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Comments
I believe the Avid H4 is a good tire, but they don't seem to get very good ratings for snow. The lower speed rated Avid T4 seems to have better all-around performance but sacrifices the H-speed rating. Discount Tire sells their own brand of Yokohama Avid tire (I think they call it the YK420) and it's between the two. The price is usually pretty good.
For all around performance I would recommend the Dunlop SP Sport A2. It's relatively inexpensive, gets good ratings and performs well. I bought a set for my wife's 2000 Jetta GLS VR6 and like them. I believe they are a tad noisier than standard touring tires, however.
Another good choice would be the Dunlop Sport SP5000. It's a higher performance tire, but a favorite among i-clubbers for it's all-season traction.
For Bridgestone, you might consider the RE950 (gets about the same reviews as the SP5000) or the Turanza. The Turanza is Bridgestone's premium touring tire and has a lot of high-tech tread compounds in it.
I find that Michellins and Goodyears are a little overpriced for what you get.
Ken
Also, boxers have a very characteristic "burble". When attached to an aftermarket exhaust, they make quite a nice deep grumble unlike Hondas.
Ken
i do want to drive the 03, since i have read that it has had some suspension mods.
at this point, i am looking for any glaring reliability issues. so far, i have heard of NONE. that is a good sign!
thanks again!
I sure like the look of the blackwall tires. Much classier than the white-outline-letter Geolanders.
Bob
The Avid H4s are great tires. Tire Rack recommends them quite often.
Remember to go easy the first hundred miles or so on your tires. Brand-new tires need to be broken in until they start performing the way they were intended.
Let us know how you like them!
Ken
You won't believe what I saw today driving in California traffic. It was 2003 Forester XS but with so much aftermarket staff that I hardly recognized this car, even though I drive exactly one like that. That car had (I would guess) 19" or 20" low-profile tires on awesome polushed-aliminum rims. And that's not all, the windows were tinted in silver mirror color. Huge front aluminum polished grill and tail lights cover. And guess what else, 4 off-road lights on a top bar. This car looked so awesome so I wanted to do the same modifications on mine. I check Net, but couldn't find anything similar to what I saw today. Does anybody knows where I could get this kind of the staff? I will be appreciated for any respond. Leo
I agree that the blackwalls look 100% better than the white letters. That's why I had mine taken off the rims, reversed and remounted when my '01 Forester S was 2 days old. I didn't do that with my wife's '02 Outback, but I wish I had. Now I'll just wait until it's time to replace them. BTW, my Geo's are at almost 46K (probably 80% highway driving) and have worn beautifully. I guesstimate that they have perhaps another 10K left in them. They've been run at 32 PSI all around, and rotated every 5K since new.
Len
Can we please have simpler color selection in the Forester line?
Cayenne Red in the XS would be hot. A completely Woodland Green monotone Premium would be Waldenesque.
While I love the Black Java Gold, the grey interior, well, one comment I heard was that it felt like being in a hearse. Maybe a darker grey interior, more towards charcoal? And that Silver Metallic Premium with gray interior is too silvery.
So, for next MY, here are the LOU approved colors.
Ice Blue Pearl with grey interior
Seamist Green with grey or beige
Java Black Gold with charcoal interior
Keep the Cayenne Red, Aspen White, Woodland Green, and Silver.
The Ice Blue would replace pacifica blue.
Lou, who wonders how he would look in a Woodland Green XS Forester...
You forget one thing. Where it is really hot and sunny 80% of the year, you want white, light grey, silver, light blue/green etc. as exterior colors, and nothing but a light gray/beige interior. And Texas, California, and Florida (sorry Arizona and New Mexico) make up quite a bit of the US population (which compensates for the lack of snow in these areas).
- D
Just remember what Henry Ford said: You can have any color you want, as long as it's black! (I think he was talking about the Model-T.)
Let's be thankful for choice -- and everything else! Happy T-Day, all!
tidester, host
I hope you remembered you are what you eat.
lol
I get frustrated when manufacturers start making choices for me. XS premium? No, I want a manual. So I will need to go aftermarket for a sun/moonroof and leather. Wait, rumors are the turbo will only be available in automatic. Argh...
VW Jettas and Golfs are available with 4 different engines, 5 if/when the R32 comes over.
I know, lower sales numbers means less choice, still -- I can be wishful.
Happy Thanksgiving, and don't go cold Turkey on all that seasonal food.
I greatly like the dark brown/beige in my dark green '01S. With a little toy stuffed racoon sitting up on the dash (putty on his butt to keep him in place), my favorite skinning pocket knife in the dash storage bin, a sticker of my favorite sports team strategically placed, I feel like I ride comfortably in my private, cozy little den; great for arriving at any destination in a relaxed frame of mind.
Thanks for the input!
Some other members have their windows tinted and they have stated that the a/c unit has to be kept at a low setting or they freeze (? Juice).
