CD Article: Subaru Forester, 2003-2006

[CD_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
Used Vehicle Review:

2003-and-later Subaru Foresters have proven reliable and fun-to-drive because of their Impreza-based platform and low centre of gravity, reports Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.   An optional turbocharged engine introduced in 2004 XT models dramatically improved acceleration. Forester resale values are high - on par with the Honda CR-V - so it's not likely you'll find any cheap deals.  
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[Leviathan]

The best way to describe the Forester might be to liken it to a sexy librarian: reserved on the outside, but a lot of fun once you get acquainted.

Really now? I may need to git me a library card then 

[The Mighty Duck]

Cue AVT: I still miss my Forester.    Which is, in itself, a testament to the vehicle, I think.  An SUV that comes with that kind of recommendation must be good.  And this is one of the few SUVs in its class that offers real AWD, not "on demand".

[AVToller]

Gee, sometimes I still ... oh, you know. 

[quadzilla]

Natural Resources Canada fuel consumption ratings ranged from 11.4 to 13 L/100 km in the city and 8.5 to 9.3 L/100 km on the highway for the XT, while ratings for non-turbo Foresters went from 10.4 to 11.3 L/100 km city and 8.3 to 9.3 L/100 km on the highway.

I think that is a typo as the non-turbo should have better mileage than that, at least for highway.

I've always liked the Forester but thought it was priced about 2-3G too high when new. They do make a good used buy though.

[inco]

I hate to admit it but I like ours too. It's an 03 and so far only tires have been an issue, but same problem existed on 99 we had before.

This year it's due to be replaced but I don't know what the boss wants yet and my advice doesn't matter.

[johngenx]

We're coming on three years and 80K (160K total) on our 2001 Forester, and it's been reliable and needed very little in the way of repairs.  Service costs are not too bad.  My observations...

1. Eats tires!  The AWD?  Whatever, it sure uses up the rubber.  Nope, not an alignment problem, etc.  They just wear out fast.  I also tend to buy tires based on performance, not life, so that is my fault, but the Forester uses them up quickly.
2. Wind noise takes getting used to.  Jeez, this thing is noisy!  I spend all week in the Mercedes, hop in the Subaru, and it sounds like I'm at a rock concert.  Yeah, the MB is quiet, very quiet, but the Forester could be a little better.
3. Parts, when needed, are $$$$$!  No, not Porsche/exotic priced, but quite a bit more than the Mercedes.  Thank goodness it has needed so few of them.
4. Dealerships still suck.  No improvements in my area.
5. The paint on the bumpers could be more durable.  We haven't hit anything, or even nudged anything, but it shows signs of wear.
6. The plastic hood-guard accessory is NOT RATED for speeds above 180km/h.  Oops.
7. In town mileage is almost always 10.0L/100km.  Highway is all over the map, depending on wind, speed and roof-rack-load.  Recently, we went to Fernie and back, and got an terrible 9.5-10.5L/100km on the HIGHWAY!  Strong winds, ski-box on top (an immediate 1.5-2.0L/100km penalty) and no slower than 125 km/h  really sucked the go-juice.  However, our friends in their (99) 4-Runner got 17L/100km in the same conditions, so we felt pretty good.  "Normal" highway driving is ~8.0L/100km, and we've got as low as 7.0 using the cruise notched to the posted limit.
8. The stereo, with an in-dash CD-changer is nice, but even the upgraded speakers (factory upgrade) sound like crap.  Are the 03+ systems better?  Hope so.
9. The AT shifts great and is nice and smooth around town, but the ratios are a little off, with 3 and 4 being too close.  4 could be taller and it would be fine.
10. Brake pedal feel is too soft for my liking, but I find this true of all non-German products.  I love the rock hard and super-sensitive pedal in the MB.  Same for the steering.  MB's steering is "stiff" and rock solid, where the Scoob is much lighter.  If feels "weak" to me.
12.  Aside from pedal feel, braking performance on slick surfaces is incredible.  It's no match for the MB on dry (yup, same tires!) but on ice/snow/wet, the Scoob is well balanced and brakes like velcro.  The Blizzaks are a big part of that, of course, but I think the weight distribution and low CG (and low overall weight) combine to enhance the braking ability.

This is our third Scoob, and I doubt our last.

[Julie]

....but I don't know what the boss wants yet and my advice doesn't matter.

 

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Thanks for the review John. A Forester will probably never fit into our car plans (we can only have so many cars....  ), but I like them a lot, and I think your red one looks great! (love the color, love the large windows and everything about that 2001 body style. Much more than the current generation style  )