Subaru Forester / Which Compact SUV?

[paddyhasneeds]

If you think that's bad you should see the Tribeca.

[blueg33]

paddyhasneeds said:

If you think that's bad you should see the Tribeca.

Actually its better for your eyes and sensibilities if you don't see one!

[EDLT]

paddyhasneeds said:

poing said:

I assumed from some of the other choices they were no looking for a proper off roader, more a soft roader with some style or perceived quality.

That pretty much hits the nail on the head. I have a Boxster right now, and whilst I know they're knocked off a production line in Finland in large quantities, it's still a Porsche, and if this makes me sound like a snob or just an ahole so be it, but I don't want to be looking at a badge that says Hyundai or Kia - I'm not suggesting a Subaru is better quality, just more quirky/niche/whatever you'd call it.

Mini Countryman then?

Ok, so they will be EVERYWHERE in the next couple of years, but apart from that (and the price, although Minis don't depreciate very quickly) it seems to tick every other box.

[paddyhasneeds]

EDLT said:

paddyhasneeds said:

poing said:

I assumed from some of the other choices they were no looking for a proper off roader, more a soft roader with some style or perceived quality.

That pretty much hits the nail on the head. I have a Boxster right now, and whilst I know they're knocked off a production line in Finland in large quantities, it's still a Porsche, and if this makes me sound like a snob or just an ahole so be it, but I don't want to be looking at a badge that says Hyundai or Kia - I'm not suggesting a Subaru is better quality, just more quirky/niche/whatever you'd call it.

Mini Countryman then?

Ok, so they will be EVERYWHERE in the next couple of years, but apart from that (and the price, although Minis don't depreciate very quickly) it seems to tick every other box.

No, ghastly, just ghastly.

I sat in a Mini for the first time a few months ago, and I don't know where all this "Mini BMW" stuff comes from as I thought it felt rather cheap and nasty - afraid I don't get the whole Mini "thing".

[Zed Ed]

No one ever bought a Subaru for the styling although the previous legacy was pleasing to look at.

I've the latest legacy in diesel flavour and it's a great car.

sawman said:

EDLT said:

The Legacy Outback is a more car-like alternative, although I can't look at the current shape without flinching. The previous model was so much better looking (see above).

I saw one of the new ones the other day - was shocked it was a legacy when I got up close, as they have always been a bit of a looker, in an understated sort of way. What a mess!

[CO2000]

How about a Mazda CX-7 ?

[rovermorris999]

I have a 2003 Forester XT auto. A great car and have blessed it many times in this crap weather. It's my fourth Subaru(2.0GL Legacy, Spec B Legacy and RB320), and I'll be getting another Impreza soon hopefully. As you may guess, I think they're great cars. Well built and engineered, reliable and close to bullet-proof. I've always found the dealers good too. The two I've used are Chandlers at Horncastle, Lincs for servicing and Europa in Sheffield for buying and selling. I'd happily recommend either.

[sawman]

blueg33 said:

paddyhasneeds said:

If you think that's bad you should see the Tribeca.

Actually its better for your eyes and sensibilities if you don't see one!

Yes but you cant see the outside when you are driving it

The north american version is quite a handsome beast, and the seats are the most comfortable I have ever experienced

[blueg33]

sawman said:

blueg33 said:

paddyhasneeds said:

If you think that's bad you should see the Tribeca.

Actually its better for your eyes and sensibilities if you don't see one!

Yes but you cant see the outside when you are driving it

The north american version is quite a handsome beast, and the seats are the most comfortable I have ever experienced

Just don't look it the reflection in plate glass windows

[y2blade]

Skoda Yeti?

[sawman]

blueg33 said:

sawman said:

blueg33 said:

paddyhasneeds said:

If you think that's bad you should see the Tribeca.

Actually its better for your eyes and sensibilities if you don't see one!

Yes but you cant see the outside when you are driving it

The north american version is quite a handsome beast, and the seats are the most comfortable I have ever experienced

Just don't look it the reflection in plate glass windows

I think I've grown out of doing that now!

except in the morgan

[blueg33]

sawman said:

blueg33 said:

sawman said:

blueg33 said:

paddyhasneeds said:

If you think that's bad you should see the Tribeca.

Actually its better for your eyes and sensibilities if you don't see one!

Yes but you cant see the outside when you are driving it

The north american version is quite a handsome beast, and the seats are the most comfortable I have ever experienced

Just don't look it the reflection in plate glass windows

I think I've grown out of doing that now!

except in the morgan

Its ok its obligatory in a Morgan, I do the same in the Tuscan

[GazzaMogzy]

My father used to have a 2004 2.5T Forester, I'll always remember being pleasantly surprised when I found out the brake stayed on if you stopped on a hill and took your foot off to pull off. Lovely car, I'd buy one if I had the money.

