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Subaru Forester

Read up on the subaru forester @ GoodCarBadCar.net

Q: Subaru Forester?
I know subaru foresters connect and play ipod’s but do they also play other mp3’s specifically the “zune”?

A: Yes they do.

Q: Is the subaru forester a good quality Suv? And will they last with minimum problems after a decade?
I am considering to buy Subaru Forester 2010, for my mom, since it seems like a good small suv. Would you say this vehicle is good quality vehicle like Honda and Toyota (despite Toyota’s current problem). Is this suv smaller than Ford Escape?

Also what other SMALL SUV’s would you recommend for her to drive?

A: Yes, and yes. It’s better than the CR-V and Rav4. The Escape isn’t that great. It’s just the old escape with a new body. It’s one of Ford’s weaker vehicles right now. The Forester is the best of those, but it is not the best small SUV. I can suggest it, but not over the new Chevy Equinox. The platform the new Equinox rides on was engineered in Germany, and has been in use in Europe for several years. The Equinox takes what was great about that one, and has refined it even further. It’s the most fuel efficient small suv, turning out bettter numbers than a lot of sedans, and even better than the Escape Hybrid. It’s also very attractive, and the interior is easily the best in class. The starting price of 22K is on the high side, and 2K more than the Subaru, but it is much better equipped. The Equinox has a standard 6 speed automatic transmission, the Subaru a 5 speed manual. You get aluminum rims instead of steel with plastic covers. You get more convenience and safety features. It’s also better rated. It’s a Consumer’s Digest Best Buy. The Equinox is simply the best crossover you can buy today. It’s certainly worth a look.
Good, quick, reviews of them both:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADX7RNjA-Xc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A28B3tEdyY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9arszePlxU

http://autos.yahoo.com/2010_chevrolet_equinox/
http://www.chevrolet.com/vehicles/2010/equinox/overview.do?evar2=HP_Mast_Equinox
http://autos.yahoo.com/2010_subaru_forester/

http://www.subaru.com/vehicles/forester/index.html

Q: Does a Subaru Forester typically overheat on long trips?
I just recently bought a subaru forester and ive been on 2 trips, one about an hour long and another about three. on both trips it overheated but i cant seem to find a significant leak in the radiator or the coolant reservoir. any suggestions?

A: No, it should be at the temperature of the thermostat. If it’s overheating, there is a problem. It’s possible to overheat without a significant leak.

Check hoses. Especially the bottom one, it may be closing on vacuum and stopping water flow. Make sure it has a thermostat and it’s working properly, especially if it seems to take a long time to reach operating temperatures.

The vanes on the water pump might be worn to the point where water isn’t circulating fast enough, or you may have a plugged radiator.

Have you had your mechanic look at it? What did he say?

Q: Does the computer need to be reset when replacing the timing belt on a Subaru Forester 2000 manual?
The timing belt needs to be replaced on my Subaru Forester (2000 manual). Is this a complicated procedure for an experienced mechanic (although maybe not familiar with Subaru)? We have been told that the computer needs resetting after the timing belt has been replaced. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

A: Never heard of the computer needing reset although it is a good idea to have the timing on the car checked as the new belt will change it slightly.

Q: What is the squeek in my 2005 Subaru Forester?
I own a 2005 Subaru Forester and lately it has developed an intermitant squeek that comes and goes. When it does squeek I’ve noticed that as I accelerate the rate of the squeek increases. I have nearly 60,000 miles on the vehicle and I’ve been told that it may need a timing belt at 60K. Could that be what’s causing this annoying sound? What else might it be?

A: If you think it could be the timing belt, get it checked out pronto! If the belt breaks while you’re driving, it could royally screw up your engine!

Q: What is dealer invoice cost on Subaru Forester?
I’m looking to purchase a 2010 Subaru Forester but just the Base package with manual transmission. Sticker price is $20,935. My company is part of the VIP program that allows me to purchase the car for dealer cost. Thoughts on what that would be?

A: Generally dealer invoice cost is about 10% less than MSRP on the base car and 15% less on options.

Q: Why is there rust on my 2002 subaru forester?
My 2002 Subaru Forester has rust and calcium-like build-up in strange spots in the undercarriage, around the gas cap, and on the exhaust manifold (among others). I bought it from a dealer. The original owner lived in upstate New York. I live the Pacific Northwest. Is this typical for vehicles in the Northeast?

A: maybe the previous owner treated it more like an off-road SUV than an on-road vehicle. Also, the salt and sand put down in the winter for snowstorms does damage to cars and ages them faster. Maybe the previous owner wasn’t as religious about washing the car as you are as well?

