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Changes You'd Like To See in the Subaru Forester

148 messages,  Last post on Sep 10, 2008 at 3:00 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Future Vehicle, Wagon

Messages Page 8 of 16

#62 of 148 Needs to be larger by knickerbocker

Jan 08, 2007 (8:31 am)

I have a 2004 forester... former jeep owner.
 
While I love the forester it is just too small to really compete in the American market... Sure older folks and women love the car.... but the forester was finally dethroned by honda, and toyota as their own small SUVs have become larger; even coming with a 3rd row of seats...
 
Americans are big people and to really catch the demographic of folks who want a reliable, environment ally friendly, and capable SUV you need a vehicle that is pushing the midsize ranger.
 
Even if the forester grew to the size of lets say... a nissan murano or the new Santa fe
 
subaru is the only car company I know who makes their cars on the same small platforms... Toyota has the rav 4, the highlander and so forth, but subaru builds the forester on another small platform.
 
The forester is due to be redesigned in 2008. There are whispers of it being enlarged.... However I am skeptical subaru is committed to truely updating this vehicle. However if they want to stay competitive with toyota and honda (and even the new santa fe and outlander are larger and getting good reviews) they are going to have to do a serious redesign.

#63 of 148 Re: Needs to be larger [knickerbocker] by tazereli

Jan 08, 2007 (10:24 am)

Replying to: knickerbocker (Jan 08, 2007 8:31 am)
I can tell you that Subaru will lose a customer if they make it as big and cumbersome as these "small" SUV's like the Santa Fe and Rav4. Next step is that they'll put the H6 n and take away the turbo and five speed. I like my forester nice and nimble. Not big and ponderous.
 
Kyle

#64 of 148 Re: Needs to be larger [tazereli] by knickerbocker

Jan 08, 2007 (11:24 am)

Replying to: tazereli (Jan 08, 2007 10:24 am)
I'm not talking about supersizing the forester.. But they could make some modest changes to enlarge it slightly.
 
Subaru already has the ugly tribeca... so it should not go that large... I hear they are already scrapping the tribeca front end design... now if they would make one that took regular gas....
 
Also I am hearing rumors of a deisel... so a bio-deisel would be nice or a gas electric hybrid.

#65 of 148 Re: Needs to be larger [knickerbocker] by lostwrench

Jan 08, 2007 (4:54 pm)

Replying to: knickerbocker (Jan 08, 2007 8:31 am)
A larger Forester? No thanks.

#66 of 148 Re: Needs to be larger [lostwrench] by p0926

Jan 12, 2007 (10:12 am)

Replying to: lostwrench (Jan 08, 2007 4:54 pm)
Ditto!
 
I'm neither old nor female and I find my Forester to be the perfect size. It's quick and nimble driving around town, easily carries enough for two to go camping or for a cross-country trip and I've fit all manner of things in and/or on top of it during forays to the local home improvement store.
 
In addition, most super-sized Americans who need a bigger vehicle to feel comfortable in are going to want a full-size SUV.
 
-Frank

#67 of 148 Re: Needs to be larger [p0926] by ateixeira

Jan 12, 2007 (12:40 pm)

Replying to: p0926 (Jan 12, 2007 10:12 am)
They could keep it the same size but stretch the wheelbase a couple of inches and give it more rear leg room.
 
Or replace the rear strut suspension so it eats less into cargo room.
 
They could make some packaging improvements and give up very little, basically.
 
I've even thought of selling two wheelbases sizes, just like Toyota does for the RAV4. They only sell the long one here, and the short one in europe. But I'd like to see Subaru market *both* lengths here.
 
-juice

#68 of 148 Re: Frustrating things about that Sports XT [dt63944] by bayarea_s40

Jan 13, 2007 (8:55 pm)

Replying to: dt63944 (Dec 26, 2006 5:53 pm)
"I heard they took away the heated seats on the Sports XT..."
 
Nope. Heated seats are still there. But I do wish I didn't have to add crossbars myself.
 
PS - It is a kick to drive!

#69 of 148 Turning radius RULES! by bayarea_s40

Jan 13, 2007 (9:02 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 12, 2007 12:40 pm)
"They could keep it the same size but stretch the wheelbase a couple of inches and give it more rear leg room."
 
The current tight turning radius is one reason why we now have two Foresters.

#70 of 148 Sports Model Pricing by rochcom

Jan 15, 2007 (11:58 am)

I just priced the "Sports" models at VanBortel (Largest dealer in US). The discount on the X is about $1000. On the XT it is about $600. The discount on the XT limited is around $1500. This makes the retail difference between the XT Sports and Limited less than $700. The Sports model has different features that appeal to a different sort of buyer, but on price, it is not different enough to matter.

#71 of 148 Re: Sports Model Pricing [rochcom] by ateixeira

Jan 17, 2007 (10:31 am)

Replying to: rochcom (Jan 15, 2007 11:58 am)
Unless you prefer cloth. Heated cloth is ideal - breathes well, never hot or cold, and heat when you want to soothe the back.
 
-juice

Messages Page 8 of 16

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