[paddyhasneeds]

GazzaMogzy said:

My father used to have a 2004 2.5T Forester, I'll always remember being pleasantly surprised when I found out the brake stayed on if you stopped on a hill and took your foot off to pull off. Lovely car, I'd buy one if I had the money.

They still have them as I found out on the quick test drive - very slight incline/hill start and I felt something "stick" for a split second whilst pulling away.

[Smifffy]

paddyhasneeds said:

Smifffy said:

We have a forester.

It's superb. 2.5l turbo delivers excellent pace. It's capable, comfortable. Like most Eastern cars the interior won't compete with the best of European equivalents but you pays your money....

We went for the XTEN edition so it's fully loaded with the larger sunroof, leather interior, cruise, climate etc etc. Bought it just over 2 years ago, it had sat on a dealer forecourt with 150 miles on the clock for a year. Original price, £26k. Walked away at £13k on the road. Happy days.

It's not missed a beat - now on 52k miles.

That really hasn't helped - I wish someone would chip in with a bad word telling me how st they are

So far I've been to three dealers, well, two dealers, one ex-dealer they just haven't updated the Subaru website. All were small groups or family businesses and seemed like decent people, which may seem an odd thing to say but there was no hard-sell or looking over your shoulder eyeing up the family who have just walked in like you get at many places.

The ex-dealer was explaining that they absolutely can't fault the cars, they just didn't/don't tell enough to keep that side of the business viable and in their case they have Hyundai to the left, Subaru to the right, 20 people walk in, 19 turn right and Subaru just can't compete at that level.

Yep - Subaru has failed in the UK because of its frankly disastrous product development programme since about 2004 or so. Zoom back to that very same year. The Impreza is doing well although needs to step on to the new generation to keep the masses interested. The Forester has a solid reputation and is starting to get decent sales, but needs a new engine developing because of the incoming emissions regulations.

So what do they do? Develop the new shape Impreza that looks like a turd on wheels. Put a deeply uninspiring engine in what isn't the prettiest shape in the world, the Forester which still has pretty crappy emissions. Fail to develop a small, more economical but sporty car that should have replaced the Impreza (or possibly lived alongside it). If anyone mentions the Tribeca they should be bloody well shot. Hence why Kia and Hyundai have now taken Subaru's place in the UK market. Epic fail.

None of these factors should stop you buying a Forester though - certainly ours has been fantastic. My wife and I are both at a loss as to what we will replace our Subarus with when the time comes. Brilliant cars, very much the hidden gem, but not necessarily the choice of the masses. Maybe they'll go back to being the farmers' choice with just a few hundred being sold in the UK every year? What a shame and a crime for their product development department.....

[Bonefish Blues]

Smifffy said:

Yep - Subaru has failed in the UK because of its frankly disastrous product development programme since about 2004 or so. Zoom back to that very same year. The Impreza is doing well although needs to step on to the new generation to keep the masses interested. The Forester has a solid reputation and is starting to get decent sales, but needs a new engine developing because of the incoming emissions regulations.

So what do they do? Develop the new shape Impreza that looks like a turd on wheels. Put a deeply uninspiring engine in what isn't the prettiest shape in the world, the Forester which still has pretty crappy emissions. Fail to develop a small, more economical but sporty car that should have replaced the Impreza (or possibly lived alongside it). If anyone mentions the Tribeca they should be bloody well shot. Hence why Kia and Hyundai have now taken Subaru's place in the UK market. Epic fail.

Completely agree - such a shame to see them lose their way so hopelessly.

Does mean previous gen Foresters & Legacies are tremendous second hand buys.

[Zed Ed]

I suspect Subaru has, or is close to, turning the corner.

So critical for them to get the next gen impreza right and strengthen the diesel offering.

[Kevin VRs]

rykard said:

Skoda Yeti?
Skoda Octavia Scout?

This, Yeti probably best in class, much better vfm than a Tiguan, Quashqai or RAV4.

Scout also excellent, drives and rides like a normal Octavia, but has an extra 34mm ground clearance at 180mm, same as Yeti.

[paddyhasneeds]

Does anyone know anything about their diesel engines?

I've never had a diesel before so don't really know how I'm supposed to gauge/measure one when driving.

Also still interested in the AWD capabilities. I'm not going to pretend that I'm looking at SUV's for the two weeks a year that we have bad weather, but owning a Boxster you do soon realise just how fked you are when there's a bit of snow/slush. I think I said earlier in the thread but on that quick drive of one around the peaks it certainly seemed that you could just plough on over ice/slush so long as you were sensible vs. "oh a hill. st!".

[TRUENOSAM]

Freelander 2 is an excellent car