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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 297 of 375

#2958 of 3747 09 test drive by 204meca

Feb 04, 2009 (8:21 pm)

After months of lurking & lusting, we took an 09 X-Limited AT out for a 20 mile test. I don't have much to say that has not already been said, but feel a need to express myself.
 Obviously the 09 has many siginificant improvements over my 03 XS - much better ride, less road noise, roomier, really liked the power leather seats (almost as good as our A4, cushions a little short, but OK for wifey & I who are both 5' 7"). Our 03 has better fore & aft visiblility (09 has higher glass & smaller mirrors), feels a bit gutsier (w 5 sp manual - it is probably just a feeling & not accurate), & corners flatter (with STi rear sway bar), but those are about the only things I prefer on 04. I was surprised that the while the road noise on 09 was much less the wind noise on 09 was not much less.
 
Although our 03 is just getting broken in (49K) we anticipate buying a new Forester in the next 6-18 months - may hold out longer to see if they will make below changes. We would love to see the passenger seat raised (or better yet adjustable height), round cup holders, slightly larger mirrors, and a 5 spd AT. I don't anticipate those will change with 2010 or 2011 models, but I can hope. So I will start using my Subaru Bucks card again, keep my eye out for rebates, and hope the folks at SOA will make some the changes that seem to be common gripes before 2012.
 
Does anyone know if the 09 XT has beefier sway bars than the X Limited model?
 
After that our next purchase will be selling our 04 A4 for a Honda Insight,
 
By the way, I heard today that Subaru was only car with increased sales for Jan 09, up %.. Under such circumstances it may be a while before SOA makes any changes and before those fabled rebates show up on the Forester!
 

#2959 of 3747 Re: wrt windshield fogging... [kurtamaxxxguy] by sgloon

Feb 04, 2009 (10:41 pm)

Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Feb 03, 2009 5:51 pm)
Thx for helping to diagnose, Kurt!
 
I hope for your sake that you don't have the same problem!

#2960 of 3747 Re: Forester search [DON__FLORIDA] by Xpremdrvr

Feb 05, 2009 (5:03 am)

Replying to: DON__FLORIDA (Jan 13, 2009 12:28 pm)
My girlfriend complained to me for a week that her new Forester had a bad rattle. At first I couldn't hear it, but then it was noticeable. She ranted about how a new car shouldn't do this and how disappointed she was. it was bothering her so much that she drove my car to work for two days. While in her car I found out that the noise was her sunglasses in the sunglasses holder. It was rattling but the acoustics made it seem like the noise was coming from the floor area. Once I removed it the noises stopped. I haven't told her yet because I really love driving this car. I will reveal the mystery soon. So if you can't find the source of your rattle, check your sunglasses holder. It just might be that simple.

#2961 of 3747 Re: 09 test drive [204meca] by prndldriver

Feb 05, 2009 (8:48 am)

Replying to: 204meca (Feb 04, 2009 8:21 pm)
Glad you had a good time on the test drive. We don't have the XT model, but we are able to move the passenger seat up and down. Lots of people have noted that it's oddly lower than the drivers, but you can adjust both seats. Good luck!

#2962 of 3747 Re: 09 test drive [prndldriver] by pgb0517

Feb 05, 2009 (9:43 am)

Replying to: prndldriver (Feb 05, 2009 8:48 am)
How did you adjust the passenger seat? I didn't think you could do that even in the XT.

#2963 of 3747 Re: 09 test drive [pgb0517] by kurtamaxxxguy

Feb 05, 2009 (9:52 am)

Replying to: pgb0517 (Feb 05, 2009 9:43 am)
If you can raise / lower the Passenger seat in the '09 XT I would be curious as to how it is done, as I have not found any adjustments so far.
However, this is for USA XT's - overseas models may have such adjustments.

#2964 of 3747 Re: 09 test drive [204meca] by camrytimes2

Feb 05, 2009 (2:23 pm)

Replying to: 204meca (Feb 04, 2009 8:21 pm)
204meca,
 
I agree with your suggested improvements and would also like to see Subaru tame the dual exhaust system noise and relocate the glaring yellow passenger air bag light. However, your final paragraph says it all. With Forester sales more than doubled compared with last year, Subaru has little motivation to fix what sales figures indicate "ain't broke".

#2965 of 3747 To 204 Meca and a question please by bpraxis

Feb 05, 2009 (5:21 pm)

Thankyou for a fantastic contribution and very articulate insights regarding the 09 Forrester.
 
  Question for the group:
 
  How much of a discount should I expect for a 2009 Forrester Turbo with just a few options? MSRP should be $27,200 on a factory order.
 
  With appreciation and kind regards,

#2966 of 3747 Re: To 204 Meca and a question please [bpraxis] by kurtamaxxxguy

Feb 05, 2009 (9:43 pm)

Replying to: bpraxis (Feb 05, 2009 5:21 pm)
The only way I know of getting discount on the Forester XT is to be a COSTCO or other club member. That will give you a price somewhat under MSRP ($800 for me) but not at the magic "Invoice". However, I bought my XT before it won all those awards.
 
Only 6% of Forester production is turbo, which includes both XT and XT-Limited.
Consumers Union made XT-Limited their top rated CUV, as did Motor Trend.
It's a hot item.
  
BTW, at the Portland OR Auto Show (going from Feb 5 - 8, I think), there were _0_ Forester XT's on the floor (X-limited, X-Premium, Base were there). My guess is there were none to be had from local dealers at this time.

#2967 of 3747 Thankyou Kurt by bpraxis

Feb 06, 2009 (10:15 am)

In the Idaho area Turbo's are sitting for a long time.
 
  Multiple dealers have offered me invoice which pretty much matches Edmunds pricing.
 
  What I have seen in the forums is up to $1000.00 below invoice.
 
  If anyone has any insight into better pricing please let me know.
 
  With appreciation and kind regards,

Messages Page 297 of 375

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