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Comments
I just purchased an used '99 Forester S and I don't have the service records.
It is still under mfr warranty, should I buy an extended?
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Amanda- You should still be covered under the original warranty. Although the 3/36 portion may be close to expiring the 5/60 powertrain warranty is still good. Give the VIN to any Subaru dealer's service dept (or try mysubaru.com) and they should be able to tell you its service history. While I'm usually against buying extended warranties, in your case it might not be a bad idea since you don't know how the vehicle was treated. If you do get one, I recommend Subaru's rather than an aftermarket one.
-Frank P.
---Susan
Patti
Thanks,
Steve
I like the Forester because:
• It's a complete vehicle pretty much as is. You don't have to add many accessories to make it a decent vehicle.
• Subaru has a superior AWD, as compared to the Escape's On-Demand 4WD.
• The Forester (or any Subaru) is a proven product. Not so for the Escape.
• The Forester has a full-size spare. The Escape doesn't.
• The Forester has a better roof rack. It can carry 150 lbs., which is at least 50 lbs. more than the Escape can handle.
• The S model has some very desireable features not found anywhere else in its price range, such as: The huge moonroof (S Premium), LSD, windsheild wiper deicer, heated seats, etc.
I like the Escape because:
• It's better looking, IMO.
• It's roomier.
• It can tow more.
• It has an opt. V6.
• It's priced quite reasonably.
And to throw you a curve...
If you decide on the Escape, over the Forester... I'd pick the new new Jeep Liberty over the Escape. For about the same price you get much better towing and true off-road capability—if that means anything to you, which it may not.
We have an '01 Forester S Premium.
Bob
Bob
It's too early to judge the Escape, but with 6 recalls right off the bat it didn't have a good start. Perhaps Ford rushed it to market, because the flood of problems seems to have subsided. But I'd wait and see, at least.
Jeeps are durable and sturdy, but not reliable. I doubt that will change with the Liberty.
Pam from iSR Subaru can get parts from overseas, so maybe she can find that roof visor you guys were looking for. Try autocaresubaru.com.
Bill: the arm rest extension is at the same height at the one on the door, so I like it. It gives you another small compartment, and keeps the lower one the same size.
Renato: my moonroof is an ASC, 15"x30", manual pop-up. It was $300 plus $70 to cut and reinstall the roof rails. They don't use model numbers, but look in the yellow pages under Auto Accessories IIRC for local shops. Photos are here:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=1400062&a=12183852&p=44300194&f=0
Photos of my wheels/tires start here:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=1400062&a=12183854&p=44300186&f=0
Cool, another AJ? Amanda - hope you got that Forester.
-juice
One other thing to consider for what it's worth: the Escape is already the market leader for this segment and will probably become as ubiquitous as the Ford Exploder while the Forester will always be a niche player.
-Frank P.
Thanks.
I tried CDRW and found some no-brand 4X disc are working while some brand one w/ 10X are not (maybe I should try to write it in lower speed)
But it's seen to having difficulty in reading tracks after somewhere around 14.
Rgds,
Jack
-Frank P.
Congrats on the new purchase. Enjoy your Trib.
-juice
As Frank pointed out, the 4EAT (auto) AWD system is more sophisticated than the one found in the manual. The 4EAT system continously monitors for wheel slip via sensors and an on-board computer adjusts torque splits as necessary. The manual AWD system uses a simple mechanical setup via a viscous coupling that is more reactive than the 4EAT system.
Which is better? It depends on what you're looking to do. The manual torque split is normally 50:50 so you'll get more neutral handling characteristics -- IMO, this is better for tackling twisty roads. The 4EAT, on the other hand, is normally front-wheel drive biased but can also be forced into a near 50:50 split via the gear selection -- again, IMO, this is probably better for tackling poor road conditions.
There is a third AWD drivetrain out there called VTD. If you've noticed, 4EAT is usually front-wheel biased. While this is fine for everyday driving, performance driving calls for a more neutral to rear-wheel bias.
VTD is Subaru's answer to provide automatic tranny models with a more sporty set up. If I remember correctly, it's normal torque split is something like 35:65 with a slight rear-wheel bias. In the US, the VDC Wagon and the WRX (autos only) get it. Combine that with the ability to force a certain torque bias and I'd say VTD is probably the best of the bunch (ignoring the transmission choices, that is).
