scoobynutta555

Just looking about at the moment for a tow vehicle for a 1.5T digger. Had a brief look at braked tow weights and this seems to be within the threshold for a Forester.

Anyone car to share any info about the Forester as an everyday 'car' and a tower? I'm looking for a turbo model at 4k or under. Many seem to have high miles unlike Imprezas at the same age. Anyone been light off roading in them, can they be run AT tyres?

Was going to get a defender but was put off by the many scare stories about reliability and mpg was low 20's.

scoobynutta555

Anyone even own a Forester on here?

NotoriousREV

Yup, we have a Forester, but don't tow with it and have never been off-road with it either. Mine's the non-turbo automatic version.

As an every day car it's brilliant. Loads of space, very comfortable, good motorway cruiser and no problems in 18 months. The handling is roly-poly but it grips forever even if the comedy balloon tyres do move around a lot.

The MPG on ours is pretty low, 25mpg average. The Turbo's are no worse, though.

compshack

We have a Forester 2.5XT, great car, as above cornering is very wallowy. As for towing it has the power, the rated highest tow weight is 2000Kgs on the 2.5. We tow a caravan @ 1500kgs and I wouldn't like to tow much more weight. In a strong wind the cars being pulled about abit. Fuel economy is a joke we set off from Cornwall last year with a full tank and had to stop twice before gettin home in Lancashire.
As a everyday car my wife loves it, it's very fast for it's image, left a few startled people at the lights before now

Dracoro

Remember the law regarding towing. Something along the lines of the car being 120% (or similar, I can't remember) of what's being towed.

So, to tow a 1.5 ton (+300kg for the trailer?) digger, you need a vehicle weighing at least 2 tons I'm afraid so you can't use a Forrester.

scoobynutta555

Was thinking it would be on the absolute limit for towing. Maybe something like an Isuzu or mitsubishi pick up would be better suited.

Shark Man

Forrester is rated at 1800kg for a braked trailer. (2.0 turbo) If in doubt check the vin plate

new shape ones are rated up to 2000kg (2.0 turbo/2.5)

DMC12

The Forester is well regarded by the Caravan Club as a good tow car. You can legally tow upto the max tow limit of the vehicle however it is recommended that the trailer is only 85% of the kerb weight of the tow car. (Otherwise it's a bit like the tail wagging the dog.) The kerb weight of the Forester is around 1500kg. If I was towing ~1800kg I'd want to be in a big heavy 4WD.

Also be aware of the nose weight limits (i.e. max veritical load on coupling). The Forester's is 75kg or 80kg depending on model.

Steve

MarkCSC

I've got one, a 97 S/tb. However I'm no help as I've never towed with it although I have been offroad which was bloody horrid with lowered springs and adjustable suspension

As said 1800kg is the limit but I soooo wouldn't want to do it. Get an old Shogun.

Have a look on http://www.subaruforester.org/ for more Forester stuff though.