Now Available, the 2015 Subaru Outback

2015 Subaru Outback McMinnville, OR

If there was a such thing as an SUW (Sports Utility Wagon) the 2015 Subaru Outback available in McMinnvile, OR would be a prime example. For 2015, the Outback has been redesigned to further improve upon the aspects drivers search for in an SUV: space, fuel economy, technology, and an all-around updated interior to make for an even more comfortable drive.

Cargo space and passenger room weren’t an issue before; in fact, space is plentiful in previous models, but the 2015 model even further expanded both of these regions to become even more accommodating.

Depending on the amount of power that is necessary for the type of driving you plan on doing, there is a choice between two engines once again; the standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder capable of 175-horsepower or the 3.6-liter 6-cylinder that maxes out at 256-horsepower. The standard 8.7-in ground clearance remains the same as does the symmetrical all-wheel drive that is available on all Subaru vehicles across the lineup except for the sporty little BRZ.

Four different trim levels are listed for the 2015 Outback, each including more advanced features, but the most basic level, the 2.5i provides all of the necessities: roof rack rails with fold-out crossbars, full power accessories, cruise control, air-conditions, 60/40-split-folding rear seats, 6.2-inch touchscreen interface, a rearview camera and a four-speaker sound system with smartphone integration in addition to much more.

Pricing on the 2015 Subaru Outback begins at $24, 895 while the estimated fuel economy has increased to 25 city/ 33 highway mpg. Not only does the Outback perform well on paved roads, gripping and nimbly handling like a true crossover, but it also has no problem getting outback, kicking up some dust and dirt on off-road trails.

Standard and advanced safety still meets the same rigorous and uncompromising standards of Subaru, the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), and the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). EyeSight Driver Assist helps monitor traffic movement all around you, picking up and analyzing things not capable of the human eye to help improve your reaction time and reduce the risk of any potential accidents.

If the 2015 Subaru Outback sounds like the family SUV you have been searching for and you would like more information or even to possibly schedule a test drive in advance, we welcome you here to Jim Doran Subaru in McMinnville, OR where our team members are glad to be of service and listen to any questions or concerns you might have.

A TRAVELER GETS INTO THE PIONEER SPIRIT, EXPLORING THE PORTLAND-SEATTLE-VANCOUVER CORRIDOR IN A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC HATCHBACK

By Katy Henriksen

By Katy Henriksen

The 2014 Chevrolet Sonic hatchback, with its 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score for safety from the NHTSA,^† and available turbocharged engine with a 40 mpg highway rating,^† provides the perfect way to take a solo trip along Highway 1, to see the gems of the Pacific Northwest. The pioneer spirit reigns supreme in the Portland-Seattle-Vancouver corridor connected by I-5, which turns to Hwy 99 as you hit the Canadian border. When you hit the two-lane highways in a Sonic,you’re the true pioneer, heading out into the expanses of the farthest corners of the Northwest, the birthplace of Jimi Hendrix, grunge, American coffee culture and the microbrew.

Cruise right along the edges of the Pacific on Coastal Highway 101, spending an afternoon with Haystack Rock, made famous by The Goonies, on Cannon Beach. Stop to take a day hike along the Pacific Crest Trail, featured in Cheryl Strayed’s remarkable memoir Wild, describing her solo trek through the vast trail that stretches from California up through Washington. It’s a great vantage point for getting to the glacier shrouded Mount Hood, the largest and most active volcano in Oregon. Or catch a trek along the Bridge of the Gods, with epic views into Washington and expanses of the Columbia River.

Here, urban and exotically rural locales are snuggled close—with Portland offering literary lovers a paradise in legendary Powell’s Books, and coffee connoisseurs a bevy of local coffee roasters, including Stumptown Coffee, begun by Duane Sorenson on Southeast Division Street in 1999 and now boasting locations all over Portland, Seattle and, more recently, New York and L.A. Whether it’s French press, moka pot or the espresso route, Stumptown has a coffee brewed exactly the way you like and even sells a kit called “The Voyager” that’s perfect for your solo adventure. It has all the supplies you need to brew the perfect cup sans electricity.

Now, you can’t take a solo journey through the Pacific Northwest without some indie sounds. Though not a standard feature, Sonic’s optional audio package will have the tunes sounding brilliant. An available upgrade from the accessories catalog for an Audio System by Kicker includes subwoofers that bring up the deep bass paired with high-efficiency, low power-draw amplifiers and a unique sound signature from multi-channel amps with DSP.

Soak up the latest in indie by tuning in to Seattle’s KEXP to catch the best in what’s next, and discover the new Sleater Kinneys and Death Cabs for Cutie before they’ve been co-opted by Converse and MasterCard. Hear the blazing cool sounds of the all-girl surf noir band La Luz, on Sub Pop sister label Hardly Art. Get super lo-fi with fuzzy and scratchy sounds from Olympia, Washington’s K Records.

Whether you’re letting the experts at KEXP curate the tunes or have your iPod plugged in, these tunes provide the perfect soundtrack to discover yourself. And perhaps you’ll fall so in love with a particular tune, you’ll want to own it on vinyl, which is seeing quite the resurgence in the era of digital. There are many old-school shops to find the wax, including the oldest record store in the Pacific Northwest, Portland’s Music Millennium, or the newest, Sub Pop’s shop at the Sea-Tac airport.

