Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Changes You'd Like To See in the Subaru Forester
This discussion has been closed.
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
Try them on a dark country road some night and see how much further to the left and right you can see, as in critters deciding it is a good time to jump in front of you... And I would rather have a deer or other varmint in the headlights to one side of me than in front...
Not a total solution, but it helps... and they do help in fog... And I didn't like the new small ones (looks) on the 06's forward, but they are better than the older ones...
On my vehicles (which I drive up in the Mts upstate NY with lots of critters) I always install good driving lights appropriate for each vehcile.
-mike
The big problem with OEM fog lights is that they do NOT have a sharp upper OR lower beam cutoff. Therefore, they annoy oncoming drivers when they are used in anything other than fog conditions. Unfortunately, very many owners of vehicles with fogs leave them on all of the time. The result is that the upper cone of light is directly in the path of oncoming traffic and the lower portion reflects off rain or snow covered road surfaces and also tends to blind the oncoming driver.
I came to buy a Subaru Forester after owning 4 Saabs. The GMization of Saab resulted in some illogical decisions and a loss of quality and so I was pushed to find something better.
The reason I bought Saabs in the first place was that they were very practical and sturdy vehicles that were well suited to my driving environment. They were not sporty (except for the SPG) and had somewhat less than average power. But the total package was great including seat heaters, high quality cloth upholstery and a total package that made sense. My original Forester was the same (with the addition of the then optional Winter Driving Package).
Unfortunately, marketers tend to dream of upscale buyers whose purchasing decisions are relatively recession-proof and so they package the product to appeal to that segment. That is what happened to Saab and that seems to be what is happening to Subaru. So, when you price the package that makes the most sense as a premium item, you have to remove some of the sensible things in order for those buying at the high end to avoid feeling that they are paying too much for their package. Thus, those of us who do not want certain high end features end up having to sacrifice some of the practical items as well to get a lower price.
For instance on my Armada, I bought the LE model but without the moonroof and navigation. Those 2 options saved me close to 6000 off the sticker price. I felt that if I really wanted a roof, I could add one in the aftermarket for around $1000-1500 later on. As for the navigation, I added my carputer for around $1000, and could have added an in-dash until from crutchfield for around $1000-1500 if I really wanted to.
The reasons for going for the LE over the SE for me were the puddle lights (not easily added aftermarket), interior lights, towing package (impossible to add aftermarket), and leather (not cheaply added aftermarket) with only a slight increase in price of the LE over the SE model.
The same would go for me on the Forester in terms of the VDC, that is not something you can add later on in any size/shape or form, so I see that as a good thing. Things like leather/heated seats, moonroofs, and especially fog/driving lights can always be upgraded later on in my opinion.
-mike
One thing much better done in a Forester XT than in a WRX STi: avoiding law enforcement attention. The taller vehicle has a lower profile, so to speak. (Aside: not long ago I was following an STi down an interstate and noticed the STi's rear wing vibrating up and down at speed. It made me question its value; perhaps it needed to be made of carbon fiber? )
On topic: There's not much I can add to the discussion as to what the Forester needs that hasn't been already written. An additional gear or two in the AT, along with the Sportshift manual shift option, are something I've clamored for for years. I also wanted to see VTD/VDC, if only to get the AT Foresters into more of a RWD bias. From what I've read thus far, not everyone is sold on those features in the '07 models, so maybe I should go drive one myself to be sure.
I'm more on board as to what I don't want to see in the next Forester. Please don't make it much larger, in the RAV-4/Outlander vein; there's no need to stuff a third row of seats in it - that's what the Tribeca was for, after all! CR-V sized is fine so long as it retains its current handling characteristics. (I'm concerned that between the Tribeca and the next Impreza hatches, there may not be a need for the Forester in the model lineup; but why would Subaru kill the model with the highest rate of repeat ownership?)
Please also do not succumb to the current styling trend of sweeping the rear sheetmetal upwards and widening the C- and D-pillars such that rear visibility is reduced. Very few cars offer the excellent all-round (especially to the rear) outward visibility of the Forester. Several people who have ridden in my car have remarked on that to me, including some who I don't consider "car people" who pick up on details like that. I'd hate to see that disappear in the name of style.
Ed
The EVO is larger than the WRX, and it handles just fine—and I haven't heard anyone complain about how the 108.7" wheelbase 3-Series BMW handles.
It really comes down to suspension tuning, and how FHI/SOA want to deal with that. I say keep it sporty, as it currently is.
Bob
-mike
While I love the forester it is just too small to really compete in the American market... Sure older folks and women love the car.... but the forester was finally dethroned by honda, and toyota as their own small SUVs have become larger; even coming with a 3rd row of seats...
Americans are big people and to really catch the demographic of folks who want a reliable, environment ally friendly, and capable SUV you need a vehicle that is pushing the midsize ranger.
