Subaru Forester (up to 2005)

once_for_all · February 2003

we had this discussion about a year ago in the Mazda MPV board, and it got seriously technical even ad nauseum (sp?). Basically, the more ground contact a tire has, the lower the weight per square inch of contact and the easier it is for water to remain underneath the tire and cause hydroplaning...

The qualifiers are that the tire manufacturers have also added capability to channel water out, so you get influences from the tire design. Believe me, this board could easily go another hundred messages on this subject.

John

rsholland · February 2003

Maybe the Legacy turbo will get a more powerful version afterall, and right from the git-go?

Or... were these changes made because of lower hoodline that the Legacy has? Also, what about the Baja turbo? It shares the same engine compartment as the Legacy. While it's certainly possible, I would be very surprised if the Baja has a more powerful engine than the Forester turbo.

Bob

ateixeira · February 2003

Yeah, what Pat said! LOL

Bob - maybe. I'm not sure that intercooler has more surface area, though.

-juice

hypov · February 2003

Could there be a second intercooler?
Say in the front.
I opened both pics of the Forester and Legacy for side-by-side visual. The engine is very different from the Forester.
What's that black triangular thingie between the strut and battery?

-Dave

c_hunter · February 2003

I don't think you can conclude too much at this point -- did you see all the wires strewn about the Legacy's engine bay? It must be instrumented out the wazoo. And things like battery location, wiper reservoirs, etc.., are pretty much uncoupled from the engine design. I'd wager that much of the difference is just a Forester vs. Legacy issue. To early to conclude what engine is under there!

Craig

ateixeira · February 2003

Both are still in a "Beta" stage, it seems.

-juice

hypov · February 2003

The wires... ya, noodles galore.

Figured they led to some recording instrument, being that it's a test mule.

-Dave

allhorizon · February 2003

While we are on the topic of engines, the Canadian Subaru web site has cross-cuts of the normally-aspirated and the turbo 2.5l engines. There were some questions before about the need for DOHC vs. SOHC and timing chain vs. belt. Anyone want to look at the graphics and comment?

- D

once_for_all · February 2003

Both are timing belts but the turbo is DOHC vs the NA 2.5 is SOHC.

Interesting, the Subaru salesman said that the timing belt is steel impregnated and goes for 105k before needing replacement on the NA engine.

John

photo2001 · February 2003

Thanks to everyone who responded to my questions about installing the cabin air filter in my 2000 Forester. I've purchased the air filter & cover kit. The instructions say that there is a grayed-out area under the dash that has to be cut out with an exacto knife. The kit comes with everything including the clips I believe. Doesn't look like too big a deal. I dl'd the diagram of the install, but that's definitely not for the 2000 model. The setup shows the air filter cover already in place. I guess that's good for installing a replacement filter. Thanks again everyone!
photo2002

lakepop · February 2003

I need to add a CD player to my 01 Forester. OEM seems to be the way to go...but am looking for some comments/opinions on it. I want to make it as easy an installation as possible...ergo the OEM choice.
Appreciate any feedback..............thanks!

hypov · February 2003

If it is single, I've got one sitting on the self.

-Dave

stever · February 2003

Ah Dave (and that covers a lot of Subaru owners around here!), no buying and selling on Town Hall please. Thanks!

Steve, Host

dbenjamin1 · February 2003

Well after months of searching,reading CR and just about every other trade publication, we purchased a 03 X yesterday! Sooo very happy with it-not mine, but for the fiancee, and what a step up from a bone stock civic(read: POWER nothing!). We shopped in RI, starting with Pilgrim, who did not have any inventory, then went to Anchor, who we were not pleased with(another story), and were about to head to Bald Hill when we got a call back from Pilgrim, saying that a silver X just rolled off the truck! Cant say enough great things about this dealer- small family owned dealeship that really puts the customer first. They even had financing(through Sovereign) at .5% less than Subie!
So, sitting in the driveway is our 03 X Auto with upgraded security system, and rubber floor mats. Paid 19,800 (and this was a Feb price increase car) plus taxes.
Any aftermarket parts sites that either OEM or otherwise can be found?
Thanks to everyone here for the very informative discussions.
Cant wait for some snow to test the AWD!
db

c_hunter · February 2003

Congratulations! We have a Silver Forester too, and it's a great color for the car. Really goes will with all the trim highlights, inside and out.

I have been buying parts from Liberty Subaru in NJ recently, and have been extremely pleased with their prices and service. I think they knock about 20% off of list prices on their parts. With UPS ground, I usually get shipments in a day or two here in VA, and I imagine it would be about the same to RI.

You can get a price quote by e-mailing them at:

parts@libertysubaru.com

Have fun with the new car! By the way, I had our Forester out in about 10" of fresh snow, and it was pretty much unstoppable.