Just my $.02--Michael
Husco makes armrests that fits most Subaru models at prices in the 60-70 US dollar range. I have one, and the sliding feature is very worthwhile. It can be moved out of the way when not used. Unfortunately, they do not yet have a design for the new model. They do custom work and may be able make one, but you would need to talk to them. They just came out with a design for the WRX, so I imagine they are working on the Forester also.
http://www.husco.com
Len
Come to think of it I never saw silver for cars till Hondas had it in the 70s or 80s.
I almost bought a blue X with the manual tranny but when I made up my mind the next day they had sold it. The dealer got me a silver one from another dealer in the region.
allsubaru.com is another Washington (state) based online vendor which is an arm of a local dealer. For those of you in the NW, you already know that allsubaru.com is run by SubieGal (illustrious and well-known rally enthusiast in these parts) out of Carter Subaru in Seattle. I'm sure you'll get excellent customer service because Jamie is a dedicated Subaru enthusiast. She has her own website and message board and is a prominent forum moderator on the NASIOC boards (the "old" i-club ...won't get into that controversy, though *laughs*)
Click here for arm rest extension description or go to www.allsubaru.com and navigate to the proper page.
--'rocco
The car was packed—I mean PACKED! The cargo area was almost totally blocked. With 4 adults, and gear, I'm sure I was near the Forester's payload limit. The rear sagged just a tad, so I wished we had the (not-for-America) self-levelling rear suspension.
We had snow up there. It was 20 degrees when we arrived, and there was snow covering the ground. It also snowed yesterday, while we were visiting the Howe Caverns just west of Albany. The (so-so snow-rated) Avids did fine. I didn't push them, (to test their limits) as I had family aboard; but they seemed to handle the light snow just fine.
The car is a MESS! Road salt up the wazoo! Need to take it to a car wash—soon...
BTW, as I was fueling up the Subie, upon leaving Hunter NY for home, some guy pulled up along side of me at the gas pump in a brand new—and clean as a whistle, 6-speed Mini Cooper S, the supercharged model. He cetainly wasn't driving in the snow! My wife and daughter want one!
Final trip comment: I sure wished the Forester had a turbo. The car was somewhat taxed going through the mountains. We drove through the PA mountains too. I would have loved to have another 40 or so HP! With all that mountain driving (from MD to NY, via PA), and heavy load, we barely got 21 mpg!
Bob
I don't want to take away silver. I agree it is one of the best colors out there. For the past 12 years I have driven a silver car. I'm just a bit tired of silver. Honestly, though, the best looking Forester XS Premiums are the Silver, followed by the Black, then Red and finally White.
I'm still Subaru-less. Apparently, all this Zero percent financing and rebates have dropped the value of my car like a rock.
I was at three different dealers this weekend to no avail. One wanted a "firm commitment" to buy before he would appraise my used car. I laughed and said how much car I can buy depends on how much cash I have, and how much cash depends on the value of my car. He came in $1300 under KBB.
(and that's KBB for "rough" condition since the car is mechanically solid, but has some scratches and dings)
Another had an '02 Blue Forester S, 5 Speed, in clean condition with 11,910 miles. He was asking $18,886 and was offended when I pointed out _his_ newspaper ad offering a new 03 Forester X with automatic for $100 more than that.
I was also told by a dealer that my cars value would continue to drop. Guys, nothing from nothing is nothing.
So, I wait... some would say like a Vulture...
- Lou
Next, recommendations on dealerships. I live in Rhode Island and will probably buy from either Anchor or Somerset (mainly because they are the closest to home or work). Does anyone have any experiences (good or bad) with these dealers? Are there other recommendations for dealers in my area?
I am totally new to Subaru, so all help is welcome. Thanks.
Since you are new to Subaru, I would recommend you talk to Paul or Bob. They are both long time salespersons there, and are very knowledgeable. Paul (Furtado) has always been our salesman and has done a very good job meeting our needs. He is very straightforward and honest.
As far as options go, I would try to find a vehicle they have in stock, or coming in, that meets your needs. That's where the best prices are. If you have them, or any dealer, add options, the price becomes less good since they have to pay their folks to install them. When push comes to shove the prices are better when the options are factory installed.
We like the armrest extension, and you will probably find many vehicles that already have it.
Don't forget that you can always buy options after the fact through the Internet, at prices close to cost, and install them yourself. Subarus are pretty much set up from the factory so that all normal options can be easily added.
Good luck!
Regards,
Frank
In my opinion the arm extension is a must have. I can't imagine not having one. The in stock model I bought already had the auto dimming mirror installed. It's not something I wanted, but came with the car. Even though I had a negative attitude about this feature from day one, I've really grown to like it. I've almost forgotten what it's like to have glaring headlight reflections in the mirror.
Ironically, the rear net, something high on my list of wants, is mostly a hindrance and a nuisance to me, and I generally keep it unhooked. Go figure.
