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2009 Subaru Forester

3631 messages,  Last post on Nov 10, 2009 at 4:33 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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#2798 of 3631
Re: The Real 2009 Forester [sgloon] by billwv
Jan 01, 2009 (7:49 pm)
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Replying to: sgloon (Jan 01, 2009 6:46 pm)

Its all about pricing versus the competition -- they have to cut somewhere.
 
Its unfortunate, but, I still feel the pluses out number the minuses. No scratches, yet, but I am afraid to touch the mudguards -- they look like they could fall off at any time.
 
Still no meaningful snow here to test what this car is made of!
 
Bill
#2799 of 3631
by kurtamaxxxguy
Jan 01, 2009 (9:50 pm)
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Bill Visnics' comments about Subaru, posted in AutoObserver 12/31/08:
 
"I'm missing something, because the herd press generally fawns about this tractor that looks cheap, drives cheap and has a brazenly cheap interior.
 
Subaru's scamming and nobody's calling 'em on it. The opposed 4-cylinder engine is unusual, but it's a gas-sucker - the best a Forester does is 20/27 with a manual and it gets as crummy as 19/24 for the turbo/auto - and this subaru forester engine ain't all that refined, either. And speaking of the automatics, these guys are still out there in the year 2009 with a pre-Cambrian 4-speeder for the Forester, Motor Trend's SUV of the Year. "

 
It seems people either like this car or hate it. I can agree with aspects of the interior - The arm rest and center console paint's easy to scratch and I suspect will wear off really easily. The mud flaps are wierd. But ok, while here's only 4 speeds in the AT, but they seem pretty darn well matched; I've driven 5-speed AT's that were far worse. And the engine generally idles smoother than my Camry or Malibu did.
 
Comments?
#2800 of 3631
Re: [kurtamaxxxguy] by rsholland
Jan 02, 2009 (7:00 am)
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Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Jan 01, 2009 9:50 pm)

The dash assembly on the Forester is the same as my WRX, and all Imprezas—which I like. I think makes good business sense. Why have two different dash assemblies for different model lines if one that's well designed can make do for both?
 
Having said that, Subaru on these models unfortunately has reverted to using hard plastic for the dash, sun visors and door panels. That results in a distinctly low-rent feeling that runs counter to these car's outstanding mechanical quality. I really think Subaru shot themselves in the foot here by using all that hard (cheap feeling) plastic.
 
This could easily be rectified by using a plastic that has a soft rubber-like give to it. I recently sat in a Toyota Venza, and it's got a soft rubber-like dash covering. That makes all the difference in the world as to the impression of quality, or lack-there-of.
 
Bob
#2801 of 3631
subaru forester battery dies after 3wks by nlbio
Jan 02, 2009 (7:41 am)
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Hi - any one know why the subaru forester 2009 battery dies if you leave the car parked for 2.5 wks to 3 wks?
 
seems like a bad flaw.
#2802 of 3631
Re: subaru forester battery dies after 3wks [nlbio] by sgloon
Jan 02, 2009 (9:48 am)
Reply

Replying to: nlbio (Jan 02, 2009 7:41 am)

It could have happened if any of the doors weren't fully closed. Or if any of the light switches were in the "on" position.
 
I lost the battery after only 3 or 4 days. When unloading some stuff from the hatch area something must have inadvertently hit the switch (that sticks out rather than being recessed.) Don't know why they put that type of switch it. It is very easily moved as well. No resistance to help you know it was inadvertently hit.
 
Don't know if either of these could have been your situation, but you can't always tell by looking at the outside of the car that one of the doors may not be fully latched. And, if it is daylight out, you typically won't notice one of the lights being on unless you are looking for it.
 
Hope this helps.
#2803 of 3631
Re: [rsholland] by pgb0517
Jan 02, 2009 (9:57 am)
Reply

Replying to: rsholland (Jan 02, 2009 7:00 am)

I guess I just don't put my hands on the dash all the time to feel the softness. Not sure what the fuss here is. It looks good. I think the armrests are comfortable. I suppose time will tell if the plastics wear well.
#2804 of 3631
Re: [pgb0517] by rsholland
Jan 02, 2009 (10:13 am)
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Replying to: pgb0517 (Jan 02, 2009 9:57 am)

It just feels cheap. Many Chrysler products (and others) have gotten hammered for this very reason—the hard cheap feeling plastic in the interior.
 
Bob
#2805 of 3631
Re: [rsholland] by pgb0517
Jan 02, 2009 (10:58 am)
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Replying to: rsholland (Jan 02, 2009 10:13 am)

Maybe the Forester doesn't bug me so much because our other car is a Focus. Talk about cheap interior (except for the leather-wrapped steering wheel). The thing on the Forester that does bother me is the sun visor. Since I have to touch it, I notice the cheapness, not to mention its lack of an extension. The cloth next to the door armrests is a nice touch. The leather on the steering wheel has a dry feel compared to the more supple-feeling leather on my Focus wheel. But I think the appearance of the colors and textures on the Forester is nice. Maybe they were trying to compensate by looks for the actual feel of the materials. We also have a Town & Country mini-van, again with leather wheel, and it is a mixed bag.
But I've never had anything as bad as my early-80s Malibus. Talk about cheap. The plastics and vinyl seats all faded to different colors and pretty much disintegrated on contact after a few years.
#2806 of 3631
Re: [pgb0517] by rsholland
Jan 02, 2009 (12:17 pm)
Reply

Replying to: pgb0517 (Jan 02, 2009 10:58 am)

I agree. I have no problems with the styling of the Forester (or Impreza) interior. It's when you happen to touch the visor, door panels or dashboard, that feeling of cheapness comes through.
 
Now I drive an '09 WRX. I think the Forester may be a notch up on the Impreza when it comes to the door panels.
 
Bob
#2807 of 3631
Re: Replacing Windshield [connieylee] by p0926
Jan 02, 2009 (9:03 pm)
Reply

Replying to: connieylee (Dec 31, 2008 11:10 am)

If the windshield cracked while parked (and you're sure it wasn't vandalism), I'd definitely try and see if Subaru will cover it as a warranty issue. If you do end up going with an aftermarket windshield, make sure it has the heating elements ($350-400 sounds pretty low).
 
-Frank

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