Topic: 2009 Forester - owner opinions please

[Calbrez]

Hey folks, thinking about this car for the wife. We can't afford new. We want something safe and reliable.  I'd like to hear form 2009 Forester owners. This is the year we are looking at (remodelled but cheaper).

Thanks! 

[johngenx]

Trainman loves his.  I have quite a few friends with 09 models, and unanimously they have nothing but good things to say concerning build quality.  The only complaints I've heard are ones that hold true for Foresters of all years save perhaps for the newest ones:

1. Fuel economy is so-so.

2. Dealers suck.

3. Tires wear fairly quickly and you have to rotate them a lot.

[erich]

I love mine too. 2010 model, bought in 2012, added about 60k km since, zero issues. Foresters were hard to find, bought at Ford dealer and saved  $$.
- fuel economy: 8l/100km on highway, about 10l/100km city.
- confortable both front and rear, except for my old dog - seat is too high for her to jump in and out.
- very stable and quiet, went through last year's deep snow without even noticing.
Huge sunroof, radio and HVAC knobs are somewhat small, no Bluetooth.

[Calbrez]

Thanks guys... I guess I could get around the rotation issue by putting on snows

[Noto]

Hey folks, thinking about this car for the wife. We can't afford new. We want something safe and reliable.  I'd like to hear form 2009 Forester owners. This is the year we are looking at (remodelled but cheaper).

Thanks! 

I own a 2011 Forester XT Limited, current mileage is 48,000km.

The only complaints I've heard:
1. Fuel economy is so-so.
2. Dealers suck.
3. Tires wear fairly quickly and you have to rotate them a lot.

1. Yes, fuel economy does suck.  With the turbo, we get about 13.4L/100km in the City, and about 10.8L/100km on the highway.  4-speed automatics were never great for fuel economy, but they are bulletproof as far as reliability is concerned.
2. I have NEVER experienced a sh!t dealership and John and I are always at odds on this one.  I don't know where in the GTA you live, but I can happily recommend Willowdale Subaru to you, having 2 cars from there with no concerns whatsoever.
3. With 48,000km, we have the OEM Yokohama Geolanders and Bridgestone Blizzak WS70 winter tires.  Both of which have 9/32" of completely even wear on them.  I've never heard of high wear, but the OEM Geolanders are 320 AA UTQG, which is low.  If anything, I'd blame the OEM tires, and if you're buying a used one, then you will likely switch the OEMs for new ones.  We can recommend great tires for you if you ask nicely   For example, however, we just put Nitto NT421Q tires on our Lexus RX, and they are 560AA UTQG and have a 120,000km treadwear warranty.  Those tires don't come in the Forester's size, but my point is to say that the Geolander's 320AA rating is the culprit, not the car...and I've had ZERO issues with our Geolanders.

If you read any post on this forum wherein someone asks "what car should I buy?", you will, without a doubt, every time, read "FORESTER."

Excellent decision - now go find one.

[Trainman]

Trainman loves his.  I have quite a few friends with 09 models, and unanimously they have nothing but good things to say concerning build quality.  The only complaints I've heard are ones that hold true for Foresters of all years save perhaps for the newest ones:

1. Fuel economy is so-so.

2. Dealers suck.

3. Tires wear fairly quickly and you have to rotate them a lot.

Yup, sure do!

Mine is now at 167,000 kms, with only one significant issue from a couple of weeks back, a new radiator, but my fault when I hit an unmarked cross ditch on a logging road at 50 kph, I heard the crunch as I saw it and was under heavy breaking at the time     me bad.....

Other than that, it has been a real joy to drive and own for me.  Better performing and better fuel consumption (by 10%) than the wife's 2012 RAV4 4 cylinder.  Averaging around 9 l/100 kms over the 6+ years of ownership, with plenty of longer drives at well under 8.2.  First and so far only vehicle owned from new that did not need any warranty work.

What I wish they had done better:
Better quality of the interior (except the seat material which has held up extremely well);

Tire wear has been a bit of an issue, hard to quantify with me due to the use it has had.  I am a forestry consultant and use it in the woods a lot, so tires do tend to wear faster;

Better sound system;

Stupid low passenger seat, fixed in later years;

Not sure about the dealer issue, just not enough of them really.


What I really, really like:

Incredible off-road performance for what it is.  Will go to about 90% of the places my 2002 Pathfinder was able to get to.  Very good ground clearance, and well designed;

Good aftermarket options for skid plates, suspension improvements, etc;

Quality;

Engineering.  You can tell where Subaru puts its money, into engineering.  Not silly things like soft touch dashes or fancy electronic gizmos  ;

Sight lines.  Huge windows make seeing out of it great.


Final say: would I recommended one to my best friend?  Would I buy another?  Do I have buyer remorse?  Yes (and he bought a 2010), Yes and No.

But as with all used vehicles make sure you get it checked out.  If over 130,000 kms make sure the timing belt has been done, or budget for it and get it done as soon as possible.

[Noto]

Preventative maintenance will keep a car trekking on for a long, long time.

[Calbrez]

Thanks folks... sounds like a great car... damn expensive though! 2009s are in the 14-15K range... I saw some Sorentos in that price range but newer (2011s) and with more bells and whistles... Is is really worth that much more?

[Noto]

Thanks folks... sounds like a great car... damn expensive though! 2009s are in the 14-15K range... I saw some Sorentos in that price range but newer (2011s) and with more bells and whistles... Is is really worth that much more?

Depends on what you value: bells and whistles (that may eventually break ), or mechanical excellence that will trek on (with sufficient preventative maintenance - true of all cars) for pretty much...ever.

