'Share the Love' with Rimrock Subaru!

From the Billings Gazette:

During the holiday season, Rimrock Subaru is donating up to one-third of its daily advertising space to 30 local nonprofits to highlight the work the organizations do for the community.
General manager Ernie Lee said the nonprofit organizations deserve support to help maintain this great environment we live in.? The donation to spotlight the charities is just one way to give back to the community, he said.
Lee said the charities can also promote their work on Rimrock's Facebook page, facebook.com/rimrocksubarukia. Supporters can vote for their favorite charity, with the most popular charity being added to the list of those receiving donations from the dealership. Supporters can also suggest their favorite charity by calling 651-5200.
Rimrock Subaru also participates in a national Subaru program that designates five charities for donations each year. The dealership aims to raise at least $12,000 to donate to the five charities participating in the program this year: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, Meals On Wheels Association of America and Ocean Conservancy.

If you'd like to help us support our local charities, please vote for your favorite on our Facebook page; http://www.facebook.com/rimrocksubarukia.  Also, visit our website at RimrockSubaru.com

A Subaru Forester Flies!

I'm sure you weren't aware of this option that Subarus come equipped with standard... flight! Actually, don't do this at home. But definitely enjoy the video!



Enjoy this? Check out our website! Click here!

Subaru Comments on Travis Pastrana

Dominick Infante of Subaru of North America speaks a few words about Travis Pastrana leaving the Subaru Rally Team for NASCAR.

"Due Date" Gives Subaru a Little Love

And Subaru loves them back. In this day and age of product placement, last-week's new release "Due Date" featuring Zach Galifianakis and Robert Downey Jr was no exception. However, unlike appearance of iphone, Macbooks and Range Rovers that were prevalent in the script, the casting of the characters' Subaru rental car was not a monetary agreement. A Subaru spokesman confirmed that while the use of the 2011 Impreza was a result of Subaru's direct involvement, no money changed hands. This is typical of Subaru as they do not usually pay for placements (for example, the use of a Subaru Outback in NBC's "The Office").

Many companies that allow their products to appear in film have stringent limitations on how they can be used; for example, in the James Bond movie "The World is Not Enough", BMW would not allow their Z8 to be used in crashes or other 'negative' scenes. However, it seems that this was not the case with Subaru; the car is featured in a spectacular crash, along with several 'lewd' scenes. A Subaru spokesman actually took the crash in a positive light, citing their long history of being a IIHS Top Safety pick with all of their vehicle lineup.


All in all, even without the Subaru love, "Due Date" is certainly a must-see movie... though we're happy that they were driving a Subaru when they got in their accident. Otherwise, the credits would have been rolling far too soon.

The "Chewbaru"

People will do lots of things to make their vehicle unique, and Rex Rosenberg of Great Bend, Kansas is no exception.  However, while many people just go in for stickers or fuzzy dice, Rex went a completely different direction with his Subaru.  He glued over 70lbs of dentures to his car, along with another 70lbs of empty toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes and dental tools.  So why the fascination with all-things-dental?  We're actually not sure, though I'll admit; we approve of the canvas he chose!

Photo By Karen La Pierre, AP

 

 

Do you like our articles? Please take a minute and check out RimrockSubaru.com for the latest Subaru news, media, information, and of course cars!

Subaru Finally Announces Their STi Tuned Forester; the tS

...and unfortunately we in the American market aren't going to get it. At least not yet. Even for the JDM market though, production is going to be limited to only 300 units. This latest machine will be offered with a 2.5l DOHC AVCS equipped boxer engine; Subaru's classic powerhouse. They'll only be offered with an automatic transmission, but promises to pack 263hp, along with a substantial low-end torque curve. STi went over the suspension as well, adding tuned dampers and springs to compliment it along with adding additional rigidity to the frame.

Of course the new Forester tS comes with STi-appointed interior as well; from bolstered seats with STi badging and red stitching, to drill aluminum pedals, stitched steering wheel, paddle shifters and even a push-button start. The car itself will be offered in Obsidian Black, Pearl White, Platinum Silver Metallic, and World Rally Blue, and with a $46k price tag, they're expected to sell out very quickly.

Unfortunately, we in the USDM market are still hanging in the hopes that Subaru will release this car in America, but that certainly doesn't mean we can't drool over it until then.

Images from Fuji Heavy Industries

Billings Enacts Cell Phone Ban, Starting Today

For those of you who may have not yet heard, or didn't remember, this is just a reminder that starting today, Billings is implementing a ban on use of mobile devices while driving in city limits.  The Billings Gazette has more on this:

Law enforcement today begins enforcing a citywide ban on cell phone use while driving, a move that city officials hope will improve safety on Billings’ streets.

Similar bans in other cities have had mixed results, and some national studies say such action may not be as effective as intended.

Nationwide, nearly 5,500 people died last year in crashes related to distracted driving, and about one-fifth of those involved cell phone use, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Distracted-driving crashes also injured almost 450,000 more people.

According to the NHTSA and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, drivers using cell phones are four times as likely to be involved in an injury crash.

Thirty states and Washington, D.C., have passed texting bans and eight states and D.C. have passed bans on handheld devices while driving. Twenty-eight states and D.C. have banned any cell phone use by novice drivers.

Billings’ distracted-driving ordinance — passed this summer by a 7-2 City Council vote — went into effect this morning.

It prohibits motorists and bicyclists from holding or touching a handheld electronic communication device while driving, unless they are using a hands-free setup, such as a Bluetooth, that lets them talk on the phone while keeping both hands on the wheel.

“Talking on the phone is illegal; texting is illegal,” Billings Police Lt. RD Harper said. “Using a hands-free is not illegal.”

Billings Police Chief Rich St. John acknowledges that enforcing the ordinance presents challenges.

If an officer sees somebody violating the ordinance, they will be pulled over, St. John said. But it could be tough for officers to determine if somebody is breaking the law.

“I think the challenge in some cases is where we don’t have a clear and definitive — where they’re using a communications device,” he said. “But hopefully that will be taken care of if our officers exercise common sense and judgment to solve a lot of those problems.”

He said that includes the officers setting an example. The Police Department has purchased hands-free devices for every department-issued cell phone, 45 in total. They will be used mostly by the command staff and detectives.

He said patrol officers often have their personal phones with them and are “highly encouraged” to follow the ordinance, even though they’re exempt while on duty.

“I don’t expect to see them on their phones all the time,” St. John said. “I expect them to exercise common sense and good judgment and stay off the phones unless it’s an emergency situation or they’re pulled over on the side of the road.”

Officials expect people to follow the law right away. St. John said information on the ordinance has been out in the community long enough — through media, public-service announcements and advertising — that there will be no grace period. Officers will begin pulling people over immediately.

“But our goal isn’t to write tickets for this,” said Harper, who sat on the committee that researched and drafted the law. “It’s to improve safety in Billings.”

For the time being, a ticket for using a cell phone while behind the wheel most likely won’t go on insurance or driving records.

