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Changes You'd Like To See in the Subaru Forester
Have an idea tomake the Forester even better? Maybe it's something as simple as more color choices, different drivetrain, or maybe it's a radical redesign.
This is the place to let your creative juices flow! (Is "juices" a Subaru Crew pun?? :P )
This is the place to let your creative juices flow! (Is "juices" a Subaru Crew pun?? :P )
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Comments
I have several suggestions:
* how 'bout a 5 speed auto with SportShift?
* VTD please, and not just on a CrossSport model
* offer the self-leveling suspension on all models
* stability control is long overdue
-juice
Class II (3500 pounds) would be perfect.
Bob
I'm surprised you didn't ask for more...
What do you want to see for the '09 model?
-juice
After all it's a "Forester"..aren't Forests green? :shades:
Thanks
Fred
• 3.0 H6 option
• Turbo diesel option
• Be able to match, or be in the ballpark with the CRV, et al, in terms of interior room
• Dual-range tranny option—on both 5EATs w/sportshift & manual tranny models
• 6-speed manual on turbos
• Larger tires
• Bring back the full-size spare
• Improved NHV & more refinement
Bob
They never said a word about the tinted film on it.....
My .02
But echoing the others here, Subaru really does need to keep up with transmission offerings with their models. The Forester and Impreza line are long overdue for a 5EAT and VDC.
Ken
Bob
The Forester, which I do love, really isn't more than a two passenger automobile, or at the most two adults and two small children. Beyond 10-11 years, its backseat isn't comfortable....
Which dovetails nicely into my suggestion for a change I would like to see, which is rear seats that fold really flat, or tumble and stow beneath the floor, at least flush with it.
Could not agree more.
Subaru will be able to provide more backseat space by using a different suspension configuraion (e.g. multilink) without making the car bigger. Making the Forester bigger would be a suicide for Subaru. It's popular because, among other reasons, it's the size it is now.
-juice
They need a budget people mover, maybe like the Mazda5.
-juice
1. improved fuel mileage (every maker should be striving for this)
2. fold down flat seats with heavy rubber of plastic covering (difficult to load large flat items, and tends to dirty up the carpetlike covering)
3. extendable visors (my 2002 has the cheesy plastic sunvisors. Had to buy an even cheesier add on to get an extension. I drive to work and home with sun on the left, so this will always be a problem)
And what I don't want:
1. more powerful engine at cost of fuel mileage. For my purposes 165 hp is fine thanks; I could probably do with a little less under most circumstances.
2. more "standard" features. Prefer the utilitarian feel of my 2002 L compared to the newer models with color coded bumpers, moon roofs, 6 disc CD changers etc that in some cases may be included as standard.
3. bigger model. Like the small SUV feel and the easy handling.
Just as aside; didn't Subaru try a CVT in their Justy?? Don't know why they abandoned it.
Guess we all get set in our ways, and its hard to retrain our own ears for the sounds we are used to.
So imagine driving a vehicle with no engine braking that felt like it never shifted...definitely an adjustment!
Any how, if the engine it at the right RPMs for torque, power, or economy, whatever is best at the time, I'm all for it.
-juice
Other changes I'd like to see:
- 6-speed MT with the turbos, 5-speed with the AT
- Stability control (if only to keep up with the competition)
- Increase the width by about 2 inches
- Increase rear legroom (but only if it can be done without changing the overall length)
- Add sun visor extensions and while they're at it, add vanity lights to the sun visors
- Reduce NVH
Things I hope Subaru doesn't mess with:
- Don't make any significant changes to the overall exterior dimensions (except for above mentioned width increase)
- Don't mess with the ground clearance
- Keep the existing turning radius
- Don't bother with a useless 3rd row seat
-Frank
P.S. Bob, while I too would like to see Class II towing, I don't think a 3400lb Forester could safely tow more than it's own weight and I definitely don't want to see the Forester lose its agility by getting porky!
Brighter display on the radio; even push/holding the volume button doesn't make it
particularly bright
Better quality fabric on non-leather seats - I'm putting in a leather kit on my 2006,
because after four months it's showing wear
All I can think of!
-better approach and departure angles: all subie owners mention their concerns going through water-bars. Might mean changing the look a bit.
-a low range option for North American models (technically I guess this is a double tranny). It is available for our Australian friends so it is already produced.
