My Experience dealing with Quirk Works Subaru in Braintree, MA

Everyone is probably wondering where I went when I decided to buy, right? I landed at Quirk Works Subaru after scouring hours upon hours online looking for a XV Crosstrek Premium. Then one Sunday morning my dad brings home the Boston Globe, for whom he works for, and what do you know? There was an ad for just that, a 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek Premium 2.0i 5-speed in silver. Obviously, I did not get that one as it was already sold by the time i got there as it was a special offer for $18,699. My sales consultant, Lideon, had 2 others on the lot, one was in "Tangerine Orange Pearl" and was a CVT, or the one I opted for, the Venetian Red Pearl. So I figured I drove all the way down here so I'm not leaving here with out one for a steal. By this time I have poor Lideon running around like a mad man, seeing if there are more Crosstreks coming in with the options I want and what have you. Eventually I said "you know what?" Lideon was looking at me like "what?" I told him "the red is starting to grow on me."  He's said "okay" So we sat down and started doing the deal. After that Lideon, my dad and I sat down and started negotiating prices. Like all deals, there was some going back and fourth on price. Lideon worked with us the whole way through the deal. I would recommend anyone that is looking to buy a Subaru to deal with him and Quirk Works Subaru. One Last thing, their parts department has some of the lowest prices around. Their eBay store prices are the same as in-store. 

Why a Subaru vs something else?

       I bought a Subaru XV Crosstrek Premium 2.0i 5-Speed over something else because of one thing: value and functionality. It has the same ground clearance of a Jeep Grand Cherokee, with a lesser sticker price and better fuel economy. Although, it's not a full size SUV like the Jeep, it has about the same off road capabilities and get you to a cabin in the woods if you so choose. Subaru has a wide array of accessories for the XV like it does for its whole lineup. It is based on the Subaru Impreza sport chassis and shares the same 2.0 Boxer engine, but has a suspension that is based off of the new Forester.  Now there are other vehicles that the XV competes with such as the Suzuki SX-4 and the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The Suzuki is smaller and with a base MSRP of  $16,999 may cost about $4000 less than the XV, but  according to someone I know who owned one, until it hydroplaned and got totaled was that it is very light. With a MSRP of $21,995, the XV's price is about mid range when comparing it to a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport CVT ES ($22,070) and a Suzuki SX4. The  Outlander sport come with AWD standard and would have to go up a package in order to get it as an option. The Mitsubishi only comes in white or gray and Like the Crosstrek, the CR-V comes in an assortment of colors. With that being said the XV is a versatile crossover at a mid-range price and can take you whereever you would like and with confidence.

Pro's:

• Has the ride height of the Grand Cherokee, with out the sticker price. 
• With up to 33 MPG Highway and 25 when cruising the city, The XV has the best fuel economy in its class.
• The Crosstrek, like all Subaru vehicles (except BR-Z) come standard with all wheel drive. 
• It has some of the best safety features out there.

Cons: 

• The Crosstrek is very popular, so finding the color you want with the options you would like will take sometime. 
• The CVT is somewhat whiny
• It's not the quietest cabin and could use a little more insulation.

Overall

Whether you are traveling though the backwoods or your local shopping center, you will be at home with the 2013+ Subaru Crosstrek. 

Rally Armor Mudflap install oversight

       I bought a set of Rally Armor mud flaps for my Subaru to protect the paint from road debris such as gravel and pebbles that are found on our highways here in the states. These mud flaps come with all the brackets and hardware you would need to put them on your vehicle, providing you order the ones that are application specific. Rally Armor also has some different logo color options as well to match the scheme of your vehicle. The Quality overall is a high grade polyurethane with a glossy finish, which I know some people have complained about and ordered a different brand because of it. To me however, it is not that big of a deal and actually prefer it as it just looks good with the color of the car and looks like it came that way straight from Subaru. Another great thing is that every vehicle specific set you buy will come with detailed instructions on how to mount them on to your vehicle and there will be no fuss or need for fabrication. The install only took me 45 minutes because of in house distractions and running in and out to grab the right sized sockets and different screw drivers. The price for a set of four is about $145.00 (USD) for the 2013+ XV Crosstrek models and will vary on what application you have. Each set is made at their factory in New York and all the materials they get are from inside the U.S. 

An ordinary freezing day

    Today it's only going to be 13 degrees outside in Manchester, NH. My Subaru with its heated seats and cold weather package is more than up to the task of keeping me safe and warm. Today I'm heading out to run a couple errands and this car can do just about anything. Yesterday while driving, I hit a patch of black ice. I thought that was the end of my Subaru's short life. But, with its VDC, and AWD I managed to swerve left and right and avoid hitting anything and drove it on home unscathed. I know if I  was in my old vehicle, a 2004 Scion Xb , it may have been a different story. But that was yesterday. 

Why I joined NASIOC:

        One of the first things I did when i bought my Subaru was join a forum/ car club. I joined NASIOC or National Subaru Impreza Owner's Club. I figured seeing I now drive essentially a lifted Impreza Sport, I mine as well join a place that has more knowledge than I would just in case something should  occur with my vehicle. Luckily nothing has happened yet, but considering it just broke 8500 miles yesterday, I'm not surprised nonetheless. Also I figured if I had any questions about modifications and what have you they would be the ones to guide me through it. They also have a place to add meets on there, and I've set up a couple around where I live.