Year-End Deal Reality Check: Subaru

Many major retailers are parading their best deals to boost year-end sales, and automakers are no exception. This means the year’s end can be one of the best times to buy a new car, and if it’s a Subaru, donate to charity as well.

Subaru’s offer includes a good deal for buyers and a chance to do a little good for others. Its "Share the Love" event means qualified buyers can get zero-percent financing, pay no money down on most 2012 Subaru vehicles and the automaker will make a charitable donation in the buyer’s name.

After making your new-car purchase, Subaru will donate $250 to your choice of four charities. The organizations include American Forests, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Meals on Wheels and the Special Olympics. So far, Subaru has given almost $15 million to the charities during the last three years.

The zero-percent offer is good on all Subaru vehicles except the redesigned Impreza, though WRX models qualify for zero-percent financing. Instead, qualified Impreza shoppers can take advantage of a 1.9% financing deal. The 2012 Impreza starts at $17,495, excluding a $750 destination charge. Share the Love cannot be combined with any other offers and ends Jan. 3, 2012.

Subaru Issues Recall, Stop-Sale Notice for 2012 Impreza, Legacy, Outback

Subaru has issued a recall for about 31,959 2012 Impreza, Legacy and Outback vehicles as well as a stop-sale order to dealers because there’s too much brake pedal travel in these cars, Subaru spokesman Michael McHale told USA Today. The automaker had alerted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which says it will publish a formal recall notice on its website soon.

NHTSA had received about 130 complaints about the braking troubles. Subaru dealers will replace the faulty master cylinders with new ones once they receive them.

Strong sales and supply problems related to the Japanese earthquake and tsunami have kept Subaru dealers’ inventory low, which in turn is keeping this recall’s numbers low.

What's the Most Affordable Midsize Sedan?

The midsize sedan is by far the most popular car segment in the U.S., with more than 2 million sold so far this year. So it’s no surprise that some of the best-selling vehicles in the country are midsize family sedans, such as the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Ford Fusion. It’s also one of the most competitive markets, with over 20 moderately priced models on sale today.

Over the past few months, the market has heated up even more. Toyota is launching the all-new 2012 Camry this month, and it will boast more features, improved gas mileage and more-affordable pricing for midlevel trims. The redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Passat is now a legitimate player in the moderately priced family sedan category, moving away from the premium category. Its starting price of $19,995 offers novel features, such as dual-zone automatic climate control, standard.

So which sedan is the best-equipped — and also the most affordable — car for the money? For this latest affordability study, we decided to pit the redesigned 2012 Camry and 2012 Passat against the 2012 Hyundai Sonata and the 2012 Fusion. All four have attractive pricing with lots of features.

Recall Alert: 2011 Subaru Legacy, 2011 Subaru Outback

Subaru is recalling 69,590 2011 Subaru Legacys and Outbacks because of a problem with the moonroof on select models, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Some models, built between August 3, 2010, and July 1, 2011, may have had their moonroofs installed incorrectly. The moonroof glass may become loose or fall off completely due to inadequate adhesive. If this happens while driving, the glass may turn into a potential road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Subaru dealers will inspect, repair or replace the moonroof, depending on its condition. The recall will begin in October. Affected owners will be notified beforehand. Owners can call Subaru at 800-782-2783 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

Recall Alert: 2010-2011 Subaru Legacy, 2010-2011 Subaru Outback

Subaru is recalling 195,080 2010-2011 Subaru Legacys and Outbacks because of a potential defect with the windshield wipers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

On some models built between Jan. 7, 2010, and May 20, 2011, the windshield wiper motor may overheat, causing it to fail. If this happens, the driver will likely experience reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Also, the overheated wiper motor can melt its casing and potentially catch fire.

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor assembly free of charge. The recall will begin in November. Owners can call Subaru at 800-782-2783 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

Subaru Continues Charity-Based Incentives for Third Year

Subaru will again participate in a charity-based sales event for 2010, called the “Share the Love Event,” the automaker announced today.

From Nov. 20 to Jan. 3, 2011, every Subaru purchased will come with a $250 donation to one of five charities the automaker has partnered with, including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels Association of America and the Ocean Conservancy.

Over the past two years, Subaru has donated more than $10 million to charities through this particular sales initiative.

That extra bonus comes on top of regular incentives such as 1.9% financing and low lease deals, which we detail below.

Ch-Ch-Changes: 2011 Subaru Legacy

The Legacy was completely redesigned for the 2010 model year. For 2011, there are only some minor content and trim updates to differentiate the two. The 2011 is on sale now, so these changes could help you make up your mind if you’re trying to decide between a 2010 and 2011.

The 2011 Legacy is available in 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 2.5GT Limited, 3.6R, 3.6R Premium and 3.6R Limited trim levels. The 2.5GT Premium trim was dropped for the 2011 model year; it was the base turbocharged boxer engine option and included features like four-wheel-disc ventilated brakes, dual chrome exhaust and 18-inch wheels. The 2.5 GT Limited trim is now the sole turbocharged trim, which comes equipped with a standard power moonroof and fog lights.

Reader Review of the Week: 2011 Subaru Legacy

“CJCOHAN” of western New York just bought a 2011 Subaru Legacy, after owning a long line of domestic vehicles. After 2,500 miles, CJCOHAN is impressed with the Legacy’s gas mileage, stereo, and ride and handling. The only peeve was some sluggishness from the 2.5-liter four-cylinder powertrain. Continue reading below to find out more, then write your own review here.

Recall Alert: 2010-11 Subaru Legacy, Outback

Subaru is recalling more than 800 2010- 2011 Outback and Legacy models equipped with six-speed manual transmissions due to a manufacturing error, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Some of the manual transmissions on affected models are missing a lubrication hole in the transfer case. If the gears are not lubricated properly, they will eventually break, leading to power loss and possibly a crash. The recall affects models built between April 28 and June 23. 

Subaru will notify owners and dealers to get their vehicles repaired starting Aug. 6. The dealer will either drill the lubrication hole or replace certain gears at no charge. You can contact Subaru at 800-782-2783 or NHTSA’s hot line at 888-327-4236.

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Recall Alert: 2010 Subaru Legacy, Outback

The popular, redesigned Subaru Legacy sedan and Outback wagon have been included in another recall. This time, 73,698 vehicles built between Feb. 16, 2009, and April 12, 2010, are being addressed due to a fault on the wiring system in the steering column.

Possible defects could lead to malfunctioning front airbags, paddle shifters, cruise control, horn control and radio controls. You can find out if your car is included in the recall by checking the driver-side doorjamb, where a sticker lists the date of assembly.

Subaru said it would begin contacting owners this month. Owners can contact Subaru at 800-782-2783 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 888-327-4236.

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Subaru Stops Sales for 2010 Legacy, Outback