-some skid plates similar to RAV4
Reliability
Current power level
Better gas mileage
Unpainted bumpers
The wider, heated mirrors
Heated seats, as least as an option
Cruise control
An opt-out for the radio and the ability to install an aftermarket unit and easy-to-replace speakers (as in the '98)
NO leather, sunroof or automatic climate control
Fully adjustable manual driver's seat (as in '98)
5 speed auto with full manual shift control
Nylon velour upholstery with grip with NO little pockets to collect dirt
Instruments similar to '98 with orange backlighted pointers and simple, readable white numbers and green backlighting
Flat rear load floor (it seems flat enough in my '98 where I have carried heavy boxes of books/magazines and a new 18 cubic foot refrigerator among other things)
Switchable all-wheel/front wheel drive
-juice
Add these options to the basic Foresters X line with an automatic transmission; separate these options from the Premium package; create a separate option package
1. Add the rear limited slip differential with the auto trans option
2. Add VDT/VDC with the automatic transmission option
3 Add the all weather option
4. Add the four wheel disc brakes
In addition, create the following options.
1. 5 speed automatic transmissions
2. Electric hybrid option - some people are willing to pay extra for higher gas mileage and additional towing capacity; this is in contrast to these people who want more power from the XT Sport with the turbo; both add price and mechanical complexity; the electric hybrid appeals to the eco and towing markets.
3. Brighter colors (yellows, highway orange). At least the Hummer drivers can see what they will hit.
Keep the same
1. 173 HP Four cylinder engine, realizing there may be differneces in an electric hybrid model (if ever made)
2. Size and weight; this is a small SUV; keep this size;
3. Superior AWD
Scott
I had an 04 and these are the distinct differences I note. But I'm picky and I tow a trailer for camping.
I'm actually putting the Subaru performance springs on (Pinks) which by the way put the height back to where it was in 2004/5 and increase spring stiffness quite a bit. What's the deal with the extra inch of height??? Oh and you can buy the suspension bushings from the Subaru performance catalog which in the words of the catalog "helps create a tighter more responsive handling experience." Well, if they do all that, why didn't you put them on in the first place...??? "They are on my list after I see how the springs do.
I do like all the goodies on my 07 Premium and in particular the safety features brake force distribution, VDC and four wheel brakes and the fly by wire does perk things up, but they obviously "refined" the vehicle a little bit too much for my tastes. And obviously I got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning...(grins) It's still a great vehicle.
-juice
-juice
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/forums/showthread.php?t=9029
The "Sports" model has an STI style front spoiler. Sport-Y perhaps and useful maybe at speeds over 120 mph, if the Forester did not have a speed limiter.
The "Sports" model has DRUM brakes on the rear. (As long as we are going retro: What, no 4 barrel carb?)
It does not seem to have any changes at all in suspension or engine. ("Sports" must mean going to WATCH the auto races).
It has automatic climate control (does a "sports" vehicle take control AWAY from the driver?)
It has the standard STEEL wheels. (How sporty is that? Unsprung weight? Whats that?)
It does not have the useful heated seats and mirrors.
It adds the premium radio with 6 disk in-dash changer (in the old days, sports type drivers cherished a radio delete option)
I has black rather than tan or gray cloth upholstery (at least they didn't put in leather)
It has a black grille with a "Sports" badge. (I thought Subaru broke up its relationship with GM.)
Ok, Subaru, old "sport," WHY?
Yes, it is an appearance package, but they figured out a way to lower the price without de-tuning the engine or suspension.
The Sports XT model makes more sense, you can now get an XT for less, and the cloth seats are gripper. Plus, it still has alloys. You do give up the AWP though.
-juice
It is the only model to have oh what do you call it, variable traction control allowing it to make the safest list.
No offense to forester owners who like to drive agressively, but rochcom wanting an all-out sports vehicle in the forester body, is kinda like a NASCAR Truck!
-mike
-Frank
You gotta' love that!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-117426835217777671
Len
Not saying it can't handle well, but it's not designed as such. I mean yeah I could say the same of my armada, but no matter what you do it's still not a sports car.
-mike
As Driver56 pointed out, one of the best things about the XT is that while it looks like your basic utilitarian vehicle, its performance is anything but! As the driver of a G35 found out the other morning when he tried to pass me
-Frank
As for the heated windshield? It's pretty expensive. I think they were trying to keep the price down yet add the expensive VDC to the equation.
-mike
-mike