here in the cyberworld. Questions to me have been asked an answered .. I was only gone for a day or two. Greg - the Yoko's look like a good year round choice. I would love to put 4 winter tires on the Forester .. just to see what it would do in the snow but here in Maryland we don't get enough to justify it. I was more concerned about stopping than starting. Even the Geo's (when new) went through an amazing amount of snow (or is that the Forester even with the Geo's .. anyway) they just wouldn't stop. That swirling stomach feeling that you get when you hit the brakes and you hear the ABS do its stuff .. but you're not stopping, I can live without. I was hoping that the AQ3's were the ticket. Time will tell. - Hutch
Saw that review yesterday. It's in the brand-new print edition of CR.
They rank a Desert Dueler as below average in snow. It may have been a different model than what comes on the Forester L, but mine were fine. Far better than the Bridgestones on my Miata and the BFG VR4s on the wife's car.
And I mean in braking on snow, where the AWD isn't a factor. The Nittos are like ice skates in comparison (better the rest of the time, though).
You may be on to something here. I noticed that the price listed for the AQ3's was $60. I couldn't come close to that price. Could these be different tires? Hummmmmm - Hutch
I've noticed the Aqua 3s seem to be dropping in price at tirerack. A month ago they were in the $75 range and yesterday when I checked they were cheaper. CR rates the Yoko Aegis as $50 and I got them for $49. Pretty good. Now if I can only figure out which Firestone tire is the OEMs on my OB.
Have now reached the 6500 mile mark on my '02 Forester.
Mileage good, no mech. problems at all.
Time for the second oil change, which I decided to perform myself.
In a foolish moment, though, I didn't notice which side of the crush washer mounts against the drain plug, and which against the oil pan. The washer is clearly not the same on either side, and nothing that I've got tells me this information.
I shoulda checked when I took off the old one, darnit.
Like a Trooper has all those ground effects? I could do without the skirts and wing (my kayak would beat the mess out of it) but they come with the territory.
I could see SWRT using it to recce San Remo and Corsica.
Trooper? LOL, I think you're looking too much into it ;-)
On another note, looks like HID Xenon headlamps are available for those who really want them (and the 2-3 times greater light output that they offer) by importing them from Japan, like the WRX guys.
Drew Host Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
does not adequately describe the beast IMHO. All of the simplicity and much of the utility is gone. It has reduced the Forester to a gaudy hot-rod street cruiser. Ugh!!
A little too boy-racerish looking for me. Keep the important stuff, kill the aero-effects.
Is this new model? I thought they already had an Forester STi in Japan? If it is new, it seems strange, in light of the fact that an all-new model is just round the corner. It's going to have short life span.
To my point, I could do without the skirts and wing but the drivetrain and interior appointments are the ticket. I've been jealous of the little amenities I saw on the Forester S turbo in the UK: armrests integrated into the seats instead of on the console, headlamp washers, self-leveling suspension, alcantara upholstery, and oh yeah, 12 extra hp. The dual nature of the Forester was one of its more appealing features to me. I like the standard ride height and have no intention of slamming it or lifting it. I know I can do light off-roading but I'd like to do a little more with it on pavement. Those 17" wheels and better tires would be a start.
This looks to me like a way to send the old model out with a bang - like the Camaro/Firebird? Hmmm...
SWRT does use Foresters to pre-run the Kenya rally. Pretty cool, it's a stocker Forester GT, too.
Ross: that's why there is limited production! It's not meant to appeal to everyone.
Ken and I jokingly call ours Project Forester 2.5RS. With the sway bars, intakes, strut tower brace, short shift kits, etc., it's fair to make that claim. ;-)
Hello, Any problems with going to 15" rims for snow tires for a Forester S? Someone on another board suggested "the narrower, the better" for snow. Thanks, Joe
What has happened to the Forester classification? Last year, Edmund's classified it as a mini-suv and compared it to other mini-suv's. The write-up for the 2002 Forester lists it as a COMPACT AWD WAGON, but gives the same head to head comparisons with mini-suv's. The mini-suv's are car-based like the Forester. Whut's happenin???? I am afraid that this could hurt sales.
I bought 15" steel "takeoff" wheels that are standard on the "L" model in the spring of 2000. They were under $20 each when they had a lot on hand in the port. See what your local dealer can do. Bear in mind that you may also need to get the center caps if you don't already have them, i.e. you have an "S" with alloy wheels.
ray70: I was surprised to read recently in another edmunds thread ("I Don't Like SUVs, Why Do You?" I believe) that Forester promoter #1, juice, does not call the vehicle an SUV.
Funny, I never considered the Forester an SUV either, though my wife says I'm in denial about that. I shopped it against the A4, Volvo XC, and Legacy GT wagons.
is a station wagon. I was once giving a friend a ride and she said "I really like your new truck." Within a block (I swear this is true!) the low fuel light came on. Upon filling up, I discovered Rufus was in fact not anywhere near empty. This has never recurred. His feelings were obviously hurt being referred to as an SUV and I don't blame him.
