Subaru BRZ is a new 2-door sports car that will employ Subaru’s first rear-wheel drive train. The 200 HP 2.0l 4-cylinder motor will feature either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters located on the steering column.

2013 Subaru BRZ

2013 Subaru BRZ

Two packages will be available for the BRZ; A base model and a Sport-Tech package that will add Navigation, Alcantara seats, and a moonroof among other things. Price is to be set in the $25,000-$35,000 range.

The Subaru XV will be highly based off of the redesigned 2012 Impreza, but will feature a more ag g ressive, rugged look from fender flares, a unique wheel design and standard roof rails for mounting any carrier. Being called a ‘compact crossover’, the XV will have the same 8.7 inches of ground clearance as the Forester and Outback models. Specs on the rest of the car have not yet been released, but as I said the car will be based off the current Impr eza platform.

2013 Subaru XV

I suspect the same 2.0 Litre 4-cylinder 148 HP will be coinciding Subaru’s second generation CVT (continuously variable transmission) will boasts amazing fuel mileage without sacrificing performance. Also unsure about exact price, it should fall between the $23,000-$32,000 range with a few trim levels available.

Subaru of Lethbridge
www.subaruoflethbridge.com
3316 1 Ave S, Lethbridge Alberta
1 403 380-6860
1 800 NEW-SUBARU

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Subaru Named Worlds Best Automaker!

Posted by on March 21, 2012 No comments

Boom, lets make it official! We always knew it, Subaru always knew it and now you know it – Subaru is the best automaker of all time! Okay, maybe not of all time, but who knows, we think so anyways!

Consumer Reports recently released their 2012 automaker report cards, and Subaru’s impressive new model lineup helped it secure the top score among all automakers!

Subaru scored an overall 75 – two points higher than last year – which is reflective of the impressive test scores on the recently redesigned Impreza, Outback and Legacy. As a whole, Subaru had an average road test score 82 – the highest in Consumer Reports analysis! Buoyed by outstanding fuel economy – 51 MPG on the highway – along with Subaru’s signature Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, the 2012 Impreza was recently named Top Pick in the small-sedan category, beating out the reigning champion of the class – the Honda Civic.

With a track record like that, what are you waiting for? If you’re looking for a Subaru in Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton or Grande Prairie, pop down to Lethbridge and try a Subaru for yourself, you won’t be disappointed!

You can see the grades from the 2012 Annual Auto Issue here and see how every manufacturer measured up.

Subaru of Lethbridge
www.subaruoflethbridge.com
3316 1 Ave S, Lethbridge Alberta
1 403 380-6860
1 800 NEW-SUBARU

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2012 Subaru Impreza Off to a Good Start!

Posted by on December 28, 2011 No comments

2012 looks to be off to a good start for Subaru.  The much anticipated, redesigned Impreza finally arrived in dealer showrooms in late December.

Subaru of LethbridgeThe new Impreza has been getting a lot of very positive attention, and shoppers looking for a Subaru Impreza in Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer are itching to get into this vehicle .  Best in class safety ratings, performance, and resale value have long been the Impreza’s strongest selling advantages.  Now, fuel economy is too.  Like every previous generation of Impreza, the 2012 comes with Subaru’s signature Symmetrical Full-time All Wheel Drive and is available as either a four door sedan or five door hatchback.  But for 2012, the Impreza is rated at an amazing 51mpg, over 30% better than the out going model, putting it ahead of some of its two wheel drive competitors.  In fact, the 2012 Impreza is the most fuel efficient AWD that has ever been built.

How did Subaru achieve this breakthrough?

First, it replaced the 2.5L boxer with a smaller, more efficient 2.0L horizontally opposed engine.  Although the new engine produces less horsepower, it still has and completely makes up for it with a plenty of torque so Red Deer Subaru drivers can zip into Edmonton or Calgary no problem.  Because the car is lighter, the reduction in engine size is not perceptible to those familiar with the old 2.5.  The Impreza still has a spirited drive and great handling.  Secondly, the Impreza finally gets a new automatic transmission, a CVT or continuously variable transmission, which allows it to utilize the available power more efficiently.

The CVT models come with a manual mode which is engaged by paddles mounted on the steering wheel, so drivers of the CVT can experience the control and fun of shifting if they choose.  The other transmission which is available is a five speed manual transmission, which reduces the purchase price by $1200.

Red Subaru Legacy AlbertaBesides a major improvement in fuel economy, the other area where Subaru has really improved the Impreza is the interior.  The 2012 is far more spacious and comfortable than the outgoing 2011 model.  The materials inside the interior are also enhanced in quality and appearance, and the seats are more comfortable.  Subaru has also improved visibility from the car.  Starting price on the 2012 model has actually been lowered by $1000, and more standard equipment is available at lower price points making it more affortable to Alberta Subaru drivers!

