RE: SOTW: Subaru Forester turbo
Discussion
A Forester on proper Winter tyres or AT's would be almost unstoppable. The symmetrical AWD is what makes it so good over and above other marques. Subaru have been doing 4x4 for a very long time and it clearly shows just from the stories on this thread.
The STi has two LSD's which really does make it unflappable in the snow but even the humble WRX with just the LSD at the rear and open type diff at the front is awesome in the white stuff, even with ultra performance summer tyres.
I run normal highway tyres on my 4x4 Surf and i'm usually in 2WD 99% of the time and that has a rear LSD. I have to say that earlier on this year when we had a couple of weeks of snow 2WD was plenty and the only time i stuck it in electronic 4WD was when driving the narrow country lanes around my way and i pulled over onto the grass verge that was covered in deep virgin snow to let the odd 4x4 by
I think if you have an LSD equipped RWD car with decent winter tyres there should be no reason to get stuck in the snow.
The STi has two LSD's which really does make it unflappable in the snow but even the humble WRX with just the LSD at the rear and open type diff at the front is awesome in the white stuff, even with ultra performance summer tyres.
I run normal highway tyres on my 4x4 Surf and i'm usually in 2WD 99% of the time and that has a rear LSD. I have to say that earlier on this year when we had a couple of weeks of snow 2WD was plenty and the only time i stuck it in electronic 4WD was when driving the narrow country lanes around my way and i pulled over onto the grass verge that was covered in deep virgin snow to let the odd 4x4 by
I think if you have an LSD equipped RWD car with decent winter tyres there should be no reason to get stuck in the snow.
tty winter owning a Forester (or AWD Impreza for that matter) knows why.I bought an 06 2.5XT as a towing/dog car in March.
It's thirsty, but it's a great car and while nowhere near as well appointed as the Audi allroad 2.7t it replaced, it is much better to drive.
While mine is not a shed, it is a working vehicle, yet it's fast, comfortable and reliable. I did have to replace a fuel pressure regulator, but that was easy and cheap to do.
It's thirsty, but it's a great car and while nowhere near as well appointed as the Audi allroad 2.7t it replaced, it is much better to drive.
While mine is not a shed, it is a working vehicle, yet it's fast, comfortable and reliable. I did have to replace a fuel pressure regulator, but that was easy and cheap to do.
Absolutely unflappable as has already been said, ideal chariot for muddy fields or snow with the added bonus of some very cosy heated seats and a superb soundtrack - for the money nothing comes close. Only downside is that they are somewhat thirsty.
I know of a 2001 turbo s currently for sale if anyone is looking
I know of a 2001 turbo s currently for sale if anyone is looking
MC Bodge said:
ScoobieWRX said:
I think if you have an LSD equipped RWD car with decent winter tyres there should be no reason to get stuck in the snow.
Indeed. Before Subarus became popular with Welsh farmers, they used to drive around in these (RWD + LSD):
Or these (albeit it’s a Subaru)? Spotted in my village this summer, had a good ‘retro cool’ value.
Always had a penchant for a Peugeot 504!
Oh and a great SOTW, I approve 100%
We're in Switzerland where every mountain village has a Subaru dealer.
We bought ours (a 2.0XT) new in 2003 needing 'the best thing to get 4 adults up to a ski resort before they clear the road'. It fits that brief brilliantly.
In winter weather like now, and on winter tyres (Michelin Alpins are on at the moment) it's unstoppable. I've never needed to put chains on it, the police just waive it through.
It does about 10% of its time on the gravel roads that link villages round here. That video of someone sliding one about is really how it can be driven. 80 kmph on gravel is as much fun as taking my Lotus up the alpine passes. The joy of them compared to many SUVs is relatively low weight (1500kg?) and low centre of gravity. Compared to an Impreza the added ground clearance helps on rutted tracks and in deepish snow.
It can do just over 200kmph on the local autobahn though 170 is a much more comfortable cruising speed due to wind noise.
I don't think we've had one thing going wrong in 160,000 km of ownership, even given it's tough use.
Here is Switzerland you'd be looking at CHF5000 for a 1999. You'd be lucky finding a 2003 like mine under CHF12,500 with most advertised at about 15,000. I paid CHF32k for it in 2003
Only disadvantage is fuel economy and needing 98.
We bought ours (a 2.0XT) new in 2003 needing 'the best thing to get 4 adults up to a ski resort before they clear the road'. It fits that brief brilliantly.
In winter weather like now, and on winter tyres (Michelin Alpins are on at the moment) it's unstoppable. I've never needed to put chains on it, the police just waive it through.
It does about 10% of its time on the gravel roads that link villages round here. That video of someone sliding one about is really how it can be driven. 80 kmph on gravel is as much fun as taking my Lotus up the alpine passes. The joy of them compared to many SUVs is relatively low weight (1500kg?) and low centre of gravity. Compared to an Impreza the added ground clearance helps on rutted tracks and in deepish snow.
It can do just over 200kmph on the local autobahn though 170 is a much more comfortable cruising speed due to wind noise.
I don't think we've had one thing going wrong in 160,000 km of ownership, even given it's tough use.
Here is Switzerland you'd be looking at CHF5000 for a 1999. You'd be lucky finding a 2003 like mine under CHF12,500 with most advertised at about 15,000. I paid CHF32k for it in 2003
Only disadvantage is fuel economy and needing 98.
Ved said:
BertBert said:
You have to get the right tyres for slippery use. On normal "summer" tyres, the 4WD is next to useless in the snow.
Hogwash. I've moved house twice in deep snow using a STI and it was stunning in those conditions.A mate of mine has two Forseters, one Turbo and one non-turbo, and absolutely loves them. He's done organised off roading events and plenty of green-laning and is amazed how capable they are, only lack of ground clearance holds them back.
Yep, fuel economy is utter poo. But that's about your lot. The trailer I pull the quad on is bloody heavy, and I often have to reign myself in because it's not the kind of speed you should be towing at.
My kids are five, I really wonder if it'll still be around for them to learn to drive in?
My kids are five, I really wonder if it'll still be around for them to learn to drive in?
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