I purchased a Subaru Forester with the All Weather Pack (AWP) from my local Subaru dealer (R N Golden of Huddersfield) having run an Impreza Turbo without problems for 2 years. With one previous owner from new, a full dealer service history and unmarked throughout. The dealer serviced the car ... Read review
Advantages: Comfortable, practical ultra reliable and safe. Handles superably in all weather conditions. Disadvantages: Some wind noise at very high speed.
I purchased a Subaru Forester with the All Weather Pack (AWP) from my local Subaru dealer (R N Golden of Huddersfield) having run an Impreza Turbo without problems for 2 years. With one previous owner from new, a full dealer service history and unmarked throughout. The dealer serviced the car and with 12 months MOT, collecting it was problem free.
'The All Weather Pack' is a definite must as it includes the following extras:-
... ...Heated Seats,
Heated Wing Mirrors,
Heated Wiper blades,
Front Fog Lights,
Headlamp washers,
Front Seat Armrests.
As I drive all over the country on business, an automatic gearbox was also a welcome option offering very smooth changes up and down the gears. The auto-box offers a power function and when switched on, the car changes up at higher revs giving better accleration. In snow and ice you simply ... more
I purchased a Subaru Forester with the All Weather Pack (AWP) from my local Subaru dealer (R N Golden of Huddersfield) having run an Impreza Turbo without problems for 2 years. With one previous owner from new, a full dealer service history and unmarked throughout. The dealer serviced the car and with 12 months MOT, collecting it was problem free.
'The All Weather Pack' is a definite must as it includes the following extras:- Air Conditioning, Massive Electric Sunroof, Heated Seats, Heated Wing Mirrors, Heated Wiper blades, Front Fog Lights, Headlamp washers, Front Seat Armrests.
As I drive all over the country on business, an automatic gearbox was also a welcome option offering very smooth changes up and down the gears. The auto-box offers a power function and when switched on, the car changes up at higher revs giving better accleration. In snow and ice you simply press the 'winter button' which makes the car start off in 2nd gear for better traction. It works, I've tried it! On cold winter mornings with snow and ice, it is possible to drive away within a couple of minutes as the heated seats give a deep warm feel, the heated mirrors clear themselves and no ice on the windscreen due to heated wiper blades. The driving position is raised higher than normal cars offering good all round visibility with a subtle sun strip on the windscreen. At the traffic light grand prix, the 2 litre engine will give most other saloons a run for their money. The automatic is quicker than a manual to 60mph! A relaxing drive.
The Forester will tow a 1500kg braked trailer, so a caravan or small horse trailer with a pony shouldn't be a problem. A large horse trailer and two Shires is definitely out of the question!
Being based on an Impreza all wheel drive chassis, the Forester corners extremely well even with the increased ground clearance. When pushed really hard into a corner you receive lots of feedback from the suspension right up to the limit. It never feels unsafe even on really wet and uneven roads. This always gives the GTi brigade a shock! Tyres tend to last well.
It runs on ordinary unleaded petrol. If driven at a moderate pace, it returns fuel consumption of about 30mpg. £45ish to fill the tank, (£30 in France, why?)
Servicing MUST be carried out on a regular basis by somebody who has good knowledge of Subaru's. A full dealer service history is highly recommended and doesn't work out that expensive in the long run.
Safety features include: Anti Lock Brakes. Four Airbags, Factory fitted immobiliser. The brakes are fantastic with lots of steady progression and the ability to stop on a six pence when needed. Child locks on the rear passenger doors and windows that only go three quarters of the way down to keep children / dogs safe. With a driver & passenger airbag to the front and one each on the side of the car, should the worst happen, you have a lot of protection around you. The ignition key contains a micro-chip that automatically turns off the immobiliser, without the right key, it won't start. Remote central locking is really useful as you can unlock the car as you walk towards it. Should you not open any of the doors within 30 seconds of unlocking the car, it locks itself again for security. This system means that you can't accidentally lock the keys in!
The boot is a really good size and shape containing lots of cubbyholes and storage. There is even a washing up bowl within the space saving spare wheel. Great for camping and mucky days out with the dog. Easy access to the rear light bulbs (brake lights, tail lights, etc) with the boot open. Fold the back seats down (easy) and it carries loads.
Although marketed as a 4x4 off roader, it doesn't have the ground clearance of something like a Vauxhall Monterey (one of my other cars) or a Land Rover Defender. It will cope with deep snow, rutted fields and unmade country roads, but forget the serious off road day! The Forester proves that a 4x4 doesn't have to be the size of a tank while still being useful and safe on the road.
It's difficult to pick any bad points about the Forester, but I must mention the noise levels. The engine is a 'Boxer' type (same type as a Porchse Boxer) and can sound harsh when pushed. 'Boxers' produce a smooth power delivery from low revs right up to the red line. You don't have to thrash one to go quick. With pillarless doors, the wind noise at high speeds (German Autobahns only of course) can get quite loud on a long trip. With a good stereo and 4 speakers makes it more bearable. The ariel which looks like a heating element is built into one of the rear side windows so that idiots can't snap it.
