2006 Forester Opinions

[cpinnegar]

I've just started reading this group because I'm seriously considering
the above purchase. Would those who now own the vehicle please give me
their estimates of the car both good and bad. Thanks.

 

[mark jb]

I've just started reading this group because I'm seriously considering

the above purchase. Would those who now own the vehicle please give me
their estimates of the car both good and bad. Thanks.

Auto or manual? Each has their own special foibles
The manual Forester XT is only recommended for real drivers with a fair bit
of skill behind them.
I drive an '02 XS, to be upgraded to an XT in the future (Probably 07/08).

-mark

 

[speednxs]

Front passenger seat doesn't fold flat. No audio input jack for sound
system. There's that wierd warning sticker on the roof rack telling
you not to use it (without some accessory or other). 24 mpg (CA USA).

It's been nearly a year and I still like my 2005 Forester.

 

[Edward Hayes]

I still love/like my 2000 Forester with 94,000 trouble free miles.

 

[AM]

Auto or manual? Each has their own special foibles
The manual Forester XT is only recommended for real drivers with a fair bit
of skill behind them.
I drive an '02 XS, to be upgraded to an XT in the future (Probably 07/08).

not sure what the skill reference to the XT is....

I drive an 04 XT, and even though, I do track the car, know several people
with them, who are not highly skilled drivers, who still do very well with
said car...

Have friends with a new MY06 XT, and it's a lovely car to drive....

Go drive one on a wet day, and you'll never go back to a 2 wheel drive....

 

[Sammy]

Anyone know what this accessory is?

 

[mark jb]

Anyone know what this accessory is?

AFAIK, it's on the roof rail telling you you can only attach a subaru roof
rack to it.

-mark

 

[Frank Logullo]

I've just started reading this group because I'm seriously considering
the above purchase. Would those who now own the vehicle please give me
their estimates of the car both good and bad. Thanks.

I had a '98 that got totaled 2 years ago - not my fault - and immediately
replaced it with an '03.
Love the Forester.
Frank

 

[_BOOTSY_]

My wife has an '01 that she loves and will replace with another. Our
only gripes:
--The original Bridgestones that came with the car were the most brutal
OEM tires I have ever owned. Replaced them immediately.
--No cd player standard
--Not a ton of power

But those gripes are for the 01. The 06 has improved those areas.

 

[ZZ]

I've just started reading this group because I'm seriously considering
the above purchase. Would those who now own the vehicle please give me
their estimates of the car both good and bad. Thanks.

I own an 05 XT Forester and find it very capable for around town, on
the open road, and for "soft roading". If you want to do something
more daring off road, consider the Jeep Liberty, or for even more
extreme, the Jeep Wrangler. The Jeeps have higher ground clearance and
can go places where the Subie can't. The low range also helps if you
are really planning on true off road hill climbing. Problem is the
Wrangler lets you know what it was designed for when you are on paved
roads as the ride is pretty rough.
This is based on experience in the local mountains; crossing areas
where the spring thaw severely washed out the dirt roads. We drive in
to reach trailheads for back country hikes. In the local desert areas
it's fine on the dirt and sandy improved roads.(I live in Las Vegas NV
where we have plenty of desert, and mountains to almost 12000' within
a 45 minute drive).
Would I trade the Forester ? No, because 95 pct of my driving is on
paved roads where the Subaru excels. The 4 pct soft roading is not a
problem for me either. When I know I am heading for the really rough
stuff, I bum a ride with someone in a vehicle designed for the
terrain.

My only true complaint is the design/color of the instrument cluster.
When you are driving into a bright sun, or bright desert sky, your
eyes adjust to the brightness. When you glance down at the instrument
cluster, your eyes can't adjust fast enough to the dark cluster to
read the panel before you have to look up at the road again. Turning
the lights on to illuminate the cluster doesn't do much good either.
Also, bright ambient light makes it almost impossible to read the
radio display panel. At night, there is no problem at all. It's just
when it's very bright outside that there is a problem.

 

[DMH]

I have a 2006 XT 5 spd manual; picked it up in late June. For me, the
combination of street performance and off (soft) road capability is
perfect. It will cruise on the freeway nicely at 140 km/h; but can
head up a decommissioned logging road with ease. I enjoy a lot of
mountain sports (hiking, skiing ... etc.), but do most of my driving
in town. I shopped quite carefully to find the right mix of utility
and fun driving. The XT has lived up to expectations.

 

[Michael Selin]

I've just started reading this group because I'm seriously considering
the above purchase. Would those who now own the vehicle please give me
their estimates of the car both good and bad. Thanks.

Greetings: My wife has an 04 XT automatic with leather, sun-roof, etc. Under
30g after sales tax (8.25%). It is like Dr. Who's phone booth. Looks like a
small suv until your inside and then it is huge. I see other foresters on
the road and think, wow, how can this be that little thing. I would say it
is just the ticket if you would like a safe, capable, usefull, vehicle, that
can outrun 90% of the stuff on the road. It is not edgy, and could be driven
by an old lady. The steering isn't very quick, so going with a standard and
racing might be experts only territory, but as an everyday city/highway ride
it is as good as it gets for the money in every reasonable category.

Michael

PS: I have been thinking about getting an 06 WRX and putting on some
Yokohama advev neova 225/45", So I can tail STI "s and EVO's on back roads
until they crash or realize they have way more car than they can handle. J

 

[Edward Hayes]

My 2000 Forester S has and is a great ride at 95,000 miles. Only two
minor problems. One is the clock stopped working and cost me $52 to
replace and one valve cover leaked at 93,000 miles which I fixed with
a new $11 dollar gasket. Recently went on a 3,650 mile vacation (FL.
to WI. to IA.and return). Averaged 27.8 mpg driving 70 mph on cruise
with the AC on. I still have original everything including brake pads.
I thinking about a 2008 as by then I will be at 150,000 +miles and I
am retired and deserve a new one. ed

 

[Guest]

--The original Bridgestones that came with the car were the most brutal
OEM tires I have ever owned. Replaced them immediately.

Wise decision. Firestone!

 

[Guest]

My 2000 Forester S has and is a great ride at 95,000 miles. Only two
minor problems. One is the clock stopped working and cost me $52 to
replace and one valve cover leaked at 93,000 miles which I fixed with
a new $11 dollar gasket. Recently went on a 3,650 mile vacation (FL.
to WI. to IA.and return). Averaged 27.8 mpg driving 70 mph on cruise
with the AC on. I still have original everything including brake pads.
I thinking about a 2008 as by then I will be at 150,000 +miles and I
am retired and deserve a new one. ed

You've had good maintenance success, but that 28 MPG isn't that great.

My '95 Concord 3.3L gets the same 28 MPG at 70 mph. year round;
with no engine maintenance in 72 k miles, but spark plugs at 60 K miles.
Still 5,000 miles per qt. of oil as when new. I expect it's engine to
last forever.