Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Subaru Forester (up to 2005)
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Thanks, I love hearing reactions from people. My mom will flip out, she loves this stuff.
-juice
Owen
Len
Not really comparing apples to apples, i.e. used vs new, MT to AT, sea level (this weekend) to 1000m (where we live). But has anyone got any thoughts on how the SOHC 2.5 N/A has improved since intro in 99? Is the 5MT any better now as the gearbox in the 2000 was awful.
I think - based on the weekend's experience - I could forsake the 2.5T, save a ton of cash and buy another 2.5 N/A (Forester X SE, Canadian Edition)
JP
The short throw shifter is now an option for the Forester, and makes a big difference in throws. It's takes a little more effort to shift but worth it, IMO.
-Dennis
The engine is the same (phase II SOHC, 165hp/166lb-ft), but they now have throttle-by-wire for more linear input plus better gas mileage. I'm surprised you found it quicker.
Well, it did lose 80 lbs for the 2003 redesign. Not that you'd notice.
-juice
-mike
Also the fuel filter location has changed from under the hood to inside the fuel tank... the maintenance guide still recommends replacing it every 30k miles. Bad move for DIY like myself...
-mike
Love to hear someone at Subaru present a sound engineering reason for doint that.
Larry
-Dennis
John
Climate Control did get revisions, as did the tranny, plus the throttle-by-wire on X and XS (XT got it in 2004 IIRC).
-juice
Reasoning behind it would be that it prevents inpurities from crudding up the lines I'd imagine? Just a guess. On my trooper it's located in the frame-rail in the rear of the vehicle.
-mike
In these the cases I have seen has worked well. The only down side I have seen is when a tank is contaminated, it is more work to clean (taking the filter/pump/gauge assy apart) as well as cleaning the tank. And more expensive.
But each technology gain has it's definate improvements and prices......like replacing an ECU vs replacing the old points & condenser. I would GLADLY take the ECU. Service interval on points/condenser was 3K at best, and I remember starting many more cars in cold weather by filing the points. I don't miss those cold days under the hood.
Craig
John
My trailer is well equipped with a load distributing hitch,anti-sway bar, and surge activated hydrolic disk brakes.Hitch weight 250lb.
On looking for information about the XT Forester, I found that in Australia,it can pull a 2000kg(4400lbs) trailer, in New Zealand a 1800kg(3960lb)trailer,and in United Kingdom and Europe a 1500kg(3300lb) trailer. Can anyone explain why the XT can only pull a 2400lb trailer in the USA? I plan to add a transmission cooller before doing any towing. Can any one suggest any other modifications?
Thanks,
Don Luce
-mike
Craig
Tongue weight is my only concern, the limit might be just 200 lbs. Can anyone verify that?
-juice
What's the difference between the non-turbo and the turbo oil filter? is one bigger or something? can i use the turbo oil filter for my forester x?
My understanding is that the new "turbo" oil filter is smaller, and a new design. However, the older larger filters work on turbo cars from what I can tell. Over on NASIOC, Subiegal looked into this and found out that the new smaller "turbo" filter is the new part to be used on all the engines eventually. they are phasing out the older larger filter, but it still works where the smaller one is called for. Confused? So was I.
For more details, go over to NASIOC and search on the filter number I am posting below (I'd give a direct link but that's against the rules here).
Note that the H6 models get an entirely different filter.
I have some of the "old" 15208 AA060 filters, which I used on my wife's Forester XS and my WRX. Apparently these will work on my new Outback XT as well, even though the manual calls for the new small filter.
Craig
I was searching the Best Buy and Circuit City sites, and was surprised to find that the Subaru Forester was not an option on their vehicle compatibility charts. Does this mean that none of their systems will work with the Forester, or just that they didn't bother to include that information, for whatever reason?
I'm also wondering about whether or not having a stereo installed would void the warranty. I suppose everyone does this, though, so perhaps I shouldn't be too concerned.
I put an MP3 capable Alpine headunit in my WRX when I had it, and the same rig-up would fit the Forester. You would install the headunit and a DIN pocket in place of the standard double-din factory radio. (actually there are aftermarket double din units as well, but not many good ones).
It won'd void the warranty unless you screw up the wiring real bad! But really, with a harness adapter it's a DIY job and hard to mess up.
Craig
I'm not a do-it-yourselfer when it comes to cars, but BB is running a special on free installs.
Double-DIN is correct, I have a 2002 WRX 6CD changer in my '98 Forester and in my wife's '02 Legacy, those are all interchangeable.
-juice
however i cannot even locate them . can anyone help with info. to achieve same ? thank you .
What we usually do as part of our 3stage security is put Hella dual trumpet horns under the hood. We wire in the relay for the extra horns using the relay provided. The "trigger" wire for the new horn relay we wire into the relaybox into the horn relay. So essentially when the horn relay is triggered in the car it triggers the parrallel relayed horns to fire. Dual Trumpets + OEM = Very Loud!
-mike
I changed a stock "beep" with a horn that "honks" and I like it better.
-juice
Kyle
Half the price of my '03 XS payments. hmmmm.
No OB or Legacy wagons.
Interesting, '02 and '03 WRX guaranteed trade in allowances.
$1,000 cash back on XT.
John
And the used car market is soft so the trade deal is worth at least looking into.
-juice
http://www.susquehanna.com/susq/index.htm
-mike
Thanks a lot in advance
Nothing magical, go to www.subaru.com and "special offers". These are Subaru deals and should be available anywhere in the US. The details of value at end of lease, etc. are not specified. However, Figure that for $3,000 per year, depreciation of the vehicle alone is barely covered. It sounds too good to be true, share with us the details if you check into it.
John
This is a great car I put 60,000 miles on it in two years. It is wonderful. If anyone does alot of driving I have to say the seat cushion is way to hard to be comfortable in for long drives. I was on vacation in Orlando this summer and I rented a ford Tarus I could not believe how much softer and more comfortable the seat was. I do not understand what they had in mind in their seat design.
Craig
I rent Tauruses once in a while and I can't stand those spongy seats, they are way too unsupportive for me. YMMV.
-juice
So far, we have found the A/C to be immediate and more than adequate for the temperatures we have encountered since our purchase. And that is without any extra window tinting.
I had a 93 Civic and the AC was indeed weak.
Craig