Hope that helps,
Ken
Some jerk just put a whacking big dent in the middle of the left rear door of my 4 week old beautiful 02 Forester. Fortunately, its white (like ALL my cars) and therefore isn't terrifically noticable if you look at it through welding goggles at night. I'd love to be the sort of person who can just "live with it", but I'm a compulsive detail-freak and collapse with cold sweats every time I think of it. So....I plan to massage out the dent from behind if I can figure out how to remove the door panel, SAFELY. Does anyone have experience (or better yet, printed instructions) to help guide me? In my experience, there is an ideal sequence to follow if you don't want to bust half the clips. At any rate, I'll keep notes and pass them along to others once I (we) solve the puzzle.
Thanks in advance,
Dave
The spare (full-size) is located under the cargo floor in a bin.
Bob
As far as comparing the Forester to the Xterra and Liberty, both of those vehicles differ considerably from the Forester in that they are more truck like in their handling but are also more capable off-road. The CRV is similar to the Forester in that it handles more like car. While the CRV is a good vehicle, its biggest weakness IMO is its anemic engine. It's also scheduled for a major redesign this coming model year.
-Frank P.
Greg
The cover pops out from the bottom, very easily. Then there are 3 screws that hold the speaker in, and a harness to unplug. That leaves a gaping hole big enough for your hand to get in.
Hopefully that's big enough to reach the dent.
My seats fold virtually flat, but mine is a '98 and the 2001 and later are a little different. Try it out, though.
Aftermarket suppliers in Australia do sell metal bull bars to fit all Subarus. If paisan is around maybe he can provide the URL.
The full-size spare is under the cargo area. There is even a cooler that holds about a 12 pack in it that is water proof and all - pretty neat. Here is my collection of Forester Photos:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=1400062&a=11264448&p=39509481&f=0
What does the Subie have that the others don't? Well, it's a combination of the best crash test scores, good quality, good long-term reliability, good power/fuel efficiency balance, nimble handling, and full-time AWD.
The CR-V has quality and fuel efficiency but lacks torque IMO, and the AWD is part-time.
The XTerra is a pickup truck with a cap. Drive one and you'll run to your nearest Subaru dealer. It's a brute, the old-fashioned way - part time only 4WD, live axle, bouncy ride, long shifter.
I like the Liberty, though I have not driven it yet. You can only get full-time 4WD with an automatic tranny. A V6 would be peppy and it offer good utility. Reliability is unproven, so I'd wait and see, IMO. It's not as nimble or as fuel efficient as a Forester.
Mine has averaged 25.1mpg over the last year, and I've driven it on the beach, gravel, farms, orchards, even across a creek or two. For that kind of light-to-medium duty needs, I think it's the best choice. If you need more capability, check out the Liberty, but be prepared to make some other compromises.
-juice
Bob
Ross
Thanks for the advise. I asked about Subaru warranties from the dealer, but he did not recommend it and suggested a different company, maybe because of the profit involved!?
Thanks again,
Amanda
Now for the newest quandry. It seems Blue Ridge Pearl S is a scarce commodity in Florida. We've located a couple in North FL (I'm in Tampa) which my best friend Pete Mastro of Mastro Subaru will gladly bring down here for me.
Now my quandry. They have a 2001 Blue S in Jacksonville, which I can get for my credit union negotiated price of 4% over invoice, plus 2.9% financing, which will save me about $1100 over the life of my loan (36 mos). There's also a 2002 Blue S in Tallahassee, which I can get also, just would have to use my credit union 6.9% financing. The invoice prices are fairly compatible between the two model years, so I'm not saving anything on the invoice price, just the financing.
I'm leaning toward the 2001, and I'm going to scroll back thru this forum to find out the differences (isn't the outside trim cladding a different color) and Pete's got a 2001 brochure for me to look at the pictures.
Anyone have an opinion either way? Am I losing that much resale value on a 2001 at this point in time? Pete has a 2002 Green S on his lot, which he offered to me at 2% over invoice, but I just can't get excited about that green color (no offense to anyone that owns one)....
thanks in advance!
aj
Craig: not much new info, but we did have some first-timers join in the chat. It was quite busy toward the middle - I could not keep up.
AJ: resale won't even be a factor if you keep it more than, say, 5 years. Even then, figure about $1000 less on resale.
