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Comments
I also did a home-made cold air intake, which some of you may find interesting.
-juice
What kind of mpg are you guys getting? I am hoping for at least 28 for the Forester S manual. I live at 5,000ft in dry air, does that influence my fuel efficiency? If so, does it make the mpg better or worse?
BTW, enjoyed your site, Juice.
_Katherine
I doubt the lean-burn 2.0 engine used in the C20 will make it here to the US. If anything, Subaru probably would bring a bigger engine (turbo or H6) for the Forester. Why? Probably because the US market tends to favor larger displacement engines with low-mid range torque. The 2.5L engine used in the Forester/OB and Impreza 2.5RS was designed more or less for the US market.
My long term milage is like 24.2mpg. I drive a Forester S 5-speed on mostly highways but I do drive fairly fast (75-80mph).
I'm not certain how altitude would affect milage. Your Forester is equipped with an air-flow sensor that tries to estimate the mass of air going into your engine. If it's doing it's job, it should recognize less air going in (high altitudes) and reduce the fuel as well. It might be a wash. Anyone else?
-Frank P.
The vibration sound that seems to be coming from the engine, or anywhere else in the car is likely due to the roof rack on the car. Take off the rack, and only use when necessary. This should fix the problem...
If your driving without the rack already, well sorry can't help you there.
I'm getting a solid 26mpg since April, so I'm more than happy. You'll appreciate the extra pep a 2.5l gives you over the mostly 2.0l competition.
Forester stands alone in its class giving good performance in unison with mid 20's gas mileage.
Dry air is always better than humid air, but high elevations means the air is less dense so you'd make less power. The engine has to work harder, but it will run less rich (i.e. less fuel in the mix). My guess is these will offset each other.
-juice
Stephen
(FYI,I have read comments on another list re what 'brands' of filters are best. For now I just want to verify that what fits the 2000 also fits the 2001.)
Also, has anyone heard of the release of Subaru's Dog Guard/Compartment Divider for the 2001 Forester? On 7/28 Subaru informed me via e-mail that "we expect to have this part available for dealerships to order by early September". Online vendors haven't replied to my recent purchase inquiries (I'm probably too early). Anyway, please let me know if any of you have heard or seen anything more than this.
Thank you.
One caveat: get the Subaru OE filter. It's just $4 from QSubaru and comes with a new drain plug gasket.
I know my instructions have a Fram filter, but I've changed since to the OE (a Purolator, BTW), since Fram actually has more complaints than most other brands, and you don't get a drain plug gasket with aftermarket filters. There is also no price advantage with those.
Follow the link above to QSubaru. Darlene can answer the dog divider question and offers the best prices to boot.
Congrats on your new Forester.
-juice
It's tough, but remember to break it in easy. I'm only half-way thru the 1000mi break-in.
-Tony
You got the premium? I'm so jealous of that moonroof. I wish they sold them back in '98! Darn nice color too!
-juice
Hendo
I add to it every week or two (50+ pages and counting), so if you ever take any real interesting shots, feel free to share them.
I'm proud to say I get over 300 hits per day!
-juice
If I said or did anything that helped you make up your mind, I'm quite pleased. I know you'll be happy with your purchase. Looking forward to seeing your photo on the Juice-Page. Sounds like you live in or near the mountains .. that should make for a fun winter.
I found out last winter that my 99-s will go through some serious snow. You've got a "LSD" so it should be even better. BTW some winter wonderland Soob photo's would be appreciated by a lot of people that frequent these pages.
-hutch
I doubt the warranty covers the paint, unless it's a flaw. But I would have the gearbox checked out.
BTW, lots of beach driving this past week, and plenty of photos coming soon to prove it. AWD rules!
-juice
I also drove the CR-V and preferred the Forester. You'll appreciate the extra torque and the handling.
Congrats, those premiums are sweet, with that huge moonroof. Check out this Motorweek review, they can't say enough good things about it.
It actually airs on TV, and I have it taped. If you ever attend one of the events in the DC area, I'll let you borrow it.
Also, grab the latest Consumer Reports. Forester is still their #1 choice.
-juice
Thanks,
Mike
Driving on the beach, OTOH, yes. Start here and follow the OBX link. Click on Next at the bottom of each page; there are more than a dozen beach driving photos.
-juice
-juice
BTW, my strategy is similar to yours and Kate's. My current vehicles were purchased with cash. I learnt this from my parents years ago. :-)
Drew/aling
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
Regards,
Mike
There are certain hard to quantify benefits with leasing. In some states, you can avoid a car property tax.
Plus, some residuals are heavily inflated, plus there are sometimes incentives for leases only (with no similar rebates on sales).
Generally, though, long term ownership will cost you less in the long run. That plus I heavily customize my vehicles, so there's just no way I'd let a 2 year old car with tons of add-ons go.
-juice
For me lease was never a good option because I
a) put too many miles on a car;
b)like to be able to customize the car
c) prefer to keep cars longer (8-10 years)
d) found that insurance rates are usually lower for owned vs leased cars -- at least was when I checked
e) just hate the idea of being restricted on wear and tear
It just so happened that for cars I liked there was no special deals offered at the time of purchase. Therefore I paid cash. To alleviate the opportunity cost, I usually start investing into a "new car fund" immediately after buying one. I invest monthly about the same amount that I would have paid if I financed the car at the ongoing rate at that time. That strategy worked very well so far. Sort of saving plan enforced by self-discipline.
