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Granted you may enjoy the Forester, and the way it rides/handles. But for me, the E46 handles amazing well and the X3 handles like an E46. The Forester isn't quite in the same league although I do think the ride/handling is good enough.
Is it worth the money? I guess that all depends on what your priorities are.
Bob
That is a question one always asks themselves about any purchase, not specifically related to BMW.
For example, I had to ask myself if spending the moolah for an vehicle without a 5 speed auto, no steering wheel controls and leather really worth the money?
Not according to the sticker on my '06 X.
IINM, window-tinting standards differ by state, not vehicle type. For instance, New York allows much darker tinting than does Connecticut.
Bob
If you can find a new SUV for $15k that's even close to as good as the Forester then you should buy it :P
-Frank
Actually, that's exactly why they don't tint passenger cars because tint standards vary by state while tint for trucks isn't nearly so regulated.
So what does your sticker say?
-Frank
After getting geting home with my new car, I relized that the delivery of my car was just gosh darn aweful. The moon roof had a grease streak down the middle, the back seat had soem dirt on it, PIN STRIPPing was done to the car (wasnt there 2 nites previous when I went to look at it), the front plate didnt have mounting holes for the license plate, no plate frame or anything was mounted for given to me, the applied window tint look like champagne in a glass.
If it wasnt for Subaru's saftey record, I would never had even thought about it. I will need to think hard next when comes time to replace my 06 Forrester. Sheeesh....
However, having said all that, I recognize that individual preferences and priorities vary so while the X3 may not provide sufficient dollar value for me, others will be perfectly happy with it.
-Frank
I can understand that statement and failed to take into account in my post that our values are different. I agree 100% with your bottom line. I would also say the X3 is a lot nicer than the Forester. That being said, I am in no way downgrading the Forester. They both are nice cars, but I believe you get what you pay for. Some people don't want to pay for it however.
-Frank
My wife has a Forester, I'm 6'1'' and have never had a problem getting in and out (except when she has the seat all the way up an all the way forward old lady style). Other than seat placement, I can't imagine why anyone would have trouble getting in and out.
Darn I wished I had known that before I went up the mountain coming out of the Tetons passing huge SUV's and trailers with my five speed (04) having no problems at all and just cruising...pulling my 18 to 1900 lb pop up camper. I would have never tried it...and missed all the fun...
Maybe the automatics are the issue. The five speed has a lot of guts. And the gearing must have been designed for towing a trailer... My girlfriend didn't like Foresters when we got mine a year ago. We are going to get hers (automatic) in about a week... Oh, and dogs love em. The deck sits high compared to other vehicles and a good size dog can see out lying down.
My Bulldog loves the back area as he gets a great view as well.
I can't believe how peppier the 173 hp 4 is compared to the 168 in my Outback. But I suspect the ride not as "car like" as Outback.
I can get the Forester X Limited with premium package for around 22,400, supposedly around $3000 less than list. Or, for $23,400 & I can get the 1.9 financing. How does that sound?
Comparing it to a 2005 Mazda MPV. Quite a few of those left over. Can get one quite loaded sunroof, auto doors, side air bags,, traction control, etc., for just about the same price. Still want the third seat option, which is not an option on Subaru, unless I spring for the Tribeca but too expensive.
Any comments???
Also, beware of extra charges like doc fees etc...
Does anyone know whether the $1,000 cash back will be extended past February 28th?
I am sure I could have gotten the price down at least to $22,000 or less, and probably have received one year of free oil changes also if I was persistent (with the high mileage I put on of approx 32k per year, that's worth a few hundred dollars.
1. Is that a good price?
2. Are bug deflectors worth puttin on?
3. When on, do they make a wistling noise as some others do?
4. Do they really keep the bugs off the windshield when driving?
5. Who has them on theirs?
Thanks for any information and thougths. I greatly appreciate it.
I had heard somewhere that Subaru was going to have a big March 06 sale of some sort. I am taking this as a hint...
I also tested a Mazda5, which is the only other model in serious contention at this time. The shifting on the Mazda was so much nicer, but we also like to be able to tow a boat, or at least stick our bike rack in a hitch.
Has anyone else debated seriously between these two models? I know they're very different and that the Subaru is objectively a better car, but my family is fond of the lower price and the cabin space for passengers in the Mazda.
Vanity-wise, I have to admit I'm not crazy about the Forester colors. Why did they get rid of the Acacia Green? I can say right now that if there had been an Acacia Green 5-spd on the lot that shifted like my old Forester, I would have probably driven off the lot.
Thanks for any help!
I would love to trade my 4Runner for an LL Bean Forester, but would wait a few months if there is an opportunity to earn some 'credit'.
