Subaru Forester (up to 2005)

beachfish · January 2002

...until after I bought it! I bought it because the '86 4WD GL wagon lasted through 14 years of abuse. And, yessirreebob, they do like it. They like the moonroof, the leather, the 6-cd-in-dash-thing and the style. I don't really like the exterior styling, but I love the handling, etc.

This women-love-the-Forester-thing is not a bad deal as it turns out for a 51-year-old divorced guy with an M.S. in counseling who likes surf fishing, gambling, target shooting and a little duck hunting with the guys from time to time.

I tell them that I bought a moonroof and got this great little car

John

artdecho · January 2002

Well, the teaser is about as revealing as Honda's for the CR-V. I'm intrigued by the tag line:
Different Challenge, Different Car. Judging by the teaser pix, it doesn't look all THAT different. I guess we'll know how different in a few more days.

ateixeira · January 2002

We all know that Subaru is aware of the #1 complaint (rear seat room), so hopefully that is what they mean.

-juice

burnsmr4 · January 2002

Hi, folks,

As of sometime tomorrow afternoon, I hope to be a certifided Subaru Crew discussion type with either a 2002 Forester S or a 2002 Outback Sport. I'd like to hear some input from both camps before I make a decision tomorrow. Just so you know -- this message will be cross-posted in both discussion areas -- try not to reply twice. ;-)

Forester S Impressions:

I really LOVE the Forester S, and it's my first choice. Only cost will keep me from having it. It's all the crap that comes on the S models around here in Atlanta -- I only want the armrest extension and the filtration system. Alas, metro-Atlanta dealerships are hawking the loaded S and S premium models.

Things I like about this car -- ride height, tall roofline, cargo space, alloy wheels, and the standard features. I'm coming down from an underpowered V-6 automobile, and the Forester just seems downright peppy and sporty in comparison. Go figure.

Outback Sport Impressions:

I'm test driving this cheaper alternative tonight From my research, I've discovered that the legroom and headroom measurements aren't too different from the Forester S. The same engine and 16" wheels are also pluses for the Outback Sport. The bad thing is the loss of cargo space -- one of the reasons I like the Forester S.

Things I like about this car -- I love the black and greystone finish on the one I'm looking at. I think it's the best color combo available. Also, I like the sporty, Audi A4/S4 Avant-ish look to the roofline (I'm totally off on that, but it's the first thing I think of).

Decision Issues:

Cost aside, what am I losing if I don't get the Forester S? Is the ride height similar on the Outback Sport? I'll miss the 6-disc changer in the Outback Sport, but I can live without it. What about REAL space front seat and back seat? Is there a REAL difference in terms of comfort? I know that the Outback Sport doesn't have rear seat headrests -- that's part of the comfort equation in my book. Is the Outback Sport cargo space seriously deficient? With the seats up, of course? Finally, what about driving quality? Which one is smoother/quieter, and which one is faster off the line? I'd expect the lighter Outback Sport to be faster.

Any help (general -- don't be too specific or try and scare me off with horror stories) is greatly appreciated. Thanks, and I look forward to hanging out here in the near future.

Later,
burnsmr4

peterson10 · January 2002

Every time I get behind the wheel of my Forester I whince with embarrasment, knowing that if I were a real man I would have bought a Jeep, or better yet a Yukon! Then I'd get to "bond" with all my "brothers" at the corner gas station (every other day), telling dirty jokes and spitting in public while we dump gallons of testosterone into our insatiable gas tanks. After that I could roar down the Interstate, intimidating all the wimpy unibodies in the slow lane with the enormous spray of slush my burly tires generate, and cap it off by having a hearty man-to-man talk with the tow truck driver who has to pull me out of the median.
Shamefully,
YetAnotherWimp

paisan · January 2002

I'm not against full-size SUVs. Heck I drive one almost as big, and it has a nice frame too. But I'd drive a forester if it met my needs. I'd say drive whatever suits your needs, not cause anyone else is buying it or not buying it.

