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Subaru Forester (up to 2005)

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Comments

  • thecatthecat Member Posts: 535
    here in the cyberworld. Questions to me have been asked an answered .. I was only gone for a day or two. :)
    Greg - the Yoko's look like a good year round choice.
    I would love to put 4 winter tires on the Forester .. just to see what it would do in the snow but here in Maryland we don't get enough to justify it. I was more concerned about stopping than starting. Even the Geo's (when new) went through an amazing amount of snow (or is that the Forester even with the Geo's .. anyway) they just wouldn't stop. That swirling stomach feeling that you get when you hit the brakes and you hear the ABS do its stuff .. but you're not stopping, I can live without. I was hoping that the AQ3's were the ticket. Time will tell.
    - Hutch
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Saw that review yesterday. It's in the brand-new print edition of CR.

    They rank a Desert Dueler as below average in snow. It may have been a different model than what comes on the Forester L, but mine were fine. Far better than the Bridgestones on my Miata and the BFG VR4s on the wife's car.

    And I mean in braking on snow, where the AWD isn't a factor. The Nittos are like ice skates in comparison (better the rest of the time, though).

    -juice
  • thecatthecat Member Posts: 535
    You may be on to something here. I noticed that the price listed for the AQ3's was $60. I couldn't come close to that price. Could these be different tires? Hummmmmm
    - Hutch
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Check if you have a model number after the name. Lots of times they refer to a series of tires.

    Kind of like Wilderness tires on the Outback, which were completely different than those on the Explorer.

    -juice
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    I've noticed the Aqua 3s seem to be dropping in price at tirerack. A month ago they were in the $75 range and yesterday when I checked they were cheaper. CR rates the Yoko Aegis as $50 and I got them for $49. Pretty good. Now if I can only figure out which Firestone tire is the OEMs on my OB.

    Greg
  • scoochiroscoochiro Member Posts: 12
    Have now reached the 6500 mile mark on my '02 Forester.

    Mileage good, no mech. problems at all.

    Time for the second oil change, which I decided to perform myself.

    In a foolish moment, though, I didn't notice which side of the crush washer mounts against the drain plug, and which against the oil pan. The washer is clearly not the same on either side, and nothing that I've got tells me this information.

    I shoulda checked when I took off the old one, darnit.

    A little help?

    Thanks

    Ken
  • leo2633leo2633 Member Posts: 589
    Ken,

    Put the flat side against the drain plug, and the "open" side against the oil pan.

    Len
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    http://www.subaru-sti.co.jp/typeM/


    I posted this link in Future Models forum. If SoA brought this over it'd cure me of WRX envy pretty much forever.


    Ed

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Oh, drooooool!

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    The front looks just like the front of a trooper, just a mini version! Looks good though.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Actually, the 2001 redesign already made the front resemble a Trooper. Just look at how the hood spills down into and around the grille.

    Both are boxy and practical, just built to different scales.

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Like a Trooper has all those ground effects? I could do without the skirts and wing (my kayak would beat the mess out of it) but they come with the territory.

    I could see SWRT using it to recce San Remo and Corsica.

    Ed
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    Trooper? LOL, I think you're looking too much into it ;-)

    On another note, looks like HID Xenon headlamps are available for those who really want them (and the 2-3 times greater light output that they offer) by importing them from Japan, like the WRX guys.


    Drew
    Host
    Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    does not adequately describe the beast IMHO. All of the simplicity and much of the utility is gone. It has reduced the Forester to a gaudy hot-rod street cruiser. Ugh!!

    Ross
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    A little too boy-racerish looking for me. Keep the important stuff, kill the aero-effects.

    Is this new model? I thought they already had an Forester STi in Japan? If it is new, it seems strange, in light of the fact that an all-new model is just round the corner. It's going to have short life span.

    Bob
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    To my point, I could do without the skirts and wing but the drivetrain and interior appointments are the ticket. I've been jealous of the little amenities I saw on the Forester S turbo in the UK: armrests integrated into the seats instead of on the console, headlamp washers, self-leveling suspension, alcantara upholstery, and oh yeah, 12 extra hp. The dual nature of the Forester was one of its more appealing features to me. I like the standard ride height and have no intention of slamming it or lifting it. I know I can do light off-roading but I'd like to do a little more with it on pavement. Those 17" wheels and better tires would be a start.

    This looks to me like a way to send the old model out with a bang - like the Camaro/Firebird? Hmmm...

