Subaru Forester (up to 2005)

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Comments

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Sure enough, nothing you could have done. If you were hit on the left side, that pushes the rear of the car to the right, into wild oversteer. The corrective measure is to steer to the right, into the slide, but to catch a spin like that is nearly impossible.

    Have you test driven the OBS? How big was the smile on your face? That's how I like to decide.

    I actually test drove one a while ago. Nice alloys, seats, and the structure seemed real solid. It wasn't really any quicker than the Forester, and the carpets and sun visors are still a little cheap. But for the price, were else can you get 165hp, AWD, ABS, wagon, etc?

    If I had to replace my Forester today? It would be really tough, but now I'd be leaning towards a WRX wagon. At least until I see the 2004 Forester.

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Rachel,

    I can see where you're coming from. If I had to replace my Forester today, I would consider looking at other models too. Since you're plunking down more money, why not go for something different?

    The OBS may be a good choice. It certainly has more zip than the previous model and has similar functionality to the Forester.

    Like juice, I'd lean towards a WRX wagon given the current line-up.

    Good luck shopping!

    Ken
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Rachel,

    My condolences on the accident. Glad to hear you walked away safely. There's isn't much that I can add to the discussion except to say that the current Forester might be worth reconsidering if it wasn't at the end of its model run. Each year from 98-02 has added more content, with the 00-01 redesign being the biggest change. There are a few things on my '00 that were either not available or extra cost options on the 98-99s, and the 01-02s got even "more better."

    Without knowing what the '03-04 Foresters will bring and given that you need to get into another vehicle soon, one of the Impreza wagons may be your better bet.

    Good luck,
    Ed (occasional $0.02 added to Subaru Crew)
  • sweeneyjoesweeneyjoe Member Posts: 14
    I'm coming up on my second oil change mileage, and am thinking of trying to do it myself instead of trusting a garage. I'm sure this question has been posted before, but anyone out there have good directions and /or tips for changing the oil & filter. Thanks for your help.
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Good choice in doing it yourself. It's cheaper and you'll know it's been done right. Oil changes on the Forester are super easy. I think juice had some excellent documentation on it.

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Sure do, start here. There are 6 photos along with text to help you out.


    The only change I've made is that I no longer use FRAM filters. Stick with OE Subaru, Purolator, Champion Labs, or Car & Driver (found at Target). An oil filter study circulated recently and FRAM and Pennzoil filters were poor quality.


    -juice

  • maverick1017maverick1017 Member Posts: 212
    Well we are having some heavy downpours here in Buffalo today. After going through some major puddles which I can't avoid, there is a high pitched squeeling coming from the engine compartment, but it goes away after 15-30 seconds or so. My sube hasn't had a plastic sump guard since it got torn off on an off road trip earlier this year, never had a problem like this since. I am just wondering are the belts getting wet??, is that what's making the noise? if so, is it okay for the car?? I mean I know it can't be good in the long run. I do need to buy a replacement sump guard??

    Mike
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    wet belts? That was the first thing that popped into my mind when I started reading your post. Sounds good (oops, sorry) to me. Other ideas? I wouldn't think it would cause much trouble unless the belts are a bit loose and the water is causing added slippage. But then, what do I know?

    Ross
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I had a high pitch squeel on my trooper when it was @ idle, or idle-rolling speeds. Turned out that I had let the truck sit for a few weeks after 4-wheelin, and the mud/dirt had put some surface corrosion on the A/C compressor pulley. They re-lubed it and it was fine.

    -mike
  • jackleungjackleung Member Posts: 79
    Anyone can tell me if his/her Forester's seatbeat light will light up if not fasten it after starting the engine? Mine is not light up and I think it suppose to light up.

    Rgds,
    Jack
  • artdechoartdecho Member Posts: 337
    juice et al......pic is at mag-x

    http://mag-x.com/scoop/forester0109/index.html

    an evolution but looks pretty good to me.....hope there's a wheelbase stretch to gove some more back seat room!
  • sundhario1sundhario1 Member Posts: 16
    I was wondering if the Forester is suited for long hauls? I frequently take road trips and was wondering how comfortable the Forester was? Is the back seat too small for adult passengers for a long trip? Is the Legacy better for this type of driving. I do like having the storage space.