I like this car quite a bit and have never for a second regretted my choice of vehicles.
-Frank P.
-mike
-Frank P.
(Please note -- the poster may have already gone nuts.)
I drove my 2002 Subaru Forester S to North Carolina this weekend for allergies, traffic, too much food, and excessive holiday activity planning by the wife. Happy Friggin' Thanksgiving. I wouldn't feel so bad about it, except for the fact that my Forester's HVAC CLICKED all the way to and from my various holiday destinations.
Mind you, it wasn't just the occasional click of the fan or something. It was a click-click-click-click -- GOD! I'M HEARING IT NOW IN MY OFFICE! -- from underneath the passenger-side dashboard. Could it be a leaf stuck in the filtration system underneath the glove compartment? Is a fan going bad? DEAR LORD, WHAT IS CAUSING THIS ANNOYING SOUND?
I had to run the heat all weekend -- it was cold. But, was it better to run the heat and hear the click -- ARRRGGGHHH!!! -- or turn it off for sanity's sake and just drive trembling and cold while I followed the wife's itinerary? I ran the fan at 1 all the way to 4 and the click just got slower or faster. The faster we drove, the less I heard, but that could've been wind noise drowning out the...no...I won't say it again....I have work to do.
Please...what can I do? Tell me...before...what's that? Is the vent in my office clicking now? NOOOOOOO!
burnsmr4
As an aside, when I'm on a road trip, I seldom use the fan for heat. I find that with the setting on outside air and the temp control set to heat, that there's sufficient airflow to maintain a comfortable cabin temperature.
-Frank P.
Lots of things are un-necessary, (Moonroof, power door locks, leather, heated mirrors, rear wiper, etc. etc) but for $150 it's a worthwile option, IMHO.
-mike
-Frank P.
-mike
I'd even put a diffy protector on if I thought it would help.
Gene
-mike
burnsmr4
P.S. - Insanity aside, I did notice that the cabin air filter is supposed to be changed every 7500 miles, according to the manual. True or not? If true, why come those goofs at dealership no change it out nearly 7500 miles ago during my first 7500 service?
Gene- I've driven I-81 north from Syracuse in the winter several times (lake effect snow belt for those unfamiliar with the local geography) so I can relate to what you have to deal with. With the cold temps up there, the heater + fan is a must. The heated windshield on the XS is also a definite plus. Further south in more moderate climes, once you've cleared the windows and warmed the cabin interior, the outside airflow generated by 70 mph is usually sufficient to keep the windows clear and cabin warm. An exception is when it's 50s and raining. Then you pretty much have to use the AC to keep the condensation off the windows.
-Frank P.
I asked about the cabin air filter when I got my car serviced yesterday as I drive in dusty conditions frequently. Dealer says they remove and inspect. If mildly dusty, they use an air hose to blow off the dust or replace if needed. It involves removing the glovebox.
Cheers
Graham
If you ever look at a filter after about a year's use, you'll appreciate what grime it stopped for you.
Ken
After six months of researching and comparing cars, we finally have our new Subaru Forester XS! Thanks to everyone on the CR-V and Forester boards for your input. I would never have thought of getting a Subaru if it weren't for your suggestions and comments. We decided on the Forester because of its excellent safety ratings and bumper crash tests, good reliability reputation, true AWD, sporty handling, cargo space, great rear visibility and parking maneuverability. It's perfect for our needs for city living. We were initially considering the CR-V, but the poor rear visibility and bumper crash tests swayed us. The Element sounded interesting, but again would have poor rear visibility. Plus for both of them, Honda dealers aren't willing to budge off MSRP.
We got our Forester XS for $300 over invoice. Not bad for the Bay Area. I researched prices using Edmunds, and used the Subaru.com website to check inventory at each dealer. I found that in order to get the options we wanted, it was better to get a car already loaded with everything rather than add on only the things we wanted to a base car, because they charge much more to install options at the dealer. I called Carlsen Subaru and they quoted the $300 over, which was the best price I got among the various dealers. Ron Price had the car in stock closest to what we wanted, so I had them match Carlsen's price.
So we got a silver XS with automatic, upgraded sound package, armrest extension, autodimming mirror, security system, bumper cover, splash guards, and tailpipe cover. To that we added a tow hitch (for our bike rack), air filtration, cargo tray and wheel locks. Sweet! I have to say, even though we weren't looking for the premium stereo, that and the sporty handling makes it really fun to drive the car, and we fight over who gets to drive the Forester instead of our RX300.
The Tri State run sounds like fun.If you go into Canada from Niagara Falls for the Casino etc. be prepared to be checked out closely. I won't be able to meet the group but you should check out the Dinosaur Barbeque in Rochester. They are famous in Syracuse and Rochester.
Have fun and bring your warm clothes. How about a spring fling kind of drive?
Gene