Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
It is almost as though some of you need to latch on to something to be unhappy about. Is it possible you all have such rotten luck, live in such desolate/remote places, as to get many flats over the cars lifetime :confuse:
I own three cars at present. In over two years, never a tire problem. I asked around my office, and out of over 50 people, only three had need of roadside assistance :sick: for punctures in the past several years.
Come on, smarten me up. What am I missing here? I can't even buy the excuse you don't like to be limited to 50 MPH when proceeding on after a flat, as reason to not buy a certain model or brand....
Steve, Host
Well, they didn't do that. Instead they removed a good idea (the full-size spare) and replaced it with a bad idea (the donut).
So is it a deal-breaker? Well, at the moment I'm so pissed at this stupid decision by SOA, it could be if I were in the market now. Maybe after I calm down over this, I can think about it more logically. It certainly knocks the Forester down a notch IMO, however.
BTW, this past year I've had 3 flat tires on various vehicles...
Bob
Nothing in Subaru literature says anything about spare size, but at cars101 it does state "Spare Tire - temporary, mounted under rear of car. Tools in cargo area and there a small storage bin as well ".
If this is true, and I don't question it, - Bean counters won again :sick: . Wonder how long it will be before they get temp tires as standard equipment on all 4 wheels .
Have you ever driven an AWD (Subaru), after mounting a temp, in the dead of night raining cats and dogs and not have cell phone with you to call Roadside Assistance (I have) ? Try it sometime and let me know your thoughts of how the vehicle drives in the heavy rain with that wonderful temp tire on. From that one experience I'd be willing to bet folks might sing another tune. Better yet take this one step further and try it in below freezing weather with a couple of inches of snow on the ground in near white out conditions.
And why does Subaru warn you to have all tires on all wheels within so many 32s diameter at all times? I know I'm pushing on this one, but if you haven't had the "fun" at least once, believe me you have no idea what you are missing.
Does all Subaru competition AWD, including upscale, use donut tires too? Just asking, I'd like to know.
I have driven Subarus over 275,000 miles (since 1998 - and another 100,000 in the early mid 80s) how many miles have you driven them?
The point I'm trying to make is - I've been there, hope no one here ever has to, but if they do under the conditions I'm describing I'd bet they would think once is enough and wouldn't like to repeat the "fun" experience over again.
I guess because I owned a motor home, and full-timed it, I am more conditioned than the average guy about not trying to haul around stuff for every eventuality---can't be done...
And, I am so taken with how the Forester performs and handles, and almost every car I have owned the past 15 years or longer has had a donut. Never occurred to me people would be so passionate about that item.
As to the Show Tribecas, they too had temp spare tires. I was at the Detroit show unveiling, and spoke to Dave Sullivan, the SOA Tribeca Brand Manager about this. He said the Tribeca has a temp tire because, if a full-size spare had been used, the angle of departure would have been greatly compromised. We're talking about a very wide 255 size tire here, and I see his point. I just don't agree with their choice; but I understand and agree with his defense of the temp tire.
And again as to deal-breaker? If someone is on the fence—a term often used here—and is having trouble deciding between a '06 Forester and a CRV or a RAV4 (which do have full-size spares), this issue could well push them over the edge.
Yeah, I could go buy a real spare if it meant that much to me, as juice and others have done, but it grates me to no end in having to do so. It's like rubbing salt into the wound.
Bob
By the way, anyone want to buy a spare donut from our Legacy? LOL
-juice
PS Just kidding hosts, I'm not actually selling a donut, who would want one?!
Fortunately (for me), I had the good luck to lose the bookmark. :-)
There must be some other uses for the things - off-road soapbox derby racer tires?
Steve, Host
Bob
Anyone need a 15"x6" steelie? Though I might use it myself if I ever get another Subie with a 15" OE rim and a donut.
-juice
Bob
Maybe I'll use it as a planter?
You know you're a redneck if...
-juice
Chuck
-juice
-Frank
Steve, Host
You do increase unsprung weight, and people tend to complain about a stiff ride.
If Subaru did employ those, you sure would have a giant storage area underneath the cargo floor - in any model.
-juice
Bob
I doubt the useful space changed at all.
-juice
This is confirmed in an '03-05's; cannot confirm for the '06.
Elliot
-juice
http://www.dlo.com
Best Regards to all - BTW OK I broke down and got the 06 Tribeca 7 passenger Ltd loaded to the hilt (including the elusive puddle lights yeah and DVD/Nav - Titanium Silver Metallic). Man I love it the more I drive it. Still got a donut tire, but its bigger. Please Lord NO MORE FLATS - PLEASE
There is a recent discussion over in the Subaru forum that explain it pretty good. Take a look over there
Walt,
Regarding spare tires, my wife's '03 Outback has a donut. I tried to fit a full size spare, but it is too big for the well. I guess the smaller diameter tire from a regular Legacy might fit, but no way on the OB's 225-60-16. It irks me that Subaru warns you about keeping all 4 tires within 1/4" circumference of each other, but equips their new vehicles (now including the Forester) with a donut.
Len
Bob
We fit a 205/60R15 in our Legacy easily. That's full size for us.
-juice
Len
-Dennis
-juice
Also check if the head rests tilt forward/back. The rears do on my '98 Forester, and they are in fact interchangeable with the fronts. I swapped them because I actually like them jutting forward for some strange reason. LOL
-juice
Oh, if you think the Subie is bad, try a SAAB or Volvo!
Just one opinion.
-juice
The spare is full-size but is only a temporary tire.
The only other vehicle I've seen it on is the RAV4. As uncomfortable as it is, it is probably a whiplash reducer. But still in all....
-juice
Good luck with your new headrests. Maybe you could get some from a 2005 because they are not the same angle. I test drove one of them for half a day and was fine. Unfortunately, there weren't any available when I was looking... Foresters are wonderful cars otherwise.
For those of you that are wondering, the best way to explain the angle of the headrest in the 2006 that I drove was this: The seat points at an angle of 11:00 and the headrest points at 2:00. My spine does not bend that way naturally.
Who knows.
Any how, enjoy your CR-V. I won't tell you what issues are common with that vehicle because then you might get paranoid and start looking for them.
-juice