Subaru Forester (up to 2005)

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Comments

  • pnptmpnptm Member Posts: 5
    thanks to all who replied to my questions I posted Thursday evening - this forum has been most helpful as I continue to narrow down my search....I'll be checking in regularly - thanks again, Paul
  • jackleungjackleung Member Posts: 79
    I remember by the time I shop for my Forester like 2 months ago. Stevens Creek is the only one that never answer to my email quote. So, it's end up I brought my Forester S+ at S. San Francisco even though I am living in Sunnyvale.

    dcmom, then what was yr experience at Stevens Creek coz I was planning to go there to do my first oil change.

    Jack
  • dcmomdcmom Member Posts: 5
    Jack, I ended up buying my Forester in Angel's Camp because of the treatment I got at Steven's Creek. The salesman at Angel's Camp was a jewel. Steven's Creek's sales department was beyond rude and if you were not going to buy that day, no help was offered to any questions that I had. I did get my oil changed the first time there, but they seemed so disorganized, cramped for space, and just added to my frustration of the whole dealership. Anyway, that's the story. Do you love your Forester? Have you had it up to the snow?
  • tlimatlima Member Posts: 124
    Marcus, I did this. I bought an L knowing that I would replace the stereo and speakers.

    I bought the complete package from Crutchfield for about $300. Kenwood single CD, 6.5" speakers for up front, and 5" Polk 501As for the rear. Installation was simple - took about an hour or so. Crutchfield provides the wiring harness and disassembly instructions.

    Base cassette stereo/speakers produce ok sound, but the switch to aftermarket makes a noticeable improvement - IMO.

    -Tony
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Jack,

    Avoid Stevens Creek like the plague. They are having major problems within their service department and you're almost guaranteed a frustrating visit there.

    I recently brought my vehicle there to have something checked out. I had an appointment all set up and dropped off my vehicle only to find out that they never got to it.

    For just an oil change, go to any shop -- it's pretty straightforward for the Forester. For warranty related items, I highly recommend Santa Cruz Subaru.

    Ken
  • jackleungjackleung Member Posts: 79
    Ken & Diane,
    Thanks for yr advice and I think I will do my service at either S. SF(the one I got my Forester) or Santa Cruz coz I got the 3750 miles service plan. (Any comment on Redwood Subaru?)

    Yes Diane, I love my Forester a lot especially the HUGE moonroof (I move one of the crossbar backward to keep it out of my sight thru the moonroof), the excellent visibility that make it like a mobile greenhouse (need to do window tinting when weather getting better), the great handling that always tempt me to make sharp turn (I always heard my poor little dogs sliding at the back :) ) Some of the things that I dislike are they don't offer power seat, no leather seat for white (except aftermarket), the choice of color/model combination is not much (I really want a blue S+ orginally!!!)

    Rgds,
    Jack
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Jack,

    Carlsen Subaru (Redwood City) is okay. Much better than Stevens Creek, but then again, you can't get much worse than they.

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Steve/Drew: thanks for the lead on the heated seats, but that's a bit much even for me.

    hotwag: have you tried the S Premium model? I mention that because the fabric is a bit softer than the others, so you may find the back seat more comfy. Also, that moonroof is so huge is also serves back seat passengers - nice touch. It's cozy but it doesn't feel that way with all the glass around you.

    Suba: if you want to test a pressure guage, use two of them and see how different the readings are. If they are similar, odds are they are both accurate. If not, have fun determining which is bad (you may want to sample others).

    I don't expect the 2002 Forester sooner than the fall. The 2001 was a freshened design, so it came out early, but the 2002 is just a continuation.

    I'd love to see that turbo, though.

    -juice
  • cin4cin4 Member Posts: 30
    Texsubaru,
    I noticed that you said you live in Central TX. Have you had any experience with service from either of the dealers in Austin? I'm leaning toward taking mine to Gillman, because they have Saturday hours, but I don't know anyone who has dealt with either them or Austin Subaru. I bought it in San Antonio, but can't see myself making that trip for service. Thanks,
    Cin
  • oregonmanoregonman Member Posts: 60
    I think I might have mentioned this here, but one thing to consider in comparing them is that the CRV and RAV 4 have no real rear bumper and spare tires mounted on the rear door. My girlfriend just got rear ended in her new Forester (yes she was nearly in tears because her new baby (Forester) got hit), but the damage was not severe. After replacing the liscence plate, the only damage is two deep scratches in the bumper plastic. If she was in the same crash in a CRV or a RAV4, the rear tire would probably have taken the impact, and I am sure there would be a lot of damage to the door. I have been rear ended in just about every car I have owned and so I would never buy the CRV or RAV4 for that one reason.