Important new safety equipment is also available, like driver’s side knee airbag.  And best of all, the car looks more attractive than it ever has, particularily the five door hatch.  There are seven great colours to choose from: white, silver, black, grey, red, blue, and dark cherry.

 

Written By:  Joe Kadezabek

 

Subaru of Lethbridge
www.subaruoflethbridge.com
3316 1 Ave S, Lethbridge Alberta
1 403 380-6860
1 800 NEW-SUBARU

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2013 Subaru Hybrid Vehicle On The Way!

Posted by on July 20, 2011 No comments

Subaru is innovative and strives to produce the best vehicles on the market. Hybrids have been out on the road for a little while now but I can guarantee you that Subaru will revolutionize the way Hybrid’s are created and run. Every Subaru dealer in Alberta is begging for the hybrid to come this way. In general Subaru Dealers cannot wait for these to make its way into production… If it doesn’t make it to the Canadian or US. market, there is always imports folks.

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Subaru has officially confirmed it will enter the hybrid segment in 2013 with the launch of an undisclosed gas-electric vehicle. Reports point to some sort of Subaru vehicle, packed with Toyota’s hybrid technology, debuting over in Japan in 2013. For the record, Subaru has not announced whether this hybrid vehicle will be U.S.-bound.

Some reports claim that Subaru’s fuel-sipping vehicle will be loosely based on the automaker’s Hybrid Tourer concept that debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show back in 2009. While others speculate that it will be either the Impreza or Legacy that gets Toyota’s gas-electric technology. Regardless, Subaru’s first-ever hybrid vehicle will makes its debut in 2013.

Subaru Parts in Alberta

Posted by on June 24, 2011 No comments

Click here for more info on Subaru Parts

At Subaru of Lethbridge, our experts can find the auto part you are looking for. If you are looking to fix your vehicle and get it running back to normal, stop in and visit our highly trained expert parts staff.  We are more than willing to find the auto part you need. When you buy Subaru Parts you will be saving yourself a time and money.

By completing our Subaru auto parts online order form, you can be assured of a quick and easy process. Once your part has arrived, simply stop by the dealership and pick up your order.

You can contact our Subaru of Lethbridge parts center by phone at (403) 380-6860.

Not only do we assist our customers with auto parts, but our Subaru of Lethbridge auto technicians are also available for repairs which require specific tools and an expert level of experience. At Subaru of Lethbridge we have a state-of-the-art service centre and skilled mechanics to properly diagnose and repair your vehicle.


What Happens After I Order a Part?

 

If you know the name or inventory number of your part use our online form to place an order. If not, give us a call and a parts department expert will determine exactly what part you are require. Upon submitting we will:

  • Respond to you promptly via which ever way you prefer to be contacted.
  • Ask any additional questions required to identify your part request.
  • and confirm your order & pricing

 

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1-800-NEW-SUBARU
403-380-6860

Lethbridge Used Cars – Subaru of Lethbridge

Posted by on June 24, 2011 No comments
Used Cars Lethbridge

Click to View our Used Inventory

Used Trucks lethbridge

Click to view our Used Inventory

Subaru of Lethbridge is home to a solid list of quality used cars in Lethbridge and carries an impressive range of domestic and import cars. Our used vehicle list makes Subaru of Lethbridge a one stop shop for used cars in Lethbridge.

If you’re looking for used Subaru cars in Alberta, you owe it to yourself to stop by Subaru of Lethbridge, at the very least visit our Subaru of Lethbridge website to view our quality online inventory. Our internet department works full time and

know our new and used cars inside and out. We’ll answer all you’re questions with care and thoughtfulness! Visit our Subaru of Lethbridge website, find a vehicle your interested in and simply ask us for more info through one of the online forms.

Lethbridge Used Trucks

We’ve got the best deals in Lethbridge. So good it’ll make you hit the floor!

 

At Subaru of Lethbridge we also stock used trucks. If you’re shopping for a used truck in Lethbridge you need look no further. In fact, you should give us a call on the double. Let us find you the truck you’re looking for, at a price that will make you smile!
At the Lethbridge auto-mall you need stop at Subaru of Lethbridge. We have half tons, three quarter tons, one tons, and even small trucks and SUVs so no matter what, we’ll get in whatever you’re looking for!

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Subaru of Lethbridge
1-800-NEW-SUBARU
403-380-6860