unclebuck

Anybody know about them, owned one?

Which is the best model what are they like etc?

I need something more 'practical' so I'm thinking about it, but need advice first....

cheers,

ub

slacker

dear uncle buck, the new forester hasn't won worldwide acclaim for nuttin', there are awards after awards for this excellent for value and most imprtantly super pratical SUV. i've only test driven the XT turbo (because they didn't have the STi8 in at the time) so will give you my optionion from my 30 minute test drive. Smoooooooth, comfortable, good driving position and holds well round courners when pushed.

Conclusion: if I was to buy a suv, it would be the forester turbo for price, useability on and off road and the perfomance ...just think 0-60 in 7 seconds on any road, in any forest and up mount everest !!! Lastly, it's not ugly either unlike the Mitsubishi Airtrek with turbo or not...now that is an ugly motor!

slacker

ps. how do you get the icons embedded in messages (i'm a newbie)...cheers

Mrx

edit the post and you will see this sort of thing or hyphen big D

slacker

-D if no smileys appear in this message then...doooooh

slacker

cheers mister x

unclebuck

cheers slaker. Anyone else??

The_Lizard

Isn't the Forester built on the Impreza platform? I would think a lot of bits could fir either car.

I thought the Forester looked too boxy when I was shopping in '98, I still prefer the shape of the Outback. But, they have become better-looking over the years.

They're very popular with the lesbians over here.

Oh, and thanks for the tip about the icons -D



[Edited by The_Lizard - 4/13/2003 12:49:31 PM]

[Edited by The_Lizard - 4/13/2003 12:50:36 PM]

Krud

We have owned an Impreza Turbo Wagon since 2000. In 2001 my wife bought a Forester Turbo for herself, which we both loved. When the new Forester came out in November last year, we went for a test drive out of curiosity and that was it - vast improvement over the old Forester which was pretty excellent anyway! I have to say that in most situations I enjoy driving the new one as much as the Impreza!!!! The new model does not roll on corners so much, has better brakes, feels more like an Impreza to drive, and has a better cabin.

Keith

Krud

By the way, I don't know about the appeal for English lesbians, I'll just ask the wife and see what she thinks.........

unclebuck

Are there Turbo and non-Turbo models? Or are they all turbo?

stevem2k

No there are 2.0 n/a and turbo models.

I am about to swap my bug wrx for an s-turbo ( when I can find the right one....most of them appear to be automatics )

Steve

unclebuck

I saw one on the Autotrader website that claimed it was 260bhp Is that possible from a standard vehicle?

stevem2k

yep . Jap imports can be 260bhp.

pslewis

I looked at them, drop in value faster than a droppy thing dropping quickly!! So didnt bother.

Buy a BMW X5 and keep your money safe, failing that its a RAV4 or CRV they hold their money better than a Forester and are Japanese so as reliable as a Subaru!

In the end the Forester has ZERO image and thats the only fault with it

IMHO of course!!

Pete

unclebuck

Good I'm buying, not selling.

You are joking, of course I hate those feckin' bricks that are *so* favoured by the 'Chelsea Set' and love leaving them in my dust at every opportunity

ps - you really don't have any idea about 'image' do you
You think a Stag is cool! (actually so do I)

The Forester *is* the new Impreza...

ub

stephen emery

how much they drop in the 1st year, intrested in one for wife

steve

stevem2k

pslewis ... are you sure ? The residuals are a heck of a lot stronger than the equivalent MY scoob.

2002 XT (new model) in the autotrader at 19k with 4k on the clock
2002 S-Turbo (old model) for 18k with 10k on the clock

Had to go to 100 mile search to find them too - so there's not a lot about.


Steve

Leslie

Good mate of mine has had one for at least 5 years UB and he swears by it. Must be a good car if that is the type you are looking for.

Les

Martyn Tonks

Bought myself a Forester S Turbo last year (October) at the end of the previous model run, cracking deal even managed to trade my 96 GT-B on it. I thought that I would miss the twin turbos, Ok it may be slower than the GT-B but it certainly isn't a slouch and gives most things a run for it's money, and I can get 3 Labradors in the back with ease (along with me green wellies and wax jacket. Word from my local dealer is that even on the discontinued models residuals are holding well

AJbaseBloke

Fab soft-roaders they are. Handle almost anything that the King's roads - well, the Emperors here - can dish up.

They take well to quite a few of the popular mods for Scoobs, too. The ALK works well

Personal favourite model is the CrossSports - all the nice things about std model with MUCH better suspension (admitedly tuned for road use (let's face it, how many get heavy duty off road work outs? ). Still keeps 170mm road clearance...and goes round corners with mucho composure

stevem2k

oh, and a PPP used to be available for them .. not sure if it is anymore .....


Steve

Toerag

OK, for a global view go to www.4ester.net.
I've owned 2, a 2000 GLS (2l N/A) and presently a 2001 S-turbo. Both excellent cars, although the 2l was a bit underpowered. Present 'X' model has VVT to improve fuel economy and drivability over the old 2l. Present XT has the same engine as my S-turbo. Original S-turbo had 167bhp and PPP was available to take it up to 205bhp I think. Present XT has 177bhp, no PPP available. Jap imports do NOT have 260bhp, it was 250 or 240 depending on year.
With regard to residuals, I only traded my old GLS in as the dealer had so many people waiting for second hand ones that he offered a blinding trade-in deal, so I can't see residuals being that bad, apart from the N/A 2 litre.
No known problems other than:-
rear wheel bearings on very old ones
usual juddery clutch
the outside edges of tyres wear super fast(new set needed at 15k miles!)
Performance is excellent as stated by others, saw 135 on the clock in europe, plus they're so quiet that no-one thinks your a boy racer!
Mods:- impreza stuff tends to fit as the chassis is the same, top mod is thicker rear anti-roll bar.
Hope that helps!

TelBoy

Fosters is ok. A bit weak, but not bad on a hot day.

petersen

I am lucky enough to own 6 cars if you include my rally car and have had 6 Imprezas over the years. Currently have a 01'WRX with about 300bhp and a Forester S/TB. Absolutely swear by the Forester, it is such a fantastic car, quick, safe, spacious and if you like Scoobies, then you can handle the interiors, but in terms of practical every day driving, it is superb. This one has 250bhp, 97R, and leaved most cars for dead. Remember that they weigh 1410 kgs which is the same as the current WRX or there abouts. The only issue I have is that they roll/lean over in the corners, but fit a 19ml anti-roll bar off a STI Impreza, the current one is 11ml I believe, and the drive is transformed to Impreza standards.I test drove the new XT and the feeling with a bigger anti-roll bar on the old models is the same.

Get one and you will not regret it.

Stu