Subaru Ascent covers Palm Desert; Jay Cimino gifted Trinidad
By Bud Wells
A roomy, three-row crossover added flashes of “crimson red pearl” to a fourday relaxation in California earlier in February. The review of the car is shortened in order that I discuss briefly the passing of Jay Cimino, he of a “life well-lived” in the automobile business and heartfelt philanthropy for his old hometown of Trinidad.
The crimson-finished 2024 Subaru Ascent was waiting when four of us – Jan and me, daughter Kim and granddaughter Missy – landed at Palm Springs, then carried us the few miles to Palm Desert, where we joined Dale and Sandy Wells, who were vacationing from their home in Johnstown.
The Ascent, which competes with the Chevy Traverse, Hyundai Santa Fe, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Volkswagen Atlas and others, is large enough for six adults, though in row-by-row comparison, of course, the third row was thirdrate.
We drove 70 miles along Calif. 74 to Riverside, where we enjoyed lunch with younger brother, James Kent Wells, who resides in Seal Beach. The Ascent was also smooth and good-handling on a drive to Laquinta and the PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course.
Performance was very adequate from the Subaru’s 2.4-liter boxer engine; the continuous variable
transmission’s 8-speed manualshift mode worked well, droning occasionally on acceleration demand, of course. The overall fuel-mileage average was 20.2 (EPA rating is 19-25).
The all-wheel-drive Ascent, built in Lafayette, Ind., was introduced for the 2019 model year. For 2024, it starts at $34,195. The Touring model I drove carried a sticker price of $49,931, featuring Cabin Connect, Surround View Monitor, Harman Kardon surround sound, Eyesight Driver Assist, panoramic moonroof.
JAY CIMINO
Jay Cimino, 87. a leading official for more than 40 years at Phil Long Dealerships, died last Saturday, Feb. 24, at his home in Colorado Springs.
My lasting remembrance of Jay was the evening of Sept. 17, 2021, when more than 600 persons gathered beneath a large tent on the grounds of the Elitch Gardens to celebrate the inaugural class for the Colorado Automotive Hall of Fame. Jay walked over to our table and visited with my family and me, before he and I were inducted into the HOF.
He once sent to me a photo of his 1936 Ford Roadster, one of many beautiful models in a large, private collection of his. I assumed the roadster probably was his favorite; others, though, said he favored a custom 1957 Chevy Corvette.
Cimino declined to select a favorite.
Cimino was born and raised in Trinidad; he has given back to his hometown bigtime through the years. His philanthropy has boosted the community. He established the Trinidad Community Foundation, the Jay Cimino Champion Scholarship Fund for Holy Trinity Academy students and a visitor center. Perhaps most meaningful is the
establishment of the Mt. Carmel Health, Wellness and Community Center.
He opened Phil Long Toyota of Trinidad in 2010. The Phil Long dealerships are the largest privately held automotive group in Colorado.
The book, “2,600 Cars and a Dog Sled,” can be ordered through budwellsbooks.com or by contacting Bud at budwellscars@comcast.net