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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 5 of 375

#38 of 3747 Re: 2009 Forester goodies [batman47] by ateixeira

Jan 01, 2008 (9:12 am)

Replying to: batman47 (Jan 01, 2008 8:11 am)
I would shop elsewhere if you really need to seat 7 people. The Forester won't offer that option, and the RAV4 and Outlander's 3rd row is positively tiny. The seats Mitubishi uses remind me of the ones in the bed of the Subaru BRAT, i.e. more of an excuse for a seat than a real seat.
 
How safe could kids be with their heads mere inches from the rear glass?
 
Seriously, get a minivan if you need 7+ payload. It's the rational thing to do.
 
The Forester always had more payload than the CR-V or RAV4. When I shopped in 1998 the Subaru offered the most, followed by the CR-V, with the 760 lb rating of the Toyota bringing up the rear.
 
So the 4 banger RAV4 does have a 4 speed, interesting. Even more interesting is that it still won in C&D. The V6 is quite an engine (I have the same engine in my Sienna) so I'm not surprised it won the Edmunds comparo, even though apart from the powertrain I do not think it's the best in class.

#39 of 3747 Re: 2009 Forester goodies [ateixeira] by batman47

Jan 01, 2008 (10:23 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 01, 2008 9:12 am)
A 5-seats (4-cyl) will be OK for me. If you could recommend me a minivan with 8" of ground clearance, reasonable off road capacity (similar to the Forester), + 4WD (AWD) and 23 miles/gallon average petrol consume, please do it. I agree with you in respect to the RAV4. These road tests simply do not take in consideration the max payload of the vehicle and here it is where a great difference of accessing suitability of a SUV could results. Sometimes the stuff I take with me could easily weight more than 2-people weight. Please do not recommend to shop somewhere to buy a truck/pickup.

#40 of 3747 Re: 2009 Forester goodies [batman47] by paisan

Jan 01, 2008 (10:41 am)

Replying to: batman47 (Jan 01, 2008 10:23 am)
Unfortunately what you are looking for is not out there. The laws of physics come into play here. I could suggest something like my Armada that will seat 7 comfortably, plenty of ground clearance, and every amenity out there, but you won't get 23mpg with it!
 
Good luck in finding something that will suit your needs, I doubt there is something out there for you.
 
-mike

#41 of 3747 Re: 09 Forester [birdboy] by p0926

Jan 01, 2008 (2:37 pm)

Replying to: birdboy (Dec 29, 2007 2:29 pm)
does the Forester presently have or will it have an Auto trans that will have a manual mode
 
I don't think so but then again you can get an actual manual transmission in the Forester
 
-Frank

#42 of 3747 09 Forester manual mode AT by birdboy

Jan 01, 2008 (3:58 pm)

Thanks Frank, however a manual trans. in New York City is so out of the question. I can only wait and see as theVW Tiguan is also a choice for me. It will have an AT with a manual mode. Both should arrive late May. did like the Rogue , however the CVT was just too loud for me.
Happy New Year all!

#43 of 3747 Re: 09 Forester manual mode AT [birdboy] by paisan

Jan 01, 2008 (5:54 pm)

Replying to: birdboy (Jan 01, 2008 3:58 pm)
I drive a 5MT in manhattan!
 
-mike

#44 of 3747 Re: 09 Forester [birdboy] by jeffmc

Jan 01, 2008 (8:19 pm)

Replying to: birdboy (Dec 29, 2007 2:29 pm)
Forester's the oldest model in the Subaru lineup, and it's the only current Subaru that doesn't have SportShift (manual-mode automatic trans). Every 4-spd and 5-spd automatic transmission in Legacy, Outback, Impreza and Tribeca has SportShift standard. Expect it in the 2009 Forester. (Only 2-3 months away now!)

#45 of 3747 Re: 09 Forester [jeffmc] by batman47

Jan 02, 2008 (4:27 am)

Replying to: jeffmc (Jan 01, 2008 8:19 pm)
Perhaps you may not need to wait 2-3 months to find out about the 4-speed Shiftable automatic I think the 2009 Forester will be shown in the 2008 Detroit exhibition. Equally you may see the 7-seats BOF KIA Borrego (Full off road capability).

#46 of 3747 Re: 09 Forester [batman47] by paisan

Jan 02, 2008 (5:02 am)

Replying to: batman47 (Jan 02, 2008 4:27 am)
Borrego is not going to give you the milage you want though. It's going to be heavy and have a V6 or V8 engine in it. Borrego will be fine for offroading but milagewise it'll be lagging, similar to the Sorrento. Unfortunately here 99% of the people have no need for offroad capabilities that it will give. Also there is no "silver bullet" that will give you offroad capabilities, towing, seating for 7 and milage all rolled into one vehicle.
 
-mike

#47 of 3747 Re: 2009 Forester goodies [batman47] by ateixeira

Jan 02, 2008 (11:44 am)

Replying to: batman47 (Jan 01, 2008 10:23 am)
If 5 seats are OK, then you're good to go with a Forester.
 
The new model appears to have an even wider cargo area. The cargo floor was already fairly long, and tall as well, due to the squared off tailgate.
 
Sienna comes in an AWD model that's even an inch higher than the FWD models, outruns a Highlander with the same engine for the same fuel economy.
 
That's a different size class, though, so it won't match the Forester's fuel economy.
 
Can't wait til the 09 Foresters get here.

Messages Page 5 of 375

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