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Comments
As far as the dash, I use "303 Protectant" on my canoes, which I bet would work good on the dash. It has UV protection. It will make your dash slick, so things would slide around on top...but also will make it so the dirt/dust can't stick around.
Invoice is down to 21,171.
How low will it go...
I don't think they changed the offerings within the packages, but we may want to check.
...whoever said he who hesitates...
PS This is per the Edmonds and Subaru website prices.
Without getting into the buying new vs. buy used age-old discussion, I was wondering from a pure product comparison basis, how would you compare these two. The way I look at it, with Lexus renowed reliability, it's reasonable to compare these two directly.
Looks like the RX330 is a bit larger, better refinement, better towing capacity. The Forester has better fuel economy and perhaps a better AWD system.
With about $25K to spend, just wondering whether to opt for the Forester or Lexus.
IMO, the engine, drivetrain, or AWD shouldn't factor into the equation unless ski resorts are your favorite winter destinations.
Also, can someone check where the spare tire is to see if there is trailer pre-wiring there? Take a pic if possible.
Finally, 3rd and final, promise, can someone take a picture of the guage cluster with the FWD light turned on, please? It might light up when you first turn the ignition on (or you might have to insert the FWD fuse).
shows the lights of the Forester instrument cluster and where the AWD light is.
You can insert a fuse to disengage the rear axle when you get a flat tire there, or when you are towing the vehicle behind a motorhome on a dolly.
Basically someone refuses to believe the Forester is capable of going to FWD mode, but it is - if you insert the FWD fuse. I believe there is a light on the panel that lights up when the fuse is inserted.
I wonder if it comes on in the test cycle, or if it only comes on when you insert the fuse? :confuse:
Really the value these "SUV/CUV" vehicles provide is fundamentally good cargo capacity, higher ride with the ability to handle some more difficult road conditions whilst providing all this on a comfortable platform. This is by definition a SUV (or more recently, a "CUV").
If we look at the gamut of SUV/CUV's in the $25K price range, new or used, there is quite the selection.
With any comparison, value is always a key factor and for those of us pragmatists, really the main criteria. From a value perspective, when you factor in purchase price, maintenance costs, fuel costs, insurance costs and resale value against what utilitarian features and capabilities the vehicle has (overall "utility"), we should be able to evaluate what are good purchases and what aren't. These can be somewhat meaningful as I would expect "utililty" can be non subjective. Subjective concerns like luxury features, styling, overall acceleration, or anything that doesn't improve on the vehicle's utilitarian capabilities is not to be factored (otherwise this discussion would resort to a subjective discussion very quickly). One caveat, however, is safety. Some SUV's are notoriously unsafe. Vehicles with apparent safety concerns should be highlighted and others with safety excellence, like the 2009 Forester, should be recognized.
So from a "new" vehicle perspective, I see the 2009 Forester ranking very high (if not the highest) in the $25K price range. However, if we factor in used vehicles, I see that older vehicles like the RX330 are an excellent value with plenty of cargo room, good resale, maintenance costs but with slightly higher fuel and insurance costs.
Another comparison could be a used 2005 BMW X3. I would expect it to be higher in maintenance, fuel, insurance and maintenance and not provide much more utility than a 2009 Forester. As such it would rank much lower in overall value.
Looking for other impressions on older, upscale vehicles like Toyota Highlander, Acura MDX, Infiniti FX, Mercedes ML350 or even the domestics that have great utility but suffer from higher maintenance, higher fuel costs and lower resale.
What's the best "bang for the buck" so to speak?
AWD light is basically saying something is wrong with the AWD, or that it has been switched off by the fuse insertion.
AWD does light up during startup and instrument sweep check.
If the question is however: "I want to spend $25K and show me all the ways I can spend $25K". You can have a field day, lots of new and used choices. I personally don't like picking up peoples used vehicles and always buy new. In addition, I wouldn't buy a used vehicle where I wouldn't buy the same vehicle new.
-mike
I can't recommend per se, especially as I don't know what material the dash is made out of... However, from the back of the bottle it lists interior and exterior of vehicles: vinyl & leather interiors, plastic bumpers, fender flares, trim and lenses, car bras, tonneau covers, vinyl soft tops & plastic windows, chrome & alloy wheels.
There is more listed on the bottle, including many non automotive uses.
all you have to do is spray on and wipe dry. I do it once or max twice a year on my boat, and that is plenty. The UV protection is great. And it repels dust, soiling and staining. I have used it on a bunch of other stuff and it works great.
sounds like a good idea, if it would not damage anything.
Does anyone know if it is OK to run with the fuse in (FWD) most of the time? Or until we need the AWD?