-mike

leomort · January 2002

have you consider the Forester L???? Slotted in between the Outback Sport and Forester S pricewise. If I'm not mistaken the Forester L isn't that much more than the Outback Sport.

Leo

rangerron7 · January 2002

take a look at the Forester L and have them install the armrest extension and cabin filter. You'll save at least $1K compared to an S+.
Ron

ateixeira · January 2002

I mentioned the pros of the OBS in that thread, so here I'll focus on the Forester.

You may regret not getting enough cargo space, but you'll never regret having too much. You always find a use for it. The Forester has not only more room, but a more useful shape to the cargo bay, i.e. it's boxy. It also offers more payload and more roof rack capacity, in other words more utility overall.

The engine is the same, but it's just as quick and just as efficient, so there is no penalty for the extra size. Resale is good so you'll recoup most of the difference in price.

Bottom line? Can you afford it? A Forester L is an alternative, and you still get ABS and AWD, power everything, roof rack, mud guards, fog lights, etc.

The S adds lots of nice features, like heated seats/mirrors/windshield, rear LSD for better traction, rear disc brakes, and 6CD. I don't think the OBS has any of those (correct me if I'm wrong). So it costs more, but you get more.

The S Premium is a dream. $22,399 with freight included at Fitzmall.com, and that adds a huge moonroof and side air bags. It feels almost like a near-luxury vehicle with all that content.

My budget would allow it, so I'd spring for the S Preemie. If I got an Impreza, it would likely be the WRX wagon, just because that engine is so sweet.

-juice

kens · January 2002

A couple additional comments:

The Forester probably rides a little higher than the OBS. I believe the ground clearance is greater too.

I haven't driven the new OBS, but I'm going to guess that the Forester has a little more sound insulation based on my previous experiences.

Can you wait a little longer? The new Forester is going to be unveiled very soon. You may be able to get a good deal on the current one once the new model is announced.

Ken

ateixeira · January 2002

I think it's 7.5" vs. 6.8" for the OBS.

The new-for-2002 Impreza has a very solid structure and was more quiet and refined than my 1998 Forester. Then again, mine is almost 4 years old, so it wasn't a fair comparison, but the OBS has become noticeably more refined than the previous one.

We should mention the 2003 Forester debuts next Wednesday, so it's worth the wait to see if you like it.

-juice

silface · January 2002

Hi! If you can just wait one more week for the 2003 Forester. I feel that you really love the Forester from your message. Then if you can wait, then buy it at some later time.. I made the mistake of not waiting and purchased a Honda Civic. I know that the Honda cannot be compared with either Outback Sport or Forester. My budget at that time could not permit me to purchase a Subaru. I regret it every time it rains or snows! Though, we are getting less of bad weather these days so my Civic is just fine! Well, when we do get heavy accumulations of snow, I take my parent's Impreza wagon. Ha! I hope that helps!

Sil

storyteller · January 2002

Does anyone know what actually happens when the next Forester is unveiled? Will it be seen only at the car show, or is SOA likely to release photos on their web site?

hypov · January 2002

they put Patti in the dungeon again on thins one. :-D

-Dave

kens · January 2002

Well, if the release is going to be anything like the WRX, the website unintentionally preceded the car show unveiling. ;-)

Ken

rkw2 · January 2002

If you don't get the right CD installed as was agreed to on your sales contract, contact the Department of Consumer Affairs in your county. You will file a form with them and they will go to bat for you. Businesses do not like to be investigated by them. I've used them or threatened to in the past for various things and have been very happy with all the results. Good luck.

ateixeira · January 2002

After it's unveiled, not much. Dealers stay hushed because they want to sell the 2002 models left in lots.

We'll see some stuff on the internet sites, then maybe a few previews from media outlets (the usual suspects).

Can't wait!

-juice

storyteller · January 2002

Yeah! Let's just hope someone from the Subaru Crew is in Detroit with a good camera. I've got high hopes for this one.

kens · January 2002

I was using Google on some Japanese websites and came across this photo on Lycos Auto:

http://www.lycos.co.jp/auto/carmode/image/forester.jpg

The photo is small but it does resemble the Mag-X pictures we've seen so far!

