Any Forester Drivers?
Discussion
In my opinion the Forester is an unsung hero, I've had 4 including the STi.
The STi is a great machine but lacks all the toys the modern person wants now a days so is very poor value for money.
My present one is an XTEN modified to 320BHP confirmed at 318. It might not have the handling of the STi but then I don't drive as if I am on a race track.
It does have everything you want which is lacking in the STi and of course it's quicker in a straight line from 20mph, remember its an auto.
320 is about the maximum a standard engine can take without going to forged pistons etc etc, auto gear box good for 350BHP.
I've done about 40k since being modified and it is incredibly reliable and a real wolf in sheeps clothing, can keep up with an RS4 to 120.
Like all Subarus the biggest downside is MPG, normal driving about 24 to 25, using the turbo drops well below 20mpg.
I would recommend the Forester as it can be all things to anyone and very few manufacterers like the Japs make engines that can stand so much modifications.
I can afford a more modern 4wd performance SUV, but having driven quite a few, I can't stand these new 7 & 8 speed boxes, they slow down the enjoyment unless you get over 500BHP. The Forester still gives that excitement with instant power in all 4 gears and has an excellent tight turn in ability.
Highly recommended model up to 2009, then Subaru lost it's way.
The STi is a great machine but lacks all the toys the modern person wants now a days so is very poor value for money.
My present one is an XTEN modified to 320BHP confirmed at 318. It might not have the handling of the STi but then I don't drive as if I am on a race track.
It does have everything you want which is lacking in the STi and of course it's quicker in a straight line from 20mph, remember its an auto.
320 is about the maximum a standard engine can take without going to forged pistons etc etc, auto gear box good for 350BHP.
I've done about 40k since being modified and it is incredibly reliable and a real wolf in sheeps clothing, can keep up with an RS4 to 120.
Like all Subarus the biggest downside is MPG, normal driving about 24 to 25, using the turbo drops well below 20mpg.
I would recommend the Forester as it can be all things to anyone and very few manufacterers like the Japs make engines that can stand so much modifications.
I can afford a more modern 4wd performance SUV, but having driven quite a few, I can't stand these new 7 & 8 speed boxes, they slow down the enjoyment unless you get over 500BHP. The Forester still gives that excitement with instant power in all 4 gears and has an excellent tight turn in ability.
Highly recommended model up to 2009, then Subaru lost it's way.
Out of interest, which all the 'toys' is it missing? Only thing I miss, coming from various luxo barges and a BMW 1 Series is sound deadening and very occasionally, cruise control.
I'm also intrigued about your theory on the auto, I drove a friend's auto Forester over Easter and on his instruction, to get it going I had to absolutely mat the throttle to get going at a reasonable lick. My STI would have been seeing 60 before it saw 30, albeit that my STI is a bit over standard power etc.
Not picking, just intrigued.
I'm also intrigued about your theory on the auto, I drove a friend's auto Forester over Easter and on his instruction, to get it going I had to absolutely mat the throttle to get going at a reasonable lick. My STI would have been seeing 60 before it saw 30, albeit that my STI is a bit over standard power etc.
Not picking, just intrigued.
Regarding toys, I meant cruise control, traction control, pan roof, electric seats, heated seats, leather interior and not the graveyard black are an example.
Regarding the auto box, it is also tiptronic with a sports mode, in normal lazy mode it still works very good in my opinion.
However when an engine is modified and re-mapped, it increases the throttle responce quite considerably. so even in lazy mode it always seems to be in the correct gear, hard to explain but for me its brilliant. 4 gears with long ratio's, 40, 80, 120 and cut's out at 150mph, so it is very useable.
I seriously considered importing the new Forester STi Ts in 2015, but was put of regarding how basic it was, great engine and handling, but over 90% of the time I am just driving normally (wife and grand children also) and would like some modern comforts, and a light and airy cabin.
Regarding the auto box, it is also tiptronic with a sports mode, in normal lazy mode it still works very good in my opinion.
However when an engine is modified and re-mapped, it increases the throttle responce quite considerably. so even in lazy mode it always seems to be in the correct gear, hard to explain but for me its brilliant. 4 gears with long ratio's, 40, 80, 120 and cut's out at 150mph, so it is very useable.
I seriously considered importing the new Forester STi Ts in 2015, but was put of regarding how basic it was, great engine and handling, but over 90% of the time I am just driving normally (wife and grand children also) and would like some modern comforts, and a light and airy cabin.
Fair enough - what's the Graveyard Black thing? Do you mean the black dash?
To be fair I was only messing with the autobox car, trying to get some photos, so trying to get to speed in a short distance for some panning shots etc. so perhaps didn't get its potential, when it was pedaled by its owner it was a bit quicker off the mark, but still nowhere close to mine!
I do have the leather bit!