Craig

p0926 · February 2003

Article in yesterday's paper:

"Subaru will add a high-powered model to its Forester line in June. THe 2004 Forester 2.5 XT will have a turbo-charged and intercooled 2.5-liter boxer engine capable of 210 horsepower. The 2.5 XT will go on sale in June as a 2004 model. It will cost about $25,000."

Yeah baby!

-Frank P.

hypov · February 2003

steve_ Feb 23, 2003 10:15am

Steve-
I'm not selling. In fact, I didn't state that I was.

If swapping falls under the catagory, then, I shall refrain/cease.

-Dave

stever · February 2003

Trading falls under the "rule" and if that starts up, people will then try to buy and sell. The ads then mess up the conversational flow of the boards and we get lots of complaints.

eBay is set up better for that sort of thing. Thanks!

Steve, Host

hypov · February 2003

Okie Dokie

-Dave

lakepop · February 2003

Sorry if my post #9664 alluded to a solicitation .....Was seeking feedback/comments/opinions on the CD player from those that have it and/or installed it.
Hope this clears up my post....don't need to get Host on me ; )

stever · February 2003

I dunno - from the looks of your profile, you're yet another Dave :-) Gotta watch those guys!

Did anyone ever get a full census of Dave's owing Subarus? Must be at least 25% of the Crew population.

There's news today of a small (500 vehicles) recall on '03 Forester seat belt latches. Watch your mail. (link)

Now what was the question? Oh yeah, CD player...

Steve, Host

jimbob17 · February 2003

I have the above model with a CD player only. I miss the cassete player because I have book tapes I like to listen to on the way to and from work. What are my options?

mckeown · February 2003

Jim, I have an 02 Forester and have replaced the Factory (in my case am/fm cassette) with the Sanyo FXCD-500. It's a single din size Am/Fm/Casette/Single CD. Sound is excellent. You can get this or the same electronics with a different faceplate by doing a google search on FXCD-500, FXCD-1000, or FXCD-1100. Only thing I might miss on the 03 radio is the Weatherband. Comes in handy with all my driving, so I have a battery powered weather band radio I have used for over 12 years. But the Sanyo has fit the dash, left me with the storage pocket below and fulfills the books on tape, CD and my radio needs. My $.02

lakepop · February 2003

Q. Will a WRX head unit fit /replace a Forester radio? Seems like juice did this to add a CD player and I'm told the WRX unit is a plug/play.

ref post # 9664 I want to add a CD player and have found a WRX unit that I hope will do the trick.

Thanks.........

hypov · February 2003

Dave-
The WRX double din head unit will fit into the Forester; juice has it in his Forester & Legacy, and I have it in Mom's OBS. It's plug and play.

-Dave

forestergump · February 2003

I replaced the tape cassette in my '99 Forester S with a CD/radio unit by Eclipse. Fits perfect and the sound is superb!
-Bob

lakepop · February 2003

OK ....thanks for the feedback..........final Q.....do I need the WRX harness OR can I use the existing Forester one?

Gracious..

ateixeira · February 2003

The WRX 6CD+cassette plugs right in, even fits the Forester's harness. You need nothing at all besides the double-DIN unit itself. They're cheap used on NASIOC.

In fact, I'd do that rather than adding a single CD, if you haven't already bought it.

Dean: congrats, now update the profile! :-)

Frank: hope that's right, but I doubt $25k. Maybe they meant street price.

-juice

lakepop · February 2003

juice....thanks amigo....have found a head unit and will r&r my Forester one with the WRX unit.
Wanted the CD but did not want to give up the cassette.....the WRX unit is just right. I was just concerned about the harness.........THANKS AGAIN!!

p0926 · February 2003

Juice- The MSRP for an XS MT is just under $24k so $25k for an XT MT is close to being believable. Of course an XT auto with leather will be a couple grand higher.

-Frank P.

ateixeira · February 2003

$1k for the engine optoin would be sweet. I predicted $2k, twice that. Hope you're right.

-juice

subearu · February 2003

And to get that mongo OEM moonroof in the XT, you need to opt for the premium package, which requires AT and leather.

Any word on the torque split of the AT? I know I haven't seen anything regarding VTD in regards to the XT - it sure would be nice if they 'threw' that in too ;-)

-Brian

ateixeira · February 2003

I doubt it - we would have heard about it in the PDF and other descriptions.

I'm curious to see if the "Direct Control" auto tranny behaves any different than stock.

-juice

p0926 · February 2003

I'd like to see the turbo cost $1,5k as a stand-alone option. If it's more than $2k higher then they'll really be pricing themselves out of the market.

-Frank P.

sfdriver · February 2003

The carpet on my 03 Forester is really thin. I'm hoping to keep my car for at least 6 to 8 years. Will this carpet hold out? Should I get the Subaru rubber mats? I'm assuming the generic ones won't fit well, especially with that footrest.

p0926 · February 2003

What's wrong with the normal floor mats?

