Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

If I were looking for something more descrete than my last Impreza, is a Forester worth considering?

Has anyone had one, lived with one, etc??

I've got a test drive booked and wondered how different from a say a standard MY99 UK Impreza it is is?

There are obvious things like addition passenger space, bigger boot, but all adding extra weight to the de-tune Impreza engine.

Thanks in advance
Andy

john banks

How about a Legacy B4?

The Forester would have about half the power of what your Impreza had before you sold it?

How about an Impreza with Sport Bonnet, low or no spoiler, sport sticker, and a FMIC and VF whatever is in fashion at the time? I am not taking the rip - would seriously consider last option if I lived in a hassly area.

[Edited by john banks - 2/2/2002 12:49:22 PM]

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Impreza or not, I'm not happy with the attention my car drew and the paranoia about parking in anywhere!

Andy yes the Forester will only have half the power of my last car, but I have plans!!

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

Uh ho...

IanW

Looks like a lesson in Tarting up a Forrester is going to be comming up then!

Sbradley

I had a Forester S Turbo for a year before my 1st Impreza. It is one of the best cars I have ever had, partly because it was sooo comfortable and had all the toys to keep the family amused. Mainly, though, because it went like stink but nobody expected it to

Handling was pretty good although there was (relatively) a lot of body roll. No more than the 94 Legacy Turbo I had before, though. It obviously wasn't as fast as the Impreza but went a whole lot better than it looked. Excellent interior, with lots of nice convenience features and more oddment storage than an oddment storage factory.

Downside?

A little (!) thirsty. Looked a trifle hearse-like.

I'd have another tomorrow. Except that I prefer my WRX

I take it you *do* know that there is an STi version which David Hendry imports? Limited colours and slushmatic only, but may be worth a thought? Otherwise Prodrive do things to them as well. And I'm sure Mr Croney could oblige, too

SB

rsquire

They are the same platform as an Impreza...

ergo....

fit the right bits

KevMac

Had one for the last three years and loved it to bits (especially the look on BMW owners faces as it pulled away)

Latest engine has 177BHP and 181 lb of torque.

But Subaru are announcing brand bew Forester based on new WRX next week.

See these on Subaru Jap site.





Spy art from MagX



New Forester goes on view at Chicago and Toronto Auto shows this month and Geneva on March 17.

On sale in summer in Japan and in the Europe in November.

I’m selling my Forester at the moment and am in a quandry over getting a current Forester Turbo until new car goes on sale or get a WRX until then.

Get 18 inch STi sway bar for Forester - it cures nearly all of the roll

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

SB,

More thirsty than say a standard Impreza?? What sort of MPG are we talking about?

I was getting low to mid-twenties with the Impreza (MY99 standard ECU with exhaust and filter)

KevMac,

Do you mean the 18mm rollbar?

Things like normal (Impreza) suspension, solid drop links and a thicker anti-roll bar will help I guess!

Thanks for all the other information
Andy

Krud

Andy

Did not speak to you long enough today to find out you were considering Foresting!!! We have both Forester and Impreza Turbos and you can have a serious laff with the Forester! Be pleased to answer any specific comparisons if you wish to mail me. Would be nice to return the favour after your help in the past.

Keith

nigelward

The clutch judders the same way as an Impreza's too,

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Keith,

You have mail!!

Thanks
Andy

Butty

iTrader: (2)

Andy,
I have had a Jap grey Forester STB for over a year and loved every minute.
It has same output as MY97 WRX estate (quoted anything from 240-260 bhp)so is already more developed than UK model.
The interior is the same as the MY98-00, so there are many common items inside and under the bonnet.
Tuning is much the same as an Imprezza for minor items.

It is a real Q car but can do 01-00 runs in 18 secs and 1/4 mile sprints in 15.5, so it is snapping on the heels of the Imprezza, yet will move the grass cuttings to the dump on a Sunday morning.

The engine can probably be pushed further but I have only come across MRT doing any gear, although I am going to try a Dawes device on it.

The handling is the worst point, but can be helped with thicker rear ARB straight off an STi, with lowering springs off the existing Forester STi.

All in all, its like driving a wobbly Imprezza, with slightly less grunt but pretty incognito. Well worth a go.

Nick

RB5SCOTT

After speaking to you today Andy.............You DO have plans

Scott, i wanna see this one

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Nick,

Is it an automatic? I heard all the Japanese high powered ones were. I'm not keen on automatics!

Well you saw me lift the power on a 215bhp UK car, so it's more of a challenge with a 177bhp car!! I love a challenge!!

Andy

clarence

The S-tb version of the Jap Forester comes in manual as standard. It has 240ps from MY99 onwards (250ps at time of launch).

AJbaseBloke

Andy, if you are intending some fun extras - there was a STI Type M (for manual) version. Got 4 pots, lightweight 17inch rims (Rays/STI), etc.

Some nice tweaks - may cut some corners on the way to glory for you.

Cheers

Shark

I had an Auto S Turbo inbetween Impreza's. I thought it was a great car - provided you didn't expect to much, after all it's not as quick as the Impreza.

David

DrEvil

OMG Andy are the 2.5 children on the way

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

DrEvil,

you can borrow it when you like, as you and Milly are due to have kids before us!!!

Anyway I mentioned the idea to Bob Rawle and he seems confident that something can be done!!!

Andy

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Paul,

Shut it!!

Let's see you smile when you get blown away by the 'Tarty Tango School Run Bus'

Andy

PS - How are you mate?

Butty

iTrader: (2)

Andy,
I believe that Park Lane motors in Southampton? have a good stock of grey import Foresters.
Worth a look if your heart is not set on a UK one.
There do not seem to be hard and fast rules as to which ones have an autochanger as I have seen an STB and TTB with these, although most are manuals.

Nick

Markus

Of course one could always go for the Forrester S/Tb which is a jap import, and I think STi spec, or if not I'm sure I've seen an STi spec Forrester. Think it's fairly subtle

KevMac

See new Forester pic just revealed here.

http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/bbs/thread.asp?threadid=70413

Toerag

I've an S-turbo, and yes, they are good. You will get body roll, but once it's leant into the corner then you can squeal the tyres nicely! With regard to power mods, I think the headroom is less than an impreza as the turbo is smaller. Boost does come in lower down though, so you can get going quickly without having to go mad with the revs. The Jap spec versions are much faster, look up the post on the forester forum on i-club by 'Obi' for more info. Most owners first mod is the rear swaybar, 18 or 20mm is popular along with solid endlinks. I've not driven an impreza turbo, so I can't compare, but I suggest you drive one to see if you like it. The big boot and extra ground clearance is the only reason I chose it over an impreza, if you don't need the ground clearance then impreza suspension fits straight on. Look at www.foresterperformance.fanspace.com for more info. As the Forester is basically a GC8 impreza with a different shell then most mods for the impreza apply. However, prodrive have stopped doing the WRsport kit as there wasn't enough of a power hike compared to the 'after facelift' 175bhp engine. No-one else does specific forester engine mods AFAIK. The after facelift model has more power, wider rear track and lots of interior tweaks.
Toerag
EDIT: I get around 230 miles from full to warning light on hard ultra-urban driving (speed limit 35mph here!), I have seen 300 miles when running in though.


[Edited by Toerag - 2/4/2002 10:29:27 AM]

Sith

LOL @ DrEvil. Could the world handle little Tango's running round.

P.

Eddited to correct smiley and to say CORNER.

[Edited by Sith - 2/4/2002 11:22:36 PM]