“It won’t be a reportable offense until there’s action in other areas than on the local level,” said City Councilwoman Peggie Gaghen, who helped write and promote the new law. “It’s got to be done at a statewide level.”

Officials who designed and promoted the law said that most of the public reaction has been positive, but as with any new law or ordinance, there are detractors.

One of the most common complaints about the distracted-driving ordinance has been that it is a government intrusion on people’s day-to-day lives, an argument city officials and law enforcement officers say doesn’t hold water.

Gaghen said “driving is a privilege, not a right” and that the ordinance is more of a safety issue.

St. John agrees.

“This is designed solely to keep people’s heads up and their eyes on the road,” he said.

Despite mounting evidence that talking or texting on a cell phone while driving is dangerous, a pair of studies from the Highway Loss Data Institute, an affiliate of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, indicate that handheld and texting bans don’t work.

A study released in late 2009 used insurance claims to compare phone-use-related crash rates before and after handheld bans went into effect in New York, California, Connecticut and D.C. The crash numbers decreased only in New York — the study said that trend was happening before the ban as well — and stayed about the same in the other jurisdictions.

A second claims-based study from the Highway Loss Data Institute released in September — covering California, Louisiana, Minnesota and Washington — indicated that crashes increased slightly in three of the four states. However, that study also said that “noncompliance is a likely reason texting bans aren’t reducing crashes.”

Gaghen said she is skeptical of the studies and pointed to the previous Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study that said drivers are four times as likely to crash while using a phone, as well as the distracted-driving crash statistics provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

St. John said he hadn’t seen the studies but that the intent of the new law, along with sound enforcement by officers, is the important part.

“The intent is to deter and prohibit those blatant cell phone and texting things that we’re talking about,” he said. “The intent is the blatant distracted driving, the both hands over the top of the wheel with a phone, the double-pump, head down texting. If we prevent one accident or one person getting hurt then that’s a positive thing and we can say we’ve had some success with it.”

Ray LaHood, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, has described the studies as “misleading” because they don’t merge with previous finding by the group and don’t match other studies that show distracted driving crashes on the decline in cities with bans.

“Tough laws are the first step, and enforcement must be next,” LaHood said in a written response to the texting study. “We know that anti-distracted driving laws can be enforced effectively because two DOT pilot enforcement programs in Hartford (Conn.) and Syracuse (N.Y.) prove it. In the last six months alone, handheld cell phone use has dropped 56 percent in Hartford and 38 percent in Syracuse, and texting while driving has declined 68 percent in Hartford and 42 percent in Syracuse.”

In November 2009, the Montana State Senate rejected legislation that would have banned the use of handheld communication devices while driving by a vote of 32-17. Gaghen said that, despite the bill’s failure, other towns could look to Billings as a benchmark for such bans.

“I think what we do in Billings will be used as an example in communities across the state,” she said.

As of Oct. 22, there were no complete bill proposals for a statewide ban for the upcoming Legislature. The closest thing to such a bill is a bill proposal from Sen. Bruce Tutvedt, R-Kalispell, for 2011, which is in the process of being drafted, to include distracted driving in other driving offenses.

A statewide ban on texting while driving in Wyoming went into effect in July, but the number of citations issued under that law was not available.

Cheyenne, Wyo., enacted a ban similar to Billings’ in fall 2009. From November 2009 to Oct. 15 of this year, Cheyenne police issued 361 tickets under the ordinance, and Sgt. Rob Dafoe said they’ve issued two to three times as many warnings.

“It’s not that there’s difficulty enforcing it,” he said. “The challenge that we see is there’s still plenty of violators.”

The problem, he said, is that other police calls often take priority and that the time it’s easiest to spot somebody breaking the law, the daylight hours, is also their busiest time of the day.

“If we had the budget and the means to have a dedicated cell phone police, we could probably write 40 to 50 tickets a day,” Dafoe said.

Missoula passed a ban on texting last summer, and as of Oct. 19, the Missoula Police Department had issued four tickets for the ban. The number of warnings was not available.

Missoula Police Capt. Chris Odlin said his city’s ban has been difficult to enforce because it’s tough for officers to tell if somebody is texting, making a call, searching their contact list or fiddling with an MP3 player.

People also could be more likely to try to hide their phone while texting, he said.

Read the original story on the Billings Gazette website, here.

 

It’s Getting Cooler Out… So What’s a Subaru Owner to do?

Go play in the snow of course! Motortrend takes the age-old STi versus EVO comparison to a frozen lake to get their impressions of both.

Billings Woman Doesn’t Let Car Thieves Get Her Down

Reported by the Billings Gazette:

“I went on an amazing run at my favorite place to run, and I came back and noticed my passenger side window was smashed,” said Kelly Naletelich, 23, of Billings.

A Billings woman took things into her own hands after someone broke into her car while she was jogging Zimmerman Trail on Sunday.

Naletelich said her GPS and her purse were stolen. Her purse had her wallet with all of her forms of ID, credit cards and cash.
She was only gone for 35 minutes, and by the time she got back to the car the theft had occurred.
Under an hour, Naletelich said two women were seen on surveillance cameras using her ID and credit card to purchase items in the Billings Heights, racking up charges of almost $700.

“Everyone was telling me don’t go back to Zimmerman, it’s not safe,” Naletelich said. “My mom was worried, and I said, ‘No, that’s my favorite place to jog. I’m not going to let it scare me.’”

To be safe, she plastered signs throughout her car telling the women she believes broke into her car to stay away. The signs attracted the attention of others at the park.
“I got probably at least six comments from people waiting around my car when I got back,” Naletelich said. “One guy said he had his car stolen and they dumped it up at Zimmerman, and he was proud of me for standing up and doing something.”

Read the original story here

A Newly Rendered 2013 WRX Concept Car. What do you think?

From Inside Line:

Last month, we brought you the first photos of the next-generation 2013 Subaru Impreza WRX in disguise. It was caught testing in Europe and even though it was covered from nose to tail in black camouflage, the Subaru Impreza prototype revealed a few details about the styling direction of the redesigned hatchback.

Up front, the test mule looks like it had a few design elements borrowed directly from the Hybrid Tourer Concept shown at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show. The angular lines of the grille and front fascia are certainly different from the current Impreza and they point toward an even more aggressive look for the all-wheel-drive hatchback.

The grille no longer blends cleanly into the hood line, as you can clearly see two notches on each side that sharply define the opening. Separate headlights also appear to be part of the new design along with a new lower airdam and small front quarter windows just ahead of the side mirrors.

The changes out back are less dramatic. New taillights that are a little shorter and wider appear to be the most noticeable change, while the overall shape of the rear window looks much the same as the current WRX hatchback. Hard to tell what's going on with the tailpipes as the test mule had its exhaust tucked tightly under the bodywork. We can only hope that the production WRX gets a proper set of exhaust pipes when it arrives in production form.

