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After conversion to US mpg, it goes like this:
X MT: 22/31 AT 23/30
XT AT: 21/28
However, keep in mind that canadian numbers don't use the NEW epa ratings for 2008, so they are higher. Compared to the 2008 model, the fuel consumption is nearly identical for the X and slightly lower (3-4%) for the XT
Compared to my 1998, which was rated for 21/27, plus it had a smaller gas tank at 15.9 gallons.
So an extra gallon of gas plus 2-3 mpg improvement sounds real good to me.
Fitzmall.com has 7 listed as "Coming Soon". No pricing yet, only MSRP. None of them are LL Beans, though. Bummer!
Or is it Forester withdrawal syndrome?
Now that it's winter, the wife doesn't like going out in the Miata. So we use the minivan more often than not, even for a date with just the two of us.
The van's great when we need the space, or when we're with the kids, but for the 2 of us it's overkill, big time.
Plus the Forester was just more fun.
BTW -check out the details and pics of my test drive:
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=26188&page=86
Also some other good info:
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/forester/forester2009.html
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RJkjFRnLJI
Here is a review I found by following your first link:
http://www.drivingsports.com/blog/2008/03/first-drive-the.html
"the car felt planted and sure footed"
Edmunds basically said the same thing. The new rear suspension must have helped improve handling.
Never had any issues with just test driving @ Carr.
I drove by on Saturday and saw none in stock. They still have about a dozen 2008s that I saw.
So I guess that means that Eastside Subaru has them in stock here in Seattle, too.
23 Civic Type-R / 22 MDX Type-S / 21 Tesla Y LR / 03 Montero Ltd
http://blog.cardomain.com/blog/2008/03/when-is-a-soft.html
I'm taking our '06 Legacy in to Carter for its 30k service tomorrow. I'm hoping they've got one or two on the lot to check out when I bring the loaner back Weds.
The front seating position is just about as high as my Sienna. Looks like it would easily do what I have in mind, off pavement. Very nice!
$3.67 for gas for the Sienna on Sunday. I may just stay close to home, or buy a Yaris.
You'll be better off selling that private sale. Hondas (and Subarus) can fetch a lot more that way.
Forester with off-road abilities that shame its nearest competitors, demonstrated on a steep, rutted trail on Catalina Island that stopped a Honda CR-V dead in its tracks
Can't wait to try one myself.
Fitz has 10 still Coming Soon, including 3 LL Beans. Gray, Dark Gray, and Silver? How about a light green one? Some color, please.
Otherwise, meh. The only performance part in the "performance" accessories is the short throw shifter. :sick: Other than that, it's shift knobs (overkill in comparison w/5 choices!?), stainless steel pedals, front underspoiler and SPT oil cap & battery hold down.
Also pretty disappointed the cool cargo area rail system from the JDM model isn't available here (allows bikes to be mounted safely in the cargo area & can be used to keep loose items from rolling around).
Also, for those interested in bluetooth capability, note that the web address listed in the brochure - www.subaru.com/bluetooth - only redirects you back to the subaru homepage at this time.
Yes, the MSRP is lower—but not because Subaru is feeling generous. It's because you're getting less. Period.
Bob
I think there was too big of a price gap between the 2008 X and X Premium models. It was a few grand. The bigger rebates on the X model made that gap hard to justify for many.
Now that step is a lot smaller. Or you have an intermediate step, if you will. X, X Premium, X Premium AWP. I don't get why you have to wait for June to get the AWP, though, given they make it for the LL Bean model.
I'm OK, because the LL Bean model keeps the AWP standard.
Our van has cross bars, so I may not get those, if only for aerodynamic reasons. I didn't use my cargo cover towards the end, I'd removed it. But my wife uses hers. We'll have to see if she wants one.
Lame to drop the rubber cargo mat, that's a definite must-have. Same for the protective pad on the rear bumper.
This is purely cost-cutting, as Bob says, though to be fair Honda and Toyota do the same thing, so Subaru is just trying to meet a price point (so they can advertise under $20k).
I will probably add the puddle lights (very cool), the rubber cargo mat, and a cargo net. I don't think I will be accessorizing the wife's car like I did my 1998 Forester, where I had almost every thing in the whole catalog.
The Premium package was $1500 before, but rebates for the X were $1000 higher for most of last model year, so the actual cost of the package was $2500.
It was a pretty big step.
They had the Sports model between the two before. Now the Premium model moves down a tad (to occupy the price slot of the Sports) and the Premium+AWP takes the spot of the old PP.
1) VDC + TCS
2) side curtain airbags
3) hood struts
4) trip computer
5) reclining rear seats
6) flip-out tray
7) larger fuel tank,
8) steering wheel audio controls,
9) 17'' wheels and tires,
10) more interior room
11) more ground clearance
12) fold-flat front seats
So, it's not entirely clear that 2009 buyers are getting less.
A pretty tight fit thanks to that wide transmission tunnel.
The Honda CRV and my old Maxx have plenty of footroom, which helps avoid cramping on long trips.
The Outback also has a little more in that area.
I spoke to my friend at FitzMall and he said his dealership was going to order the Accessory Package with 4 of those items Bob said were deleted on every model they order. It's about $400. Given the base prices is down $1200 on the base and $700 on the LL Bean, even with that package you still come out ahead most of the time.
kurt: the CR-V has lacked a dead pedal, so despite all the room I never found the driver's seat comfortable.
Honda misses on a lot of models when it comes to a proper dead pedal.