    I'm curious, does anyone have insurance cost comparison for these cars. I wonder if the lack of rear bumper causes the insurance claims to be higher for the CRV and RAV4 and hence the insurance costs.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That may be offset by the more powerful 2.5l engine in the Forester. Rates are similar.

    Plus, if you're hit from behind, it's the other guy's insurance that pays (and his rate goes up).

    -juice
  • malusomaluso Member Posts: 9
    Thanks for the responses to my question about whether to buy a Forester or a CR-V. After looking them over and test-driving and considering the thoughts of folks here, I've decided on the Forester. To be blunt, the Forester is much more of a solid ride for the money. Now all I have to do is sell my '92 Legacy wagon so I can afford one! I've got my eye on a '99 L with 24K, automatic, cruise, and keyless for $16,250. Small dealer with a fantastic service center. Thanks again!

    Diane
  • rsheldon1rsheldon1 Member Posts: 9
    Thanks on the congratulations for joining the "Soob" ownership ranks. This is my first Soob and in fact it is my first import vehicle and I basically took about 6 months researching my purchase. I had a finite criteria including cost, MPG and of course all wheel or 4 wheel drive along with a few other factors. I finally narrowed it down to the CRV or Soob and after a few test drives it was obvious to me the Soob was a better vehicle. Our major complaints about the CRV were wind/road noise and the comfort of the seats. I will admit the Soob seats could stand a little improvement but they were far better than the CRV. The purchasing experience was unique for me as my neighbor is a leasing manager for a chain of dealerships in upper Illinois and this past Winter I have been keeping his driveway clean of snow with my tractor/snowblower and one day he told me if I ever wanted to purchase a vehicle and he would get me a deal. I did the snow removal as a neighborly deed and did not even know his profession but I certainly took him up on his offer. His dealerships deal strictly with domestic but they have relationships with many dealers so I gave him the specs and the next day he told me the Soob was 100 miles away and asked if I wanted to pull the trigger. Of course I agreed and I purchased the vehicle at dealer invoice and the only negotiation was my trade in which was a well broken in 92 Taurus with 204 thousand miles on it. I was just hoping it would make it to his dealership. We did the deal at his dining room table as he drove the vehicle home that night and drove the Taurus back the next morning. What a painless process! We purchased the Sierra Gold "L" w/5 speed and it had a few additional options such as the air filtration system, arm rest extender, keyless remote, exhaust tip, cargo net and cargo cover. I have already driven the vehicle 900 miles and it is actually fun to drive. The handling is marvelous and it climbs up my 11 degree sloped driveway without breaking a sweat. I am not looking forward to more snow but I am anxious to drive the Soob in the snow. I checked my last tank of gas and I got 25.2 MPG so I feel that is on target. You are correct about the stench but it isn't too bothersome. I plan on changing my own oil so what is the take on the oil plug washer? Does it really need to be changed at each oil change? I understand it is aluminum and it does get deformed with tightening. I will pick up a few this week from the dealer just a a safety measure.
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    image


    Drew
    Host
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  • perritoperrito Member Posts: 66
    Cin,

    You should definitely give the Austin Subaru guys a try. I bought my '99 Green Forester L model there, and as they are (were?) in a cooperative relationship with the Infiniti dealer, the service and dedication to satisfaction were both excellent. I would definitely take it in for service, if nothing but to try them on for size.
    best, epp
  • cin4cin4 Member Posts: 30
    Perrito,
    Thanks for the input. It's good to know that someone does good work. I'll keep your recommendation in mind. Sure do wish they had Satruday hours, though........
    Cin
  • jeijei Member Posts: 143
    Today I got to really check out my '99 Forester's ability in deep snow. We got about 2 feet here in Eastern Upstate New York from the 2-day Nor'easter. While the roads were kept plowed, I found a student parking lot at a nearby college which hadn't been plowed since yesterday. The Forester (with winter tires) had no trouble cruising through 16"+ of rutted powder mixed with the more packed snow left by the yesterday's plowing. It was fun seeing snow blowing over the hood!