When that will be is hard to tell at this point. We don't expect to see this Impreza on sale until 2012 given the recent upgrades made to the 2011 Impreza. With that in mind, look for a possible worldwide debut at the Tokyo auto show in November of next year.

Central High Student Explains Solar Car to President

Central High School Student, Mikayla Nelson explained to President Obama Monday, the solar-electric car that she and her team developed. Check out the video below for more. Congratulation Mikayla! Very well done!

The Subaru Forester S-Edition. Subaru's new full-size brawler?

So far, it's still just flying around in the rumor mill, but Automobilemag.com reports that Subaru may have a new, special-edition Forest on the way. The Subaru Forester S-Edition. This Forester would be directly based around Subaru's WRX. Sporting 260 horsepower, and roughly 256 ft-lbs of Torque, it'd be less powerful that the WRX, but it'd still pack on 36 horses on to the existing Forester XT; not a bad bump. This prototype is being prepared by Subaru Australia, but we're sure hoping they'll let the states in on some of that action.

For the whole story, automobilemag.com has more:

Subaru builds a mean, turbocharged flat-four-cylinder engine for its Impreza WRX -- but what happens when said engin

e is shoehorned into the engine compartment of the Forester crossover? The result is what Subaru dubs the Forester XT S-Edition concept, and depending on your country of residence, it may be destined for a dealer near you.

Prepared by Subaru's Australian wing, the XT S-Edition reportedly previews a

new trim level that is destined for the Aussie market early next year. Power comes courtesy of a WRX-spec turbocharged

2.5-liter boxer four, which cranks out 260 horsepower and 256 pound-feet of torque. That's roughly five horsepower less than a standard WRX, but an increase of roughly 36 ponies compared to the 2.5XT. Power is sent to Subaru's all-wheel-drive system via a five-speed automatic transmission.

According to the manufacturer's release, Subaru has also revised the Forester's suspension and all-wheel-drive systems for a sportier feel, although the precise details have yet to be revealed. Cosmetic revisions, however, are easy to spot. Clear turn signal indicators, STI-sourced 17-inch aluminum wheels, and special emblems are applied to the Forester's exterior, while the interior receives Alcantara-trimmed seating, drilled aluminum sport pedals, and unique gauges.

At this stage, the S-Edition shown here is simply a show car, but much like Cadillac's CTS-V Wagon show vehicle, this model will reach showroom floors. Subaru has only revealed that the Forester XT S-Edition is destined for Australia, but we hope that the model isn't locked to one specific market, as was the case with the JDM Forester STI.

Read the whole story here!

Spotted, the Toyobaru FT-86!

The latest photos of the new Subaru / Toyota coupe project are now in, along with interior pictures!

This is our first look at the inside of Subaru's first production coupe in 10 years.  Check out Subie-Life.net for some additional details.

Is Carbon Fiber soon going to be the norm? Subaru and Toyota are working hard for just that.

Right now the use of carbon fiber is limited to only the most high-end sports cars, and the ridiculously expensive aftermarket community. However, that separation may soon become a finer line. Vehicle manufacturers, Toyota and Subaru are working with Japanese carbon fiber company, Toray, to lower the cost on carbon fiber to the point where it can be used in the mainstream automotive market. Other manufacturers have used carbon fiber in the past to lower the overall weight of their cars, and lower the center of gravity to increase handling capability. GreenCarReports.com has more on this story;

Carbon fiber is seen by many in the auto industry as one of the most effective ways of reducing vehicle weight and thus improving fuel economy and emissions levels, but the relative expense of the material means that it’s still reserved for only a handful of high-end production cars. BMW has effectively used carbon fiber roofs for its M cars to help lower their center of gravity, and Nissan and General Motors have used the composite material to help save weight for the respective GT-R and ZR1 supercars.
For most automakers, mainstream carbon fiber use is still several years away but a number of firms, including Japanese carbon specialist Toray, are working closely with the auto industry to help bring down the cost of the lightweight stuff.

In fact, Toray has already announced a partnership with Daimler to produce carbon fiber parts for the German automaker’s cars and now there are reports coming out of Japan claiming Toray will also supply carbon fiber for Toyota and Subaru.

The Nikkei news daily is reporting that Toray will supply the two Japanese automakers with carbon fiber for car bodies later this year. The first batch of carbon fiber will be used for the hood and roof of the Lexus LFA supercar, which goes into full-scale production in December. Subaru will reportedly sell carbon roofs as an option on its sports cars.

Toray has pioneered a build process for its carbon fiber that reduces is costs by almost half, and this, combined with a rise in steel prices, means the advanced composite material is now looking more and more appealing to automakers around the globe.

Read the original story here!

Everyone likes a good car wash!

Thinking about getting into a Forester? Well, this commercial might just convince you. What do you get when to put a muddy Forester, soap, water, and six sumo wrestlers together? ...well, we're not sure so we'll let you make up your own mind!

Subaru’s “Announces” Their Most Mediocre Car Ever

They said it, not us. Subaru's 2011 'Mediocrity' features headlights, and mirrors... and that's about it. The Mediocrity's main mission is to be, according to their website,

"...the most mainstream mid-size sedan on the road today. Our company is extremely dedicated and passionate about "middle-of-the-road." Each and every day, we strive for predictability, unoriginality and no-frills utilitarianism for all of your transportation needs. The 2011 Mediocrity will get you from A to B without anybody ever noticing, and that's a good thing."

But before you start writing Subaru a letter asking what in the world they were thinking, calm down. The 2011 Mediocrity is part of Subaru's latest advertising campaign for the 2011 Subaru Legacy. Essentially, the idea is to point out everything that the Legacy is not. It's definitely a funny concept, and Subaru has certainly pulled this one of; including design videos, merchandise, and even an arcade-style video game... albeit, it's about the most boring game you'll probably EVER play. You can check out the 2011 Mediocrity website HERE.

Also, here's the latest ad video. We challenge you to not yawn while watching it.

If you want to race offroad, the Dakar Forester is the car for you. Built specifically for the Dakar Rally, this car embodies off road performance. Enjoy!

Russian Subaru Forester takes on some EXTREME Offroad

A Russian-built Subaru Forester sporting a full roll-cage.  Look out JEEP, Subaru is looking like a serious offroad contender!

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Pontiac GTO versus Subaru WRX STi. Inside Line gives you an impartial comparison

Pontiac GTO vs. Subaru WRX STi by Inside Line - Watch more Funny Videos

You Thought Subaru Wasn't Domestic. Guess Again.

The 'Indy Star' reported on September 22nd, that the Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. plans to add 100 full-time positions to their production line. This bring plant workers to nearly 3,300. This increased demand is attributed to rising sales of the Subaru Outback and Subaru Legacy. This is a promising sign for not only Subaru, but the nation as a whole. Kudos Subaru for creating even MORE American jobs. That's the Subaru Love at work.

(Visit the Indy Star story here)

Forester Goes Offroad, Where will YOUR Subaru take you?

