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Maybe the move I'll make is to lease one really cheap towards the end of the year (n/a) with a 12K per year lease. This way i can supplement my Prelude's mileage (At my current clip, about 21K per year) & we can still keep her TSX which we love.
One of the advantages of having to be at work at 7:30 AM, I'd take whatever car I want :P
I'd probably end up using the car more in the winter during the days when the snows comes down (unless she has to work, Monday & Thursday) & she'd probably end up driving it more over the summer (taking the kids to the beach).
If anybody has time & own an '09+ Forester, can you measure the cargo area front to back & left to right? Thanks!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/forester/forester2011.html#dimensions
Regards
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
For instance, the Accord Crosstour is around 33" there, so the Forester is about 9" wider (!).
You want a wide opening, sure, but you also want things like a dog crate to fit inside between those wheel wells.
The Forester's compact suspension really helps there, it embarrasses the Accord Crosstour, at least.
Subaru did shape the space very well. In their biggest-box test, it beats a lot of bigger SUVs, even some mid-sizers, because the cargo area itself is shaped like a box.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I like it when they design around a single boxy shape, rather than scoop out little nooks and crannies after the fact.
The new rear suspension intrudes much less than the Struts from my 1998 model did.
It has the dog-leg con rods, like the Tribeca's 3.6l (EZ36).
Dual AVCS.
DI coming soon (should have been now).
Trans coming (when?), more efficient engine peripherals - does that mean Electric Power Steering?
148hp 2.0l variant - first time I've seen the power output stated. So that will be the base Impreza engine. Other sources put output at 160hp for the 2l, though.
40mpg! I hope!
http://www.caradvice.com.au/102023/subaru-forester-s-edition-review/
Bob sent these links to me, my reactions (I'll copy/paste):
Wow, what a beautiful blue on that front page! Love the blue alcantara seats as well. Why can't we get that? Gorgeous...
They made the backup cam standard even on the XS, sort of our Premium model. Self-leveling rear suspension, too, which disappeared here with the LL Bean models.
Also:
"As with the auto WRX STI, the Forester S-Edition's transmission features downshift blipping control".
Sounds like the Nissan 370Z.
Gas mileage for the 265hp engine is identical to the XT's engine, too, so no loss in MPG. The question becomes - why sell the base XT turbo at all? Ditch it.
They have turbo manuals there, too. I'm so jealous! At least offer the blipping control 5EAT.
From the 2nd article....
"0-100km/h time of just 6.5 seconds"
That's quick, keep in mind that's 0-62mph. 0-60 should be around 6 flat.
Cost is $3500, or about half that in US dollars.
Looks like it gets VTD AWD, too, they mention a 45/55 split.
Also has new luminescent instruments.
Much more than meets the eye!
As with the boxy cargo area comment you stated above, I agree, and I appreciate the room the Forester provides for its size. It is an incredibly practical and versatile car, and I certainly wouldn't mind having another one or having one that is far superior in terms of fun-factor.
I am still looking at the miserly compact segment for my Escort replacement at some point down the road, but who knows what will strike my fancy when the day comes? I can be impulsive (though still prudent) now and again....
Subaru has to hurry the FB20 engine, which is also rumored to get 40mpg, though probably in an Impreza or FT86 Toytobaru coupe.
Right now, after 2.5 years and 35,000 miles on the Escort, my "lifetime" average (bought it at 108K and have 142K on it now) is 31.23 mpg. My worst month (December 2009) was 28.21 mpg. With a current-gen Impreza, I think my average would be closer to 26 mpg lifetime (the AWD takes a big hit during winter, even with synthetic fluids).
I expect more like mid 30s.
Plus - the concept looks gorgeous...
Barring any catastrophic failures, I have no plans to replace it within the next two years. Even then, if it is a minor catastrophic failure (like an engine), I'll probably just fix it. All things told, it is pretty cheap to own, easy to work on it, and reliable.
The hatch opng. is also wider and taller.
Wheel base and length are almost the same but I think that the CRV
has more usable space.
The CR-V's seats fold and tumble forward, so you actually end up with more cargo length in the Subie.
Both offer good space and are space efficient.
Bob
Car & Driver measured and the sheet of plywood, i.e. the floor area, in the Forester was actually bigger.
Let me search...BRB.
http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/original/application/484f036- 98b354b558bc433d7f1964c72.pdf
CR-V wins for Area: 73 cubic feet behind 1st row, 36 behind 2nd row.
Forester has 63/31, though the huge moonroof actually hurts those numbers.
Forester wins for cargo length and width: 70" x 42.3"
CR-V offers 54" x 38".
So indeed, the Forester is well over a foot longer, and more than 4" wider. The CR-V's height makes up for it and gives it the win in total volume, but like I said, you may have to stack...
Bob
I bet if I had to, I could put a washing machine in there. Well, maybe not me, but a couple of gorillas with good backs.
Bob
The CRV also has a much bigger area in the back without having to lower the back seats.
