Subaru Forester (up to 2005)

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Comments

  • twrxtwrx Member Posts: 647
    was an inspired choice. I've seen enough postings to suggest we have many serious cyclists in the Subaru community. Outside of us Subie diehards it is great too. Lance has achieved the name factor of athletes in other sports but brings a reputation for integrity that few football or baseball players can bring. He meshes with the outdoor image. I could go on and on how thrilled I am that Subaru picked him.
  • rochcomrochcom Member Posts: 247
    I had the opportunity to drive 2 Saab 900's (old style) on the same race track. One was a turbo SPG (Special performance group -- includes higher output turbo engine and suspension mods) and the other a normally aspirated base model. It was a lot more work, and a lot more fun to drive the lower powered normally aspirated one, even though it could not reach speeds as high as the turbo. The effort of shifting through the gears more often and flooring the accelerator most of the time, gave a stronger impression of "driving fast" than the lesser involvement with the turbo. But, that does not stop me from wanting a Forester turbo.
  • laker64laker64 Member Posts: 9
    We finally bought a new Forester X w/ automatic in the silver color. After several days of driving it, my wife loves it! She said we need to try a road trip in it. I can't wait.
    What I like about our Subie is that it is something different especially here in central FL where (for whatever reason) they are few in number. I can't wait for the summertime gullywasher storms we get to feel the stability of the AWD.
  • wrxsoon1wrxsoon1 Member Posts: 158
    Congrats on the new Forester!

    -Ian
  • lfdallfdal Member Posts: 679
    Need some help from you folks knowledgeable about wheels and fitment. I wanted to put a set of WRX rims on my Forester as dedicated snows. However SOA says that even though they are both 16x6.5JJ there's a 7mm offset difference between them - ones something like 48mm, the other's 55mm, I forget which is which. My question is what exactly is "wheel offset"? I'm assuming its something to do with the distance between the center line of the hub (edge view) and how far the center of the wheel is displaced from it. But my assumptions and the facts are often very different.
    The second part of the question is what difference does it make?
    Thanks
    Larry
  • mckeownmckeown Member Posts: 165
    Larry, I have come across this since putting GM rims on a '66 VW Bug. You are correct, offset is the distance from the center hub bolt to the outside of the rim as viewed from above. It affects handling, suspension attitude, wheel bearing loading, etc. Where it becomes 'do-able' or not for an owner is after the tires are mounted on the rim, and bolted onto the axle, Will the tires rub? A: on the inner fender ie too much offset, or B: (in the case of the Forester), on the Strut at 12 o'clock behind the rear wheels. Don't have a Spec manual in front of me so I don't know the offset required for a Forester. I do know that when I bought my tires/rims from Tirerack, the salesman on the phone told me the '03' was the same as previous years. My $.02
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Congratulations on the new ride, and glad you are excited about the car! We took our (then) new Forester on a road trip to the NC Outer Banks last fall, and had a blast. It's a great car for vacationing.

    Craig
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Larry-
    the wheel offset for the Forester is +48mm,
    and +55mm for the WRX.
    It is not adviseable to use WRX wheels on the Forester. The +55mm offset will bring the center hub +7mm closer inward and result in rubbing of the inner tire walls - especially the rear.

    -Dave
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Congrats, laker64! There are now officially at least 3 Subies in Florida! :-)

    7mm is not that much. That's less than 1/3rd inch. My guess is they'll squeeze in without rubbing if you stick with stock size tires.

    But I'd go aftermarket. I actually got rims with a lower offset, to do the opposite - move the tires away from the strut base. Mine are +40mm. That allowed me to get wider rims, 7" vs. 6.5" for WRX and Forester 16" rims. It also allowed me to get bigger than stock tires.

    With WRX rims you'll also end up with a more narrow track, and that would have an adverse affect on handling. The track would be 14mm more narrow (because both wheels are closer in).