Who says a Forester can’t hang with the big dogs? Jalopnik proves them wrong, when he hits some rough country that most of the off-road prepared JEEPs won’t even tackle!

Off-Roading A 2009 Subaru Forester from Jalopnik HD on Vimeo.

Subaru Annouces Their Participation in Fall Car Care Month

As of October 1st, Subaru has announced their involvement in Car Care month. This program stresses the importance of proper, regular vehicle maintenance in preparation for colder weather. Several Subaru dealerships, including Rimrock Subaru, are opening their doors to customers for free inspections. Click here for Rimrock Subaru's service specials.

PR News Wire has more on Fall Car Care Month:

-- Free Vehicle Diagnostic Inspections Offered to Subaru Drivers in October --
CHERRY HILL, N.J., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. announced today that the company is endorsing the Car Care Council's Fall Car Care Month, a nationwide October program highlighting the importance of regular vehicle maintenance. To help Subaru owners heed the council's advice to "Be Car Care Aware," most Subaru dealers are offering free vehicle diagnostic inspections in preparation for the demands of winter driving.

The Car Care Council notes that regularly maintaining your vehicle – including checking the oil, filters and fluids; belts and hoses; brakes and tires; and the air conditioning system – can preserve your automotive investment by helping your vehicle last longer.

"No matter where you live or what you drive, Fall is always a good time to prepare your vehicle for winter's cooler weather – and regular maintenance will also help improve your mileage, lower emissions, and improve the future resale value of your vehicle," notes Gary Palanjian, vice president of parts and service, Subaru of America, Inc. "We want every Subaru driver to enjoy the highest possible safety, performance and fuel economy, which is why we support Fall Car Care Month and offer the free service inspections."

During Fall Car Care Month, Subaru dealers will be performing a thorough no-obligation multi-point diagnostic checkup of all major operating systems, and owners will receive a written report of the vehicle's condition. Consumers can visit www.subaru.com to find a participating dealer.
About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 dealers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit www.subaru.com.
About the Car Care Council

The Car Care Council is a national non-profit organization providing information for the "Be Car Care Aware" consumer education campaign that promotes the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair. For more information, visit www.carcare.org.

Read the original article here, or print your Free inspection coupon here!

Subaru Rally Team Cleans up at New Jersey Rallycross

Subaru Rally team rock stars, Travis Pastrana and Dave Mirra took 2nd and 3rd place (respectively) this past weekend at Round 1 of the New Jersey Rallycross. The event, organized by RallyCar (once Rally America) took place at the Lightning Bolt course at the New Jersey Motorsports Park. The track featured three dirt sections on a 1.3 mile course. This represents a major debut for the sport of Rallycross in America. RallyBuzz has more information on the event!

(Aug 31, 2010) European-style wheel-to-wheel rallycross made its U.S. debut in thrilling style this past weekend in New Jersey with the help of a determined performance by Subaru driver Travis Pastrana in his 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI. Starting from the back of a six car grid after a restart, Pastrana worked his way through the field to finish 2nd overall in the final. Pastrana’s Subaru teammate, Dave Mirra, finished close behind in 3rd overall. The Rallycross, organized by RallyCar (formerly Rally America), was held at the Lightning Bolt course of New Jersey Motorsports Park, a 1.3 mile track which was modified to include three dirt sections. Pastrana’s performance wowed the thousands of fans in attendance and helped create a memorable debut for the sport in America.
Rallycross features wheel-to-wheel racing among production based cars on short tracks that feature a mix of tarmac and dirt. In addition to the dirt sections, rallycross tracks feature a “Joker” lap section that each car must take a once at some point during the race. A Joker lap is a small detour that typically takes the driver a few seconds longer to complete than the standard course lap. It adds a level of unpredictability to the race outcome and drivers must strategize on the optimal time to take the joker lap. Many of the cars competing in New Jersey were rally cars that also compete in the Rally America National Championship with the exception of a few purpose-built rallycross cars brought over from Europe. The sport is extremely popular in Europe, where the FIA’s European Rallycross Championship represents the highest and most competitive level of the sport. 

This was an absolute blast, a lot of fun,” said Pastrana. “This series has a chance to be the most epic and the most fun thing that anyone's ever raced and driven.”
Pastrana and Mirra were 2nd and 3rd quickest in qualifying, which determines lane choice and running group within three subsequent heats. Impressive performances in the heats solidified Pastrana and Mirra in 1st and 4th respectively for the A-Main, the final event. 

On the first lap of the A-Main, whilst trailing close to Tanner Foust, Pastrana pushed wide on a tarmac-to-dirt transition and impacted a tire wall. Pastrana was able to continue and his Subaru was undamaged, but the A-Main was red flagged due to the damaged and now mis-aligned tire wall. Pastrana was penalized to the back of the six car grid and the race was restarted, with a new standing start. With just five laps on the 1.3 mile course Pastrana quickly went to work pressuring and passing each driver in front of him with a show of skill and aggression that thrilled the thousands of fans in attendance. Pastrana eventually reached 2nd place and trailed Foust, the race leader by just seconds, but Pastrana had yet to complete his Joker lap and in doing so ran out of laps to continue his fight toward Foust. Pastrana exited the Joker lap just ahead of teammate Dave Mirra who was pressuring from behind, and the Subaru duo crossed the finish line in 2nd and 3rd Overall, with Tanner Foust taking victory.

Read the original story here!

Get Enough G's?? Kazuhiro Tanaka Brings a Fan to Tears

Team Orange driver, Kazuhiro Tanaka brings some original "G's" with this 2008 clip from the Japanese drift team. It doesn't look like he's even trying!

Subaru Australia puts their own Twist on the New Subaru

The Aussies just released this latest commercial featuring the new 2011 WRX. Lets see how they do things, 'down-under'!

Subaru Awarded 'Most Adoption-Friendly' Company in the US!

Subaru was named the most 'Adoption-friendly' company recently by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption's "Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces in America" list. With Subaru of America Inc's reputation for building family-friendly vehicles, it's little wonder; this signals the 4th consecutive year that SOA has taken home this award. AutoTalk has more on this story:

Subaru of America, Inc., known for its reputation of building family-friendly vehicles, is continuing to build a reputation for generous adoption assistance benefits for its employees. Subaru, for the second year in a row, was ranked #1 in the automotive industry category on the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption's "Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces in America" list.
This special achievement marks the fourth consecutive year that Subaru has been honored by the foundation. The list, categorized by industry and size of business, names Subaru of America, Inc.:
#1 in the auto industry category
#2 in the medium-sized company category
#7 out of all companies in the United States
"Subaru remains extremely proud to support its employees and our adoption assistance program allows them to make a special difference in the lives of children," said Thomas J. Doll, executive vice president and COO, Subaru of America, Inc. "As a family-focused organization, we are thrilled to provide employees with the financial assistance necessary to welcome children into their homes."
The primary ranking criterion for the Dave Thomas Foundation is the maximum amount of financial reimbursement per adoption, including any additional support for special needs adoption. The secondary criterion is the maximum amount of fully or partially paid leave for adoption. Companies with a combination of both criteria rank higher than those with just one. Honorees include the top 100 companies, the top ten by size and the top five in each industry. The foundation compiled the results from survey data collected from more than 900 U.S. employers, several survey partners and through subscriber and member participation.

