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2014 Subaru Forester
woodenarch
Member Posts: 1
I didn't see a post about the new 2014 Subaru Forester. What do you guys think? This might be the one I end up buying. Not for sure how I feel about the design of the front end vents. I will have to see in person.
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32mpg highway for an AWD model sounds good to me.
We only have 30k miles on our 2009, else I'd be thinking about trading up.
Bob
That reduced towing rating suggests a smaller margin in the new transmission design. With less than 10,000 miles on my 2010 XT, I certainly will wait to see how well that new trans holds up on the turbo.
The new window by the mirror on the driver's side is useful on tight left turns into narrow one-ways, but the styling is not as good as the 2010. It is possible that the new increased windshield slant will result in reflections from the dashboard in very bright sun.
If you don't mind sitting on the floor. :P
Hey, the 09 Forester passenger sits too low!
If those aren't important to you, though, I think it's going to be an otherwise exceptional vehicle.
The XT vents are a little funky, but the normally aspirated versions will have a more traditional bumper.
I like having the moonroof on my X Premium (2010), but then it isn't a normal moonroof. I don't like the skinny little useless things on most vehicles; thankfully, the Forester has a massive glass sheet up there and it really opens up the interior of the vehicle.
CVT may have been the limitation for towing. Wes beat me to it.
Crazy idea - make the moonroof standard!
Wes, that's interesting about the tow rating with the manual. Everything I've read didn't differentiate between the CVT and manual, but rather said towing was reduced to 1,500 lbs across the board. Where did you find that nugget of info? Good find. I assumed the CVT is the Gen 2 found in the Outback, but if the CVT is the limiting factor, then that must not be the case given the Outback's much higher towing capability.
Sunroof is a deal killer for me for a myriad of reasons. I sure hope Subaru doesn't continue that standardization trend with other models.
Bob
Bob
Bob
I still suspect it boils down to being a liability issue. After all, the vast majority of owners will never tow anything with it anyway, so why encourage it for that use?
I towed my Escort with my Forester a couple of times, which was probably about a 2,800# load (between dolly and car), and the Forester had absolutely no problem with it all, so I would have no reservation about doing the same with a 2014+ Forester if I had one.
I'd be surprised if you got much discount at all...
Saw an Equinox at the auto show for $39k. Loaded Durangos and Explorers were $50k.
Would be cool if you got the very first one.
Our 2009 was first year, but not among the first. If you recall, they launched the LL Bean model at first, and a couple of months later renamed it the Limited (which we got) when the deal with LL Bean was dissolved.
decided on a 2013 impreza 5-door LTD loaded,because of the epa 27/36.
I think I made a great choice.
Let's see who the first new Forester owner is.
Congrats.
option ...splash guard and rear bumper cover
what do you think?
Its pre-order
x man???
2014 Subaru Forester Premium CVT
Your color Choice
All Weather Package
Auto Dimming Mirror with Compass and Homelink and Approach Lighting
Rear Cargo Tray
MSRP $26,889
Discount Price $ 24,845
Processing Fee: 299
VA 3% Tax: 754.32
DMV Title: 10.00
DMV Filing: 10.00
DMV Tags: 40.75
Out the Door Price: 25,959
Very similar to our '13 Forester in terms of trim and content.
Good:
• Seemed a bit more nimble and more fun to drive than our car.
• Steering definitely is better.
• More interior room for rear passengers.
• Driver's door armrest better located (higher).
• Seat heater switches much better located.
• Center stack selectable graphic (outside temp, mpg, etc.) interesting, although I don't fully understand all the choices and what they convey.
• Seemed quieter and more refined than our car.
• CVT much better than old 4EAT.
• Good outward visibility.
Bad
• CVT needs paddle shifters (paddle shifters come on turbo models only).
• Cruise control indicator way too hard to find and see. This really needs to be changed!
• Don't like the bar-graph fuel gauge.
• Not wild about the instrument cluster. The one in our '13 Forester is better (large center speedo, large easy to read fuel gauge).
• No green indicator light for headlights when on.
• Door grab bar interferes with power window switches access.
• Reduced tow rating (1500 vs 2400).
• Angle of approach slightly worse than outgoing model
• '13 model has better exterior styling. Too many fussy styling gimmicks on new model that just don't work.
Bob
First let me say I was talking about the radio in the Touring edition.