Heated would be nice once in a while, but I'd take ventilated/cooled every time over heat!
Does the XT have traction?! I've never even considered the need for it so far, as there is so much grip and roadholding available already. Crazy times.
To be fair I was only messing with the autobox car, trying to get some photos, so trying to get to speed in a short distance for some panning shots etc. so perhaps didn't get its potential, when it was pedaled by its owner it was a bit quicker off the mark, but still nowhere close to mine!
I do have the leather bit!
Heated would be nice once in a while, but I'd take ventilated/cooled every time over heat!
Does the XT have traction?! I've never even considered the need for it so far, as there is so much grip and roadholding available already. Crazy times.
themanwithnoname said:
Heated would be nice once in a while, but I'd take ventilated/cooled every time over heat!
Does the XT have traction?! I've never even considered the need for it so far, as there is so much grip and roadholding available already. Crazy times.
I had heated seats in both my Foresters. I used an after-market kit to fit them to my Impreza. You can get kits that have rectangular switches that sit into the existing slots and all the electric go in the void under the gear lever. The zips on the seat covers means easy-ish access to get the pads under the seat covers. Took me about a day.Does the XT have traction?! I've never even considered the need for it so far, as there is so much grip and roadholding available already. Crazy times.
the AWD system largely negates the need for traction control as sending the drive to all four wheels means they don't usually slip. Unlike those torquey FWD diesels that the French and Germans want you to buy.
Exactly I'd briefly considered it myself, however I have been considering getting a cloth interior, as the STI seats aren't the best in leather, me bum just isn't as well gripped as I'd like! Regarding heat, I guess it would be nice occasionally in winter, but for me being able to get them cooled would be the ultimate (I'm a nut sorbet guy, rather than a vegetable chowder chap, what can I say). I think Saab and Mercedes have both done systems, but I'm not confident enough in my upholstery skills to cut in the fans or ducting for the AC vents.
I was genuinely surprised to learn that XT has TCS, like I say, even with well over 300bhp the only slip I've ever had, is that which I've asked for in no uncertain terms.
Even when I had tyres of dubious qualiy and tractability, so with 220, or 270 (assuming PPP) I would have thought it a non-issue.
Hey ho, you learn something new every day.
I was genuinely surprised to learn that XT has TCS, like I say, even with well over 300bhp the only slip I've ever had, is that which I've asked for in no uncertain terms.
Even when I had tyres of dubious qualiy and tractability, so with 220, or 270 (assuming PPP) I would have thought it a non-issue.
Hey ho, you learn something new every day.
stedaley said:
Comprehensive thanks!
I cant afford a SG9, its too close to the Fiesta ST and Intergra type r in terms of price and would be a big investment!
The STB/STI2m of the SF5 series is also appealing vs the Xt, I really just need to see the two and then decide!
Do you miss the options of the XT? Cruise control/heated seats/sunroof?
I actually still have my XT - not got round to selling it yet. I can do without the sunroof and cruise control. The thing I miss the most from the XT is the sat nav. Its touch screen and much easier to use than the systems where you're twisting knobs back and forth to select characters on the screen (my Wife's audis all have had this - dreadful). With the Subaru one you just hit the qwerty keyboard displayed on the screen with your finger. I have a full system to retro fit into the STI, when I pluck up the courage! I cant afford a SG9, its too close to the Fiesta ST and Intergra type r in terms of price and would be a big investment!
The STB/STI2m of the SF5 series is also appealing vs the Xt, I really just need to see the two and then decide!
Do you miss the options of the XT? Cruise control/heated seats/sunroof?
Edited by yellowstreak on Monday 11th April 17:14
I've a 2.5 XT for winter. Told the wife it was bought to guarantee the kids can get to school, as we live 200+ meters up in rural Wales. She bought it as older foresters are nearly as common as defenders and double pick ups in my neck of the woods.
Its a cracking car, with good tyres happy with snow and semi-reasonable fields, although it does not have a low range gear. Its quite happy rammed up verges. But on the road its a beauty. The engine revs freely with lots of torque through the range. If you think an overtake is on, it is, I usually have to step off the gas mid overtake to slot in nicely (a Welsh A road is twister than the average English B). Considering the ride height and ability of the suspension off road, on road it is amazingly planted, although if really (really) provoked will "tank slap" (no esp/high riding)
Old and odd looking inside and out, but adds to charm. No one expects it to be remotely fast, so is off everyone's radar. Is treated well by others on the road as very inoffensive. Inside a surprising level of toys. Good heated seats, touch screen sav nav (still in date around here), cruise, OK stereo, pan roof.
Biggest down sides are road noise from the window seals/roof rails and the MPG, I'm getting 23mpg with spirited rural driving. But it increases to 28 @ 80 on the motorway.