Read the original story, HERE!

Subaru Announces their NEW Boxer motor!

Earlier this month, Subaru announced that it would be releasing their latest incarnation of the the famous 'Boxer' 4-cylinder motor, named as such because as the cylinders rotate, it resembles a boxer punching. This represents the first dramatic change to the Boxer motor in 21 years! The motor will still be a 2.5 liter, however, the cylinder bore will be smaller, and the crankshaft stroke will be longer. This allows the new motor to have the same displacement as the older motor, but reportedly improves gas mileage, and increases low/midrange torque. It'll first be available in the United States, in the 2011 model Forester. Paultan.org has more on the story:

Following the announcement of Subaru’s third generation boxer engine, the company has shed initial details of the 2011 Forester, which will debut with the new engine. The engine is in a form of a 2.5 liter, with different bore and stroke configurations that give a larger displacement, 2,498 cc to be precise.


The engine it replaces has a 2,457 cc displacement. The new engine also benefits from a chain-driven cam, instead of belt.


Power remains the same at 170hp while torque increases to 236Nm from 230Nm. This peak torque is achieved at 4,100 RPM, lower by 300 RPM. Fuel efficiency has been


slightly improved. Both manual and automatic models offer 21 MPG for city and 27 MPG for highway respectively. This compares to 20/27 MPG for the manual and 20/26 MPG for the automatic in the 2009 model.


Pricing in the US starts from $20,495 for the base 2.5X with a manual transmission and tops out with the 2.5XT Touring with a $29,995 price tag. The 2.5XT models retain the 224hp turbocharged engine. Features that will be offered include Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), remote keyless entry, HD radio with 4.3-inch LCD screen and 6 speakers (standard for 2.5X Limited), rear-view camera (optional) and the list goes on.

Click here for the original story!

Get more G’s… on your phone!

In their latest stroke of "Get More G's" genius, the people of at Subaru have developed their latest APP for the iPhone. If you've always wanted to see what your face would look like if you were in the cockpit of a high-horsepower rally car, all in the comfort of your own home, their latest app is right up your alley.

According to their website, this APP does the following:

Features:

• A G-meter that rates the level of g-forces applied.
• Share pictures with your friends via email or Facebook and Twitter.
• A post-to-Flickr function that allows you to add the photos to your photostream.

Before:

After:

Check it out on Apple's website, here!

In the Subaru world, the Outback is King! If you're thinking of getting one, check out this review!

These are dire times for the auto industry, but Subaru has been successful thanks to its small lineup of all-wheel-drive vehicles and faithful owners who keep coming back whenever a model is redesigned. Last year, the Forester SUV was completely retooled, and it has sold briskly. For 2010, the long-running Outback gets its overhaul, and it's a doozy.

The Outback has gone from a car-like station wagon to an SUV-like crossover, just like that. It's bigger in nearly every exterior and interior dimension, which resolves the issues past owners had with interior space and gives it a much more comfortable ride. It may not be as fun to drive as before, but it's a better family vehicle that still exudes ruggedness and foul-weather capability.

Exterior
At first glance, the 2010 Outback — with its beefy dimensions, large grille and sharp-edged design — looks nothing like the previous model. Look closer, though, and you'll see the two front ends are nearly identical: The new one is just...bigger. The new design is not as classically handsome as the previous generation; it's geared at getting attention and exuding substance, which it does.

Sixteen-inch wheels are standard on the base 2.5i, with 17-inch alloys becoming standard on all other trim levels.

Interior
A lot has changed inside, as well. As an owner of the previous-generation Outback, I immediately missed the grab handles on the doors. They might have been convenient when getting in, but at least the padding on the door armrests is much better. The center armrest is also much bigger, offering substantial support while the previous version was too small to use.

The layout of the dash has changed quite a bit, with the clock and trip computer raised to the top of the dash. They're still easy to read in direct sunlight. Below them rests a new stereo unit or optional navigation system. There are also convenient cubbies for cell phones, CDs or other items.

Overall, the materials are a step up from the previous model and stand up to most of the competition, but they still lag behind the relatively upscale Toyota Venza.

The most extreme alteration for the 2010 models is the interior's overall spaciousness. Anyone who sat in the old model knows it can be cramped, especially in the backseat. Subaru stretched the wheelbase of the 2010, adding nearly 4 inches of rear legroom. Now I can place both of my children's safety seats in the back without having to move the front passenger seat forward. The rear seats also recline using a lever at hip level.

While the front seats add hip and shoulder room, legroom is actually slightly less. What's the deal? There has been a drastic change in the seating position. Instead of sitting in a slung-back, car-like seat, you now sit upright, with more of a bend in your knee. That's why it doesn't feel cramped. In fact, your knees have much more room, both left and right, than they did before.

There is ample headroom — 40.8 inches to be exact — and you can raise the seat quite high without bumping your head. The upright seating style is an SUV trait for sure, and it's the No. 1 attribute of the new Outback that makes it feel less like a car. My wife really enjoyed the ride height compared to her daily driver, an '08 Outback. I found it a good compromise: It felt like you were driving a much higher vehicle, but you still had an easy step-in height, which makes loading kids and cargo easier than a traditional SUV.

The leather seats in my Limited model could have been a bit more padded. Our 2008's cloth seats aren't the most comfortable, either. At least with the new model I didn't feel any back discomfort until a full hour into my commute.

Performance
There are only two power plants offered for the Outback in 2010. The 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder is carried over from the last model; it's now teamed to a continuously variable automatic transmission, which returns 22/29 mpg city/highway, or a six-speed manual rated at 19/27 mpg. The CVT is a big benefit in the mileage department, boosting ratings by 2 mpg compared with the 2009 Outback 2.5i, which had a four-speed automatic.

In my few hundred miles of commuting and weekend errand running, I got exactly 2 mpg higher than my wife's Outback, which covered similar routes. Of course, my combined mileage was just below 22 mpg, which is pretty dismal with our mild summer weather and the air conditioning only lightly used. Again, this is better than the mileage we've gotten for two years in the previous generation, but the all-wheel drive takes its toll on efficiency.

Power is adequate in the four-cylinder. The addition of standard shift paddles on the CVT models allows for energetic launches from a stop because you can control gear shifts — created by a computer, not the transmission since it is essentially gearless — for crisper acceleration. Otherwise, the CVT releases power in a linear way with no discernable shifts. It's an odd sensation to most drivers, and it isn't as smooth as other CVTs I've tested in some Nissans. However, after a week of driving I was completely comfortable with it.

The other engine is a 256-hp, 3.6-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder teamed to a standard five-speed automatic rated at 18/25 mpg.