    I got brand-new aftermarket rims for $75 a pop from Discount Tire Direct. Plus, they're unique, and I love that.

    -juice
  • lfdallfdal Member Posts: 679
    Michael, Dave, & Juice

    Thanks for the prompt response. I wish the dealer's parts dept knew as much as you do. They gave me the green light on the rim change in the first place. I think I'll stick with stock rims for now since SOA gave the WRX rims a no-go.

    Larry
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Well, it probably will fit, FWIW.

    Another thing - the wheel bearings will suffer extra stress due to the different angle of the suspension. You'd even require an alignment to get the tires flat on the ground (disclaimer: I'm not sure if the 7mm is significant enough to make this required).

    -juice
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    Even if you change the locks, won't the keyless entry still open the doors??? I'm sure they can change the code so make sure this is done.

    Greg
  • maverick1017maverick1017 Member Posts: 212
    Hey, turns out its not that hard to change the lock cylinders after all, not even the ignition. Did a little research with my trusty Legacy manual, turns out the hardest part would be removing the airbags in the steering wheel. I might just have the dealer change the ignition cylinder and cut the new kesy. Man, I love that manual, best $15 I ever spent!!

    Mike
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Did Micheal lose the fob too?
    Just have all the fobs erased from the system and reprog. to accept the fobs you have.

    -Dave
  • maverick1017maverick1017 Member Posts: 212
    I have an aftermaket alarm system in the car, so I just deleted the code for the lost transmitter. Now the problem is I can't get a replacement transmitter anywhere! So I am stuck with only one transmitter. I am guarding that thing like its my first born.

    Mike
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    you opened a can of worms.

    Greg
  • maverick1017maverick1017 Member Posts: 212
    I also lost the key to my Thule box and the key to the locking fuel cap, everything was on the same keyring

    Mike
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Geez... that's alot of keys to replace. :(

    -Dave
  • maverick1017maverick1017 Member Posts: 212
  • maverick1017maverick1017 Member Posts: 212
    Now Clifford owns the company. I have the old Diablo model. The dealer I got the system and had it installed from said he couldn't even get any parts from the manufacture for the older models! Well, looks like time to upgrade {sigh} :(

    Mike
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    you should just buy a new turbo Forester instead.

    Greg
  • maverick1017maverick1017 Member Posts: 212
    But its not in the budget right now. Not with paying back my student loans, CC bills and girlfriend talking about engagement ring and all...I am being attacked in all fronts!!! It sucks to be young.

    Mike
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Mike-
    Check with Clifford, the manufacturer.
    I know their fobs can be tuned to control the garage opener, and if that can be done, I'm sure it can be tuned to the older Diablo. Worth a shot. :)

    -Dave
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    My rims are MB Motoring. The model is the MB6, it's been discontinued, that's why I got a good price.

    At the time I cross-shopped steel rims from Subaru. They had a 16"x6.5" steel rim that was used in the Forester's spare. Prices were ridiculously high.

    Plus my rims are 16"x7", half-inch wider than stock. I paid $643 delivered, with tires. In fact that even included lug nuts and wheel locks, mounting and balancing.

    -juice
  • beachfishbeachfish Member Posts: 97
    Hello again folks.

    I was at a large gathering and had to park off in a muddy field - about 100 yards or so from the road. It was pretty sloshy from all the recently melted snow when I got there, but by the time I left it was chewed into a rutty mess by large 4wd trucks loaded with camper shells and such. The ruts were nearly a foot deep in places and half filled with water. I admit I tried to dodge the big ones, but wasn't entirely successful because of the parked cars.

    I put my '02 Forester S in 2nd (you figured it was a Forester, right?) and putt-putt-putted my way around, over and through one hog wallow after another.

    Very satisfying. No slipping, sliding or wheelspinning. Didn't clog the wheel wells up with mud either, but the tires were still throwing clods a half-mile later.

