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Comments
I saw the geezer anthem on a t-shirt recently. It read: At my age if it doesn't hurt it doesn't work.
I just had to share.
Gene
Mike
Mark: Subaru is your destiny, because you have two Ks in your name. Just thought I'd share that.
That Mitsu just co-starred in 2 Fast 2 Furious, I bet resale values jumped up. Your timing was off a bit.
When the first movie came out, prices on Supras surged.
-juice
I paid $66 per tire for my Contis from Tire Rack back in March '03. They were up to $79 last time I checked their website. I'm very pleased so far.
juice:
I got 32.00 MPG (once, and only once) on my '01 Forester S 5 speed. I just cracked 30 two other times.
Len
Just wanted to say a quick "thank you" to all you folks out there for all of the valuable info on this site.
I've had to put up with a 'shuddering' clutch on my '02 for all of last winter and to a lesser extent into the spring. It didn't like cold and wet.
The dealer kept saying it was 'normal' and would eventually go away. Of course it didn't, and at 20k I finally decided to look into it myself.
Thanks to this site and the many informative discussions (when they're not over my head) by people like 'mckeown, ken and juice' , I was able to get hold of Subaru's TSB and, with the TSB and an e-mail from Subaru in hand, I drove into the shop.
Even though it had been one of the hottest days of the year so far, the service manager said he was able to verify the problem the next morning and the matter was resolved without any hassle. They installed a new clutch assembly a couple of days later.
Funny thing is, the service manager claimed he never saw this TSB before I showed him my copy. He may be telling the truth, of course, but if he is, it doesn't say much about Subaru's effort to keep all of its dealers informed.
Anyway, thanks again and keep up the good work.
Harry
Len
BTW, I have full coverage with no deductible. Thanks for any advice.
My '02 MT has consistently been over 25 mpg in the summer months. In fact last 2 trips from NJ to Albany scored 32.5 and 32.7. Winter (oxygenated fuel) is a different story. Just to get to 25mpg then is a pleasure.
Oh yeah.....over 30 (getting old) Long ago. I had my 1st set of Mickey Mouse ears (felt one's) up until 1985 when one of our dog's at the time, chewed them. Also remember things like Kokla, Fran and Olly, Your Show of Show's and Flicka.
Another XT review anyone? Forester gets frisky (Globe & Mail)
Oh, chat in 5 hours; you've been warned :-)
Steve, Host
So, with this oft-repeated desire to move up-market, what does Subaru do? They refuse to sell popular, extra-cost features (sunroof, leather) to U.S. buyers who prefer 5-speeds, that's what! And if that weren't enough, they refuse to bring other desirable features (dual-range gearsets, self-leveling rear suspension, HID lights, and so forth) to U.S. buyers even though they're all on Foresters sold nearly everywhere else.
Upmarket, indeed! Can we spell schizophrenic?
jb
Not enough demand? Rubbish!
Bob
John
http://www.mnchopshop.org/images/TSB-03_51_02.jpg
It's still in msg 11017..........Regards...
And (with the XT's 4.44 final drive) just too short for most on-road conditions. In other words, the XT's existing transmission and final drive ratios leave a lot to be desired. The worst of the compromises could be readily remedied with either the 6-speed or the 5-speed-plus-dualrange.
jb
I truly hope they've gotten it right this time.
Len
Also, don't forget about traditional "shopping." By that, I mean stopping in stores if you happen to be near one and asking if they've got any closeouts or clearance items for sale. Our local GGuys and Tweeters have clearance table set up near the entrance, and most of the stuff is NOT returns, but discontinued items. The progress curve over the past several years means it's hard to find bad things if you stick with reputable mfrs - but easy to find bargains if you take the time to look. Have at it!
BTW, my amp arrived today and gets installed Saturday. Can't wait to hear how things sound after that. Happy weekend to all!
PS - Won't SOMEBODY take a stab at telling me how I might move my driver's seat back further on the rails that look long enough to handle it?
