Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Subaru Forester (up to 2005)
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Comments
Patti
burnsmr4
The hatch striker plate can be adjusted, so that's something the dealer could fix for you fairly easily.
Bruce: I just read a press release that said Forester sales were up 4%, and that Subaru had a record August.
But a $1200 incentive? I'd take it, no complaints here. I bet that's not accurate, though. Even the 2002s only carried a $500 incentive, and that was to clear out the left overs for the 2003's arrival.
In fact, the 1998-2001 never carried any cash incentive, which is great because that keeps resale strong.
-juice
It could be regional, though. Or just a mistake by Edmunds. Patti - can you verify that? Or is that top secret stuff? ;-)
-juice
What a way to market a car -- you get to test drive it in paradise!
Ken
-juice
-juice
The "older" of our two '02 Foresters has been vibrating at 65-70 mph for more than 8,000 miles now. I've taken it to Martin Subaru (South Jersey) three times and each time they say they balanced all four Duelers but it still vibrates. When I asked if their lack of success indicates I might have one or more out-of-round tires or a different problem, the service adviser suggested take my problem to a Bridgestone dealer. Grrrr. Oddly, our other Forester is fine.
As much as I hate to spend $$ replacing the tires on a new car, Marin Subaru is obviously not going to help and this vibration is right at cruise speed so it's a source of constant annoyance. Any thoughts on a good choice for replacements on an '02 Forester L? I'd prefer not replace the wheels but will if I have to.
Thanks,
Jeff
FWIW, I wasn't to fond of the OEM Yoks. Good luck finding some new rubber.
Michael
Some of the Yoko models have won rave reviews. If you are looking for a highway tire for the Forester check out the Avid - Touring model.
-mike
Aluminium develops a fine coating of aluminium oxide as soon as it is exposed to air. If this is not disturbed, it provides a protective coating preventing further oxidation. It is unlike iron oxides which flake away, exposing fresh steel to corrode.
Cleaning exposes fresh aluminium which in turn oxidises. Typically, aluminium is anodized, often using coloured salts, to give a better protective finish and ensure the core thickness of the metal is undisturbed.
Cheers
Graham
Score one for aluminum.
The 2002 still had the 15" steel rims, like mine did. My problem was the size 205/70R15 doesn't offer a whole lot of options that aren't "mud digger knobby" specials. So I chose a Plus One.
Consider the BF Goodrich Touring T/A tire, though. Honda put them on the CR-V, and that alone improved the lateral G's by 0.03 in C&D tests. I've also heard good things about the Dueler H/L (different than the OE H/T tire).
-juice
New 2001 L on mixed highway/rural hardtop driving thru a full winter in northern New England. Wear marks at about 25K (not aggressive or high speed driving). No or dangerous grip on any hint of snow, ice, slush (this ain't Florida or New Jersey).
Choice for an all season compromise ? Michelin Symmetry. So far thru a northern Maine winter--not too bad. Not the Nokian snow/ice performance, but still safe.
No response from SOA as to why this choice for OEM tire. Patti?
-mike
At the time BFG T/A M65X 15" and Yoko AVD TA's on 16" wheels were discussed.
We are probably due for another discussion now as to how tires are performing ,especially since Winter is approching.
Gene
Anyway replaced them with some Dunlop SP 5000s which I got from Tirerack. Put on 215/55/15 which is plus zero and so far they are performing quite well. Clearly better than the duelers and I will wait and see about performance in the snow.
Had them installed plus balanced and a 4 wheel alignment. They did a poor job on the balancing and I took them to another installer to rebalance.....much better!
OK..thats my tire input.
Mike
On a side note: An STI ver of the WRX is confirmed for MY04 as well. no specifics though. DOH!
On another side note: The Baja is one fascinating vehicle. The more I looked at it and played around with it, the more I like it!! AHHHHH, some many Subies, so little time, (and money)!!!!
Mine lasted 28k miles, but now I have 16"s and my tires aren't offered in a 205/70R15 fitment.
-juice
-mike
The Yokos are a much better tire in my experience.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Mike
I posed the center headrest question I posted here earlier to the MY Subaru site.
Here is what they sent me, I hope it helps someone.
Gene
I apologize for the delay in getting back to you. I just tried to install the rear center headrest from a 2003 Forester into a 2002 Forester. The widths of the bars to install these headrests were different. So, it is not possible to install the rear center headrest from a 2003 Forester will not fit into your 2002 Forester. Best wishes!!
John J. Mergen
Subaru of America, Inc.
Visited my dealer yesterday, and he also said the rumor he heard was the turbo would be a 2.5l.
Watch out, competition.
-juice
I think I triggered this round of "tire" posts. Thanks, the opinions you've all contributed are really appreciated. However, our two Foresters are family vehicles, not race cars. High performance tires might be fun but we don't need high performance or expect it from OEM rubber. I'd just like to to drive my Subie at 65 - 70 mph without it vibrating and without spending $800 on aftermarket tires and wheels. And that is possible. The OEM Michelins Ford provided were still on our last car when we traded it with 73K on the ODO. I rotated those tires every 8K and kept them at 35 PSI but they never caused a problem or needed rebalancing.