    I don't want the L (seat material is like burlap!), I'd probably spring for the S w/ premium package.

    Also is the Forester redeisgn for next year(2003) OR the year after that? If they're changing chassis to increase the wheelbase, I might wait.

    Thanks!
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Will be 100x more comfy for long-travel adults in the back seat. A few of my relatives were ready to buy foresters til they couldn't fit their full-sized kids in the back seat for extended trips.

    -mike
  • artdechoartdecho Member Posts: 337
    a cramped back seat is just about my only beef with the current forester....hopefully the new one will remedy this....hope they do a fairly extensive re-design as opposed to a warm-over..as mag-x site mentions, it's been five years since the original came out. would like to see a flat floor in the rear passenger space in addition to more room, as in cr-v, santa fe & triscape (even the civic sedan, for goodness-sake). i hope they price it more agressively too....still seems over-priced wrt the competition here in canada (27k to 36k, as opposed to 22k to 32k for most of it's competition). in fact, all subaru's seem somewhat overpriced here......maybe subaru canada doesn't want to absorb as much of the currency differential as other manufacturers do. as an example, in the recent sport& compact car comparison between the wrx(wagon) and acura rsx type s, it mentions a $325 US price difference between them (wrx is higher). in canada, the rsx type s (premium) goes for $31k and the wrx (sedan & wagon) go for $35k, a $4000.00 DIFFERENCE!!!
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Sundhario- The Legacy's additional inch of rear seat leg room will make a significant difference if you're transporting adults over long distances. Other than that, the Forester is an excellent long-haul vehicle.

    The latest info on the next Forester has it debuting in August 2002 but no solid details yet on what it will look like or how big it will be.

    -Frank P.
  • peterson10peterson10 Member Posts: 116
    As the lucky owner of both the current Forester and Legacy (OB) models, here is my 2 cents worth: the Forester is a great runabout vehicle, but is less well tuned to long highway trips. The Legacy provides better legroom, more cargo space, better sound insulation, flatter handling, etc. However, gas mileage is a bit better in the Forester (which IS a long trip consideration), and (oddly?) although they share the same engine and drivetrain, my Forester turns around 2800 rpm at 70 mph while my Outback requires 3200 rpm for that speed. I keep wondering how that might effect longevity if I keep both until the bitter end.
    Now go be good to yourself and buy a Subaru!
    Dave
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Mike: try spraying on some belt dressing to clean them. Then consider adjusting the tension on the belts.

    Sunny: if you can, wait for the new one. Should be improved, with more room. Currently, I'd go with the Forester if you have 0-1 kids, Legacy with 2 or more.

    I like that sketch of the 2003 Forester. Looks faithful to the original concept (small and fun), yet more aggressive. I hope we get the scoop, because that would mean a turbo! 2004, supposedly.

    -juice
  • raybearraybear Member Posts: 1,795
    A scoop doesn't mean anything. Look at the '97-'99 Outback and the Outback Sport.
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    True, the scoop in the 97-99 OB, OBS and RS was purely cosmetic, but back then, Subaru didn't have a turbo engine in the US.

    Now it does. :-)

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    OK, but they stopped the bogus scoops, so it does now.

    That is a publication from Japan, so the hood scoop reflects what they offer overseas.

    -juice
  • artdechoartdecho Member Posts: 337
    that's too long to wait for me......mag-x says it will be out in april 2002 in japan, so i was kinda hoping maybe july/aug 2002 here. do like the look though....stays true to the original but more modern or up-dated. pointy parts on rear lights look a little weird (could just be the illustration) but then it wouldn't be a sube without a little weirdness, eh?!
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    image


    ...at 6-7pm Pacific/9-10 pm Eastern. Hope to see you there!

    http://www.edmunds.com/chat/subaruchat.html

  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    Please remember that you should only post pictures in your message if you own them, or if they are public domain and not copyrighted.