Even if the forester grew to the size of lets say... a nissan murano or the new Santa fe
subaru is the only car company I know who makes their cars on the same small platforms... Toyota has the rav 4, the highlander and so forth, but subaru builds the forester on another small platform.
The forester is due to be redesigned in 2008. There are whispers of it being enlarged.... However I am skeptical subaru is committed to truely updating this vehicle. However if they want to stay competitive with toyota and honda (and even the new santa fe and outlander are larger and getting good reviews) they are going to have to do a serious redesign.
Kyle
Subaru already has the ugly tribeca... so it should not go that large... I hear they are already scrapping the tribeca front end design... now if they would make one that took regular gas....
Also I am hearing rumors of a deisel... so a bio-deisel would be nice or a gas electric hybrid.
I'm neither old nor female and I find my Forester to be the perfect size. It's quick and nimble driving around town, easily carries enough for two to go camping or for a cross-country trip and I've fit all manner of things in and/or on top of it during forays to the local home improvement store.
In addition, most super-sized Americans who need a bigger vehicle to feel comfortable in are going to want a full-size SUV.
-Frank
Or replace the rear strut suspension so it eats less into cargo room.
They could make some packaging improvements and give up very little, basically.
I've even thought of selling two wheelbases sizes, just like Toyota does for the RAV4. They only sell the long one here, and the short one in europe. But I'd like to see Subaru market *both* lengths here.
-juice
Nope. Heated seats are still there. But I do wish I didn't have to add crossbars myself.
PS - It is a kick to drive!
The current tight turning radius is one reason why we now have two Foresters.
-juice
-Frank
I say keep those models back-to-basics, just a tad roomier.
-juice
1. The visors, when to the side, they are completely usless. They need to have extenders build in.
2. Privacy glass in the back windows, why a SUV does not have this I do not know.
3. Controls on the steering wheel. No big deal, since the reach to the radio is not a problem.
Like I said, these are very small issues, but I feel, if these were added, it would make a almost perfect vehicle into a perfect one.
Since then, the Baja and Tribeca have tint. I bet they do this.
-juice
Taller crossovers and SUVs usually raise the seats, and the elevated seating does have benefits like a nice view out, more room for the feet, etc. But they're not necessarily more comfortable.
A few years ago I went to an auto show and sat in every back seat imagineable. The absolute most comfortable seat I was able to sample was the Lexus ES300. Glove soft leather, soft padding, but no more room that your 95th percentile adult would need.
More space than you need is just wasted; it doesn't necessarily make you more comfortable.
Compare that Lexus to a Chevy Malibu Maxx with the seats all the way back, and the Chevy may have acres more room but it's not nearly as comfy. Same for a Saturn Vue or a Chevy Equinox. The seats in those are just awful, despite abundant leg room they are just not comfortable.
-juice
-juice
Funny thing is, when I finished the list, I realized that it is almost feature for feature content I can get in the Tribeca, with the exception of a tight turning radius.
However, the Tribeca is just a little too big for my needs and I was greatly disappointed by the flat, unsupportive, non-actuating second row seats in a relatively larger car.
So if the next gen Forester works out to be a 3/4-sized Tribeca with good looks, I'll be a happy camper....
2009 Forester Wish List
Must have to consider upgrading:
Improved interior lighting (esp. w/sunroof), Steering wheel audio controls, 5-speed auto,0-60 Wish list (not deal breaker):
Tinted windows, Nav system w/rear camera, Auto *UP* & down power windows, Home Link, Trip computer and oil viscosity monitor like new CR-V, Memory seats, Lit visor mirrors, Sun visor extenders
CARRY-OVER MUST HAVES:
Tight turning radius (<37 ft.), Premium audio, Pollen Filter, Cargo Net, Plastic cargo tray, Rear bumper cover, Autodimming mirror with compass, Security system upgrade
--Elliot
Price point is the catch, more than turning radius, for me.
-juice
-mike
Even Jeep is going in the other direction, with the Patriot being car-based and most models not being Trail Rated. The Compass isn't Trail Rated no matter which model you choose.
There are fewer trails, and 97% of people never make is to those trails anyway.
-juice
Oh and for the 05er above who wanted more rear leg room... they did change the seats in 06 subtly to get your tad...
-juice
23 Civic Type-R / 22 MDX Type-S / 21 Tesla Y LR / 03 Montero Ltd
Navigation System and Stability control (VDC) for LL Bean
Heated windshield and tilted rear mirrors when you shift to R (my 1999 Ford Mondeo had'em and was very cool)
-Frank
-Ivan
-Frank
23 Civic Type-R / 22 MDX Type-S / 21 Tesla Y LR / 03 Montero Ltd
-mike
At least in MD it's covered under comprehensive auto insurance policies.
Len
I also hope the forester is offered in the upcoming toyota/subaru hybrid engine.... And it may be wishful thinking.... but a bio-diesel or bio-diesel hybrid would be great (don't know if anyone is doing diesel-hybrids though