I don't think it's us. Everything is smooth when we drive our "newer" 2002 Forester L but our "older" 2002 L (with 10K miles on it) vibrates and has almost since it was new. That's mildly annoying on commutes but a major pain on long trips. It also pulses under light braking, which might suggest warped rotors and may or may not be related.
Sounds solvable, right? Yeah, me too. So I took it to Martin Subaru...three times. Each time they said they balanced all four wheels but the only change so far is that they moved the vibration zone up 5 mph, to 70 - 75 mph this last trip. When I ask the service advisor if this might be a different problem, such as an out-of-round tire, a wheel or rotor defect, etc., she acted like I was stupid and told me to go see Bridgestone. Worse, when someone from Martin phoned after the latest service to confirm that everything was OK, I told her I wasn't happy and why. She said the service manager would call. He hasn't.
Come to think of it, maybe I am stupid - for buying two cars there this year. If you're in the South Jersey area and in the market, Martin's Internet sales specialist Karl Fulton is really great to deal with. But figure on going somewhere else for service. Or buy a Honda.
Venting is good! :-) Thanks for the space.
Jeff
PS - People seem to like the Yoko Avid All-Season Touring radials and the price is right so I guess I'll order four of them from Tire Rack. Hope the problem is really those &@#! Duelers, not something else!
J.
Gene
Thanks
Mike
Here's a suggestion: go to www.hunter.com, click on Products, and wheel balancers/GSP9700 Vibration Control System. I had the opportunity to visit Hunter in St. Louis and see how this thing works. It is an amazing machine at finding and fixing balance/vibration problems. Click on "find a GSP9700" to find a shop near you and give them a try, especially if you still have usable tread left. If you still need tires, do the comparison thing on TireRack's site, comparing the size and type of tire you want. Having done this several times, I just today ordered a set of Dunlop SP Sport A2's for our '01 Forester S+. Besides being a great price, they won the comparo hands down. Good luck!
riskman11 - An even better suggestion with an interesting result. When I asked Hunter's website to tell me about the nearest shops that own Hunter GSP9700 machines, guess who two of the closest are? Subaru of America in Cherry Hill, NJ (8 miles) and Subaru of America in Merchantville, NJ (10 miles). Now that I know Subaru has this advanced equipment so close to me, I wonder why Martin didn't either take my Forester there or suggest I take it there and why the SoA people on this board are so silent. I didn't think I had to appeal to the factory to get a relatively simple problem solved but maybe that's what it takes. What a disappointment. I'll call SoA next week, I guess.
Also, the Dunlops you suggested look like a good choice but they don't come in a size that fits my stock wheels. I'd have to buy aftermarket wheels to use them.
Thanks all,
Jeff
Wheelbase is the same. They're all 99.4".
-juice
Can't seem to find a definitive method anywhere.
Any of you tech-types able to help us out?
Much appreciated!!!
Another thing to consider, you may(?) be breaking DOT laws by doing so.
Bob
99 Forester S (40k miles, loaded, sunroof, garaged, etc) for a 2003 similarly equipped would cost me $12,000+. Wow, what a deal! I think I'll wait for the next model and probably wont go to that dealer. Does Suburu have anything to do with this "promotional"?
That actually sounds like a bad deal. Sounds like the dealer is trying to lure you in with one of those deceptive ads trying to make you feel like "you've been specially selected from a exclusive list". I see those all the time. The "exclusive" list is everyone on their mailing list. I'm willing to be that Subaru corporate is not involved.
I bought my loaded to the hilt '03 XS (sticker $27K+) for $500 over invoice - about $25,000. I traded in my '99 L with 50K+ miles (much less equipment than your S) for $12,000. Yours is proably worth closer to $14,000. So you see, a really good deal would be if they gave you the new one for $11,000-11,500+tax/tags and not a penny more.
Good luck making a fair deal,
Elliot
Here's what i paid:
20,341.14 vehicle (about $85. over invoice)
45.00 doc fee
1681.86 sales tax (alameda county, CA)
177.00 license fee
5.00 calif tire fee
Total out the door price: $22,250
I used the fightingchance.com method of buying a car, which worked really well for me and took the major stress out of buying. I highly recommend it.
Still the dealer tried some slimey bait and switch stuff on me -- you gotta watch those guys like a hawk!
Also, I bought a 7yr/100k subaru gold plus added security (extended warranty) for $1295.
So far, I love the car!!
Daniel: congrats! What color did you choose?
-juice
I just got a 02 all deck out with only 4000miles, leather/6cd/moonroof/upgraded speakers and amp-subwoofer/cargo net and tray, for $22800 out the door! I had to jump on the deal. Please let me know if this sounds like a good deal!
We are now proud owners of 2 SUBS, the other is a 01 Outback. The Forester seems to sit higher, have better overall visibility, and be a tad bit quicker in response(which I love.)
*What is weird is my 01 OB has lower LATCH anchors in the back seat, and because of the hump in the middle the seat, we have to put it on the outside seats. On our new 02 Forester, there is NO lower LATCH in the back! But because of no hump in the middle, we can but the car seat in the middle.***
Can someone please explain this one??
But some tests have shown that they're not any easier to get tight than regular belts, so don't worry about it. You do have the upper tether anchors, been there since 2000.
-juice