The photo came from this article (in Japanese):

http://www.lycos.co.jp/auto/carmode/

Not a whole lot on the article but things to note are:

- The new chassis is just 10mm longer

- Interior length increased by 40mm and width by 20mm (basically not too much)

- Same engine and tranny offerings

Ken

burnsmr4 · January 2002

Hi, folks,

Thank you so much for the input. I was able to test drive the OBS this afternoon, and I really liked it in terms of the ride and feel (love the little pocket rocket feel). However, the space inside was...humbling. It was just so much smaller than the Forester S. I wouldn't have thought it was that big a difference, but...well...it was.

For the next 2-3 days, my purchase of either vehicle has been put on hold. The buyer of my car bailed after he couldn't get financing. He's young, and I was worried he wouldn't get the credit rating he needed for the loan. Oh, well.

Keep those suggestions coming. I'm reading every one of 'em. I'll join this group if I have to sell my future children for a Subaru. ;-)

Later,
burnsmr4

allhorizon · January 2002

The front looks right, but in white and lacking contrast I find it hard to make out anything else.

The roof rail is supposed to be integrated - but here it doesn't look that way.

The interior size changes listed are about 2/3 of what I expect. At any rate, that would be an engineering feat to accomplish without changing exterior measurements, while simultaneously moving to the new, strengthened platform and structural stiffness (i.e., impossible in my opinion).

- D.

c_hunter · January 2002

The roof rails are integrated into the body from what I can see -- just like the Outback's design.

Craig

storyteller · February 2002

Would the turbo scoop on the hood mark this as a JDM version? Whatever, I like it.

p0926 · February 2002

3subfam1- Hey, my wife hails from your neck of the woods. She grew up near Adams.

For anyone interested, the Tug Hill area is great Soob country since its average winter snowfall amounts are amoung the highest in the lower 48 (it gets lots of lake effect snow).

Burnsmr4- I checked Conley Subaru's (in Decatur) on-line inventory and the 02 Forester pickings are getting a little slim (yet another reason you might want to wait for the new model). Still, if you're looking for an automatic (that's all they've got), you can pickup an L with minimal additional equip for less than $20k. And as stated previously, the L is fairly comparable to the OBS.

-Frank P.

ateixeira · February 2002

That's OK, you now will have more time to survey your choices, and ought to have time to at least preview the 2003 Forester thoroughly.

The roof rail starts farther back. Check out the Outback's and you'll see what they mean. The current Forester's rails start at the windshield.

-juice

joseph50 · February 2002

I have been filling up my 2001 AT Forester S exactly when the needle touches the 3/4 tank mark.
The fillup is a consistent 10 gallons, give or take a tenth.(Why it is not 12 gallons which is 3/4s of 16, I don't know.)
Anyway, the math is easy. Usually I pull in with more that 250 miles on the tripmeter. 26.9 mpg on my last fill-up. :0)

paisan · February 2002

I believe there is a 2 gallon reserve on most cars. That could explain 3/4 not being 3/4.

-mike

thecat · February 2002

The CEL came on yesterday. I guessed that the wife forgot to tighten the gas cap real well. The dealer checked the code and we ended up with a new O2 sensor but that didn't cure the problem. Upon further examination, 5 wires in the wiring harness had been chewed. Several completly through. Ah .. is that covered under warrenty? I don't think so.

Apparently the little guy (or girl) had made a nest in the midst of the wiring harness and was eating his home. Possibly for future family expansion needs. So let's see 165 hp stopped by 1 mp (mouse power that is). I may have to change my screen name.
- hutch

armac13 · February 2002

LOL. That could only happen to thecat.
:~)

Ross

rictom · February 2002

I say also take a look at the L. You can add most options either by dealer or later. And when the new Forester comes out, if you don't like it or if the price it out of your range you may have more negotiating power. I just bought my new L for 19766 with keyless remote and did so by emailing various dealers and refusing to raise my initial price (19866-basically invoice with keyless). They all balked, but when I didn't budge, they did. Got my local dealer to drop by $100 so I wouldn't go somewhere else. You can even try that now, before you've made a decision, start emailing a few dealers, ask for an S at invoice. You have nothing to lose.