Its a cracking car, with good tyres happy with snow and semi-reasonable fields, although it does not have a low range gear. Its quite happy rammed up verges. But on the road its a beauty. The engine revs freely with lots of torque through the range. If you think an overtake is on, it is, I usually have to step off the gas mid overtake to slot in nicely (a Welsh A road is twister than the average English B). Considering the ride height and ability of the suspension off road, on road it is amazingly planted, although if really (really) provoked will "tank slap" (no esp/high riding)
Old and odd looking inside and out, but adds to charm. No one expects it to be remotely fast, so is off everyone's radar. Is treated well by others on the road as very inoffensive. Inside a surprising level of toys. Good heated seats, touch screen sav nav (still in date around here), cruise, OK stereo, pan roof.
Biggest down sides are road noise from the window seals/roof rails and the MPG, I'm getting 23mpg with spirited rural driving. But it increases to 28 @ 80 on the motorway.
Not much more to add but ive got a 2.5xt ppp, had it for around 40k miles now and its on 150k.
The current issues that i know wrong with it are;
Sunroof wont retract - common issue and easily solvable but time consuming (need to remove the headlining - 12 hour job apparently)
The light on the dash telling me the head lights are on isnt working now, have changed bulbs around but no luck
The light for front fogs in the dash doesn't work either
Fuel light led has stopped working (would need to strip and resolder the light - ill just leave it and have got used to getting petrol on the bottom mark identifier = 10l left
Then it drinks oil at about 1 mile per mm it seems, sometimes more sometimes less. Though ive removed the breathing snorkle that points into a congested area and was potentially getting suffocated so ill see if that now improves it.
Not sure where youve looked at prices but there was a high mileage xt on subaruforester which the guy wanted £1800 for as that was the trade bid. I doubt id get anywhere near that as the body is abit battered (car park dinks) but mechanicals are good. Ive currently got to decide on whether to spend the £500 for the belt to be changed thatll need doing in a few 1000 miles or just not bother as its not worth tht amount.
Id get another one but would go for an STI for the 6th gear though id probably be abit more precious over it than this battered one, which is why i enjoy my current one
The current issues that i know wrong with it are;
Sunroof wont retract - common issue and easily solvable but time consuming (need to remove the headlining - 12 hour job apparently)
The light on the dash telling me the head lights are on isnt working now, have changed bulbs around but no luck
The light for front fogs in the dash doesn't work either
Fuel light led has stopped working (would need to strip and resolder the light - ill just leave it and have got used to getting petrol on the bottom mark identifier = 10l left
Then it drinks oil at about 1 mile per mm it seems, sometimes more sometimes less. Though ive removed the breathing snorkle that points into a congested area and was potentially getting suffocated so ill see if that now improves it.
Not sure where youve looked at prices but there was a high mileage xt on subaruforester which the guy wanted £1800 for as that was the trade bid. I doubt id get anywhere near that as the body is abit battered (car park dinks) but mechanicals are good. Ive currently got to decide on whether to spend the £500 for the belt to be changed thatll need doing in a few 1000 miles or just not bother as its not worth tht amount.
Id get another one but would go for an STI for the 6th gear though id probably be abit more precious over it than this battered one, which is why i enjoy my current one
Edited by lemmingjames on Tuesday 17th May 17:21
have actually got my FSTI out this week and will be using it daily. my Legacy is in for its big 10 year service ( second cambelt change ). having new discs, pads, oil and filters, wheels swapped front to rear and an MOT.
the FSTI is actually not that bad on a daily commute. clutch a little firmer than the Legacy, suspension a bit stiffer but still not a bad thing. will see what the fuel use is like as I have only ever put petrol in it 5 times since last September. this will be the first time it has ever been used on 2 consecutive days
the FSTI is actually not that bad on a daily commute. clutch a little firmer than the Legacy, suspension a bit stiffer but still not a bad thing. will see what the fuel use is like as I have only ever put petrol in it 5 times since last September. this will be the first time it has ever been used on 2 consecutive days
MDMA . said:
have actually got my FSTI out this week and will be using it daily. my Legacy is in for its big 10 year service ( second cambelt change ). having new discs, pads, oil and filters, wheels swapped front to rear and an MOT.
the FSTI is actually not that bad on a daily commute. clutch a little firmer than the Legacy, suspension a bit stiffer but still not a bad thing. will see what the fuel use is like as I have only ever put petrol in it 5 times since last September. this will be the first time it has ever been used on 2 consecutive days
I fill up twice a week in mine. Once for work, once for the weekend, sometimes more! the FSTI is actually not that bad on a daily commute. clutch a little firmer than the Legacy, suspension a bit stiffer but still not a bad thing. will see what the fuel use is like as I have only ever put petrol in it 5 times since last September. this will be the first time it has ever been used on 2 consecutive days
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