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Subaru Forester (up to 2005)
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Comments
Question: What experience has anyone had with Cooper performance or touring tires such as the Cobra GTZ, Cobra GTH or Lifeliner STE? I'm looking for new 3 season tires that are as good or better than the Forester "S" OEM Yokohama H/Ts. Handling, particularly in the rain is important. Next come smooth ride and quiet. I have a very good Cooper dealer here, but don't know much about the products. Feedback?
John
-Frank P.
Since I'm looking for something that is rated better in snow, I think I'll still be considering the Dunlop SP Sport A2 ...one of the few H-speed rated tires that are rated fairly good in snow and ice.
Hope we're not beating this subject to death. :P
--'rocco
Dealers (I have had it to 2) can never replicate the problem until I was about to pick up the 99 Suburu after its last 4 days in the shop and lo and behold the tech had a hard time starting it. They replaced the air sensor control. Guess what. It still starts hard sometimes when cold, sometimes when hot. Have called 1800 suburu (Suburu picked up the tab) and have been told that the area tech rep will be in contact. Have not yet heard from him. Patti, can you be of any help?
John
Mo
Bob
-mike
-mike
I was at the dealership this morning to pick up my 2002 ForesterL after its first oil change and my sales rep said they could install the Subaru key less/security system for $295 parts and labor. How does this price sound to anyone?
I've seen Viper and Clifford systems advertised at local sound & security shops for $199-$250.
My concerns are the quality of the Subaru equipment and being reluctant to take it to an after market shop and have some guy who's never seen a Subaru under my dash. Any thoughts or feedback would be much appreciated. And speaking of which, I'm am so glad that I found this site. What a great resource this is for all of us 'Subie' owners!
-Donn
Have you tried calling any other dealers in the area to see what the going rate is on the installation?
The Subaru "factory" alarm is just a re-branded alarm from a major company, much like the audio. If memory serves me right, it's an Alpine. While it's not the top of the line alarm, it's decent and does the job.
For the ultimate in security, you should be looking at LoJacks.
Yes, isn't this a great resource!
Ken
-mike
laters
mike
I installed the subaru security system a couple of weeks back, and would like to set shock sensor sensitivity. As of now, if I try to open door (usual way - using door handles) the alarm is not triggered. However, if I strike any part of the vehicle firmly, it does trigger the alarm.
Is this how it is suppose to function? Or, should it set off the alarm if one tries open the door using handles. I don't want to make it too sensitive and set off false alarms. My neighbour's Montero sport, sets off alarm even if a squirrel jumps on the vehicle. Other folks in our apartment complex hate the owner because of this nuisance.
Thanks in advance
Forester teaser? Gotta go check.
Mike: I liked the Duelers, too.
Check out the movie "In the Bedroom". A Forester L, green like mine, plays a supporting actress role. It's even the topic of conversation for an entire scene, with an SUV debate and all. In the next scene they drive off in the Forester. Really cool.
-juice
Anyone notice on the "Wednesday" page that the steering wheel looks suspiciously like the Momo wheel found in the WRX? This along with the white-faced gauges makes me think the new Forester might be packing some extra juice.
Or is this just wishful thinking on my part...:)
(actually she was demonstarting what to do if the batteries on our remote entry fob dies or is lost and we need to open the door manually)
I think you can check up what the alrm system can do by looking in to the Owner's manual -- there will probably be a section on the alarm system even if you did not buy the car with one.
Juice -- I had noticed the Forester in that movie too (probably even wrote about it on this board). But how did you figure it was a L ? The S also comes in green with cladding.....
The shock sensor on my wife's Viper system works as follows. If you bang on a part of the car as though you were trying to break a window or punch out the key hole with a screwdriver, it activates. A nice feature considering that it may stop someone before they get in,
grab whatever, and are gone. As far as stopping a pro from actually stealing your car probably not much help. I do like the fact that most complete car alarms today seem to have an ignition kill feature. If the alarm is not disarmed you cannot start the car.
Kens: Yes and thanks. The other dealer in my area quoted me a price $200 bucks higher!
Does anyone know if the Subaru Security system comes with shock sensor and/or ignition kill?
If so I'll probably have the dealer do it, even though they always seem very fuzzy about any Subaru questions I have.. they're also a Chevy dealer which I think accounts for about 97% of their business.
Thanks to all!
