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New Subaru Forester Owners - Give Us Your Report!
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Comments
Oops... don't tell Sandy I said that
-Frank
What causes alignment problems? Is this a standard problem with Foresters?
Alignment issues usually originate from bad road conditions (such as significant pot holes, etc.), accidents, and abusive driving such as off-roading at high speeds.
John
They got over it by 06.
Alignments can get tweaked easily without really knowing it happens. One of the most common is hitting a parking lot stop a bit too hard. It can throw that wheel off its track.
Regards,
John
I will say that the ride is not very refined and very truck like on city streets. On the hightway the ride is fine.
The heated seats are great (it 12 degrees here right now).
I really wanted the full time awd system so that put most of the contenders out of the race.
I am hoping when my lease is up (in 24 months) that:
A hybrid version is available.
A 5 or 6 speed automatic is available.
A better supension is available.
Stability control on all models.
memory seats and mirrors would be a great option for me (I'm 6'4 my wife is 5' 5)
How about a tent option for camping with the hatchback up?
-juice
I just move to western mass from CA so the heat seats have been a life saver.
I was suprised that they were offered on fabric seats, I had not seen that before.
Looking forward to many years of happy ownership.
-juice
It was extremely cold this morning in NYC (7 F temp and -10 F windchill), but I didn't think it would cause a problem. People here on the forum live in much colder places... My other car worked just fine.
Does anyone have similar experience? Could it be a dead battery? I'm pretty sure I turned off all the lights when I left the car yesterday afternoon... Doesn't the car have automatic shut-off on daytime running lights too?
I'll probably call roadside assistance either tonight or tomorrow to jump-start the car and/or tow the car to a dealership for repair.
If you did eventually get in and try to start, did it turn over at all? If not, sounds like a dead battery. If so, I'd make sure you're letting the fuel pump kick in (turn ignition to penultimate position and wait to hear a little "whirring" sound). Also read your owner's manual -- there are detailed instructions on how to start and whether or not to pump accelerator, etc.
All of the lights have auto-shut-off, yes, with one exception -- the parking lights, which are controlled by a little rocker switch right on top of the steering column. Always make sure to check it if you go to a car wash and have the interior done, it's real easy to unwittingly turn it on if you're cleaning the steering wheel/instrument panel with a big towel.
Good luck.
-juice
-juice
-mike
- Oh no, I forgot the plug, wife pulls boat up the ramp, but it was unhooked and blamo the boat ends up on the concrete
- boater launches boat and it blows away in the wind
- backing up for noobs
Tons of other entertaining things going on!
-mike
-juice
I think that Subaru should probably send out a TSB reminding dealers to point out and explain the switch when doing a delivery tour. It's not just the placement of the switch -- how many other makes even have a dedicated parking light switch these days?
I guess the Subaru considers it a safety feature -- for those rare instances where you want to leave on parking lights and take the keys with you?
Anyway, I hope your battery's almost as good as new and that this is the last problem you have with your Forester.
I was surprised when I decided to check mine right before the cold snap, only to find the water level way down in every cell. I just had the car in for service, surprised the dealer didn't check the levels.
The car slid all over the place in turns. I understand AWD canna change the laws of physics. But my '86 BMW 535 and the '96 Taurus SHO the Forester replaced both handled the snow and slippery conditions far better.
I have to assume the issue is tires. Both the BMW and Taurus rode on Goodrich Traction T/A's and worked great through several major snow storms here in Chicago. It is very annoying that my new AWD car can't outperform a 20 year old rear wheel drive car famous for poor performance in the rain and snow or a 10 year old car that put 40% more horsepower to the front wheels only. I shouldn't have to spend $500 for new tires a week after I spend $26 grand for a new car.
Fortunately winter is almost over so I will tough it out and probably replace the tires next winter before the snow hits.
I have snows on my Forester and they've been fantastic in the freezing rain conditions we've had lately.
I think that's probably safer and more cost effective than just tossing out the brand new tires for a new set of all seasons, which are still a compromise.
-juice
I'd recommend the ones I have, Falken Ziex 512s, but even those aren't good in snow. They're great in the dry, and even when it's wet, but not in the snow.
I'm sure the tires you liked had some trade-offs as well, perhaps extra noise, rolling resistance, or durability.
-juice
Thanks.
Leftover New 2006 Subaru Base Forester auto, blue
X Wagon, Auto. Trans. Regal Blue Pearl, Gray Cloth.
Options: tweeter kit, floor mats, cargo net rear vertical, rear bumper cover, cargo tray, auto dimming mirror/compass
MSRP $23,740, Invoice $22,169, Internet price $18,564.
Also try asking Here: Prices Paid and Buying Experiences
If they charge extra for freight, the fitzmall.com price is better. It's in Rockville, MD next to White Flint, not far from NoVA.
If you go there look for Maurice, tell him "juice" from Edmunds sent ya. My family has bought about 5 Subarus there.
-juice
And yes, dedicated snows make a huge difference. I have dedicated snows on my '05 Scion XB and it pulls great in the snow. I passed by the hulking SUVs that were spun off the road in last weeks storm.
Rob
Mine has averaged 25 mpg in its lifetime, though yours is an auto the EPA ratings are actually higher.
It's a comfortable vehicle, you may even want to splurge and get a model with heated seats, since it gets cold in DC, and you also get heated mirrors to melt away the ice and even keep them clear in the rain.
Ride is good, and the wheel travel is great for pot-holes. I take Canal Road and the Clara Barton Parkway and the pavement is in poor condition due to the snow/ice, so I've been using the Forester instead of my Miata that I use primarily in the summer.
Maintenance is like any other vehicle, the only difference with AWD is that you have a rear differential that needs its oil changed every 30k or so (60k at most). Not a big deal, just 2 bolts to remove, one quart of 75w90 oil that you can get at the local parts store for a couple of bucks.
e-mail me and I'll give you some more details. Use my handle and then add @ifc.org to the end of it. I think you'll be happy with one.
-juice
Thanks for the feeedback on the Forester. I'm not sure if I want to go with the manual or auto tranny yet. Since my wife is totally loathe to driving a stick I may opt for the auto. How do you fare with the stick in the DC traffic? II commute from Winchester to Chantilly straight down RT 7 to 28. Once a week I go to Arlington. Is the Subie seat comfortable for long periods? I feel that I need a vehicle more substantial than my Scion XB. Pot holes and mounded snow have beaten up the Box in the past, but I really do like the MPG.
Anyway thanks for your input and assistance with the Forester.
Plus, if the wife ain't happy, noone's happy, right?
-juice
I have the same thing. :shades:
-juice
We have a property on the beach, and my kids are reaching the age where they'd like to bring a friend along. I'm just planning ahead and getting a vehicle that can accomodate that.
The last 2 vehicles I've owned, I kept one for 7 years, the other for 9 years and counting. So I have to think WAY ahead.
-juice
I'm trying to decide if I really need the fog lights in lieu of the extra $1000 Subaru is offering. How would you rate the new Sport X front end?
Thanks to all.
-mike
-juice