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Subaru Forester (up to 2005)
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Comments
Joe
-les
FYI, the 16" wheels from the 2000-2004 Outback have the same offset as the 16" Forester wheels. I have a set of 16" steel '03 Forester wheels with Blizzaks mounted for my wife's '03 Outback.
Len
That will let me expand my eBay search somewhat. But does this mean Legacy 16" wheels have different offsets than Outbacks?
Was meticulous in mounting them which I think was the problem with people woho complained of the noise.
Bought them from a dealer in New Hampshire....IIRC...$125
Please give me a brand name...and name of dealer in New Hampshire.
Thanks, Mike
Web site address is:
http://subaru.com.au/explore/forester/accessorydetail.asp?item=17- - - - - 058&accessory=18673
OK you US suppliers...why not here???? It would be an open market.
Mike
Ed
They showed an XS and an XT at Detroit, it was cool. Both silver. I've been focusing on the Legacy launch in the Future Models thread.
Any how, one correction. 16" rims on pre-2003s were indeed alloys, but the spare was steel, so SoA does make an OE 16" steelie rim. I know because I got prices on a set of them when I was shopping rims.
Kate - keep your rims if that's what you like. I have Jim in Texas' rims, from his Legacy turbo, the one from a few generations back. That makes it more than a decade old, and it still looks great on our Legacy.
-juice
Steve, Host
-Frank P.
I consider the '03 a new platform because it got substantial changes under the skin, including:
* new aluminum front bumper beams
* new aluminum rear bumper beams
* aluminum roof rails
* aluminum hood
* head/chest side air bags
Also note that no body panels are interchangeable when you look at '98-02 and then '03 and newer.
Look at crash tests and the '03 got better scores, telling you the structure is stiffer.
So for those reasons, I consider the '03 the first year of the 2nd generation.
-juice
Craig
1st = 91-95
2nd = 96-99
3rd = 00-04
4th = 05-??
Impreza
1st = 93-01
2nd = 02-??
Forester
1st = 98-02
2nd = 03-??
-mike
Mk I - our MY 1998-2000
Mk Ia - our MY 2001-02
Mk II - our MY 2003-
Ed
So for Forester that's, what, SF, SG...is there a third?
SF = 1998-2002 body
SG = 2003- body
Ed
* new aluminum front bumper beams
* new aluminum rear bumper beams
* aluminum roof rails
* aluminum hood
* head/chest side air bags
Wow did not know that more and more of the structure is becomining aluminum...I assume the hood was always aluminum...Most auto manufactures have switched to high strenght steels allowing thinner sheets of material to be used mainly in the body panels to cut weight...Toyota has done this (you can flex the fender panels in the Corrolla)...Honda's Hybrid however is all Aluminum...VW has used Magnesium in components to cut weight...however corrosion can be a problem if not careful.
I do know that Aluminum typically cost about 4 times that of steel. Magnesium is about 10 xs the cost of steels...hopefully the repair/replacement cost of a Subaru's bumper is similar to a stamped steel structure?
Mike
I know that Toyota uses stainless steel pipes which slows the corrosion rate but they will eventually leak after about 10 years of exposure to the salt.
I believe Subaru uses an aluminized steel pipe for there exhaust which may help reduce the bad effect of corrosive salts...what has been your experience for the frequency in exhaust component replacement, especially in northern climates where salt is used??
Thanks,
Mike
-mike
-Frank P.
Craig
My '01 Forester's exhaust is all original, but I only have 80K so far. I'm expecting (and hoping for) about 150K before any changes are needed.
Len
An earlier post mentioned problems with engine hesitation. There was a recall for O2 sensors on some models I believe. Ours was replaced free. If the Check Engine Light comes on, it may be the coil pack. We just had to replace ours.
'17 Chevy Volt Premiere
1. The exhaust pipe on short trips can build up moisture from the inside and this moisture resting on the metal will start corrosion. Short trips Bad...Long trips Better for pipe life.
2. But the exterior of exhaust pipes exposed to salt and water spray for extended periods will also affect the surface but at a slower rate especially if you wash or spray your underbody during the winter months. Long and Short trips...doesn't really matter for the exterior...once you coat the pipe with salt its there until you remove it (wash it).
Its good to hear the Subaru's exhaust pipes handle the salt spray well (Aluminizied steel must help)...or at least better than some other manufacturers.
Mike
I bought a Ford van in 1995 and found that it was possible to talk to a regional rep if you were having a technical problem that the dealer couldn't pinpoint. I am disappointed that Subaru doesn't have the same. The 800-SUBARU3 customer service is worthless.
Joe
Len
Mike Bohun
I just replaced the driver and passenger side blades with Anco refills...$3.00 ea @ Pep Boys...
Now, after a cursory inspection of the rear blade, there is no way it will take a refill that I can see. There is no clip/release and slide out visable...Do you need to replace the whole carriage when the rear blade wears out?
There's nothing in the archives here about this task..
Surly, someone here must have done a rear blade replacement.....
thanx
SOLO
The manual gearbox on mine was very stiff at 10 degree temps, but it warms up soon enough.
Larry
OEM battery was a tad slow on the crank at -2 degrees F on Saturday morning @ 0800. but it did start generally w/o a prob all weekend where the temps were consistantly below 20 F. this is a 15month old battery w/15k miles. do think a stronger aftermarket one might be better in a REALLY cold environment.
Greg
'17 Chevy Volt Premiere
FWIW, the bumper basher test done by IIHS revealed that a 5mph impact actually caused less damage (less cost) with the new aluminum beamed bumpers vs. the first generation Forester, so they are better in every way.
My OE battery was pretty weak also. Replaced it with one with far more CCAs. FWIW, the automatics have a beefier battery than the manuals, at least the ones I've compared.
-juice
The 03 OBW - auto has 500+ CCA. A much better idea.
Larry
Imagine life in the pre-electric-start era.
The '49 MGTC my brother bought new and still drives has a self-starter, but it also has a hand crank. He uses that every so often, just for grins. It actually starts the engine quite effectively.
My new battery has 535! Guess what? It starts better.
-juice