Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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Comments

  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    image
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    lookin' good .... :shades:
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I look forward to comparisons between the old and new model.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Wow, so your "old" Forester is what year, 00-02 from the grille design? And you already have 150k miles? Wow...

    New one looks nice. The styled steel wheels actually don't look bad, and their color actuall matches the paint. Plus, now even the base steelies are 16" in size. You can probably skip on the alloys, IMO they already look good.

    You guys sure do have a thing for silver! :D

    -juice
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Yes, my Forester is 2001 but purchased in July 2000. This grille was introduced in 2001 as well as some other styling refreshing. Foresters 98-00 had different grille and different tail lights.

    About the "silver thing" - hubby is dead set for silver, but I was really ready for a red car this time. However, that beige interior that comes with a red exterior is a bit too light for my taste, and probably not as practical as a grey one.

    Plus, Crystal Gray was right there on the lot, and to get me a red one dealer would have to do a dealer trade. So, we'll continue with the "silver thing" for now.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    LOL, it looks planned!

    Get 4 more and you'll have Seven Silver Soobies. :D

    -juice
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Subaru Forester 2001 vs 2006

    To be honest, it’s hard to compare S Premium 2001 with all the options vs basic 2006.

    Main difference is PRICE. My 2001 S+ was >$26K out of the door in 2000, and this baby was only $21K (after all fees and taxes added… my county charges 8.75% sales tax – is it a highway robbery or what?) in 2006. It’s almost like deflation, in terms of $$$!

    Driving

    Here I’ll need a bit more time, to make a final judgment. F2001 S+ is very smooth in terms of automatic transmission, very quiet, maybe because (with 151K mi on it) it’s very well broken in!

    F2006 feels a bit rough around the edges, but then it only got 90mi on it and also has more rugged tires and heavier steel wheels. F2001 always had somewhat “mushy” brakes. Service folks looked many times at it but could not find anything wrong with it. F2006 feels a bit more decisive on the braking even though it has rear drums not disks like F2001.

    Turning feels about the same. Steering wheel is a bit fatter on F2006. I have small hands, so I’m still adjusting to new feel of the wheel.

    Comfort

    A/C works about the same, I could not tell much difference between 2001 and 2006 models: both have powerful A/C. I don’t care much about climate control, and I’m perfectly happy to manually adjust the knobs.

    6-disc CD changer – 2006 X can only play 1 cd. As I like listen to audiobooks on long trips, I’d like to potentially upgrade to in-dash 6-disc CD changer, but OEM one is almost $500 plus labor, and I’ve been told it might be better to shop aftermarket.

    Seats – I always felt seat cushion was a bit too short on Forester 2001. I think the same still holds true for 2006. But lumbar support on 2006 is better, more pronounced. Upholstery on 2006 is very simple, and I’m a bit concerned it may not hold up that well, especially on the side of the cushions where it’s quite thin. We’ll see. The upholstery in 2001 was really nice velour, has a great feel to it and also proved to be quite durable. I’ll miss heated seats on bad weather days, but overall I have not used them that much.

    Moonroof - I never liked to use moonroof on my F2001, so this is something I’m happy not to have on my F2006.

    Convenience

    1. I love net pockets on the doors in 2006 (instead of plastic pockets in 2001), and a small net by central column of the dash.
    2. Will miss (a bit) back seat pockets.
    3. F2001 allowed for only 1 net to be installed in the cargo area. Fortunately, F2006 allows for 3 or 4. Will definitely install ALL the possible nets in the cargo area. I found net in the cargo area to be sooo convenient for shopping!
    4. Central console and armrest is now a standard feature – NICE!!! :) I had to pay extra for them back in 2000.
    5. The fuse access area (to the left of the steering column) also used to be a small storage pocket in F2001 that I used to keep a garage opener. Now it’s just fuse access :(
    6. The storage on the top of the dash is deeper now (good! more CDs to fit), but sides are not padded as before, so my CDs rattle a bit. Will have to think of a soft holder for them or something.
    7. LCD clock next to CD storage is a bit too dim.
    8. Not sure if it’s worth $$ getting the auto-dimming mirror with compass. I’m thinking maybe sink that money into a GPS that plugs into 12V outlet. What do you think?

    Looks

    1. To be honest, I liked 2003-2005 looks a bit more, but this one is nice too and it grows on me.
    2. I wish Subaru kept the simple unpainted plastic cladding and bumpers on the base model – I felt they gave a car a rugged “go-anywhere” look. Now even splash guards are painted. Oh well.
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    I have a friend who recently bought a 2006 Forester, and while it's nice I have to admit I liked the upholstery better on the 2001 and I agree it does 'seem' more durable ... the other features are nice .. net pockets .. larger storage ... etc ... but I also have to admit I really like my 2001 Outback even next to her new Forester ...

    (probably wouldn't do for me to go look at Legacy/Outback!)
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    Congrats Kate!

    If the upolstery wears out, you could always add leather later!

