Wednesday, May 27, 2009

The New 2010 Subaru Forester Information Has Been Announced!

Subaru of America, Inc., announced pricing on the 2010 Subaru Forester. The newly redesigned Forester - introduced last spring - hit an all-times sales record for the company as it was the right vehicle, at the right time, for people looking to downsize from larger SUVs without giving up valuable cargo room. Among its many accolades, the Forester was named Sport/Utility of the Year by Motor Trend magazine.

As with all Subaru models, the 2010 Forester comes equipped as standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

The 2010 Forester once again blends positive SUV attributes including a high seating point and interior versatility with passenger car comfort, superior handling, fuel efficiency and is available in both 2.5 liter naturally aspirated and 2.5 liter turbocharged models. The naturally aspirated models are available with a manual or automatic transmission. 2.5X and 2.5XT turbocharged models come standard with automatic transmission. The naturally aspirated model is available in three trim levels; 2.5X, 2.5X Premium and 2.5X Limited models. The 2.5XT turbocharged version is available in two trim levels; 2.5XT Premium and 2.5XT Limited models.

Model Pricing Highlights:The 2010 Subaru Forester 2.5X has a starting price of $20,295 and comes with AM/FM stereo with single disc CD player and 4 speakers, (3) 12 volt power outlets, 215/65 R16 96H All-Season tires, Brake Assist, Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), daytime running lights, engine immobilizer, carpeted floor mats, multi-functional center console box and sliding arm rest, 60/40 split fold-down rear seat, rear window wiper and washer, remote keyless entry and tilt steering column.

There are a number of options available for the 2010 Forester. (Availability varies by trim level):

All-Weather Package $400 includes: heated front seats, windshield wiper de-icer and heated exterior mirrors

GPS navigation system $1,800 includes: AM/FM/CD/DVD, 7" LCD touch-screen, hands-free Bluetooth phone, auxiliary audio and video input jacks

The 2.5X Premium has a starting price of $22,795. Standard equipment includes all 2.5X model features (where applicable) plus a standard 10-way power driver's seat, 17-inch Alloy Wheels, 225/55 R17 95H All-Season tires, privacy glass, panoramic power moonroof, roof rails, steering wheel mounted audio switches, reclining rear seatback function and rear seat retractable rear tray. Optional: All-Weather Package.

The 2.5X Limited equipped with automatic transmission has a starting price of $25,995. Standard equipment includes all 2.5X Premium model features (where applicable) plus leather-trimmed upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handle, chrome exhaust tips, automatic climate control system, AM/FM stereo with 6-disc changer and 6 speakers, fog lights, cargo floor mat, and All-Weather Package. Optional: GPS navigation system.

The 2.5XT Premium equipped with automatic transmission has a starting price of $26,495. Standard equipment includes all 2.5X Premium model features (where applicable) plus a 2.5 liter turbocharged engine with Active Valve Control System, decorative engine cover, chrome exhaust tips, fog lights, rear spoiler, telescopic steering column, unique 17-inch alloy wheels, exclusive upholstery, AM/FM stereo with 6-disc changer and 6 speakers and aluminum-alloy accelerator and brake pedal covers.

The 2.5XT Limited equipped with automatic transmission has a starting price of $28,495. Standard equipment includes all 2.5XT Premium model features (where applicable) plus leather-trimmed upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handle, automatic climate control, a 10-way power driver's seat and All-Weather Package. Optional: GPS navigation system.

Accessory items for all 2010 Forester models will be available soon on www.subaru.com.
Destination and Delivery charge is $695 for all 2010MY Forester models in the Contiguous 48 States. The MSRP of PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) models is $300 more than the federal specification model.

Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Subaru Forester Named One of the 'Best Family Cars for 2009' by Parents Magazine and Edmunds.com

Subaru Forester Named One of the 'Best Family Cars for 2009' by Parents Magazine and Edmunds.com
May 22, 2009:
The 2009 Subaru Forester today was named to the "Best Family Cars for 2009" list by Parents Magazine and Edmunds.com. The award is the culmination of six months of test-driving and analyzing dozens of vehicles, plus feedback from parents who own and drive the vehicles on a daily basis. As part of a rigorous evaluation, each vehicle was judged on safety, performance, interior, exterior qualities and family-friendly features. Focusing on the Subaru Forester's safety attributes, the article detailing the awards -- which appears in the June 2009 issue of Parents -- highlights the vehicle's standard all-wheel drive and stability control, as well as the Forester's designation as a Top Safety Pick by the Information Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
"When Parents Magazine and Edmunds.com team up to review a vehicle, you can be sure you are getting a thorough evaluation from both parenting experts and automotive professionals," notes Tom Doll, executive vice president and COO for Subaru of America, Inc. "We are doubly pleased that the Subaru Forester's safety features and family-friendly design have won over not only the experts, but also the parents who rely on our vehicles to keep their families safe."