    Ed
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I would like the Forester to evolve into the sports car alternative/SUV.

    Now wouldn't that be sweet; the best of both worlds all in one. :)

    Bob
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Bob: to some extent it already is, and I relish that ;) . I like to refer to it as "a 2.5RS still in its packing crate."

    Ed
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Now if SOA would offer a "WRX still in its packing crate"—then we're talking. :)

    Bob
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    That would be this STi II Type M, I'm guessing ;).

    Ed
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    only with the new-soon-to-be-released body...

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    SWRT does use Foresters to pre-run the Kenya rally. Pretty cool, it's a stocker Forester GT, too.

    Ross: that's why there is limited production! It's not meant to appeal to everyone.

    Ken and I jokingly call ours Project Forester 2.5RS. With the sway bars, intakes, strut tower brace, short shift kits, etc., it's fair to make that claim. ;-)

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Yes, there is already an STi model in Japan (STi II, to be exact) and the Type M looks like just a cosmetic tweak of that trim.

    Yep, the Forester is just a phat 2.5 RS. Same engine and tranny but able to haul lots of cargo and ride over big bumps. :-)

    What's next, juice? Project Forester WRX? ;-)

    Ken
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Courtesy of Japan (again they get all the good stuff!)


    http://isuzu-suvs.com/bighorn/bh07.html

    http://isuzu-suvs.com/bighorn/bh08.html

    http://isuzu-suvs.com/bighorn/bh09.html

    http://isuzu-suvs.com/bighorn/bh10.html


    -mike

  • joseph50joseph50 Member Posts: 235
    Hello,
    Any problems with going to 15" rims for snow tires for a Forester S? Someone on another board suggested "the narrower, the better" for snow.
    Thanks,
    Joe
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Anything under that hood scoop? :-)

    Are those HIDs, paisan?

    Joe: no problem at all, in fact the L models come with 15"x6" rims. The proper size is 205/70R15, so go for it.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Under the scoop is a TDI :)
    Projector HIDs :)

    They also have a $1000 KYB suspension upgrade for the trooper over there. External resivoirs :)

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, but the thing from overseas I'd want the most is the Jackaroo label from Australia. Love that name.

    -juice
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    image


    ...at 6-7pm Pacific/9-10 pm Eastern. Hope to see you there!

    http://www.edmunds.com/chat/subaruchat.html

  • ray70ray70 Member Posts: 18
    What has happened to the Forester classification? Last year, Edmund's classified it as a mini-suv and compared it to other mini-suv's. The write-up for the 2002 Forester lists it as a COMPACT AWD WAGON, but gives the same head to head comparisons with mini-suv's. The mini-suv's are car-based like the Forester. Whut's happenin???? I am afraid that this could hurt sales.

    Ray
  • jeijei Member Posts: 143
    I bought 15" steel "takeoff" wheels that are standard on the "L" model in the spring of 2000. They were under $20 each when they had a lot on hand in the port. See what your local dealer can do. Bear in mind that you may also need to get the center caps if you don't already have them, i.e. you have an "S" with alloy wheels.
  • suvshopper4suvshopper4 Member Posts: 1,110
    ray70: I was surprised to read recently in another edmunds thread ("I Don't Like SUVs, Why Do You?" I believe) that Forester promoter #1, juice, does not call the vehicle an SUV.

    ray70 again: Yes, I liked my '55 Pontiac too.

    ejp
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    classifies the Forester as a car, and therefore meets the tougher car safety standards.

    Bob
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Funny, I never considered the Forester an SUV either, though my wife says I'm in denial about that. I shopped it against the A4, Volvo XC, and Legacy GT wagons.

    Ed
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    is a station wagon. I was once giving a friend a ride and she said "I really like your new truck." Within a block (I swear this is true!) the low fuel light came on. Upon filling up, I discovered Rufus was in fact not anywhere near empty. This has never recurred. His feelings were obviously hurt being referred to as an SUV and I don't blame him.

    Ross
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Hope you gave him premium gas as consolation. Did you allow your passenger back in the "Car" again?

    Greg
  • maverick1017maverick1017 Member Posts: 212
    My 98L has been called a truck more often than anything else. I never refer to it as a truck or an SUV, but then again I don't call it a wagon either. Come to think of it I really don't know what to call it, its just my Sube.