    Let me mention that this mud was a mixture of good old Virginia red clay and dirt. An honest test of traction for even the high-riding, big-tire crowd.

    John
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    I know it well. I had to dig a hole in my yard last weekend, and it was a piece of cake with all the rain and snow we have been getting. Like slicing butter. Come summer, that ground will be like concrete.

    Craig
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Light weight is key. The Forester doesn't sink in like some heavy trucks do. It floats nicely over the messy stuff, same with sand.

    -juice
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    maverick1017 Mar 6, 2003 2:36pm

    Mike-
    The Diablo maybe an "Older" model, but I'm sure their fobs from the current series will work. My hunch is, the Diablo has been renamed.
    Here's their site [within Clifford]
    http://www.avital.com/products/ap_av.htm

    -Dave
  • maverick1017maverick1017 Member Posts: 212
    Interesting point Dave... I didn't even consider their current fobs. I have to look into that now. Thank for pointing that out!!

    Mike
  • leo2633leo2633 Member Posts: 589
    Useful info on the Forester and WRX wheel offset. Does anyone happen to know the offset on the 2000 and newer Outbacks? Thanks in advance.

    Len
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Forester = +48mm
    WRX = +55mm
    Outbacks MY2000+ = +48mm**
    Outbacks Pre2000 = +55mm
    Outback Sport = +55mm
    Legacy GT = +53mm?? if not +55mm
    RS = +53mm
    TS = +55mm

    -Dave

    ** I'm quite certain that it is. Don't see how 225/60-16 will fit with +55mm
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Dang Dave, you got a Subaru Encyclopedia or something? ;-)

    -juice
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Nah :)
    not exactly :D
    http://www.wheelweights.net/
    He as compiled quite a lot of info.

    -Dave
  • rochcomrochcom Member Posts: 247
    What year and model do you have? The older US spec Foresters have alarm systems made by Code Alarm. It is possible that one of their remotes would work. If the controls are no longer available from Subarur, it may be worthwhile to contact Code to see if they can give you a model number for a replacement control.
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Jeff-
    Mike's alarm sys. is aftermarkets. :)

    -Dave
  • xccoachlouxccoachlou Member Posts: 245
    From www.subaru.com --

    SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. REPORTS BEST FEBRUARY SALES SINCE 1986
    -- Total Sales Up 11 Percent From Last Year; Second Best February in History --

    CHERRY HILL, N.J., March 3, 2003 -- Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA), the only automobile manufacturer to feature a complete line of all-wheel drive vehicles, today announced February sales of 14,443 units. The total represents an 11 percent increase from February 2002, the best February sales result since 1986.

    "We are extremely pleased with the sales result for February," said Subaru Executive Vice President, Fred Adcock. "Despite challenging weather conditions in the Northeast, the overall traffic improved dramatically toward the end of the month, generating very favorable sales results for the Subaru dealer organization. Demand for Subaru All-Wheel Drive vehicles remains very strong."