So what are you waiting for? Hop in your Sonic for a solo adventure of a lifetime—in less than two hours of road time, you’ll span the jagged lushness of the Pacific and feel like you’re on the set of Singles sipping on a perfectly brewed espresso in Seattle’s Capitol Hill. The road is open and waiting for your latest adventure in self-discovery.

The trademarks mentioned in this story are held by their respective owners.

This is the third in a three-part series of Sonic Solo adventures.
Check out Exploring New England and The True South.

Katy Henriksen is the music editor for TheRumpus.net and a classical music and arts producer for KUAF 91.3 FM (NPR) in Fayetteville, AR, where she hosts the daily classical music show "Of Note with Katy Henriksen" and the weekly "KUAF Sunday Symphony." Her tumblr is helloloretta.tumblr.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram@helloloretta.

Which WRX Is Best For You?

2015 Subaru WRX vs 2015 Subaru WRX STI McMinnville OR

Whether it’s souped up or in its most basic form, the Subaru WRX is a thrill to drive, but if you’ve been seriously considering a 2015 Subaru WRX vs 2015 Subaru WRX STI in McMinnville, OR, and could use a push in one direction or the other, take a look at how the two compare.

Both are high-performance vehicle with all-wheel drive and controlled handling, but the STI is going to high-performance, even higher while taking the price with it. The 2015 Subaru WRX has a 2.0-liter turbocharged Subaru Boxer 4-cylinder engine and a starting price at $26,295 while the STI jumps up to a 2.5-liter turbocharged Subaru Boxer 4-cylinder engine and an MSRP of $34,495. (The difference between these two engines is the the boost in horsepower from 268 hp to 305 hp.)

Many of the additional features included on the STI are also found on a few of the other trims like the WRX Premium and WRX Limited. Drivers who prefer a more premium level interior and exterior will find the STI comes standard with more of what they are looking for, such as: LED headlights, power-tilt/sliding-glass moonroof, and leather-trimmed upholstery.

The STI is going to offer an even more fine-tuned driving experience, but we would suggest you test drive a WRX first because the tight suspension, firm handling, and surge of power during acceleration and gear changes might just surprise you. You will also note a difference in the gearboxes, while the WRX uses cable-shift linkage, the STI has a heavy-duty gearbox to fit its parallel-rod shift linkage.

Because the STI is packing more power, the brakes and springs are going to be stiffer, increasing response time. Depending on your driving style, both vehicles will offer an aggressive feel, but one of the most noticeable differences between the two cars is the large wing on the back of the STI which is meant to even out the vehicle and provide downforce at high speeds.

Remember these are sedans we are talking about, so depending on the type of driving you plan on doing, whether performance and race-based, we would recommend the STI, but if you’re looking for a vehicle that still is affordable, practical, but makes any daily commute more exciting, keeping you more in tune with your vehicle, we would recommend the 2015 Subaru WRX.

Be Sociable, Share!

CHEVROLET AND “THE TODAY SHOW” HELP REUNITE LT. NATHAN LOWMAN WITH HIS FAMILY

May 26, 2014

• 
  
• 
  
• 
  

 Chevrolet is committed to giving back to those who have given so much by serving our country. As a part of that commitment, Chevrolet recently teamed up with “The Today Show” to reunite Lt. Nathan Lowman with his wife, Cindy, and his daughter in a surprise homecoming that involved a little bit of undercover maneuvering.

 

 On May 18, Cindy Lowman and her daughter arrived at the Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch for the surprise event. “The Today Show” camera crew, posing as a crew shooting a commercial for the resort, greeted the two. The crew then proceeded to conduct an interview with Cindy. She discussed her life, her passion for Corvette and her excitement about participating in driving school. As soon as the interview wrapped, driving school instructors pulled up in Corvettes to greet Cindy and her daughter. And much to their surprise, one particular driving instructor stepped out of the car and took off his helmet. It was none other than Lt. Lowman.

The surprise culminated into a heartfelt moment that brought the entire family together after they had not seen each other in over seven months.

Watch the Lowman family’s surprise reunion unfold: 

The Lowman family’s tie to Chevrolet is one that goes far back. In fact, Corvette has always had a special meaning for Lt. Lowman, who grew up dreaming of one day owning one.

“Before I graduated high school, knowing I was joining…to serve our country, I went to my local dealership and took a picture in a brand-new 1994 Corvette,” said Lt. Lowman. “I stated at that time that ‘one day I am going to own one of these!’ ”

Lt. Lowman and his wife, Cindy, were finally able to own their very own 1992 Corvette, which they later transformed in a tribute to Chief Warrant Officer 4 Keith Yoakum, a fellow soldier who gave his life in combat.

“So why is Corvette significant, you may ask. It is because it is like the American Dream,” said Lt. Lowman. “Corvette is America’s sports car and what better car to have as a defender of America?”

Chevrolet is not only proud to honor Lt. Lowman for his service to our country, we are also proud to give back to his family members whose lives have been inspired by Chevrolet throughout the years.

Learn more about what Chevrolet is doing to support the military.