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2009 Subaru Forester

3747 messages,  Last post on Oct 15, 2012 at 3:22 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum.

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

Messages Page 203 of 376

#2015 of 3747 Re: New Forester vs. Used RX330 [skeleton] by pharmd718

Jul 26, 2008 (12:03 pm)

Replying to: skeleton (May 12, 2008 4:30 am)
I am in the same boat as you. I am paying cash for the car and because of such I have many options. I chose to get the new subaru forester because I have no idea how a used vehicle was used. Most of my life I bought used cars and always spent a small fortune each year fixing them. My last used car was a 1996 Q45 (which I bought in 1999) and I would spent an average of $2000 per year in repairs during the last 3 years.
recently i got married and got my wife a new mini cooper S. That was the first time I bought a new car. The wife loves her car (she is british as well) and I am really glad I bought a new car for her instead of a used one. This year my Q45 sang its swan song and I was looking for something that was cheap enough/have great utility/ and awd. After looking at a bunch of small suv's the forester was a no brainer.

#2016 of 3747 Re: Long wait time for forester limited [pharmd718] by hitoyou

Jul 26, 2008 (5:08 pm)

Replying to: pharmd718 (Jul 23, 2008 3:15 am)
Did you succeed in getting the loaner or rental for the time your company is visiting? I am still waiting for an an estimated time of arrival for my Subaru Forester 2.5 Limited.

#2017 of 3747 Re: Nokian made it harder.... [wobbler800] by kurtamaxxxguy

Jul 26, 2008 (7:57 pm)

Replying to: wobbler800 (Jul 26, 2008 8:16 am)
Let's hope so, wobbler800:
the rep for Nokian USA told me that size would not be here this year.
perhaps the factory gave him bad info, or whatever...
 
Hopefully our local dealers will have these as well by early fall.

#2018 of 3747 '09 XT Freeway mileage - wildly optimistic? by kurtamaxxxguy

Jul 26, 2008 (8:04 pm)

While cruising from Portland OR to Salem OR and back, I set the XT's trip Odometer so it would measure MPG for time on the freeway. I-5 between Portland and Salem is relatively flat, with only a few mild hills. Cruise control was used most of the time. Mileage on car is around 3350. Round trip was 120 miles.
 
Surprise:
The MPG calculator reported anywhere from 27 to 29 mpg for Interstate traveling at mostly 65 mph (there were a few short stints of 60 and 70 mph mixed in). This was with the A/C mostly off, windows closed, and outside temperature of about 76 degrees.
 
I got the same MPG for either Southward or Northward travel.
 
If that computer is accurate, that's far better MPG than expected and suggests with a little more break-in the XT, driven gently, could get very respectable mileag on the highway.

#2019 of 3747 Rear seat recline button is loose by chrisf776

Jul 26, 2008 (10:58 pm)

Anyone else have this problem? I have a 2.5X limited. The rear seat recline buttons are really loose and easily pop out when people enter or exit the car. Anyone have a good fix? Can the dealer do anything?

#2020 of 3747 Re: Long wait time for forester limited [hitoyou] by pharmd718

Jul 27, 2008 (5:26 am)

Replying to: hitoyou (Jul 26, 2008 5:08 pm)
I did not ask yet. I will call the dealer some time this week. My company will arrive in early sept. so I have some time. Worst case scenerio I will have to rent a car. When did you place an order for your forester? I gave them a deposit over the phone on 7/9 and they emailed me a copy of the invoice on 7/11. The VON number was obtained on 7/13. The following week I was told it will take 10-12 weeks.

#2021 of 3747 Re: Rear seat recline button is loose [chrisf776] by pharmd718

Jul 27, 2008 (5:33 am)

Replying to: chrisf776 (Jul 26, 2008 10:58 pm)
Sounds like something the dealer needs to address.

#2022 of 3747 Forester subwoofer by pharmd718

Jul 27, 2008 (5:39 am)

I was thinking of adding the subwoofer to the list of options on my limited. However, I don't know the specs on the unit and am not sure it will be worth while. I just know that it has a dedicated amp but would like to know the frequency response if available.
If anyone installed the factory subwoofer after getting the car I would love to know if it made a huge difference.
If I were to get the sub it would be the factory model over any after market version (even though after market would sound best) because Its the only unit I can install under the drivers seat. I don't want anything taking up space in the back.

