Topic: 2011 Forester

[inco]

Details are leaking out on the new Forester with the new engine, but alas the Sport Tech option is not part of the new group options. Arrivals are expected in about 6-8 weeks.

It was a mid year addition for 2010 and went over well. In a nutshell it dropped the Sunroof added the Navigation system and 17' rubber and was the same price as the Touring package.

Saw one at the dealer a while back and it looked good. Maybe by the time the Legacy is due to go they might bring it back. No pricing that I could learn yet.

[5 Wheel Drive]

I have an app't for my next service on the Forester on Thursday.  I'll have to have a peek while I'm there.  I think I'd miss having the sunroof.

[saint_satan]

I'm not a sunroof guy but I sat in a 2010 Forester and I have to say it's one of the best out there.  That sucker is huge! Subaru also offered an "Outdoors" trim which included a no cost trailer hitch, cross rails and some other goodies. 

I hope the extra power in the new engine makes a difference.  Acceleration and a thin dealer network are the only negatives for this car.  I could probably overlook the later...

[Cam]

It's the gearing and the 4 speed transmission that is the weak link.  It's very un-composed if you have to hit the power hard at highway speeds.

[Shnak]

I agree, the transmission is definitely what is holding back the new Forester for me. The Forester is an exceptional vehicle, a vehicle that is finally the right size, with the best AWD in the segment... yet, they spoil it all with a transmission fit for a $9,999 Accent. And replacing it with a CVT won't be any better, in my opinion.

Subaru, get your act together and catch up with the market already! We want 6-speed automatic transmissions, not 4 speeds or CVT's!!!

[carcrazy]

I hope the extra power in the new engine makes a difference. 

I think I read that the power rating is the same. It's where it peaks that changed.
The CVT is a done deal and it has been known for some time.

[Mike]

I hope the extra power in the new engine makes a difference. 

I think I read that the power rating is the same. It's where it peaks that changed.
The CVT is a done deal and it has been known for some time.

Yeah you are right.  I did gain like 4ft-lb of torque.  It is also supposed to be more effiecient.

[sailor723]

I hope the extra power in the new engine makes a difference. 

I think I read that the power rating is the same. It's where it peaks that changed.
The CVT is a done deal and it has been known for some time.

You know,I've often wondered....If CVT transmissions are the answer,why hasn't their use been pioneered by the likes of Mercedes,Lexus,BMW,Infiniti etc,etc?   

[Mike]

I hope the extra power in the new engine makes a difference. 

I think I read that the power rating is the same. It's where it peaks that changed.
The CVT is a done deal and it has been known for some time.

You know,I've often wondered....If CVT transmissions are the answer,why hasn't their use been pioneered by the likes of Mercedes,Lexus,BMW,Infiniti etc,etc?   

Prestige maybe? 

Guy 1 "I have a 7 speed Automatic" 
Guy 2 "oh yeah? I have an eight speed auto!  What about you Guy 3?"
Guy 3 "I have a bunch of rubber bands and pullies"

[carcrazy]

I hope the extra power in the new engine makes a difference. 

I think I read that the power rating is the same. It's where it peaks that changed.
The CVT is a done deal and it has been known for some time.

You know,I've often wondered....If CVT transmissions are the answer,why hasn't their use been pioneered by the likes of Mercedes,Lexus,BMW,Infiniti etc,etc?   

Japanese mainstream manufacturers seem to adopt them - Nissan, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Suzuki. Even Honda and Toyota use them in some applications.

I'm not aware of any luxury brand using them though other than the entry level MB B Class. Nissan, a big adopter and developer of CVT, does not use them in Infiniti vehicles.

[sailor723]

I hope the extra power in the new engine makes a difference. 

I think I read that the power rating is the same. It's where it peaks that changed.
The CVT is a done deal and it has been known for some time.

You know,I've often wondered....If CVT transmissions are the answer,why hasn't their use been pioneered by the likes of Mercedes,Lexus,BMW,Infiniti etc,etc?   

Japanese mainstream manufacturers seem to adopt them - Nissan, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Suzuki. Even Honda and Toyota use them in some applications.