-Frank
First thing I noticed is that it felt familiar. Despite growth in each dimension, it's still a Forester. I felt at home, having owned the a 1998 model for 9 years. Still miss it, come to think of it.
Visibility is fantastic. Narrow pillars plus a huge green house give you a panoramic view, one made even more obvious when driving out in public roads, and then parking it after the test. Competitors could learn a lot from Subaru - you can see every corner of this car. No need for a backup cam.
And that's a good thing because I was told the GPS option will not come with a backup cam. Given the camera itself only costs $100, and the GPS is a pricey option, this is a mistake. It could help you line up a trailer hitch, for instance.
Inside, I really like the new interior. It still has good ergonomics but a dash of flair was added. Both of my elbows found nicely padded surfaces when I rested them, a big relief given my '98 hit 2 hard surfaces. The stereo could be better but Subaru has never paid much attention to that, and I heard the LL Bean model gets a better system.
The seats are a lot different than mine. Less side support, not nearly as stiff. I liked the old seats better, especially for aggressive driving, but my wife said she liked these new seats a lot more. They have more padding, but less side support. This model had a black cloth that was attractive and looked very durable. It's not the type of fabric that grips your body and gives you static shocks when you exit the car. I prefer a more velvety texture on cloth seats, but this seems more durable and makes it easier to slide in and out of the seat.
The rear seat was also nice, though really meant for 2 in comfort. With the front seat all the way back I verified that my knees do not hit the front seatback when I wiggle them.
The moonroof is still huge. Thank you.
The tinted windows look good. Not too dark, in fact I they seem lighter than most OE tint, though perhaps that's just the large green house.
OK, so how does it drive?
Slide the shift in to Drive, then left and it goes into Sport mode. Tap it up or down to change a gear. Hit the gas and 170 horses move it along better than this same engine does in the Legacy. We will probably get this engine, as opposed to the turbo, so to me it's not lacking and 20/26 mpg sounds good when oil just hit $111 per barrel.
The SportShift was a pleasant surprise. It responds very quickly. I remember hating how slow some tap shift autos were - some times taking 2 seconds to shift. This one completes the shift in about half a second. The only better TipTronic I've sampled was connected to a Porsche. High praise for SportShift.
There is less body roll than before. It really stays flat. This was a mild test drive so I could not push very hard, but I definitely got the impression that this suspension is sportier than before.
Ride was good, in fact you hear but do not feel the pot holes. I think the test model had too much air in the tires, as it was all tire noise. Wind noise was largely absent, though I probably only hit 45-50 mph, no high speeds to test those new door frames.
The steering wheel felt beefy and had a lot more feel than the Toyota I'm driving now. That may not say much, but Subaru has always shined in this area and they still do.
Love the trip computer! I have one in my van and wasn't sure if it would have it. It was displaying average MPG.
Misses?
* no backup cam with GPS
* mouse fur headliner
* sun visor was cheap plastic (durable, but not very pretty)
* auto should have a 5th ratio
Mostly nit-pics, really. And I wonder if the LL Bean and XT will get a nicer headliner or visor.
I left feeling very pleased with the update. It felt familiar, yet incrementally better in every way than the Forester I have fond memories of. I can't help but think this will be a hit for Subaru. Their timing may be bad, with slow auto sales overall, but I have little doubt that this Forester will be in demand for a while to come.
I'm pretty certain we'll have an LL Bean model in our driveway soon. $1600 Subaru Bucks, a gauranteed trade-in program scheduled for April, and a good first impression have nearly sealed the deal. All that's left is for my wife to drive one.
It's her car.
I trained myself out of using the one on my '08 Outback so I would keep my foot within the protective borders of the MacNeil WeatherTech floorliners. It was somewhat annoying and would definitely be uncomfortable for long trips. The advantage for me, though, was that I did not have to clean the dead pedal's surface when I sold it and I did not stain the carpeting around it. That car was immaculate when I sold it, and that is not easy to do with a light-interior car over a Fairbanks winter. :shades:
The "dead pedal" is not AT only. My '07 Outback with MT had a dead pedal, and it was well used when not shifting gears. I will post a photo in a sec, but CarSpace is acting up again.
Bob
(FYI for others: it's dark, narrow, and twists, oh and it does down hill)
The "dead pedal" is not AT only. My '07 Outback with MT had a dead pedal, and it was well used when not shifting gears.
Wes- you misunderstood me. My point was that having a dead pedal is more useful when driving a stick
-Frank
Do tell...I was just asking about this, and was told that there would not be a guaranteed trade-in program on the '09 Forester. Is that not the case?
I imagine you gathered this, but I thought you meant the dead pedal was more useful on AT cars where the owner had experience with a manual.
Holy heck. Reading your post again, I have no idea how I came to that conclusion. :lemon:
Oh good! I know my writing style isn't always the most direct when making a point so I was worried I'd have to take Effective Writing 101 :P
Majority of vehicles nowadays require to change the oil every 7,500 or 10,000 miles for normal driving.
Bob
His info contradicts what I've heard from other sources - others thought the Forester would not need such marketing help to sell well.
So don't hold your breath. We'll see.
What I'm going to do is wait until April, right now supplies are very short anyway. The wife said she wants the Gray interior color, and among the exterior colors that come with that she liked the new Spark Silver Metallic and the Newport Blue Pearl.
I think I'd prefer the blue, plus I like Pearlescent paints.
By the time they have those in stock, LL Bean model specifically, we'll know if the GTP is in effect.
I'm jealous, you beat me to it.
3 years free scheduled maintenance sounds great. Is that a dealer thing or from Subaru?
-Frank