Q: subaru forester?

A: Subaru Forester a small SUV with AWD. A great car very well engineered and they are safe, reliable, dependable and hold their value well. Take one for a test drive. Compare it to other vehicles in its class. It is a good handling SUV.

Q: which is worse environmentally, the subaru forester or jeep patriot?
i am trying to decide between buying a jeep patriot and a subaru forester. when i look at the consume reports green guide and the yahoo green guide, i get very different as well as confusing information. i know neither is a great choice environmentally, but are they really that bad, and, if so, why?

A: The Subaru is a better build vehicle which will last longer ( with proper maintenance), this alone would make its environmental impact less. In this category you also have the Ford Escape Hybrid which may be more what you are looking for.

Q: Should I get a Toyota RAV4 or a Subaru Forester?
I have been doing research on crossover suv’s and I think I have narrowed it down to the Toyota RAV4 and the Subaru Forester. Has anyone had any experience with either vehicles? Any known problems? Which one would cost less to maintain or fix?

A: subaru are better over all less problems them the rav4

Q: I just bought a 1997 subaru forester from a dealer and the fuel pump has gone?
Two months ago I bought a subaru forester from a car dealer and the fuel pump went on the weekend, would there be any chance of getting help with repair cost from the dealer?

A: No. Not unless you got a limited warranty which covers the fuel pump. If you bought it as-is, the repair is your responsibility.

Q: What are the differences between 2010 and 2009 Subaru Forester?
What are the differences between 2010 and 2009 Subaru Forester?
Thanks!

A: here is a link with side by side comparison.

Q: Can I tow an AWD Automatic Subaru Forester on a dolly if I remove the rear drive shaft?
I want to tow an AWD Subaru Forester on a dolly and know that I have to remove the rear drive shaft, but I was wondering if that would still be a problem or if anything would happen. Also, do the rear wheels lock up if I do this?

A: If the car/truck is Automatic you can only tow it on those wheels that are free wheeling / NOT connected to the engine in any way.

If the car is all wheel drive and automatic you should not tow it. But as you said if you remove the rear drive shaft you can tow it, thus making the car roll on it’s rear wheels and the opposite if you remove the front drive system.

The thing with towing a car on its driving wheels with automatic transmission is that the cooling pump for the transition is not on unless the engine is on but means that the transmission has to be on “Drive” which you don’t do when towing car, or you’ll damage the engine. So the transmission oil will over heat and destroy the transmission.

You can tow it maybe 2 miles but any further and you can do damage.

BTW. If all wheels are on dollies then it’s O.K.

Joe.

Q: What American car is comparable with Subaru Forester?
I love the looks of the Subaru Forester and will be getting a new car in the spring. I would like to keep it USA so am looking for a car compapable with the Forester

A: NON THEY ARE ALL GARBAGE . NON COMPARE TO A JAPANESE FORESTER

Q: Subaru forester??!?!?
What are your opinions on this suv? Its a japan made suv, so should i be worryed??
Will my insurance go up or down? what kind of gas mileage should i really expect??

Im hoping that this suv is as good as everyone says, since it seems to get good gas mileage for an suv and has awd that would be fun on dirt roads :)

A: It is an excellent vehicle, especially after the 2009 redesign, which gave the rear seat passengers more leg room and improved MPG. They are made of party domestic and partly Japanese components, but assembled in the United States, so your concern (which is honestly a bit silly) is only half valid. Subaru is number 3 in terms of reliability (including the domestic assembled models), right after Honda and Toyota, so no worries there.

MPG will depend partly on what year you get and how YOU drive. Anywhere from a lead-footed winter-in-the-city of 15MPG to a frugal driven all-highway-miles of well over 30MPG. We average 24MPG in our 1998 Forester, which sees as much off-road time as on-road. We can get up to 30MPG on road trips. We get 20MPG when towing our trailer. When we lived in Fairbanks, Alaska we averaged about 18MPG in the winter and 24MPG in the summer (with no windchill factor, January can often have *high* temps in the negative 20s). Realistically, I would expect most folks to get around 25MPG, but how you drive and where you drive are the two biggest factors.

In terms of insurance, your age and your driving record will again be the biggest influence, but Subarus are safe cars, often including safety features years before other manufacturers. You might say Subaru is the Volvo of Japan. They also are less prone to theft, since they are not as popular as Toyotas and Hondas. These two factors do help keep insurance prices down, but those are pennies on the dollar compared to driver age and driving record.

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