    Mike
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    My 4 year old keeps asking if she can drive in the OB instead of the minivan. She's so smart....takes after her mom.

    Greg
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    No, I didn't want to spoil him. After praising the WRX seats I had to get him a moon roof - it could get expensive. Yes I did let her back into Rufus but she had to repeat 10 times "Rufus is a car, not a truck, ..." She has not repeated her egregious blunder.

    Ross
  • joseph50joseph50 Member Posts: 235
    "wheels," in my book.
  • judythjudyth Member Posts: 3
    Is the security light on the dashboard supposed to blink all the time when the car is turned off and locked and the keyless entry system is armed? I got my 2001 Forester eight months ago, and the light never blinked when the car was off, but started doing it all of a sudden.
    At the same time, the headlights stopped turning on when I used the system to unlock the car. I had the dealer reprogram the system, and they said the dash light is supposed to blink all the time.
    The information about this system in the manual is so confusing. (I love my car and never had any other problems with it.)
  • ray70ray70 Member Posts: 18
    Eric you remember what a 55 Pontiac looks like, much less own one, your dating yourself.

    It is obvious that we all have different images when we say SUV, truck, station wagon, etc.

    My wife generally has every day use of the family car (01 Forester) and I get to drive it on family outings. For thirty-years I have driven a pick-up truck to work and I equate a truck with a pickup (and cringe when I hear Paison call his Trooper a truck). I also think of a SUV as a a Wagoneer type vehicle (higher suspension, off-road capability). When we bought or Forester we needed a vehicle that could haul several passengers and on our Montana mountain logging roads. We also wanted something that would do well in snow and ice. We bought a Forester and it is exactly what we need. It is the best all-around vehicle we ever owned. However, we would not have looked at the Forester if had not been classified as a mini-SUV. I would never consider buying or driving COMPACT, AWD STATION WAGON for our mountain roads. Pure and simple we would not have looked at the Forester with the current Edwards classification. There are a lot of Foresters in town, and everyone that I know bought them because of their off-road capability.

    I have truly enjoyed Ross's pictures and the roads he has taken Rufus. I have also enjoyed the everyones offroad pictures. It strikes me that we all like to take our Forester's off-road, so I am surprised at your not wanting to call it a SUV.

    I truly hope that you don't hurt sales to other off-road enthusiasts.

    Ray
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    Thank you. :-) I must admit I did look at some of the mini-SUV types (CRV, RAV4, Grand Viagra, etc) but the more I saw of them, the more I wanted a compact station wagon. I love my Forester. Once or twice a year an extra 1" clearance and/or improved approach/departure angles would be nice. Most days an inch less clearance would be better. Overall, a great compromise between on and off road capability.

    Ross
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Ross: Was "Grand Viagra" a Freudian slip? ;-)

    Ray: My parents had a '56 Pontiac - that must count for something. Not much visual difference between the two IIRC.

    Ed
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    Nuh, I'm more of a Jungian these days. ;~)

    Ross
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
  • asplundhasplundh Member Posts: 27
    I have a 2002 Forester L and have approximately 4200 miles on it. My problem is that from day one I have felt that the alignment is off. When driving down the highway on a day with no wind if I release the steering wheel the vehicle drifts to the left. I have to drive with the steering wheel tilted to the right to point the vehicle straight.

    I have brought it back twice to the dealer. The first time they told me it was the tire pressure. But the problem remained. The second time they said they aligned it but it's still the same and is annoying. Does anyone have any suggestions. Could it be something else?

    Thanks in advance for any info.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    To the left? Alignment is off, then. It usually pulls to the right, with the crown of the road.

    To SUV or not to SUV? That is the question. Who cares? I love my Forester. I chose it because it was better than the SUV alternatives, yet does those SUV duties just fine.

    Sandy has been on the beach, farms & orchards, and on sand/dirt trails and never even lost her breath. Her 1000+ lb payload is hard to match, even for truck-based competitors. 150 lbs on the roof? Beat that!

    Oh, and put it all in a nice handling, user friendly package with full time AWD. Add a little Subie quirkiness, and fun bunch of co-owners, great support from SoA here and in our events, and gimme some Rally Bread on the side, please.

    -juice
  • suvshopper4suvshopper4 Member Posts: 1,110
    So, Juice, just to be clear: are you happy with your Forester?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'd be happier with a 250hp STi model...

    The wife could drive Sandy. Ain't life grand?

    -juice
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