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Subaru Forester (up to 2005)
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Comments
Bob
Why? Why not ALL 16" wheels (or 15" wheels)?
To me this is just another example of Subaru's endless quest to offer different variations for seemingly little reason. I know we've had discussions here before regarding this, and that these kinds of marketing decisions can be justified... But I gotta tell ya, it just doesn't make any sense to me, at all.
I know every brand "tailors" vehicles to each market, due to legal issues, and market tastes. It just seems that Subaru (and other Japanese brands too) have taken this market-tailoring to a level of absolute absurdity. I'm convinced that Subaru could cut their parts inventory by about 33% if they were to streamline their international product lineup, and that it wouldn't adversely affect their sales. It's got to drive the bean counters nuts...
The only advantage I see, is that it keeps many more people employed at Subaru. Afterall, It takes many more people to design, engineer, produce and maintain this bloated parts inventory.
Bob
Thanks
James
*********************
I've had Dunlop SP Sport A2s on My Forester "S" since mid-March and REALLY like them. They don't feel like "high performance" tires but are totally surefooted and stable in dry & wet. I can go around corners or through exit ramps at higher speeds than I'm normally comfortable with, and the car just corners, no problem. For me, this is a higher 7/10ths than the OEM Yokohama H/Ts, which were perfectly good. The SP Sport A2s are not bad in moderate snow either. Just a little goosey in snowy lane changes at highway speed - you know - when there's a mound of slush between lanes. Ride is firm and fairly quiet.
These tires are very well suited to the Forester, and would probably offer fine balance on other Subarus as well.
******************************
Other tires that have been well received on these boards are Bridgestone RE950s & Michelin X-ones. Good luck.
John
Jim
I've used 15" Nokias on my '98 Forester, but I intend to move on to a Subaru that uses 16' tires ('03 Forester, Legacy, or Outback models with 16" tires).
The Nokias have a a lot of tread left, and, due to the expense of new tires, wheels, etc. I would hate to have to sell them to get new 16" version of the Nokia when I get a new Subie.
I understand that t some U.S. versions of Outbacks and Foresters get 16" wheels/tires, while other countries may get 15" as standard.
So, my question is: Even if I get a US version of an '03 Forester, Legacy or Outback, with 16' tires as standard equipment, would I be doing any harm to the suspension, handling, etc. if I were to continue using the 15" Nokias that I have?
I know my odometer would clock faster, but I wonder, again, if suspension, handling, and clearance would be a problem?
I am posting this on other Subaru Crew boards, so excuse me if you see this post elsewhere.
Thanks!
Slainte,
Nello
Subypower or Patti, will the new 16" Forester wheels have different specs/dimensions?
John
No one at my dealership or Tirerack or on any newsboard has ever mentioned this when I switched to 15" snow tires/wheels. Is this true; and if so, how so? Anyone?
I do a plus 1 sizing on my '01 Forester. Factory 15" wheels use 205/70s, plus 1 would put 215/60s on 16" wheels.
Maybe the differences that 'subypower' is referring to is that Forester L's with 15" steel wheels standard have rear drums, requiring a different ABS system that those S's out there with 16" wheels but rear disks. (???)
My choice was AT Italia with Yokohama Avid H4s -FWIW.
-Tony
Bob
-mike
Thanks
There are tons and tons of off-road pics of subies and Isuzus. I am an off-roader and own a Trooper, arguably one of the best mid-large stock offroaders out there. Depending on how hard core-off road you want to go the Forester may or may not be for you. Let us know what kind of offroaind you want to do and I'll let you know how capable the forester is for this.
-mike
Pacifica Blue Pearl,
Platinium Sliver Metallic,
Sierra Gold Metallic,
Woodland Green Pearl,
and Cayenne Red Pearl.
We are getting a bunch of these along with one XS, one XS with a moonroof and one XS with a moonroof and leather. $225 retail to add the cargo tray and mud guards.
Looks like I'll be waiting for the 2004 forester turbo or hopefully the B4 in 2004 (that does have a nice ring to it).
Michael
http://www.imagestation.com/mypictures/
Hope this helps.
