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Subaru Forester (up to 2005)
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By the end of its life I think those were making 180hp. But they also were heavier, and not very fuel efficient.
One measure of engine efficiency is specific output, the Subaru makes 165/2.5 = 66 hp/liter. The Jeep made just 180/4 = 45 hp/liter.
Turbos can break 100 hp/liter, the GT does and the WRX even beats that. 66 is good for a normally aspirated engine.
-juice
The later '90's Jeep I6 was making 190hp and 235lb-ft torque. Even in '87, it was 177hp and 224lb-ft torque.
That I6 was made right here in my town. Plenty of Cherokee's on the road here.
I would get 21 or 22mpg on the highway in my 2wd Comanche. My dad has an '87 Cherokee Laredo 4wd that he uses as a winter beater. I think he gets 18mpg.
-Brian
Steve, Host
As to which has the better engine... even though the Forester's 2.5 H4 has considerably less HP and torque, it also has less mass to move so I didn't really notice much difference in terms of acceleration. Of course the Jeep's 4.0 I6 was a lot more capable when it came to towing but then the Forester got considerably better gas mileage.
-Frank
-Brian
Reagrds,
Kyle
My dad had a Cherokee but it was so unreliable we'd rather forget it. He has an Outback now.
-juice
Thanks!
Going with the manufacturer's recommended tire pressure will yield the best ride while leaving them at around 33 will provide a slightly stiffer ride but will also result in improved tire wear and somewhat better mpg.
-Frank
Forester is on a 5 year cycle, the 3rd year is a refresh. Note these are *model* years:
1998 - new model
2001 - face-lift
2003 - new model
2006 - face-lift
2008 - new model
So the 2007 may be the calendar year for the new model intro, but it might be a model year 2008.
-juice
It has been very comfortable and, most of all, reliable.
Sorry, no pics or gas milage figures, I was in a hurry.
Juice: I mentioned to crunchy squeak (or was it creaky scrunch or squeaky crunch?). At any rate, it is really more of a squeak and I only hear it when the car isn't warmed up. I'm wondering if it isn't the suspension making noise until the grease warms up. I'll have my mechanic check the leaf springs (and bearings) before the next trip.
With more than 3k in added mileage in a couple of weeks (at hot engine temps), would you change your oil again? I'm using 10/W/30 dinoil.
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Share your vehicle reviews
For pure highway miles like yours, I'd go with the longer service schedule, i.e. changes every 7500 miles.
streetough: broken piston rod? Holy cow! Definitely the first here on Edmunds, that's not rare, it's unheard of.
-juice
liz3, "Subaru Forester" #15858, 28 Dec 2004 4:19 pm
Think it's too late to ask Subaru to help fix it?
Steve, Host
Wish me luck. Bye the way, if anyone knows of another forum, maybe I can try there to find others who have had this problem.
Carole (Streetough)
So I doubt that one was a rod.
Any how, call 800-SUBARU3 and ask them to open up a case file. Be extra friendly and see it they can at least help you in some way, maybe they can cover a portion of it at least.
By any chance were you fording water? I have seen instances where an SUV was crossing water and the intake sucked water with the air, the piston can't compress water so it threw a rod.
Pretty extreme case, though.
-juice
Try a few different tire pressures to see what works for you. Definetly don't go below the recommended settings or get too close to the max pressure indicated on the tire sidewall. Also, keep the ratio 29/28.
Ken
do you think i could get a deal in july? i want to get a red forester XS, standard options, with a bin.
thanks
---Mike Savad
The chat link is at the top and on the left.
Steve, Host
I doubt incentives will go up any more than they already have, but more importantly your choices will begin to dwindle.
If you want a certain color and options, I would start shopping seriously now. If you are very flexible, then I do think prices will drop a little more in May/June. But so will selection.
Do you gamble? ;-)
-juice
Thanks.
Chuck
-juice
should i go with my original plan and get the car - having a seperate place install my better speakers and alarm?
natually i'll listen before i get anything new, but i'd like to hear other people's views. since i use music to concentrate.
thanks
---Mike Savad
My wife's 03 XS had the factory sub, upgraded speakers, and tweeters. It actually sounded pretty good. The bass was impressive.