Of course, the reason many people would even consider a Subaru is its symmetrical all-wheel drive, which is standard across the company's lineup. Unfortunately, I was blessed with sunny, 70-degree days during my test and couldn't simulate the disastrous winters our own Subaru has handled, but I assume it'll offer similar confidence. However, the 2010 is more than 2 inches taller overall with 8.7 inches of ground clearance versus 8.4 in the old model. Those numbers may sound small, but the new model feels a lot taller and exhibits a very slight tipsy feeling on tight, high-speed corners like highway cloverleafs that I've never experienced in our 2008 model. It's not a dangerous feeling, but just enough that you realize you're really driving a crossover rather than a car.

There's been a big improvement in terms of ride comfort and road noise. The new Outback is a much more serene driving machine than before, with a ride that dampens bumps better and isolates road noise to a level close to Toyota, which is a master at it. Toyota decided that for looks it would put large 19-inch wheels as standard on its Venza crossover, which makes the ride less comfortable than you'd expect from a road-tuned crossover. The new Outback, which is quite capable off-road, is smoother on the road than the Venza, too.

There's still plenty of connection to the street and the steering is sharp, but it's not nearly as exhilarating as the previous model.

Cargo
Cargo space in the back has grown slightly to 34.3 cubic feet, which is just a hair behind the Venza's 34.4 cubic feet. At first it didn't look much larger than my car's hatch area. Then I tried to lean in to attach the top tether anchor of my son's child-safety seat, and I was surprised that I could barely reach the back of the seat. The load floor protrudes really far, so my thighs bumped against it more than I'd like as I leaned in and out. You can also tell it's a bit taller inside. During my test I bought a medium-sized armchair and it fit in the back perfectly — without its legs attached.

Although I can reach the back of the rear seats, the latches to lower them are no longer within anyone's reach. The same hip-level handles that recline the rear seats also lower them flat, and you'll have to walk around to the back doors to access them. More than a few SUVs these days have levers near the hatch that lower the seats, and it's unfortunate Subaru didn't use those.

A small amount of underfloor storage remains. As in the past generation, Subaru offers a out-of-the-way spot to store the retractable cargo cover so you don't take it out and leave it in your garage.

The 2010 Outback features an innovative standard roof rack. The crossbars fold into the rails when not in use, making the car slightly more aerodynamic. Putting them in place is a simple two-step process that doesn't require tools. In addition, the bottoms are soft, so that they won't scratch your roof when you swing them across the roof of the car.

Features & Pricing
Thankfully, Subaru keeps things pretty simple with its trim levels. There are six — three for each engine. The 2.5i and 3.6R are the base models, then there's a Premium level and a top trim called Limited. The 2.5i starts at $22,995 before a $695 destination charge. That's relatively affordable; not many other all-wheel-drive crossovers cost that little and offer as much room. Toyota's Venza with a four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive starts at $27,425, but it's equipped with a standard automatic transmission. The CVT costs an additional $1,000. The Venza is also better equipped, and it's closer to the 2.5i Premium, which starts at $24,295 with manual transmission. So, you'd pay a few thousand less for the 2.5i Premium than for the Venza in the equivalent trim level.

If you want to go the basic 2.5i route, you'll forego body-colored mirrors, fog lights, one-touch driver's window and the retractable cargo cover, which is standard on all the other models. Move up to the Premium trim level ($24,295), and it adds a power driver's seat, steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Limited models ($27,995) get windshield wiper de-icer and heated side mirrors, a power passenger seat, heated leather seats, wood trim, standard CVT, dual-zone climate control and a Harman Kardon six-CD sound system with Bluetooth.

Most of the 3.6R trim levels are equipped identically to their 2.5i counterparts. My test car was a 2.5i Limited with the optional navigation system and moonroof package ($2,995). Its final price was $31,685 after a destination fee. A similarly equipped Venza comes in at more than $35,000.

The navigation system only comes with the moonroof included. The moonroof separately is $995. As nav units go, the Subaru's touch-screen model is in the middle of the pack. It's important to note, though, that it's the only way the Outback comes equipped with a USB/iPod adapter to listen to your portable music in digital quality. However, the computer will not allow you to change albums, artists or playlists while moving. Come to a stoplight and the software then allows you to pick a new selection. Sure, you can jump tracks within whatever playlist or album you have selected, but that's it. Imagine being limited to just one band or album during a road trip. Subaru says this is for safety reasons so you won't be distracted while driving, but it still doesn't work when you have a passenger sitting up front. A dealer installed iPod connectivity system is also available.

The nav system also comes with Bluetooth streaming audio, which works with many smart phones like the iPhone. So you can distractedly play with your iPhone while driving, just not your plugged in iPod via an easy-to-reach nav screen.

Outback in the Market
There aren't many traditional, midsize or full-size station wagons on sale in the U.S. The Outback was iconic as a wagon, while the new one might be trying to play it safe by straddling a few different segments and not besting any of them. However, because of its low starting price, standard all-wheel drive and spacious interior, buyers may not care whether they're looking at a wagon or an SUV.

For the original review, visit CARS.com here!

Husbands Unite! 2011 STi as a Potential Family Car? You Decide!

 Car.com consultant Kristin Varela reports on the 2011 STi from her blog "Mother Proof". If you've been considering purchasing one of the new 2011 STi's, but aren't sure if it'll accommodate your family, read the story here!

Driving the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STi transported me to a world that was completely foreign. It's a world that's less centered on booster seats and storage cubbiesandmore focused on rally racing heritage, speed and oversized rear spoilers. I tried to make the two worlds coexist harmoniously during my one-week test drive, but the truth is the Impreza WRX STi isn't exactly a car you'd go out and buy for a growing family. However, if you already have the STi and the family just sort of happens upon you (do we need to have a birth-control discussion?), you can probably make it work for a bit before needing to upgrade.
The STi is aimed at those interested in attending organized track days. STi stands for Subaru Tecnica International, which supplies high-performance versions of Subaru vehicles. I've been to a couple of rally racing schools and know just enough about it to realize how much I don't know. However, I couldn't resist trying a little corner slide or two as I skipped the highway in favor of the twisty, curvy dirt frontage road. I didn't have much luck, though. Subaru's legendary all-wheel-drive system, which is standard, kept this baby bolted safely to the road.
The WRX STi starts at $33,995 for the new base sedan model, which is what I drove during my test drive, and $35,995 for the base hatchback model. The sedan's Limited trim rings in at $37,345.
The closest competitor to the STi is probably the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, which I drove briefly at a recent Mitsubishi event. The STi's suspension was definitely softer than the Evo; however, switching into the Sport Sharp mode in the STi took away that added bit of comfort and injected more road feedback. I'm sure it's great for the hobby rally racer, but since I was transporting little ones all over the place, I opted for comfort. 

