Subaru Forester? Snow and ground clearance?

[Major Fallout]

I'm selling my little jeep because I need more room, also my gf is not really a fan.
But I still need a snow car/shed.

I'm looking around and for not a lot you can get a Subaru Forester.

4x4 check
Looks roomy, I can chuck in hay for the horse and the odd sofa.
Heated seats.

So whats wrong? Is there an elephant in the room, do they turn into 1 wheel drive on ice or explode at 100k?

[McWigglebum4th]

Thirsty

Unfashionable

Hugely reliable and exceedingly capable

[kambites]

Obviously it's a marketing video and is mostly talking rubbish, but this tells you something about the Subaru 4WD system's ability to deal with extremely skewed grip levels:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooQRxlChvMw

They seem to be a staple means of transport for farmers around here, so they must be pretty solid.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 7th August 13:01

[Major Fallout]

Well my other thought was going back to a Range Rover p38, so thirst I can deal with.

It will only do about 2k a year so 15mpg or 30mpg wouldn't make much difference, maybe £300 a year.

[RizzoTheRat]

My sisters forester ran fine on LPG which is always an option if you do want better fuel economy. Never went hardcore offroading in it but it never had a problem with muddy tracks and fields.

[Major Fallout]

Thanks guys!

I will have a closer look at them.

[bonesX]

These are quite nice

[JM]

I know it's not a Forester, but this pic might give an idea of an Impreza's ability in the snow.



As you may be able to see (sorry not the best pic) the snow level where I was driving was at least half way up the fog light, and I had no problems.

The Forester will have the same or a very similar four wheel drive system, and additional ground clearance and possible a low-range 'box.

[billzeebub]

Foresters are superbly talented vehicles, not much comes close this side of a Defender/Discovery/RR. Infact I usually drive mine ahead of the RR!

[Major Fallout]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

My classic or the classic Subaru?

[Crow555]

Is there a definitive list of 4x4s that are capable in large amounts of deep snow? I'm considering something around the £2k mark that will get SORN'd in the summer months and used during the heavy snow we get here. CRVs with big miles seem to fall into this category but I'm unsure how capable they are. Ground clearance is a must.

[SidJames]

I had an '07 with the 2.5 turbo.

Great engine! Did low to mid 20's on average.

Good in the snow, but not great on ground clearance. Boot is quite small relative to most estates.

Suspension very wobbly........but oh, that engine!

[JM]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

If you mean my classic Impreza, then yes.
Though rust in the rear arches is a common problem, that just cost me £600 to fix (properly).

Other than that I've not spent too much on it in the three years I've had it, other than fuel.

[radiodanno]

McWigglebum4th said:

Thirsty

Unfashionable

Hugely reliable and exceedingly capable

I know what you're saying about unfashionable, but I agree and disagree. They, to me, stink of old money. Whilst the nouveau riche drive about in their white deutsch-mobile and sit in their hot tubs at home - Forester drivers quietly go about their business, with a quiet sense of satisfaction, knowing they've got the most forgiving and capable AWD car you can get for under £5k. Other Forester drivers will give you the wave, but not TOO publicly, it's a bit of a secret club.

To me, they're cool in an uncool way. But I think that makes it cooler than just cool.

[caraddict]

I will definitely get an XT soon. I've been YouTubing a lot on these things and they are very capable on snow, gravel and also tarmac.

[Stinkfist]

I had a UK spec 2006 XTen Turbo Forester for two years after problems in the snow in 2009 with a FWD Audi and mine was pleasantly reliable in the time I had it.



I purchased mine as a one owner used Subaru with under 40K on the clock. The 12 months warranty took care of a Maf sensor (which I was convinced was due to an unscrupulous local Subaru independent) The only other expense was wear and tear items. Also after sage advice from the Subaru forum below I spent £80 and replaced the rear ARB (Anti Roll Bar) for a 20mm Whiteline product to stiffen up the body roll and dial out under-steer and I replaced the OE spec Yokahama Geosqealers for a better focused tarmac tyre. Even without this upgrade you will be amazed at how tenaciously it grips even with the body roll

They are undoubtedly no oil painting but are very well put together and accomplish pretty much anything you throw at them without fuss or drama They are definitely a far more smiles per gallon than miles per gallon vehicle but I absolutely loved it. It is the ONLY car I have regretted selling. So much so I now own a 330BHP Forester Sti



Check out Subaru Forester.org (European section) for great experiences and plenty full advice on all thing Forester from guys and girls who know them inside out

Edited by Stinkfist on Wednesday 21st August 15:14

[DSharp]

Very imprssed with our '52 2.0X All Weather Pack.

Had through last winter when the snow was pretty bad around leeds / harrogate area over the country roads and it managed brilliantly. Our check list was: reliable, massive boot for dog, heated seats, comfy. Very pleased with it. They are slightly thirstier than some rivals but having looked at most small 4x4 and some estate cars (Jeeps, Terranos, Freelanders, X-trais, A4 countryman etc) we decided this suited us best

Would recommend, and I like the look of the weird thing

[DSharp]

Oh forgot ground clearance. Never had any problems in normal driving, but obvisouly they are lower than the proper 4x4 so for farm tracks etc wouldn't be ideal

[zoom star]

My wife's Nissan X trail has been 'touch wood' faultless,we live on top of a mountain, here in wales,and has been very capable for the last four winters.
Two wheel,automatic four wheel drive,and diff lock.
It's a nice place to be in,roomy,good ground clearance,and good on mpg.
Mind you, we have my 110 Defender in the wings,as back up..

[Gruber]

zoom star said:

My wife's Nissan X trail has been 'touch wood' faultless,we live on top of a mountain, here in wales,and has been very capable for the last four winters.
Two wheel,automatic four wheel drive,and diff lock.
It's a nice place to be in,roomy,good ground clearance,and good on mpg.
Mind you, we have my 110 Defender in the wings,as back up..

Interesting!

X-trail, Forester and Jeep Cherokee are currently my shortlist for a winter runabout this year. Having had a couple of old Cherries, I'm keen to try something else.

What year / engine is your X-trail?