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2009 Subaru Forester

3666 messages,  Last post on Dec 07, 2009 at 4:31 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum. Your Host is kcram

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


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#1820 of 3666
Re: First MPGs [sgloon] by rjweiss
Jul 04, 2008 (1:28 pm)
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Replying to: sgloon (Jul 03, 2008 10:18 pm)

While on the gas mileage thread I thought you might like to know that if you put on a carrier box up top on the cross rails move the box far back to the rear. I get a few miles per gallon better when it's that way, very surprised at the difference from keeping it towards the front.
 
At least thats the way my 03 Forester reacts.
 
Ron W.
#1821 of 3666
Re: First MPGs [pgb0517] by camrytimes2
Jul 04, 2008 (1:48 pm)
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Replying to: pgb0517 (Jul 04, 2008 12:43 pm)

Not sure that the Forester behaves differently vs. different nature of road conditions and speeds:
 
The Forester roughly dips, hops, bounces, sharply pivots laterally, squeeks and rattles while being driven at typical road speeds (30 to 40 MPH) over potholes, sunken and raised patches, sunken and raised sewer covers, etc. I travel on busy urban streets, some of which show no visible signs of original pavement. The entire streets are patchwork. Creeping along creates risks associated with the ire of other drivers.
 
On "steep, rutted dirt roads", the vehicle is generally driven much more slowly and the ruts are continuous and caused by wear and tear of previous vehicles. Any depressions in the road are larger than potholes and are more 'bowl' like. Over these types of conditions, the ride height and AWD are beneficial and the slower speeds result in less rigorous tossing and bouncing. In wet and muddy conditions over steep dirt roads in mountainous terrain, I have experienced no uncontrolled wheel spin.
#1822 of 3666
Re: 09 Forester auto X (base) roof rack help plz. [hatescars] by norcalmike1
Jul 04, 2008 (2:58 pm)
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Replying to: hatescars (Jul 04, 2008 12:12 pm)

Sorry if I was off topic on the ride/suspension question.
 
Trailer hitch: Go to etrailer.com and look up hitches for the 09 Forester. Curt makes a great product; powder coated, lifetime warranty,
hitch and receiver hitch for $129.00. Free shipping on any order over $150.00.
 
Thanks for all the replies about the suspension. When gas shot up I sold my Ridgeline and bought a Prius. Only time I like the Prius is when I drive past a gas station. Rest of the time it's a pain. Ridgeline is rock solid and unflappable on uneven pavement. You pay for that luxury ride at the gas pump. I was hoping to find something between a Ridgeline and a Prius thinking the Forester might just do it.
#1823 of 3666
Re: First MPGs [camrytimes2] by kurtamaxxxguy
Jul 04, 2008 (3:38 pm)
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Replying to: camrytimes2 (Jul 04, 2008 12:35 pm)

Yes, I have seen my '09 XT hop over speed bumps (the rear end bounces up and the suspension extends with a whack), but only if I take them too fast. I also had one test drive '09 XT "dance" when climbing a heavilly potholed hill (an '08 Outback driven on same road cared less).
There have been a few reviews commenting on the lack of damping in the '09 Forester rear suspension.
#1824 of 3666
Re: 09 Forester auto X (base) roof rack help plz. [hatescars] by alphie1
Jul 04, 2008 (5:57 pm)
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Replying to: hatescars (Jul 04, 2008 12:12 pm)

I hope to have resolved this issue with my 09 base Forester. Have Subaru accessory rack which is supposed to fit the four mounting spots on roof. Dealer assured me it would be more than adequate to car-top a 70 pound canoe.
#1825 of 3666
Re: 09 Forester auto X (base) roof rack help plz. [alphie1] by sgloon
Jul 04, 2008 (11:41 pm)
Reply

Replying to: alphie1 (Jul 04, 2008 5:57 pm)

I have the Thule "crossroads", which attach to the Subaru rails. It works fine and fits all my old Thule accessories. REI says there is a similar attachment for Yakima.
Re: wind noise. I had no wind noise whatso ever when there was something on the crossbars. However, without something on the bars, and going fast, there was some wind noise. I just took 'em off and threw in back.
 
Re: accessory rack. Thule notes on their website that their equipment is rated for higher weight limit than the Subaru stuff. The Thule rep who I called and spoke to said the same thing, noting specific limits of the various equipment.
 
The Thule bars readily handle the canoes (I have a few). I also have two different width bars depending upon what I will be carrying, and how many canoes at a time.
 
When looking for cars that could handle canoes, I found a place called the Rack Attack which mount roof racks on your vehicle. They will do whatever they need to to put on a reliable system, sometimes mixing purchased equipment and that which they make themselves. Perhaps there is something near you like this company.
#1826 of 3666
Re: First MPGs [norcalmike1] by sgloon
Jul 05, 2008 (6:35 am)
Reply

Replying to: norcalmike1 (Jul 04, 2008 11:24 am)

Mike, in answer to your questions:
 
Warranty Issues:
I've only had it 2 weeks, so this is all I have found so far.
1. The rear seat recline button fell out. (My local dealer has ordered another...hopefully that will be the fix. I did not push this button before buying, only the one on the other side...lesson learned, Push every button.
2. Dash rattle, passenger side - didn't hear it until I got it on the dirt roads. A few others have noted this, so I'm hoping it is a quick fix.
 
Hops: Noticed when test driving on big city hiway. There were not cracks in this hiway but "swells". Haven't felt it since...not sure if it would be a problem???
 
Regrets: The only real regret I have is that Subaru made this vehicle so dang tall. I have a real hard time tying things on top...and with some items getting them up there. However, I couldn't find anything else that fit all my needs, so I would still buy it. Just ask Subaru to lower it a bit. There were going to be trade-offs in any car I bought. None of them had everything I wanted.
#1827 of 3666
Re: 09 Forester auto X (base) roof rack help plz. [alphie1] by sgloon
Jul 05, 2008 (6:42 am)
Reply

Replying to: alphie1 (Jul 04, 2008 5:57 pm)

PS Even though I may be using just one canoe, I usually have 2 and sometimes 3 canoes on top for the shuttle, therefore need a higher weight rating. Both Thule & Yakama will provide a higher rating than the Subaru crossbars.
#1828 of 3666
by hatescars
Jul 05, 2008 (7:49 am)
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1. Can I get Subaru rails for my rail-free '09 Forester X?
 
It sounds crazy, but I'd read elsewhere that for some reason '09 Subaru Forester rails won't mount to a '09 Forester X roof....that all you can get is the weak looking, loud, fixed position, aluminum tube crossbars. (which have their own posts that mount to 4 fixed spots on the roof) 2. True or false?
 
I'd much rather go with the above mentioned Subaru rail and Thule or Yakama crossbar route than the fixed position aluminum tube route which offers no aftermarket thingies to attach toys with.
 
Thanks for the great responses.
#1829 of 3666
Re: [hatescars] by sgloon
Jul 05, 2008 (12:53 pm)
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Replying to: hatescars (Jul 05, 2008 7:49 am)

I don't know for sure, but, I don't see why not, off hand. You will have to drill through the roof to install the rails, thus I would recommend professional installation...(the interior will look better too, I bet.)
 
I have the Forester X, but it is the premium model, which came with the rails. The car is the same, so I don't see why the rails wouldn't be able to be mounted to them. You'll just have to do some research to be able to mount them.
 
Another option to consider, if you can't get the Subaru rails is to have a rack company install rails for you that you can get your Yak/thule "foot" to attach to. There is probalby another edmonds forum to talk about just racks...?

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