My 98L has been called a truck more often than anything else. I never refer to it as a truck or an SUV, but then again I don't call it a wagon either. Come to think of it I really don't know what to call it, its just my Sube.
No, I didn't want to spoil him. After praising the WRX seats I had to get him a moon roof - it could get expensive. Yes I did let her back into Rufus but she had to repeat 10 times "Rufus is a car, not a truck, ..." She has not repeated her egregious blunder.
Is the security light on the dashboard supposed to blink all the time when the car is turned off and locked and the keyless entry system is armed? I got my 2001 Forester eight months ago, and the light never blinked when the car was off, but started doing it all of a sudden. At the same time, the headlights stopped turning on when I used the system to unlock the car. I had the dealer reprogram the system, and they said the dash light is supposed to blink all the time. The information about this system in the manual is so confusing. (I love my car and never had any other problems with it.)
Eric you remember what a 55 Pontiac looks like, much less own one, your dating yourself.
It is obvious that we all have different images when we say SUV, truck, station wagon, etc.
My wife generally has every day use of the family car (01 Forester) and I get to drive it on family outings. For thirty-years I have driven a pick-up truck to work and I equate a truck with a pickup (and cringe when I hear Paison call his Trooper a truck). I also think of a SUV as a a Wagoneer type vehicle (higher suspension, off-road capability). When we bought or Forester we needed a vehicle that could haul several passengers and on our Montana mountain logging roads. We also wanted something that would do well in snow and ice. We bought a Forester and it is exactly what we need. It is the best all-around vehicle we ever owned. However, we would not have looked at the Forester if had not been classified as a mini-SUV. I would never consider buying or driving COMPACT, AWD STATION WAGON for our mountain roads. Pure and simple we would not have looked at the Forester with the current Edwards classification. There are a lot of Foresters in town, and everyone that I know bought them because of their off-road capability.
I have truly enjoyed Ross's pictures and the roads he has taken Rufus. I have also enjoyed the everyones offroad pictures. It strikes me that we all like to take our Forester's off-road, so I am surprised at your not wanting to call it a SUV.
I truly hope that you don't hurt sales to other off-road enthusiasts.
Thank you. :-) I must admit I did look at some of the mini-SUV types (CRV, RAV4, Grand Viagra, etc) but the more I saw of them, the more I wanted a compact station wagon. I love my Forester. Once or twice a year an extra 1" clearance and/or improved approach/departure angles would be nice. Most days an inch less clearance would be better. Overall, a great compromise between on and off road capability.
I have a 2002 Forester L and have approximately 4200 miles on it. My problem is that from day one I have felt that the alignment is off. When driving down the highway on a day with no wind if I release the steering wheel the vehicle drifts to the left. I have to drive with the steering wheel tilted to the right to point the vehicle straight.
I have brought it back twice to the dealer. The first time they told me it was the tire pressure. But the problem remained. The second time they said they aligned it but it's still the same and is annoying. Does anyone have any suggestions. Could it be something else?
To the left? Alignment is off, then. It usually pulls to the right, with the crown of the road.
To SUV or not to SUV? That is the question. Who cares? I love my Forester. I chose it because it was better than the SUV alternatives, yet does those SUV duties just fine.
Sandy has been on the beach, farms & orchards, and on sand/dirt trails and never even lost her breath. Her 1000+ lb payload is hard to match, even for truck-based competitors. 150 lbs on the roof? Beat that!
Oh, and put it all in a nice handling, user friendly package with full time AWD. Add a little Subie quirkiness, and fun bunch of co-owners, great support from SoA here and in our events, and gimme some Rally Bread on the side, please.
Comments
Greg - the Yoko's look like a good year round choice.
I would love to put 4 winter tires on the Forester .. just to see what it would do in the snow but here in Maryland we don't get enough to justify it. I was more concerned about stopping than starting. Even the Geo's (when new) went through an amazing amount of snow (or is that the Forester even with the Geo's .. anyway) they just wouldn't stop. That swirling stomach feeling that you get when you hit the brakes and you hear the ABS do its stuff .. but you're not stopping, I can live without. I was hoping that the AQ3's were the ticket. Time will tell.
- Hutch
They rank a Desert Dueler as below average in snow. It may have been a different model than what comes on the Forester L, but mine were fine. Far better than the Bridgestones on my Miata and the BFG VR4s on the wife's car.
And I mean in braking on snow, where the AWD isn't a factor. The Nittos are like ice skates in comparison (better the rest of the time, though).
-juice
- Hutch
Kind of like Wilderness tires on the Outback, which were completely different than those on the Explorer.
-juice
Greg
Mileage good, no mech. problems at all.
Time for the second oil change, which I decided to perform myself.
