Options
Subaru Forester (up to 2005)
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I really wants the GPS and HID as options for US model.
Jack
In fact, why are HIDs so popular? Can't you guys see the roads with regular lights? Shouldn't you get your eyes checked, instead of buying hyper-bright lights that shine directly in the face of Miata drivers like me?
But seriously, I'd spend my $2 grand on a moonroof and the H6 or a turbo.
-juice
Greg
They should regulate the height of headlights, it's ridiculous, in some cases they are above my eye level.
-juice
Any how, until they sort it out I'd rather not see HIDs proliferate further. DRLs that use high beams are bad enough.
-juice
But I'll never go back to standard headlights, maybe it is my eyesight or the crappy stock headlights, but I can see so much more with HID's.
But I can see so much less with your HID's glaring! :-)
tidester, host
Ken
I understand that in other countries they are self-adjusting for direction, which might partially solve the problem, but still, if I am in a civic hatchback or something and you are behind me in an SUV, your headlights are right at the height of my eyes, and even if they are directed correctly, they will still be blinding me...
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I find it absolutely rediculous that selecting a manual transmission eliminates the lether package option. Also, why should you have to pony up for the premium package if all you want is the sunroof. The forester sunroof is a unique selling item. I'm not sure if there is an equivelent aftermarket alternative out there.
And in regards to dealers stocking every concevable option; maybe they don't have to stock every car but shouldn't they have the ability to special order one.
tidester, host
" Personaly, I want a two tone, blue, with sunroof, manual transmition, and leather."
I am fully with you. On of the most popular combination, and I want it too - except, it is not offered. While I understand options, what Subaru does and how they select the options does not make any sense. It looks as if for the Forester options they hired the same marketing company that helped them plan the Baja...
I'll also need to get the leather and sunroof after-market, unless they change their selections for the turbo model.
And juice, white pearl rules! You are right, not much to choose from for the sunshine states.
Yeah, which springs? I want to know, too.
- D
juice: i got the springs through iSR, $360, and they have "King Springs" stickers on them. tomorrow i find out how much the local shop would charge me to have them put in. they were hesitant at first, because as a rule they don't install "consumer provided" parts. Could i really do it in the driveway?
So, the low-range is incorporated inside the transmission, without the need for an external transfer case. Sounds like it would be rather simple for Subaru America to offer us this trans, just bolt it right in .
All manual transmission models are
equipped with a dual range transmission
with a 20% low range reduction which can
be selected on the move and features full
synchromesh action. This means when extra
pulling power is required quickly without
loss of momentum, simply depress the
clutch and flip the low range lever.
**The transmission case houses all five
forward and the reverse gears along with
the reduction and AWD transfer gears in
the one unit.** This provides for a compact
low cost transmission with a symmetrical
drive line without any complex gear
arrangements or countershafts.
Those Self Leveling Rear Struts look rather appealing as well. Obviously more prone to problems than a standard strut, but also more durable than the old rubber bladder system. I was considering mounting my mnt. bikes on a hitch-rack like Kajko did for his Arizona trip. I can see how self leveling struts would really make a diff, keeping in mind during a trip the back cargo area would be full of stuff too.
So, why don't we get these here? They seem like a perfect combo for a towing package. ... Maybe these are not features female Forester buyers in the US care about (who make up a big chuck of the Forester demographic)?? Maybe SUV's in Australia still maintain a rugged, highly utilitarian image, as was the case here up until the mid-to-late 80s?
I guess that takes us back to the old, 'Couldn't these be offered as options?' argument.
-tom
The headlights in my Trooper are so bad, I only wish that there was an HID replacement reflector system out there for it. I had to put on 2-Hella 4000s linked to my high-beams in order to see anything at night with em.
Around here I find more annoying than HIDs are people who leave their brights on for no reason. Can't wait to get my trailer hook-up lights on the trooper so that I can give em a dose of their own medicine!
-mike
-mike
I agree. In fact, I've been saying for some time now, that we should get the dual-range tranny and self-levelling rear suspension. We used to get the dual-range tranny, but SOA pulled the plug several years back.
Bob
Of particular note, is that the self-levelling rear suspension, found on their XS model, is an oil (hydraulic) unit, and does NOT have air bladders to worry about.
Also, the dual-range 5-speed DOES have "shift-on-the-fly" capability, from high range to low range! The gear reduction being only 20%.
Bring both these features over here SOA!
It was also mentioned that the Hill-Holder clutch is particularly helpful in towing situations, when starting off on a hill. I sort of assumed that to be the case.
Bob
BMWs are the worst offenders, paisan. No doubt. I flick the mirror to dim it AND use my hand to cover the side mirror. Still, remember my top it down, so it looks like the cops are shining a massive spot light in my interior, LOL!
If you have them, please just make sure they are aimed properly and not mounted too high.
