Does anyone rate the Subaru Forester?
Discussion
SG Forester owner here - I rate it very highly. After nearly twenty years of driving Land Rovers (of various shapes and sizes) it was the only other 4x4 that really 'clicked' with me - quite a characterful thing and fairly low-tech in terms of mechanical bits and bobs. As much as it pains me to admit it is also a bit less maintenance intensive than the old Landy. Well, okay - quite a lot less.
I think the non-turbo 2.0 litre petrol is probably one of the most understressed, low-tech and simple bits of kit I've worked on since the old Land Rover 2.25 petrol ….I say that in a complimentary kind of way. It's thirsty and possibly not the fastest thing going; but as a general rural hack I can't fault it.
Most of the people I know with them tend to hang on to them.
I think the non-turbo 2.0 litre petrol is probably one of the most understressed, low-tech and simple bits of kit I've worked on since the old Land Rover 2.25 petrol ….I say that in a complimentary kind of way. It's thirsty and possibly not the fastest thing going; but as a general rural hack I can't fault it.
Most of the people I know with them tend to hang on to them.
I have recently purchased a 2008 2.0 non turbo....not the fastest thing in the world, (156bhp) but pretty torquey, does like a drink and feels quite agricultural but that suits its character...easy to work on, parts arent expensive as it shares many bits with the Impreza.
Ive fitted a cheap touchscreen android headunit so it now has spotify, waze etc, so its now all modern!
Importantly, everything works, all electrics are reliable and it truly feels like it will outlast the apocalypse!
Ive fitted a cheap touchscreen android headunit so it now has spotify, waze etc, so its now all modern!
Importantly, everything works, all electrics are reliable and it truly feels like it will outlast the apocalypse!
Fantastic cars. I’ve recently swapped a 2014 diesel which I ran from nearly new and 4K miles up to 67K. Faultless. Brilliant in the rough weather. I live a mile down a rutted farm track so need something decent, particularly in the winter. Changed it for a new XV petrol which is also proving to be excellent.
If we our doing pictures, here is ours. It has been in the family since new. I have cut and cleaned the plastic on the headlamps since this photo so not so milky looking now. I really can't speak highly enough of it. Rust is taking a hold a little and we may be getting close to the end of its road next year, but the engine really is a quiet unfussy thing, and as smooth as the day my Dad picked it up brand new. Also a very capable offroad/winter car. Still recall it effortlessly getting us out of trouble when people were abandoning cars and walking during a freak snowstorm a few years ago.
When I visit family in Australia every Christmas I always rent some sort of AWD soft reader so I can drive it onto the beach to go kitesurfing. Foresters are the only ones that don’t overheat their transmissions after prolonged driving in soft sand. All the others drop back to FWD until it cools down.
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