In a foolish moment, though, I didn't notice which side of the crush washer mounts against the drain plug, and which against the oil pan. The washer is clearly not the same on either side, and nothing that I've got tells me this information.
I shoulda checked when I took off the old one, darnit.
A little help?
Thanks
Ken
Put the flat side against the drain plug, and the "open" side against the oil pan.
Len
I posted this link in Future Models forum. If SoA brought this over it'd cure me of WRX envy pretty much forever.
Ed
-juice
-mike
Both are boxy and practical, just built to different scales.
-juice
I could see SWRT using it to recce San Remo and Corsica.
Ed
On another note, looks like HID Xenon headlamps are available for those who really want them (and the 2-3 times greater light output that they offer) by importing them from Japan, like the WRX guys.
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
Ross
Is this new model? I thought they already had an Forester STi in Japan? If it is new, it seems strange, in light of the fact that an all-new model is just round the corner. It's going to have short life span.
Bob
This looks to me like a way to send the old model out with a bang - like the Camaro/Firebird? Hmmm...
Ed
Now wouldn't that be sweet; the best of both worlds all in one.
Bob
Ed
Bob
Ed
Bob
Ross: that's why there is limited production! It's not meant to appeal to everyone.
Ken and I jokingly call ours Project Forester 2.5RS. With the sway bars, intakes, strut tower brace, short shift kits, etc., it's fair to make that claim. ;-)
-juice
Yep, the Forester is just a phat 2.5 RS. Same engine and tranny but able to haul lots of cargo and ride over big bumps. :-)
What's next, juice? Project Forester WRX? ;-)
Ken
http://isuzu-suvs.com/bighorn/bh07.html
http://isuzu-suvs.com/bighorn/bh08.html
http://isuzu-suvs.com/bighorn/bh09.html
http://isuzu-suvs.com/bighorn/bh10.html
-mike
Any problems with going to 15" rims for snow tires for a Forester S? Someone on another board suggested "the narrower, the better" for snow.
Thanks,
Joe
Are those HIDs, paisan?
Joe: no problem at all, in fact the L models come with 15"x6" rims. The proper size is 205/70R15, so go for it.
-juice
Projector HIDs
They also have a $1000 KYB suspension upgrade for the trooper over there. External resivoirs
-mike
-juice
...at 6-7pm Pacific/9-10 pm Eastern. Hope to see you there!
http://www.edmunds.com/chat/subaruchat.html
Ray
ray70 again: Yes, I liked my '55 Pontiac too.
ejp
Bob
Ed
Ross
Greg
Mike
Greg
Ross
At the same time, the headlights stopped turning on when I used the system to unlock the car. I had the dealer reprogram the system, and they said the dash light is supposed to blink all the time.
The information about this system in the manual is so confusing. (I love my car and never had any other problems with it.)
It is obvious that we all have different images when we say SUV, truck, station wagon, etc.
My wife generally has every day use of the family car (01 Forester) and I get to drive it on family outings. For thirty-years I have driven a pick-up truck to work and I equate a truck with a pickup (and cringe when I hear Paison call his Trooper a truck). I also think of a SUV as a a Wagoneer type vehicle (higher suspension, off-road capability). When we bought or Forester we needed a vehicle that could haul several passengers and on our Montana mountain logging roads. We also wanted something that would do well in snow and ice. We bought a Forester and it is exactly what we need. It is the best all-around vehicle we ever owned. However, we would not have looked at the Forester if had not been classified as a mini-SUV. I would never consider buying or driving COMPACT, AWD STATION WAGON for our mountain roads. Pure and simple we would not have looked at the Forester with the current Edwards classification. There are a lot of Foresters in town, and everyone that I know bought them because of their off-road capability.
I have truly enjoyed Ross's pictures and the roads he has taken Rufus. I have also enjoyed the everyones offroad pictures. It strikes me that we all like to take our Forester's off-road, so I am surprised at your not wanting to call it a SUV.
I truly hope that you don't hurt sales to other off-road enthusiasts.
Ray
Ross
Ray: My parents had a '56 Pontiac - that must count for something. Not much visual difference between the two IIRC.
Ed
Ross
I have brought it back twice to the dealer. The first time they told me it was the tire pressure. But the problem remained. The second time they said they aligned it but it's still the same and is annoying. Does anyone have any suggestions. Could it be something else?
Thanks in advance for any info.
To SUV or not to SUV? That is the question. Who cares? I love my Forester. I chose it because it was better than the SUV alternatives, yet does those SUV duties just fine.
Sandy has been on the beach, farms & orchards, and on sand/dirt trails and never even lost her breath. Her 1000+ lb payload is hard to match, even for truck-based competitors. 150 lbs on the roof? Beat that!
Oh, and put it all in a nice handling, user friendly package with full time AWD. Add a little Subie quirkiness, and fun bunch of co-owners, great support from SoA here and in our events, and gimme some Rally Bread on the side, please.
-juice
The wife could drive Sandy. Ain't life grand?
-juice