Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Subaru Forester (up to 2005)
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
Bought it from Teague's Auto, all the parts, Dale was prompt and knowledgable. Good experience.
Installation was a breeze, partly because the oil filter is so accessable. I would recommend this mod before all others for anyone that's planning on "heavier" duty use.
Since we sprang for the gauge pack a few months back, we now have the ability to monitor the engine oil temp directly, and it stays in a very narrow range between about 80 C and 95 C (~176 and 203 F) with the oil cooler, even on very hot days towing in the hills, in traffic (return leg of our recent trip to the Black Hills, SD).
The wider track also plays a big part. I think the track is roughly .75" wider than last year's model.
Bob
The MTs on the other hand haven't been changed since the 70hp carburated 1.8l engines of the 80s on the subies. (except for the 22b, STI 6MT, etc)
-mike
Did I ever mention how my car-buying process is a long and agonizing one?
I'd install it at the first sign of gellation/sludge. In fact if you have a Toyota affected by that issue I'd recommend one.
Casey: I'm even worse, it takes me years to choose the right vehicle, and a dozen or more test drives.
-juice
-brianV
According to the Subaru factory parts specifier, the MT is brand new for '03.
If the AT were up to the task, I think they would've bumped the tow rating for both units on the '03. It doesn't make sense to have the MT rated higher than the AT. The new CRV jumped 1000#'s to 2500#'s now. I think that's why Subaru responded.
-brianV
-mike
C&D says ratios for 1st and 2nd have changed, but the rest are the same, as is the final drive ratio.
Either way, the weakest link in the powertrain is the clutch, and that is by design. Ever heard of complete AWD system failure? No? Exactly. A clutch costs a couple hundred bucks, a tranny is a couple thousand.
Bob will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the CR-V is rated for 1500 lbs, though with no trailer brake restriction.
FWIW, UK Subies are rated to tow 1800 kg even without trailer brakes, or 3960 lbs. Subies have also won multiple trailering awards in that country, including the new H6s.
So that's why I agree with paisan on this one - the US rating has more to do with lawyers than engineers.
-juice
-juice
That 1000 pound trailer brake restriction is in the Pilot owners manual. I haven't seen the CRV owners manual, so I don't know if there is a trailer brake restriction or not. I find if hard to believe that the CRV wouldn't have that restriction, and the Pilot does.
Bob
I use a Garmin GPS III, and usually have the moving map displayed. Problem is, I can't see lat/lon coordinates unless I switch to another page, and the font is too small to read while driving. Darn these bifocals....
So, when I'm off the beaten path and need to keep track of lat/lon, I have a Magellan GPS 2000 set to show the lat/lon in nice large font.
But since the Garmin map doesn't show many of the old roads I use, I also carry hard-copy maps and aerial photos in the pax seat for reference. :-)
I do have a third GPS unit, a DeLorme, but I only use that one if I'm traveling with the laptop computer -- something I avoid because the laptop isn't quite as rugged as the Forester when it comes to bouncing over ruts and curbs. ;-)
(And yes, friends and family do consider me eccentric -- and not only because I drive a Subaru!)
:-))
Scott
Thanks for the clarification. I bet the change in the gear ratios is what prompted the "all new" label from the parts specialist. I'm inclined to agree that the MT has been evolving over time, rather than experiencing a complete redesign.
FWIW, I specifically asked if the new '03 pressure plate and clutch disk would fit an '01 and was told "No". They might have been leading me around by the nose, but I didn't get that sense at all. I think they may have changed the number of splines.
As to the CRV tow rating, I'm certain the new model is rated to 2500#, but I can't remember where I saw that. I think it was CR. The old one was rated to 1500#.
Sorry for the confusion.
-brianV
I have this vision of driving up a very steep hill in the rain with a 2000 lb trailer on the Forester. I make it over the top of the hill. Now I'm going DOWN the very steep hill in the rain (or is it snow? sleet?) with 2000 lbs of uncontrolled weight behind me. I step on the brakes (hard? gentle? might not matter...), and the trailer starts to fishtail out from behind. Think quick.
If it were all about dry, flat roads, it probably would never matter. I found myself on Long Island today (known for it's flatness) and still found myself in a 45 degree local street.
In fact, my brother-in-law had a brand new car totaled once by someone who burned up her brakes coming down I-70 into Denver - took the next exit, ran a red light and hit him. He was lucky to walk away.
Although I can understand some members of this board, having reasonable concerns about the cost of class I trailers doubling when you add trailer brakes, in a lot of circumstances it just makes sense. Depends on where you live I guess and what the conditions are.
Trying to control a 2000# unbraked trailer with a short wheelbase 3200# car/wagon/suv in steep terrain or under windy/slippery conditions could get dangerous. I just don't like the proportions - the trailer weight is too large a percentage of the tow vehicle mass, and the wheelbase is too short to maintain leverage over the trailer's sway moment without trailer brakes.
Just my .02
My problem is the very limited availability of Class I trailers with brakes. As was just mentioned, it will increase the cost of these "inexpensive" trailers quite a bit, therefore no dealer will equip their trailers with brakes because they will become prohibitively expensive. The only way you're going to see trailer brakes on Class I trailers, is if they're required by law—which is unlikely.
Bob
Why? Under engine braking, all four tires would help keep speed under control, not just the front two. And this is really what you would need to do on a long down hill, else you'd bake your brakes no matter what you are driving (see Brian's post for an example).
