Is there a modern equivalent to the Subaru Forester Turbo?

[white_goodman]

In many ways, this is my ideal car (I'm talking about the 2002-2008 version).

I currently have a Jeep (Grand Cherokee) and a normal FWD car. I do quite a lot of driving on gravel roads (you need to to get around here) and in snowy and icy conditions. The Jeep is great on the gravel (makes it feel like you're driving on tarmac) but a bit slow and wallowy on the tarmac and not very economical. I know the Flat 4 in the Subaru is not renowned for its fuel economy but is positively diesel-like compared to the 4.0 straight six in my Jeep. I use my car mostly as it's lighter on fuel and quicker and better handling on the blacktop but the gravel is tough on it. It feels like it's going to shake itself to pieces at times and is relatively low slung so can bottom out if I'm not too careful. I'm also fighting the steering wheel to keep it in a straight line. Yesterday, a stone/rock also ripped out the sidewall on one of my rear tyres.

I've never owned a Forester but had an blobeye Impreza WRX and loved it. The Subaru 4WD system is awesome and it's a giggle to drive on the road but I think a bit too low slung and firm for my current circumstances. The Forester has a bit more ground clearance and compliance but still goes and handles well on tarmac. I also liked the Q-car looks of the XT and the lunacy of the STI.

The only problem is, even the youngest Forester Turbo is now 6 years old and ideally I want something new or less than 2 years old. I know Subaru still make a Forester but now it's just another RAV4/CRV clone. It's a shame that Subaru went more mainstream, as I think they had something pretty unique there.

So what newer AWD/4WD vehicle will give me hot hatch performance (200bhp+) and handling but with more ground clearance, more suspension compliance and sensible tyres. I don't need anything too big as I'm driving solo most of the time but still want a practical workhorse with 4 doors and a reasonable boot. Ideally I would want petrol and manual gearbox too but would consider diesel if it was peppy enough.

The only cars I can think of are an Evoque (way too expensive) or a MINI Countryman Cooper S. Regularly driving at 50-60mph on gravel is going to be tough on suspension/steering/tyres for any vehicle but I would question whether the MINI is as tough as a Subaru.

Any other ideas would be most welcome?

[Heaveho]

Remapped Skoda Yeti. Evo had one as a long termer in this spec and raved about it.

[Hol]

I'm just on the process of replacing my Forester.

My.choice is a new Audi S4 Quattro. Currently waiting to be built.

Not some huge lump of a car, Petrol, forced induction, Leather, AWD, heated seats, cruise control, sunroof, big boot.
It was the closest I could find to all the things the Forester is good for.

[white_goodman]

Hol said:

I'm just on the process of replacing my Forester.

My.choice is a new Audi S4 Quattro. Currently waiting to be built.

Not some huge lump of a car, Petrol, forced induction, Leather, AWD, heated seats, cruise control, sunroof, big boot.
It was the closest I could find to all the things the Forester is good for.

That would be a lovely car. Enjoy! Too expensive for me though unfortunately and probably a bit too nice for high speed gravel driving! Out of interest, if the new Forester still had the same ethos as the old one, would you have bought another?

Edited by white_goodman on Friday 21st March 19:07

[white_goodman]

Heaveho said:

Remapped Skoda Yeti. Evo had one as a long termer in this spec and raved about it.

That's an excellent shout. I like them and it even does the Q-car thing as well. How much power can you get out of a remap? Who would have thought that Skoda would have built such a car? Sadly, I live in Canada though, so not available here!

Edited by white_goodman on Friday 21st March 19:26

[Lefty]

I think subaru are bringing out a turbo version of the new forester. Bit bigger and a bit more SUV-like though.

[white_goodman]

Lefty said:

I think subaru are bringing out a turbo version of the new forester. Bit bigger and a bit more SUV-like though.

Will it be available as a manual?

[csmith319]

Audi SQ5, X3 35d, X6M - oh hang on we're not actually allowed to like those... My brother had a forester - awful car, made of tin foil.

[McWigglebum4th]

Hol said:

I'm just on the process of replacing my Forester.

My.choice is a new Audi S4 Quattro. Currently waiting to be built.

Not some huge lump of a car, Petrol, forced induction, Leather, AWD, heated seats, cruise control, sunroof, big boot.
It was the closest I could find to all the things the Forester is good for.

I can't see it being built like a forester.