This latest recognition by Parents Magazine and Edmunds.com joins a growing list of accolades for the Subaru Forester, which was also named a "Best Bet for SUVs and Crossovers" by Cars.com and recognized by Kiplinger's Personal Finance 2009 Car Buyer's Guide as "Best New Crossover" in the category of "Small Crossovers." Other awards received by the 2009 Subaru Forester include: Motor Trend's 2009 Sport/Utility of the Year; a "good" rating (the highest available rating, indicating a vehicle's roof is more than twice as strong as minimum federal safety standards require) in the new IIHS roof strength test and the MotorWeek Driver's Choice Award for Best Small Utility.
Right now, Premier Subaru is having an unprecedented sale on the all-new 2009 Subaru Forester. This includes "model year discounts" and low interest financing to qualified buyers. Premier Subaru, the State's only AAA Approved Subaru dealers, has the largest inventory of 2009 model year Foresters in New England.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

AT LONG LAST, PROGRESS AGAINST WARRANTY MARKETING COMPANIES!

AT LONG LAST, PROGRESS IS BEING MADE AGAINST THE WARRANTY MARKETING COMPANIES.

For over 5 years, I have written letters to the Office of the Attorney General here in the State of Connecticut, as well as other Federal and State agencies regarding the punishing tactics of various automotive "warranty marketing companies". These completely unrelated companies use abusive tactics in order to "scare" customers into believing that either the manufacturers' or dealer warranty has expired on their vehicle. At that point, they make a "full court press" pitch to sell these unsuspecting customers extended warranties for their vehicles.

Unfortunately, we have had customers that have purchased these warranties. The coverage, we have found, is basically non-existent. Furthermore, the cost they paid for them is extreme. I firmly believe in the value of an extended service agreement. However, it needs to be BENEFICIAL to the customer, not a "scam".

I am providing below a copy of an article from today's NEW YORK TIMES regarding some, long awaiting, federal action against these people. As always, I WELCOME your calls and emails regarding this subject. I appreciate all of you who have participated with calls to me.

Court Issues Order Against 3 Car-Warranty Marketing Firms
By JENNIFER 8. LEE

A federal court in Chicago issued a restraining order on Friday against three companies accused of aggressively making automated calls to sell car warranties across the country, the Federal Trade Commission announced.

The order, which also froze the companies’ assets, came in response to a lawsuit filed by the commission on Wednesday.

In legal filings, the commission said the robocall campaigns had brought in $10 million in sales as a result of the calls and mailings, which falsely gave people the impression that their car warranties were expiring.

The companies systematically dialed random numbers across the country, violating the National Do Not Call Registry, the commission said. The companies also regularly faked their own caller ID numbers, so it was unclear where the calls were coming from.

The two companies named by the commission are Voice Touch and Transcontinental Warranty, both operating largely out of Florida.

Judge John F. Grady of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois issued a temporary restraining order against Voice Touch as well as a business partner, Network Foundations, prohibiting them from making further calls. He also issued a separate temporary restraining order against Transcontinental.

Also named in the restraining orders are Christopher D. Cowart, the owner of Transcontinental; James and Maureen Dunne, the owners of Voice Touch; and Damian Kohlfeld, an owner of Network Foundations.

In freezing the companies’ assets, the court also appointed receivers over Transcontinental and Network Foundations to ensure that documents were preserved and assets not dispersed. The restraining orders are in effect until a preliminary injunction hearing scheduled for May 29.
Senator Charles E. Schumer, who himself had received a robocall on his cellphone, said, “For the first time in months, millions of New Yorkers and people across the country will finally have some relief from these annoying calls with potentially thousands saved from falling into this scam.”