EXTERIOR
The 2011 STi oozes speed. My test vehicle was the new four-door wide-body sedan with an intimidating-looking rear spoiler intended to amplify the car's aerodynamics. The spoiler definitely took a little getting used to since it was such a prevalent feature in my rear sightline.
Delivered to our house in a shocking racing red, my kids exclaimed, "Whoa, I didn't know we get to test racecars!" Nobody dared try to take us in our "racecar" at a stoplight. I tried to give a "wanna-race-me" scowl to the drivers of the cars next to me. Maybe it was the two kids in high-back booster seats in the back or my intimidating 5-foot-3-inch frame, but for some odd reason, I just couldn't seem to engage any competitors. Wimps. All of them. I bet they wouldn't take on the challenge of hosting five screaming little girls at a slumber party, either. 

The WRX STi has a 305-horsepower, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine teamed with a six-speed manual transmission. That's definitely more power than I'd ever use or even know what to do with, but I'm not complaining. There is a downside to the STi's powerful engine: It gets an EPA-estimated 17/23 mpg city/highway and requires premium gas. 

The great news about a car this grounded is that the low step-in height makes it easy for little ones to get in and out of the STi independently. I had a little more trouble getting in and out of the slightly bolstered driver's seat during my test drive since I was recovering from a back strain. I also had a tendency to knock my left knee on the underside of the steering-wheel column, which by the way both tilts and telescopes, every time I got in or out. Those with the seat pulled a little farther back won't have a problem with it. 

SENSE AND STYLE
Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Not Really
Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove-On): Good Times 

INTERIOR
The first thing I noticed upon entering this car was the sporty-looking black-checkered seat upholstery inset in a black suedelike border with sexy red stitching. It reminded me of this awesome pair of shoes with black patent leather and red corset lacing up the back of the heel. As a mom, the very next thing I noticed was all the little pieces of kid crud – crumbs, scraps of paper, etc. – and dusty footprints that show up so perfectly on the black interior.
The front seats in my test car were heated. However, I didn't test them since it was approaching 100 degrees the entire time I drove this car, but with seat heat and all-wheel drive, it's too bad I didn't get to drive this sexy red beast in the winter.
In the backseat, there's a center armrest, but it didn't have cupholders or a storage cubby in it. The rear cupholders are located near the floorboard on the backside of the front center console. Those cupholders are unreachable for little ones in child-safety seats, but that's not really who this car in intended for. Large bottleholders located in all four doors make up for the backseat's cupholder location. There are two cupholders in the front row.
Although this is a little sedan, the amount of trunk space is impressive, even for family-sized loads. That's because of the layout of the car's double-wishbone rear suspension, which allows for a wide, deep trunk. I had tons of stuff in there while taking my girls to a slumber party, in addition to three small sets of golf clubs. Impressive! 

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT
Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Fair
Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample 

SAFETY
Although the STi wasn't designed as a family car, all of the family-centric safety features on the Impreza sedan are in it. The STi has four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with brake assist, stability control, traction control and six airbags, including front- and side-impact airbags for the front row and side curtains for both rows. 

For those with young children, you'll be excited by the ease of use of both the lower anchors and top tether anchors of the Latch system. The lower anchors in the seat bight, which is the where the seat's back and bottom cushions meet, are accessible via a flap that pulls down to expose the Latch anchors. The flap closes with Velcro to keep it concealed when not in use. The top tether anchors are easy to reach; they're just behind the rear head restraints and won't obstruct the rear view while in use.
Slightly older kiddos in booster seats will appreciate the seat belt buckles. Although they were on flimsy bases rather than stable ones, they were easy for my girls to buckle.
Get more safety information about the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STi here.

Want to read the original story on Cars.com? Click here!

The Top 6 Insurance Myths

Insure.com listed up the Top 6 Insurance Myths. Before you buy insurance for your next car, make sure you read this article!

Insurance can be complicated enough. Don’t let a flood of misinformation drown out the facts. Since misunderstandings can be costly, here are the most common carinsurance myths debunked.

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Myth: Red cars are the most expensive to insure

Fact: Red will not cost you more green. Roughly 25 percent of drivers surveyed by Progressive Insurance believe that the color of their car is a factor in determining their insurance rate — especially if the car is red. But the belief that drivers of red cars pay higher car insurance premiums is a myth. Insurance companies will likely not even ask the color of your car when they’re calculating your auto insurance quote.
"The idea that the color of a car enters into what you’re going to pay for insurance is a myth that’s been around for a long time," says Jeff McCollum, spokesperson for State Farm Insurance. "I wouldn’t be surprised if it came from the fact that people with red sports cars have the image of being wild and reckless, but it certainly isn’t based on any type of reality."
Car insurance companies are interested in the year, make, model, body type, engine size and age of your vehicle. The color may be important to you, but it really doesn’t matter to your insurance company.

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Myth: Thieves prefer to steal new cars

Fact: It’s the other way around. Statistics show that thieves actually prefer to steal older cars. According to a 2009 National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) report, the top 10 most-stolen vehicles reported in 2008 were the ‘94 Honda Accord, ‘95 Honda Civic, ‘89 Toyota Camry, ‘97 Ford F-150 pickup, ‘04 Dodge Ram pickup, ‘00 Dodge Caravan, ’96 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee, ‘94 Acura Integra, ‘99 Ford Taurus and ’02 Ford Explorer.
"The reason we see so many older vehicles on the list is because they are easier to steal," says Frank Scafidi, spokesperson for the NICB. "Also, people are keeping their cars longer (in the faltering economy). That creates a good market for used parts. A lot of times, when they are stolen, they don’t make it back on the street intact."
If you have an older vehicle and have dropped comprehensive coverage to save money, you are not covered for theft and do not qualify for rental car coverage. NICB’s report reveals that thieves have different preferences from state to state. Crooks in California and Florida prefer imports like Hondas and Toyotas. Texas crooks select pickup trucks. Criminals in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan have a thing for domestics (Dodges and Fords).

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Myth: My insurance will cover me if my car is stolen, vandalized or damaged from hail or fire.

Fact: Unless you have comprehensive coverage, you are not covered for any of these things. A bare-bones policy in most states only requires you to buy liability coverage. This pays only for damage you cause to others. You need to purchase both collision and comprehensive coverage in order to fully protect your vehicle from all types of damage situations.
Comprehensive coverage covers pays for damages to your car that are not the result of a car accident. That includes theft, vandalism, hail, fires and accidents involving animals. Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle from a car accident.

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Myth: If my car is totaled, my insurance will pay off what I owe on my loan or lease.

Fact: When your car is totaled, your policy does not promise to pay off what you owe. It will pay you the actual cash value of your car, minus your deductible. Actual cash value is the amount your car was worth before the accident, factoring in depreciation. You are still responsible for any amount outstanding on the loan or car lease.
The only way to cover the difference between the car's cash value and the amount you owe on a loan is to purchase gap insurance. Available to cover both auto leases and loans, gap insurance covers you if your car is totaled before you’ve paid off the loan, or before the lease term expires. Here’s how to save yourself some grief: buy gap coverage.
Your insurer will decide if your car is "totaled." Generally a total loss is declared when the repair costs exceed a certain threshold of the car’s value, generally 70 percent. At that point, the insurance company will tow the car to the salvage yard and offer you the actual cash value of your car.