I'm not aware of any luxury brand using them though other than the entry level MB B Class. Nissan, a big adopter and developer of CVT, does not use them in Infiniti vehicles.

So are they "cheap" rather than "good"

[saint_satan]

The theory behind the cvt is sound.  I talked to my uncle, a retired mechanic, about the concept.  Apparently, GM toyed with a hydrostatic transmission in the 60's.  Snowmobiles also operate in a similiar fashion with a single "gear".

Theory:  More efficient, hold engines in optimal power band, better performance.

Reality:  Loud, slow and unproven

[mmret]

IMHO CVT makes sense for luxobarge cruisers. They are undoubtedly smooth (at least from my experience with the Nissan version). With the impending CAFE march we'll probably see more and more of them I'd think.

For hooligans on the other hand, DSG is will soon be the only way to go in automatic land.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I'm not aware of any luxury brand using them though other than the entry level MB B Class. Nissan, a big adopter and developer of CVT, does not use them in Infiniti vehicles.

Audi had a CVT in some A6 applications. It was the same one used by Ford for the Taurus/Freestyle. As in the Fords, it has been phased out.

[Trainman]

I wouldn't get too hung up about the CVT as its not supposed to be in the 2011 Forester, just the same old 4 speed auto.  Apparently the floor pan has to be redesigned to accept the CVT and that won't happen till its re-done in 2013/14 or so.

And don't forget that Subaru has a history of CVT's, remember the Justy?  Maybe not a good history, but a history   

I hope the new motor alleviates the need for mid-grade fuel, that would be nice.

[saint_satan]

The current forester needs 89 octane?  I didn't know that. 

I did hear from a dude up the steet that sells subies that the new engine will have a timing chain and require 0W20 oil.  Arrival is expected near the end of November.

[Trainman]

The current forester needs 89 octane?  I didn't know that. 

I did hear from a dude up the steet that sells subies that the new engine will have a timing chain and require 0W20 oil.  Arrival is expected near the end of November.

Yup, timing chain for sure.

The "official" word from Subaru as per the owners manual is that 87 octane fuel is all that is required.  But users experience has shown that 87 will allow some level of "ping/knock" that goes away with 89.  More info here if you are interested: 

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/factory-tune-engine-ping-knock-problem-warranty-issue-58405/

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/poll-n-engine-ping-knock-using-87-aki-fuel-78697/

It is something I have noticed as well, especially as the kms roll up (61,000 now).

[inco]

In the Subaru insert in the paper this week across the bottom of each of the cars featured it says they use 87 octane.

This is all for the current boxer engine and although all of the cars, including the 2010 Forester shown, are using the older version of the boxer engine.

Seemed strange that Subaru would go to the expense of doing a full line advertisement and include last year's Forester when the new Forester is supposed to be out next month. It will have the new engine and one has to wonder if the octane rating will change to solve some of the complaints - or maybe they have been solved and 87 still works!

We are looking forward to the release of more information on it and their arrival so we can go test. I really hope the Sport Tech package will come back, although I have been told that it will not be there at the launch.

[saint_satan]

There still seem to be a fair number of 2010 Foresters in the inventory.  Our local guy has 8-10.  Given that there aren’t any real rebates and a more efficient, updated engine is in the works for 2011, it’s hard to justify buying a 2010…

[5 Wheel Drive]

The current forester needs 89 octane?  I didn't know that. 

I did hear from a dude up the steet that sells subies that the new engine will have a timing chain and require 0W20 oil.  Arrival is expected near the end of November.

Yup, timing chain for sure.

The "official" word from Subaru as per the owners manual is that 87 octane fuel is all that is required.  But users experience has shown that 87 will allow some level of "ping/knock" that goes away with 89.  More info here if you are interested: 

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/factory-tune-engine-ping-knock-problem-warranty-issue-58405/

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/poll-n-engine-ping-knock-using-87-aki-fuel-78697/

It is something I have noticed as well, especially as the kms roll up (61,000 now).

I hadn't heard that one before.  We've got just over 36,000 km's on our '09 Forester and I've never heard it knock or ping.  We've only ever put 87 octane in it.