Anyone gone from Impreza to Forester?
24 January 2010, 11:14 PM
#1
Anyone gone from Impreza to Forester?
Really thinking about it at the moment. Fancy the extra load space, and as they have the same engine and running gear, I could swap some of my bits over.
Although most specs say the Turbo is only 170bhp. Anyone know if its just the tuning, and if a remap will bring it back up to UK classic spec at least?
Any thoughts/experiences on this?
Although most specs say the Turbo is only 170bhp. Anyone know if its just the tuning, and if a remap will bring it back up to UK classic spec at least?
Any thoughts/experiences on this?
24 January 2010, 11:28 PM
#2
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I have a 04wrx impreza and a 53xt forester.
The forester is the everyday car and is alot more practical for the 3 kids and a dog! It is plenty quick enough and doesn't handle too bad but its no impreza. Go test drive one and see what you think.
It all depends what you want a car to do:
If you young free and single then id stick with the impreza
If you have 3 kids, a dog, and want a bit more comfort - get a forester
Or work your @r$e off and have both!
Dan
The forester is the everyday car and is alot more practical for the 3 kids and a dog! It is plenty quick enough and doesn't handle too bad but its no impreza. Go test drive one and see what you think.
It all depends what you want a car to do:
If you young free and single then id stick with the impreza
If you have 3 kids, a dog, and want a bit more comfort - get a forester
Or work your @r$e off and have both!
Dan
24 January 2010, 11:37 PM
#3
Couldn't have both, the other car has always got to be fairly sensible, and economical.
Considering it for when I have 3 kids, only the one so far.
Like the idea of being able to chuck a wardrobe in the back.
What do you think of the height difference? I know its not as big as say a Range Rover, but thats another reason I'm liking it.
Considering it for when I have 3 kids, only the one so far.
Like the idea of being able to chuck a wardrobe in the back.
What do you think of the height difference? I know its not as big as say a Range Rover, but thats another reason I'm liking it.
25 January 2010, 07:27 AM
#5
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Marky went from an STI to a FSTI.
When he had finished Tinkering it was over 425 Dyno Tested.
Car Planet, Litchfields & Foresters (Bilston) do intersting Foresters.
Regards
AM
When he had finished Tinkering it was over 425 Dyno Tested.
Car Planet, Litchfields & Foresters (Bilston) do intersting Foresters.
Regards
AM
25 January 2010, 08:13 AM
#6
Had both and I'm running the Spec D while the runaround is a 2.0 NA 08 Forester.
The fozzy has a wide open hatch but no more storage inside than a wagon. Its also about 6" higher off the ground, so its not a full on off-roader but was perfect in the bad weather earlier in the month.
The 170 hp turbo can be retuned to Impreza level quite easily, but the full list of mods needed depends on what Foz model you are starting with.
Nick
The fozzy has a wide open hatch but no more storage inside than a wagon. Its also about 6" higher off the ground, so its not a full on off-roader but was perfect in the bad weather earlier in the month.
The 170 hp turbo can be retuned to Impreza level quite easily, but the full list of mods needed depends on what Foz model you are starting with.
Nick
25 January 2010, 09:07 AM
#7
I have done the Forester and Legacy. Have a look in my pics.
STI Foggy with Litcho's Performance Pack was
330/330 
The Legacy was fantastic. German build quality and very quick for a big old barge, it was an Import so was 280 BHP out of the box, again from Litcho's.
STI Foggy with Litcho's Performance Pack was
330/330 The Legacy was fantastic. German build quality and very quick for a big old barge, it was an Import so was 280 BHP out of the box, again from Litcho's.
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25 January 2010, 09:12 AM
#8
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I did once think of the Impreza to Forester swap ... the miserable residuals of the Forester stopped me in my tracks, to be honest.
Buying a 3 year old one, after the savage depreciation, would be the only sensible way to go IMO.
Buying a 3 year old one, after the savage depreciation, would be the only sensible way to go IMO.
25 January 2010, 09:48 AM
#9
think most of us have been there and some took the plunge. i was always told that even with the ast's they could still feel a little boaty due the the higher clearence and were not to be as much fin as the impreza but one day i will still take the plunge and have one as an family everyday car and my sti 5 in the garage for the weekends
? You'd think I'd be happy with 2 scoobs and a Volvo estate for lugging stuff.
25 January 2010, 10:32 AM
#11
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Go halfway - STi Wagon. All the fun of an Impreza with most of the practicality of a Fozza.
Only downside is they stopped making them after 2001.
Only downside is they stopped making them after 2001.
25 January 2010, 12:17 PM
#12
Thanks for the replies guys.
Spent a while on the Forester forum last night, and really do fancy one. Not sure if its a phase or not, as I still love my Scooby.
Not really keen on the Legacy at all, and to me Wagons just look wrong (sorry guys).
So the Forester seems ideal. I never buy new, or even newish cars, so would be looking at something around the 2001 range, and a UK spec. Then would chuck a couple of hundred at it, brakes, interior, remap.
Black seems quite a common colour in them, which I like, but been told they look a bit like a hearse.
Spent a while on the Forester forum last night, and really do fancy one. Not sure if its a phase or not, as I still love my Scooby.
Not really keen on the Legacy at all, and to me Wagons just look wrong (sorry guys).
So the Forester seems ideal. I never buy new, or even newish cars, so would be looking at something around the 2001 range, and a UK spec. Then would chuck a couple of hundred at it, brakes, interior, remap.
Black seems quite a common colour in them, which I like, but been told they look a bit like a hearse.
25 January 2010, 12:27 PM
#13
Thanks for the replies guys.
Spent a while on the Forester forum last night, and really do fancy one. Not sure if its a phase or not, as I still love my Scooby.
