Article Comments - 2009 Subaru Forester XT First Drive and Full Test

71 messages, Last post on Aug 26, 2009 at 11:14 AM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Wagon, SUV

First Drive: 2009 Subaru Forester XT - First Impressions: The style factor is up, but so is the practicality.(more)

Full Test: 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Limited - Bottom Line: Bigger and better, the quirky little Forester has become a grown-up SUV. (more)

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#14 of 71 Re: Another misleading statement [aaykay] by kurtamaxxxguy Mar 30, 2008 (11:32 am)
Replying to: aaykay (Mar 30, 2008 9:56 am) E-mails I've had so far with Subaru regarding power transfer made no mention of these '09 limitations, so I asked them specifically and hopefully will get an answer to share here. And yes, one can deactivate the '09's AWD for towing or testing purposes by moving and installing a fuse in the driver side fuse block. My __guess__ is that Subaru removed the center diff and rear limited slip diff to save costs, reduce drive train complexity, and because they figured the VDC would replace those components.
#15 of 71 Re: Another misleading statement [aaykay] by ateixeira Mar 31, 2008 (8:47 am)
Replying to: aaykay (Mar 30, 2008 9:56 am) a maximum of 50% of the power can be sent to the rear wheels Not true. Watch this video, how the rear wheels power this 2008 Forester X (without any traction control system whatsoever). Notice that the front wheels are not spinning very fast when the rears pull it up over a bump and up the ramp. That clearly demonstrates the front wheels are certainly not getting 50% of the power. If they had been, they would have no resistance and would have been spinning like crazy. Your theory is simply not true in practice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t09ExAUgtyE&feature=related The segment is about 2:50 in.
#16 of 71 To Edmunds folks... by kurtamaxxxguy Apr 01, 2008 (7:12 am)
When you do a full test of the '09 Forester, please try a few tests specifically aimed at testing out the Revised-for-'09 AWD system to see how it deals with these situations: 1. One side of car on asphalt, other on loose/slippery surface, 2. Three wheels on slippery surface, one wheel on good surface FYI, "1" above was part of Subaru demo I got with the Outback, which had no trouble. I did not get an opportunity to test that situation with '09 Forester.
#17 of 71 New Forester by hondaru Apr 01, 2008 (10:56 am)
I was disappointed there is not five or even six speed automatic, and no talk of a hybrid or diesel version, I own a 2003 Outback, which I like a lot, but won't consider making a change unless I can get superior mpgs. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Apr 01, 2008 11:02 am) h2k2f2 (Apr 01, 2008 7:21 pm) kdshapiro (Apr 05, 2008 12:36 pm) p0926 (Apr 05, 2008 1:54 pm) kurtamaxxxguy (Apr 05, 2008 2:30 pm) and 4 more...
#18 of 71 Re: New Forester [hondaru] by ateixeira Apr 01, 2008 (11:02 am)
Replying to: hondaru (Apr 01, 2008 10:56 am) A diesel should be here by 2010 or 2011. The Outback might get it first, though. FWIW, the boxer diesel has been very well received by the european press.
#19 of 71 Re: New Forester [hondaru] by h2k2f2 Apr 01, 2008 (7:21 pm)
Replying to: hondaru (Apr 01, 2008 10:56 am) It is likely that you would get better mileage with the '09 Forester compared to your '03 Outback. Keep in mind that the '09 fuel economy numbers are based upon the new more demanding 2008 fuel economy testing standards. Your '03 Outback would lose around 2 MPG overall from its originally posted 2003 numbers. For example the Outback H6 originally was rated at 19/26. Adjusted to the new standard, it would rate at 17/23. More gears may look nice on paper to some, but they don't automatically translate into better performance or fuel economy. Replies to this message: kdshapiro (Apr 05, 2008 12:36 pm) p0926 (Apr 05, 2008 1:54 pm) kurtamaxxxguy (Apr 05, 2008 2:30 pm) kdshapiro (Apr 06, 2008 4:58 pm) and 3 more...
#21 of 71 Re: New Forester [h2k2f2] by kdshapiro Apr 05, 2008 (12:36 pm)
Replying to: h2k2f2 (Apr 01, 2008 7:21 pm) The Forester needs a 5th or cruising gear. I'm tired of listening to the drone of the engine at 3K doing 70mph (which admittedly isn't very often). At the point when I'm ready for my next ride, this would be a deal breaker. Replies to this message: p0926 (Apr 05, 2008 1:54 pm) kurtamaxxxguy (Apr 05, 2008 2:30 pm) kdshapiro (Apr 06, 2008 4:58 pm) tinycadon (Apr 06, 2008 6:05 pm) and 2 more...
#22 of 71 Re: New Forester [kdshapiro] by p0926 Apr 05, 2008 (1:54 pm)
Replying to: kdshapiro (Apr 05, 2008 12:36 pm) No argument here. However, my manual tranny in 5th gear also revs at about 3k when doing 70mph so I guess it could use a 6th gear -Frank
#23 of 71 Re: New Forester [kdshapiro] by kurtamaxxxguy Apr 05, 2008 (2:30 pm)
Replying to: kdshapiro (Apr 05, 2008 12:36 pm) ???. The '09 I have with Auto doesn't come anywhere near 3K rpm at 70 mph. It loafs along around 1.5K at 60 mph or so. Also, the engine responds right away if I prod the accelerator at that speed, especially if in Sport mode. Replies to this message: kdshapiro (Apr 06, 2008 4:58 pm) tinycadon (Apr 06, 2008 6:05 pm) kdshapiro (Apr 06, 2008 6:12 pm) and 1 more...