Good Luck.

paisan · February 2002

You are about the 10th person I've heard that happen to. Does FHI use mouse-friendly wires or something?

-mike

allhorizon · February 2002

roofrails: now I see what you mean. In unicolor, the front pieces emerging from the roof are difficult to make out.

The front of the car looks much like the VDC wagon, in particular, with the inverted-V shaped grille.

- D.

joseph50 · February 2002

Every party has a pooper. Alas, I accept the task of punching in to fill that most unhappy task. With all the will-over-reality anticipation, imagined hype, "drooling," I predict the grand unveiling of the 2003 Forester will be grand thud. Not much change. But considering how I like the current vehicle, not such a bad thing, really. So sorry.
joe.

rsholland · February 2002

All we've seen is a tiny photo, and some teaser tidbits. How can you make that kind of prediction based on that?

Bob

jei · February 2002

Looks *slightly* larger than 1st generation, and a little more "mainstream". I'm not crazy about the oval fog lights. I hope FHI has increased rear seat room (probably not too hard if the new car is slightly longer and taller), while keeping the fun-to-drive character of the original. As in keeping weight growth to a minimum. If they tweak the 2.5L H4 and add a 5-speed automatic, performance should stay even or improve slightly. I expect they'll offer the H-6 but don't imagine they will right away, unless FHI has greatly increased H-6 production capacity. The Legacy 6 will probably get the next batch.

This evolution of the Forester seems to be shaping up as fairly conservative, not all bad considering the high standard the '98-02s have set. The restyling approach reminds me slightly of the evolution of the Grand Cherokee to a more mature, curvy look. I think greater interior room and towing capacity will be what increases Forester market share. I'm looking forward to the 6th.

John

petey17 · February 2002

Was wondering if any body had or was having problems with wheel alignments. I have a 2001 Forester L model that had an alignment problem and it seemed like it came out from the factory that way. I noticed it at around the 9,200 mile mark and was corrected by the dealer. A friend of mine also had a similiar problem but on a Nissan Maxima. Is this how they are coming out of the factories?

joseph50 · February 2002

My pessimism? Just (unexpert) gut feeling, finger to the trade/media report winds that aren't blowing Forester's way, what John (jei) correctly described as a mainstreaming, fairly conservative evolutionary design curve. May you be right in your expectancy, and a revelation-to-knock-your-sox-off is in the offing come Feb. 6. But I still think it is hoping against hope.
Take care.
joe

rsholland · February 2002

After being disappointed by the new Baja, I'm not getting overly excited about the new Foresterbut I'm not writing it off either.

We just don't know enough about it yet. I'm at least giving it the benefit of the doubt.

Bob

armac13 · February 2002

on this one. I will be very surprised if the 2003 is a major departure. My major concern is the increasing weight if the latest models. If the new model is up 300 lbs., it better have a few more horsepower. I doubt there will be any substantial change in drivetrain at this time, it will probably be next year. A bit more leg room. Like Joe, I really like the current model, and I expect the new one to be significantly stiffer and more solid feeling. As long as the performance does not suffer, it should be OK.

Ross

jei · February 2002

Yep, some of them do come from the factory misaligned. My '99 was eventually properly checked and aligned by my independent tire & suspension shop at around 50K, after roughing up the rear tires slightly. The dealer didn't do anything about it the first time I asked, at around 30 K; they said it was OK. Call it OCD, but unless I really had a good relationship of trust with my dealer to check the alignment, I'd take a brand new car in to get alignment checked at a first class tire, suspension & alignment shop. A little $ up front would get peace of mind and possibly save some premature tire wear and some wasted time. Just one of those things to take care of on a mostly wonderful car. SOA should get more careful about alignment quality though.

John

jaurelio · February 2002

Hi...before I get slammed for a being a newbie ...is there an easy way to see if a question has been asked already? Some sort of search of the whole forum. If there is, I missed it.