Just in case you find yourself in a chat room alone, check to see if there are multiple rooms on the drop down list at the bottom of the chat window, then click on the first one. That's where the Crew is meeting.
Steve, Host
okay,,its a stretch, but eventually we get to the "money for nothing and chicks for free" refrain.
Ever since bob pointed out that through-the-moonroof pic on the SoA website of the Forester XT premium package with the MT, I am a man on a mission! The roads in my neck of the woods cry out for an MT with serious grunt behind it...my driveway is 1 mile straight up at 15 degree grade, with 3 tight hairpins.Likewise, miles of roads without streetlights or city light pollution makes for unbelievable nighttime driving with the roof open. Somewhere , the car in the photo exists..perhaps a secret mission to FHI is required.First, I better go check that photo to see if its a right side driver vehicle that was flipped for the SoA page ...whahooo!
Mark
Jim
How secure is Forester against the theft. Is audio alarm worth having and if yes is it better to go OEM or after market?
Also, there is no any "smart/computer/chip" protection offered. Does it mean that it's difficult to steal as it is right now, or it is protected good enough by its "wagon-not cool" image
Thks,
Kid
Questions ( 2001 silver L 5-speed manual, 58,512 excellent miles):
1. Anyone else find that the windshield seems "soft" ? Seems sensitive to Maine gravel, sand, debris, flying lobsters.
2. Have had a chattering clutch in lower gears since day one. Dealers here and in N.H. have said
it's "normal". Is it a valid TSB for any year manual Forester?
3. Do tires on AWD 's wear faster than 2-wheelers in normal driving ? Very rapid wear and poor control in winter on the OEM Bridgestones Duelers (25K to the mark), replaced with Michelin Symmetrys now close to the wear markers. Do we have the wrong astrological signs ?
Any experience with the 'new' Michelin Harmonys (evals on Tirerack) ?
A big thanks to whoever suggested that I cut a hole in the soft OEM skid plate for oil changing.
It works ! And which engineer designs oil filters upside down or sideways ? Corporal punishment demanded ! Remember when (granpa) filters were near the top or side of the engines so that they could be replaced easily from the the top ?
60K on a 2001 is not above average for Downeast driving. Bragg one year, Knoxville the next, even N.J.
Thanks all.
Jim: I don't know about that too. I do know that the clutch was beefed up from 99 on. It would seem logical that they include the 98s too.
Kid: I think the OE alarm is just a motion sensor. If you're really worried about security, you're proabably better off going aftermarket. LoJack is probably the best kind you can get.
caperosier: The Forester windshield does seem more prone to chipping due to it's upright angle. My original one cracked and I had it replaced with an aftermarket one (the same company that supplies windows for US-made Subarus). This windshield seems to be holding up better.
I personally think AWD evens out tire wear since torque is delivered over more tires. The OE Duelers were not very good tires and were known for pretty quick wear-out. I'm not sure about the Symmetrys. Have you been checking alignment and tire pressures?
Ken
mark
Symmetrys rotated about 8000 mi, air at 32-34 for all 4 except carrying loads. Local tire store thinks that the Forester rec. pressure is silly, just for a soft ride. 28 in the front is too low, 38 in the rears somewhat high? Has that label changed in the 02,03 models?
I've read posts about windshield dings and cracks more than normal. Why would the same glass solve the problem?
How about clutch chatter?
Maine
-juice
While in Albany NY yesterday, I parked in the state garage and next to a fellow unloading his test equipment from a '02 S. Asked him if it was a Stick, he said YES, Asked if he has a clutch shutter problem, he replied NO. Asked if he has ever, Then he said, ONLY WHEN COLD. The dealer said this is normal and there was No Repair. I handed him a copy of the TSB. His eyes widened as he read and thanked me.
Subaru has a Loyal following, I would hate to see them lose it over things like this that they Can fix.