    John
  • tinindianatinindiana Member Posts: 46
    We have a new 2001 Forester with 5,000 miles (love it!) and I just completed my second oil change (great instructions juice!). The manual says it takes 4.2 quarts. However, when I put in the exact amount and checked the dipstick, the level was above the second hole. Would 4 quarts work? Shouldn't the level be between the two holes...just curious.

    Tom
  • rwilkerwilke Member Posts: 9
    Have some info. on the 2002's. I tried to order an S 5spd. in blue ridge pearl with very specific feature packages in Jan, but the factory had already stopped its production run in that color. The last day you could order a 2001 was Feb. 7th. According to the customer reps at SOA and my salesman, the 2002's will available by the end of April. The only difference they (SOA and Northpark Subaru in San Antonio) say is that a few more features will be standard like the luggage cover and cargo netting...big whoop. Pricing is supposedly going to remain the same with a $30 increase in destination charge. It turns out, that I'm going to get the 2002 for the deal I negotiated on the 2001...which is a good thing. Still waiting for my ship to come in...literally, but it is nice, sunny, and 70's here in TX. Ha ha!

    russ

    russ
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,768
    Did you try running it first? Usually, you have to get the oil moving and let the filter get "wet". This will drop the level on the dipstick a bit.

    I am talking about cars in general, not just the Forester.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • tinindianatinindiana Member Posts: 46
    Yes. Actually, I filled the filter full of oil before I installed it. Then ran some errands and checked the oil level again later in the afternoon. Placed four quarts and then measured off the .2 (6.4 oz) and added it. I guess I'm a little anal about it but if it calls for 4.2, then it will get 4.2! Go Forester!
  • owellsowells Member Posts: 16
    I've had better luck using 4.0 quarts. The tech at my dealer has found the same thing, all after an overfill fiasco (in a 2000 Legacy, which I believe has the same engine).

    It's compounded by the finicky dipstick in the H4.
  • bassistbassist Member Posts: 15
    My '01 Forester is back at the dealer again

    She started backfiring and hesitating something awful last night, and when at dead stop
    started idling VERY roughly, making
    a WHa-WHUH-WHa--WHUUUUUH-WHA wheezing sound like it was about to cough to death.
    On the gas the engine seemed to refuse to go above 3000RPM and when deccelerating threatened to die completely
    The service guy at Carr Subaru in Hillsboro thought it might be a bad fuel injector or loose air hose. While they are trying to figure it out, they gave me a rental car gratis which I upgraded to a Grand Cherokee. For a V12 or whatever this thing has, it's sluggish compared to the H4 Subie off the block! Going up steep grades the Cherokee doesn't seem to have any advantage over the Forester either. But I was surprised how smooth & quiet it runs, and it handles quite well for such a large car. So far I find the Forester compares favorably with the Grand Cherokee, considering the price difference, in terms of performance.

    I just wish my Forester didn't have to spend the week at the shop
    after just 2500 miles!
  • laurievrbalaurievrba Member Posts: 16
    Was wondering at what point the lo-gas warning light comes on for you guys.
    The needle was a hair before the "E" on mine before I went to fill up and it did not come on yet.
    ~L
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    When I first bought my '00 Forester the light would come on at about 1/8 tank. The second time it did that (about 3K miles on the odometer) I went to fill the tank and it only took about 4 gallons (approx. 1/4 tank)! Turned out that the car had a faulty fuel gauge sender. A trip back to the dealer for a fix under warranty and it now performs acceptably. The light comes on for me once the needle hits the last dash before "E." At that point it usually takes 13.5-14 gallons to fill up. The Forester's fuel tank is 15.9 gallons (if I remember correctly) which means that I usually have 1.9-2.4 gallons left once the light comes on.

    Hope this helps,
    Ed
  • aussierooaussieroo Member Posts: 78
    I have never seen my low fuel light. When my gauge is on "E" I have about 11 litres left. (4.5litres to the Imperial gallon). I usually fill up on the '3/4' mark to avoid using the crap in the bottom of the tank.

    cheers

    gus
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The low fuel light is supposed to kick on with 2.3 gallons left, at least per the manual. That's usually about right on mine.

    The Grand Cherokee offers an in-line 6 or a V8. A V12 would be fun, though! The Forester will outrun the 6 off the line fairly easily, because it's a lot lighter.

    Russ: so big surprise for the 2002, then. That's more or less what I predicted. 2003 will bring the big changes.

    Tom: I use 4.5 quarts or so, but I don't fill the oil filter with oil first. Make sure the old oil is hot before you drain it, so it all comes out.

