Subaru Forester

[RWebb]

Cons. Reports says this is the best small SUV out there.

- the highest reliability is with the 2006 & later models

- they also like the ride ('09 had most comfortable ride of any small SUV) & handling (but tricky at the limits); crash-tests were impressive

- only the XT (turbo) have ESC before '09 - after '09 is is std. I have no idea if it as good as the Teves system on MB and BMW, which have super snow traction.

- major redesign in 2009

I drove an '07 recently and was surprised by how peppy and responsive it felt. Too bad the dealer wanted $21,000 for it (non-turbo but had sunroof).

It does have a short turning circle.

[kaisen]

Have you driven the 2009-up yet? Turbo or not?

[RWebb]

no - is there a big difference in those?

I am surprised by how spendy the used ones are, rel. to a new one...

[kaisen]

Yes, they were completely redesigned for 2009. Longer, wider, taller, longer wheelbase, more ground clearance, etc. Completely different.

If you can, drive the turbo XT model. The X will be the same powertrain as the one you already tried out.

BTW, the average 2009 X model does a little under $20K in my world. They do hold their value pretty well, so don't rule out a brand new one when they have good incentives.

[vash]

i love my wife's forester. a 2005. it is pretty nimble. it feels "loose" like an SUV, but it has never let us down. i have been through some pretty crazy snowstorms with that thing. goin slow and steady, heated seats giving my butt a warm embrace. the newer ones are NICE, but they seem huge to me.

if we had to do it again, we would seriously consider NOT getting the turbo. we putt around anyways.

[Tim Hancock]

Hmmm.... For some reason Subaru Foresters just don't do a thing for me, but different strokes and all that I guess.

[968rz]

My In-laws bought a 2010 this summer and they love it. "Nice ride, easy to enter/exit, lots of room for traveling and so far this winter they like how it handles the snow".

[RWebb]

thanks for your contribution, Handcock - go back to PARF

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by RWebb

thanks for your contribution, Handcock - go back to PARF

Sorry, I did not intend to make a political or religious statement. Just trying to highlight some reasons why some may or may not want to own one of these. I guess I thought you were posting here to get honest opinions of the car....

PS: there is no "d" in my name.

[RWebb]

yes, honest opinions of the CAR

I could care less what others think about its cultural significance (which is wrong anyway, at least in the PNW and Maine)

[JeremyD]

I laughed Tim.

[Oh Haha]

I was just checking the classifieds this weekend for one of these to replace the minivan(don't ask, wifey wants something else again).


The later models, 06 and up, seem to have held their value. The MY11 is even better, so I hear.

[nynor]

FWIW, we like our subaru. i really wanted to not like it. they are ubiquitous here. anyway, its been a great car and it isn't nearly new as the ones y'all are talking about.

as for the subie ads.... funny as hell.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

Hmmm.... For some reason Subaru Foresters just don't do a thing for me, but different strokes and all that I guess.

Funny but who cares? ... A good car is a good car ...

It's like not buying a Boxter for daily duties because it's a "hairdressers" car.

If I had to drive Japanese it would be a Subaru but because I don't have to I drive a VW instead... More cred than Mazda, Nissan or Honda IMO.
My next daily will probably be a Boxter and my SC will sit in the garage under a cotton sheet waiting for it's bi weekly drive.

Wayne's new book should come in handy. ;-)

[Arizona 911]

I am going to be buying a used small awd or 4wd suv in the next month or so. I was going to look at exterra, pathfinder, 4runner but with the future fuel prices I have decided on rav4, crv, or forester. It will be my daily driver but also for camping trips with the kids and carrying my canoe. The only issue I have is I am 6'5" and 220#. I currently drive a Hyundai Elantra and fit in it pretty well. I would love to have a diesel excursion but the fuel prices are making me think twice.

[RedBaron]

My dad has a 2006 Forester N/A with the LL Bean package with about 90K on it that I drive a lot (Actually daily now that my car has the engine out and he has a company car.) It's reliable and spacious. The dog catcher in the back is nice for hauling around the Family's Alaskan Malamute. It is unstoppable in the snow with decent snow tires. I hate the automatic transmission (very laggy and it likes to downshift) and I am not a big fan of the seats but overall it is a nice car. He picked up the shop manuals for a small amount of money very recently and he does maintenance by the book.

[john70t]

I have a mid 90's beater Legacy.
Wish I had stopped and taken a picture last winter. It was a four-wheel drift out of the drive from curb to curb then drifted the street apex perfectly in 12-15in of fresh snow under streetlights. Would have been a nice pic.

They are excellent cars in winter. However there isn't any parts discount, milege is avg/poor for a daily driver, some exhaust bolts are inaccessable, long wheelbase for parrallel parking, curved roof rack(for curved plywood of course), and the calipers rust.

[billybek]

It is too bad that Nissan stopped selling the X Trail in Canada. (I don't think it was ever offered in the US).
Great little SUV for running around in and almost unstoppable with a good set of snow tires in the winter months.
If you don't mind dealing with Nissan's warranty policies (deny, deny, deny) it is a good, simple usable vehicle.
We will probably look at a Subaru when this one is done.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

Sorry, I did not intend to make a political or religious statement. Just trying to highlight some reasons why some may or may not want to own one of these. I guess I thought you were posting here to get honest opinions of the car....

PS: there is no "d" in my name.

I thought it was Hancocked.

Subarus are a little boring if you aren't driving them in the snow or dirt. They are a LOT of fun in the snow, or at a rally cross, and very easy to do major mechanical work on.

However, I never worry about being confused for a Lesbian while driving one. But i can see how some might obsess about it.

[nynor]

they aren't making a mistake, with me. i like women, too.