Aftermarket speakers will sound better, but you will lose some "volume" since the factory head unit does not have a whole lot of power. Good aftermarket speakers will require a lot more driving power than the stock speakers, and the radio will run out of oomph at higher settings.
So definitely get a feel for the stock setup before making decisions.
Craig
Checking out the German and UK Forester sites and noticed their accessory choices are greater.The German and UK sites carry them but the US does not. Anyone know someone in the state who can get these accessories?
-juice
-Frank
Got my windshield replaced at the dealer after a stone hit and cracked it. That, plus oil-change #2, and tax cost us 317 bucks - ouch.
Got 8 inches of wet snow last week. A Ford F-150 4X4 crew-cab slid sideways into the rear of another vehicle at a stoplight. Guess you could call it a reverse t-bone.
While waiting to get around the accident, a member of the local constabulary walked to our car. She told us that ten accidents had been reported in town, and suggested we turn around and go home.
The wagon held its own, though. I've yet to trigger the antilock brakes unintentionally. I once "tested" them on a snowy backroad, so I know they work.
Did some dirt-trail driving over the weekend. We live in a cabin bordering a environmental management area. The Sube had little trouble with rutted mud and snow-slush. The car did pull to either side sometimes. My lack of off-road chops (or a limited-slip differential) were factors here. As to prove the first point, reducing speed to 20 MPH made for better control.
A friend of mine rode shotgun over the weekend, as well. At first, he described the Forester's stiff ride as trucklike. So I pulled a few high-speed turns. The tires didn't squeal, although my friend did. He changed his initial observation to "sporty". That's better.
My observations...
- Ride and handling are very good. High-speed steering is a bit light.
- There's a slight wistle from the roof rack between 35 and 45 MPH.
- Some have complained about long brake-pedal travel. What gets my attention, however, is the excellent brake control. That's probably why I haven't yet needed ABS.
- The top dashboard cubby door gets in the way. The cheap plastic door below the radio is even worse.
- I still don't like the gated shifter, or the lack of a shift-mounted indicator.
- Not crazy about the push-button recirculate button either. It doesn't allow you to mix fresh and recycled air like an old-school mechanical slide would.
- AT shifts are a bit flakey, not unlike my 1995 Saturn SW2. Tends to hunt on hills, as well.
- This car is solid. Close the door and you are rewarded with a "thunk". My 89 Civic gave me the same feeling. It's like you're in a single, solid mass, not something made up of seperate parts.
- Still wish the gas mileage was better.
All-in-all...a good ride.
Peace,
Marco
They ran into some delivery problems and it took over two months, but I eventually got them. They piggy-backed my order on a WRX wheel group buy.
Another option is through a UK dealer like http://www.bell-colvill.co.uk/
I've corresponded with them via email and they were very prompt and courteous.
-Dennis
Craig
Besides...the crossbars are cool :-)
Polo
-Frank
Has anyone installed the subwoofer/amp and tweeter in the most recent models?
I'd like to pick up a service manual at some point too, if anyone recommends one please advise!
Thanks!
You can also search online for installation guides as many Subaru Parts suppliers provide online versions of the guides as well. [Just search for Subaru Parts Guides]
-Frank
I've installed the sub in 3 different Subarus, but not a Forester. I am sure the instructions will explain how to get the radio out. Generally a very simple install when I have done it.
CRaig
Doesn't seem like the wiring would be too hard, if the part comes with instructions for removing the front panel (and a hopefully a harness). One dealer quoted me $225 just for installation of the sub (part not included) saying the seat had to be removed. (!)
Remove the seat? The previous gen Foresters had the sub under the front seat but the current ones have it back in the cargo area.
-Frank
2006 Forester Preliminary Specs
Thanks for the heads-up. More reading to do tonight...
--Dan
2.5 XT Interior
2.5 XT
2.5 L.L.Bean Interior
2.5 L.L.Bean
2.5 L.L.Bean
John