Reminds me of something. Last week a UPS truck was behind me at a light, I had my top down. He actually had the courtesy to turn his lights off! Just the headlights. I was so shocked, that had never happened before. I gave him a thank you wave.
Sounds like we could narrow it down to unpainted cladding or monotone, and offer a moonroof on both, and that would make people happy.
Kajko: lots of people are curious to see that. Please take before and after pics. Also, please measure the height to the top of the fender, to see the actual lift caused by the new springs.
Thing is, I may not be able to justify selling Sandy. If I keep her a lot longer I'd consider those springs too. I'm curious about ride quality, and suspension articulation too.
Looking forward to a full report, Special Agent Kajko!
-juice
Navigation might be nice, but at $2000 + or - I'm not sure I'd get that anyway. From my persepctive, when it might earn its keep would be when I run into contstruction/traffic jams in unfamiliar locations. Hopefully it would provide an easy way out of those messes. Otherwise, I think Juice's approach of the $3.00 map (or free map from AAA) is the way to go.
I couldn't tell what the item below the Nav photo was. Looks somewhat like a cell phone in a cradle, but not enough buttons to be a cell phone. Somewhat related, I tried to paste the phone in here, but couldn't make that work. How do you get a photo in a message?
Even though we're not getting all the goodies some other markets get, I'm still happy with my '02.
If you have the Chase card, you might save up that much in a year or two, and get the Nav for free.
-juice
Beyond that, I'll probably try to save some for a down payment on the '06 Forester, which by then should have the dual range tranny and maybe a six speed too, self levelling rear shocks, variable valve timing, and a little more power.
I should get a Chase card. Really, I think I will.
-juice
While we're on vehicle safety issues, let me add those spare tires mounted on the rear of other mini-utes, which limit visibility behind the vehicle. I watched a Sportage back into the grille of my Forester a few weeks back, while trying to get out of a parallel parking space. Fortunately did no damage I could detect. (Bottom of grille seems not to be attached to anything now, but maybe that's normal, folks? Didn't notice one way or the other before the bump.) If Subaru can figure out how to get these tires into the well, with a can cooler to boot, why can't other manufacturers? Maybe Subaru - and people who buy Foresters - are a little bit less interested in maintaining an SUV image and more concerned about safety? I think we all deserve a pat on the back for this. :-)
I've driven lots and lots of miles and park in manhattan with my rear mounted spare tire, never once hit another car with it! People just don't pay attention, these are the same people who would smack your car anyway. The reason for them being mounted in the rear is many fold:
1) Off roading you don't want to be digging it out from a well below the cargo floor of your vehilcle (you might have to unload all your cargo)
2) Can't get mounted underneath cause if you get a flat you might not be able to lower the tire down from underneaths
3) Inside doesn't work cause then your utility goes out the door.
-mike
-juice
Bob
-juice
Ed
-juice
Brian
Ed
BTW, the shop quoted me $480 to get the springs installed, including wheel alignement afterwards. ouch!
http://www.users.bigpond.com/subaxtreme/page10.htm
So, i was comparing the stats between the Australian specs and US models (following the link i posted) of the Forester 03 X:
US >>> Aus
Mass: 1401kg >>> 1372kg
Payload: 408kg >>> 578kg
Towing: 1089kg >>> 1400kg (w/brakes)
Roof: 68kg >>> 80kg
I remember that a while back someone mentioned the US lawyers' influence in this. I realize that it might be true, but i would think the self-leveling suspension might also have something to do with this. why would i be able to load the forester with 375lbs more in Australia? or stick another bicycle on the roof?
Ed
-mike
My concern is the transmission (auto) and the AWD. The parking brake was on, the car was in park. What sort of damage to the drive systems can happen with such an impact?
The car was driveable afterwards. I didn't notice anything unusual. The rear bumper was pretty much destroyed. The tail gate was pushed in and mangled.
Anyone else with a similar experience?
-mike
Are those legal in the US, because I've seen some aftermarket modifications on German luxury cars that have them. Sort of do-it-yourself jobs on older BMWs. Those, in my mind, are worse than HIDs.
Personally, HIDs are much better, I think than regular headlights, and I don't mind squinting or getting glasses if need be. I like driving behind an Acura, for example, equipped with them, because I can see a helluva lot more detail ahead of me.
My 2 cents.
Later,
burnsmr4
P.S. - If I ever catch a GMC Envoy owner ramming my Subaru Forester around in a parking lot, someone's gonna find a GMC Envoy owner yanked out of said Envoy and run over by said Envoy before I leave the parking lot for home. :-D
Greg
I just don't see the reasoning behind not having them there.
-mike
Besides those swing out tires are a huge pain in everyday life. It's a nuisance to move them every time you need access to the rear compartment and your hands are going to get dirty every time you are going to do it. A friend of mine has a car with this setup, I know.
texan
-mike