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Subaru Forester (up to 2005) - READ ONLY

18028 messages,  Last post on Nov 02, 2006 at 7:19 AM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Wagon



Messages Page 1302 of 1804

#13007 of 18028 Thanks for filter tips; more seat warmer chit-chat by burnsmr4

Dec 16, 2003 (6:59 am)

Thanks for the info on the filters. Mine was semi-dirty after 15K miles, but, like I said, nothing like the one that was at the edge of my hood on my 1999 Mercury Cougar V6. I've never seen so many props for a FLONASE commercial.
 
I'll skip the $6 shipping and just buy mine at the dealership. I'll see about haggling them down a little beforehand. Every 30K (nearly 2 years for my car) seems about right for a cabin filter change to me.
 
Regarding the seat warmer -- I just keep a can of baked beans in the car and my seat heats up just fine. ;-P
 
Poot joke aside, my 2002 Subaru Forester S seat warmers work fine. The low setting is just right for browning...er...warming my buns until the heat kicks in on a cold morning. The high setting is only necessary if the temp drops below 30 degrees in my area.
 
I will note that my wife has a 1998 Volvo S70 with heated LEATHER seats. Talk about a scorching. I used her seats after working a 12 hour kids carnival (including setup and breakdown of about 15 tents/10 inflatable slides) to work out my sore back. It was like a thermonuclear blast on my arse. Not out of my arse, I should say. I almost burned myself when I shifted around in the seat.
 
My 2 cents...and poot jokes.
 
Later,
burnsmr4

#13008 of 18028 misc by c_hunter

Dec 16, 2003 (7:29 am)

Seat warmers: the ones on our 03 XS are crazy hot, I can't leave it on high for more than a few minutes. My wife on the other hand, loves to leave them on high.
 
CD changer: If this is the one:
 

 
then you got a really good deal. The retail price is $495. Just make sure your head unit has changer controls!! Not all of them do.
 
Craig

#13009 of 18028 by ateixeira

Dec 16, 2003 (8:53 am)

Buy one of those on E-bay. I paid $250 for each of the two units I bought, but they've gone as low as $140 (edit: $130 is a steal). Most are from WRXs, and the harness plugs right in, it's very easy to install.
 
My 1998 has just one pollen/dust filter. Frank is right, there was a plastic cut-out I removed with an Exacto knife, then 3 screws fasten the cover. The filter slides in and out. Tools required: exacto knive, stubby phillips screw driver.
 
-juice

#13010 of 18028 Am I in the right place? by wzeiser

Dec 16, 2003 (10:30 am)

Is this the site where I go to find out whether people can give advice on making a decision between a Forester X (manual) and an Element AWD EX (manual). I'm interested in driving impressions, quality, and overall value, especially since the 2003 Elements seem to be about $3,000 cheaper. Is the 2004 Forester worth it?
 
If this is not the right site, perhaps someone can re-direct me.

#13011 of 18028 anyone know... by once_for_all

Dec 16, 2003 (10:36 am)

if Liberty Subaru takes Subaru bucks mailed in as payment? I am thinking about getting the air filters, a case of oil filters, and the crush washers.
 
John

#13012 of 18028 Seat Warmers by boba6

Dec 16, 2003 (10:39 am)

Although you should probably get it checked, I have noticed that there is a big difference depending on what I'm wearing. If a trench coat with lining is covering the seat, I'll only feel it in the last 5 minutes of my 20 minute drive to work. If I'm in a shorter coat and it's just my pants on the seat, I've turned it off halfway there.
Bob A.

#13013 of 18028 wzeiser, by once_for_all

Dec 16, 2003 (10:44 am)

I shopped the '03 Forester and the '03 Element. For me, here is how they stacked up:
 
Forester: many more options, better "construction", better mpg, proven AWD system (the Element, if you get AWD, only comes on when wheel slip happens). Gauges and ergonomics superior. You might find that with an equivalent, AWD Element with the same features, the price is not much different.
 
Element: I wasn't sure about the electro-mechanical steering complexity and durability; gauges were just awful, and radio/CD non existant on base model. Have to deal with the Honda "mystique" dealerships.
 
John

#13014 of 18028 forester/element by njswamplands

Dec 16, 2003 (10:56 am)

dont forget to look at the side impacts on an element. scary.

#13015 of 18028 Liberty Subaru & Subaru Bucks by mckeown

Dec 16, 2003 (11:24 am)

Just left Russ at Liberty......YES He will take Subaru Bucks for parts so long as the parts are MORE than the Subaru Bucks.....ie he can't give money or credit back.
Was there AGAIN for another Oxygen sensor 48K and now out of warrenty.

#13016 of 18028 Element by ateixeira

Dec 16, 2003 (11:52 am)

Element is unique and appealing, but it has its limitations. The most obvious is that it only seats four, there is no center rear seat or even seat belt.
 
The suicide doors are unique, and great for creating a wide opening for cargo, but...they'd be a nuisance if you drop off rear passengers regularly because you have to remove the front seat belt to open the rear door, since that's where it's anchored.
 
I think it's good for the hobbyist, surfer, empty nester who only carries passengers rarely and can benefit from the water resistant interior.
 
Forester is far more conventional, seats 5, can tow more, has more payload, and more safety features. The base Forester X has side head/chest air bags, while the Element DX doesn't have ABS, side air bags, or even A/C.
 
The EX is better equipped but still compares more closely to the Forester X in terms of equipment levels. In that case the price difference is about $1200 or so.
 
You should ask yourself if the Element really meets your current needs. If so, it's a good value IMO.
 
-juice

Messages Page 1302 of 1804

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