I went back to check out the Forester today and I asked the salesman for a demo of the radio. We tried to dial in a specific station that I listen to but he couldn't. It's just too complicated. We tried the buttons on the steering wheel as well. It's a failure on several levels, it's dangerous to use while driving, the graphics design of the on screen interface is terrible, and it's completely contrary to what the Subaru brand stands for. I gave the back up camera a second chance. Not only is it small but it's far from the driver which makes it effectively even smaller.
After checking out the Forester more closely and doing another test drive, I test drove the new Rav4. IMHO (maybe not so H) the Rav4 has nicer lines but the Forester drives much better. Even thought the hp is similar the Forester feels peppier and more planted. The radio in the Rav4 is much easier to use. It has big buttons along the side. For me the dash design is a toss up, the Rav4 is more designed, maybe over designed but the Forester is still boring. The faux leather on the dash in the Rav4 is too thin and cheap....and gimmicky.
I want the features of the Touring edition Forester but the radio and back up camera are so bad they might actually be a deal breaker.
Coming from Europe my driving pattern is far off of the North American norm. Love driving in snow storms and ice.
So my pros and cons after a week of driving.
There is a suggested break in period of a 1000 Ml or 1600 Km. During that time one should NOT use the paddle shifters or cruise control and the X drive. I guess for the CVT to have a proper workout.
Concerning the radio. It is just a simple setup: turn the dial (right knob on the radio) to the station you want, press and hold any of the numbered buttons untill it beeps. You can set up your favorite's one after the other. That is it. From then on you can shift station and change volume on the steering wheel. It is simple. DONT BOTHER with menues.
First what I like:
The engine is sweet. It is the new WRX machine. Quick with lots of torque. (I'm still being a good boy and running it according suggested pattern like, NO over 4000 RPM yet).
Runs at a bit over 2000RPM at about 75 Ml/ Hr.
The whole car is super quiet, there is no vibration at all (the engine supports are liquid)
Lots of room front and back. I'm 6.2 and have a lot more space than I would need.
Easy to get in and out because the doors open wider. The moon roof is great.
I had no chance to hear the double exhaust at this point.
Most likely it could use better tires but tracks well and cornering is typical to Subaru's surefooted way. It is not like the WRX being a taller box, but the low center of gravity make things work.
I like the backup camera even though I wear glasses. Better than nothing.
Now what I DONT like.
No Coolant Temperature Gauge just an Idiot Light. No fuel Gauge but a digital bar readout.
The upper display is like a bloody text message center that I found it totaly useless. The major focus is the fuel economy on it and it is approached from different angles. For most you need engineering degree to figure out. Some could be usefull for the mechanics for servicing etc. I disabled most of it but a few it would not let me. I will see if I can get those later.
I would like to have: coolant, transmission, turbo temperature, turbo boost, fuel gauge, electrical values etc. on that. If you are a fuel economy minded person get a Prius and not a car with a turbo charger on it.
Laszlo
I'm very interested in what kind of MPG you get. I've checked Fuelly.com but no one has reported yet.
I read your comment again and then looked at pictures of the radios offered in the Forester. The one you're describing is not the one that comes in the Touring model, at least not in The States. I checked the Subaru Canada site since you mentioned kilometers so I guessed you might be Canadian. It looks like Subaru changed the naming convention between Canada and The States. In Canada the Limited is the top of the line and includes the navigation system. In The States, the Touring model is the top of the line and includes the navigation system. You wrote " turn the dial (right knob on the radio) to the station you want, press and hold any of the numbered buttons until it beeps." The touch screen nav/radio does not have a right hand knob or numbered buttons. Although I have not tried it, the radio you describe sounds like it functions the same way most radios do. The one I'm taking about is the touch screen nav/radio which is the same one that's used in the BRZ, the same one that has gotten panned and called the worst in the business. That's a shame because I really like most everything else about the Forester.
smokey100
Seems like most manufacturers go through mission creep of this type. Yes it sells cars to a new audience, but some of us end up getting creeped out of a re-purchase.
John
Well, go back to the radio. Yes it is a normal radio that I have been driving with for decades, and like the Flintstone's stione axe it work like a charm all the time. I did not pick the Limited or Touring in the State side because I could not justify the cost for the return. I have a perfect Garmin GPS and the rest is just X-mas decoration.
Having WRX before to me performance goes ahead of frills and that is why I picked the simpler Turbo model. Actually this clip was the final decision maker with me. It is written 2013 on the clip but it is the 2014 model:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CEVet095GI&playnext=1&list=PL944551F8247B8004&fe- ature=results_main
I live close to the US border and we deal with lots of snow. This was the real selling point and not full leather seats or bunch of cameras.
Laszlo