    Instead of getting a cd changer you could upgrade your stereo with one that just has an aux input jack and hook up an iPod. You'd have hours and hours of music!

    I just got a Subaru owner coupon good for $500 off a new Subaru- did you get one? If I had gotten it a month ago I might be driving a new Subie too!

    Have fun with your new car!

    tom
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Not so sure about iPod... I normally rent audiobooks or borrow in library -- they already come on CDs, so to burn them into mp3 and load on mp3 player like iPod will be an extra step for me.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Great summary, Kate, I felt like you were comparing it to my car.

    Some comments - I got a WRX 6CD for something like $150 off E-bay, check the classifieds over at Nabisco. The harness fits plug-n-play, piece of cake. You do have to take part of the console apart, but it's not as hard as it sounds, and much easier than doing it on a Legacy (I did wifey's car too).

    NAV? Go for it. Here's my summary of the unit I chose:

    ateixeira, "Navigation / GPS Systems" #259, 4 Aug 2005 1:08 pm

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

    Nice report. I think the fact that you percieve few differences and more similarities shows how Subaru decided not to mess with the Forester formula.

    You could probably swap he 2001 wheels onto your new ride since the lug patterns are probably the same. Or, I bet you could find someone trying to sell their stock 16" wheels for another Subie for cheap.

    I'd recommend getting an aftermarket stereo. Looks like yours comes with a single-DIN unit so lots of choices for you! How about the speakers? Are they easily accessible as with the 1st gen Forester?

    Interesting comment about the tranny. You may want to wait 1-2K miles before making the final comparison.

    So, what's it's name? :-)

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    If/when I get a new one, this would be my goal:

    image

    Even with the X model, it's single DIN, but if you removed the storage container beneath it, then you have room for a double DIN stereo, like the stock X Limited.

    Above, he got the hood for the extra instruments and added a NAV screen. I would try to fit my Garmin c320 in a similar manner.

    -juice
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    Beat the heat (going to need to do that here in the East!) tonight and stop in for a bit of car chat!

    The Mazda Club Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'll be at the Orioles game tonight, so I'll miss it, but go anyway if you folks can!

    -juice
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I'm sure you can find wireless access at the stadium. :shades:
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    Darn Orioles beat my Mariners.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Oh man, it was sooo hot. We finished our bottles of water before we could walk from the car to the stadium. Had an Icee while there, and then got home and I was still thirsty!

    My GPS was very useful, we found free street parking only about 2-3 blocks away, not any farther than the pay parking lots! :shades:

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Kate, congratulations on the new car may you have many miles of happy motoring.

    Cheers Pat.
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Kate - Congrats on the new Forester! Many happy miles of travel.

    Just came back from Subaru country, Alaska. My wife and I were there for 10 days (Denali and cruise); every place we went I saw Subaru's :) . Funny thing - I was wearing my Subaru ball cap and my gore-tex jacket. I kept on being asked if I worked for Subaru :shades: I said no, just love driving them.

    Mark
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Happy Birthday to Sandy
    Happy Birthday to Sandy
    Happy Biiiirth-day Dear San-deeeeee
    Happy Birthday to you.

    9 years today and still lovin' it. :)

    -juice
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    wow, she's getting, um, mature!

    do you count from the date of purchase or from the date of manufacturing?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Purchase. So technically it's the 9th anniversary of Gotcha Day, as she's essentially adopted. ;)

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I gave Hadji a buzz cut, I'll try to get a pic up tonight because he looks hysterical. It's hot so I cut it pretty short, but he ended up looking like a weasel! :D

    I'm not sure why, but he hissed the entire time. :confuse:

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Got it...
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Poor Hadji... He looks like he's lost his best bud...

    Bob
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    he's getting old too.....the last pic we saw of him (what, maybe 3-4 years ago?) he didn't have that much white.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Good eye, indeed he's 13 years old (91 in dog years!).

    The gray hair on his face used to be brown.

    With long hair he looks bigger, almost a mid-sized dog. At his peak he only weighed 12 lbs. He's thinned out and just under 10 lbs now. When he gets a "puppy clip" like this one you can see how small he really is.

    Arf!

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Wow! 9 years already!? Time flies.

    What's that in CR-V years? ;-)

    Ken
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Hondabro, where are you? ;) (making passes and calling spirits from those heated discussions CR-V vs Forester ca. 1998-99)
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    A casting director seeks drivers who think of their cars as extensions of their personalities and are able to participate in a rally from Vancouver to LA for two weeks in October. Please visit http://www.carspace.com/bullrun for more information.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    His posts were classic. He'd quote 0-60 times for a manual trans when his was automatic. Don't get me started.

    Anyone remember the Hung & Tung show? Those were the Hyundai guys that owned Santa Fes and were basically dillusional about their rides.

    -juice
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Oh, Hung&Tung were soooo funny...