The 2002 got a 2 speed rear wiper, the cargo cover standard, new colors, new cladding color (slate IIRC), and freight went up $30. Nothing earth shattering, just a tad more added content. If you can more easily afford the 2001, the low interest rate is worth it, IMO.
-juice
I'll second the juice's opinion: get the 2001 Blue S. I recently got one (S, Blue, 5 speed) here in central Florida (B. Bryan Subaru in Winter Park -- jerks!) and am happy with it. But it took some searching to get it down here... had to ship it from Ohio of all places!
I love the color, by the way, although it came with the goofy "appearance" package already bolted on (rear spoiler, wheelwell plastic guards)... but it's a great car. Enjoy!
The 2002 has nothing new, so it's not worth the extra trouble, or expense, in acquiring.
best, perrito
Also the cup holder situation, I have not seen it yet, but is it that bad of a location? someone said drinks can drip into the CD player, was that on all years or just older models?
Lastly, I can't figure out why some people are exptecting the CRV, Escape, Rav, and Forester to be extreme SUV's for rock crawling and such, don't they realize that that actually only for a selected group of UPGRADED OR MODIFIED SUV's? If it does fine in snow, rain, gravel, and dirt that should be more than enough for about 90% of the people that drive. I am supposed to be test driving one this weekend so hopefully i will have something by monday. any word if dealers are cutting prices for the 2001 models?
As far as cup holders goes, it's not in the best location. When in use, it pretty much blocks access to the climate controls (it's also a fairly flimsy design). Although the radio and CD player are directly under the cup holder location, I've never had a problem spilling anything onto them. Condensation from a soda can just drips onto the console area in front of the shifter. Of course after a year, my cup holder has yet to spill a drink and it's still intact so these are very minor complaints. In fact, I'm still extremely satisified with my Forester and think it's the best in its class.
-Frank P.
http://bitman.com/SoobMods/
bit
Bob
The car will be here next week, then it goes in for leather, and I'll pick it up the following week when I get back in town.
Thanks for all the info, hope I'll be in the majority with you happy Forester lovers. Now I just have to sell my beloved '94 Honda Accord EX....
aj
So it's more than enough for kids. You'd only run into trouble putting a 6 footer behind another 6 footer, IMO.
Even then, I rode all the way from DC to Philly in the back seat of Bob's Forester, and then again up to the Covered Bridge Tour, each time almost 2 hours, with no complaints. I'm 6'0" but the front seat passengers did move their seats up an inch.
So I wouldn't want to go cross-country in one, but for a few hours even a 6 footer fits.
-juice
I don't know about the new RAV4, but the Forester back seat is a little tighter than that of the other models. You need to keep in mind that many of these vehicles, including the Forester, are based off of compact car frames so the back seats aren't going to be very big to begin with. Having said that, I've taken four adults on long road trips without complaints too.
The cupholder sits right above the climate controls. When you put your drink in it, it does get in the way.
I've never figured out why we Americans are so obsessed with cupholders. I don't think any other country in the world puts so much weight on these little pieces of plastic. :-)
Ken
Can someone please explain to me why cupholders are so important? Is the rest of the world fundamentally different to Americans?
Here in Australia, we tend to drink when stopped and not when we are driving. Also, for those who do drink in thei cars, a popular drink is flavoured milk, sold in square cartons. They just plain do not fit cupholders.
Cheers
Graham
Bob
Perhaps another use might be for an in car aquarium to counter the VW bud vase. Take a water bottle of your choice, insert a gold fish, place in cupholder on dash.
On the otherhand my wife and I take a lot of long road trips often spending the better part of the many days in the car. It gets hot and we like to fill out tanks when we fill the Legacy's. Rather than standing on the platform of the gas station and chugging the big gulp or bottled water we prefer to take them with us.
bit
Thank you
SO IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE 100% PERFECTION!!!
I purchased a 2001 I series forester a few months ago, hats off to everyone involved with
the design, quality and service. I noticed two filters under the vehicle, one is for the oil and
another I'am only guessing is for the transmission. If anyone has the time and the answer
please post-it. I traded in a 98 Grand problematic Cherokee when purchasing my Stubby,
I can't say in words the relief ( peace of mind ) I have now. To anyone who is planning to
buy this vehicle, you will not regret it! it so fun to drive, the handling is great and the cargo
area will probably handle all your gear, if not, strap -it to the very functional roof rack. I know my
Stubby is still new ( just under 6k) but just have a good feeling about it.
Thanks everyone