Remember resale value, too.  That $4k difference will remain in a few years as well.

[johngenx]

You get what you pay for.  Seriously.  Even jaded rrocket was shocked (really...) at how capable the Forester is when things go to hell weather-wise.  The AWD system alone makes the premium worth it - but as oToN noted: that price difference will hold.

I long for the "good old days" when Scoobs suffered from horrible depreciation.  Just ten years ago you could buy a 3yr old Forester for 40-45% of new.  Now you have to go for a 5-6yr old one for the same percentage.

[aquadorhj]

You get what you pay for.  Seriously.  Even jaded rrocket was shocked (really...) at how capable the Forester is when things go to hell weather-wise.  The AWD system alone makes the premium worth it - but as oToN noted: that price difference will hold.

I long for the "good old days" when Scoobs suffered from horrible depreciation.  Just ten years ago you could buy a 3yr old Forester for 40-45% of new.  Now you have to go for a 5-6yr old one for the same percentage.

maybe against Tucsan or Sportage, but Sorrento's have been well regarded for it's truck-based solid chassis and 4wd.. 

i dunno...  i think sorrento might be a good alternative.

[Noto]

You get what you pay for.  Seriously.  Even jaded rrocket was shocked (really...) at how capable the Forester is when things go to hell weather-wise.  The AWD system alone makes the premium worth it - but as oToN noted: that price difference will hold.

I long for the "good old days" when Scoobs suffered from horrible depreciation.  Just ten years ago you could buy a 3yr old Forester for 40-45% of new.  Now you have to go for a 5-6yr old one for the same percentage.

maybe against Tucsan or Sportage, but Sorrento's have been well regarded for it's truck-based solid chassis and 4wd.. 

i dunno...  i think sorrento might be a good alternative.

Lolz, the Sorento isn't truck-based.

Well-reviewed and likely a great ride, but not a truck.

And again, blind spots (esp at the A-pillar) are horrid.

[Calbrez]

Bought a 2010 Outback today! $14000 with 100KM.

I like that it is bigger. I also prefer the body style somewhat... hopefully it will be a good car for us.

Now off to buy winter tires!!

Thanks!

[Northernridge]

Congrats. 

[Trainman]

Congratulations on the Outback.  I have ridden in one and it was very nice.  It has the 2.5 or the "big" motor H6?

[Solstice2006]

Congratulations on the Outback.  I have ridden in one and it was very nice.  It has the 2.5 or the "big" motor H6?

Ah the Outback, my preference over the Forester.  The 4th gen does have some advantages over the 3rd generation, like seat room.  But I still prefer the 3rd generation.  For that price, I highly suspect the 2.5L.  I am too cheap to consider a used Subaru.  Lot to love about Subaru, used car buyers hate them!       

Congrats!   

[EV-Light]

Bought a 2010 Outback today! $14000 with 100KM.

I like that it is bigger. I also prefer the body style somewhat... hopefully it will be a good car for us.

Now off to buy winter tires!!

Thanks!

Did you mean 100,000 km?


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[Solstice2006]

Bought a 2010 Outback today! $14000 with 100KM.

I like that it is bigger. I also prefer the body style somewhat... hopefully it will be a good car for us.

Now off to buy winter tires!!

Thanks!

Did you mean 100,000 km?


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Of course he did, average price for a Subaru Outback of that year, check Autotrader...

[Calbrez]

Yes, 100,000  KM. It is the 2.5 PZEV. 

I am looking at the Dunlop Grandtrek SJ6 or Michellin Latitude X-Ice Xi2. If the GT Altimax Arctic is available, that too, but I think it's sold out at CTC. Any other recommendations for decent winter tires? I don't want to spend too much. I live in King Township (western York Region, GTA).

The tire size is 215/70R16.  I found steel rims on kijiji. They are 16 inch rims (16x6) with 5 bolts (5 - 4 1/4). Will these work with this tire size?  http://www.kijiji.ca/v-tires-rims/mississauga-peel-region/4-steel-rims-16/1035786050

Thanks!

[Noto]

Bought a 2010 Outback today! $14000 with 100KM.

I like that it is bigger. I also prefer the body style somewhat... hopefully it will be a good car for us.

Now off to buy winter tires!!

Thanks!

CON-FRICKEN-GRATULATIONS!!!!  Excellent choice!

The tire size is 215/70R16.  I found steel rims on kijiji. They are 16 inch rims (16x6) with 5 bolts (5 - 4 1/4). Will these work with this tire size?  http://www.kijiji.ca/v-tires-rims/mississauga-peel-region/4-steel-rims-16/1035786050

Stay the **** away from the Michelin X-Ice line based on where you live!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I cannot stress that enough.  You don't deal with GTA city icy roads, but often get drifting snow, etc.  The Xi2s really don't handle snow all that well, but ice very well.

There's a Kal Tire at Highway 7 and 400 (just east, in Concord).  Paul, the manager there, is incredible and will take very good care of you.  Also, they do free seasonal changeovers and balancing (but you'd have to check with them if they will, given that you aren't buying the rims from them).

In any event, for that size rim, the Nitto NT90W is a good bet and reasonably-priced.  I'm incredibly happy with the Nitto NT421Q 3-season tires that we put on our Lexus RX400h.

The Yokohama Ice Guard iG51v is also a good option, and I hear good things about the Nordman 5 SUV.

Whatever you put on, make sure that it's a tire specifically designed for a heavier vehicle (it'll ensure that the tread lasts longer).  ...i.e. don't put on the Yokohama iG52c (c is for car, and that's good enough for me!)