And the total overall exterior length is slightly shorter than the Forester.
The funny thing?
I actually HAVE brought home a clothes washing machine inside a Forester, on its side, my 1998 as a matter of fact. I even took photos.
Bob - you've seen them, though you probably do not remember.
The CR-V's cargo area is taller so it would probably do the same thing, upright. But I doubt it would fit length-wise.
Here's a good video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4SN9tXvrRQ
FFWD to 6:18.
Of course the test is rigged to show the advantage of the Forester, but you see how the width between the wheel wells matters.
Again, the CR-V may fit that box standing up - is it 38.5" tall? Nope - I watched the video again, at around 7:10 you clearly see there is no chance, even upright, that would fit.
We should measure lift over, but I don't doubt the CR-V's is a little lower.
The Forester's cargo area is designed around a box.
Competitors may have nooks and crannies, areas carved out, and taller roofs, which give them more volume that you may or may not be able to use, depends on what you're carrying.
Edit: Bob - remember that Deb has the old suspension in her Forester. The 09 and later got the less intrusive rear suspension that really opened up cargo width, and makes a big difference. The humps on the sides are much smaller now.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/cr-recommended/best-in-cargo-ca- - pacity-fuel-economy-1205-fuel-economy-cargo-haul/index.htm
Area for the biggest cargo box that fits in with the door closed:
Forester: 35.5 cubic feet
CR-V: 25.5 cubic feet
Element is amazing, though, since the interior is basically the shape of a box - 47 cubes! Wow! Nearly double the CR-V.
Forester beats a couple of mid-sizers, even, the RX and Equinox, and it ties the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
I realize this is just one yardstick, and most people go with what the EPA says, but it really depends on what you haul home.
I'm thinking about a generator, for example. If it's in one large box, odds are better it will fit in a Forester vs. a CR-V.
If you go to Costco and buy a lot of little stuff you can pile up, the CR-V can fit more.
Bob: let's make a bet. If I do buy one, I'll save the box. We'll see which one it fits in better, or maybe at least measure since the Honda is on the eastern shore.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Note that Subaru (every manufacturer, really) performs tests that lay toward the strengths of that particular car.
So they show the Forester on a front/rear only ramp, but the Legacy and Tribeca on a single-wheel-has-traction ramp.
Reading between the lines - the Forester could not do what the VTD system does in the Legacy/Outback/Tribeca.
Looked at both the other night and it was quite obvious which holds more, front to back......not the CR-V!
PS You are comparing a 2011 CR-V to a 2011 Forester, right????
And, yes, packed to the ceiling. Did that several times while moving my daughter out of various apartments. Also packed the Forester to the ceiling at the same time. The CRV wins hands down.
Bob
height and depth you will see that the CRV is much bigger.
Now lower the passenger side front and back seat and stick a 2x4x8' lengthwise in the cargo area and shut the hatch you will notice that there is much more room in the CRV.
Any way you slice it the CRV has much more usable room.
I'm comparing the latest generation CRV 2007and up, to the 2011 Forester.
I have one of each.
There's room to spare, I once measured when the Outlander guys said the Forester could not do it. I was happy to prove them wrong.
We just bought a 2011 Subaru Forester with the 4-speed automatic transmission about 3 weeks ago. We notice that as soon as we start the engine (with the transmission in P), the sport mode indicator on the dash comes on. And it stays on no matter which gear we are in.
Is that right? I thought the sport mode indicator is supposed to come on only when I shift to D and then pull the stick to the left (so that it's left of the D, below the + and above the -).
Does anyone else observe the same in their Forester?
Thanks in advance.
Ray
But make sure the lever is NOT to the left first!
Now we're on the market and I'm wondering if the '11s have this as well and if anyone knows if it will be fixed in a '12 redesign. I see a number of other comments on the internet about this, so I don't think it's just us....thanks
Thanks,
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Any suggestions what the problem might be? Too big a drive capacity? Wrong file format?
Ideas anyone?
That's my guess as to why it won't read it.
Try a smaller one, just to make sure the port it working.
It would cancel the effects of the seat heaters, though.
Mine has been going off several times I can not duplicate the sequence.
One time was when
I parked the car in the garage came back later and opened up the glove box the horn went off.
Another time was when I touched the car while sweeping the floor I had to run in to the house and get the keys to turn off the alarm.
The final time was when I was sitting in the passenger seat and pulled down the visor.
After that I decided to disable the system by going thru a procedure in the manual.
Does anybody know if this permanently disables this alarm I hope it does.
Not only is the low height bad for the view, but it also makes the seat VERY uncomfortable for me. I love actually driving the car, where I can power my seat up nice and high, but as a passenger....ouch. It's like sitting on the floor. If I want to not have my legs stretched out, my knees seem up WAY too high. Stretched out, there is no leg support at all. My feet are falling asleep on a 45 minute drive, while I struggle to get comfy!! I'm wondering if we could add a cushion of some sort to help with the discomfort, if not the height.