2021 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4xe Granite Crystal over Saddle
2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Daytona Gray over Beige
2017 BMW X1 Jet Black over Mocha
Up to $500 per year, 3% of purchases. No annual fee.
Bucks are good for 4 years so you can save up to $2,000 towards a new car. Check the application for details as I am not sure whether current ownership is required or not. I do know that you can't spend the bucks unless the VIN number is written on the coupon.
John
While browsing at the dealer Sunday, read in peace, I noticed some cars marked "pre-price increase". Is this just typical dealer BS or is there really an increase coming? Since Subaru seems to be struggling, I would not think this would be a good move.
2021 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4xe Granite Crystal over Saddle
2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Daytona Gray over Beige
2017 BMW X1 Jet Black over Mocha
Is this price for an X Premium, or just a regular X? I'd be curious as to what this dealership is quoting for a base XT Limited in the automatic - does it say on the email??
I was also told there is to be a March sales event. The dealerhip near me ordered the XT Limited in the color I wanted and I'm waiting until March to buy it. Now wondering what they're gonna be offering as deals on the XT Limited in other parts of the country.
I could use this info to negotiate a better price, if one is to be had elsewhere. It's getting down to the wire now, so this info would be VERY helpful for me.
Thanks in advance,
Samantha
No word yet on March incentives, we should know later today.
Sorry about being misinformed, guess you can't always believe ehat you read.
2021 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4xe Granite Crystal over Saddle
2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Daytona Gray over Beige
2017 BMW X1 Jet Black over Mocha
So, my girlfriend was going to buy anyway and is now a very happy camper...
Au1944-the pre-price increase is not a dealer gimmick. All '06 Subaru models experienced a price increase of 200 on two different occasions.
Kavoom-If your dealer told you the X and X premium had a different rebate he is wrong. in the '05 models there was a distinction b/c the x premium was called the XS. In 2006 it is considered the same for incentives.
And here the Legacy GT owner are complaining that they can't go aftermarket for the stereos, so Subaru just can't win, I guess.
X3 handles slightly better, sure, but ride is extremely harsh. I felt every seam in the pavement on our drive at FedEx Field, and the one we had was not even the Sport suspension. And before you call me a sissie, I went home with the "Best Performance" award, that miniature orange cone they hand out at the end of their events.
The handling of the X3 is maybe 10% better, but the ride is about 30% more harsh. Too high a price to pay for most people.
Perhaps Subaru could offer a Sport package on the XT, with 17" rims and the suspension off the Cross Sport model in Japan.
-juice
I've now saved up $500 in Subaru Bucks, so that would have been a substantial discount on an '06 Premium. I may wait to see if the 07s get stability control and SportShift.
-juice
For another opinion and for what it's worth I couldn't disagree more. The Forester is a great car for the money and IMO the X3 is a better car for more money with much better handling and a much smoother chassis. Of course if one has only $25K to spend the point is moot, but for the additional $$$ you get a better handling car with more luxury features.... that may not be faster in the straight line. But so what?
Put it this way, a Forester can absorb a bump better than a WRX, but an X3 is not as smooth as a 3 series wagon. Perhaps it's the extra mass. At the BMW store, I'd get the 3er wagon instead.
The 2.5l model was a bit slow off the line, fine after that, but they dropped it anyway. The 3.0l engine is fine, no complaints there at all.
-juice
I live at 8000 feet and the model with manual transmission seems to have plenty of power for the type of driving I do. I had been planning to get a new car with automatic, since I'd like to eventually have a remote starter installed. (Remote starters won't work with manual transmission.) But I'm not sure how important the remote starter is to me.
My question is, will the automatic make a significant reduction in perceived power on hills and when passing? I told the dealer I may return to try an automatic but thought I'd ask for opinions here first. Has anyone here test driven both and decided to buy one way or another based on performance?
Having said that, auto starters burn a lot of gas. It only takes my Forester about 2 miles to warm up, and by then it's putting out good heat, even on a frosty day.
Consider the Premium package for the heated seats. Those warm up even quicker, by the time you're at the bottom of the driveway.
-juice
Personally, I go outside to warm my car up to defrost it in the morning but I'm only a few steps away from the back door.
That's interesting. I've been told by a Subaru salesman that Subaru doesn't make one. Here's a quote from his email to me on the subject:
"I just spoke with our service writer Chris. He said that Subaru does not make remote starters, and that he does not install aftermarket starter kits."
Raybear, do you have a Subaru remote starter in your vehicle?
As for the inside, a clean windshield won't frost up if you don't bring extra moisture into the cabin with you. Taking a big steaming open mug of coffee to sip during the daily morning commute is a very effective way to humidify the air and frost up the inside of the windshield.