2014 Forester - Any good?

2014 Forester - Any good?

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Discussion

Spannerman5

Original Poster:

9 posts

138 months

Thursday 7th August 2014
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Just got myself a new Forester XE (2.0l normally aspirated petrol), despite having heard horror stories about engine problems particularly big end failures on this engine. Wanted one for ages, did my own research and went for it anyway but has anyone had a bad experience with this model?

jonesof63

947 posts

136 months

Thursday 7th August 2014
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I have the 2013 Diesel XC Forester which is excellent, my understanding is that the latest 2.0 petrol is without any of the issues of the older engines, the 2.5 was the troublesome engine. I hope you enjoy the car, they're exceptionally well put together. Manual or Lineartronic with X-Mode ? Which colour did you buy ?

Spannerman5

Original Poster:

9 posts

138 months

Friday 8th August 2014
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Thanks for your words of reassurance! It's manual, Marine Blue. It was a toss up between this and diesel as I know the advantages of the diesel but couldn't tear myself away from always having had petrol power.

Ved

3,825 posts

174 months

Friday 8th August 2014
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They've been known to use oil so just keep an eye on it. Generally built superbly well so I'm sure you'll be fine.

Spannerman5

Original Poster:

9 posts

138 months

Friday 8th August 2014
quotequote all
Will do; thanks!

cailean

917 posts

172 months

Friday 8th August 2014
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Have one too - a petrol CVT (which comes with X-Mode). It's great for family duties, very solid and well built. Mine is one year old, so called a 2013 model in UK but 2014 in US. Haven't had the oil issue, that is widely reported in the US so may only be on the 2.5l engines which sadly we don't have here. The Geolander tyres it came with are rubbish, watch out for them in damp conditions. They come (or used to) with thin windscreens, ours had numerous chips and cracks after only 3 months and had to change it. The replacement seems better, no chips or cracks in 10 months - similar comments out of the US. Enjoy.

Spannerman5

Original Poster:

9 posts

138 months

Saturday 9th August 2014
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It certainly seems well put together and rugged enough for some off-roading, not to mention handling the appalling condition of our roads. Thanks for your input.

nickofh

603 posts

117 months

Monday 11th August 2014
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Nice car spannerman , I also think you have made a good choice in the 2.0 Petrol. Any horror stories I heard related to the 2.5 in the wrx sti ( a bad fuel map causing piston ring problems IRC )and head gaskets on the 2.5 also. The 2.0D seems to have a few stories around too.

My old 2.0 wrx was faultless and I'm hoping that my current impreza hatch is the same. Whats it like to drive in your real world experience then , I have read that its not as sharp as the older foresters but better than the last one ?



Spannerman5

Original Poster:

9 posts

138 months

Tuesday 12th August 2014
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It's my first Forester so I can't compare it with earlier models. First impressions are that it soaks up the bumps and is supremely comfortable with excellent visibility all round. Steering has reasonable feel but being higher geared than what I've been used to needs a bit of extra twirling - but that's no criticism. Performance is never going to set the world on fire but is adequate and overall the car has come up to expectations. Too early to comment on fuel consumption; I daresay won't meet published figures!

nickofh

603 posts

117 months

Tuesday 12th August 2014
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My 1.5R impreza hatch doesn't set the world on fire. But it does plenty of other things quite well , handling , grip , sound etc.

My fuel economy is not amazing I get around 33mpg , but I am more than happy with that for a reliable AWD vehicle. I often think that some people put far too much emphasis on the mpg figure and don't look at the running costs as a whole. A modern diesel might do an extra 10 / 15 mpg in the same car but in my experience might cost more to service and need more repairs.

Hope it lives up to the name for you I would be very keen to read your experiences in the future as I think such a car is right up my street ( being a Subaru and for our three dogs + caravan ) when we swap in a few years.

cailean

917 posts

172 months

Tuesday 12th August 2014
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We are getting about 36-37 average mpg, which includes the wife using it during the week on short runs mainly. It has a great turning circle - not that it's high up on anyone's list of priorities but continues to surprise me even after a year of ownership. Oh and I agree great visability from inside, none of these modern sloping tiny windows...

Spannerman5

Original Poster:

9 posts

138 months

Friday 15th August 2014
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I'll be pleased enough to get that sort of mpg...