#2023 of 3747 Completed first long trip by orc

Jul 27, 2008 (10:14 am)

We just completed a 7,000 mile trip with our new 09 Forester. I ran full synthetic oil and changed it once during the trip. The oil and filter is extremely easy to change as it was on the wife's old Impreza. It's a shame to pay so much money for a dealer or Jiffy lube place to do it. If you are able to lay on your back for a few minutes you can change the oil.
 
I picked up a trailer hitch and installed it at my sister's house while visiting. My B-in-law helped me with the instructions and lent me a hand when needed. It took us 3 hours for the install but we went slow. The self install saved me $200 to $300 labor costs but IMO one should have a basic mechanical aptitude for it to go smoothly. The large plastic bumper piece is the trickiest part to remove and re-install. It's not overly difficult but it's frustrating in a few spots. Yes, you have to remove the entire rear bumper & mufflers and the cheap little plastic button attachment pieces are annoying to work with. Having the knowledge now I feel pretty confident I could do it again in half the time.
 
We drove up Schnebly road in Sedona and did some light hiking out on to the beautiful red rock formations. This road requires high clearance and is very popular with local jeep tour companies. The drivers enjoy telling tall tales over a loud speaker while happily bouncing over the road beating up tourists packed in the back with extra seating under a sun canopy. We rolled down the windows and opened up the panorama moon roof to let the Arizona sun in at 90 degrees F. The 09 handled the road easliy but we went slow with the stock Yokohama Geolander tires. They are not the best tire for sharp rocks and rough roads but they do OK. No complaints with them.
 
We drove city traffic, Interstate, rural twisty roads, mountains, heavy rain and desert (reaching 118F in Laughlin, Nevada). From SE Alaska through BC Canada down to southern Arizona and back. We did one week on the road with my daughter aboard who lives in Vegas. We had our dog along for half the trip and he stayed at my sister's place the other halfof the time. Mileage ranged from 21mpg to a short stretch down a mountain pass at an unbelievable 73.2 mpg. (LOL) I usually set the cruise at 8 to 9 over the speed limit whenever possible. Cops tend to not write tickets at those speeds. Speed limits are 75mph in some western states - I loved that and we cruised at 83-84mph. We used AC much of the time and it never once affected mpg. IMO AC makes has little to no influence with gas mileage. I checked the on board mpg calculator with real numbers and a hand held calculator and they always matched.The average Gas mileage for the entire trip was a credible 27.5 mpg.
 
Complaints? Not many. I wish the drivers seat was more comfortable for a big guy like me on the road all day but it was OK. The plastic gas cover flip open lever cap thing popped off. Seems the pin that holds it on broke or fell out. I can't find it. The lever still works fine. I'll fix it now that I'm home. It's not a biggy.
 
I love the slightly stiffer suspension of the Forester over other small SUV's. I watched them bounce and lean too much in corners while the little Subbie handled such things much better. The Subbie is fun to drive and that's important when on the road several days in a row.
 
Seems the Ford Escape, Toyota Rav4/Highlander, Honda Suv's and Hyundai Suv's rule the the road these days. There are less and less big SUV's and PU trucks out there. I loved my old Expedition and F150 but I'm adapting well to downsizing. With the hitch installed I can use a trailer to haul big bulky stuff. Other than a car hauler with 8 Foresters packed on its back we rarely noticed any 09 Foresters the entire trip through Canada down to Arizona and back. It's still new and I noticed when passing Subaru dealers they had lots of 09's in stock. I think there will be a lot more on the road by the end of the year.
 

#2024 of 3747 Re: Completed first long trip [orc] by rsholland

Jul 27, 2008 (12:17 pm)

Replying to: orc (Jul 27, 2008 10:14 am)
Great pics! You should send them and your story to DRIVE magazine.
 
Bob

Messages Page 203 of 376

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