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2009 Subaru Forester mileage reports

154 messages,  Last post on Jan 28, 2011 at 12:01 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Wagon

Messages Page 15 of 17

#132 of 154 Re: July 4th [gimmestdtranny] by xwesx

Jan 13, 2011 (7:46 pm)

Replying to: gimmestdtranny (Jan 13, 2011 5:17 pm)
Other than her occasional need to belligerently run off from time to time (I think it is the husky in her - she's a racing (Alaska) husky & yellow lab cross), she is a great pup. I can't believe she's ten years old now.
 
The trees are birch (Betula papyrifera), almost exclusively. There are some mature white and black spruce on that plot as well, but not so much in that particular frame. Poplar and aspen is also prevalent in the area, it just didn't get a foothold on the couple of acres I own.
 
My car is a 2010, purchased September 2009. I swapped out the factory oils with synthetic lube in the transmission and differentials, as well as engine, when I first brought it back to Fairbanks (purchased it in Seattle and drove it up). If it had the factory oils in it, I would likely lose another couple MPG during the winter! Still, if it is cold, the economy suffers. Last month was pretty nippy: The average temperature for the month was -17.8 F, with the maximum low -41F on 12/15 with ten days' lows at -30F or lower. So far this month, though, which tends to be colder, the average temp is 7.8 F. That said, the temp is dropping! This morning it was -23 F.
 
Our first Subaru was purchased ten-point-five years ago, and it was a 1996 Outback. We had it until 12/30/2006 and quickly replaced it with a 2007 Outback. That car was sold five months later after we found out we were having a second baby. We then purchased a 2008 Outback for a trip then sold it when we returned home (saved us some money versus flying and renting, and it was much more fun!). After that, we were Subaru-free for a couple years until our minivan bit the big one and my wife wanted another Subaru (which is the 2010 Forester).
 
You can get an AWD minivan, but only one if I recall correctly: The Sienna offers AWD on the LE and XLE models. Chrysler eliminated the AWD option in favor of Stow-N-Go seating after the 2004 model year. I completely agree with you about minivan seating position. My first vehicle, which I still have, was a 1969 Ford Econoline and I still love that thing. I have a soft spot for vans; I am a practical person, and vans are remarkably practical.
 
I don't know if the Legacy is lower than the Impreza, but the Impreza sits pretty low, much like other small cars in its class. It also does not have much storage space. I have not been in a new Legacy.
 
As far as racing goes... I only race around in the winter! I love winter driving, and I get to do it for six months a year here. The best part about it is that I can "race around" during the winter without even having to go fast (e.g., in excess of the speed limit in most cases).

#133 of 154 Re: July 4th [gimmestdtranny] by ateixeira

Jan 14, 2011 (9:03 am)

Replying to: gimmestdtranny (Jan 13, 2011 1:48 pm)
Yep, Power Retractable Hard Top.
 
The guy from CNET was funny, he tried to pronounce "PHRT" and made it sound like flatulence.
 
Manual of course! 6 speed, sport pack with limited-slip and Bilsteins.
 
OK, for me, at least:
 
* Impreza is a compact hatchback
 
* Forester is a roomy box, offering near mid-size space. Love the moonroof, tall cargo area, reclining rear seats, plus tons of ground clearance and best approach/departue angles (25 degrees for both). A/C is fine in my experience.
 
* Outback is a tad more upscale, more comfy, longer cargo space but not as tall and upright. Better transmission choices, but pricier.

#134 of 154 Re: July 4th [xwesx] by ateixeira

Jan 14, 2011 (9:06 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 13, 2011 4:23 pm)
I don't know about the actual numbers) than the Forester.
 
It's been a while but I recall the Forester has a very slight edge over the Outback in total interior volume, but much of it is due to the tall roof.
 
17.8 mpg
 
Don't think of it that way, you had 3 axles. That's like getting 26.7 mpg on 2 axles. LOL

#135 of 154 Re: July 4th [xwesx] by ateixeira

Jan 14, 2011 (9:08 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 13, 2011 7:46 pm)
Correct, Sienna is the only AWD minivan now, and you are forced to get the awful run-flat tires, which are pricey and don't last very long.

#136 of 154 Re: July 4th [xwesx] by gimmestdtranny

Jan 14, 2011 (9:27 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 13, 2011 7:46 pm)
Isn't it a Husky's duty to take off on a gallivanting romp from time to time?? lol
 
In seeing your temps, i think your area is colder than here. We get temps like that, but i get the feeling not as often. I've seen a -40 twice in 10 years. -35 about 7 times, -30 probably 40 times.
Last night, that 11.2 became 1.3 only a few hours later. I see we hit -.4 at 730 this morning. This has been a very mild winter for us so far. In fact that is our coldest night since last winter. I have seen -23 in Nov a few years ago, and that was before we got any snow. But that was very VERY rare. There were many frozen water pipes that year.
 
AWD minivans...yes, only the Sienna, and they are way too hard on gas. Apparently the 2WD are not too bad, but just like the Caravan, GM's Safari, Ford's Aerostar and Mazda's MPV (did you get those?) as soon as you go AWD, mileage drops about 40%. A huge hit. Far greater than the hit a vehicle like the CRV or Ford Escape, Rav4 takes when u go AWD. I am just amazed that one of the brands didn't offer a turbo diesel with one of those AWD minivans. Chrysler would have been a good choice. Use that wonderful 3 litre V6 MBenz engine that they use to offer in the Gr Cherokee. Talk about a doit all vehicle, and enjoy an honest 30 (your gallon) mpg in all climates.
 
