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.

Best Cars for Black Friday Shopping

A successful Black Friday shopping trip is all in the planning. Bargain hunters study store ads and websites as though they're cramming for a test, and now they have less time to do so as several major chains — Target, Best Buy, Macy's and Kohl's — will open their doors at midnight instead of 4 or 5 a.m. the Friday after Thanksgiving.

There's one thing that Black Friday shoppers can plan for before the deal-laden store circulars arrive: which car to take.

Black Friday shoppers might think bigger is better — big SUVs, minivans — when it comes to picking a car for hauling all their bargains. They're not wrong, especially if they're hoping to bag a gigantic flat-screen TV at a low price. But nimble small cars in busy parking lots shouldn't be left out of the Black Friday fun. Here are our top picks for Black Friday haulers:

Vote for the Cars.com's Shoppers' Choice Award

Cars.com's annual popularity award is back. We have found the 10 most popular new-car models that shoppers are not only searching for on Cars.com but are contacting dealers about. These models also receive positive consumer reviews.

This fervent interaction delivers a top 10 that might surprise some enthusiasts, but probably not the people who buy and sell cars.

Voting for this year’s Shoppers' Choice awards will be conducted entirely on Facebook, so go vote, share it with your network and get your favorite car the shiny trophy when it's announced Jan. 10 on the eve of the Detroit auto show.

Shoppers' Choice finalists (in alphabetical order):

• Audi Q5
• Dodge Challenger
• GMC Terrain
• Honda Accord
• Honda Pilot
• Kia Soul
• Ram 1500
• Subaru Outback
• Toyota Highlander
• Toyota Sienna

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.

Hackers Claim to Remotely Unlock, Start Subaru Outback

We've all heard reports of tech-savvy thieves stealing automatic garage door codes to take lawnmowers and bicycles. Apparently, now they want your car, too.

At the Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas, two security researchers have reportedly demonstrated how they could, using an Android-powered phone, steal password authentication messages to unlock and start the engine of a Subaru Outback crossover. It reportedly took just a few hours for them to break in.

While these researchers might be able to start an Outback, it seems like driving it away could be another matter. The optional remote start system for automatic-transmission Outbacks is available for $359.95, but systems like this require the key to be in the car to put it in gear.

Michael McHale, Subaru's director of corporate communications, wouldn't comment on whether this type of breach is possible, having not observed the claimed hack, but he said an attack like this could affect other brands.

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

Ford finished prepping the 2011 Ford Explorer for dealerships by spending $400 million and adding 1,200 jobs to the Chicago plant where the vehicle will be built; it goes on sale next week. During our first look, we found the new Explorer to be a potentially strong competitor against the similarly priced Chevrolet Traverse and Toyota Highlander. Check our summary of the Explorer and the other popular reviews of the week.

1.   2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee 
2.   2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 
3.   2011 Ford Explorer 
4.   2011 Subaru Outback 
5.   2011 Hyundai Sonata 
6.   2011 Kia Sorento 
7.   2010 Subaru Forester 
8.   2011 Mini Cooper Countryman 
9.   2011 Chevrolet Cruze 
10. 2011 BMW M3

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.

Cars.com Podcast: 2011 BMW Z4, Subaru Outback, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

It’s a good week for talking about cars. Editors Mike Hanley, Kelsey Mays and Joe Wiesenfelder discuss what they liked about performance cars like the 2011 BMW Z4 and the awe-inspiring Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. They also tackle the more pedestrian — but still strong-selling — Subaru Outback. Hey,at least this Outback has the six-cylinder in it.

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