Also, with all four tires providing engine braking, that divides the chore by four instead of two, so again you are less likely to skid.
In reality the ideal setup would be engine braking plus stability control, so you'd get assistance from the brakes only when needed, not all the time. This may be why the VDC wins towing awards in the UK.
I've towed maybe 1500 lbs behind the Forester, but I can't recall any long/steep hills except for a few short ones near my house. I just drive like a granny, taking it easy, allowing huge following distances and just driving smoothly. I've never towed in rain or snow, however.
-juice
-mike
Do you think AWD may contribute to stability in strong cross-winds too?
http://4x4abc.com/4WD101/need.html
With 4 wheel traction full-time you simply have a higher bank account of available traction. The example explains this concept very well. Rain, snow, and cross winds are when this extra traction is needed most.
-juice
-mike
Our FWD 626 was poor in the snow, mostly because it had lots of torque and an open front diffy. The front wheels would spin easily. It would also understeer even in the dry. Basically, the front wheels were being burdened with all the steering, all the acceleration, 90% of the braking, and 60% of the weight of the car. Tire wear was obviously much worse in the front.
My Miata (RWD) will spin if you so much as lift the throttle in a corner. It takes getting used to. Fun, though. But still, it's the driven wheels that tend to skid first. It's tuned for neutral handling, not under/over steer, but the throttle definitely can make it change directions.
My Subie carries neither vice.
-juice
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/Equipment/towing/index.htm
Apparently, the number of accidents involving towed vehicles is on the rise, as is the number of people towing various kinds of rigs.
So how do you make a link a link, anyway ?
Your auto should shift itself even if you use cruise, so you could, but I wouldn't. If you feel like the tranny is guessing (actually, learning the terrain), then disable cruise and add some throttle as you approach hills to get a head start.
Coming down a steep grade, you may want to use "3" to lock out overdrive for some engine braking. Just avoid riding the brakes, which could cause fade.
On those smallish mountains, I've found that usually just letting off the throttle is enough to maintain your speed. I have a manual though, and would some times use 4th on steep descents.
It's a nice drive. Pack a picnic and plan a hike on the way, to stretch your legs. The views are nice. Catch a sunset - they are priceless.
-juice
By the way, apparently the new software will recogonasize a link and turn it into a link for you without further todo. But hitting refresh still auto resubmits your last post... sigh.
<a href="http://www.edmunds.com">Edmunds.com</a>
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Visit vista points, have a light lunch in a nice spot... take in the scenery as much as you can. Listen to a good music. To me, nothing beats a good Italian aria among magnificent peaks and canyons.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
-juice
When I first posted after buying my Subie I mentioned that I'd be making a 1600 mi o/w drive "soon". Thanks to everyone who commented on how to drive during the break-in period. The trip hasn't occurred yet, but it looks like "soon" is going to be "soon", and I currently have 1600 mi on my car. Are there any benefits/risks to having the 3k oil change before/after I make my trip?
The < symbol is "less than" and the embedded code for it is to use LT (less than!) preceded by the ampersand & and followed by the semicolon ;
So this is what you would actually type:
<a href="http://www.edmunds.com">Edmunds</a>
to get
<a href="http://www.edmunds.com">Edmunds</a>
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
Doug: if you are going to be in the middle of that trip at 3000 miles, go ahead and change it before you head off. Subaru does not use a break in oil, so you don't have to wait until 3k for the first change.
In fact, I changed mine at 1k, and even now at 46k miles I'm routinely getting 24-27 mpg, so I must've done something right.
-juice
Meanwhile did everyone see the Road Test Follow Up: 2002 Subaru Forester S? We'll link on the left for newcomers to find.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Gene
Seriously, please fill it out whenever you see incorrect info or typos so the editoral folks can fix it. Thanks!
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
It is indeed possible to swap just the front speakers while leaving in the OE tweeters. In fact, I put in some 3-way Sony Xplods in the front and they work well with the tweeters. The tweeters, in this case, add more directional sound rather than supplement the high end.
Ken
Subaru says the ad was intended to depict a wild rabbit but is changing the ad anyway.
Link to Ad Age article
-mike
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
Similar to the Aztek, I don't blame the designers for an ugly vehicle, I blame the management who looked at it, checked it over, and then signed the papers saying "Yeah this is a great looking and great designed vehicle, let's produce it!"
-mike
Subaru Parts is good on price, but I've heard that they can be quite slow with delivery. They're just another Subaru dealer so you might want to call around locally and see what other dealers are willing to sell them to you.
Since my Forester came with the tweeters installed, I've never had the chance to really look at them. However, based on the other speakers, I'll bet they're made by Panasonic.
The front speakers on my 98 Forester are 6.5". I think they became smaller on later models. I purchased from Crutchfield and chose the "EZ Fit" models.
Yes, I have replaced my rear speakers as well. My rear speakers are 5" and I used Polk 501a.
Ken
Cobb has a great reputation as far as I know.
The basic speakers are cheap dual cones, but the premium sounds gives you true two-ways in the front, so I'm sure aftermarket two-ways will work just fine.
LOL, mike. It's PETA, not PITA, but I'm sure you meant Pain In The @$$! Hilarious.
But if it's a wild cottontail, what's all the fuss about? Seems like the animal rights groups don't recognize their rabbits.
Try parts@libertysubaru.com for a better price, they were consistently cheaper when I asked for quotes.
-juice
-mike
-juice