Any Forester Drivers?
Discussion
Anyone on here with a forester? That dont use it to ship family around?
Im only 24 and have been looking at various cars but seem to always come back to the forester, Not really sure why, but i think the fact it can be used all year, and can be enjoyed whilst doing tasks you need a big car for! And it is liked by insurers being a car you wouldnt think could do a sub 6 second 0-60. It also has that innocent 'im a estate car' look which really classes it as a sleeper to me!
I have never actually seen a STI Forester, or a Spec'd up XT as these two are the ones id be looking at, but having been on a few subaru forums, im looking to get some info on the ownership side and possibly have a nice Samaritan take me out in one/let me come have a look!
Im in either the South (Portsmouth) or The NW (Liverpool)
Ive heard the engines are pretty bullet proof if looked after, i 6 month service my current car even though it really doesnt need it, so this shouldnt be much different.
Ive also noticed the price on these is quite high as its an import, (STI) and stay fairly consistent, if i was to buy one at around 9k and keep it for a few years, it doesnt look like id lose anything going off the last 3 years with prices? anyone sold one/bought one for this reason?
Im only 24 and have been looking at various cars but seem to always come back to the forester, Not really sure why, but i think the fact it can be used all year, and can be enjoyed whilst doing tasks you need a big car for! And it is liked by insurers being a car you wouldnt think could do a sub 6 second 0-60. It also has that innocent 'im a estate car' look which really classes it as a sleeper to me!
I have never actually seen a STI Forester, or a Spec'd up XT as these two are the ones id be looking at, but having been on a few subaru forums, im looking to get some info on the ownership side and possibly have a nice Samaritan take me out in one/let me come have a look!
Im in either the South (Portsmouth) or The NW (Liverpool)
Ive heard the engines are pretty bullet proof if looked after, i 6 month service my current car even though it really doesnt need it, so this shouldnt be much different.
Ive also noticed the price on these is quite high as its an import, (STI) and stay fairly consistent, if i was to buy one at around 9k and keep it for a few years, it doesnt look like id lose anything going off the last 3 years with prices? anyone sold one/bought one for this reason?
the only thing putting me off is the fact i will have to do a motorway trip every week...(400miles round trip)
how are they on the motorway? no 6th gear will surely hurt the figures!
I would love one but that trip would hurt me compared to the 42mpg i get atm,
In a perfect world iD love focus rs!
how are they on the motorway? no 6th gear will surely hurt the figures!
I would love one but that trip would hurt me compared to the 42mpg i get atm,
In a perfect world iD love focus rs!
BurgerKing said:
Mine gets almost 30mpg on longer runs to Anglesey using cruise control (fully loaded + roof box), not ideal but better than my usual 23mpg mixed use.
As for road noise, it's nowhere near as refined at speed as my Wife's Legacy but it's manageable, never bothered me to be honest. You certainly know when one of the rear wheel bearings is on the way out as it echoes around the boot!!
I think id need cruise control, As for road noise, it's nowhere near as refined at speed as my Wife's Legacy but it's manageable, never bothered me to be honest. You certainly know when one of the rear wheel bearings is on the way out as it echoes around the boot!!
and 30 isnt bad, Just worrys me that it is so bad for a 400 mile round trip
Treb0r said:
Oh and I'm 25... I got it because I can throw my bike in the back, do a bit of light off-roading (farm tracks etc) and it's surprisingly nippy for a big old car!
It's also very easy to manoeuvre because it has very good visibility.
Im 24! And i think its just a sleeper!It's also very easy to manoeuvre because it has very good visibility.
In the process on looking at sf5 models! Sti2m in fact!
What made you pick the newer xt?
Treb0r said:
Just because the particular car seemed like a good deal really. It has 100k miles with FSH, is in great condition, has leather, cruise, heated seats, sunroof... and will still have cost me under £2k when I sort the rear suspension. Unfortunately it's in OAP special gold, but in a weird way its ugliness adds to the appeal for me 
Its quite a marmite car! mixed thoughts from other people but i really couldnt care!Its if i want a newer 2.5 with more toys vs the older 2.0lt now :/
Sibbo81 said:
Been running an 99 s turbo for a number of years now its mainly the dog car but hasn't missed a beat, Ive played with it and its pushing 315bhp should have looked into upgrading the brakes some time ago but she always pulls up in time when needed.
the 2.0l been a good buy? also what did you do to get it to 315hp?yellowstreak said:
If you are starting with a 2.5 XT then you will want a new panel filter (stick with the standard airbox), a better exhaust (possibly decat) and a remap (I opted for open source). With the TD04 turbo you will get to 250bhp plus. Also budget for a Pedders set of rear shocks to replace the self levelling shocks. With this you may also want to fit thicker front and rear ARBs, heavy duty mounts and drop links.
After that you can add a larger TMIC, either from a WRX (which is the same as the one of the Forester STI) or an Impreza STI one. I also went for a larger turbo, (an SC36) and much larger injectors. At this point brakes start to be a good idea (depending on how hard you drive). I fitted uprated pads and braided lines but you can also upgrade to 4 pot front calipers from a WRX and get them under the Forester wheels (I think they will go under the 16" wheels on the Forester till 2005, but definitely the later 17" wheels) or go the whole hog and fit Brembo calipers and discs from an ISTI.
I've found the 2.5 to be the perfect engine for the forester, lots and lots of get up and go with the original turbo although in all honesty over 300bhp was a bit much for the XT without coilovers etc. So if you're serious about either modifying or just want a faster car then just start start with the FSTI as you get brembos, a much stronger 6 speed box, 18" wheels and a better suspension. After spending lots on my XT I eventually saw sense and found an FSTI. Its slightly less flexible overall (its a bit lower) but its a faster and better handling road car.
Comprehensive thanks! After that you can add a larger TMIC, either from a WRX (which is the same as the one of the Forester STI) or an Impreza STI one. I also went for a larger turbo, (an SC36) and much larger injectors. At this point brakes start to be a good idea (depending on how hard you drive). I fitted uprated pads and braided lines but you can also upgrade to 4 pot front calipers from a WRX and get them under the Forester wheels (I think they will go under the 16" wheels on the Forester till 2005, but definitely the later 17" wheels) or go the whole hog and fit Brembo calipers and discs from an ISTI.
I've found the 2.5 to be the perfect engine for the forester, lots and lots of get up and go with the original turbo although in all honesty over 300bhp was a bit much for the XT without coilovers etc. So if you're serious about either modifying or just want a faster car then just start start with the FSTI as you get brembos, a much stronger 6 speed box, 18" wheels and a better suspension. After spending lots on my XT I eventually saw sense and found an FSTI. Its slightly less flexible overall (its a bit lower) but its a faster and better handling road car.
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?
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