    The Legacy model line achieved a sales total of 6,627 units, up 1 percent, while Subaru Outback recorded sales of 4,580 units for the month. Subaru Forester recorded sales of 3,959 units, a 17 percent increase from February 2002. The Impreza line recorded sales of 3,133 units for the month, a 1 percent increase from February 2002. Sales of the Baja model recorded a total of 724 units for the month.
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    they're practically giving the cars away .....
  • sunshine21sunshine21 Member Posts: 10
    hello all,
      Again i want to thank you for all the lively chatter...i so enjoy reading your posts...i don't write often, but i am there...I have had my silver forester xs automatic for on month an i love driving it...just about 800 miles on it...this past snow storm was slippery i live in the NE and i really had to travel at about 20 mph on reg. roads...i went back in the forum and read articles from (rochcom,) john and craig (Jan 2003 postings) and they really made me feel better about how the car handled...my car has the Yokohama Geolandar....and i wondered if they were a good snow/ice tire...or if i should change them...it reads like people are happy with the Geolander...so i will keep them on....I may be in the minority...okay i know i am!! but i can't wait for more snow!!!! to test out the forester again!!! thanks for listening!
  • sunshine21sunshine21 Member Posts: 10
    Just one quick question....would you have the first 1,000 mile oil change done....or wait for the 3,500 mile checkup and oil change. (as i wrote in the message above, I have a 2003 forester xs automatic). thanks all...
  • joseph50joseph50 Member Posts: 235
    That exec should have said, "Because (rather than despite) the challenging weather conditions...."
    People are looking to drive more confidently in adverse conditions.
    Also, the rise in percentage is all the more impressive given that auto sales in general have been somewhat depressed of late.
  • joseph50joseph50 Member Posts: 235
    An oft debated issue here. It has been established that there is no special "break-in oil" to conserve that would be a factor in the decision.
    Common comments touch on "get the shavings out" vs. "modern oils are so improved over the stuff you dad used that it is not necessary."
    If it gives you peace of mind, there is no harm done in changing at 1K.
  • leo2633leo2633 Member Posts: 589
    I agree that it isn't necessary to change the oil at 1000 miles. However, it is a practice that I personally adhere to with every new car I've ever bought. I then change it religiously at 3K and every 3K thereafter. My 2 cents.

    Len
  • jimbob17jimbob17 Member Posts: 77
    I asked the dealer the first oil change question and they said the first recommended warranty action. The first recommended was at 3750 for this area but I am so used to changin the oil at 3000 that I did the change thereabouts. Used regular oil. If it came with regular oil I change to what it came with.
  • raybearraybear Member Posts: 1,795
    Of course they're up, look at the incentives!
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    I have 700 miles on my '03 Forester XS, and I will change to Mobil 1 synthetic 5W-30 at 1000 miles. Probably wasting my money, but heck, I don't want to be dependent on Sadam for my dino oil either.

    John
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    just read an '03 Forester XS 5 speed review from an "expert" on the central coast of California. He more or less trashed the car, saying it was mediocre and average compared to the current small SUV market. His biggest beef was with the clutch, which he said was "often rough and erratic" "exceptionally difficult to drive smoothly" and "a real pain to operate". Has anyone had similar observations on the Forester clutch?

    I do agree that (like any clutch) the Forester clutch takes getting used to the engagement point and best rpm to have it at for a smooth start in first gear, but I haven't found it particularily annoying.
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Maybe the guy didn't know how to drive a manual.

    Our 03 Forester is an auto, but I have driven 01 and 03 models with 5 spds, and they seemed fine to me.

    Craig
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Soob specialist? This is new, right?

    Everyone seems to have incentives at the moment but not everyone's sales are up :-)

    Steve, Host
  • raybearraybear Member Posts: 1,795
    Yeah, I took a position as internet manager at a Subie store. Three days after I started they announced they're retiring the franchise!

    The long-term goal was to have me handle business development for the Volvo store also, so I'm moving down there at the end of the month, after our "fire sale" is over.

    I'm seeing agressive pricing from Subaru dealers throughout my area, they're very competetive. As the internet guy at my store if I don't drop straight to the cheapest price we can accept I don't hear back from the customer, unless it's to inform me I've lost the sale.
  • sunshine21sunshine21 Member Posts: 10
    hello all, I just want to say thank you for all the input on the oil change question...i think I will go ahead and have it changed at 1,000 miles.. I have noticed that my 6 cd player changer(factory installed/in dash) is really skipping as i am driving down the road...i had a single cd player in my other sub. (aftermarket pioneer unit) and it never skipped...this one just starting behaving like this and it is really working to try to play a song...i have the same cd's in ...and yes the road might have a little snow on it or bump...but i am not going fast over the road....anyone else w/2003 forester xs auto. experiencing this...should i have dealership check it out? thanks again...sorry if the cd question is in the wrong thread...
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