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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#34 of 71 Re: XT Fuel economy [kurtamaxxxguy] by ateixeira Apr 16, 2008 (9:09 am)
Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Apr 16, 2008 8:09 am) It should be under the steering column, to the left. Open the door wide and you should see it if you peek up at the bottom of the steering column. It was that way for 1998 models, and for my sister's 2003 as well. Replies to this message: kurtamaxxxguy (Apr 20, 2008 4:32 pm) ateixeira (Apr 21, 2008 12:01 pm)
#35 of 71 Re: XT Fuel economy [ateixeira] by kurtamaxxxguy Apr 20, 2008 (4:32 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 16, 2008 9:09 am) Yes it is, centered right under the columm and just behind the leading edge of the lower dash. Thanks for tip. ...though it was kinda cheap of Subaru to leave off any kind of driver side under dash cover keeping feet from all that wiring and sharp edged brackets (there are attachment holes for one). A nice touch on the Malibu was they covered all that stuff. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Apr 21, 2008 12:01 pm)
#36 of 71 Re: XT Fuel economy [kurtamaxxxguy] by ateixeira Apr 21, 2008 (12:01 pm)
Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Apr 20, 2008 4:32 pm) I wonder if they do it on the Legacy and Tribeca, perhaps.
#37 of 71 Article note on the Turbo by kurtamaxxxguy May 11, 2008 (7:07 pm)
Everything I have been reading wrt the USA Forester suggests that yes, it did get a new turbo design for '09, apparently a Twin Scroll version that greatly improves drivability and gets rid of the old school "turbo rush". But...the Edmunds article suggested this is the same turbo used by the Outback and Legacy. Not as far as I can tell, for Subaru did not change the turbos for '08, and the Outback XTs' I drove were no way as drivable as the Forester was. In the '08 Outback, turbo power didn't kick in until around 3 - 3.5K RPM. When it did, there was a big rush from the engine that made it kinda a chore to drive in city traffic (one sample I drove was like a bucking bronco). Sometimes it took 2 or more seconds after pushing the accelerator before the car would respond, and that was in Sport Sharp! With the Forester, if the revs are around 2500 or higher, you get turbo right away, if not as big a rush at the end of the acceleration. If you push the accelerator, you get action in no less than a second or so. My guess is possibly in '09, and definitely in '10, we'll see the new turbo and other enhancements on the Outback.
#38 of 71 Full Test Available! by KarenS HOST May 15, 2008 (10:14 am)
Full Test: 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Limited
#39 of 71 Doug's comments... by ateixeira May 15, 2008 (10:29 am)
The 2009 Subaru Forester has a low step-in height and capacious headroom (I'm 6-foot-1). The instrument gauges are among the most beautiful I've ever seen, with two shades of blue. Everything within the cabin is well-placed and clearly marked, and outward visibility is great. It's got plenty of cargo room as well. The Forester has real, usable power, and corners relatively flat in spite of its tall stature. Despite some complaints made by others, the four-speed automatic delivers the power just when you need it, and it's actually pretty smooth in the manual shift mode.
#40 of 71 Good article but odd pricing comparison by kurtamaxxxguy May 15, 2008 (11:35 am)
I enjoyed the article, which seems very accurate given my experiences with my '09 XT Limited. However, the price comparisons are a little odd. If one prices the Toyota RAV4 with AWD and V6 on the Toyota website, giving it same accessories as the XT Limited, it is not $3000 less. In fact, the RAV4 comes out slightly more expensive, at around $31,000. A Honda CR-V EX-L with AWD, similarly equipped, comes out on the Honda website to around $30,000. In effect these 3 vehicles, similarly equipped, are similarly priced. The decision between these 3 vehicles seems more of what they actually are, what they do, their dealer sales/service practices, and how much they cost to own, .vs. what their initial cost is. One other point: Where did Edmunds get this info that the '08 Outback has a new turbocharger? Every Subaru dealer and service center I asked told me, other than some minor plumbing tweeks, there has been no major change to the '08 Outback turbo since '05. And my driving experiences in at least 3 '08 Outbacks showed it had far more turbo lag and "turbo rush" than the '09 Forester does. If you _like_ Turbo surge, want a plusher ride at expense of more lean in turns, and a quieter, nicer interior in lieu of back seat footroom, the '08 Outback XT may be for you. Replies to this message: ateixeira (May 15, 2008 12:07 pm) dcwestby (Jun 27, 2008 6:18 am) kurtamaxxxguy (Jun 27, 2008 7:17 am) ateixeira (Jun 30, 2008 7:25 am)
#41 of 71 Re: Good article but odd pricing comparison [kurtamaxxxguy] by ateixeira May 15, 2008 (12:07 pm)
Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (May 15, 2008 11:35 am) The thing is the Limited package basically comes loaded, while competitors make you go a-la-carte to add options. Especially Toyota.
#42 of 71 Like it but... by rasldasl May 24, 2008 (9:32 pm)
I am looking for a small SUV to replace my '07 Sentra when the lease runs out in the '10 model year. I like the Sentra and am considering the Rogue but had 2 Subies in the past so I want to give the new Forester a chance. Here are the items missing from the '09 that I would like to see on the '10 model: 1. At least another gear for the automatic. Or a CVT. 2. Push button start/keyless entry (available in Japan - why not here?) 3. Bluetooth without the need for the nav system. And while they're at it, a better looking base audio head unit. The Japanese model also has woodgrain trim on the center console that looks nice, there is too much silver plastic right now. And the jet black water-resistant fabric seats with the orange stitching down the middle are very cool looking. Japanese market interior Replies to this message: kurtamaxxxguy (May 24, 2008 10:15 pm) ateixeira (May 27, 2008 7:58 am)
#43 of 71 Re: Like it but... [rasldasl] by kurtamaxxxguy May 24, 2008 (10:15 pm)
Replying to: rasldasl (May 24, 2008 9:32 pm) possibly in 2010, rasldasi, the Forester will have what you are looking for. We shall see.