Not really keen on the Legacy at all, and to me Wagons just look wrong (sorry guys).
So the Forester seems ideal. I never buy new, or even newish cars, so would be looking at something around the 2001 range, and a UK spec. Then would chuck a couple of hundred at it, brakes, interior, remap.
Black seems quite a common colour in them, which I like, but been told they look a bit like a hearse.
Spent a while on the Forester forum last night, and really do fancy one. Not sure if its a phase or not, as I still love my Scooby.
Not really keen on the Legacy at all, and to me Wagons just look wrong (sorry guys).
So the Forester seems ideal. I never buy new, or even newish cars, so would be looking at something around the 2001 range, and a UK spec. Then would chuck a couple of hundred at it, brakes, interior, remap.
Black seems quite a common colour in them, which I like, but been told they look a bit like a hearse.
You swine Classic wagons FTW
But I'd drive the ...
SUBARU FORESTER 2.5 XT PRODRIVE PACK in White at SlipEnd...
25 January 2010, 12:37 PM
#16
Fifth Gears track comparison between the Hawkeye STi and the Forester STi. 
Subaru Impreza STI vs Forester STI
Subaru Impreza STI vs Forester STI
25 January 2010, 12:47 PM
#17
28 December 2010, 11:51 PM
#22
Scooby Regular
This is my JDM Fozza S/tb running 310/305 on a home built fully forged CDB with vf24 @ 1.4bar & sitting on impreza struts. Goes like stink & handles not to bad either.
29 December 2010, 08:02 AM
#24
Scooby Regular
I didn't put impreza struts on it, it came over from japan like it. Does sit at a perfect height.
29 December 2010, 09:17 AM
#25
Joey here is mine, again i was looking for a uk car but the more i looked into it the jap S/TB as normal with the jap versions comes better spec'd with around 240bhp or so i am told as standard, climate control, elec sunroof, folding elec mirrors, full leather and more that i have no doubt forgot
mine is running on newage sti suspension and 4 pots both off and impreza. ok the load space is similar to a wagon but you do sit a little higher up which is nice. the handling is fine, surprising actually, not as good as an impreza but hey, pop it in drive and away you go, its comfortable, shifts when you need to get out on a junction and then just sit back and rock to the shops or work. would like to try a 06 sti one day but for now this will do.
as for mods ect, i have heard that the cams in the forester area softer then the impreza hence when they do have a little tweaking they don't make the same power but remember its not meant to be an impreza. i have also been told by a known mapper on here that the ecu's are weak and can fail so i decided its not worth fitting anything after market as the ecu alone will be worth near on the value of the car and just to rock it as is. if you are local you are more then welcome to give it a spin and see what you think.
best of luck
mine is running on newage sti suspension and 4 pots both off and impreza. ok the load space is similar to a wagon but you do sit a little higher up which is nice. the handling is fine, surprising actually, not as good as an impreza but hey, pop it in drive and away you go, its comfortable, shifts when you need to get out on a junction and then just sit back and rock to the shops or work. would like to try a 06 sti one day but for now this will do.
as for mods ect, i have heard that the cams in the forester area softer then the impreza hence when they do have a little tweaking they don't make the same power but remember its not meant to be an impreza. i have also been told by a known mapper on here that the ecu's are weak and can fail so i decided its not worth fitting anything after market as the ecu alone will be worth near on the value of the car and just to rock it as is. if you are local you are more then welcome to give it a spin and see what you think.
best of luck
29 December 2010, 01:11 PM
#27
Its a normal sun roof mate if i am right it was the uk model that got the full roof.
Im based in maidenhead, Berkshire or windsor as from Jan. You are more then welcome to pop over and drive it for yourself, it's just a car at the end of the day.
All the best
Im based in maidenhead, Berkshire or windsor as from Jan. You are more then welcome to pop over and drive it for yourself, it's just a car at the end of the day.
All the best
30 December 2010, 05:37 PM
#28
I've an FSTI (2007) in black.. looks nice..
Ride is quite a lot firmer than some of the older STI's (I still own a 1999 STI5) and have owned a 2004 WRX..
I've not driven something as practical.. it doesnt have a large amount of rear leg room but has plenty of rear room when you put the rear seats down.. enough to transport a USA style double fridge freezer!
I've only ever had one problem with it and that was fixed for a part that cost about £10.... so really no issues in the 3+ years we've had it so far.. I cant imagine an older one being much worse
Saying that I dont think I could live with the non-sporty looking UK versions..
I live near Heathrow - you can check out the FSTI anytime...
Ride is quite a lot firmer than some of the older STI's (I still own a 1999 STI5) and have owned a 2004 WRX..
I've not driven something as practical.. it doesnt have a large amount of rear leg room but has plenty of rear room when you put the rear seats down.. enough to transport a USA style double fridge freezer!
I've only ever had one problem with it and that was fixed for a part that cost about £10.... so really no issues in the 3+ years we've had it so far.. I cant imagine an older one being much worse
Saying that I dont think I could live with the non-sporty looking UK versions..
I live near Heathrow - you can check out the FSTI anytime...
Last edited by Fangoria; 30 December 2010 at 05:39 PM.
30 December 2010, 09:25 PM
#29
Thanks for the offers Stevie and Fangoria. I'll consider it if I'm round your way
I've been checking the Foresters on ebay once a week. If my insurance renewal in Feb is crazy, even with my full NCB, that'll be the pushing point for me to go with a Fozzy.
I'd imagine they are a fair bit cheaper on insurance, aren't they?
I've been checking the Foresters on ebay once a week. If my insurance renewal in Feb is crazy, even with my full NCB, that'll be the pushing point for me to go with a Fozzy.
I'd imagine they are a fair bit cheaper on insurance, aren't they?
