Subaru produces another winner with ’09 Forester

 

By Mike Henle

 

        Subaru has been part of Findlay Automotive Group for more than three decades, and belief in the product is obvious.

         With a new store now under construction on West Sahara Avenue just west of Saturn of West Sahara and new product lines steadfastly meeting the needs of gas-consciousness Americans, Subaru is meeting the demands and recording increases in sales at the same time with examples like the ’09 Forester SUV now available at Findlay Subaru of Las Vegas.

    Southern Nevada has a strong contingent of loyal Subaru fans, among them being musician and long-time car enthusiast Tony Scodwell.

    “I have been involved with the restoration of several European cars, and my Subaru is the most intelligent car I have ever owned,” said Scodwell, who has lived in Las Vegas since 1964. “While I own a ’02 Legacy wagon, the Forester is currently on my shopping list for a potential replacement.

    “I like the Forester because of space utilization that allows the use of the car as a station wagon, a four-door sedan or even off-road.

Unlike some off-road vehicles, the Forester will get you there very quickly.”

    Scodwell said Subaru’s design of the Forester lends to a very versatile package, which comes in five offerings base priced from about $20,000.

    “It is handsome, utilitarian and versatile,” he said. “Ground clearance is phenomenal on the Forester. The motor is a horizontal opposed four cylinder to keep the center of gravity down low. It’s a very smart design. Subaru has definitely perfected the car with horsepower ranging from 170-224-horsepower with a highly-respected Boxer engine

    Scodwell, who has raced Autocross solo, said the Forester’s drives like a sports car although it is an SUV that has excellent ground clearance.

    “The car is built very well,” he said. “They’re built with substance.

It has the simplest routine maintenance. Subaru has made it their business to locate routine service items where they are accessible.

Simply put, the Subaru is very user friendly in virtually every aspect.”

    Scodwell said the ’09 Forester is impressive in many ways ranging from design to the interior and the performance.

    “The design resembles a Porsche Cayenne SUV,’ said Scodwell. “Subaru is definitely getting hip with its styling and that will definitely sell cars. Styling is the first thing you look at when shopping for a car. The folks who live in Las Vegas and travel to surrounding areas want to maintain their sense of Las Vegas style with the practicality of a vehicle like a Subaru.”

    Scodwell’s love of the Subaru is based primarily on his luck dating back to his first Subaru in ’99.

    “I actually rented my first Subaru to use it to shoot photographs in the mountains of Arizona during the winter,” he said. “I learned first-hand the traction and four-wheel drive system on that trip. It is full-time four-wheel drive and you don’t waste energy because the four-wheel drive is activated only when needed. The car is superb in the snow.”

    Scodwell said a recent trip to Canada resulted in seeing more Subarus than any other car there. He said his own Subaru produces mileage in the mid-20s in town and more than 30 on the highway cruising at 70 mph.

    “The car makes sense everywhere, and especially when you have a need to go into any kind of slippery weather,” he said. “In the desert, the all-wheel drive system is beneficial because of the traction features similar to what you have in snow. You get it when you need it. When you’re going up a hill, you can hear the wheels adjusting accordingly.”

    In addition, Scodwell said Subaru’s history of using the best batteries is long-running.

    “Subaru uses a high-grade battery,” Scodwells said. “I have gotten 100,000 miles on the first car and I’m up to 80,000 miles on the second with the same battery. In addition, I have seen parts taken off my Subarus that look brand-new.”

    In the August 2008 issue of a leading consumer magazine, the Forrester was rated judged it as their top small SUV.

    Further information can be found at www.subaruoflasvegas.com or by calling 495-2100. The dealership is headed by general manager Burton Hughes. The dealership is currently situated at 2025 S. Decatur Blvd.

 

CAPTION:

 

 

Long-time musician and photographer Tony Scodwell, who drove his first Subaru in 1999, lauds the ‘2009 Forrester for several reasons and in fact, may purchase the vehicle which is available at Findlay Subaru at

2025 S. Decatur.