    Thanks,

    Drew
    Host
    Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    or does the front bumper on the "new Forester" look too blunt and heavy for the rest of the car?

    Ross
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    No, you're right Ross, it does look out of proportion. Kinda like the front bumper on the Frontier. However, that's just a preliminary artist's sketch so the final product could look significantly different.

    -Frank P.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The Turbo will supposedly come for 2004 (per Automotive News). The new model does arrive next fall.

    I agree it's just a sketch to give you an idea of the direction of the redesign. Looking at it again, the profile is far too similar to the current Forester. It almost looks like a face-lift of the old one. Or like an artist sketched the old model with a few changes he knew about (headlights, taillights) thrown in.

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Or what a Ford Escape might look like if I rear ended it.

    Ed
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Ken-

    You'd asked during the chat 'bout replacement battery. I couldn't get the name out at the back of my head. Bad of me not to know what's in my OB.

    Anyway, I'm using the OPTIMA battery with good results over the OEM (and it's about 2" shorter too).


    http://www.optimabatteries.com/products/starter/index.asp


    Check it out.

  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    The OPTIMA battery is also badged under the name "Interstate".

    -Dave
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ed: ouch. Guess you're hoping it's not accurate, eh?

    I like it, but it could be more cutting edge. The sketch of the 2001 Forester, which turned out to be completely wrong, was better looking. More RX300-ish, minus the alien-like styling cues.

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    juice: Maybe I was too harsh but it looks like the artist took the existing car and:

    1) grafted on taillights from either the Highlander, Escape, or Nissan Quest
    2) drew on parts-bin Legacy GT wheels
    3) drew on parts-bin WRX or Outback foglamps

    The front bumper is too tall and devoid of contour.

    I guess my expectations would include more emphasis on fender bulges a la WRX, a bolder grille/front end treatment, and shorter front/rear overhangs. The more I think of it, the more the current Forester actually reminds me of a scaled down Land Cruiser (FJ80) and I would continue along the "little FJ80" theme. Beyond the badge, lower body cladding and nostril-like hood scoop, there is really no Subaru corporate identity to maintain.

    There's not enough deviation from the existing model in the drawing for me to get worked up about it. Some quality sleep may be in order for me.

    Ed
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'd like to see bigger fenders too, so more tire would fit in there. How about 16"s standard, 17"s optional?

    I think the actual production version will have more changes than appear in the sketch. I agree that the artist used the current model as a basis and tossed in rumored changes.

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Thanks for the battery tip, David!

    Ken
  • ursa_arctosursa_arctos Member Posts: 3
    Has anyone had problems with their clutch? My 2001 has had 2 clutches with only 37k miles. Most of the driving has been highway, and with drivers that know how to drive manual trannies. Also, has anyone smelled their clutch burning when the tires were spinning? This would happen to me on snow---my foot wasn't touching the clutch, yet a burning smell...
  • thecatthecat Member Posts: 535
    Has anyone seen the latest C.R.? They did a tire review and rated the Gdyr A.T.3's as poor in the snow. Oh Poop! This is in direct conflict with the data from The Tire Rack. Man, I'm bummed. Snow performance is the sole reason I moved from the Geolanders. Who is right? Only Jack Frost knows for sure. Stay tuned..........
    - hutch
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    Keep in mind that those Tirerack user surveys are really subjective since there is no scientific or objective basis of comparison, like what CR does in their measurable tests. That's why it's not a good idea place too much emphasis on them. If, for example, a person has really crappy tires prior to the Aquatread 3s, they would rate the AQ's as high and would skew the scores upwards towards "good"

    I went with the BFGoodrich Control T/A M65 tires since even though they weren't the top rated tires, they were rated good for wet/snow/ice traction based on C.R's tests, and had good overall performance. Winter performance (from last season) seemed to reflect CR's high score, and I was very impressed. The only down side to this was that there was so much grip that I couldn't do any proper donuts! ;-)


    For more information about tires, check out the Tires, tires, tires discussion topic in the Aftemarket & Accessories message board.