I know "juice" used to have a web page up a couple years ago describing some good how to stuff, but I think it's been gone for quite a while. I've been away for quite a while...I used to lurk about a couple years ago. I bought the Subaru trailer hitch and roof mounted bike attachment today (Subaru points...gotta love 'em). I have the hitch wiring harness done...and the bike attachment done...both easy...but...the hitch.... Anyone have any helpful hints on installing it? Is it supposed to come with directions for torque ratings, etc? Mine didn't. Anyone have a scanner or digital camera to take pictures of the instructions if so (email in profile)? There are 4 holes on the right side, and 3 holes on the left. Looks like I drop the muffler some, remove some tie down hook bolts (and bumper mount) and secure it there? Looks like there is a plug on the right that would line up with the 4th hole on the right, but no bolt? Should there have been a bolt with my hitch? Any comments, info, or advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Joe
Y2K Forester S

stever · February 2002

Welcome back to Town Hall. The search function isn't optimal, so feel free to ask away (or you can browse through the 4,000+ posts too, if you like).

Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

mckeown · February 2002

Jaurelio, Try subaru-parts.com and click on instructions on the bottom of the page. They have hitch instructions for the Impreza (similar) with pictures. about 1.5M file and you need Adobe Acrobat reader to view it.

kowski · February 2002

Thinking about getting a Forester. Are they as good as I have read about? Also can you order one from a dealer? Will be my first SUV and I have always bought domestic so I don't know how these dealers work as far as price goes. Any help would be appreciated.

stepheni · February 2002

Brought our 2001 Forester in for the 15K service last week... Since returning have noticed a distinct "burning" smell when the car is turned off (almost like oil). The oil level appears to be fine and there are no (noticable) leaks.

I'll be calling the dealer this week... Has anyone else experienced this type of problem with a relatively new Forester?

Thanks!!

c_hunter · February 2002

Most Subaru dealers have a really good selection, and many of the options can be added at the dealer (or by yourself) so it's rare that you would need to custom order a car.

The Forester is an awesome car, and you can normally get them near the invoice price. Note that the 2003 Forester will be announced next week, and should be available later this spring (based on the rumor mill, we will have to wait until next week to know for sure). This would have two implications for you: better discounts on 2002 models, and higher prices / less availability on 2003 models for the first few months. Wait until next week when we have details, and decide which car is right for you. In my opinion, the 2002 is a great car and the 2003 can only get better.

Craig

c_hunter · February 2002

They probably spilled some oil on the engine during the service. Even a little oil can smoke and smell bad, but it's generally not a problem. You can look around under the hood to make sure. Worst case, they might not have put the filter on correctly, but you would notice some dripping if that were the case.

Craig

declansdad · February 2002

kowski, I too had to special order my Forester. I wanted the S model with a manual, brush guard, CD and upgraded security system...dealer couldn't find one anywhere.

I hope that you won't have to wait the 3 months that I did. Although my Forester is a great car, I was really angry with the dealer. The dealer lied to me on a weekly basis, telling me all sorts of great stories about my Forester. I was promised 4 different delivery dates! Finally had to email SOA about the dealership (which I've never used). SOA gave me the exact delivery date and knocked off $300 for my troubles.

I don't mean to sound negative or scare you, but don't be too surprised if you encounter a long wait.

Michael

pat88 · February 2002

On our 2001 Forester we have noticed a burning smell off and on for a few months. Now it is pretty steady and I believe I have put my finger on it. It appears to be a coolant leak somewhere around the hose on top. I haven't seen it actually leaking, but it must have been slowly dripping down onto the top of the radiator, it evaporates off (with a burning odor) and it has left a green residue all over the top of the radiator. The hose clamp seems tight enough so I'll be making an apppointment to have it looked at. With 25000 miles it's about time for a coolant change anyway.

odd1 · February 2002

Availability depends on what part of the country you live in. Here in central Texas choices are slim. I'm sure in New England they are plentiful. It looks like I'm going to have to buy in Houston, personally.

Subaru Forester (up to 2005)

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