    I wonder what happened, that we don't see those heated debates "Make X vs Make Y" anymore? I'd venture these hypotheses:

    a) moderators are more strict now :surprise:
    b) all participants have grown up ;)
    c) people found other boards to vent :cry:

    or is it just me? :blush:
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Most of the "vs." boards are just less active now. I think we wore the enemies out. ;)

    -juice
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    I think the current automake-centric structure of the Edmunds forums makes it harder for someone to start a flaming "vs" discussion. That is, if I want to start a flame "Subaru vs Honda" I can do it in either Subaru-related forum or in Honda-related forum. In either case, one side of the argument will be underrepresented, so the whole discussion will probably die out soon anyway.
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    Forester vs. RAV4 was pretty active recently. Died down the last week or so, though.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, probably because a new model came out and Hutch moved over to the dark side.

    Just kidding, Hutch. Plus Toyota is a partner now, sort of.

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Who were Hung and Tung? I think I missed another chapter in Edmund's history.

    I do miss the friendly competition though. I'll pass on the name-calling, but the heated arguments were lots of fun.

    To Kate's hypotheses, I'd say it's A->C.

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Two Hyundai fanatics that trolled the Forester vs. Santa Fe vs. Liberty vs. something else thread.

    It wasn't just the silly claims (one kept saying the SF was better because it was Taller, seriously), but also the poor grammar and use of multiple exclamation points !!!!!11!!!1!eleven!

    I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't actual Hyundai employees from Korea with only a basic understanding of English, trolling basically.

    One of them was actually tolerable but as a duo they were Abbott and Costello.

    -juice
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    they were the best. There should have been a movie. "Hung and Tung Go To White Castle in a Sante Fe" or something
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    I thought they already made a movie together... Dumb & Dumber? (sorry, that's probably a bit harsh!)
  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day

    Funnily enough, I was pondering the absence of the sideshows from Edmonds recently - sorry but you folk probably call them carnivals. There are many positives to this - we don't have "interesting" sex fiend trolls for example - a major improvement!

    The Hung and Tung show was wonderful, heaping praise on the virtues of the Hyundai Santa Fe and its ability to access really out of the way spots. Somewhere along the way, I saw some photos of the supposedly out of the way deep sand.

    hung0820, "Suzuki Grand Vitara vs Subaru Forester vs Hyundai Santa Fe vs Jeep Liberty vs Ford Escape vs Saturn Vue" #1367, 26 Jul 2001 9:14 pm!keywords=allin%3Amsgtext%20hung0820

    At the risk of implying that Australia is more macho than most locations, the sand looked little worse than my mum's driveway.

    Hung Travis (hung0820) last posted in about 2002.

    I don't think Bill Tung has posted since about 2002 either.

    I think one was a displaced Hong Kong Chinese guy and the other probably Korean. They were nice guys and missed. I did however wonder about Bill's real name. Bill Tung was the name of a Hong Kong horse racing commentator who appeared in some movies, including as Jackie Chan's Police Chief in Police Story series.

    Cheers

    Graham
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    White Castle, LOL, that movie was hilarious. You have to be in the right state of mind to watch it.

    Hung & Tung could have been the sequeul. Leave your brain at the door, please. :D

    -juice
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    JD Power must have been listening to the sideshow since Hyundai's ratings have been improving. :shades:

    The comparison topics are linked (usually) to all parent discussions, so a Forester vs. Santa Fe discussion should show up in the Forester group as well as the Santa Fe group for owners to find. Obviously we've missed linking some, like the one above, but they do show up in a Make/Model search and most members seem to browse discussions with that tool, at least initially.
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    Sounds like I missed a fun series of discussions. Maybe we should stir something else up? Let's go pick on the Honda folk! :D

    The new Santa Fe looks like a nice SUV though, and Hyundai certainly has made a lot of improvements over the years. I think the Hyundai Sonata I had for one day was assembled better than my Camry Hybrid. My Camry has a few squeaks and rattles and misaligned interior panels (and mine was made in Japan too)

    My LGT was well assembled even though it was an early build, I think also better than my Camry. Maybe Subaru can teach Toyota something about assembly, and Subaru can learn something from Toyota about making the cars a little quieter.

    tom
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Generally speaking Toyota goes for quiet isolation and even numb steering, but I don't think that would fit in with Subaru's brand character.

    -juice
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    Juice, I could live without the numb steering (the electric power steering on my Camry Hybrid is Novacaine numb!) but it's always nice to have a quiet car (it's more luxurious). I mean, how much can a little extra foam really cost a car manufacturer?

    tom
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Not much, but it adds weight and a more isolation feel.

    That's Lexus' thing, though, and Toyota's to a lesser extent. But I like to be able to hear and feel what's going on.

    The H6 models have more insulation, on those it makes sense. But on, say, a WRX? Naaa.

    -juice
  • rob_mrob_m Member Posts: 820
    I was thinking of going after people with hybrid Camry's. ;) Rob M.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    But only those that traded in much quicker AWD cars. ;)

    It's quiet around here, I guess everyone is on that final summer vacation? Any fun road trips?

    -juice
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