    Drew
    Host
    Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Drew,

    Good point about the Tire Rack surveys. One should look at the rightmost column and check the "miles reported". The higher the cumulative miles, the more data on a given tire. While the results are still subjective, it does help to know that the numbers reflect the opinion of many.

    Ken
  • scirocco22scirocco22 Member Posts: 721
    Do these come in Forester size applications?? ...well, specifically, 215/60/16? TIA

    --'rocco
  • scirocco22scirocco22 Member Posts: 721
    I guess that the M65's don't come in that size but the Control T/A M80's do. CR didn't rate the M80 but according to the BFGoodrich web-site information, it doesn't sound like the M80 will be as good in snow as the M65. Anybody have any experience with the M80?

    --'rocco
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Currently in the process of purchasing tires for my Sienna. It comes down to the M65s, Michelin Symmetry, Aqua 3s and Yoko Aegis. Since the M65s are not available in my size, and I am getting conflicting reports on snow and vibration from the Aquas, I am down to the Michelins and Yokos with the Yokos costing half the price and rated very high on CR. I am going to call tirerack directly and ask their opinions. Any opinions on these tires would be appreciated. Oh, and yes I checked the tires, tires, tires forum.

    Thanks,
    Greg
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Forgot to mention that Costco will install tires I purchased at tirerack for $10/tire and $1 for stems. Pretty good.

    Greg
  • joseph50joseph50 Member Posts: 235
    Hutch - I assume you mean Consumer Reports. The new October issue rates car batteries, but I find no tires report. Could you or anyone else please be specific about the exact issue and page number you are referring to?
    Joe
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Go to the web site "www.consumerreports.com". Not sure if you need to be a member to view the results.

    Greg
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Cal: that has to be a warranty issue. Some Subies have weak pressure plates and if you have clutch chatter from the start it was a bad clutch.

    My wife has BFG Comp T/A VR4s on her 626, and they're OK. Far better in snow than her OE Potenza RE92s, that's for sure, but still not great.

    I'm happy with my Nitto NT460s but would not recommend them for snow. The tread really lasts and they are quiet, plus handling in wet and dry is good.

    -juice
  • suvshopper4suvshopper4 Member Posts: 1,110
    joseph50: You can find articles in CR pretty quickly from the magazine (hard copy). They have an index in the back that shows what was reviewed and when (within about the previous 12 months). I go to the library (bricks and mortar) for this - they have all the back issues, and it is free (unlike CR's website research).
  • scirocco22scirocco22 Member Posts: 721
    Joe-- It's the November 2001 issue, pages 61-65. But none of the highest rated (especially for snow) come in the 215/60R16 *whimpers* I'll do some more checking.

    --'rocco
  • scirocco22scirocco22 Member Posts: 721
    The only other tire that scored well, overall as well as snow, in the November CR test that comes in the 215/60R16 size is the Kelly Navigator Gold (identical category ratings as the M65 but it's overall rating is just a shade less and it's price is just a bit more). It has a 70,000 mile limited warranty and is "S" speed-rated. http://www.kelly-springfield.com/products/auto/ngold.html

    --'rocco
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    with a Tirerack "consultant" I decided to go with the Yokohama Aegis LS4s. The person I spoke with had them on his Caravan and liked them and they were rated highly by CR. In addition, they were cheap - $49 with a grand total of $222 with shipping. $12/Tire for installation at Costco and I will be ready to go. I will keep you updated on their performance, especially after I drive to Disney in a few months!

    Greg
  • scirocco22scirocco22 Member Posts: 721
    Greg-- Good choice! ...too bad that they don't come in 215/60R16. *whimpers again*

    --'rocco
  • joseph50joseph50 Member Posts: 235
    Thanks to those who took the time to respond to my CR issue question - especially, to 'Rocco, who was most helfpful.

    Joe
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