I too like winter driving! I have done a lot of it though and more miles in my big truck than most other means. I don't like the salt tho. I wish they would use more sand. Here, they salt it till they get it down to the pavement, and if it is too cold, then they are using that calcium chloride crap that eats metal so fast you can almost sit there and watch it work when the sun comes out and heats it up on the car. I actually avoid the roads they use that stuff on. And if some day I can't, I wash my car when i get home. (I installed hot and cold outside water lines just for that job).
 
btw, I sorta lost you here?
"and quickly replaced it with a 2007 Outback. That car was sold five months later after we found out we were having a second baby. We then purchased a 2008 Outback for a trip then sold it when we returned home "
 
You only kept the 07 for 5 mo but bought an 08 the next yr? That part I lost ya..

#137 of 154 Re: July 4th [ateixeira] by gimmestdtranny

Jan 14, 2011 (9:42 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 14, 2011 9:08 am)
run flats..
 
I didn't know that, but I am not in the market for an AWD Sienna. Just way too expensive, altho i think they do offer the 4 cyl AWD finally with the new one.
But if I am going to spend that much money, I need to be able to justify way better down the road FE.
 
But in knowing that about the run flats, let's say I was about to go with the AWD Sienna, and then i discovered I had to buy runflats? That would have been a DEAL-BREAKER. I hate them. I don't even like the basic psi monitoring systems. They screw up, are expensive to service, have to be working if you resell the car etc etc etc. I am getting so that I don't like anything mfgrs do to take more responsibility away from car ownership. I have encouraged family and friends to do the visual anytime they are walking around the car...even if on one side as the walk up to it from shopping. Next the 'thumb test' and/or the hand feel temp test. I like that one best as you can feel the warmer tire than the rest. And of course use a tire press gauge bi-monthly. It just isn't that crippling a chore.
 
You know, I am really not liking the direction that tech is taking in the last 6+ years. I have no use for drive-by-wire, these psi monitoring systems, traction control, or anything that can actually park itself! etc
 
Vehicles are becoming so technically advanced that they can actually be produced, yet not be repaired or troubleshot. There is way too much dependence built upon the computer, both is operation of the car and in a mechanic hooking up to the car.
 
Sometimes I think I was born at least one generation too late. In a more perfect world, Id be kicking off soon.
 
I guess that sounds morbid... haha - nevermind..I think u probably know what I was getting at..

#138 of 154 Re: July 4th [gimmestdtranny] by ateixeira

Jan 14, 2011 (10:05 am)

Replying to: gimmestdtranny (Jan 14, 2011 9:42 am)
The real problem is even with the few available manual trannys, you often have to get a base model to get it.
 
At least you get a good back-to-basics option.

#139 of 154 Re: July 4th [gimmestdtranny] by xwesx

Jan 14, 2011 (10:26 am)

Replying to: gimmestdtranny (Jan 14, 2011 9:27 am)
You only kept the 07 for 5 mo but bought an 08 the next yr? That part I lost ya..
 
Yes, it was somewhat odd, I know, but here's the story (trying to brief, which is not my strong suit!):
 
Wrecked the '96 on 12/30/06, then purchased the '07 on 1/7/2007. Three weeks later, we found out we were having another child, which essentially meant my wife would stop working again and back to one income. Since we are also building a house right now (out of pocket), having a car payment would mean little-to-no funds for house-building, so we decided to sell it and get an old beater instead. So, we found the minivan (98 DGC AWD), and finally sold the Subaru in June.
 
Come September, just before our daughter was born, we decided to go on a trip to Oregon in order visit family and to take my grandparents' truck (pulling a bunch of other stuff) down there to my mother(that's another story altogether!). The trip down was free, but we had to make our way back to Alaska on our own dime.
 
So, I weighed my options and decided to buy another Subaru in Seattle, use it for the balance of our trip, and then sell it in Fairbanks upon our return (Subaru is a popular vehicle here, so it is not hard to sell one used for the same price you can buy new in more open markets). That's just what we did, and it worked out very well.
 
Unfortunately, the economy tanked right about the time we came home (November 2007), so I had a little harder time selling it than I anticipated, but we still were able to sell it for the same price we paid for it, which means the trip cost us:
 
fuel
five hotel nights through CA (driving is slow with a newborn!)
four months of interest on the car payments
four months of insurance
 
It worked out to be $200 less than a car rental for ~3 weeks and airfare would have cost us.
 
Here's a visual representation:
 

 

#140 of 154 Re: July 4th [xwesx] by ateixeira

Jan 14, 2011 (10:28 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 14, 2011 10:26 am)
That's quite a story, did you tell it in CCB?

#141 of 154 Re: July 4th [gimmestdtranny] by xwesx

Jan 14, 2011 (10:29 am)

Replying to: gimmestdtranny (Jan 14, 2011 9:42 am)
Vehicles are becoming so technically advanced that they can actually be produced, yet not be repaired or troubleshot. There is way too much dependence built upon the computer, both is operation of the car and in a mechanic hooking up to the car.
 
I agree. In many ways, the are catering to those who are to lazy to actually drive or maintain a vehicle.
 
While the traction control systems can be helpful on occasion, they often create more problems than they solve in my experience.

Messages Page 15 of 17

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