    Richard: the drain plug gasket is a crush washer, so actually it deforms completely. It's probably fine to reuse it, better than having none at all for sure.

    -juice
  • owellsowells Member Posts: 16
    juice,

    Just to set the record straight. My guess is that the DOHC 2.5L has a higher oil capacity (4.5?). When a dealer overfilled our '00 last year, I don't think they'd made the adjustment to the lower capacity in the SOHC--who knows how many newer Subarus they'd overfilled.

    And every time I've used 4.2 quarts, as my manual calls for, the dipstick consistently registers over the full line. (Draining hot oil, etc., etc.) Like I said before, I've had better luck simply using a straight four quarts.

    Richard
  • ckfreundckfreund Member Posts: 24
    Today, we picked up our new Outback. While there, I talked to the salesman about the 2002 Forester. Not much of a change. But in 2003 or 2004, Subaru will come out with a Forester based on the Legacy platform.
  • dalegbdalegb Member Posts: 2
    In response to the poster that said "). I usually fill up on the '3/4' mark to avoid using the crap in the bottom of the tank": If you think about it, that doesn't make any sense (no offense intended). The gas line from the tank is in a fixed position, and it always takes gas from the bottom of the tank. If it took it from anywhere else, you'd run out of gas every time your tank level dropped to that point. So, avoiding bad gas isn't a reason to fill early.

    It would be an interesting design if the gas was always being pumped from the "top" of the tank, where ever the gas is at the moment, but that would be very complicated, would probably suck air a lot, and would have no advantage that I can see.
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    does make a lot of sense to me but for a different reason. Keeping the fuel level high reduces the potential for condensation in the gas tank. I once had an old beater that produced over 3 gallons of water when the tank was drained!

    Ross
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    juice: 2.3, 2.4, close enough for me. I've never let a car run bone-dry and I hope I never have to. I have too many memories of riding with high school friends in carbureted old beaters, running dry out in the country then pushing, walking, hitching rides to get gas in a jerry can, then priming the crab and dealing with all the junk that got picked up in the fuel lines.

    Ed
  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day

    I am not sure exactly why you get a lot of crap in the fuel lines when you do. Possibly a lot o the dust, rust and grass bits which get into fuel somehow (as well as water which does settle to the bottom) is in suspension but concentrates when you run dry.

    Whatever the process, it is a pain to sort it out. Far better to fill up when the warning light comes on.

    Cheers

    Graham
  • jacrawjacraw Member Posts: 3
    recently purchased new "I Premium" (previously leased '98 "I")ride quality is poor, feels like wheels out of balance, dealer adjusted and rotated wheels, problem still not resolved, now dealer says it could be axle defect!???... this is a NEW vehicle!!... has anybody heard of or experienced similar problem?
  • kpedersen1kpedersen1 Member Posts: 20
    Hi all..... Let me just congratulate you all on this wonderfully informative list! I have been reading it for months now, and am just about ready to purchase my first Forester. Car buying has always been extremely stressful for me... what with the double-talk, and number-games the sales people use, I have NEVER bought a vehicle where I didn't feel confused (financially) & 'taken'! BUT after all the wonderful advice on this list, and Edmund's.com in general (Fair Market Value numbers in particular!) I can tell you I feel absolutely READY to make my best deal! I feel EMPOWERED!(I am woman... hear me ROAR!)Anyway, I have a couple questions to post here...curiousity questions mostly...but the dealer couldn't answer them for me (!) so I thought I'd come to the 'experts'!!! I plan on keeping my Forester for 10+years, so I want a color vehicle OF MY CHOICE! Mind you this has YET to happen to me...I somehow always 'settle' for a color. But this time is going to be different! (I told you I feel empowered!) Sooooooo, I will be ordering my Blue Ridge Pearl Forester 'S' within a month or so.I LOVE that color!! Esp. with the titanium pearl cladding! Just TOO AWSOME! But my biggest dilema was leaving behind the Premium Pkg. (with that SUPER moonroof!)...all because of the LACK of color selection with the Premium Pkg. That's the part I don't understand. Why so limited?Just red, white, silver & black?(I WILL have my moonroof...just installed after-market! Though they tell me it won't be as huge as the one installed with the Prem. Pkg...I guess you can't have everything!!)That Blue Ridge Pearl with the cladding is just too good to NOT have!!
    I think it's just a shame one cannot get that great color with the Prem. Pkg option! Are there any plans to increase the color selections with the Prem Pkg. in the future? And, Juice....WHAT 'big changes' in the 2003 models??Thanks to all for listening. Looking forward to any responses you may have. And I let you know how I make out 'making the deal'! :-) Kris in NJ
  • miacasamiacasa Member Posts: 1
    Hi,
    Thinking about buying a 2001 Forester or cutback. Although I previously had a Subaru (1987)wagon, I haven't kept up on the info on these wagons. I would appreciate all input (good or bad) before I purchase a Forester/or cutback. The car I now own is a "lemon" (not a Subaru) and I don't want to get stuck with another lemon. Much thanks.