-Frank P.

sfdriver · February 2003

I'm not sure if it's just me, but my stock floor mat tends to shift up and to the right, leaving this "L" shaped unprotected carpet area. Sometimes I wear work boots, and I'm afraid they'll chew thru the carpet if I forget to pull the mats back into position.

p0926 · February 2003

Don't you have that fastener on the bottom left corner? It works very well to keep my driver's side mat in place.

-Frank P.

lfdal · February 2003

I put the Subaru rubber mats in my Forester. The only problem is if you get a lot of snow/water/etc on your boots the mats do a good job of keeping the passenger side dry, but water leaks around the post hole on the drivers side.
You also have to remove the driver's carpeted mat to put the rubber mat in. What finally worked for me was to put an old towel on the mat so that the towel absorbed the bulk of the water. What you don't want to have happen is for moisture to be trapped between the base carpet and the rubber mat.
Larry

ateixeira · February 2003

Shoot, if they get anything from GM, let it be the engine option prices!

On a Suburban, you pay just $700 to go from a 5.3l to an 8.1l V8. The $700 buys you 55 horses ($12.73 per) and a whopping 130 lb-ft ($5.38 per)!

Even if they use the higher price, for horses, the 45 HP gain on the Forester would cost $573. :-)

In reality, they'll charge whatever the market will bear. What will help us is that high-end Foresters already approach the price limits for compact SUVs.

-juice

rsay777 · February 2003

I installed the rubber floor mats(Subaru dealer) in the 03 just before winter and couldn't be more pleased. They channel the moisture down and away from the foot area. The deep grooves can handle it. At the car wash the clean up is a breeze. I also like the contrast of having black on the floor. Just makes my feet feel like they are resting on something substantial. Highly recommended. I remember seeing that the mats are at the top of the list in after sales accessories. Bob L.

jtm4 · February 2003

I have the factory rubber mats in my '98 Forester. They are O.K. Why haven't companies, like Husky Liner, come out with mats for the Forester? I had Husky Liners in my Toyota truck and loved them. Come on, the Forester has been out for at least 5 years now. I liked the way the Huskies conformed to the floorboard.

silface · February 2003

Hi all! Husky liners are available for the Forester if U check on their website (huskyliners.com)... It could be the retailer U are dealing with doesn't have them. U can also try Catch-All mat liners, though haven't got them for the Forester yet.
I agree with Mike (Ciao Paisan!) that the H6 should make it's way into the Forester or a Grand Forester... Something like the Nissan Murano with a CVT and fuel consumption of a H4. Here in Canada, we see a lot of damaged WRX for resale in scrapyards; My sympathies for those Subaru owners!
'til next time,
Sil

jtm4 · February 2003

Thanks, silface. I checked the Husky Liner website and they have the mats for '99-02 Foresters. I'm not aware of any interior difference between my '98 and a '99-02 model. I'm going to check into it, though.

sfdriver · February 2003

Thanks to Frank for point out about the peg that clips into the lower LHS of the floor mat. It turns out that my mat's hole was too large and came off easily. I pointed this out to my Dealer's service dept, and they gave me another one that stays on much better. Thanks again!

j0elboy · February 2003

I am noting the comment by "silface" about the number of wrecked WRX's showing up in Canadian scrapyards. There are also quite a few showing up on the ebay site as rebuilds/rebuilt wrecks--is that what "WRX" means?! Salvage titles and the like.

I think some of us are surprized by the acceleration of these cars, I speak for myself of course. And, we tend to pass others because we CAN. As they used to say on "Hill Street Blues"--'be careful out there"."

j0elboy

lspiva · February 2003

James,

I saw the rubber floor mats for 03 Forester on Huskyliners website.

Here is the link to that http://www.huskyliners.com/subaru.html

Regards. Leo

jtm4 · February 2003

Thanks for the link, Leo. My Forester is a '98 model. They list mats for '99-02 Foresters, and '03 Foresters. Like I said before, I'm not aware of any differences in the interior design between a '98 and '99-02. There may be a slight difference with the '03 mats. I plan on keeping my '98 for a while so I may buy some of the Huskies to replace my factory mats.

once_for_all · February 2003

I think the WRX's frequently get pushed to the limit. Dealer told me of a test drive horror story where a teenager lost one on a curvy on-ramp to the freeway when the turbo kicked in. Everyone safe (although Dad in back seat got roughed up---I imagine he gave the son his due later) but WRX got totalled after crossing 4 lanes of freeway and hitting center rail.

Doesn't bode well for WRX insurance rates, n'est ce pas?

corkfish · February 2003

That's why the Turbo Forester might be a good substitute for the WRX. Since it won't appeal to the younger, "tuner" crowd, insurance rates should be lower. If they keep the weight down, it has pretty much the same power to weight ratio as a Neon SRT 4. Hopefully, the performance should be similar as well ( 0 to 60 in less than 6 seconds would be a pretty awesome sleeper).

Subaru Forester (up to 2005)

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