The only think I can see to replace our forester is a Dacia duster as they are zero bullst

[Lefty]

white_goodman said:

Lefty said:

I think subaru are bringing out a turbo version of the new forester. Bit bigger and a bit more SUV-like though.

Will it be available as a manual?

Hmm, doesn't look like it.

I agree with the above poster actually. Get a Yeti and a remap from a reputable company.

[Hol]

white_goodman said:

Hol said:

I'm just on the process of replacing my Forester.

My.choice is a new Audi S4 Quattro. Currently waiting to be built.

Not some huge lump of a car, Petrol, forced induction, Leather, AWD, heated seats, cruise control, sunroof, big boot.
It was the closest I could find to all the things the Forester is good for.

That would be a lovely car. Enjoy! Too expensive for me though unfortunately and probably a bit too nice for high speed gravel driving! Out of interest, if the new Forester still had the same ethos as the old one, would you have bought another?

Edited by white_goodman on Friday 21st March 19:07

I had two modified JDM impreza's before buying the first Forester as a runabout. The current one is my second and has spoilt me to be honest.

IF they had of produced a Petrol Turbo, and it drove like my current one, I probably would have bought a newer one. But, I ended up just keeping the existing car for longer instead. I just love the V8 type early torque of the 2.5.


The best time I ever has was in my older SF5 car, when travelling 30miles home in a heavy snowfall I was pretty much the only car still going through all the country back roads, as the main roads were all shut. I was happily going up and down banks on the side of the road to pass abandoned cars.


Not sure the Dacia duster suits my style TBH.
Hence the S4, as it look like a diesel S line, and I can still park it in a train station, but still it is an enjoyable drive there and back.

[McWigglebum4th]

csmith319 said:

Audi SQ5, X3 35d, X6M - oh hang on we're not actually allowed to like those... My brother had a forester - awful car, made of tin foil.

?

Are you sure it was a forester he had as i've never heard a forester being described as made of tinfoil

[McWigglebum4th]

Hol said:

Not sure the Dacia duster suits my style TBH.
Hence the S4, as it look like a diesel S line, and I can still park it in a train station, but still it is an enjoyable drive there and back.

That to me is the opposite end of the scale from a Forester

I just can't see one of those splattered in mud with a tow bar parked in a farmyard


maybe i just see a forester as a different car to you i'd be terrified of taking that near some damp grass

[GravelBen]

They still make a turbo Forester, maybe they don't sell it in the UK though? A manual turbo XV would hit the spot if they made one!

Would a 3.0 or 3.6 Outback suit or too big?

[Vladimir]

SQ5, Q3 RS both good but pricey.

Not many rugged, powerful 4x4s around that aren't a massive SUV.

[McWigglebum4th]

BMW X1

same size

same concept of raised up estate car with AWD

Probably can be had with a decent engine

[Lefty]

GravelBen said:

They still make a turbo Forester, maybe they don't sell it in the UK though? A manual turbo XV would hit the spot if they made one!

Would a 3.0 or 3.6 Outback suit or too big?

I have a feeling the auto box in the 3.6 outback is one of those horrible cvt things?

[Heaveho]

white_goodman said:

That's an excellent shout. I like them and it even does the Q-car thing as well. How much power can you get out of a remap? Who would have thought that Skoda would have built such a car? Sadly, I live in Canada though, so not available here!

Edited by white_goodman on Friday 21st March 19:26

If I remember correctly, they're 1.8 turbo, so will remap to the same ( quite high ) outputs as any other similarly powered VAG models. I may be a bit behind the times on the engine capacity though, it's not impossible the engine is larger than that. Someone will post up if I'm wrong, hopefully.

[Hol]

McWigglebum4th said:

That to me is the opposite end of the scale from a Forester

I just can't see one of those splattered in mud with a tow bar parked in a farmyard


maybe i just see a forester as a different car to you i'd be terrified of taking that near some damp grass

We get it, you like the Dacia and think everything else is rubbish. You are entitled to an opinion, but you are a little obsessive TBH.



I towed my track car with my old one, but never needed a tow bar since as my later track cars have not been trailer queens.I can think of the last time I needed to off road either.

Do you live on a farm and drive through mud every day then,
If so, then the Dacia is probably perfect for you, but I bought my Forester for it's all round practicality, and 200+BHP.

Edited by Hol on Saturday 22 March 13:53

[Eighteeteewhy]

Heaveho said:

Remapped Skoda Yeti. Evo had one as a long termer in this spec and raved about it.

First thing I thought of.