Topic: My 2009 Subaru Forester: 20,000 km UPDATE

[airbalancer]

 

[carcrazy]

To answer:

I have few questions about the crossbars:
1. Are they noisy at high speeds?   A little bit but not objectionable
2. Are they both front and rear the same size?  They seem to be
3. Do they install in a specific position?  No, they can be slid along the rails.  They come with a special torx (sp?) driver to do the adjustments
4. Is there any "Subaru" branding writing on them?  No, they have no visible identification on them.

If you like, I can take closer up pictures of them for you.  And of the rear step pad for AB too if necessary   

Thanks Trainman. No need for extra pictures.

[jamie1]

Nice unit. Always liked Subaru. Had a 90 Legacy. Was a 2wd but was an awsome car. Never should have sold it in 94 to buy my 94 Dodge Ram.

[The Mighty Duck]

The crossbars really complete the look of the car.    I wish Subaru would give us a Forester STi...    Or even the XT with a manual tranny.

[Trainman]

A link to my tire thread:

http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,59483.0.html

To answer:

I have few questions about the crossbars:
1. Are they noisy at high speeds?   A little bit but not objectionable
See Update below2. Are they both front and rear the same size?  They seem to be
3. Do they install in a specific position?  No, they can be slid along the rails.  They come with a special torx (sp?) driver to do the adjustments
4. Is there any "Subaru" branding writing on them?  No, they have no visible identification on them.

If you like, I can take closer up pictures of them for you.  And of the rear step pad for AB too if necessary   

Thanks Trainman. No need for extra pictures.

An update:  When I took the rails off, there did not seem to be any difference but when I read the instructions the dealer put into the glovebox, yes it turns out there is a slight size difference front to back.

[safristi]

 Trainman OFF tha Rails,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,)h well it coulda been the WAGON..................remember ta STEER Butch..................

[carcrazy]

Trainman: I don't know if you recall me suggesting you to cover the rear flares of the Forester in 3M clear film to prevent the paint chips, but it seems like the Forester owners had started to notice the issue already and the winter is not even here. I know you drive a lot off-pavement so you may even experience this issue more.
Check out the "2009 Forester" thread on Edmunds forum (page 126-127).
They are also talking there about a Subaru TSB related to this issue but I haven't seen the TSB yet so I don't know details.
I thought I would just give you a hint in case you haven't catch on it ....

[Trainman]

Trainman: I don't know if you recall me suggesting you to cover the rear flares of the Forester in 3M clear film to prevent the paint chips, but it seems like the Forester owners had started to notice the issue already and the winter is not even here. I know you drive a lot off-pavement so you may even experience this issue more.
Check out the "2009 Forester" thread on Edmunds forum (page 126-127).
They are also talking there about a Subaru TSB related to this issue but I haven't seen the TSB yet so I don't know details.
I thought I would just give you a hint in case you haven't catch on it ....

Thanks, I do remember the advise but so far, no issues noted.  That may change here soon as I start to do a bit more gravel (like what they put on the highways around here in the winter    ).

I will check out that Edmunds thread, so far nothing that I have seen on the Forester Forum on this......

Edit: my Forester has some factory applied clear coat film on the front side of the rear wheels, but not much.

[carcrazy]

Well, the paint chipping issue on the Outlander had started in the winter too (the reports on the Forester had started before, which is better IMO). I wish I knew about this potential issue up front. In my case, the paint chips were pin head size and not too many, but still ...
I know the Forester has a bigger patch of clear film than the Outlander (it has one too, but smaller), but it seems like it's still not enough and I can see why. Don't forget to take a look at the very bottom of the doors too.

[carcrazy]

Trainman/Wing,

I was reading today's The Globe and Mail, auto section (Globe Auto) and this what Petrina Gentile states in her Forester write-up:

“The interior is filled with nice touches such as brushed-aluminum accents , ...".

As far as I remember the accents are the usual silver plastic found on the vehicles in this class and at this price-point not the brushed-aluminum usually used in luxury cars. Is this true or it is just another “expert” talk?

[safristi]

brushed aluminium accents   is that similar to those Bimbos on CNN/MNSBC etc....    (p>s Globe & gentile do not go into that US speak "Aluminum!!!!!")

[Hooked on Cars]

Nice one, So did you manage to get a decent deal on it? How is the power?

[carcrazy]

Trainman/Wing,

I was reading today's The Globe and Mail, auto section (Globe Auto) and this what Petrina Gentile states in her Forester write-up:

“The interior is filled with nice touches such as brushed-aluminum accents , ...".

As far as I remember the accents are the usual silver plastic found on the vehicles in this class and at this price-point not the brushed-aluminum usually used in luxury cars. Is this true or it is just another “expert” talk?

I answered my own question today while reading through one of the Forester forums; they are indeed silver painted plastic as some owners are complaining that the silver paint is peeling off from the door silver trim and center console.

[mp3butt]

Trainman, welcome to the subie family. I agree with you: I always miss the fifth gear. I find that the slushbox isn't the smoothest around. Thus, I use the menumatic most of the time.

[Trainman]

So the beast is ready to turn over 20,000 kms.  Figured it was time for a quick update:

So far no unexpected repairs, just 2 glass chips at $28 each.  Fuel consumption has averaged 10.2l/100kms or 27.7 MPG.  Best has been 8.2/34.2, worst was 13.7/20.6 driving around town during a cold snap.  As most of the kms was winter, we will see if there is any improvement over the summer.  BTW, the government rating is 10.4 city, 7.4 highway.

Nothing has cropped up that I do not like now that I had missed before, the car/truck is doing all I expected of it and more.

Some issues that others have noted:

Interior: is holding up much better than expected from looking at it.  The seat material is amazing for resisting stains and the carpet is easy to vacuum, it does not hold onto things like pine needles the way the Pathfinder carpet did.

Creaks, rattles and squeaks: there are some from the front doors and when cold, from the front suspension.  Both are known issues and have tech notes or TSB's for them.  I am in no rush to get them looked at, sometime this spring.

Stereo: no issues for me, its loud enough and the sound is decent.  The aux input works as advertised but with it playing MP3 CD's, I do not use the aux that much.

Fuel consumption meter: it is rather optimistic.  Over the 20,000 kms it says the average should be 9.9, but actual is 10.2.  However there have been some wild swings:
11.2 vs 12.1; 10.2 vs 11.2; 10.8 vs 12.0; 9.0 vs 9.7; 8.0 vs 8.8.... Not sure what that's all about.  On long trips, this can impact re-fueling stop decisions tho.

Things Subaru should fix:
* front cup holders/center storage area.  The cup holders only really hold tumbler style cups well, any small or medium cups from coffee shops just disappear and anything with a handle does not really fit.

* the location of the heated seat controls.  These are behind the cup holders and are difficult to access while driving.  I can do it by feel right now but not a great setup, which is surprising given the excellent location of the rest of the controls.

* come on Subaru, give a full size spare!  That way, there is none of this issue about the spare at the rear axle and put in a fuse to disable the AWD.  The well fits a full size spare, I know as I have one.


Overall, it is doing what I want.  It has a surprising amount of power and torque, making it actually fun to drive.  A good suspension system helps too.  Me happy!

[Turbo Bob]

Sounds great trainman.