Subaru's are under estimated by the UK car buyer. They hold their value well, different looks from the competition and are ultra reliable. Insurance group 13 isn't too bad either. A very good all rounder which is easy to live with. Dare to be different!
Advantages: An excellent, spacious family car Disadvantages: Steering a little too light
As said in my review of the forester 2.0 manual (please read), the forester is super car with plenty of space inside, and now it has been remodelled is really quite attractive on the outside.
One of the problems I always find with the forester is the clutch. It is very light, and moves really quite a short distance, giving the tendency to stall all to easily. This problem is easily overcome – by having an automatic!
I feel automatic suits this ... ...on the same platform as the Imprezza, it is not really a car designed for racing. The ease of use that comes from an automatic transmission, really adds to this car, making it far more enjoyable to drive. Unlike most automatics, power is not lost. Usually you sit there revving the engine for a few seconds before the car moves – this is not the case in the forester. It is really quite responsive – an excellent car to drive. ...
scoobyman 30.09.2000
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Subaru Forester 2.0
Advantages: solid on road, enough power Disadvantages: little bit thirsty and seems to get "tatty" quite quickly
Updated (see last paragraph) June 2005 - I've had this car for just over six months and have covered 10000 miles. I have to say I'm delighted; absolutely nothing has gone wrong and it is a pleasure to drive.
It's a comfortable car with enough power to cope with most situations and gives a feeling of complete confidence to the driver. Air con is a boon and I've also lugged lots of heavy loads and the self levelling suspension is amazing.
I looked ... ...hoped it would do it has delivered. I'm a very happy customer (and the local dealers -Simpsons of Highworth near Swindon - are excellent too.)
Compared to my previous car it seems a bit thirsty but I guess I'm getting 30-32 mpg which actually is OK for a car of this profile. If you need a robust, capable estate car I would recommend this.
November 2007 - Here's an update after nearly 3 years - most of the above is OK but....I'm having doubts about ...
petermcguigan 23.07.2005 (07.11.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Subaru Forester 2.0
Advantages: Blisteringly quick, conbined with ultimate practicality Disadvantages: Clutch can be very difficult with so much power
After discussing the forester in reviews of the 2.0 non-turbo (please read), you’ll gather that I rather like the forester. The styling of the whole range was drastically improved early 2000 – the turbo no exception. It’s hard to find another car quite like this one. It is so large, so practical, so functional – yet with such a massively powerful engine fitted!
The steering in this car is very light, achieved in such a way as to give the tendency ... ...considering how much power is underneath the bonnet. The other problem is the clutch, which can be hard work at times, and has the tendency to stall. I would strongly advise spending that little extra and going for the automatic version (see my review).
The turbo really adds a certain zip to this car. The interior is also upgraded in the turbo model, which again adds to the improved quality of this car. Though it is really quite expensive, I feel ...
scoobyman 30.09.2000
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Subaru Forester 2.0
Advantages: Very spacious inside - great looking out Disadvantages: Clutch awkward at times, stearing too light
The forester has recently undergone quite a major makeover. If you are considering purchasing one of these vehicles I would strongly recommend you go for the latest model. I wasn’t too sure about the external styling of the previous model, but this is now a smashing car.
The forester is cross between a 4x4 and a family estate car. It really is a concept, which works rather well. Inside the forester is an amazing amount of room. I am 6 foot 2, and ... ...one of these cars.
To drive a forester I always find takes a bit of getting used to. Firstly the steering on a forester is exceptionally light. For this to be achieved, you always seem to have to move the steering wheel further than you would do normally to go round corners. Secondly the clutch is quite strange. It moves only a very short distance, making it easy to stall until you get used to it.
All in all, the forester is a super car with bags ...
scoobyman 30.09.2000
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Subaru Forester 2.0
Advantages: Spacious, well equiped, practical, blisteringly quick Disadvantages: Guzzles the juice
This is Subaru’s most expensive car (excluding special editions), and really is worth every penny. The bodywork, styling, spacious interior are all discussed in my other reviews on the forester – they are all exceptional.
An automatic turbo was a car I had my doubts about before I got to drive one. Turbos often have a little lag on them, as do automatics. I feared that in an automatic turbo, there would be really quite a lot of lag (time between ... ...I surprised to find that there is almost not what so ever. This car is amazingly responsive.
The main problem with foresters is the clutch, which by the way it is designed tends to make it rather too easy to stall, particularly in the turbo version. Therefore, I would strongly recommend buying the automatic over manual transmission. You really loose very little of the performance and fun – and the car becomes far more enjoyable to drive.
Go and ...
scoobyman 30.09.2000
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Subaru Forester 2.0
