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Bob
Also, I'd like to see the Forester navigate the 4wd area in the Outer Banks, especially the steep ramps over the dunes. Whose gonna video that one???
That said, it didn't keep me from buying a manual.
You'll notice it mostly in 1st gear at stoplights or at low speeds, where a tap of the throttle has the X jumping forward where the XT simply moves forward.
Also, the '09 XT's turbo boost appears to start around 2500 rpm and is pretty much all there just over 3000 rpm.
That's my experiences, anyway...your mileage may differ
Also, the n/a engine has a higher compression ratio and would make more power until the boost does arrive (hence the term "turbo lag" - you get slightly less power, then much more).
I think both of those were automatics.
The first did not appear to have traction control, but the 2nd did. There was much less wheelspin with the 2nd one. It was more controlled.
Apparently, the '10 Outback 3.6R (and the '09) has both LSD in back and VTC. The new rear suspension in the '10 appears to have tamed the swing-out the earlier models showed in some testing.
That meant zero or 1 axles were "managed" for traction.
Now VDC manages both axles, even on the base model. That's an important improvement.
And note that many competitors have traction control or AWD acting at any given time, often not both. The Forester lets them act in unison. That's why if you watch the video again, all 4 wheels are accelerating, and forward progress is easy even from a dead stop in soft sand.
Yes -- I think the VDC, VTC, AWD and 4AT are all electronically integrated to produce a very effective system.
I've been very impressed with handling in snow.
Bill
They say this year we'll have more snow here in the DC area, if so we'll see.
My Miata has summer tires so it's absolutely out of the question in bad weather. Our van in FWD and the stability control is too intrusive, though it's better when you turn it "off".
Still, the Forester will do all the snow duty, no question.
I've driven 2010 Forester XT Premium in both Auto and Manual. The manual was nice, and the Auto was very good for an auto. In Manual-mode, it even seems to rev-match on a downshift going into a corner. But these were both 3 mile test drives at best.
So what do y'all think? Also, anyone have the quick-shifter installed? A review of the before/after experience would be most welcome.
Thanks in advance.
It's a decent 4 spd auto and works well with its cruise control, but over 75 the engine's spinning close to 3000 rpm.
I'm still bummed that the XT is no longer available in the USA with a stick.
Subaru has stated they plan to move the CVT into more vehicles, with the Forester being a likely choice for 2012 model year.
Whether the CVT will become robust enough to replace the 4spd AT in the XT models, or H6 Legacy/Outback models, remains to be seen.
So, with the non-turbo model, same question - Manual or Auto?
I have the 4AT and am happy with it. I use the manual mode going down hills for engine braking, which works well -- I live in WV.
But, the manual mode is no substitute for a stick shift if that is your thinking.
Bill
Spend $800 or so less to begin with.
CR got 25 mpg vs. 22 mpg for the automatic, despite what EPA lab tests say the MT5 wins in the real world.
And...it's quicker.
A new clutch is a few hundred, a new automatic is a few thousand.
Having said all that my wife got an automatic - she really wanted the Limited and that's the only way it comes.
All of my cars have had manual transmissions, but for my most recent purchase (an 05 Honda Element) I decided to go with an auto-trans because an AWD Element with a manual transmission is nearly impossible to come by around here (pre-owned, anyways). Every time I get in my Element, I regret not holding out until I found a manual transmission model...and I LOVE everything else about the car, but have grown to hate the 4sp auto transmission. It drives me crazy in the mountains, although around town it's not too bad.
Both of my Subarus that I owned previously had manuals and were fun to drive -- and the benefit (I believe) of having the 50:50 default split of the AWD was preferable to me over the 90:10 split of the auto Subarus. And, as already mentioned, most evidence suggests much better fuel economy with the manual transmission.
Advice? Buy the manual Forester...
During a quality review, we discovered that under certain severe driving patterns, such as high speed highway/uphill driving and/or accelerating with high engine revolutions, the efficiency of your vehicle’s catalytic converter may begin to degrade beyond design parameters. (The “Check Engine” light will illuminate to alert you if the catalytic converter efficiency has degraded beyond an acceptable level and if your vehicle may be releasing air pollutants that exceed Federal or California emission standards.) To prevent this condition, Subaru has developed a modification to the Engine Control Module software logic that will improve management of the catalytic converter. This software change will not adversely affect the performance of your vehicle.
WHAT WE ARE ASKING YOU TO DO PROMPTLY
We suggest that you schedule an appointment with your Subaru dealer as soon as possible to have your vehicle’s Engine Control Module software reprogrammed. The approximate time to perform this update is 40 minutes. However, it may be necessary for you to leave your car for a longer period on the day of your scheduled appointment to allow your dealer flexibility in scheduling other appointments. Your Subaru dealer will perform this repair at no cost to you.
Doesn't sound urgent...
Any ideas on what the reprogramming will consist of?
I think I'll wait until I know more about it. Hopefully including input from this forum.
Bill
"Service Program WVM-23 (2006 - 2009 Legacy / Outback or 2008 - 2010 Forester 2.5L with PZEV) "
bill
Thank You
I suspect part of the reason for the rattles is due to the rigidity of the car's structure. Vibrations pass through such structures more efficiently, so they essentially find the weakest link and viola; there is your rattle! Not that this is an excuse for mediocrity with interior build quality, it just means they need to step up the performance of the connectors and dampeners they use to attach everything.
Got my notice in the mail today - -WV a non PZEV required state.
Bill
I am sorry that your experience is so poor; I am actually very happy with my Forester thus far. I was expecting a whole plethora of rattles! Granted, the door rattles, which are very bad now and continue to get worse, drive me batty, but I only get to drive the car once or twice a week, so I can live with it. Only seven weeks or so to go before the appointment.
Best of luck hunting down the culprits.
-Wes-
We'll do ours at the next oil change.
I still need to take mine in for the 11-89-08 TSB reflash related to revving. Is there anything special the car wants when it is in "learning" mode after an ECU reflash? More highway miles, the regular stop-n-go mix, or ?
My Sienna has 5 ratios and hesitates more, doesn't shift as decisively.
If they add ratios I hope they still tune/program it to operate exactly the way this one does.
i feel for you. First my rear seat started to squeak . Gradually it got really loud in the car and I had to drive with the radio on!
It took me over 6 weeks to get 3 different service managers to agree to rip out the back seats on my 09 Forester and replace the old latches with new latches. As the mechanic was driving it in to the bay he heard the roof squeak as well. He wound up ripping out the inside roof and told me it has been discovered that the adhesive they used to keep the roof secure in those Foresters has been disolving causing it to squeak there as well. So he put new adhesive in it, put the new seat latches in and then drove it around one more time with another guy in the rear to listen. One more sqeak found in the rear hatch door and it took no time at all to fix that one. All told I waited 4 hours for it but the quiet was well worth it- good luck to you but go back and tell them you are not happy with your new car.
good luck!
Top Safety Picks dwindled since they now must meet roof crush standards, but Forester managed to stay on the list:
Small SUVs
Honda Element
Jeep Patriot with optional side torso airbags
Subaru Forester
Volkswagen Tiguan
Cross-reference that list with the current month's issue of Consumer Reports most reliable list, and the Forester is the only small SUV to make both lists.
The only game in town! :shades: