The Foreater has now done 50K from new.
We bought the car in August '08 for my wife.
We looked at an Accord EX, which would have had similar features, like 17" alloys and a Sunroof as well as similar space for four.
She also wanted an automatic, her first.
She liked the high seating position of the Forester as well as the good outward visibility.
I had always kind of wanted a Subaru and I thought that my wife would really like the AWD on really bad winter days.
So, we bought it.
Handling is generally pretty good, with none of the lean that you might expect from such a tall package.
It can be cornered pretty agressively.
Ride quality is good, although it is not nearly as quiet as an Accord.
Acceleration is weaker than you might expect from 170 bhp, but it is hobbled by the very slow and soft shifting automatic.
A 5 spd Forester would certainly be much quicker.
The automatic gives ~25 mph/K in top.
Top speed appears to be limited to about 100 mph, although the car would undoubtedly go faster without any limitation.
Fuel economy has averaged about 24 mpg, not too good but not too awful.
The car required no service under warranty and has since needed no repairs.
I have had to replace the rear brake pads, an easy and quick task. This was at about 45K, which is typical according to the Subie boards I've visited.
The OEM Geolander G95s are due for replacement, with the worst tires down to about 4/32, too little tread with winter on the way. These have been decent tires in every way.
I've got a set of Pure Contacts ready to mount.
Overall, we've been very happy with the Forester.
It works and it has a strong utilitarian bent, which we like.
As for the styling, it has grown on me over time.
To anyone considering a Subie, I think you'd be very pleased with one as a daily driver.
We bought the car in August '08 for my wife.
We looked at an Accord EX, which would have had similar features, like 17" alloys and a Sunroof as well as similar space for four.
She also wanted an automatic, her first.
She liked the high seating position of the Forester as well as the good outward visibility.
I had always kind of wanted a Subaru and I thought that my wife would really like the AWD on really bad winter days.
So, we bought it.
Handling is generally pretty good, with none of the lean that you might expect from such a tall package.
It can be cornered pretty agressively.
Ride quality is good, although it is not nearly as quiet as an Accord.
Acceleration is weaker than you might expect from 170 bhp, but it is hobbled by the very slow and soft shifting automatic.
A 5 spd Forester would certainly be much quicker.
The automatic gives ~25 mph/K in top.
Top speed appears to be limited to about 100 mph, although the car would undoubtedly go faster without any limitation.
Fuel economy has averaged about 24 mpg, not too good but not too awful.
The car required no service under warranty and has since needed no repairs.
I have had to replace the rear brake pads, an easy and quick task. This was at about 45K, which is typical according to the Subie boards I've visited.
The OEM Geolander G95s are due for replacement, with the worst tires down to about 4/32, too little tread with winter on the way. These have been decent tires in every way.
I've got a set of Pure Contacts ready to mount.
Overall, we've been very happy with the Forester.
It works and it has a strong utilitarian bent, which we like.
As for the styling, it has grown on me over time.
To anyone considering a Subie, I think you'd be very pleased with one as a daily driver.