However, if a very good financing rate would have came along, I would've financed instead of cash. One fellow reported on the Escape forum that he got Isuzu Rodeo at 48 mo 0.0% (zero-zero!!!) rate, with 0 (zero!!!) down payment! I'll take 0% rate over cash payment any day!
Good luck with your shopping! If you can find a Forester for 2.9% finance rate, let me know, I'll get one for my dad.
Get one for your dad? You must be pretty generous to family members. Hey - I'm your long-lost cousin juice, remember me?
-juice
Thanks,
Mike
It can be ordered with the kit installed - or you can add it to a car on the lot. A dealer will install it for you - but that's no fun!
-Brian/subearu
You can get the upgraded speakers and tweeter kit from a subaru parts wholesaler (like QSubaru -http://qsubaru.homepage.com). They are real easy to install (no need to remove the door panels!!!).
I went aftermarket (Crutchfield) and install was easy, or you can shop your local stores and get sometimes free installation to boot.
I don't know how the upgraded speakers sound. I upgraded the 4 speakers (doors) and the base cassette player with a single CD player. Sound is very good, even with low-end equipment.
-Tony
Mike
Those are all nice "creature-comfort" features, which is where the extra $2000 goes, not just the LSD.
If you don't need or want all those features, a Forester L (without the LSD) will work just fine. There are many non-LSD Subaru owners who are very happy with the traction they get. The LSD is extra traction insurance for the worst traction surfaces. If you want maximum traction, then LSD is what you want.
Bob
The Forester is more comfortable (except maybe the rear seats), more powerful, and offers more features. And, it handles much better, and is a better touring (highway) vehicle.
Also, since you're concerned about traction, the Subaru is also the clear winner here too. The CRV uses a on-demand 4WD, meaning it is front-wheel drive until it senses slippage. That means it is constantly going in-and-out of 4WD in marginal traction conditions. There is no LSD offered.
The Forester is always in 4WD (or, if you prefer AWD). There is always some traction going to all wheels -- all the time. The power may shift front-to-rear (and with LSD equipped models, left-to-right in the rear), but you always have some power at all wheels, all the time. This is a much better system than the CRVs in poor traction conditions.
Bob
Best of luck!
Drew/aling
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
Hey, I had a Camry too ('99 XLE V6 - fully loaded), but I gave that up about 11 months ago partly for something better as I was not happy with its performance in the snow for my area.
Hope this helps!
Drew/aling
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
Bob
Congrats, and please come back and post impressions after driving it for a while.
Susan: Go for the S Premium. I'm so jealous of that moonroof! 12 years from now you'll still be glad you paid the extra cash. You'll enjoy it for years and get better resale in the end.
I've driven my L model on soft sand and traction was great, and the rear LSD just adds an extra margin of safety. I also drove a 2000 S model at Edmunds Live and it walked right through the off road section without even bottoming out.
-juice
Go for the S. While the styling will get old in time, the more useful features will last. It just dawned on me the other day that I may be lazy enough to want more of those luxury items by the time I've driven my car into the ground. I may be in my 40's and things like heated seats may be more important to me then. ;-)
The April 99 issue (which rated all 2000 models) listed the Forester as their #1 pick of 'Small SUVs.'
Have you seen something more recent?
The current issue updates both reviews if you'd like to read more about it. The last review of the CR-V was with 20 less horsepower, and their previous Forester had the Phase I engine with 4 lb-ft less torque. Their ratings didn't change much, though both were quicker.
With the radical departure for the 2002 Impreza, some people may prefer the current conservative look over the new styling (though I have not seen it yet).
-juice
PS Check out my short shift kit - I used the lever from the SPT kit, and it fits. Look here and follow the link
The Bravada and the Forester are definitely (2) different vehicles. The Bravada definitely feels more rugged and solid, but, of course the downside is weight, lower gas mileage, etc. I do like the way the Forester steers, very easy. My wife and I took road tests on two separate occasions. We tried it up hill. Pulled out into heavy traffic. Road in the back seat (had to make sure the front seat was not all the way back). Still would have liked a 6 cylinder, but, I think we can manage with the 4. Very torquey off the line. I got the Premium Sound System III, which I hope is much better than the stock system. Any experience with this sound system? I will update my impressions when I get the vehicle in late November.
The Forester is really just a wagon that performs truck functions fairly well, without most of the trade-offs. Thing is, that's exactly what most people need.
The engine is easily modified if you want more power. I've routed a cold air intake from the fender well. Graphs I've seen show that air is 10 to 15 degrees cooler (and more dense) than in the engine compartment.
Lots of folks do the UR pulleys, though reviews are mixed. You can also do the exhaust, but it can get pretty loud (boxers growl nicely, though).
If you really want to go farther, Minnan makes an intercooled supercharger for a claimed 230 horses, all in a 3125 pound vehicle!
Premium sounds is better - you get real two-way speakers instead of dual cones, plus a tweeter in each front door, and the sub woofer under the driver's seat. The reception of the stock head unit (80 watt Clarion) is excellent - much better than my wife's Mazda.
-juice
Thanks,
Mike
Carlex supplies windshields to several japanese manufacturers, including Subaru and Mazda.
-juice
I agree with juice. I actually just had the windshield on my 98 Forester replaced. During the two years of it's life, it was hit by countless times by pebbles and other debris. Given the upright position of the glass (and my following too close to the vehicle in front of me) I think it's inevitable. There were some times when the impact sound was so loud I thought it was over, but when I looked all that was there was a tiny scratch.
The one rock that did my windshield in hit VERY hard right at the bottom of the passenger side. It left a 1" crack that quickly grew to about 18".
I had it replaced with a Carlex windshield.
Ken