rockshins Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 Any thoughts on a Subaru Forester? Have a Honda Passport but a little big for us and our city life. Looking at Forester for city driving and some trips with the MTB. Anyone have experience with this car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridenfool Posted April 25 Share Posted April 25 (edited) I had a Forester for a few years. After owning an Impreza for several years. Both were great for MTB trips. The AWD will get you places you wouldn't expect to drive to, and through rain, snow, etc. if need be. Subaru have changed their drivetrain since then, Better mpg, but I have no experience with anything recent. Might check if there are still discounts for IMBA members. If so, join Austin Ridge Riders for IMBA benefits. Edited April 25 by Ridenfool 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinBike Posted April 25 Share Posted April 25 I rented one once. Let's just say that it can hold its own against a deer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockshins Posted April 25 Author Share Posted April 25 11 hours ago, Ridenfool said: I had a Forester for a few years. After owning an Impreza for several years. Both were great for MTB trips. The AWD will get you places you wouldn't expect to drive to, and through rain, snow, etc. if need be. Subaru have changed their drivetrain since then, Better mpg, but I have no experience with anything recent. Might check if there are still discounts for IMBA members. If so, join Austin Ridge Riders for IMBA benefits. Thanks! Drivetrain is definitely different. Don’t love the CVT transmission but gets decent mpg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockshins Posted April 25 Author Share Posted April 25 3 hours ago, AustinBike said: I rented one once. Let's just say that it can hold its own against a deer. Will that is a great sell for the car. One of the things I like about the Passport is the perceived feeling of safety while driving on highways with all the bro-dozers. Feel less safe in the Forester but obviously it is safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridenfool Posted April 25 Share Posted April 25 1 hour ago, rockshins said: Thanks! Drivetrain is definitely different. Don’t love the CVT transmission but gets decent mpg. I think the tow rating is lower on later models too, if that makes any difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockshins Posted April 25 Author Share Posted April 25 6 hours ago, Ridenfool said: I think the tow rating is lower on later models too, if that makes any difference. Yep it does, looking at the Subaru it’s 1,500 lbs except for a wilderness model that gets worse mileage. Would be looking for a bigger mpg difference if I am downsizing. Looking at popups and teardrops that are getting close to 1,500 lbs. Might just have to get used to city driving in the Passport Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonioGG Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 I owned a 2005 forester. Loved the body stoutness but they are like 20 years behind on powertrains. They don’t get you the mpg you would expect for such anemic acceleration. Also they seem to have issues with engine reliability. I rented an Outback in 2018 and it was very familiar so I’m not sure they’ve changed much. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockshins Posted Tuesday at 06:41 PM Author Share Posted Tuesday at 06:41 PM On 4/27/2024 at 11:09 AM, AntonioGG said: I owned a 2005 forester. Loved the body stoutness but they are like 20 years behind on powertrains. They don’t get you the mpg you would expect for such anemic acceleration. Also they seem to have issues with engine reliability. I rented an Outback in 2018 and it was very familiar so I’m not sure they’ve changed much. Test drove the Forester 2 more times and I agree it is a weak engine and don’t like the CVT transmission. Struggles a bit on hills and gets really loud trying to get up to highways speeds. Also they input fake gear changes in the CVT, just feels weird. Talked to a mechanic and he said the current Subie CVT is fine just not good for towing (I plant to tow a small camper). Like you said the mpg is not great considering how weak this thing is. Getting back in my Passport was a huge difference and the purr of that j35y6 v-tec V6 is awesome! Forester is solid car, but really slow and okay gas mileage. Parallel parking and gas mileage is gonna take a hit with this Passport but damn is it comfortable! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockshins Posted Tuesday at 06:45 PM Author Share Posted Tuesday at 06:45 PM On 4/27/2024 at 11:09 AM, AntonioGG said: I owned a 2005 forester. Wife had a 2004 Forester and we loved it. It was underpowered for sure and stuff just fell apart (literally parts of the interior and exterior plastic would just fall off while driving), but dang was it a great car for us. I have to say the automatic transmission felt better in that car than the current Foresters. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonioGG Posted Wednesday at 05:00 PM Share Posted Wednesday at 05:00 PM Our 2005 forester was using oil (cylinder head issues) and the dealer scammed me out of warranty by doing long term “oil analysis” until the warranty expired. I probably could have pursued legal action but just wanted it gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockshins Posted Wednesday at 05:39 PM Author Share Posted Wednesday at 05:39 PM 35 minutes ago, AntonioGG said: Our 2005 forester was using oil (cylinder head issues) and the dealer scammed me out of warranty by doing long term “oil analysis” until the warranty expired. I probably could have pursued legal action but just wanted it gone. Sounds about right, we both look back on the Forester as one of the worst cars we owned, mechanically speaking, but also strangely one our favorites. Just made us want to get outdoors. Maybe it was the marketing, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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