Ross
On my '93 Civic I added tint, but don't remember the cost or type of film. It held up well, with only a couple of scratches that were entirely my fault. No fading or bubbling.
Also thinking of adding a trailer hitch. For those of you who've done that, what's involved? My wife was horrified at the relatively minor drilling required for the cargo net installation, so I'd be more likely to attempt it if the holes are already there. I don't even own a trailer, but would add the hitch receiver for a bike rack, since that rack would be a lot easier than the top mounted rack.
Ed
although we might try the Dunlop SP Sport A2s recommended here next time. They appear to be a great performance value judging from the stats at Tirerack.
Also, wanted to mention we have used Mobil 1 synthetic since 1500 mi. and it really helped quiet some noisy engine clatter--now runs fine (26,000 mi.) and purrs like a champ.
like this: http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4292019983
-Brian
Ross
I think this is the album you were trying to link:
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4292743515
This is the link to your Rufus page. I can see 2 albums of your by doing a member search on armac. The other album must be not public, like mine are. That way I can invite people just by giving them the link(s).
-Brian
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4292470983
and
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4292506555
These are the ones I wanted. I'm a slow learner, is it right now?
Ross
Thanks for posting your pictures. Several questions:
Did you bottom out or scrape anywhere, like on Tough Going 2? Did your tires give you enough edge traction to steer so you could stay out of deepest ruts in the rutted parts of the road? A couple of your pictures showed straight ruts fairly far apart, suggesting full sized trucks. How did you drive that part? Were you able to keep both wheels out of ruts or did you drive with one side in and one side out?
John
With that said, depending on what kind of "off-roading" you plan to do, will dictate if the Forester will work for you.
-mike
Ross
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4292743515
Fun pix, Ross.
I test drove the Outback Sport when deciding on a new car, and I can tell you that the auto-tranny shifter was a sticking point. My wife couldn't stand that staggered shifter in the Outback Sport -- it felt cheap and was not easy to shift between reverse, neutral, and drive.
Are all the Subarus going to this shifter type? I hope not -- it really feels cheap compared to the plain black forward/backward auto-tranny shifter.
Anyone else have thoughts on this "new feature?"
Thanks,
burnsmr4
tia,
dean
cincinnati, ohio
'02S+
Bob
Most Subies do get the zig-zag auto shifter, but the good news is the shiftronic style ones don't. They are straight, and have a separate section on the right for manual shifting. Better yet, it's fore and aft instead of side to side like Chrysler's AutoStick.
Now I just hope we get it on the Forester.
Hmm, I'm not happy about losing the mud guards, or the cargo area mat. Both are useful, especially that mat. For $225, I'd go aftermarket, though, that's too high. I think MacNeil sells the mats for about $80 for most SUVs. Mud guards can't cost much. I'd put some one, but maybe not those if the price is so high.
The bumper step pad - was that standard before? I have it but I thought it was an option. That is custom sized so you'd pretty much have to go OE for that.
Still, you can't sneak the cost-cutting by us. At least they added some stuff, too. But they'd better keep prices about flat - we should figure on a $225 increase for the mat and mud guards alone.
Dave: the 2002 seems like a bargain for below invoice. There are no rebates, so the dealer is basically giving you his holdback and not making any money on the deal.
15" snows on a 2003? I'm not sure there would be enough clearance for the bigger brake rotors up front.
-juice
Bob
2nd attempt, thanks for the tip, Brian.
-juice
Bob
I hope they add those things back for 2004. They added power mirrors in 1999, then keyless, a 2nd odo, and a temp gauge, all for less-than-inflation price changes.
The Yen has lost value, so really there is no excuse for cutting costs right now.
-juice
-juice
juice -- I can see the photo.
Ken
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Off roading: I've been on sand a few times, mostly in the Outer Banks. The vehicle's lightness pays big dividends as it floats well over sand. I never bottomed out on the Pine Barrens run, so choosing the right path and driver skill must play a big role.
I have the rear diffy protector, worth it for just $80 or so. You can get an aluminum front skid plate for a couple hundred. Want more? 2" taller springs run about $360. Beyond that, it's not a Forester any more. Get a truck.
Ground clearance is pretty good, though:
-juice