    Miacasa
  • SameldrumSameldrum Member Posts: 2
    I've read many posts about various rattles or noises inside the Forester. For a long time, I thought there was a rattling noise coming from the seat belt housing in mine, which was also mentioned in a few messages, but to my surprise the rattling didn't come from the seat belt area, it actually was in the driver-side rear door panel; specifically, there are plastic covers on the read door panel that snap-in and out. After taping the largest one, the rattling noise, which was driving me nuts at times, has disappeared for several weeks now. Hope this helps some of you with your rattles...
  • SameldrumSameldrum Member Posts: 2
    A few of you have mentioned replacing the rear speakers with Polk EX501A speakers for better sound. Please tell me what size (inches) the speakers should be? And what is the expected price to pay for a pair? Thanks...
  • texsubarutexsubaru Member Posts: 242
    Sorry for the delay, just now saw your post: So far I've done all my service stuff at Gillman. The main reason is that the other dealership in town, Austin Subaru, has consistently quoted notably higher prices every time I've given them a comparison-shopping call for parts or service. A minor additional reason is that Gillman is a bit handier for me since I now live south of Town Lake. And, yep, Gillman does have some Saturday hours, though I think they prefer to only do quick and simple things, such as oil changes, on Saturdays.
  • jackleungjackleung Member Posts: 79
    kpedersen1,

         I had the same experience w/ U(If U look at my old post). I really want to have a Blue S+ w/ leather seat(how come they don't offer power seat???). But I just couldn't give up the huge moonroof and go for a white S+ without a leather seat. It's really a shame that they don't have much selection on color/model/seat.


    Sameldrum,

       Front is 6.5 inch and Rear is 5 inch. I install DX6 in the front and Ex501a in the rear by myself in an hour(U need to have a soldier iron to do that). After browser thru quite a lot of site, this is the cheapest I can get (plus free shipping).


    http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/caraudio/brands.asp?m=27

  • dniehusdniehus Member Posts: 83
    I complained about the limited color selection to SOA a couple of months ago. While I got a quick response, the non-answer was extremely disappointing and unsatisfactory. I also wanted a blue ridge pearl S+. The limited color selection is turning off a lot of buyers. This is also true for the LLBean and VDC Outback. What an uninspired choice of colors. SOA -- you had better check out the color selections offered by your competitors. In particular, look at choices for the Passat 4motion, MDX, Highlander, etc. You'd think SOA would listen. Apparently they're not sufficiently consumer oriented. Similarly, why in the world can't you get leather in Forester S+? Obviously SOA offers leather WITH side airbags in the Outback. As does everybody else. This can't be technologically difficult. Certainly there is consumer demand. You can get leather in an S, but not an S+. Makes no sense to me. Ridiculous. A larger Forester with more creature comforts can't come soon enough. I'd like a car-based SUV with more amenities. The Outback frankly is still too much of a station wagon. I considered it long and hard, but just can't bring myself to buy one. I'm now seriously considering a Toyota Highlander. Curiously several critics have called the Highlander "a Forester on steroids". (I guess that was a compliment!) If SOA offered what I wanted, I'd stay with Subaru. (Currently have a Forester) In 1998 the choice of small car-based SUVs was fairly limited. The field has grown substantially. The Forester needs to adapt to stay competitive. Are you listening SOA? Apparently not.
  • barresa11barresa11 Member Posts: 277
    I agree that the colors are limited and should be expanded. On another note that you addressed re: leather interior in certain Forester models, here goes. As I understand it the problem is that the side airbags that are part of the S model have not been tested for deployment in the leather seats according to govt standards. I own a 00'OB Ltd (at least for a few more days before my WRX sportwagon comes in) and it has the leather seats w/side airbags std. This combo (OB w/leather seats and side airbags) has been tested and passed govt standard(s). The leather seat w/side airbags has to be tested in a Forester, it does not pass muster w/the govt just because they deployed successfully in the OB Ltd (different body, etc.). Now, this doesn't answer the question why the test hasn't been done yet but at least I wanted to give you the current reason(s) why leather is not offered in the S model of the Forester. Based on my experiences w/SOA and others involved w/SOA, they have been a commendable company to do business with. Just my .02.