Is there anything that we could damage by doing this??? :confuse:
NOTE
(All AWD AT non-turbo models without
Vehicle Dynamics Control system) Before
driving your vehicle with the temporary
spare tire, put a spare fuse inside
the FWD connector in the main
fuse box located in the engine compartment
and confirm that the Frontwheel
drive warning light “AWD” in the
combination meter comes on. The all
wheel drive capability of the vehicle
has now deactivated. After re-installing
the conventional tire, remove the spare
fuse from the FWD connector in order
to reactivate all wheel drive.
The manual also says the "FWD fuse socket" is not there on VDC equipped vehicles, which makes me wonder if something is different for 09 now that VDC is standard.
Invoice is down to 21,171."
This may just be a coincidence but the Destination Charge is $665, so its possible what you were looking at before was with the destination charge and what you're looking at now is without the destination charge.
Found a pic of the warning light on the 08 Impreza:
Certified, models still under warranty, and reliable brands help offset those concerns.
Tough call.
As for the RX, I wouldn't get that simply because they just don't handle all that well. I've driven several and really don't like them at all, actually, but that's just me. I'd choose my minivan over an RX350, seriously.
Despite not having considered every permutation, I went ahead and purchased a 2009 Forester. Spark Silver, 5MT, Premium package with PZEV (New York). We love the feeling of airy openness with the great visibility and large moonroof. It's also hoot to drive. Still breaking it in so haven't pushed it yet.
Things I like:
- Visibility and feeling of openness
- Overall driving feel
- Little body roll around corners
- Smooth ride without feeling mushy
- Great turning radius
- Safety
- Fuel Economy (hit 31.5 MPG on my way to the cottage)
- Hill Assist - surprised how much I like this
- Ground clearance
- Lots of little things: nice, easy to clean "tray" where the front wipers are - made it easy to clean some debris that fell onto car; easy to clean wheels; spring loaded fold down rear seats - just lift the button and they come down; reclining rear seats with lots of room - you don't feel like a second class citizen when you're in the back seat.
Thinks I don't like:
- dinky horn
- vanity mirrors don't have lights
- no bluetooth
- stereo is only acceptable
The Forester lets you see, feel and hear the driving experience in very positive ways. Many SUVs want to reduce this as much as possible: "Life is something to be insulated from so that you don't have to experience it." I guess if you live in a rough neighbourhood with undesirable sights, I would want this too. Fortunately, I live in a beautiful neighbourhood and I own a cottage in the wilderness. The Forester is perfect for this lifestyle.
I'm sure I'll appreciate it even more during the first major snowstorm or, heaven forbid, I rely on the VDC to prevent a major accident. ...btw, shouldn't "accident avoidance ability" be factored into overall safety measurements somehow?
hit 31.5 MPG on my way to the cottage
wOOt!
I was well under MSRP but no way near Invoice. Then again, I asked for and got a Peral White Turbo XT Limited, of which there was a grand total of _1_ within a 150 mile radius, and which my dealer had to trade for to get.
My best quote for AT Premium with floor mats, splash gaurds, rear bumper cover was 22, 300. Which was about 24,400 OTD.
I got AT Premium with wheel arch moldings, splash gaurds, sport grill, spoiler, wheel locks, read bumper cover for 23,200. I live in CT.
On a side note, people look at Smart Cars and say they are too small to be safe. I jokingly say they are very safe because they are too small to get in an accident. "I've tried to hit one of those suckers and I keep missing..they're too small a target."
:surprise: BIG SURPRISE :surprise: There was very very little difference in any of the specs I compared - 90% identical! I thought the hatch opening & cargo space in the Forester would be a significantly bigger - not so, must be an optical illusion.
The other surprise was the price. The OB with VDC, & Power driver's seat, no leather, no sunroof was about $550 more than the Forester LLBean (main options I want is VDC & power driver's seat) - according to Edmund's comparo feature. I think this includes a current $1000 rebate on OB
So, if the leather & sunroof are unnecessary extras from a buyer's perspective, why not get the OB which I suspect is a bit more comfy. Confession - I have not driven either yet. Any of you Sub-experts who have driven both want to pipe up on this question?
It "feels" longer and the turning radius "feels" bigger when driving.
Seat feel cushier in the Outback, IMO.
these opinions are only based on test driving, and being a passenger in cars owned by someone else. I haven't bought my forester yet..still mulling. Want to be sure it is the car for me! Getting closer & closer...with a good deal in the offing...
Be happy and enjoy your new forester...
And thanks for letting us know what you paid. It helps as the rest of us are doing research for our vehicles.