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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#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.
#44 of 71 Re: Like it but... [rasldasl] by ateixeira May 27, 2008 (7:58 am)
Replying to: rasldasl (May 24, 2008 9:32 pm) I gotta agree - that plood warms up the dash.
#45 of 71 Not good enough? by dcampagna May 29, 2008 (3:55 am)
We owned a '98 Forester which worked well for us except I hated its clutch chatter, historical rear wheel bearing problem and impending possibility of head gasket leaks (and with TWO heads!). So when we replaced the Forester recently, the clutch/bearing/gasket problems weighed heavily in my decision to not buy an '09 Forester 'cause I don't know that those problems have been solved. Therefore we bought an '08 Honda CR-V EX 4WD and absolutely LOVE IT!!!! The Forester would be SO much better if it had a Toyota or Honda drivetrain! (hint, hint) Replies to this message: kurtamaxxxguy (May 29, 2008 5:57 am) kdshapiro (May 29, 2008 7:11 am) ateixeira (May 29, 2008 9:14 am) p0926 (Jun 02, 2008 1:06 pm)
#46 of 71 Re: Not good enough? [dcampagna] by kurtamaxxxguy May 29, 2008 (5:57 am)
Replying to: dcampagna (May 29, 2008 3:55 am) The rear bearing problem was supposedly addressed and fixed a few years back, as were the timing belt, head gasket and other issues. CR-V's do have nice interior.
#47 of 71 Re: Not good enough? [dcampagna] by kdshapiro May 29, 2008 (7:11 am)
Replying to: dcampagna (May 29, 2008 3:55 am) Forester would be SO much better if it had a Toyota or Honda drivetrain! (hint, hint) The Foresters full time AWD is superior to the Toyota or Honda FWD bias on demand. The redesigned CRV is nice, but lacks punch compared to the XT.
#48 of 71 whatever works for the buyer by kurtamaxxxguy May 29, 2008 (8:37 am)
When I drove CR-V, RAV4, Forester, etc., each one had strengths and weaknesses. Motor Trend and Car and Driver (latter comparo without the new Forester) pointed variations out in more detail than I can here. It also depends on how the vehicle is used and where driven. Though in its recent supercar mountain road compario, Edmunds put the STI last, they also wrote its suspension travel would give it an advantage on rougher roads.
#49 of 71 Re: Not good enough? [dcampagna] by ateixeira May 29, 2008 (9:14 am)
Replying to: dcampagna (May 29, 2008 3:55 am) The wheel bearings changed to a new, sealed design from model year 2003 onwards. The head gasket issue was addressed in 2002. Consumer Reports reliability ratings for engines show a notable improvement under the "Engine - Major" category right around that time, confirming the new gasket material was indeed better. I find it a little strange that you didn't experience that problem in 10 years yet that's one reason you left Subaru. Congrats on your CR-V.
#50 of 71 Forester...the previous genreration by subewannabe May 29, 2008 (7:12 pm)
I enjoy the back and forth regarding the 09 re-do. Unless Subaru secretly sold out to GM without telling anyone, I just dont see how anyone can ask for a better combination of utility and performance than a Forester XT. My 04 has 57K flawless miles and counting, and still hauls all the crap, tows what it cant haul, and passes Audis like they are standing still.
#51 of 71 Wood Grain by tkay May 30, 2008 (10:02 am)
Wonder if that could be a dealer installed option. It does look a heck of lot better. The silver plastic looks pretty rank!!