-Donn
Yes, I noticed the interior too. I'm not suprised considering that the Forester is, and looks like it will continue to be, based on the Impreza. The interior trim on the current Forester and the previous generation (GC8) Impreza have lots of common parts.
I do have a feeling that the Momo steering wheel might be reserved for the the top of the line model.
Ken
Ross
Michael
Thanks
And if you want to spend more, there are the blankets we could have gotten for $20.00 a piece, they have really nice patterns on them, interesting and colorful,very Southwestern, in wool. A rather tight, hard weave. I'm not selling anything, and certainly not offering a buying service -- just describing what we've seen and considered. ---Actually, anything about 60"x30" that is substantial and visually interesting will do it. And you can go to more trouble than we did to fit it. My wife had an elastic set-up with fasteners and so-forth when she put the saddleblankets in her Justy. She abandoned that in the Mustang. And we carried that care-free feeling with the Forester.
Anyway, twenty or fourty bucks beats the seatcovers at Pep-Boys or Wally-World all black and blue.
The other tip is for the cargo area. We bought a laundry basket at Wally-World (Wal-Mart to the general public)and used bungy cords that are about twenty-four inches long to fasten it down to the cargo loops provided. It works great: no more stuff sliding around in the back. The basket holds stuff and the bungy cords create quandrants that keep things from sliding around.
For what is worth to you...
Wonderful idea!
tidester
Host
SUVs
Thanks
R
It had the front nudge bar, which was usually put on S models (loaded up). Anyone going to see it again, check it out closely, OK?
-juice
I interpret this as more space front to back, which may have been accomplished simply using the new Impreza platform or a stretched Impreza platform. The width could easily be 1" to 1 ½ " more than in the previous model without going to the Legacy platform. It also looks to me as if the wheel wells are intruding less into the cargo area, and there is a longer (deeper) cargo area.
The wider C-pillar is reminiscent of the new Impreza and is most likely necessary for improved structural rigidity. It also gives the car a more modern, less bus-like appearance (although it will create a blind spot).
Just a few more days
- D.
S-model. Automatic w/leather. Are there any common problems with this model? Have never owned an Subaru? Thanks in advance
Otherwise, I'll try to find your file on Monday to see what I can do. For the most part, Reps. visit dealers on a monthly basis, but they have been attending a lot of meetings related to new product information, corporate direction for 2K2, etc.
I'll be in touch!
Patti
However, you might want to make sure that the vehicle has been maintained, and serviced regularly. Some folks who lease vehicles, don't maintain it well. While some of them don't want to shell out money on the vehicle that do not own, others are too innocent to understand technicalities.
A friend of mine was shopping for a used accord. One owner had never rotated her tires since she bought it (three yr. old car). My office admin's VW has 'Change Oil' light on for nearly over 6 mos now. She has been postponing it forever. I keep bugging her that the car may break down some day soon;) Simple things like this could cost more in long run.
Make sure you talk to the owner, and get the service history before you make a decision.
My 0.02$...
Good luck!!!
As to size, I think the car is probably "marginally" larger than the current one. I'm hoping, that with some clever engineering, that will translate in to at least "moderate" gains in terms of interior space, especially for rear seat passengers. I'm hoping that we may again see some sort of reclining rear seat—but better executed than that found on the '98-'00 North American models. Also, a sliding rear seat, like that found on the new CRV and RAV4 would be much appreciated too.
Bob
<drool> http://www.subaru.co.jp/legacy/c/c1/c1_k03.htm
-Brian
I think Ken is the only "regular" here who can translate Japanese. My guess is the copy, like the images, is written to "tease," not inform...
Bob
Jim
-Brian
As with all new Subaru models, the earliest you can expect to see them at dealers is the end of the summer.
Ken
- D.
but last year, the 2002 Impreza was on the delaer lots in May.
-mike
-Frank P.
-mike
James: I have a '98, but it's an L. 43k miles on mine.
No major quirks, just make sure it rides quietly and smoothly. If the wheel bearings are bad, you'll hear it, no doubt. Same for any pinging or axle/gear whine (not common, but issues to check out). If it operates smoothly, you ought to be fine. 45k miles means you still have some powertrain warranty left over, too.
Ask for maintenance records. By 45k the only major service would be the 30k service, so ask for receipts. Check the tires to see if they are evenly worn (if not, alignment may be bad or even the frame may have been damaged).
Other than that, I love my '98 and don't regret buying it for a second.
-juice