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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 1307 of 1803

#13059 of 18028 NEW SUBARU QUESTIONS by crayon

Dec 17, 2003 (8:56 pm)

Hey guys--This is my first post but I've been following Edmunds for several years. My wife recently totaled her 1999 Forester (not her fault and she wasn't hurt) and I bought her almost an exact replacement - a 2004 X. I have two questions: First, what size bolts are used for the license plate? The dealer stuck sheet metal screws into the plastic holes to hold the temp tag, saying that's all he had. Second, will the amp/woofer from our 1999 Forester fit the 2004 model? Any help will be appreciated.

#13060 of 18028 Henry by c_hunter

Dec 17, 2003 (9:16 pm)

I believe the sub will work, but you will need to have the sub wiring harness from the old car (it connects into the radio harness behind the dash, and runs along the console to under the seat). I've heard that buying just the harness can be expensive (like $100 or so).
 
Are you talking front or rear plate mount? (or both?) I may have some extra screws for the rear plate that I can give you, but really, any suitable sheet metal screw will work. I think it's a #12 sheet metal screw (or something close to that size). On my wife's Forester, I actually got some longer stainless screws so that I could use 1/4" nylon bushings to put some space between the plate and the hatch surface. Otherwise, the plate was rubbing on the paint. I used oval-head screws with finishing washers to make it look good.
 
Craig

#13061 of 18028 Thanks lakepop! by speterson1

Dec 18, 2003 (6:47 am)

That link worked fine, I got the pdf. What a great file, spells out everything really clearly! I was thinking of taking the car into a shop and having them do the installation while I watch and learn, but with the guide I'm confident that I can do the job myself (and save a few bucks as well). Thanks again!
 
Steve

#13062 of 18028 I'm back by wzeiser

Dec 18, 2003 (7:15 am)

All right, I just finished my final test drive. The Element EX AWD 5-speed (I drove a Forester X manual yesterday and then made--apparently--the big mistake of driving an XT manual). Here's where I am. The Element is now out of the running. There are some advantages (cargo, shoulder room), but only a few, and part-time AWD, relatively poor crash tests results, and the worthless sub-700 pound payload are in no way compensated for by these minor plusses.
 
Then I read the "Consumer Reports" article in June 2003 that rated the Forester well above the Element. No need to go further.
 
Now on to the Forester itself. X seems to be a good, solid all-around, practical vehicle. Good gas mileage, responsive in the manual version, etc. And at incentive-impacted low prices, it appears to be a good value.
 
However, as I mentioned, I loved the XT!!! The seats in it seem much more supportive than the X or the XS (is this really true or was I just overly-influenced by what the vehicle was doing off the line?), and the performance--well, it's apparent that I don't have to convince you guys of it!
 
Aside from the performance, the more sophisticated AWD system, and the premium audio (big asides, I admit), it appears to be more or less the same vehicle as the X.
 
All right, I am leaning to the XT. So I go to the Edmund's True Cost section and I find that it costs about the same to run for 5 years, in large part because it's expected maintenance costs are significantly less than the X version. I tried to understand this, but neither the Edmund's site or the Subaru site could elaborate. Can anyone help?

#13063 of 18028 Cost to run by ballistic

Dec 18, 2003 (7:31 am)

Does the True Cost factor in the significant difference in fuel cost-per mile? The XT's lower MPG coupled with higher-cost 91-octane fuel translates to about 30% more per-mile gas cost.
 
I'm unaware of any difference between the XT seats and those in the X/XS, other than the color and design of the seatcovers.

#13064 of 18028 my XT by njswamplands

Dec 18, 2003 (7:57 am)

my wife has staked out her turf on the XT like a doobie protecting its home, not that i am calling my wife a dog but she does growl at me when i suggest she commute with the odyssey for one day.

#13065 of 18028 by p0926

Dec 18, 2003 (8:07 am)

Aside from the performance, the more sophisticated AWD system, and the premium audio (big asides, I admit), it appears to be more or less the same vehicle as the X.
 
Walker- That's certainly oversimplifying it. The XT also gets all the extras that the XS has over the X. Such as the all-weather-package, 4-wheel disc brakes, larger side-view mirrors, alloy wheels, etc. Still, the X is very well equipped (it compares favorably to the higher trim levels of the competition) and I have to admit that the X probably offers the best overall value (especially if you don't test-drive the XT!).
 
In regards to Edmunds' True Cost section... while I think that Edmunds is an absolutely invaluable resource (for both car buying research as well as enhancing the ownership experience), I've never really paid any attention to the True Cost section (I quickly decided that their figures didn't pass the common sense test).
 
-Frank P.

#13066 of 18028 by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Dec 18, 2003 (8:24 am)

The TCO tool is right on with my '99 minivan. I've been keeping track of all expenses in Excel since day one. Then again, I don't always know what day of the week it is.
 
There's a rumor that there's a Subaru Chat tonight - check your local stations for details
 
Steve, Host

#13067 of 18028 TCO by wzeiser

Dec 18, 2003 (8:49 am)

OK, I'll take the "True Cost to Own" as a only a guidepost--but, I still wonder why the maintenance in the 4th year is estimated to be almost $1000 less for the XT than for the X.
 
Jack, FYI, in the TCO section for the 5-year fuel cost they do distinguish between the XT and the X, but not by an icrease of 30% (which I agree would be more logical given the EPA estimates and the price of premium gas).
 
Maybe it was just the sportier seatcovering which made the XT feel more comfortable (I thought the fabric on the X was OK, but that the XS was not to my liking). Maybe it was because I drove it after the X. Maybe it was because I was pinned to the seat by the acceleration.
 
Frank, I concur. The more I investigate the XT and its features, the better it looks--except the mileage. A MAJOR GRIPE THOUGH: The XT does not have a moonroof available with a manual transmission. What's up with that?
 
Steve, what can I do to get on the Subaru Chat, and when is it happening?

#13068 of 18028 by p0926

Dec 18, 2003 (9:06 am)

Walker- Chat is at 9:00 pm tonight. Just click on the "Subaru Crew Chat" link near the top-left corner of this page.
 
Hey, you're going to have to get at the back of a long line if you want complain about the lack of a moonroof option for the XT manual
 
-Frank P.

Messages Page 1307 of 1803

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