The MPG has been horible for the first 500 miles...like 17 MPG and that is with about 80% Highway driving.... what should I make of this... ????
Also was wondering if it is OK to place a tethered child seat forward facing in the middle of the back seat ??? The owners manual only talks about using the right or left but it has a back tether in the middle as well ...
If you have insights on wither of these please let me know...
Thanks,
JO
I remember awhile ago someone, possibly you, mentioned one and I think it was on the east coast somewhere.I would like to see if there is a Subaru powered drivers seat that I could convert to my 02 Forester. Either use a powered base for the oem seat or maybe a powered Impreza seat.
Thanks for any info.
Gene
http://www.fsautoparts.com/
Again, thanks.
Gene
Finally, I think they have written a TSB on the problem and the recommended parts for replacement.
Another problem I had was the windshield glass, had it replaced twice on my 98 and could have changed it out one more time, but i traded it in on a 2003 XS Auto. Of course the auto eliminated the clutch problem but don't you know the windshield cracked on the 03 at 2,000 miles !!
I guess my next Subie will be a 2004 auto with no windshield.
Ron W.
Re clutch (chatter, shudder, judder) If I come to a complete stop and wait about 5 seconds before moving, it seems to quiet things down. I had the same problem with the 91 Legacy only after 70k or so. I just figured it was a warped plate etc. As long as I "babied" it off the line it was ok.
I hope the dealer will work with me when I take the X in to discuss this clutch issue. It is the only gripe I have with the X after 11.5k
Happy commuting ALL. Bob L.
Jim
Bob
Our new van has one, and although I was a bit skeptical at first (hence the long delay, in part), it's actually pretty nice. The mirror dims on its own when you need it dimmed, and otherwise gives you a clear view to the rear. The compass function is a throw-in, but what the heck, it may come in handy on our mountain roads someday.
The price is a bit outrageous, but I used our Subaru coupons, so that our out-of-pocket was about zip. For ~$170 it's ridiculous, but for $30 it's a nice add-on. Picked up a few oil filters and a cabin air filter to round off the total bill to a multiple of $100... Spent a bit more than I might have over the internet, but it was worth the investment in my relationship with my local dealer.
Installation took all of 10 minutes, and that was with my 7 year old "helping"
The Subaru MC program is a major value-add to the car. But please don't tell them, or it may go the way of Patty...
-brianV, still in mourning at the demise of our special relationship with SOA...
Cheers
Pat
Doing my 10K service today and as I was rotating the tires I looked closely at all the CV joint boots. Noticed that the front right side inner boot seemed to have some grease on it. Further investigation did not reveal any split in the boot. The steering box is located just forward, a couple of inchs, of this CV joint and it had a rubber cap covering the spot where the steering shaft entered the box. The cap fits tightly to the steering shaft and rotates with it.
My question, at last, is whether anyone knows if this is supposed to be a sealed joint. I call it a cap because the bottom lip, the part that contacts the steering box, doesn't appear to have a tight seal. It is very easy to lift the edge up and feel around the steering shaft as it enters the box and all the grease that is packed in there. Seems like it might be susceptible to contamination.
Don't know if the thin coating of grease on the CV joint boot came from here or if was simply some undercoating overspray.
Thanks in advance.
For the engineers or pros: why make changing oil so much work? Filter overhead (always drips hot oil down my arm !). "plate" in the way of access.
Must be a K.I.S.S. way to design this. Oil changing is now just about the only thing we hacks can do to keep a car running.
Windshields: is there such a thing as "soft" glass ?
On mileage, your Forester's mileage should improve after the vehicle's ECU adjusts to your driving after a few gas tanks.
-Frank P.
Mark
-brianV (removing foot from mouth...)
1972z: how does the other side look?
We had an axle boot fail on our old 626, it was expensive for the dealer to fix it. The grease ended up shorting out the 02 sensor, another repair bill.
So keep looking into it.
-juice