    Stephen
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    Subaru is by world standards a small company. Adding more colour choices and accessory combinations does add significantly to cost since allocation problems increase dramatically. Dealer costs in particular are likely to increase as they have to pay finance charges on less popular combinations (and of course preferences vary from region to region). I for one am willing to accept choice limitations. My $.02Cn

    Ross
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'm with Ross, to avoid condensation. When we travel (by air) I make sure all our vehicles have half tank or more of fuel.

    Jack: I have not heard of bad axles, but overtightened wheel bearings are a common problem. Demand a loaner while they take a look at it.

    Kris: colors may change for 2002. You don't like the Silverthorn?

    I think Subaru under-estimated the popularity of the Premium package, so expect more colors and perhaps leather seats soon.

    MY2003 will bring a new Forester on the revised Impreza platform. I'm hoping for a turbo option, a bigger back seat, and more cargo room, at a minimum. Also expect DRLs, a stiffer structure, more safety features, and revised styling.

    Miacassa: I love my '98, and they've only gotten better since.

    -juice

    PS You guys seen the new CRSA (Consumer Reports Safety Assessment)? They look at both active (crash avoidance) and passive safety, and guess which small SUV was ranked highest? I don't have to say, I'm sure you all know!
  • tb10tb10 Member Posts: 8
    The dealer I am currently shopping with says they can put leather upholstery in the S+. Is he wrong? He claims they do it at the dealership.
  • malusomaluso Member Posts: 9
    Thanks for your help, folks. I ended up buying a '99 Forester L with automatic, keyless, cruise control, AM/FM/cassette/CD, upgraded speakers, cargo cover, brand new tires.. 24K miles.. spotless. It cost $16,250 with a 90 day 100% parts/labor warranty from a reputable local dealer. I'm thrilled. Thanks for the info on pricingand pros/cons! It really helped me decide to go for this deal.
    Diane
  • jaw6jaw6 Member Posts: 2
    I am the new owner of a slightly used 1998 Forester L and love it! It is the perfect truck/car/SUV for me. I also enjoy and am impressed with the interesting discussions posted on this site. Keep it up.
    I'm looking for advice of which I've read a few scattered suggestions already but can anyone help with : 1.Small rattling noise from the fan (disappears on High but comes back on Low)
    2.Strange "burning rubber/electrical wiring" smell from under the hood after its been driven
    3.Loud highway noise between 60 - 70 mph -- roof rack noise ?
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Leather is just another upholstery "fabric" and can be added to most any car "for a price". Ditto heated seats. Most likely the dealer sends the rig to a local shop for install, and marks the price up a bit. You could have it done "aftermarket" yourself, but you may not save much if the dealer gets the install done "wholesale" and you may get a better warranty through the dealer.

    Steve
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  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I agree. And if you do leather, get them heated. We own two cars with unheated leather and both are bone-chilling in the winter.

    Diane: great deal. $16k and it's almost new, that's sweet. Congrats.

    John: congrats. 1998 is the best year. Why? Because that's what I have! ;-)

    Don't know about the fan rattles, but the engine smell is probably the salt/chemicals from the winter roads. Wash the underside and maybe even the engine compartment, though the cover should have kept it mostly clean.

    Check to make sure the roof rack isn't installed backwards. It's pretty common. The fatter part faces forward, like an air craft wing. You can also try moving it back a bit.

    -juice
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Kate's going to hate me but I got 30.12 mpg on my last tank (01 5-spd avging 75 mph on the hwy).

    To help avoid the Check Engine Light (CEL)- I recommend that you tighten your gas cap a minimum of a half dozen clicks after every fill-up.

    Low Fuel Light- I usually fill up shortly before or after the light comes on. I once went 20 some miles with it on (trying for 400 miles on one tank) and almost stalled-out when I came to a stop at the top of the exit ramp (even though I still had 1.5 gals left in the tank). My guess is that the intake is at the front of the tank and the remaining fuel sloshed to the back due to the incline.

    -Frank P.
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