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Myth: My insurance company will pay for a rental car if my car is stolen or damaged in an accident.

Fact: Even if you have comprehensive and collision coverage, it may not include a rental car. Rental car reimbursement is not automatically included in most car insurance policies, but you can add it at an affordable cost. According to the Insurance Information Institute, rental reimbursement coverage is available for $1 to $2 a month with most insurers.
Even if you have this coverage, it won’t necessarily last until your stolen car is recovered or your damaged car is fixed. There’s a limit on how much your insurance company will reimburse you per day, plus a cap for a maximum amount per accident. For example, GEICO charges $20 per year for a maximum $750 in rental reimbursement, with no deductible to pay. In this case, GEICO would reimburse you up to $25 per day but no more than $750 per accident.

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Myth: Drivers of sports cars get more tickets and thus pay higher insurance premiums.

Fact: That’s not necessarily the case. According to a study released in 2009 by Quality Planning Corp., leading the pack with the most violations are drivers of the Hummer H2 and H3. Hummer drivers have almost five times the number of violations compared to the average. Drivers of three different Scion models (tC, XB Station, XA) also made the Top 10 list. Others on the list include drivers of two models of the Mercedes-Benz (CLK63 AMG, CLS63 AMG), two Toyotas (Solara, Matrix) and the Subaru Outback Station Wagon and Audi A4.
At the other end of the spectrum, the study also includes a "well-behaved vehicle list." Topping that list are drivers of the Jaguar XJ, followed by the Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet C/K-3500/2500, Buick Park Avenue, Mazda6, Buick Rainier, Oldsmobile Silhouette, Buick Lucerne and GMC Sierra C1500 pickup truck.
While insurers don’t base their car insurance rates on this study, the insurance loss history for the model you drive and your own driving history factor into how much you will pay for car insurance. Here's how your car drives your insurance premium.

Visit the original story, here!

The New 2011 STi Scales Mt. Washington VERY Quickly!

Originally from Foxnews.com

The maximum speed limit in New Hampshire is 65 mph, but that didn't stop Travis Pastrana from driving the full length of the Mt. Washington Auto Road at an average speed of 72 mph on September 9th, breaking a 12-year old record in the process.

Piloting a specially-prepared Subaru WRX STI performance car, the 4-time American rally champion and extreme sports star covered the historic 7.6-mile mix of asphalt and gravel in 6 minutes 20.47 seconds, 20 seconds faster than the previous record holder, Frank Sprongl, did in 1998.

Technically a test session in advance of next year's Climb to the Clouds Hillclimb competition - the first to be held on the private road in over a decade - the attempt was timed and confirmed by officials from RallyCar, the sport's top sanctioning body in the United States.

Pastrana was a fair bit quicker than the winner of the first Climb to the Clouds event held in 1904, who made it to the 6,288 foot summit in the then blistering time of 24 minutes 37 seconds.

Read the original story HERE

Cars.com review of the 2010 Subaru Outback

Interested in picking up one of Subaru's latest model Outbacks? Check out this Cars.com review of them for the pros and cons of this model over the previous years.

2010 subaru outback review

The Statesman Versus Celebrity Basketball Game

(From the Billings Gazette)

A charity basketball game for the Coalition of Dwarf Advocacy (CoDA) will be held on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 6PM to 10PM at Montana State University Billings’ Alterowitz Gymnasium.

CoDA was formed to advocate for individuals with short stature (dwarfs) in the areas of medicine, vocation, education, adoption and public accommodation. The group also works with and assists other nonprofit organizations for the improvement of the lives of dwarfs and to increase public awareness of the needs and abilities of such individuals.
The game will feature the Statesmen, a team of celebrities put together by movie actor and stuntman Marty Klebba, against a team of Billings celebrities.

Among the celebrity players will be Klebba, who played Marty in “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and custodian Randall Winston on “Scrubs.” Other celebrity players will include Matt and Zack Roloff of The Learning Channel’s reality show “Little People, Big World,” former Detroit Pistons player Don Reid and former professional wrestler Scott “Flash” Norton.

Among the local celebrities are the Outlaws quarterback Chris Dixon, television sportscasters Scott Breen and Chris Byers, and Billings triathlete Jennifer Drinkwalter. Tickets are $10. A silent auction will begin when the doors open at 5 p.m. and the game will start at 6 p.m.

For information on the event, call Kelly Lee at 406-698-5000 or Colin McConnell at 586-337-7771.

(visit http://billingsgazette.com/entertainment/enjoy/article_f301ab3c-b6f4-11df-93bf-001cc4c03286.html for the original story)

Subaru of America Reports Records Sales in August!

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) reported on September 1st, that August was a record-setting month for sales. With 22,239 vehicles sold; this has been ones of Subaru's Augusts ever. This year, Subaru has sold 172,182 vehicles, representing a 20% increase over last year's YTD sales figures. SOA has more:

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Sept. 1, 2010 Subaru of America, Inc. today reported August sales of 22,239 units. With the exception of last year’s outstanding result during the CARS program this was Subaru of America’s best August ever. Year-to-date sales totaled 172,182 units – a 20-percent increase.

The Subaru Outback posted another record month with 8,053 units sold in August 2010, a 37-percent increase compared to August 2009.

“August was another great sales month for Subaru,” said Tim Colbeck, senior vice president of sales, Subaru of America, Inc. “Since last August and the CARS program we’ve ramped up production but demand has continued to outpace supply for our products. Thanks to our strong product line up, we continue to grow and are looking at another record year for the brand.”


“The dedication and outstanding efforts of our employees and retail partners allow Subaru to continue to achieve new sales records,” said Thomas J. Doll, executive vice president,Subaru of America, Inc. “We have a strong product line that appeals to today’s buyers, and we are on target for another record-setting year.”

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 dealers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S.automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit www.subaru.com.

Visit Subie-Life.com for the complete story!  Click here!

History of the WRX!

Ever wonder about the roots of your WRX? Mark Miller Subaru has cooked up this quick video featuring the birth of the WRX all the way to the latest. Check it out! Also, visit us at Rimrock Subaru off of 24th to see the NEWEST incarnation of the WRX!

Toyobaru Test Mule Spotted in Death Valley!

While Toyota announced that they'll be pulling back their production of their FT86 (the Toyobaru), the new 2-door sport coupe that will signal the joining of forces between Subaru and Toyota, it seems that Subaru is blazing ahead.  ...literally.  The latest test-mule car was spotted recently by AutoBlog in Death Valley.

Subie-Life.com has more on the story, Click Here!

The 2010 Nurburgring Challenge; the 2011 STi hits Germany's Nurburgring in this Motortrend special, beating the previous record set by the 2004 STi by 4 seconds!

A little 2011 STi media!

A pretty cool commercial for the 2011 STi! Subaru’s fastest STi yet!